(12 Mar 2016, 9:45 am)Michael wrote Wasn't it said before that they won't interwork because the 47 doesn't have plugs etc?

I understand that the 47 won't interwork now due to the lack of extras that the 45/46 Streetlites include. However, if they did decide to interwork them further down the line, then what could GNE do to either?

- Avoid mixed saloon allocations
- Avoid diluting the brand

Only viable option unless the 45/46 benefited from substantial growth, would be to order 4x more Streetlites to the same specification meaning a capacity reduction on the 47, in turn of a better and more reliable service thus reducing the need for deckers. Then the 4x deckers currently used for the 47 would simply end up being transferred to Chester Le Street to replace the 2x B7s allocated to the Angel (unless the frequency drops on that service to every 10 minutes but I don't think it will) with the other 2x acting as corporate spares for the Angel.

Can't make any solid judgements yet though as they won't be interworked anytime soon (well the 47 for that matter).

Watch this space...

Drivers at Stanley are now undergoing route learning on service 47, suggesting that all of the Red Kite services will indeed interwork.

I can't imagine the Volvo B9s will gain three-pin power sockets but the USB sockets and Next Stop Announcements may be a good shout.

(13 Mar 2016, 7:03 am)Dan wrote Watch this space...

Drivers at Stanley are now undergoing route learning on service 47, suggesting that all of the Red Kite services will indeed interwork.

I can't imagine the Volvo B9s will gain three-pin power sockets but the USB sockets and Next Stop Announcements may be a good shout.

Does it? Just because they're learning it doesn't imply they will.

(13 Mar 2016, 9:11 am)DanPicken wrote Does it? Just because they're learning it doesn't imply they will.

Read between the lines DanP

(13 Mar 2016, 7:03 am)Dan wrote Watch this space...

Drivers at Stanley are now undergoing route learning on service 47, suggesting that all of the Red Kite services will indeed interwork.

I can't imagine the Volvo B9s will gain three-pin power sockets but the USB sockets and Next Stop Announcements may be a good shout.

But do the 45 / 46 actually require deckers though? Although the 47 requires deckers at the moment due to buses often carrying 2x loads of passengers due to the reliability of the service, the 47 bar 1x or 2x journeys should be able to cope with single deckers. Surely it would be better to get another 4x Streetlites on order and send the 4x Volvo B9s to Chester Le Street (2x Angel branded and 2x corporate). At most, due to the urban / stop-start nature of the 21, only some TFT / LCD screens and speakers would be required for the NSA's and the 2x corporate examples should they not be required on the Angel for any reason, could even fill in for most of the extra peak time X21's between Durham and Newcastle and vice versa thus maintaining a standard closer to the Streetdecks. 3962 / 3965 could then go another depot where needed or replace 3866 / 3867 at Percy Main.

(13 Mar 2016, 11:23 am)DaveyBowyer wrote But do the 45 / 46 actually require deckers though? Although the 47 requires deckers at the moment due to buses often carrying 2x loads of passengers due to the reliability of the service, the 47 bar 1x or 2x journeys should be able to cope with single deckers. Surely it would be better to get another 4x Streetlites on order and send the 4x Volvo B9s to Chester Le Street (2x Angel branded and 2x corporate). At most, due to the urban / stop-start nature of the 21, only some TFT / LCD screens and speakers would be required for the NSA's and the 2x corporate examples should they not be required on the Angel for any reason, could even fill in for most of the extra peak time X21's between Durham and Newcastle and vice versa thus maintaining a standard closer to the Streetdecks. 3962 / 3965 could then go another depot where needed or replace 3866 / 3867 at Percy Main.

But sending a driver to Blackhall Mill will probably cost a lot more than sending a double decker to Consett on a 45/46 to allow driver changeovers to happen more easily. It isn't just about whether a route needs deckers.

(13 Mar 2016, 11:32 am)S813 FVK wrote But sending a driver to Blackhall Mill will probably cost a lot more than sending a double decker to Consett on a 45/46 to allow driver changeovers to happen more easily. It isn't just about whether a route needs deckers.

Not if they interwork!!, consett-ncl-blachall mill-ncl-consett can be done within the current domestic driving hours. Only dead mileage i'd imagine would be am/pm to blackhall mill.

(13 Mar 2016, 11:32 am)S813 FVK wrote But sending a driver to Blackhall Mill will probably cost a lot more than sending a double decker to Consett on a 45/46 to allow driver changeovers to happen more easily. It isn't just about whether a route needs deckers.

