A touch of sparkle on the 57 tonight - 1479.

It's the (late) 1635 out of Durham towards Kelloe.

1471 on MAX X12: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/2079...ateposted/
along with 1477: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/2122...otostream/

(14 Sep 2015, 4:03 pm)S813 FVK wrote 1471 on MAX X12: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/2079...ateposted/
along with 1477: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/2122...otostream/

Ridiculous!

(14 Sep 2015, 5:11 pm)Cock Robin wrote Ridiculous!

Why? The X12 has Pulsars as part of its allocation, anyhow.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:35 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Why? The X12 has Pulsars as part of its allocation, anyhow.

I have no idea when the timetable resulting in a corporate liveried pulsar being allocated daily ends but even if it hasn't, only 1 should be allocated. 2 is even worse.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:35 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Why? The X12 has Pulsars as part of its allocation, anyhow.

They aren't to MAX standard though, these will have been out in place of double deckers (Gemini's).

(14 Sep 2015, 5:37 pm)S813 FVK wrote I have no idea when the timetable resulting in a corporate liveried pulsar being allocated daily ends but even if it hasn't, only 1 should be allocated. 2 is even worse.

It ended at the start of the month (like Go North East's PVR on indiGo and Prince Bishops decreasing by one vehicle).

(14 Sep 2015, 5:38 pm)Jimmi wrote They aren't to MAX standard though, these will have been out in place of double deckers (Gemini's).

That's true, though all Max really seems to offer is slidy seats.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:39 pm)Dan wrote It ended at the start of the month (like Go North East's PVR on indiGo and Prince Bishops decreasing by one vehicle).

Was it just allocated for the period of the Millburngate Bridge works? If so, oh dear 

Judging by Jimmi's post alone, those 2 pulsars came out of Durham depot and the extra Pulsar came from Stockton?

(14 Sep 2015, 5:40 pm)S813 FVK wrote Was it just allocated for the period of the Millburngate Bridge works? If so, oh dear 

Yeah, it was. Services 22/24 were interworking for the same reason (and don't now).

They've obviously lost their MAX-spec spare (1415) to Stockton, so the appearance of standard-spec vehicles on Durham's allocation on the X12 was bound to increase. We've discussed at length in other areas of the forum the reasons why vehicles can be missing from service - makes a change seeing it on here, although the same comments made previously apply here too.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:39 pm)BusLoverMum wrote That's true, though all Max really seems to offer is slidy seats.

The MAX buses also have WiFi which these two Pulsars do not.

Problem is 1415 is now staying at Stockton as a spare for their workings on the X12 (and X66/X67 from next month), this has left Belmont depot without a MAX spare so whenever a MAX Gemini is off a non MAX bus will have to be allocated in its place.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:42 pm)Dan wrote They've obviously lost their MAX-spec spare (1415) to Stockton, so the appearance of standard-spec vehicles on Durham's allocation on the X12 was bound to increase. We've discussed at length in other areas of the forum the reasons why vehicles can be missing from service - makes a change seeing it on here, although the same comments made previously apply here too.

Oh i remember alright . Annoying since we kept going in a massive cycle (and still do) regarding the issue.

No idea if it would be logical but if they could refurbish a bus to MAX spec (even if it was another pulsar) and keep it on the local routes (such as the 43), they would have their spare bus back and will reduce the chances again of a corporate liveried vehicle being allocated (providing they don't disregard the spare pulsar like they did with 1415 for a while).

(14 Sep 2015, 5:48 pm)S813 FVK wrote Oh i remember alright . Annoying since we kept going in a massive cycle (and still do) regarding the issue.

No idea if it would be logical but if they could refurbish a bus to MAX spec (even if it was another pulsar) and keep it on the local routes (such as the 43), they would have their spare bus back and will reduce the chances again of a corporate liveried vehicle being allocated (providing they don't disregard the spare pulsar like they did with 1415 for a while).

Don't suggest Durham need more MAX spares, man... You'll get DaveyB started on how it makes complete sense to buy 50 new buses to release all of the MAX-spec Geminis at Blyth so they can get used on the X12 instead! 

(14 Sep 2015, 5:48 pm)S813 FVK wrote Oh i remember alright . Annoying since we kept going in a massive cycle (and still do) regarding the issue.

No idea if it would be logical but if they could refurbish a bus to MAX spec (even if it was another pulsar) and keep it on the local routes (such as the 43), they would have their spare bus back and will reduce the chances again of a corporate liveried vehicle being allocated (providing they don't disregard the spare pulsar like they did with 1415 for a while).

There is a double deck vehicle in refurb now to MAX spec which will be allocated to Blyth, releasing a Gemini to Durham as a spare. This should be in place for the new Uni tender starting at the change date of 4th October.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:38 pm)Jimmi wrote They aren't to MAX standard though, these will have been out in place of double deckers (Gemini's).

Where do you draw the line though? 

I think a corporate liveried vehicle is the better solution when a MAX spec vehicle is unavailable. The alternative would be to have a large pool of MAX spec vehicles spare, but then we'd have the problem of MAX spec vehicles on non-MAX spec routes, as they'll not let the buses sit and fester in the depot all day...

