Volvo B7TL 3963 has nearly made all the houses in Brockely Whins collapse with its extra loud Cooling Fan.

(14 Jan 2016, 8:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Volvo B7TL 3963 has nearly made all the houses in Brockely Whins collapse with its extra loud Cooling Fan.

Yes, the ones that appear on the TEN seem to be the same (apart from the erstwhile 'Metro Radio' bus).

(14 Jan 2016, 8:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Volvo B7TL 3963 has nearly made all the houses in Brockely Whins collapse with its extra loud Cooling Fan.

Think its 3964 as I passed it earlier, I could hear before it actually went past mine.

(14 Jan 2016, 9:00 pm)DanPicken wrote Think its 3964 as I passed it earlier, I could hear before it actually went past mine.

3966 is the same - very high noise level inside as well as outside - the driver needs earplugs!

(14 Jan 2016, 9:04 pm)G-CPTN wrote 3966 is the same - very high noise level inside as well as outside - the driver needs earplugs!

Aren't all Vyking's like that?

(14 Jan 2016, 9:12 pm)Davie wrote Aren't all Vyking's like that?

All but 3983.

Is the livery on the solos for ntl going to be same as now or getting updated?

I think 6027 needs a bit of TLC.

The last three days it has been on the 82/82A it has been really really struggling, and the fan has been ridiculously loud. So much so I can hear it from inside my house, when normally I can't tell there is a bus going past.

(15 Jan 2016, 11:30 am)LeeCalder wrote I think 6027 needs a bit of TLC.

The last three days it has been on the 82/82A it has been really really struggling, and the fan has been ridiculously loud. So much so I can hear it from inside my house, when normally I can't tell there is a bus going past.

You've not heard 6042 have you?

Wifi pods (or pods with the international WiFi symbol) on the top of Nexus Bus liveried Solo's.

Are these standard or were they fitted as an extra?

has anyone noticed 5171 it has a brand mix up it says Northern on the front panel

(15 Jan 2016, 4:35 pm)Diamond One wrote has anyone noticed 5171 it has a brand mix up it says Northern on the front panel

It's been reported before I think, but I've certainly noticed it anyway. Sticks out like a sore thumb on the still-fresh repaint.

(15 Jan 2016, 11:40 am)Andreos1 wrote Wifi pods (or pods with the international WiFi symbol) on the top of Nexus Bus liveried Solo's.

Are these standard or were they fitted as an extra?

You have lost me....you got a pic?

(15 Jan 2016, 4:39 pm)R852 PRG wrote It's been reported before I think, but I've certainly noticed it anyway. Sticks out like a sore thumb on the still-fresh repaint.

I reported it a month or so ago.

Don't think this has been reported, 556 has a advert for the iNorthumberland programme, same as the Arriva MPDs.

(15 Jan 2016, 6:44 pm)citaro5284 wrote You have lost me....you got a pic?

Without searching online for one, I don't.

The pod is on the roof, about half-way down the vehicle but positioned towards the o/s and has a WiFi symbol (the dot and three curved lines) on the pod.

I know Solo's within other organisations don't have them, but for whatever reason the Nexus liveried ones in the GNE fleet do.
Haven't checked the SR versions up at Consett, Peterlee etc.

(16 Jan 2016, 9:29 am)Andreos1 wrote Without searching online for one, I don't.

The pod is on the roof, about half-way down the vehicle but positioned towards the o/s and has a WiFi symbol (the dot and three curved lines) on the pod.

I know Solo's within other organisations don't have them, but for whatever reason the Nexus liveried ones in the GNE fleet do.
Haven't checked the SR versions up at Consett, Peterlee etc.

The white pod visible on the photograph below?

Go North East: 0635 / NK61FJP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Either way - the "Nexus" branded Solo SRs in the fleet certainly don't have Wi-Fi.

(05 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)Dan wrote I'm sorry to disappoint, but 9119 operated the following:
- 14:34 #X21 (Bishop Auckland - Newcastle)
- 16:05 #X21 (Newcastle - Bishop Auckland)
- 17:45 #X21 (Bishop Auckland - Durham)
- 18:35 #X46 (Durham - Beechburn Industrial Estate)

It did not break down - what a shame, eh?

(07 Jan 2016, 9:21 am)Andreos1 wrote 8293 is currently being collected from Saltmeadows by Trevor Wigley.

(16 Jan 2016, 9:42 am)Dan wrote The white pod visible on the photograph below?

Go North East: 0635 / NK61FJP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Either way - the "Nexus" branded Solo SRs in the fleet certainly don't have Wi-Fi.

The white bit is the radio aerial/transmitter isn't it!

Travelling from Hexham or Corbridge into Newcastle today?

Whether you're shopping or going to the match, we're providing extra capacity with a double-decker bus on our X85 Tynedalexpress service leaving Hexham at 12.45 and Corbridge at 12.53. This bus will return from Eldon Square at 5.10pm.

X85 runs hourly from Hexham from 7.45am and takes just 47 minutes to Newcastle.

(16 Jan 2016, 10:21 am)Michael wrote Travelling from Hexham or Corbridge into Newcastle today?

Whether you're shopping or going to the match, we're providing extra capacity with a double-decker bus on our X85 Tynedalexpress service leaving Hexham at 12.45 and Corbridge at 12.53. This bus will return from Eldon Square at 5.10pm.

X85 runs hourly from Hexham from 7.45am and takes just 47 minutes to Newcastle.

Interesting. Looking to upgrade the service, perhaps?

(16 Jan 2016, 9:42 am)Dan wrote The white pod visible on the photograph below?

Go North East: 0635 / NK61FJP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Either way - the "Nexus" branded Solo SRs in the fleet certainly don't have Wi-Fi.

