(10 May 2015, 8:50 pm)Davie wrote I wonder if the fast cats will get new buses

I wouldn't have thought so, the majority of Newcastle-Sunderland X36 journey's don't have that many passengers although the X35 does.

(10 May 2015, 8:50 pm)Davie wrote I wonder if the fast cats will get new buses

Doubt it as many buses were just repainted into Fast Cats last year and weren't some of them refurbished not long before that?

(10 May 2015, 9:09 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I wouldn't have thought so, the majority of Newcastle-Sunderland X36 journey's don't have that many passengers although the X35 does.

On a few recent trips to Sunderland the most I've seen on the X36 heading down Fawcett Street heading to Downhill/Newcastle is three passengers and also got a photo of a completely empty X36 to Downhill.

This is just my sightings, don't know what the X36 passenger numbers and passenger trends on the service really are.

(10 May 2015, 9:24 pm)Jimmi wrote This is just my sightings, don't know what the X36 passenger numbers and passenger trends on the service really are.

Doesn't seem to be a set trend - other than when there's problems with the Metro, and that's when it's rammed!

I've recently seen X36s with almost every seat full heading into Gateshead towards Newcastle at around mid-day, and seen others empty.

(10 May 2015, 9:09 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I wouldn't have thought so, the majority of Newcastle-Sunderland X36 journey's don't have that many passengers although the X35 does.

Yes but the solars are over 10 year old so they may become unreliable...

(10 May 2015, 9:39 pm)Davie wrote Yes but the solars are over 10 year old so they may become unreliable...

If anything in my opinion since the Solars received Eminox Modifications the Solars are a lot better Performance wise, particularly The Loop examples.

(10 May 2015, 9:45 pm)Malarkey wrote If anything in my opinion since the Solars received Eminox Modifications the Solars are a lot better Performance wise, particularly The Loop examples.

Aye good point, the Loop Solars do perform better. What I was thinking was, the fast cats get new buses then 4955, 4973-4976 & 5205- 5209 transfer to Percy Main to replace the renowns

(10 May 2015, 9:39 pm)Davie wrote Yes but the solars are over 10 year old so they may become unreliable...

Most buses have and expected lifespan of 15 to 16 years in a group fleet, and possibly even longer if an independent buys them second hand.

(10 May 2015, 8:50 pm)Davie wrote I wonder if the fast cats will get new buses

I would like to see cascaded citarios go on the X35, and service X36 to be debranded from the fastcats brand and numbered 36X or X56.

(12 May 2015, 9:56 am)Scott wrote Most buses have and expected lifespan of 15 to 16 years in a group fleet, and possibly even longer if an independent buys them second hand.

Like a lot of the Solars in the fleet, the ones on the X35/36 are looking and sounding worn out.
Better than the Darts, but can't see them sticking around as long as the Renowns.

(12 May 2015, 11:56 am)Andreos1 wrote Like a lot of the Solars in the fleet, the ones on the X35/36 are looking and sounding worn out.
Better than the Darts, but can't see them sticking around as long as the Renowns.

Most Renowns aren't DDA compliant so they will go first. Been on a handful of newer Solars and they seem fine to me. Renowns are ok but they can struggle with some hills.

(12 May 2015, 1:13 pm)Scott wrote Most Renowns aren't DDA compliant so they will go first. Been on a handful of newer Solars and they seem fine to me. Renowns are ok but they can struggle with some hills.

I meant - lasting as long as the Renowns, as in 16/17 years front line duty, as has been the case for the older Renowns.
The older Solars are getting onto 13 years old now. In my opinion, they wont last another 4/5 years.

Appreciate the Renowns aren't going to be kicking around much longer, due to DDA.

(12 May 2015, 3:19 pm)Andreos1 wrote I meant - lasting as long as the Renowns, as in 16/17 years front line duty, as has been the case for the older Renowns.
The older Solars are getting onto 13 years old now. In my opinion, they wont last another 4/5 years.

Appreciate the Renowns aren't going to be kicking around much longer, due to DDA.

I've got you. To be honest, I am quite surprised that GNE have hung on to as many Renown's for this long. Stagecoach have already withdrawn a lot of early ALX300s up to V reg, whilst GNE are still holding onto R and T reg Renowns.

According to Buses the 14 new vehicles are Optare Solos to replace MPDs on East Durham routes at Peterlee. If that is correct, and not more speculation, it's a pity it's confirmed in a magazine who must have been told a couple of weeks ago, at least, rather than here.

(20 May 2015, 3:48 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote According to Buses the 14 new vehicles are Optare Solos to replace MPDs on East Durham routes at Peterlee. If that is correct, and not more speculation, it's a pity it's confirmed in a magazine who must have been told a couple of weeks ago, at least, rather than here.

I mentioned this a few weeks ago, a driver on the East Durham Services told me Solos were due in a matter of months, was told back in April sometime

Yes, I remember and it is a quite obvious use of new buses, but it's never been confirmed here.

(20 May 2015, 3:48 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote According to Buses the 14 new vehicles are Optare Solos to replace MPDs on East Durham routes at Peterlee. If that is correct, and not more speculation, it's a pity it's confirmed in a magazine who must have been told a couple of weeks ago, at least, rather than here.

Cheers for sharing, that's DaveyBowyer hopes of the X1 getting new buses and Pdiddy's for the X21 shattered!

(20 May 2015, 4:32 pm)Michael wrote Cheers for sharing, that's DaveyBowyer hopes of the X1 getting new buses and Pdiddy's for the X21 shattered!

Well, at least I admit defeatt .

#onlyjustoveramonthuntiljuly

On another note, read the review on the B5, Streetdeck and E400mmc on Transdev's 36 from Ripon to Leeds and the E400 came out on  top not only comfort wise, but also performance too. Also noticed that the new D5K engine has more turbocharging than the Cummins ISBe unit. 

