(08 Apr 2016, 8:50 pm)Tom wrote I think some new bigger buses for the indiGo 208, 265 etc. are needed even though they were just bought a year ago they can't cope on the 208 or 265 judging by what I've seen today. The 265 into Durham was heaving with 5 or 6 standees and the 208 I saw arriving into Durham was also quite busy though not as busy as the 265. Or maybe an express to Peterlee to compliment the 208 (X28 maybe) would work possibly operating via Haswell and Shotton Bruce or just extending the short 208 to Durham. As for the 265 not sure what you can do about that other than having bigger buses.

Have passenger numbers always been like this? Or has the growth on the services since indiGo was launched just been very high?

I thought the 265 needed slightly bigger buses when it was MPD operated. Could do with something Cadet/Merit sized I'd say.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:01 pm)Jimmi wrote I thought the 265 needed slightly bigger buses when it was MPD operated. Could do with something Cadet/Merit sized I'd say.

Versas perhaps, off the Simplicity 2/2A.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:06 pm)Malarkey wrote Versas perhaps, off the Simplicity 2/2A.

Any reason to get rid of them on the 2/2A!

(08 Apr 2016, 10:06 pm)Malarkey wrote Versas perhaps, off the Simplicity 2/2A.

Please,i wouldn't mind as they're terrible.

Versas would be a good size as terrible as they are.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:10 pm)Tom wrote Versas would be a good size as terrible as they are.

It's the build quality that lets them down, The 09 to 11 reg examples have the build quality of a Wilkos toy.
The 63 reg examples are massively better than the earlier examples

(08 Apr 2016, 10:08 pm)Jimmi wrote Any reason to get rid of them on the 2/2A!

As Michael has stated below, because theyre terrible, should of kept the Citaros on the 2/2A.

Wouldnt mind Streetlites on the 2/2A, as I quite like them to be honest.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:09 pm)Michael wrote Please,i wouldn't mind as they're terrible.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:13 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote It's the build quality that lets them down, The 09 to 11 reg examples have the build quality of a Wilkos toy.
The 63 reg examples are massively better than the earlier examples

Yeah the citylink ones are better but they still aren't that good.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:14 pm)Malarkey wrote As Michael has stated below, because theyre terrible, should of kept the Citaros on the 2/2A.

Wouldnt mind Streetlites on the 2/2A, as I quite like them to be honest.

I wouldn't mind Streetlites on the 2/2A either, i quite like the ones on the Coast and Country.

Folk suggesting that Streetlites are a good bus?! Blasphemy!

You'll be getting accused of being a witch, next.

(08 Apr 2016, 8:50 pm)Tom wrote I think some new bigger buses for the indiGo 208, 265 etc. are needed even though they were just bought a year ago they can't cope on the 208 or 265 judging by what I've seen today. The 265 into Durham was heaving with 5 or 6 standees and the 208 I saw arriving into Durham was also quite busy though not as busy as the 265. Or maybe an express to Peterlee to compliment the 208 (X28 maybe) would work possibly operating via Haswell and Shotton Bruce or just extending the short 208 to Durham. As for the 265 not sure what you can do about that other than having bigger buses.

Have passenger numbers always been like this? Or has the growth on the services since indiGo was launched just been very high?

The 265 (and its predecessors) has had deckers and Prestiges allocated in the past.
It was one if the routes where bigger vehicles were allocated for a period and then swapped for smaller ones.
Despite the patter at the time, saying bigger vehicles were being added to meet demand - it wasn't long before that decision was backtracked on and smaller vehicles were used instead.

(09 Apr 2016, 7:34 am)Andreos1 wrote The 265 (and its predecessors) has had deckers and Prestiges allocated in the past.
It was one if the routes where bigger vehicles were allocated for a period and then swapped for smaller ones.
Despite the patter at the time, saying bigger vehicles were being added to meet demand - it wasn't long before that decision was backtracked on and smaller vehicles were used instead.

Larger vehicles are still allocated at peak times, to meet demand.

(08 Apr 2016, 10:13 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote It's the build quality that lets them down, The 09 to 11 reg examples have the build quality of a Wilkos toy.
The 63 reg examples are massively better than the earlier examples

I'm beginning to wonder about the build quality of the solo SR. On 648 and there's an horrible metallic rattle coming from the outside, at the front.

(09 Apr 2016, 11:01 am)BusLoverMum wrote I'm beginning to wonder about the build quality of the solo SR. On 648 and there's an horrible metallic rattle coming from the outside, at the front.

I'm not sure what that rattle came from but I might find 648 and ride it and then I could tell

The build qualitys better in the newer examples ( 15reg Indigo upwards )
Though some earlier examples are bad but not as bad as the Versas in my opinion.

