(23 May 2015, 11:01 am)citaro5284 wrote  It will be 90 kph, which is roughly about 55 mph.

I was being sarcastic Citaro - because we were going pretty fast 

Buses Magazine advises that 15 Optare Solos have been bought to displace East Durham MPDs to transfers and disposals.

What was I saying about Buses Magazine again??!!!

(23 May 2015, 12:47 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Buses Magazine advises that 15 Optare Solos have been bought to displace East Durham MPDs to transfers and disposals.

What was I saying about Buses Magazine again??!!!

Sorry Tommy, you're late, this has already being posted 

(23 May 2015, 12:48 pm)Michael wrote Sorry Tommy, you're late, this has already being posted 

Damn. 

(23 May 2015, 12:08 pm)Jimmi wrote I did the X71 route for the first time on Monday as a Volvo Olympian was allocated, it is an interesting route, lots of tight roads and many hills.

If anyone hasn't done the X71 before I'd strongly recommend it.

Aye it's a beast of a route! I've managed to get an Olympian, President and a Lolyne on it in the past, and it's certainly worth sitting upstairs at the front.  

(23 May 2015, 12:47 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Buses Magazine advises that 15 Optare Solos have been bought to displace East Durham MPDs to transfers and disposals.

What was I saying about Buses Magazine again??!!!

What if Buses Magazine is correct?

(23 May 2015, 1:16 pm)Dan wrote What if Buses Magazine is correct?

If it is, the StreetDeck demo has already been, and Arriva North East have withdrawn a fleet of Volvo B6BLE/Wright Crusaders.
 

(23 May 2015, 1:02 pm)aureolin wrote Aye it's a beast of a route! I've managed to get an Olympian, President and a Lolyne on it in the past, and it's certainly worth sitting upstairs at the front.  

Yep, I got the front seat on the Volvo Olympian on Monday, so not only did I get a good view but I also got superb leg room.

Will definitely be getting that route again at some point and would also like to do the X70.

(23 May 2015, 12:47 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Buses Magazine advises that 15 Optare Solos have been bought to displace East Durham MPDs to transfers and disposals.

What was I saying about Buses Magazine again??!!!

"14" Solos.

Currently on 5413, with one of my favourite drivers - I asked him for his honest opinion on the new StreetLite's and his reply was "Cheep and taty, just like the MPD's were when we got them"

(23 May 2015, 11:05 am)Jimmi wrote Dread to think what 90mph would be like on a StreetLite.

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2015-05...ed-record/

(23 May 2015, 3:25 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Currently on 5413, with one of my favourite drivers - I asked him for his honest opinion on the new StreetLite's and his reply was "Cheep and taty, just like the MPD's were when we got them"

I think cheap and tatty is an unfair comment to make. 

Whilst it's not the same build quality as the Citaro, which GNE have opted to purchase over the years, it's still a new bus..... and they're anything but cheap. "Tatty" by definition would suggest it were shabby or have had seen better days, yet the interior is probably the best in the fleet (although I do favour the type of seating in a Citaro!). Not to mention the technology add-ons, which WrightBus aren't exactly going to give away with the bus... 

I can appreciate where the MPD comparison comes from though. I believe the two use the same family engines, and I'd be surprised if there is a huge mechanical difference between the two. You do get that MPD sound from the rear seats too, but they certainly seem to have a lot more 'umph' than the MPDs have (and had). 

(23 May 2015, 11:55 am)Michael wrote The 2 spare Streetlites, i think.

I have the week off now, i may go out and about and do a review!  

Correct, on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Streetlites 5401 and 5419 should be allocated to service X71

(23 May 2015, 3:25 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Currently on 5413, with one of my favourite drivers - I asked him for his honest opinion on the new StreetLite's and his reply was "Cheep and taty, just like the MPD's were when we got them"

My dad was on the 44A the other day and asked the driver the exact same question to which the response was 'well...they're new but won't be for much longer when our fitters get their hands on them.' They obviously aren't a popular addition to the fleet. Of course, that is on,y two drivers opinions of them though.

(23 May 2015, 4:19 pm)aureolin wrote I think cheap and tatty is an unfair comment to make. 

Whilst it's not the same build quality as the Citaro, which GNE have opted to purchase over the years, it's still a new bus..... and they're anything but cheap. "Tatty" by definition would suggest it were shabby or have had seen better days, yet the interior is probably the best in the fleet (although I do favour the type of seating in a Citaro!). Not to mention the technology add-ons, which WrightBus aren't exactly going to give away with the bus... 

I can appreciate where the MPD comparison comes from though. I believe the two use the same family engines, and I'd be surprised if there is a huge mechanical difference between the two. You do get that MPD sound from the rear seats too, but they certainly seem to have a lot more 'umph' than the MPDs have (and had). 

