(30 Jan 2016, 11:34 am)BusLoverMum wrote Any word on the x1s for today?

(30 Jan 2016, 12:01 pm)Dan wrote 6007 departs from Newcastle at 10:45, 13:05, 15:25, 17:45, 20:00 and 22:00 towards Easington Lane.
6050 departs from Newcastle at 09:20, 11:45, 14:05 and 16:25 towards Easington Lane.

(30 Jan 2016, 12:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Cheers.

Of course, he's changed his mind about catching one, now

(30 Jan 2016, 2:30 am)Dan wrote Not too sure how much of a 'permanent' solution this is, but that is correct, in a bid to provide a younger vehicle and improve reliability on the 434/448 services (also why the two red Volvo B9s, 6116 and 6117, have been regularly allocated on weekdays since the contract started).

3859 has transferred to Riverside in exchange - likely to be used on scholars only, so I'm guessing a few more dual-door Volvo B7s will crop up on the TEN.

(30 Jan 2016, 12:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Cheers.

Of course, he's changed his mind about catching one, now

(30 Jan 2016, 1:30 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think personally, the following should happen rather than taking straight of Riverside who already need more B9s as it is:

- 6100 transfers from Deptford to Riverside in exchange for a Vyking owing to the improved reliability of the Fab 56 where despite still running late sometimes, can easily recover time at either end due to the PVR being reduced to 14 vehicles last year increasing layover time on a 12 minute frequency. 6100 then becomes part of the TEN PVR and branded accordingly allowing 6084 (which is fitted with a Tachograph) to become a spare for the TEN / TTX alongside 3963 / 3964 as well as 3942 at Hexham.

- 3941 then could transfer to Percy Main on a more long term basis to help with the 434/448 services.

(30 Jan 2016, 1:31 pm)Dan wrote Very disappointed in Big'un!

(30 Jan 2016, 3:00 pm)dannygee wrote 5166 destination on front is cutting some of the top line text off. Also seen it not in service before and it doesnt fill the whole front

(29 Jan 2016, 11:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote Well according to 'that' facebook group, 3941 has transferred to Percy Main to replace 3859 on the 434.

(30 Jan 2016, 2:30 am)Dan wrote Not too sure how much of a 'permanent' solution this is, but that is correct, in a bid to provide a younger vehicle and improve reliability on the 434/448 services (also why the two red Volvo B9s, 6116 and 6117, have been regularly allocated on weekdays since the contract started).

3859 has transferred to Riverside in exchange - likely to be used on scholars only, so I'm guessing a few more dual-door Volvo B7s will crop up on the TEN.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:31 pm)Davie wrote Does anyone know if 8270 went back on service X88, as me and Dan were on the 14:55 from Washington heading towards the Metrocentre, and it was chucking a load of white smoke, and smelt of burning (Typical Cadet). Once we reached the Metrocentre the driver was made aware, so he checked the engine and then went of to the layover bay with'Not In Service" on the blind.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:47 pm)Jimmi wrote 14:18 X88 from the Metrocentre was worked by 3943. 3943 was also on the 17:18 journey from the Metrocentre.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:47 pm)Jimmi wrote 14:18 X88 from the Metrocentre was worked by 3943. 3943 was also on the 17:18 journey from the Metrocentre.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:51 pm)S813 FVK wrote Likely that one replaced the other (ie it was late running) rather than 2 vehicles being allocated to a service with a PVR of 1.

(30 Jan 2016, 11:04 am)GMitchelhill wrote Try being on emergency tickets in a betting shop

(30 Jan 2016, 1:34 pm)Michael wrote No thanks, Percy Main are welcome to one of Deptfords Vykings though.....

(30 Jan 2016, 8:15 pm)Diamond One wrote i bet the driver is using Ladbrooks slips 

Vykings have appeared at Percy Main before i remember getting a shot of it on 307 
Evidence: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/9460708228/in/photolist-onq4NQ-oDFYCC-ouFDCQ-oFjp79-opVdrm-opVzSr-nqTUxv-oqfWH9-oqdVBz-oqyjX2-nbdEiL-nbcWKz-mN8HtM-mdieS7-m7gZoA-kJFKDq-oH3K3H-kv5FXB-kttQu1-kttLKN-oqqXSw-kfUEdD-oGDxgP-iR8wgS-oH1ZtF-oGMifC-fEpZL7-fE8rSi-fE8neT-fukeHp-oH2ykc-fq1Rt5-fpLrmz-fpLp7M-fq1AX7-oEnmK7-fj43oA-fiJtDn-oGNRxp-oGxFeK-oqjwyu-ez2G65-eyYsYF-oqepP7-efMBMq-oF2WcC-oqjEwU-e9Uz7n-e1RZDH-a6WpKZ taken years ago in 2013

anyhow i heard a roumor the 5 will be operated out of CLS as opposed to Riverside the 5 will interwork with something like 50 i can see 5 joining that brand now

(30 Jan 2016, 8:42 pm)Malarkey wrote Would not be a better idea in that case to move the 5 over to Deptford and have it interworking with the short 9.

(29 Jan 2016, 10:34 pm)Adrian wrote I'd say that was a bit speculative. I can't recall any links to Sunderland AFC when the brand was promoted, so it could mean absolutely anything. There's certainly nothing fast about Sunderland AFC, and nor did it provide any links when first launched.

Cue someone digging out timetable literature from 2009...  :s

(30 Jan 2016, 10:27 pm)cbma06 wrote The X35 fastcats has no relation to safc or Sunderland, it's only related at the Hartlepool end of the route.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:31 pm)Davie wrote Does anyone know if 8270 went back on service X88, as me and Dan were on the 14:55 from Washington heading towards the Metrocentre, and it was chucking a load of white smoke, and smelt of burning (Typical Cadet). Once we reached the Metrocentre the driver was made aware, so he checked the engine and then went of to the layover bay with'Not In Service" on the blind.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:39 pm)thetravelman wrote Would it not be more appropriate for a Dual-Door Volvo B7 to transfer to Percy Main for use on service 434, they are still younger than 3859.

Also, apart from running the Scholars service morning and afternoon, the 434 service never seems that busy, most times I've seen it pass at work, you are lucky if 4 or 5 people are on board often there is No passengers on board. This is usually between Sleekburn and Bedlington Stn, I'm not sure how busy it usually is towards Ashington and Linton.

I know even when Arriva ran this service, again in the same areas it was always almost empty.

Obviously, I don't know what its actual passenger loadings are, I am just expressing my opinion of what I see. I presume Dan or Citaro may be able to give a better indication of overall passenger numbers on this service.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

(31 Jan 2016, 1:22 am)Diamond One wrote actually it does the nickname for the club is black cats and on the livery it references Cats which it references Fast Cats means ready for battle to win games and the livery is black so technically its Black (base livery) cats (name of the club) Fast (speed and determined to win)

(31 Jan 2016, 11:41 am)Michael wrote With only one Loop Scania to repaint, when will the new branding be applied?