(09 Apr 2016, 12:50 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I'm not sure what that rattle came from but I might find 648 and ride it and then I could tell

The build qualitys better in the newer examples ( 15reg Indigo upwards )
Though some earlier examples are bad but not as bad as the Versas in my opinion.

By the time I'd been on it an hour I was beginning to wonder if it wasn't actually the pole assembly that the monitor was attached to. Hard to tell from near the back though. It was much more clanky than, say, a streetlite emergency door.

Would like to see GNE get some Volvo 7900H

(11 Apr 2016, 2:13 pm)Michael wrote Would like to see GNE get some Volvo 7900H

Me too, but it ultimately depends on how cost effective they are, compared to a Streetlite?

I'd say the Volvo is a better build quality and more premium vehicle, but no idea how the mpg and initial outlay will compare...

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

(11 Apr 2016, 4:36 pm)Adrian wrote Me too, but it ultimately depends on how cost effective they are, compared to a Streetlite?

I'd say the Volvo is a better build quality and more premium vehicle, but no idea how the mpg and initial outlay will compare...

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

MPG will probably be around the same, Both have 5.1L engines whilst the Volvo has a combined hybrid drive while the Streetlite has a Micro-Hybrid Package.
RPMs might be different though, Streetlites have a 4 speed Voith while the Volvo has a I-Shift, though I don't how many gears that has.

With the upcoming service changes, here is my order predictions in summary with a more detailed spreadsheet attached:

New Orders:
- 16x + 2x spare Wright StreetDeck for Cobalt Clipper services 309 / 310 / X39

Main Cascades:
- 14x + 1x spare Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 for Red Kite services 45 / 45E / 46 / 47
- 9x + 1x spare Wright Streetlite MH 11.5m for Green Arrow Services 97 / 97A

Detailed Spreadsheet:

Order Predictions 2016_17.xlsx (Size 11.97 KB | Downloads 40)

15 (13+2) streetlites for Deptford for 35/36.
11 (9+2) Streetlites for Stanley for 16/16A.

5284-91 transfer to Riverside for LOOP 93/94.
5298-5307 transfer to Riverside for Green Arrow 97/97A.
5325/26/27 transfer to Riverside for services 67/69. (along with 5324)

Spare mercs at Riverside 5292/5308/5309 & 5323.


5275-83 Blaydon Racer
5284-91 Loop
5292 Spare
5293-97 Citylink57
5298-07 Green Arrow
5308/09 spare
5310-19 Crusader
5320-22 Citylink57
5323 spare
5324-27 67/69
5328-30 Crusader
5331 Blaydon Racer
5332 Spare
5333-36 WearTees Xpress (Deptford/Peterlee)
5337/8 Spare (Percy Main)

Quick Amendment

- 9x + 1x spare Wright Streetlite MH 11.5m for Green Arrow Services 97 / 97A

- Now 10x + 1 spare Wright Streetlite MH 11.5m for Green Arrow services 97/97A
Subsequently, no further spare for Deptford as a result of PVR increase to Green Arrow services 97 / 97A

- Intu Metrocentre branding idea scrapped for 6071, 6084, 6101

- Re-clarification of the 3x vehicles above in the event of a VOR occurring with 6043-6048

Order Predictions 2016_17_V2.xlsx (Size 11.93 KB | Downloads 15)

My predictions:


10 branded Streetlites for the 97/97A with 1 spare

Solo SR's for Washington (82/82A/85/86) and Sunderland (33/38/238) - both branded "Indigo Washington/Sunderland"

13 branded Streetdecks for the 27 with 1 spare


Going to be honest not sure which routes will get new buses this year, most of the "branded" routes are new or just been re-designed, i think the priority now for GNE will be to replace the remaining B10's, Merits and the MPD's and the non DDA deckers.

Any updates on the order?, if so how many buses are arriving?

(10 Jul 2016, 6:37 pm)Michael wrote Any updates on the order?, if so how many buses are arriving?

Is there a new order? Thought the next order would be atleast next year as it that's what normally happens.

(10 Jul 2016, 6:46 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Is there a new order? Thought the next order would be atleast next year as it that's what normally happens.

No idea, was just wondering if anyone heard anything.

