(23 Sep 2015, 8:05 pm)Diamond One wrote Much prefer them hybrids any day of the week solos am not a fan of cab is too tight

(23 Sep 2015, 8:12 pm)Michael wrote Which is your fav Bazza Gas or the B5's?

(23 Sep 2015, 10:06 pm)Diamond One wrote Hybrids have a smooth engine gas ones have easy convos i much prefer a hybrid nowadays

(23 Sep 2015, 8:12 pm)Michael wrote Which is your fav Bazza Gas or the B5's?

(23 Sep 2015, 11:05 pm)G-CPTN wrote You (lucky) guys have the option of hybrids.

Here in the sticks we have to put up with only diesels (B9TLs for the TEN and Scanias for the X84/X85 I believe).

Oh, and we are even pleased when an MPD turns up (better than no bus at all).

For the Tynedale Links in and around Hexham, the MPDs are OK.

Whilst it would be nice to have a bespoke-liveried Solo for the AD122, allocating plain yellow MPDs mean that there are backup vehicles available that don't look out of place.

(24 Sep 2015, 7:27 am)Dan wrote Keep connected while on the indigo...



Most of the "indiGo" and "Wear Tees Xpress" branded vehicles at Peterlee are now fitted with free passenger Wi-Fi - any which haven't yet been installed should be very shortly. Quite a few passengers have been using the free service already, despite it not being promoted yet!

(22 Sep 2015, 8:18 pm)G-CPTN wrote So how does the 'disabled' access function?

It looks like a high-floor vehicle and a rather narrow entrance door.

(24 Sep 2015, 9:11 am)Michael wrote The B9's aren't bad, worse buses have being built in the past. 


That's the only problem for the AD122 if GNE put Solo Sr's on it, from the current fleet is numbers. Currently there's 4 Sunderland Connect ones.... 3 hybrid and a Diesel spare... only can be put on the AD122 if they loose the contract of the 700/701... which is to run out in June 2016...Honestly think GNE will keep the contract though....

(24 Sep 2015, 9:49 am)northern156 wrote Could be a bit of a far cry but another option could be attaining another Solo SR (or other vehicle) from another operator? Not likely IMO but didn't Hexham gain some other vehicles recently off Snaith's?

Going to the Hybrid discussion - I really am a fan of the Angel B5LHs (just not some of the places they serve) and I do rather like Arriva's examples too for the 308. However, it has to be said that when you've been on mostly hybrid/gas buses for several hours it really does develop a craving for a full diesel bus! Last time I had a run to Blyth and back on the X5 for no real reason apart from I wanted a large engine powering me along!

(24 Sep 2015, 9:47 am)RM2186 wrote http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/uploads/6/8/4/2/6842078/7535480_orig.jpg

This linky should answer your question. Photo is courtesy of Scania (UK)

(24 Sep 2015, 11:12 am)Dan wrote Riverside's former "The Highwayman" branded Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5218 (NK54 NVO) has returned to service following repaint into a green base livery. It is the same shade of green which is used on the "Lambton Worm" branded vehicles. 5227 (NK54 NWA) has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for the same treatment.

Deptford's Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5326 (NK58 DWD) is now branded as "See it, Do it, Sunderland".

(24 Sep 2015, 11:23 am)Michael wrote Looks to be an updated version of the "Highwayman" - hopefully it looks good.

(24 Sep 2015, 1:42 pm)Andreos1 wrote Thought they would have been going into a back-seat role to be honest, rather than staying on main front-line duties

(24 Sep 2015, 1:34 pm)Michael wrote Looking at recent photos of the 680.. it looks to be getting decent passengers, although its every 2 hours on parts of the route.... how is the 682 doing?

(24 Sep 2015, 1:47 pm)Michael wrote Me too but doesn't look like it atm.

Honestly thought the 97/97A/X97 will of got new/newer buses this year... but they seem to be sticking to Scania's for the time being...


Not sure whats happening to the 64/64A, it hasn't appeared on VOSA yet... hopefully those services are gone and they decided just to replace them with the 95.... lol

(24 Sep 2015, 3:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote Where would they come from if you wanted to replace them without buying brand new?

(24 Sep 2015, 3:10 pm)Michael wrote From cascades within the GNE fleet when new buses arrive

(24 Sep 2015, 3:12 pm)GX03 SVC wrote ...or other Go-Ahead companies? 

(24 Sep 2015, 3:10 pm)Michael wrote From cascades within the GNE fleet when new buses arrive

(24 Sep 2015, 3:16 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Dealer stock?

(24 Sep 2015, 3:13 pm)citaro5284 wrote Which cascades and are other Go Ahead companies buying new vehicles?

(24 Sep 2015, 3:14 pm)S813 FVK wrote The ex-London omnicities that Michael wants for Deptford?