(14 Mar 2017, 4:17 pm)Dan wrote Merc Citaro 5288 returned from refurbishment today, with 5280 taking its place at Bus & Coach World.

5287 branded up and available for collection from Saltmeadows Road by Deptford - probably next week before it enters service by the time it has an inspection etc.

5288 should be branded and collected by Deptford today, too.

Following the entry into service of the refurbished Mercedes Citaros at Deptford, 4955 has transferred to Percy Main and 5214 has transferred to Chester-le-Street.

At Percy Main; 4955 has replaced 636, meaning that service 19 should again be allocated a full compliment of Volvo B7RLEs. 636 is currently having its vandal screen removed at Saltmeadows Road, as well as some minor bodywork repairs, before it transfers to Hexham for the summer season on the Hadrian's Wall AD122 service. At Chester-le-Street; 5214 has replaced 4965, which had already been withdrawn for modifications prior to assimilation into the Driver Training fleet.

The completion of modifications and return of 4961 in the Driver Training fleet has resulted in the withdrawal of DAF SB120 8242. 4965 has also now returned, and it will replace 8243.

Following the entry into service of 708 at Peterlee; 603 has transferred to Deptford, though at present remains on loan to Peterlee. It is likely to remain on loan until 707 transfers to Peterlee (presently VOR at Deptford), as indiGo Solo SR 653 is now at Deptford pending transfer to Percy Main this weekend.

I was behind 693 this morning and noticed the rear end hasn't had its route description, is it remaining blank with only the X on it?


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Anyone know what the extra cable is for that has appeared behind the ticket machine....is this in prep for contactless payment?

(15 Mar 2017, 8:15 am)JP6004 wrote Anyone know what the extra cable is for that has appeared behind the ticket machine....is this in prep for contactless payment?

I've seen no such cable!

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(15 Mar 2017, 8:12 am)cbma06 wrote I was behind 693 this morning and noticed the rear end hasn't had its route description, is it remaining blank with only the X on it?


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6130 has red seats upstairs, blue seats downstairs. I think it's just one of the cases where functionality comes first and the finer touches come some time later. Can understand why it happens like.

The final "Nexus" branded Solo has arrived at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, in the form of 637 (NK12 HCD).

Solo SR 634 was returned to Riverside this afternoon having been repainted into the new corporate livery. It features the "our fantastic people" tagline, like 697.

(15 Mar 2017, 4:22 pm)Dan wrote The final "Nexus" branded Solo has arrived at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, in the form of 637 (NK12 HCD).

Solo SR 634 was returned to Riverside this afternoon having been repainted into the new corporate livery. It features the "our fantastic people" tagline, like 697.

Will some of them be transferring to Percy Main for the 333 and W1/W1A then? Would like to see the Ferrylink livery make a return but probably not likely considering how short the contracts are.

(15 Mar 2017, 8:52 am)Jamie M wrote I've seen no such cable!

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On the 27 mercs u can see the 2nd cable with the connection hanging loose

Does anyone know if St Mary's Place is listed as a rest point for drivers?

3 cobalt clippers evenly spaced out have blocked the entire bus lane meaning no one can set down. Stagecoach 30 had to block the road to let people off

(15 Mar 2017, 7:17 am)Dan wrote 5288 should be branded and collected by Deptford today, too.

Following the entry into service of the refurbished Mercedes Citaros at Deptford, 4955 has transferred to Percy Main and 5214 has transferred to Chester-le-Street.

At Percy Main; 4955 has replaced 636, meaning that service 19 should again be allocated a full compliment of Volvo B7RLEs. 636 is currently having its vandal screen removed at Saltmeadows Road, as well as some minor bodywork repairs, before it transfers to Hexham for the summer season on the Hadrian's Wall AD122 service. At Chester-le-Street; 5214 has replaced 4965, which had already been withdrawn for modifications prior to assimilation into the Driver Training fleet.

The completion of modifications and return of 4961 in the Driver Training fleet has resulted in the withdrawal of DAF SB120 8242. 4965 has also now returned, and it will replace 8243.

Following the entry into service of 708 at Peterlee; 603 has transferred to Deptford, though at present remains on loan to Peterlee. It is likely to remain on loan until 707 transfers to Peterlee (presently VOR at Deptford), as indiGo Solo SR 653 is now at Deptford pending transfer to Percy Main this weekend.