9x streetlites service 2,2a.
8319-27cascaded of.
8319-23 to Riverside for service 67,69 this can see 5x renowns of.
8324,25 to Peterlee for service 265 which wont interwork (hopefully ).
From this movement 653,54 can transfer to Deptford for use on 38 and 701.
From this movement 549 can be withdrawn
628 can transfer to Riverside for use on the Byker ASDA bus allowing 557 to be withdrawn.
8326,27 transfer to crook for service 18 allowing 571,2 to be withdrawn.
11x new buses for 97,97a.
From this the following could happen.
4938 transfers to chester le street allowing 4926 to be withdrawn.
4940 transfers to Chester-le-Street allowing 4927 to transfer to riverside to withdraw a b10.
4941 transfers to chester le street allowing 4928 to transfer to riverside allowing a b10 to be withdrawn.
4947,48 transfer to Chester-le-Street allowing 4929,34 to transfer to riverside to allow b10s to be withdrawn.
4967 this vehcile transfers to percy main to replace 4912.
5218,27,28 also transfer to percy main to replace 4915,16,17.
There will also be a red spare which will replace a b10.
8x new buses for service 60.
5369-76 transfer to riverside allowing 8294-8301 to replace the final b10s in the fleet

(10 Jul 2016, 6:46 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Is there a new order? Thought the next order would be atleast next year as it that's what normally happens.

Go Ahead year is July to June, so there is a chance vehicles can be ordered now.

(10 Jul 2016, 7:11 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote 9x streetlites service 2,2a.
8319-27cascaded of.
8319-23 to Riverside for service 67,69 this can see 5x renowns of.
8324,25 to Peterlee for service 265 which wont interwork  (hopefully ).
From this movement 653,54 can transfer to Deptford for use on 38 and 701.
From this movement 549 can be withdrawn
628 can transfer to Riverside for use on the Byker ASDA bus allowing 557 to be withdrawn.
8326,27 transfer to crook for service 18 allowing 571,2 to be withdrawn.
11x new buses for 97,97a.
From this the following could happen.
4938 transfers to chester le street allowing 4926 to be withdrawn.
4940 transfers to Chester-le-Street allowing 4927 to transfer to riverside to withdraw a b10.
4941 transfers to chester le street allowing 4928 to transfer to riverside allowing a b10 to be withdrawn.
4947,48 transfer to Chester-le-Street allowing 4929,34 to transfer to riverside to allow b10s to be withdrawn.
4967 this vehcile transfers to percy main to replace 4912.
5218,27,28 also transfer to percy main to replace 4915,16,17.
There will also be a red spare which will replace a b10.
8x new buses for service 60.
5369-76 transfer to riverside allowing 8294-8301 to replace the final b10s in the fleet

Surely they would want to get some deckers this year as they have until 31st December to get rid of the tridents. I can see some B10s staying until next year as they are already DDA compliant.

My Predictions.

21 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6's
16 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6 - Percy Main - Coaster - Service 1/1A
5 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6 - Hexham - Tynedale Express - Service X84/X85

• 7 Scania Omnicities to Deptford for the X35
  
• 5 Scania Omnicities to Chester le Street for the 28/28A - Solars into Corporate Livery split between Depots
  
• 4 Scania Omnicities to Chester le Street for the 34/34A - Versas to the Scrap Man  
  
• 5 Scania L94UB Wright Solars to Riverside replacing B10BLE's
  

18 Optare Solo SR's
5 Optare Solo SR - Hexham - Tynedale Links Network
5 Optare Solo SR - Washington - Services 85/86
8 Optare Solo SR - Deptford - 33/33A/38 & 238

• All remaining MPD's Withdrawn
  

9 Optare MetroCity's 
8 Optare MetroCity's - Washington - Services 82/82A
1 Optare MetroCity - Hexham - Tynedale Links Network

• All Wright Cadet's & Merit's Withdrawn
  
• 5210 moves to Riverside replacing a B10BLE
  

(10 Jul 2016, 7:58 pm)Malarkey wrote My Predictions.

21 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6's
16 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6 - Percy Main - Coaster - Service 1/1A
5 Mercedes Citaro Euro 6 - Hexham - Tynedale Express - Service X84/X85

• 7 Scania Omnicities to Deptford for the X35
  
• 5 Scania Omnicities to Chester le Street for the 28/28A - Solars into Corporate Livery split between Depots
  
• 4 Scania Omnicities to Chester le Street for the 34/34A - Versas to the Scrap Man  
  
• 5 Scania L94UB Wright Solars to Riverside replacing B10BLE's
  

18 Optare Solo SR's
5 Optare Solo SR - Hexham - Tynedale Links Network
5 Optare Solo SR - Washington - Services 85/86
8 Optare Solo SR - Deptford - 33/33A/38 & 238

• All remaining MPD's Withdrawn
  

9 Optare MetroCity's 
8 Optare MetroCity's - Washington - Services 82/82A
1 Optare MetroCity - Hexham - Tynedale Links Network

• All Wright Cadet's & Merit's Withdrawn
  
• 5210 moves to Riverside replacing a B10BLE
  

The Worms really don't need full-size single deckers. An MPD would be sufficient during the daytime for loadings, the only real time that full-size saloons are needed is at peak times. I think the OmniCities would be a good choice for the Waggonway though.