I also feel that this is a problem you get, when you start pushing features like WiFi and e-Leather seating as a 'luxury' or 'feature' of the service. WiFi should be standard on all new orders, with an attempt to retrospectively fit it to older vehicles in the fleet, if there's a business justification to do so. I've made my feelings on eLeather more than known in the past too...

(14 Sep 2015, 5:39 pm)BusLoverMum wrote That's true, though all Max really seems to offer is slidy seats.

Maybe we need velcro spec seats?

Perhaps I'm missing something, but there seems to be a discrepancy across eLeather seating, and I know I'm not the only enthusiast to notice this. The Sapphire spec provides the most comfortable example of eLeather in the North East in my opinion. I find MAX spec to be a bit too firm and slippy, and I find the ones in GNE's Streetlites to be like sitting on a wooden bench. It's got me a bit baffled to be honest, as I thought it was all exactly the same!

(14 Sep 2015, 5:57 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps I'm missing something, but there seems to be a discrepancy across eLeather seating, and I know I'm not the only enthusiast to notice this. The Sapphire spec provides the most comfortable example of eLeather in the North East in my opinion. I find MAX spec to be a bit too firm and slippy, and I find the ones in GNE's Sapphire to be like sitting on a wooden bench. It's got me a bit baffled to be honest, as I thought it was all exactly the same!

Have I missed something?

(14 Sep 2015, 6:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Have I missed something?

Sorted. 

(14 Sep 2015, 8:25 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote Oh dear oh dear, should have been decker allocated until at least October at the earliest, as many people who pass the driving test will take there friends to college using the car in theory, I think I am on the 5A that goes to the college tonight so will see what it's like tonight

Pulsar again this morning, didn't look like there was many (if any) seats left as it went past mine.

(15 Sep 2015, 7:02 am)Jimmi wrote Pulsar again this morning, didn't look like there was many (if any) seats left as it went past mine.

The decker allocation was only a temporary measure for a week. There is one parked up in Faverdale though, been there a few days, so they're one down with no spare for the 7. However, there'll be spare deckers when the winter timetable kicks in, X93 and Whitby P&R I believe. They'll be ideal for morning 5A and afternoon X26, which is being absolutely hammered since the school contracts got cancelled in Richmond.

(15 Sep 2015, 7:52 am)MrPottski wrote The decker allocation was only a temporary measure for a week. There is one parked up in Faverdale though, been there a few days, so they're one down with no spare for the 7. However, there'll be spare deckers when the winter timetable kicks in, X93 and Whitby P&R I believe. They'll be ideal for morning 5A and afternoon X26, which is being absolutely hammered since the school contracts got cancelled in Richmond.

As far as I'm aware, the B7s are staying at Redcar. No fleet changes with the summer/winter timetable changes.

(14 Sep 2015, 5:42 pm)Dan wrote Yeah, it was. Services 22/24 were interworking for the same reason (and don't now).

They've obviously lost their MAX-spec spare (1415) to Stockton, so the appearance of standard-spec vehicles on Durham's allocation on the X12 was bound to increase. We've discussed at length in other areas of the forum the reasons why vehicles can be missing from service - makes a change seeing it on here, although the same comments made previously apply here too.

They should have plenty of Sapphire spares they could have used on the X12 until the 6 launch (as indeed they have used at times).

(15 Sep 2015, 8:22 am)Kuyoyo wrote As far as I'm aware, the B7s are staying at Redcar. No fleet changes with the summer/winter timetable changes.

Can't see them leaving Redcar/Whitby with 6 extra spares. As soon as somewhere is short they will soon be moved on.

(15 Sep 2015, 8:28 am)Cock Robin wrote Can't see them leaving Redcar/Whitby with 6 extra spares. As soon as somewhere is short they will soon be moved on.

7485-7 are said to be allowing 1102-4 to be withdrawn. 1105 replaced by 2828. 7489 to give an extra spare for the X93.

(15 Sep 2015, 8:32 am)Kuyoyo wrote 7485-7 are said to be allowing 1102-4 to be withdrawn. 1105 replaced by 2828. 7489 to give an extra spare for the X93.

Was hardly worth buying them if that's the case. Could have just kept 5 MPDs on the road til the end of the summer.

(15 Sep 2015, 8:26 am)Cock Robin wrote They should have plenty of Sapphire spares they could have used on the X12 until the 6 launch (as indeed they have used at times).

They're getting a spare Gemini as soon we can get another refurbished for Blyth to release a MAX one

MAX spare 1416 on X1.

(15 Sep 2015, 10:34 am)Jimmi wrote MAX spare 1416 on X1.

Was on there yesterday as well forgot to mention it, pretty sure there's a streetlite in faverdale or there was at 20:00 last night

(15 Sep 2015, 11:15 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote Was on there yesterday as well forgot to mention it, pretty sure there's a streetlite in faverdale or there was at 20:00 last night

I'm told what has been described as a MAX X1 bus went through Newton Aycliffe yesterday afternoon Not in Service presumably heading to Faverdale Depot.

4813 is on the 2 today.

(15 Sep 2015, 11:30 am)Jimmi wrote I'm told what has been described as a MAX X1 bus went through Newton Aycliffe yesterday afternoon Not in Service presumably heading to Faverdale Depot.

4813 is on the 2 today.

How long is it before they get tested is it 6 months? Maybe that's why it's in faverdale getting deep cleaned ready for test could be wrong though

1465 on service 21