In my opinion Hartlepool doesn't need any double deckers. Passenger loadings wouldn't justify the outlay in them. Whilst it does make sense for them to extend the last service 7 across to Manor, it would also make sense to put an extra service 6 at 2215 from Town to Clavering so people who live that way can use the last 7 and connect in town. Looking at the short service 6 though it wouldn't surprise me if it was withdrawn after the trial period.

. I think Hartlepool needs double deckers at certain times though like school Hollidays and at School Times buses can get packed. The eveing 6 doesent work because they are only going as far as the it needs to be South Fens and Owton Manor like before on a eveing.

. I think Hartlepool needs double deckers at certain times though like school Hollidays and at School Times buses can get packed. The eveing 6 doesent work because they are only going as far as the it needs to be South Fens and Owton Manor like before on a eveing.

I think the 36 needs double deckers and I that's not happening anytime soon! I understand what your saying, but a think a service needs to be constantly full for it to be double decker.

I think the 36 needs double deckers and I that's not happening anytime soon! I understand what your saying, but a think a service needs to be constantly full for it to be double decker.

. I dont think the 36 will ever be double decker service unless anyone knows otherwise it seems the management are happy for people to be squashed on the bus without been able to see where you are.

. I dont think the 36 will ever be double decker service unless anyone knows otherwise it seems the management are happy for people to be squashed on the bus without been able to see where you are.

Last time I rode the 36 there was three pushchairs and an old biddy with a tartan shopping trolleys all occupying the wheelchair and pram spaces. On this day it had been pouring it down all day so the floor was slippy and when I went to get off the bus in Stockton I tripped over one of the prams, thankfully I managed to grab the hand rails to stop myself from face planting the floor and I have bad knees and about 5 minutes after I got off the bus I could barely walk as my knees just went and my knees weren't right for about a week afterwards.

I have also had these problems with pushchairs and shopping trolleys in the aisles on Arriva and Compass Royston buses.

Information from "Dan's Bus Photos" of the "SNE Bus Enthusiasts Facebook Group":

Stockton MAN E300 24102 is parked at the rear of Sunderland Depot alongside withdrawn MAN ALX300s 22672/3.

Therefore, it looks as if the MAN E300s are next to be repainted (and debranded) ready for when the new ADL E300s arrive sometime after September. I wonder what will happen to 22672 & 22673 since they are V-reg?

Not really a lot of difference between T and V. There are still S's running about yet T's disposed of.

. I dont think the 36 will ever be double decker service unless anyone knows otherwise it seems the management are happy for people to be squashed on the bus without been able to see where you are.

Yes its disgusting. I'm a big fan of double deckers. They allow for extra capacity when its needed and if its not needed, so what there's nothing lost. And they take up less road space. They should never have been phased out.

Yes its disgusting. I'm a big fan of double deckers. They allow for extra capacity when its needed and if its not needed, so what there's nothing lost. And they take up less road space. They should never have been phased out.

Extra capacity, less road space, but they cost roughly £40k-50k more than a single decker, they cost more to run, can cost more to insure due to the risk of tree/bridge strikes, and depending on type they often can't match the efficiency of a single deck due to the same rated engine, or sometimes detuned engine, lugging more weight around, so for the operator there's usually more lost than they'd often gain. Very easy to see why some operators will only buy double decks if they're really needed or they can clearly justify the additional costs.
Even though Stagecoach own their own insurance company, everything still has to be done above board to satisfy the regulators, so they can't just reduce the insurance costs to suit.

Extra capacity, less road space, but they cost roughly £40k-50k more than a single decker, they cost more to run, can cost more to insure due to the risk of tree/bridge strikes, and depending on type they often can't match the efficiency of a single deck due to the same rated engine, or sometimes detuned engine, lugging more weight around, so for the operator there's usually more lost than they'd often gain. Very easy to see why some operators will only buy double decks if they're really needed or they can clearly justify the additional costs.
Even though Stagecoach own their own insurance company, everything still has to be done above board to satisfy the regulators, so they can't just reduce the insurance costs to suit.

It would be interesting, if stagecoach do get DDA buses for school contracts, if they place a few on the 36 during the day?

Does anyone know if the Tridents will still be on the Walkergate services tomorrow, and the older ALX300's?
If so, does anyone know if they stick to similar boards#?

Does anyone know if the Tridents will still be on the Walkergate services tomorrow, and the older ALX300's?
If so, does anyone know if they stick to similar boards#?

Thats what I was thinking so I could get them after 9120.

Does anyone know if the Tridents will still be on the Walkergate services tomorrow, and the older ALX300's?
If so, does anyone know if they stick to similar boards#?

Yes they're on the same boards every day... 3 on 22's, 2 on 12's and one on the 38s

Yes they're on the same boards every day... 3 on 22's, 2 on 12's and one on the 38s

Can you tell me what ones so I can plan my day (if they are still there!!)
What about the older ALX300's?

