(26 Aug 2015, 2:26 pm)S813 FVK wrote I knew Dan was onto something when he said that it was in GNE red...

(26 Aug 2015, 1:55 pm)citaro5284 wrote A nice shiny red bus has just arrived

(26 Aug 2015, 2:19 pm)Si1989 wrote One of the 97 buses is at saltmedows looked like it was sanded down ready for repaint

(26 Aug 2015, 3:25 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Is it carpeted?

(26 Aug 2015, 3:32 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Wonder if GNE will favour the E400MMC (both Cummins and Scania) and B8RLE over the Street'shed' and Streetlite.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:06 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Dan were you on the 10:49 682 this morning?

(26 Aug 2015, 3:36 pm)R852 PRG wrote Unfortunately if the MPG of the Wright integral products is more efficient than the two competing products, chances are they will be favoured.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:08 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Yeah, I think that the B8RLE is a bit too heavy of a vehicle TBH. The results might show otherwise but I highly doubt it. Why don't GNE look at the ADL E200MMC with a 6.7l ISBe unit? Good combination of performance and fuel economy too.

I know that GNE and Go Ahead are loyal to Wrightbus but ADL's offering across the board looks far superior TBH, fulfilling every requirement of a bus operator through a range of chassis and body combinations. Shame Volvo didn't put the 8 litre engine into the Gemini 3. GNE would've snapped them up like hotcakes and I don't think that the B5TL nor the Streetdeck are suitable for anything other than Town and City work. The E400MMC would take the Pronto to the next level. The Streetdeck would only solve issues short term.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:08 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Yeah, I think that the B8RLE is a bit too heavy of a vehicle TBH. The results might show otherwise but I highly doubt it. Why don't GNE look at the ADL E200MMC with a 6.7l ISBe unit? Good combination of performance and fuel economy too.

I know that GNE and Go Ahead are loyal to Wrightbus but ADL's offering across the board looks far superior TBH, fulfilling every requirement of a bus operator through a range of chassis and body combinations. Shame Volvo didn't put the 8 litre engine into the Gemini 3. GNE would've snapped them up like hotcakes and I don't think that the B5TL nor the Streetdeck are suitable for anything other than Town and City work. The E400MMC would take the Pronto to the next level. The Streetdeck would only solve issues short term.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:13 pm)Michael wrote It'll be interesting to see how it copes on the 20/20A being its a long route, it still has a 7.7 litre engine so it might cope quite well, we just don't know until it enters service...

I do hope it goes well and GNE do buy some... it also depends on the price, anyone know the rough price, that including.. sockets, WIFI and stop announcements?, as GNE will have to buy 20 of them?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:23 pm)Dan wrote To be quite honest, the Streetlite Micro-Hybrids cope well on services 8/78 (even if they are pushed to their limits). The Volvo B8RLE will have to be one hell of a bus to prove itself better than the Streetlite Micro-Hybrid, and the fuel economy of both is what will really make or break an order for either.

Based on the press releases earlier this year for the new "Coast & Country" and "Red Kite" Streetlites, a top-spec Streetlite comes in at around £165,000.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:31 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:31 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:33 pm)Dan wrote Drivers will need to undergo familiarisation with this vehicle type prior to it entering service - the dash layout is completely different compared to other vehicles in the fleet manufactured by Volvo.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:34 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully it'll be out on Saturday... would be nice of GNE to send it to Seaburn on bank Holiday............ 

(26 Aug 2015, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 wrote it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

(26 Aug 2015, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 wrote it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

(26 Aug 2015, 7:25 am)S813 FVK wrote Is 5239 still at Stanley for maintenence? Wont be withdrawn until it gets to Riverside - it is in full branding for toon link

(26 Aug 2015, 1:01 pm)park5354 wrote 4919 is back in service today, was parked at Gateshead metro this morning.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:47 pm)Dan wrote No, it's not. All being well, 5148 will be withdrawn by the end of this week (but don't hold your breath!)


As such, Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) is the latest example to go to Thornton's for DDA modifications.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote B8RLE's for the 20? What about our favoured #purplesolars ?

Some of these in a MAXgold spec for the 685 sounds like the way forward for us.... Anyone at Doxford watching?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:58 pm)Sidthebusbabe wrote What a shame. The withdrawal of 5148 will be the end of Era for me as I've had the pleasure of experiencing the 'Toon Link' Renowns almost every day for the past few years. I can almost surely hold them accountable for truly transforming what was a typical childhood interest into a blissfully serious hobby, even passion, in recent years.

Looking towards the future, I am complacently optimistic about the qualities of the B8RLE solely based on my fondness of the B7RLE, another bus I've been fond of and has seemingly been omnipresent on my local 47, in addition to my admiration of the Eclipse design.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:02 pm)R852 PRG wrote I felt the same when 4853-4855 were withdrawn. The last ''Limes'' standing.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:04 pm)Michael wrote Not the only one.. i was gutted although the Streetlites are doing really well, i actually like them on the routes.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:02 pm)citaro5284 wrote Do Arriva NE buy Volvo's?