(10 Dec 2013, 6:51 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote As far as i am aware it is all routes, i still cant get over the fact that i have seen 2 solo srs off route in 4 days of been in service!

(10 Dec 2013, 7:13 pm)mattdw92 wrote Its better than having two sitting doing nothing in the depot, as there are two spare.

(06 Dec 2013, 4:24 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote 649 is on the 15, 1st day in service and one is already off route!

(10 Dec 2013, 8:43 pm)busmanT wrote What time was it on the 15, as Venture buses are scheduled to operate evening 15's

(10 Dec 2013, 6:43 pm)randomdude wrote Just a quick question, are any of you who have travelled on the venture solos aware of which routes have received next stop announcements? Is it all routes (inc. 689 etc.) or just the main routes such as V1,V2, V8?

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

(11 Dec 2013, 3:21 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Speaking of Ensign Bus, They have a 2010 Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 up for sale, if they have a few it could a good investment for GNE, And there is still some Ex Go Ahead London Omnideckers available also.

http://www.ensignbus.com/volvo-b9tl-2010.html

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

(11 Dec 2013, 3:31 pm)andreos1 wrote Doesn't look like your WSS have gone anywhere yet either .

Www.ensignbus.com/mini-pointer-dart-2003.html

edit. Just noticed this bad boy - not sure how long it will take to flog this mind www.ensignbus.com/daf-sb220-1998.html

(11 Dec 2013, 3:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote They'll be joined by the Former East Durham Examples soon I would think, I'm now even more baffled as to why GNE are getting rid of them, as they are DDA Compliant according to the information on Ensign. One or Two of the WSS MPD's are still hanging on at Washington Depot mind if anyone is wanting photos.

(10 Dec 2013, 6:43 pm)randomdude wrote Just a quick question, are any of you who have travelled on the venture solos aware of which routes have received next stop announcements? Is it all routes (inc. 689 etc.) or just the main routes such as V1,V2, V8?

(11 Dec 2013, 4:45 pm)grandad wrote I traveled on the 689 on Monday towards Hexham and next-stop announcements were not working. It would be difficult to do because between Ebchester and the A695 into Hexham, there are no recognised stops. The service is 'hail and ride'.

(11 Dec 2013, 3:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote They'll be joined by the Former East Durham Examples soon I would think, I'm now even more baffled as to why GNE are getting rid of them, as they are DDA Compliant according to the information on Ensign. One or Two of the WSS MPD's are still hanging on at Washington Depot mind if anyone is wanting photos.

(11 Dec 2013, 5:47 pm)busmanT wrote They are the oldest minibuses in the fleet, so obviously the vehicles to be withdrawn and sold.

(11 Dec 2013, 6:07 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I fully understand that it's down to age and money from GNE's point of view and using that money to reinvesting in the Fleet, but at the end of the day there was nothing wrong with them and were in fine working order, plus they are DDA Compliant, compared to the SPD's/Olympians/Renowns and ELC Loynes which should of went before them as they are some of those 3/4 Year Older.

(11 Dec 2013, 6:25 pm)Tom wrote PB0002400/291 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Newcastle New Bridge Street given service number 56 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0002400/448 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Sunderland Park Lane Interchange given service number 135,136 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0003954/505 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between North Shields Rudyard Street and Sunderland Park Lane interchange given service number 9 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

(11 Dec 2013, 6:38 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Without a doubt related to the Roadworks in Sunderland City Centre with buses reverting to using John Street and Holmeside (just like they did many many years ago.)

(11 Dec 2013, 2:59 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Off memory the 2nd hand buses in service in the fleet at present are.......

618/619 - Ex Redby
3966-3983 - Ex Go-Ahead London
4989/4990 - Ex Ludlows
4991/4992 - Ex Anglian
5144-5150 - Ex Arriva Northumbria
5151-5171 - Ex Oxford Bus Company
5337/5338 - Ex Southern Vectis
5339/5341/5345/5347/5348 - Ex Go-Ahead London
6008-6042 - Ex Go-Ahead London
8289 - Ex Elcock Reisen
8293 - Ex Northumbria Coaches

That makes a total of 93 buses making up the second hand fleet.

For the record Arriva has around 75 which is due to increase.
Stagecoach has around 40 when all the Tridents are in service, but looks set to reduce as the Gas Buses are finally in service.

(12 Dec 2013, 1:00 pm)andymac wrote Hello noys and girls I'm new to the site just to tell you an orange gemimi is currently at deptford depot for driver familiarisation didn't get the mimber though..