(03 Aug 2014, 8:46 am)Roland Pratt wrote Is there a secret to opening the window on a Citaro?

Was on the X7 yesterdsy and it was like an oven. Pulled the window like mad but it wouldn't open.

Plenty of yellow Olympians about in Newcastle.

(03 Aug 2014, 8:48 am)Dan wrote The air conditioning only works when the windows are closed, which is why they were locked for quite some time.

Most examples in the fleet have now had their windows unlocked, due to passengers complaining when either;
a) the driver forgets to turn the air-con on, or,
b) the air-con isn't working.

The air-con on the "Wear Tees Xpress" branded Mercs was all working a few months back though, as they've been at Deptford plenty of times for other reasons, whilst having extra bits here and there (such as the air-con) fixed too!

(03 Aug 2014, 8:52 am)Roland Pratt wrote Ah right that explains it. Didn't realise you had opening windows with aircon!

(03 Aug 2014, 10:09 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Not sure who does/doesn't these days - but a lot of operators have incentives for drivers who drive in an economical manner.
It doesn't take a genius to realise that the chances of having a decent record is reduced drastically when the aircon is being used.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:54 am)citaro5284 wrote Drivers are not penalised due to air con been on. Drivers are scored based on 5 set parameters and that is not one of them

(03 Aug 2014, 11:15 am)G-CPTN wrote My son has a diesel Ford S-Max (people carrier).
He refuses to use the air-con 'because it uses more fuel', yet will travel with the windows open (which causes more drag and uses more fuel . . . ).

(03 Aug 2014, 11:32 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I have worked out air con reduces my fuel economy by approx 10/20 mpg whilst using the car.

(03 Aug 2014, 11:50 am)Tom wrote Anyone know when the 17 on Sundays is next up for contract? GNE could operate it with the three Solos they have at Percy Main.

(03 Aug 2014, 12:01 pm)Kuyoyo wrote If you had a look at the tender document, you'd find out.....

But here they are anyway - 2 boards (One including the 335 and the other including the 3/6/32/32A) are up for renewal in March 2016, while the 3rd board (which also includes the 59/W2) is up for renewal in July 2016, at the same time the rest of the Whitley Bay Town work (Arriva's other 59/359/W2 working, which includes 32/32A, and Go North East's W3, W1A and W1/32/32A) is up for renewal.

(03 Aug 2014, 12:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Wow, that much, mine is about 5-8 mpg

(03 Aug 2014, 1:14 pm)Kuyoyo wrote For Tom, if you check this, it might help

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=848&pid=55505#pid55505

(03 Aug 2014, 9:29 pm)Dan wrote Apart from that one time just last week when one appeared on the X21?
I have no doubt it would have been taken off at Chester though.

I believe two have been on the X21 (on an unscheduled journey), but other than scholars, I don't think any have been off-route.

(03 Aug 2014, 9:34 pm)Tom wrote Oh yeah forgot about that
Is there a reason why newer buses don't appear on the 14/X22 on Sundays?

Continued this in the GNE thread as it was going a bit off topic.

(03 Aug 2014, 9:34 pm)Tom wrote Oh yeah forgot about that
Is there a reason why newer buses don't appear on the 14/X22 on Sundays?

(03 Aug 2014, 10:02 pm)Jimmi wrote What is used on the 14/X22 on a Sunday.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:05 pm)Marcus wrote Whatever they've got - I've seen B10BLEs, B7s, Tridents, 3983, the lot!

There's normally one or two Angels knocking about the depot on a Sunday (not sure what the 21s PVR is on a Sunday), so no doubt one day one will wind up on a Sunday X22.

I'm pretty sure (not 100% ) but I think the allocation for the 14/X22 is Presidents. It seems to be random on a Sunday. On a Sunday, the 14/X22 is a bit like the 9 every day

(03 Aug 2014, 10:06 pm)Tom wrote It's always been Solars when I've seen it - was 4926/4930 when I was last at the Metrocentre.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:07 pm)Marcus wrote Like I say it seems to get everything.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:14 pm)Tom wrote And I'm sure when the bus rally was on it was 4930/4837! I remember the first departure coming in full and leaving with one passenger.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:06 pm)Tom wrote It's always been Solars when I've seen it - was 4926/4930 when I was last at the Metrocentre.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:14 pm)Tom wrote And I'm sure when the bus rally was on it was 4930/4837! I remember the first departure coming in full and leaving with one passenger.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:31 pm)Jimmi wrote I saw two former WTX Renowns that day on the 14/X22.

Haven't seen the 14/X22 since.

(03 Aug 2014, 10:37 pm)Tom wrote It must be allocated a mix of the two then - do you know if the 14 gets busy on Sundays like Saturdays?
I used it yesterday and it was a Work, Eat Play (or Work, Eat and Smell of Foist as Andreos would say) Lolyne, and it was heaving. There was only a few seats left on the upper deck, and about half of the lower deck, must have made about £25!