(20 May 2015, 4:32 pm)Michael wrote Cheers for sharing, that's DaveyBowyer hopes of the X1 getting new buses and Pdiddy's for the X21 shattered!

I said months ago.... if u read previous posts. The 14 new buses would be minibuses.

3869 broke down at Pity me on the X21... driver looking bemused

(20 May 2015, 7:00 pm)pdiddy wrote I said months ago.... if u read previous posts. The 14 new buses would be minibuses.

3869 broke down at Pity me on the X21... driver looking bemused

What would happen if every vehicle on the X21 broke down everyday? It seems to be heading that way.

(20 May 2015, 3:59 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Yes, I remember and it is a quite obvious use of new buses, but it's never been confirmed here.

Perhaps the news was embargoed? It's not uncommon for companies to send out press releases with an embargo attached.

(20 May 2015, 7:17 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote What would happen if every vehicle on the X21 broke down everyday? It seems to be heading that way.

Don't encourage him, man!

(20 May 2015, 7:17 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote What would happen if every vehicle on the X21 broke down everyday? It seems to be heading that way.

Only the top management can answer that

(20 May 2015, 7:29 pm)pdiddy wrote Only the top management can answer that

There's certainly more troublesome vehicles in the fleet than the "Pronto" Volvo B7s - other breakdowns just aren't reported on this forum as regularly.

Poor 6041 has only had three mechanical defects in the last four weeks, one of which related to its destination (and to my memory didn't incur any lost mileage), but it has been given an awful reputation!

Bigger picture, folks...

Are there anymore dealer stock B9s lying around anywhere?

(20 May 2015, 7:51 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Are there anymore dealer stock B9s lying around anywhere?

Not to my knowledge. I think GNE would have purchased others if they were available.

(20 May 2015, 7:52 pm)Dan wrote Not to my knowledge. I think GNE would have purchased others if they were available.

But then, if Arriva knew there were more last year do you not think they would have bought the four GNE have for the X18? (Nothing against what is operating it currently btw)

(20 May 2015, 8:02 pm)mb134 wrote But then, if Arriva knew there were more last year do you not think they would have bought the four GNE have for the X18? (Nothing against what is operating it currently btw)

When Kuyoyo was insistent Arriva had purchased the last Volvo B9s all those months ago, I did say there was more out there and Arriva could have had them if they wanted them... I was shunned!

Fast forward a few months - lo and behold, there was still quite a large number remaining. GNE favoured the Volvo B9 as their double decker (no coincidence 34 were purchased in the last financial year, as they wouldn't be around to purchase new after that!) Arriva didn't prefer the B9s, and this perhaps explains why they didn't get any more Volvo B9s than they needed.

(20 May 2015, 8:04 pm)Dan wrote When Kuyoyo was insistent Arriva had purchased the last Volvo B9s all those months ago, I did say there was more out there and Arriva could have had them if they wanted them... I was shunned!

Fast forward a few months - lo and behold, there was still quite a large number remaining. GNE favoured the Volvo B9 as their preferred double decker - Arriva didn't, and this perhaps explains why they didn't get any more Volvo B9s than they needed.

Seems a bit silly on Arriva's part in my opinion, they've realised that one route needs a more powerful bus, but a route that is equally (?) as challenging can cope with vehicles that aren't deemed up to it for said other route?

I realise I'm going off topic a bit, however I am a fan (can't quite believe I'm saying this) of the newer batch of E400's Arriva own, (can only speak for 7522-33, but I'm sure 7534-40 will be equally as good), so I can maybe understand if ANE had decided to go for E400's for both routes, but it seems bizarre to go for a mixture on similar routes...


Out of interest, how many vehicles to manufacturers produce for Dealer Stock?

(20 May 2015, 8:04 pm)Dan wrote When Kuyoyo was insistent Arriva had purchased the last Volvo B9s all those months ago, I did say there was more out there and Arriva could have had them if they wanted them... I was shunned!

Fast forward a few months - lo and behold, there was still quite a large number remaining. GNE favoured the Volvo B9 as their preferred double decker - Arriva didn't, and this perhaps explains why they didn't get any more Volvo B9s than they needed.

I think why Arriva got E400s for the X18 over B9s was because:

- Commonality at Ashington Depot
- Cheaper cost for the spec
- E400 despite not being as powerful or solid as the B9 can handle the X18 ok compared to the rough terrain of the Yorkshire coast
- E400 is more fuel efficient and this is crucial in Northumberland due to subsidy cuts and more
- The X93 needs B9s due to the very demanding nature of that route and despite the fact that it probably makes less money than the X18 all year around but still good enough, it needs them vehicles to help route growth and demand
- Less training required at Ashington depot
- No modern Wright bodied Gemini (Eclipse or Pulsar) at Ashington depot

As long as Ashington look after them and don't run them into the ground like what Blyth and Redcar did with some of the 57 plate examples, then they'll see a good few years.

(20 May 2015, 8:15 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote As long as Ashington look after them and don't run them into the ground like what Blyth and Redcar did with some of the 57 plate examples, then they'll see a good few years.

Without wishing for this to turn into an ANE string of posts, I'd argue that Ashington seem more competent than Blyth when it comes to looking after vehicles. All the Gemini's I was on at Easter were awful, even compared to the 57 reg Enviros. 

Let's not forget that up until 2012(ish), Ashington had an Olympian dominated fleet, complimented by B10BLE'S, and although the buses were obviously better vehicles, to look after a fleet that age must take some doing, especially to operate on the routes they operated on. Blyth meanwhile had brand new VDL Geminis, I'd like to see performance figures from early 2012 to see the difference