I notice Nexus doesn't bother with wifi I requested for wifi on the metros and totally ignore others myself included

(16 Jan 2016, 10:21 am)Michael wrote Travelling from Hexham or Corbridge into Newcastle today?

Whether you're shopping or going to the match, we're providing extra capacity with a double-decker bus on our X85 Tynedalexpress service leaving Hexham at 12.45 and Corbridge at 12.53. This bus will return from Eldon Square at 5.10pm.

X85 runs hourly from Hexham from 7.45am and takes just 47 minutes to Newcastle.

It is gonna be busy in town today so my suggestion try and get many photos between 3 and 5 as that's during the match

(16 Jan 2016, 10:29 am)S813 FVK wrote Interesting. Looking to upgrade the service, perhaps?

Not this financial year perhaps the next financial year perhaps speaking of which does anyone have the new fleet list of the new buses coming up and the cascades which are about to happen like where are the buses from Prince Bishops, Tynedale Links, North Tyne Links and pronto will end up at?

(16 Jan 2016, 10:29 am)S813 FVK wrote Interesting. Looking to upgrade the service, perhaps?

I'd imagine that Go North East is just utilising resources effectively, providing sufficient capacity to match demand. The NUFC football match kicks off at 15:00, so the 12:45 X85 out of Hexham is likely to get quite full.

5230 is currently allocated to this running board, and will presumably be replaced by 3942 (which is currently stationed at Hexham). It will have to be replaced itself upon arrival back at Hexham, as it would naturally work the 17:50 X84 on this running board. The 17:10 X85 is currently being operated by 5233.

Although single-decks get quite busy at peak-times (often with standing room only), I don't think double deckers could be justified on a permanent basis.

(16 Jan 2016, 10:41 am)Dan wrote I'd imagine that Go North East is just utilising resources effectively, providing sufficient capacity to match demand. The NUFC football match kicks off at 15:00, so the 12:45 X85 out of Hexham is likely to get quite full.

5230 is currently allocated to this running board, and will presumably be replaced by 3942 (which is currently stationed at Hexham). It will have to be replaced itself upon arrival back at Hexham, as it would naturally work the 17:50 X84 on this running board. The 17:10 X85 is currently being operated by 5233.

Although single-decks get quite busy at peak-times (often with standing room only), I don't think double deckers could be justified on a permanent basis.

Match day workings might be ideal by putting on deckers for Newcastle United home games when Sunderland play at home most services are run by double deckers like 56 which runs with them anyways 9 always see either a lolyne pass me or a president and mostly presidents from Deptford operating services close to stadium of light apart from 700 only services I do not see a decker on is 20s, 35s, 700, X36 but however if you increase X84/X85 on match days it will work

(16 Jan 2016, 10:38 am)Diamond One wrote I notice Nexus doesn't bother with wifi I requested for wifi on the metros and totally ignore others myself included

It would be down to the bus operator to purchase the equipment, Bazza.

Nexus is responsible for subsidising socially necessary, but unprofitable, bus services. I'd suggest that most of the passengers which use services subsidised by Nexus are likely to be of the older generation, and as such aren't likely to make use of free passenger Wi-Fi. I therefore can't see the advantage of fitting Wi-Fi to the vehicles which are allocated to Nexus-secured services.

Despite this, Nexus could in future specify in the tender agreement that the vehicle allocated to the service must feature free Wi-Fi. The equipment costs in excess of £2000 per vehicle, plus the recurring monthly data charge (like your mobile phone package). Bus operators would account for this cost within their bid for the work, which, in my opinion, the local authorities presumably couldn't afford (in this age of funding cuts).

In my opinion, we're more likely to see services which are operated by bus companies on a commercial basis gain free passenger Wi-Fi first. Services which run in competition are likely to be the first priority to upgrade, as this feature would provide a competitive advantage. The 'Behind the scenes' section of this article in the trade press also discusses some of the operational benefits to the bus company of fitting Wi-Fi to vehicles, with quotes provided from the company's Chief Engineer.

(14 Jan 2016, 5:12 pm)bu wrote does any one know what is going to happen to 8150 ,8251 8253 8254 8259 are they being scrapped?

(16 Jan 2016, 10:29 am)S813 FVK wrote Interesting. Looking to upgrade the service, perhaps?

The Tyne Valley Railway Line is closed between Hexham and Prudhoe, with Northern Rail providing replacement buses. Could it not be that GNE are providing extra capacity to cater for passengers who want a direct journey

(16 Jan 2016, 10:38 am)Diamond One wrote I notice Nexus doesn't bother with wifi I requested for wifi on the metros and totally ignore others myself included
It is gonna be busy in town today so my suggestion try and get many photos between 3 and 5 as that's during the match
Not this financial year perhaps the next financial year perhaps speaking of which does anyone have the new fleet list of the new buses coming up and the cascades which are about to happen like where are the buses from Prince Bishops, Tynedale Links, North Tyne Links and pronto will end up at?

The funding Nexus obtained from the Department for Transport under the Better Bus Area funding, restricted them to give grants to operators to install WiFi. It didn't allow them to install WiFi on the Metro.
I am guessing it would be down to DB to fund this or for Nexus to cover the costs - either from their own pocket or via central Government funding.

(16 Jan 2016, 10:29 am)S813 FVK wrote Interesting. Looking to upgrade the service, perhaps?

I predicted this last year

getting a headache on this one there are 14 Solos Percy Main are getting some as with Hexham where are the remaining ones going

(16 Jan 2016, 2:05 pm)Diamond One wrote getting a headache on this one there are 14 Solos Percy Main are getting some as with Hexham where are the remaining ones going

Just those 2 you've been told plenty of times....

We went for a drive around the back of Deptford last week, and noticed a lot of the Cats Fast ;-) Solar's are in a right mess....

Upgrade needed?