Why 636 having vandal screen removed?

(15 Mar 2017, 6:11 pm)dannygee wrote Why 636 having vandal screen removed?

The AD122 buses don't have vandal screens - bit more relaxed and friendly for the tourists visiting Hadrian's Wall!

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(15 Mar 2017, 7:57 pm)EL1TE wrote I don't know if my eyes were fooling me but I was going past salties tonight and 3866 looked to show a desty saying '35' and looked to be in flip dots.. Any suggestions?

Aye, specsavers is that way

(15 Mar 2017, 8:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye, specsavers is that way

The LED display previously in 3866 has been removed prior to disposal and replaced with a flipdot display which originated from one of Stagecoach's buses in Stockton (hence the 35 being on the display).

A couple of the MPDs have also had flipdot displays fitted prior to being collected, as they have now been sold. 553 and 573 are two of these, if I remember rightly.



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(15 Mar 2017, 8:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye, specsavers is that way

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(15 Mar 2017, 8:20 pm)Dan wrote The LED display previously in 3866 has been removed prior to disposal and replaced with a flipdot display which originated from one of Stagecoach's buses in Stockton (hence the 35 being on the display).

A couple of the MPDs have also had flipdot displays fitted prior to being collected, as they have now been sold. 553 and 573 are two of these, if I remember rightly.



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Thanks for confirming, Dan.

Which of the longer Solo's still need to enter service?, does anyone know where they'll be going?, if so which routes?

(15 Mar 2017, 8:51 pm)Michael wrote Which of the longer Solo's still need to enter service?, does anyone know where they'll be going?, if so which routes?

All 5 of them - 711/2/3 have all been painted into the Venture base livery which I still find bizarre - I can only assume 710 and 714 will be painted into the same livery if they haven't already. The only thing I can think of is that they will come to Stanley replacing some of the SRs for use elsewhere to meet contractual requirements but I will even say that is unlikely.

(15 Mar 2017, 8:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote All 5 of them - 711/2/3 have all been painted into the Venture base livery which I still find bizarre - I can only assume 710 and 714 will be painted into the same livery if they haven't already. The only thing I can think of is that they will come to Stanley replacing some of the SRs for use elsewhere to meet contractual requirements but I will even say that is unlikely.

...or a network expansion/alteration which would require a higher PVR

(15 Mar 2017, 8:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote All 5 of them - 711/2/3 have all been painted into the Venture base livery which I still find bizarre - I can only assume 710 and 714 will be painted into the same livery if they haven't already. The only thing I can think of is that they will come to Stanley replacing some of the SRs for use elsewhere to meet contractual requirements but I will even say that is unlikely.

What is the difference between the capacity on them and the SRs. Wonder if they are for the V7/V8 as they often get busy

(15 Mar 2017, 8:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote All 5 of them - 711/2/3 have all been painted into the Venture base livery which I still find bizarre - I can only assume 710 and 714 will be painted into the same livery if they haven't already. The only thing I can think of is that they will come to Stanley replacing some of the SRs for use elsewhere to meet contractual requirements but I will even say that is unlikely.

Thanks S813, it looks like all of them will go Venture colours, i can't see them replacing the newer solo's though maybe a new brand else where with a PVR of 4 or 5 but using the Venture base colours?

I can't see where they'll go, most routes need the bigger buses.


What's the passenger numbers like on the 19?, could be going to Percy Main to replace the Eclipses, it also allows the 19 to be branded?, moves the eclipses to another service too.

I don't really know Stanley so can't comment on passenger numbers etc.

(15 Mar 2017, 9:11 pm)Michael wrote Thanks S813, it looks like all of them will go Venture colours, i can't see them replacing the newer solo's though maybe a new brand else where with a PVR of 4 or 5 but using the Venture base colours?

I can't see where they'll go, most routes need the bigger buses.


What's the passenger numbers like on the 19?, could be going to Percy Main to replace the Eclipses, it also allows the 19 to be branded?, moves the eclipses to another service too.

I don't really know Stanley so can't comment on passenger numbers etc.

19 is more or less empty Northumberland Park-North Shields during the day, they are a bit higher between Northumberland Park and Ashington but I'm sure a Solo would cope. 

Not sure about peak times though.