Extra capacity, less road space, but they cost roughly £40k-50k more than a single decker, they cost more to run, can cost more to insure due to the risk of tree/bridge strikes, and depending on type they often can't match the efficiency of a single deck due to the same rated engine, or sometimes detuned engine, lugging more weight around, so for the operator there's usually more lost than they'd often gain. Very easy to see why some operators will only buy double decks if they're really needed or they can clearly justify the additional costs.
Even though Stagecoach own their own insurance company, everything still has to be done above board to satisfy the regulators, so they can't just reduce the insurance costs to suit.

But if your customers are packed like sardines on a single decker, doesn't that provide the justification to provide a double decker? It's either that or the frequency needs looking at, which can often be more expensive than just providing double deckers in the first place...

But if your customers are packed like sardines on a single decker, doesn't that provide the justification to provide a double decker? It's either that or the frequency needs looking at, which can often be more expensive than just providing double deckers in the first place...

Trouble with the 36 is the heavy loadings are only a maximum 10 mile stretch of the route, the rest is sparse enough to justify a single deck.

Trouble with the 36 is the heavy loadings are only a maximum 10 mile stretch of the route, the rest is sparse enough to justify a single deck.

Would that not normally be enough to justify? I can think of a good handful of routes that have deckers, yet can't really justify them for half the route. ANE X1/X2 being a good example, and GNE's X1 being another. To me, if you've got mass standees for a 10 mile stretch, then it's a problem that needs resolving.

Would that not normally be enough to justify? I can think of a good handful of routes that have deckers, yet can't really justify them for half the route. ANE X1/X2 being a good example, and GNE's X1 being another. To me, if you've got mass standees for a 10 mile stretch, then it's a problem that needs resolving.

Have to agree here. It really bugs me that the services in Sunderland which have received gas buses often have standees, throughout the entire route. Services 16 and 20 are by far the worst for having standees in my opinion, and double deckers would have been hugely beneficial.

Having standees then impacts on timekeeping. I can't imagine when designing timetables that management account for someone at the very back of the bus who was sitting down having to squeeze through loads of people to get off.

Would that not normally be enough to justify? I can think of a good handful of routes that have deckers, yet can't really justify them for half the route. ANE X1/X2 being a good example, and GNE's X1 being another. To me, if you've got mass standees for a 10 mile stretch, then it's a problem that needs resolving.

Exactly. Some routes a minibus could cope over some sections, but it doesn't mean they use them for the whole route.

27508 receiving engineering at monument

27508 receiving engineering at monument

24107 was abandoned at North Ormesby when I went through about 1725. Still had 36 Hartlepool on the screen

Trouble with the 36 is the heavy loadings are only a maximum 10 mile stretch of the route, the rest is sparse enough to justify a single deck.

Which part of the route is the 10 mile bit? Im guessing its not Billingham to Hartlepool. I would of thought that bit could be every half hour and send every other back to Park End or wherever it came from thereby increasing the frequency on the busy bit of the route

Which part of the route is the 10 mile bit? Im guessing its not Billingham to Hartlepool. I would of thought that bit could be every half hour and send every other back to Park End or wherever it came from thereby increasing the frequency on the busy bit of the route

Norton to Middlesbrough is the busy bit, the rest isn't amazing. Like you say it doesn't justify the 15 min frequency beyond Owington Farm, though there are a few busy ones (the 1515ish from Hartlepool used to be a twat as you hit the college and then 2 schools in Hartlepool, finishing off with Bede College in Billingham for good measure)

Anyone know when the Tridents will be going back to Teesside?

How fast is the X34 to Newcastle compared to the Metro from South Shields/Chichester?

From South Shields and Chichester, it'll take longer than the Metro. You'll have to change somewhere along the route, probably Horsley Hill or Marsden, to board the X34 from a something like the E1/E2/E6 or 10/11. The X34 doesn't serve Chichester or South Shields.

From South Shields and Chichester, it'll take longer than the Metro. You'll have to change somewhere along the route, probably Horsley Hill or Marsden, to board the X34 from a something like the E1/E2/E6 or 10/11. The X34 doesn't serve Chichester or South Shields.

I've done it before and changed onto a 5 at Boldon ASDA.

I've done it before and changed onto a 5 at Boldon ASDA.

Obviously can't do that if you're limited to SNE buses though!

I live at Marsden, somewhere near to the Marsden Inn. Therefore, I can walk to the X34 bus stop, whereas I will have to get the E1/E2/E6, 7/8 or 11 bus to get the Chichester and/or South Shields Metro Station.

I guess that will make the X34 just as quick with a lot less hassle.

Yeah, the X34 will be quicker from Marsden. Not many evening buses though and none on Sunday (except near Christmas), which gives the Metro a slight edge.

Hi Dan. Is 37143/144 out in south Shields yet Since They Arrived Last Week. also is 22734 still here because i have not seen it for a while the last time i saw it was when it was sitting in the Depot Yard. Regards Robin

Hi Dan. Is 37143/144 out in south Shields yet Since They Arrived Last Week. also is 22734 still here because i have not seen it for a while the last time i saw it was when it was sitting in the Depot Yard. Regards Robin

Not out in service yet, wont be long though.

Cheers Michael For Info. Goodnight Regards Robin

22040 is back at slatyford now, she looks brand new but probably wont be in service for a few days yet