All depends on how they're looked after. The 57 reg E400s 7501 - 7506 weren't looked after by Blyth but the rest of them (bar a few which had a stint at Redcar) were looked after by Ashington well even on the 501 / 505 / 518 and the X15 / X18. Notice the difference between 7501 - 7506 and 7507 - 7513. It all depends on the setup too and whereas Arriva set theirs up for fuel economy and make various other mods, GNE on demanding routes set theirs up for power and performance.

Why is it that 8255 has 20 Interior Adverts for the Benefits/Benefit Cheats call this Number etc.

(23 May 2015, 5:07 pm)Malarkey wrote Why is it that 8255 has 20 Interior Adverts for the Benefits/Benefit Cheats call this Number etc.

Based at Washington - isn't that reason enough?!

I kid, of course. A number of Deptford-based vehicles were plastered with these ghastly interior advertisements and so were a number of Arriva vehicles too.

(23 May 2015, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote Based at Washington - isn't that reason enough?!

I kid, of course. A number of Deptford-based vehicles were plastered with these ghastly interior advertisements and so were a number of Arriva vehicles too.

I really do think having the two variations of the advert plastered 10 Times each is ridiculous though, 1 of each is more than enough for passengers to look at and read if they choose to do so, without feeling as if they are being forced into looking at them by having them plastered numerous times, its hardly welcoming to the passenger either and it is no wonder the 82 is on a reduced frequency to Birtley these days is it, all the OAPs have jumped ship to the 23 just so they dont have to look at them.

(23 May 2015, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote Based at Washington - isn't that reason enough?!

I kid, of course. A number of Deptford-based vehicles were plastered with these ghastly interior advertisements and so were a number of Arriva vehicles too.

Yeah 6042 which I had on the X35 had it plastered everywhere to, made the bus seem so depressing.

They are so assertive too - DO YOU KNOW A BENEFITS CHEAT? CALL THIS NUMBER!!!

(23 May 2015, 5:21 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah 6042 which I had on the X35 had it plastered everywhere to, made the bus seem so depressing.

They are so assertive too - DO YOU KNOW A BENEFITS CHEAT? CALL THIS NUMBER!!!

Dont forget the Anonymously part Jimmi.

(23 May 2015, 5:21 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah 6042 which I had on the X35 had it plastered everywhere to, made the bus seem so depressing.

They are so assertive too - DO YOU KNOW A BENEFITS CHEAT? CALL THIS NUMBER!!!

That bus is depressing full stop. noisy, slow and many other things.

(23 May 2015, 5:32 pm)Malarkey wrote Dont forget the Anonymously part Jimmi.

YOU CAN DO THIS ANONYMOUSLY - does this seriously have to be in block capitals to.

(23 May 2015, 5:32 pm)Robert wrote That bus is depressing full stop. noisy, slow and many other things.

That's true and it so loud, heard it coming from far away even though it was behind Pulsar 1426 on the X21 and that isn't exactly quiet either.

(23 May 2015, 5:21 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah 6042 which I had on the X35 had it plastered everywhere to, made the bus seem so depressing.

They are so assertive too - DO YOU KNOW A BENEFITS CHEAT? CALL THIS NUMBER!!!

There was a Vyking that I took a photo of at PL last year with about 20 adverts about it. I'll try and find it.

(23 May 2015, 1:23 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote If it is, the StreetDeck demo has already been, and Arriva North East have withdrawn a fleet of Volvo B6BLE/Wright Crusaders. 

Actually, Arriva North East do (or did) have a withdrawn fleet of Vovlo B6BLE/Wright Crusaders!!!! 

5419 looks nice and shiny photos are on Flickr right now

A quick question, Do Driver Training Vehicles have to be DDA Compliant.

(23 May 2015, 7:48 pm)Malarkey wrote A quick question, Do Driver Training Vehicles have to be DDA Compliant.

I'm pretty sure the answer is no, as they're not used for public service work.

(23 May 2015, 7:53 pm)aureolin wrote I'm pretty sure the answer is no, as they're not used for public service work.

Hmmm, So therefore Go North East could get rid of the Coaches currently on Driver Training Duties, and instead use the Volvo Olympian Palatine 2s or Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns, being honest it was just a random thought that had entered my mind.

(16 May 2015, 7:40 pm)thetravelman wrote I was told you needed to be a Full UK Licence holder, and that you should take your licence along to the event,  in case you are asked to show it before having a trial drive in a bus.

(23 May 2015, 7:57 pm)Malarkey wrote Hmmm, So therefore Go North East could get rid of the Coaches currently on Driver Training Duties, and instead use the Volvo Olympian Palatine 2s or Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns, being honest it was just a random thought that had entered my mind.

I'm sure there is a reason as to why they use the coaches tho is it not somthing to do with it being full size and manual! I remember reading sumit about it! Not to sure tho 

(20 May 2015, 7:57 pm)Dan wrote VDL SB120/Wright Merit 8261 has transferred to Washington from Riverside. DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8251 consequently withdrawn from service at Washington - now in storage at Saltmeadows.

This vehicle is now in storage at Riverside Depot.