(15 Mar 2017, 9:13 pm)Tom wrote 19 is more or less empty Northumberland Park-North Shields during the day, they are a bit higher between Northumberland Park and Ashington but I'm sure a Solo would cope. 

Not sure about peak times though.

So a possible downgrade could happen, hopefully means the Eclipses will end up else where, they'll suit the 61, means at least all 5 to go in to a Spare role in the fleet:

1 at Deptford for the 2/2A 
4 to Riverside (3 Spares, 1 for the S1)
1 to Chester 

All above not confirmed just speculation.

Just while speculation is rife...

713 is now at Stanley, being prepared for service.

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(15 Mar 2017, 9:23 pm)Dan wrote Just while speculation is rife...

713 is now at Stanley, being prepared for service.

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Oh well, that takes my predictions out of the window...

Can't see where they'll fit in the Stanley services, unless they're downgrading the 15, X30/X31/X70/X71 but i can't see that.

One will be used on the T1/T2

(15 Mar 2017, 9:24 pm)Michael wrote Oh well, that takes my predictions out of the window...

Can't see where they'll fit in the Stanley services, unless they're downgrading the 15, X30/X31/X70/X71 but i can't see that.

One will be used on the T1/T2

706 is used on the T1/T2

(15 Mar 2017, 9:24 pm)Michael wrote Oh well, that takes my predictions out of the window...

Can't see where they'll fit in the Stanley services, unless they're downgrading the 15, X30/X31/X70/X71 but i can't see that.

One will be used on the T1/T2

706 has now entered service at Stanley on the T1/T2.

I don't really know what else they could be used on, assuming all 5 will be going to Stanley which, given that 3 have been repainted into the Venture base livery, is looking likely. They could be used on the Stanley Ventures I guess, given that the total PVR is 5.

V7/V8 - 3
30 - 2
Total PVR: 5

(15 Mar 2017, 9:43 pm)S813 FVK wrote 706 has now entered service at Stanley on the T1/T2.

I don't really know what else they could be used on, assuming all 5 will be going to Stanley which, given that 3 have been repainted into the Venture base livery, is looking likely. They could be used on the Stanley Ventures I guess, given that the total PVR is 5.

V7/V8 - 3
30 - 2
Total PVR: 5

Where would the SR's go?, it seems pointless buying them and then taking off just 4 years later, replacing them with older buses.

(15 Mar 2017, 9:45 pm)Michael wrote Where would the SR's go?, it seems pointless buying them and then taking off just 4 years later, replacing them with older buses.

No idea is the simple answer to that one

(15 Mar 2017, 9:45 pm)Michael wrote Where would the SR's go?, it seems pointless buying them and then taking off just 4 years later, replacing them with older buses.

One of peterlee SR going to north Tyneside and peterlee will be getting 707 in its place, wouldn't be surprised more from different area will be moved about.


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So peterlee won't have a full allocation of indigo buses out in service on allocated indigo bus services?


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(15 Mar 2017, 9:50 pm)cbma06 wrote One of peterlee SR going to north Tyneside and peterlee will be getting 707 in its place, wouldn't be surprised more from different area will be moved about.


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Peterlee are only losing 1 branded Solo SR though, it'll still have a spare branded one so no really change there.

Percy Main looks like it will have a spare branded one too, as i'm sure that brand also has 2 spares - which won't be on Sunday - so moving 1 from Peterlee seems the better idea.

(15 Mar 2017, 9:45 pm)Michael wrote Where would the SR's go?, it seems pointless buying them and then taking off just 4 years later, replacing them with older buses.

It isn't too far from from what people have suggested in the past though, only without the pointless bit attached to it. There has been plenty of discussion on this forum about the angel and TEN being 'due' replacements, and they're not much older than that! 

Perhaps it is new work for Stanley that requires additional buses? Not that I'm a fan of a mixed allocation, as I feel it waters the spec of the brand down from a customer perspective. Alas the indiGo Washington services, with the ex-TT Solos not offering WiFi or NSA.

(15 Mar 2017, 9:50 pm)cbma06 wrote One of peterlee SR going to north Tyneside and peterlee will be getting 707 in its place, wouldn't be surprised more from different area will be moved about.


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So peterlee won't have a full allocation of indigo buses out in service on allocated indigo bus services?


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They will, however it'll only have 1 branded spare rather 2, i think.