I'm not against interworking the 47 if you read between the lines. What I'm saying is that if the reliability of the 47 improves through interworking it with the 45 / 46, then bar 1x or 2x journeys which benefit from deckers (less crowded etc), then the 47 would only need single deckers. Therefore, if 4x extra Streetlites were ordered to the same specification as the others, then the 4x deckers could be put to good use at Chester Le Street and subsequently allow 3962 / 3965 to either go to another depot or allow 3866 / 3867 to be withdrawn at Percy Main.

The Red Kite Streetlites and the deckers wotk the same route - nearly - from Rowlands Gill and Eldon Sq. so what's the problem if they run through to Consett?  
It would allow the 46 to operate between Shotley Bridge and Hamsterley Mill via Medomsley and the 47 would make up the shortfall between Shotley Bridge and Hamsterley Bank Top.  In time, could replace the V9.  Extending the passenger catchment of the brand must be worthwhile!

PB0002400/593 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Wheatley Hill, Cemetry Road
Finish Point: Arnison Centre, Sainsbury's
Via:
Service Number: 59
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 03-APR-2016
Other Details: Sunday (and public holiday) only

(15 Mar 2016, 4:10 pm)Michael wrote PB0002400/593 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Wheatley Hill, Cemetry Road
Finish Point: Arnison Centre, Sainsbury's
Via:
Service Number: 59
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 03-APR-2016
Other Details: Sunday (and public holiday) only

So it's been saved.

Nice

(15 Mar 2016, 4:12 pm)BusLoverMum wrote So it's been saved.

Nice

It also looks like no changes will be made to the service either, so that's good.

Scholars service 822 will be changed to run non-stop from Consett to Lanchester St Bede's (or at least to Leadgate), missing out Sherburn Terrace.

When are the solos entering service?

(19 Mar 2016, 7:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote When are the solos entering service?

Hexham's this Wednesday, Percy Main's the Wednesday after.

(19 Mar 2016, 7:23 pm)Dan wrote Hexham's this Wednesday, Percy Main's the Wednesday after.

Thanks

(19 Mar 2016, 7:23 pm)Dan wrote Hexham's this Wednesday, Percy Main's the Wednesday after.

That's me off to Hexham next Saturday and Ballsend on the 30th.

(19 Mar 2016, 7:23 pm)Dan wrote Hexham's this Wednesday, Percy Main's the Wednesday after.

Ooh goodie, guess it'll be Hexham on Monday and Saturday for me and the Wallsend area will be in there somewhere.

(19 Mar 2016, 7:29 pm)Jimmi wrote Ooh goodie, guess it'll be Hexham on Monday and Saturday for me and the Wallsend area will be in there somewhere.

Next sunday im planning to ride a service 17a does that use mpds

(19 Mar 2016, 7:32 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote Next sunday im planning to ride a service 17a does that use mpds

Yes - 17A/40/41 all interwork, using MPDs on Sundays. PVR of 6.

I finish school next week on Wednesday, Might go up to Hexham on Thursday and Wallsend on the First day they enter service.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:14 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I finish school next week on Wednesday, Might go up to Hexham on Thursday and Wallsend on the First day they enter service.

Lucky you, I am still in on Thursday because my school is a Catholic one

(19 Mar 2016, 8:20 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Lucky you, I am still in on Thursday because my school is a Catholic one

A lot of schools are still in on Thursday - both my boys are and they go to school in different counties. As Easter is so early, I expect the schools that break up on Wednesday are doing so because Thursday is a teacher training day.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:25 pm)BusLoverMum wrote A lot of schools are still in on Thursday - both my boys are and they go to school in different counties. As Easter is so early, I expect the schools that break up on Wednesday are doing so because Thursday is a teacher training day.

My college also breaks up on Thursday.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:25 pm)OBusLoverMum wrote A lot of schools are still in on Thursday - both my boys are and they go to school in different counties. As Easter is so early, I expect the schools that break up on Wednesday are doing so because Thursday is a teacher training day.

Both my parents have been/are been headteachers. Next Easter is late so I have a week at Easter and two at May

(19 Mar 2016, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote Yes - 17A/40/41 all interwork, using MPDs on Sundays. PVR of 6.

I would imagine this would change when the Solo's enter service, ya know for fuel saving etc...

(19 Mar 2016, 8:35 pm)Michael wrote I would imagine this would change when the Solo's enter service, ya know for fuel saving etc...

Would it? I'd say the Solo's would be more economical. I'm no economy expert, though.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:38 pm)S813 FVK wrote Would it? I'd say the Solo's would be more economical. I'm no economy expert, though.

Thats what i'm saying lol.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:38 pm)Michael wrote Thats what i'm saying lol.

So nothing would be changing then.

(19 Mar 2016, 8:39 pm)S813 FVK wrote So nothing would be changing then.

It would because the 17A would be using new Solo's  having WIFI etc

Na but i had a blonde moment lmao

Sorry.