(11 Sep 2016, 5:05 pm)Simmy wrote I noticed 5332 parked on one of the eastbound slip roads of the A167(M) as I was starting the GNR. It appeared to be out of service and couldn't have been going anywhere in a hurry as the central motorway was closed for the run.

(11 Sep 2016, 9:00 am)Michael wrote Anyone know what they're like inside, like the condition etc?

20160908_3052.JPG (Size 4.67 MB | Downloads 59)

(11 Sep 2016, 7:12 pm)busmanT wrote Not bad for a 6 year old bus

(11 Sep 2016, 7:51 pm)GMitchelhill wrote How many Solos are we expecting from Thames Travel.

Come to think of it, I probabley have a photo of one or two of them from when I visited Bracknell in 2013.

(12 Sep 2016, 7:25 am)Michael wrote With the 33 and 39 becoming "Black Cats", i would like to see the brand extended to the 237/238 when they get new Solo's, which are due before end of January 2017 - http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=1864&page=14, along with another 1 for Deptford for the 38 to join the brand too.


So the Black Cats brand will contain services.... 33/38/39/237/238 meaning that could become a flag ship route for Sunderland, where was Washington, North Tyneside and East Durham have Indigo.


Edit:  Above is just a suggestion and isn't CONFIRMED they'll be all branded "Black Cats"

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It also looks to be... 4 new Solo's for Percy Main to replace 625, 627, 631, 632 which will head to Washington to replace the MPD's on the 85/86 allowing those services to join Indigo.


701-704 looks to be the Solo's from Thames Travel , Wonder if 705 will be a another Solo from Thames Travel...(as said before on here)


BusmanT: next batch of Solo will be 691-705, due to arrive before the end of January 2017. http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=1864&page=14

Edit:  Above is just a suggestion and isn't CONFIRMED (expect fhe next batch of Solo's, which is confirmed)

(12 Sep 2016, 7:44 am)Adrian wrote Michael - 701-704 are the Thames Travel fleet numbers of the arrivals. There's nothing to state that they'll be numbered the same by GNE, once they've been painted and prepped for service.

(12 Sep 2016, 7:37 am)cbma06 wrote Wasn't it mentioned on this forum that service 237 will be running from peterlee? Unless it has changed.


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(12 Sep 2016, 7:37 am)cbma06 wrote Wasn't it mentioned on this forum that service 237 will be running from peterlee? Unless it has changed.


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(12 Sep 2016, 9:39 am)Ryan99 wrote I would advise everyone try to avoid using the 20s , I'm on 5429 to Durham and it's broken & I have seen the 20/20A go past in 2s

(12 Sep 2016, 8:05 am)Michael wrote Ah right thought it was confirmed they were staying the same... Must of been seeing things

(12 Sep 2016, 2:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote I was under the impression that they were keeping the same fleet numbers too as suggested in the caption to this photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/29522109771/in/dateposted/

(12 Sep 2016, 5:38 pm)randomdude wrote Just noticed on 5359 that there is a piece of equipment at the top of the windscreen that looks somewhat camera-like. Any ideas on what it could be as none of the other Mercs have it?

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(12 Sep 2016, 5:41 pm)Dan wrote I think this will be the new 'drivecam'.

It is in the process of being rolled out across the fleet. It has been in use on National Express for a number of years now.

(12 Sep 2016, 6:21 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote It was on Arriva's 7474 and 684 in gne

(12 Sep 2016, 6:23 pm)Michael wrote Has all the Merits been withdrawn from Washington yet?

(11 Sep 2016, 7:12 pm)busmanT wrote Not bad for a 6 year old bus

(12 Sep 2016, 6:29 pm)Dan wrote Yes, it's definitely on all of the new Solos at Washington. It was fitted prior to the vehicles entering service.


Yes.

8261/62 are now at Saltmeadows Road and 8263-65 are at Washington until some of the vehicles being sold for scrap are cleared.

(12 Sep 2016, 10:02 am)Michael wrote This will be another reason


Services heading into Durham via Sunderland Road and Gilesgate are suffering delays due to heavy traffic

(12 Sep 2016, 6:29 pm)Dan wrote Yes, it's definitely on all of the new Solos at Washington. It was fitted prior to the vehicles entering service.


Yes.

8261/62 are now at Saltmeadows Road and 8263-65 are at Washington until some of the vehicles being sold for scrap are cleared.

(13 Sep 2016, 4:07 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Is there a particular reason why it is taking so long to get rid of the vehicles that are going for scrap? Seems like some of the MPDs and cadets have been there for ages, I could understand if they were being sold on but not scrapped.