(06 Jun 2015, 1:18 pm)Robert wrote 4922 made a nice little trip to Stanley. At Sunniside heading back to Riverside now

(05 Jun 2015, 9:07 pm)Michael wrote The 2 plain purple versa's might join the Orbit if the proposed changes go ahead (Q1 merging with 51/52) athough this depends on how much it will increase by.

The Q2 and X40/40A were planned to merge together, interworking every 20 minutes, the rest of the Quaylink Versa's should go on their (although were not sure what they will be branded as)

So:

51/52 - Gateshead - Carr Hill - Felling Square - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Springwell Estate - Wrekenton - Easedale Gardens - Dryden Road - Gateshead - The Sage l Gateshead College l Baltic l Quayside l Newcastle - every 15 minutes - PVR 11? - the 2 purple versa's joins as "Orbit"

Q3 - Newcastle l Quayside l Ouseburn l St Peter’s Basin - Newcastle City Centre » Gosforth High Street » Regent Centre » Great North Road » Brunton Lane » Great Park  - Every 20 minutes - PVR 7 - Branded as ?????? (although this had a proposed route change at the great park, so it might change)

The 2 spare versa will remain at Riverside 
 

(06 Jun 2015, 1:24 pm)citaro5284 wrote Robert, you not been on 5401 to hear the Next Stop Announcements, with you been our Derwentside expert. 

(06 Jun 2015, 2:25 pm)Tom wrote The Omnidekkas are really impressive! Rode 6128 from Gateshead to Lanchester and it was so smooth, and had a lot of power.

(06 Jun 2015, 2:25 pm)Tom wrote The Omnidekkas are really impressive! Rode 6128 from Gateshead to Lanchester and it was so smooth, and had a lot of power.

(06 Jun 2015, 1:25 pm)Racer_Experience wrote

---

Anyhow 6128 is alive and kicking on X30/X31 managed a photo

(06 Jun 2015, 2:29 pm)Dan wrote The drivers at Stanley think all of their Christmases have come at once! On a changeover, two drivers were discussing the OmniDekkas, and both stated "they are like rockets", and one even said that he "didn't want to come off it".. They must be good!

(06 Jun 2015, 2:46 pm)pdiddy wrote They should of been sent to Crook the replace the unreliable Prontos... they'd of been ideal on the X21.

(06 Jun 2015, 5:42 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I know this is on the wrong thread but im just going to guess,    Volvo B5tl/Wright Gemini 3 will be the probably first choice as GNE have bought Volvo for years

My personal choice would be the Optare Metrodecker as its a totally new design, lightweight body, stop start technology, more powerful , ZF ecolife gearbox and very passenger appealing compared to a 15 and half year old B7TL Plaxton President Though the metrodecker has 2 less seats to a president so there will be a decrease in seated passenger capacity.

(06 Jun 2015, 5:42 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I know this is on the wrong thread but im just going to guess,    Volvo B5tl/Wright Gemini 3 will be the probably first choice as GNE have bought Volvo for years

My personal choice would be the Optare Metrodecker as its a totally new design, lightweight body, stop start technology, more powerful , ZF ecolife gearbox and very passenger appealing compared to a 15 and half year old B7TL Plaxton President Though the metrodecker has 2 less seats to a president so there will be a decrease in seated passenger capacity.


Or at least get a demonstrator like when they tested a B5TL on the X21 last year and see how they cope with the route.

(06 Jun 2015, 6:19 pm)Racer_Experience wrote they may get a Wright Streetdeck the ones First have there is a 50% chance there is one coming up on Demonstration soon as somebody posted a shot of it interior wise and it had the current Go North East seat moquettes but i think some will go to X21, 27, they may trial a similar vehicle on X9/X10 to see how it copes along the long 2 plus hour round trip on X9/X10

(06 Jun 2015, 6:44 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I think GNE are turning into arriva a bit, There like buying streetlites for all routes and if they buy streetdecks as a double decker that shows there buying cheaper less capable buses for routes that used to have mighty B10BLES, Omnicities and Mercedes Citaro Bendys there all heavy duty buses with bigger engines for tougher routes like them except the X66

Im sure everyone here would prefer a B8RLE on the Limes and maybe double deckers for the Red Kites though it was right buying streetlites for the X66 as its only 10 minutes long.
Nearly all bus companies don't buy heavywieghts now, that's why I think the B8RLE will not sell good     its all about fuel savings!!!

(06 Jun 2015, 7:05 pm)pdiddy wrote The demo volvo b5 on the X21 was nowhere near powerful enough and wouldn't have lasted a year, that's why I don't think any were bought. These 5 litre engines in deckers aren't suitable to the demanding route. That's why maybe they should try and get newer scania deckers 56 reg maybe from Brighton or B9s as these would be more suitable for the route

(05 Jun 2015, 9:07 pm)Michael wrote The 2 plain purple versa's might join the Orbit if the proposed changes go ahead (Q1 merging with 51/52) athough this depends on how much it will increase by.

The Q2 and X40/40A were planned to merge together, interworking every 20 minutes, the rest of the Quaylink Versa's should go on their (although were not sure what they will be branded as)

So:

51/52 - Gateshead - Carr Hill - Felling Square - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Springwell Estate - Wrekenton - Easedale Gardens - Dryden Road - Gateshead - The Sage l Gateshead College l Baltic l Quayside l Newcastle - every 15 minutes - PVR 11? - the 2 purple versa's joins as "Orbit"

Q3 - Newcastle l Quayside l Ouseburn l St Peter’s Basin - Newcastle City Centre » Gosforth High Street » Regent Centre » Great North Road » Brunton Lane » Great Park  - Every 20 minutes - PVR 7 - Branded as ?????? (although this had a proposed route change at the great park, so it might change)

The 2 spare versa will remain at Riverside 
 

(06 Jun 2015, 7:50 pm)busmanT wrote Looks like:

Q1 is combined with the current 51/52, and will need 13 Versa if the same routes as now.
Numbered Q1 (current 51) & Q2 (current 52).

Q3 is the current X40 and Q2 combined, will need 6 Versa based on current running times and assumption that the frequency on Dean St is reduced from combined 5 mins to combined 7.5 mins (15 mins on each route).

There are 9 Quaylink and 9 Orbit Versa so perhaps one of the purple Versa (8328 & 8329) will become a Quaylink.

(06 Jun 2015, 8:26 pm)Malarkey wrote Think it would be better to Purchase 2 or 3 more Streetlites for the Saltwell Park and have the 53/54 merge with the Q1, Already enough Buses between Gateshead and Newcastle as it is in my opinion without even thinking about extending the 51/52.

(06 Jun 2015, 7:50 pm)busmanT wrote Looks like:

Q1 is combined with the current 51/52, and will need 13 Versa if the same routes as now.
Numbered Q1 (current 51) & Q2 (current 52).

Q3 is the current X40 and Q2 combined, will need 6 Versa based on current running times and assumption that the frequency on Dean St is reduced from combined 5 mins to combined 7.5 mins (15 mins on each route).

There are 9 Quaylink and 9 Orbit Versa so perhaps one of the purple Versa (8328 & 8329) will become a Quaylink.

(06 Jun 2015, 8:32 pm)citaro5284 wrote But the same amount of buses it will be wont it.....as the Quaylink does it now???