(30 Mar 2015, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote If they're the same, they should be ok, only Stanley and Chester-Le-Street drivers need familiarisation, as they haven't drove them before. 

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Should be all drivers as they're rigid buses now.

(31 Mar 2015, 12:39 pm)Malarkey wrote Been waiting 20 Minutes for the 13:24 Service 2 from Lambton to Sunderland, any ideas where it is, the one which would of done the 13:31 2A was running 7 Minutes late.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:42 pm)aureolin wrote Having digested the X66 brand so to speak, I have to say I'm impressed with it. It certainly works a lot better on the blue than it did on the gold. The elf on the nearside front is a nice touch, as it's something kids will notice as it pulls in.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:45 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote I have to agree, it looked spectacular when I saw it this morning.
The "Metrocentre X66" on the front window is a nice touch as it gives more space for the MetroGnome and the Multi-coloured person.
Wonder if there are different MetroGnomes on each bus? 

Sunderland Echo wroteGo North East is specifically targeting women for 300 jobs on its services in Sunderland and across the North East.

Go North East wroteWe have launched a major recruitment campaign to find 300 new drivers – and women with customer service experience are in particular demand.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:55 pm)aureolin wrote Bus company aims to hire army of women drivers
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/business/bus-company-aims-to-hire-army-of-women-drivers-1-7185617

It's a bit disappointing the spin the Echo have put on this one, but I can't say I'm surprised. Look at the article preview text from both the Echo and GNE compared:

Just eight per cent of the company’s 1,600 drivers are men, 

(31 Mar 2015, 2:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote From the Echo article:-

(31 Mar 2015, 2:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote From the Echo article:-

and the firm believes this is because women think it’s a difficult, male-only job.

The Sunderland Echo Wrote Pure Rubbish:
Just eight per cent of the company’s 1,600 drivers are men, and the firm believes this is because women think it’s a difficult, male-only job.

(31 Mar 2015, 3:25 pm)Dan wrote There have been no further arrivals at Saltmeadows for repaint, but 6030 was receiving corporate livery vinyls today in the paintshop, so it should be returning to Percy Main shortly. 557 is fully branded for the AD122 now - it was having its re-trimmed seats fitted again today, while also receiving interior branding (disabled bay vinyls etc). I can confirm that each "X66" branded vehicle features a different coloured gnome on the front.

4845 (R845 PRG) was not present at Saltmeadows Road today so has presumably been sold, but this will be confirmed in Go North East's fleet news next week. 4950-52 and 8293 are still in storage at Saltmeadows.

Today's arrivals included the first two green Streetlites which are to be allocated to Chester-le-Street for services 8/78. These are 5402 (NK15 ENP) and 5405 (NK15 ENU).

(31 Mar 2015, 1:55 pm)aureolin wrote Bus company aims to hire army of women drivers
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/business/bus-company-aims-to-hire-army-of-women-drivers-1-7185617

It's a bit disappointing the spin the Echo have put on this one, but I can't say I'm surprised. Look at the article preview text from both the Echo and GNE compared:



GNE's own press release is very balanced, yet the Echo have completely ignored the majority of it, and put a spin on it as if GNE are *only* looking for women.

(31 Mar 2015, 3:44 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the update Dan.

Dan on the fleet list you've missed off 5401 and 5409 for the Lime.

(31 Mar 2015, 4:00 pm)Dan wrote 5401 and 5409 are the corporate liveried spares (for Stanley and Chester-le-Street respectively), Michael, so these are noted as 'red' for the time being. See here for the full fleet list of Streetlites - excluding 5410 - 5419 as the first vehicle in this batch has not yet arrived. This list will be updated periodically to include any updates with regards to new arrivals and/or branding column updates.

As reported in the "Tender Discussion Thread elsewhere on the forum, Go North East has been awarded with the tenders for the evening operation of service 39 (currently operated by Stagecoach) and 238/239 (239 currently operated by Compass Community Transport as number 79). These will commence from 31/05/15.

(31 Mar 2015, 4:05 pm)Tom wrote Maybe the four new buses are for the 238/239?

(31 Mar 2015, 4:09 pm)Michael wrote I would think that GNE would want all of the East Durham brand to be the same buses... hopefully that happens this year.

(31 Mar 2015, 4:10 pm)Robert wrote If they're nexus contracts, would they be merged into the main east durham brand?

(31 Mar 2015, 4:14 pm)Michael wrote I'm i correct in saying 8 out of the 15 Lime streetlites have arrived?

Just a friend is asking and the fleet list still only has 4 reg plates on the set for the Limes