(22 Sep 2015, 3:54 pm)Dan wrote I'll be a little less vague than Robert... The Volvo B10BLEs which have yet to take a trip to Thornton Brothers for DDA-modifications are as follows:

Deptford - 4903, 4905, 4908, 4908, 4924, 4925
Percy Main - 4912, 4913
Riverside - 4896, 4903, 4907, 4917, 4923

Any dual-door Volvo B10BLEs which are destined to remain in the fleet beyond this year will also need to be modified. The dual-door Volvo B10BLEs currently in active service are:

Percy Main - 5151, 5152, 5153, 5154, 5155, 5156, 5157, 5158, 5159, 5166
Riverside - 5160, 5167, 5168, 5169, 5170, 5171

I believe two of Percy Main's examples have already been withdrawn, but are seeing use periodically as last resort reserves.

(22 Sep 2015, 3:55 pm)S813 FVK wrote I think the Fab 57 Renowns will get modified. Don't think any other dual doors will.

(22 Sep 2015, 7:51 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Found this on Ensign:
http://www.ensignbus.com/1999-dennis-tridents.html

(22 Sep 2015, 7:54 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Any chance of GNE buying this?
http://www.ensignbus.com/2006-volvo-b7la-ftr.html

(22 Sep 2015, 8:35 pm)Michael wrote Im glad GNE are making the B10's DDA, the duel doors one are terrible.

(23 Sep 2015, 9:18 am)Michael wrote Go North East

We are experiencing delays on Sunderland City Centre approach roads due to a traffic census. We're working hard to alleviate the disruption.

Seems the 9 is one of the services badly effected..


Q: Two 9s from park lane left empty queue for North Shields ridiculous
GNE: Unfortunately, due to the delays, it appears these buses have been dropped out of service to try and regulate the route. Apologies.

(23 Sep 2015, 10:06 am)Andreos1 wrote The survey people are there until 1900 tonight according to reports.
Not much chance of those 9's making much progress over the day!

(23 Sep 2015, 11:01 am)Dan wrote Deptford's Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns 4904 (W904 RBB) and 4905 (W905 RBB) are now at Thornton Brothers, Ashington, to receive DDA modifications. Similarly, Riverside's Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4907 (W907 RBB) is now moving under its own power again, having received a new engine from now-withdrawn "Toon Link" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4841 (R841 PRG), and is also at Thornton Brothers, Ashington, to receive DDA modifications.

(23 Sep 2015, 11:09 am)G-CPTN wrote What do these DDA modifications involve?

ie what do these vehicles need that they haven't already got?

I cannot imagine that the interior is being changed to low-floor.

Is it mainly the fitting of entrance ramps?

(23 Sep 2015, 11:12 am)Dan wrote The Volvo B10BLEs are already fitted with ramps, though they do require the installation of yellow markings in ramp area. I believe the main modification is the removal of a tip-up seat and minor adjustment to the wheelchair position.

(23 Sep 2015, 11:12 am)Dan wrote The Volvo B10BLEs are already fitted with ramps, though they do require the installation of yellow markings in ramp area. I believe the main modification is the removal of a tip-up seat and minor adjustment to the wheelchair position, as can be seen below.

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(23 Sep 2015, 11:30 am)park5354 wrote DDA modifications :-   Yellow edge fitted to platform edge, first tip up seat removed from wheelchair bay,  new headboard fitted in wheelchair bay and and an Extra pole fitted between facing seats above near side  rear wheel arch.

(23 Sep 2015, 12:01 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The Angels could do with some extra poles near the wheel arch seats at the back. I find the rear facing ones impossible to balance on and there's no means of steadying myself on roundabouts.

(23 Sep 2015, 1:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote And take the fun out of trying to remain upright 

(22 Sep 2015, 3:40 pm)Michael wrote With the fleet lists not getting updated i'm a bit lost, any help on which ones need to be done? (once again i'm confused)

(23 Sep 2015, 3:19 pm)Dan wrote Nee more twisting Michael - the fleet lists have been updated..!

(23 Sep 2015, 3:25 pm)Michael wrote Is the AD122 awarded yearly or once a company gets it they run for a certain amount of years?

(23 Sep 2015, 3:28 pm)S813 FVK wrote I don't think it is a contract anymore (either that or the funding has been reduced) hence why the livery isn't as good as Alba Travel's SR.

(23 Sep 2015, 3:36 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully GNE run it next year but with something better than a MPD..

(23 Sep 2015, 6:27 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I like MPDs the only other thing is a Citaro...

Which won't happen

(23 Sep 2015, 6:31 pm)DanPicken wrote Solo SR.

(23 Sep 2015, 6:27 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I like MPDs the only other thing is a Citaro...
Which won't happen

(23 Sep 2015, 6:36 pm)Michael wrote They could use Solo's on it, only if they loose some NEXUS/Sunderland Connect next year.

The NEXUS Solo Sr's and Sunderland Connect (640 arrived a year later but i would imagine they'll be done together) are due for repaint next year... so we never know....

(23 Sep 2015, 6:39 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I have only been on 640 but don't like electric buses, avoid the 21 and 308 is what I do

(23 Sep 2015, 6:41 pm)Michael wrote The ones on the 700 are quiet good, i haven't being on Arriva's electric buses yet but the Angel ones are horrible.

(23 Sep 2015, 6:41 pm)Michael wrote The ones on the 700 are quiet good, i haven't being on Arriva's electric buses yet but the Angel ones are horrible.

(23 Sep 2015, 6:41 pm)Michael wrote The ones on the 700 are quiet good, i haven't being on Arriva's electric buses yet but the Angel ones are horrible.

(23 Sep 2015, 7:10 pm)Dan wrote You see, I prefer the Volvo B5LHs compared to the Solo SR Hybrids...

I think the transition between 'Hybrid mode' and 'diesel mode' can be too harsh on the Volvo B5LHs, but they're just like an ordinary diesel-powered bus as soon as they go into 'diesel mode'. I'm by no means no expert on the mechanics of a bus, but I'm pretty sure the Solos stay in 'Hybrid mode'. I'm not too fond on the squeal these seem to have inside.

Neither compare to the biomethane-powered Scania ADL Enviro300s at Sunderland, mind..! They're absolutely fantastic; aside from being quieter than an ordinary diesel bus, there's hardly any notable differences.

(23 Sep 2015, 7:12 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The Angels freak me out every time the engine stops!

Talking of which, has anyone seen 6060 lately? We haven't spotted it since it wouldn't start, about a month ago.

_____________________

Agree that the stagecoach gas buses are lovely. The engine noise from inside is a nice quiet hum - and that has to be pretty good for people on the estates they serve, too.