(08 May 2021, 7:24 am)Micheal Aaron wrote Why are there 4 cobalt and coast on the 11 today

(08 May 2021, 8:12 am)GNE6312 wrote I'll take a Guess that it's for extra capacity to allow for social distancing.

(08 May 2021, 12:03 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote 668 on the 74 today (not a rare working obviously, but it replaces the silver Mercedes Sprinters which have been on recently (for just over a week) does that mean the Sprinters won't be allocated from nkw on as the Solos are back?

Yesterday GNE made nearly £5 as I went for a ride on the Sprinter on the 74 as it was a temporary allocation, which I didn't get to ride last year, and I didn't want to miss out again, then I tried out the newly upgraded X-lines X85 for the firdt time!

(08 May 2021, 12:20 pm)Dan wrote Passenger loadings on the 74 are higher on Saturdays, so the Sprinter used on service 74 during the week is re-allocated to service 686 on Saturdays.

(08 May 2021, 1:29 pm)Rapidsnap wrote There is a fun fair on at the Royal Quays, so GNE are anticipating extra loadings on the 11. Least they been pro-active about it.

(08 May 2021, 1:29 pm)Rapidsnap wrote There is a fun fair on at the Royal Quays, so GNE are anticipating extra loadings on the 11. Least they been pro-active about it.

(08 May 2021, 1:06 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote But the branded Optare Solos are back in service now, so the Sprinters won't be needed on the 74 any more. Having to pay for 2 single tickets yesterday (74 and X85) was not ideal. Just wanted to see what the Sprinter was like and experience the new X-lines X85 buses for the first time. 

GNE could do with introducing separate tickets for less frequent services. Very happy with the Flexi 5 tickets, and the day tickets, but a return on infrequent services could be made valid on another service.

(08 May 2021, 1:50 pm)Dan wrote No they aren’t. Tynedale Links branded Solos 669 and 721 are both at Chester-le-Street temporarily operating two extra school time duplicate boards for Arriva, owing to their ongoing staff shortage. This is why Sprinters 729 and 730 have transferred to Hexham (to aid the release of the Solos to Chester-le-Street).

One Sprinter is allocated to services 185/681 Mon-Sat, the other is allocated to service 74 Mon-Fri and 686 on Saturdays. Last weekend it was mistakenly allocated to service 74 on Saturday too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(08 May 2021, 2:35 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Tynedale Links branded 668 is on today. Where is 667? The Sprinter was interesting to ride, comfortable seats but not very good ride quality, rather bouncy! I didn't realise the 74 had better passenger loadings on Saturdays. My bus was empty for my journey from Slatyford into Newcastle yesterday. 

Would be good to see a rare working on the 42A.

(08 May 2021, 7:49 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this. Just wondered if Go North East tickets are valid / available to buy on GCT operated journeys.

(11 May 2021, 12:30 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote 6923 is on the 42A
Will more likely get taken of at Killingworth so no hope of a photo of it

Edit: Got took of at Four Lane Ends. God knows why

(11 May 2021, 12:30 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote 6923 is on the 42A
Will more likely get taken of at Killingworth so no hope of a photo of it

Edit: Got took of at Four Lane Ends. God knows why

(11 May 2021, 4:15 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote I live just near the shell garage in Annitsford and yea i caught 4 rare workings. 5498/5380/5440 and a Saltwell Park StreetLite

Also yea four Lane Ends if a Scania CN230UB OmniCity is on. Congrats it will only go as far as Killingworth before it is took off. Someone mentioned that part after Killingworth to Dinnington on the 42A require a Euro6 vehicle which most of the Scania Omnicity aren't

---

Tbh I'd love to see GNE take the solos of the little coaster routes and replace them with something else. StreetLite/Versas/E200MMC hell even mini versions of the E200MMC

(11 May 2021, 5:27 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Lockdown prevented me from seeing the rare workings, but it was exciting to know they were on. Sometimes laziness has prevented me from seeing a rare working too. 

Yeah, the 42A is a Nexus contract for part of the route, and that requires a certain specification. 

It will be interesting to see what is allocated to Little Coasters next. Perhaps Streetlites or E200MMCs when they predictably lose the 33/33A contract in Newcastle next March to GCT.

(11 May 2021, 5:45 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Seeing slightly bigger buses. Say StreetLites would make a good addition to the little coaster routes. The solos as of late are now starting to show there age. Mainly the fleet numbers 625 to 633 are starting to sound awful. 698 and 701 should have joined 702/703/704 when they moved. But this is just my opinion. Seeing some of the Streetlites from Riverside would make a good addition to Percy Main

Rare workings lately have been
Cobalt & Coast
Coster
(This year)

(Last Year)
Cobalt & Coast
DFDS (Orange)
5498
5380
5440
Saltwell Park StreetLite

(This all passing where I live)

Scania CN230UB OmniCity and Plaxton President (As far as Killingworth)

---

Wait hang on..if a Scania CN230UB OmniCity isn't allowed on a 42A passed Killingworth due to it needing to be euro 6. Then how are they allowed to run on the 1A/1B/309/310/311 or is Newcastle not euro 6

(11 May 2021, 5:55 pm)Dan wrote The contract for service 42A is Euro 5, not Euro 6. Scania OmniCitys are Euro 4.

The Clean Air Zone in Newcastle City Centre, which will require Euro 6 buses, has not yet been implemented.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(11 May 2021, 5:59 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote How does that make any sense. Killingworth to Dinnington (Euro5/6) 
Newcastle (Not yet implemented) shouldn't it be the other way round first