(19 Aug 2013, 5:20 pm)W179SCU wrote I've noticed the X40 Scanias use the middle doors at New Bridge Street and Blackett Street.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:21 pm)Michael wrote I think their pointless, Can't wait for them to go in to back up buses

Ive only ever used the duel doors on the Vykings on the 26 in Hylton Castle when the driver told me nastly to go to the middle... i turned around and said any other time u don't f***ing use them, whats the point in having them.

They were built for London and GNE shouldn't of bloody bought them.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:21 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Oh, completely forgot about them! I've never used the service myself, so I wouldn't know, but I've seen a picture on Flickr where the centre doors are being used at Regent Centre - whether this is a regular occurrence or not?

(19 Aug 2013, 5:22 pm)W179SCU wrote Vykings aren't bad buses. GNE should have converted them to single door like the Presidents.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:27 pm)W179SCU wrote I've saw them used a few times, but not frequently... I've noticed passenger numbers increasing on the X40 though, possibly because of the upcoming withdrawal on Arrivas X40. To be honest, the bendy buses shouldn't be used on that service, usually a Merit is on there and that isn't even half full! Same with the 58, I personally don't think that needs bendy buses, the Versas will be more practical on the service. The Hadrian Park-Newcastle section is poorly used from my experience.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:28 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Agreed - albeit a bit noisy! They really should do them up properly though - some seats have somewhat 'makeshift' headrests and the bell sound is horrible!

Michael, that bus driver was pretty out of order, as any time I've used the 26 or X3/X36 (Vyking), they've never used the centre doors - even at the Interchanges at Park Lane, Heworth and Jarrow.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:32 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I agree about the X40 - although this may change when the Arriva X40 stops? The bendies and even large single deckers aren't really suitable to the route the 58 takes, in my opinion, but are necessary for the Gateshead side, where it's usually standing room only on the bendies - even outside of peak time!

(19 Aug 2013, 5:22 pm)W179SCU wrote Vykings aren't bad buses. GNE should have converted them to single door like the Presidents.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:37 pm)aureolin wrote Some of the bus stops still have the pink Angel sticker on them in fact.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:42 pm)BJ10VUS wrote There's a bus stop near Dunston Hill Hospital still showing the 639 and 639A on the flag. Quite a few of the ones in Crawcrook still show the 602 and 604 on the flag.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:47 pm)gtomlinson wrote The main stop in Birtley actually has Newcastle City Council written on the top of it

I don't think dual door would ever have been foisted upon us as a region (in modern times at least) unless GNE hadn't have got the Vykings and ex-OBC stock in cheap

(19 Aug 2013, 5:41 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Converting the Vykings to single door would have more-or-less double the refurbishment cost (Quoted in Buses Magazine around the time as £20000 per bus) as they are DDA-compatible in Dual Door format but without spending money to alter the front door and wider the gangway there, they wouldn't meet DDA. Hence the reason they were left as dual door.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:50 pm)the pilot wrote I agree at times dual doors have merits, below I have posted a list where I believe that dual doors would be practical:


MetroCentre Circular S1
Tyne Tees Express X9
Tyne Tees Express X10
Angel 21
X66 metrocentre X66

Any opinions?

(19 Aug 2013, 5:58 pm)aureolin wrote Weren't they purchased for the fact they were dual door though? I can recall something being put out at the time by Go North East to say they were to speed up boarding/alighting times. I can recall getting a similar answer from Peter Huntley on Openline.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:42 pm)BJ10VUS wrote There's a bus stop near Dunston Hill Hospital still showing the 639 and 639A on the flag. Quite a few of the ones in Crawcrook still show the 602 and 604 on the flag.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote I have fortunately never been in the area when one has been working, but how the heck do the bendies get around Leam Lane with the bends, twists, turns and parked cars?

(19 Aug 2013, 5:58 pm)aureolin wrote Weren't they purchased for the fact they were dual door though? I can recall something being put out at the time by Go North East to say they were to speed up boarding/alighting times. I can recall getting a similar answer from Peter Huntley on Openline.

(19 Aug 2013, 6:01 pm)aureolin wrote Sorry the sticker I was referring to was placed on the pole itself. An example can be seen at the Wicket Gate stop in Chester Le Street. It's got the pink Angel logo on with a 2X next to it.

(19 Aug 2013, 5:37 pm)aureolin wrote The dual doors being used on the 57 seems to depend on the driver. I've been told to use them at times, yet at other times been told I can't use them. Although customer services had said they should be used at *all* stops? Can't see that being the case, as I can remember there being exceptions with the 21. Some of the bus stops still have the pink Angel sticker on them in fact.

(19 Aug 2013, 6:12 pm)Daniel wrote One of Gateshead's Renowns is brilliant. Retains stickers from Saltwell Park and Highwayman days...
It looks pretty poor from a customer point of view, but I love it as an enthusiast.

(20 Aug 2013, 8:36 am)W179SCU wrote When I had 4916 on the 58 the other day, that had Highwayman stickers in the wheelchair/pushchair bays, but didn't see any Saltwell Park stickers!