(08 May 2017, 12:57 pm)Jamie M wrote This may be of some use to some (S813FVK) people. These are the official times, I spent almost 2 hours carrying on inside word to get it anywhere near presentable, and even then the PDF conversion messed up some formatting.

*Note: File may not start downloading on Tapatalk.

Thank you for this - I don't know why the times are not published anywhere else online. They are probably stuck on a notice board at Tesco but nowhere to be found anywhere else. It's almost as if they expect us to be mindreaders and know when the bus is due without being told. This isn't a dig at GNE as I believe it was exactly the same when GCT operated it.

There's another simplicity Versa down at Saltmeadows for repaint.

Also there is 4990 and an Angel hybrid.

(08 May 2017, 6:45 am)Dan wrote The Black Cats brand is finally being unveiled today, with Solo SR 681 being the first to be branded this morning.

Wasn't branded as planned due to a high VOR this morning. Will be done as soon as there is a sufficient number of spare vehicles during the day - but Acky81 will have to wait a little bit longer, for now!

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Thanks Jamie, do you know if it stops at all stops between Shotley Bridge and Chopwell ?

(06 May 2017, 9:27 am)Michael wrote Is it going straight for repaint?

No is the answer:
https://flic.kr/p/Uqn2h8

(08 May 2017, 5:22 pm)Coppercap40 wrote Thanks Jamie, do you know if it stops at all stops between Shotley Bridge and Chopwell ?

It does most of the time. You have to buy something from tescos to get on to the bus from Tescos. You can't board the bus from consett to lanchester for any reason, same with blackhill onwards. Journeys from Tescos will operate drop-off only, Tescos operate on the condition you stay on until Tescos, although none of this is moderated by drivers.

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(08 May 2017, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote No is the answer:
https://flic.kr/p/Uqn2h8

Looks a mess.

(08 May 2017, 3:06 pm)S813 FVK wrote Thank you for this - I don't know why the times are not published anywhere else online. They are probably stuck on a notice board at Tesco but nowhere to be found anywhere else. It's almost as if they expect us to be mindreaders and know when the bus is due without being told. This isn't a dig at GNE as I believe it was exactly the same when GCT operated it.

A photocopy of the drivers duty board is up in Tesco, on a noticeboard behind the tills.

(08 May 2017, 3:39 pm)EL1TE wrote There's another simplicity Versa down at Saltmeadows for repaint.

Also there is 4990 and an Angel hybrid.

Wonder what colour it will be.

(08 May 2017, 6:27 pm)Michael wrote Wonder what colour it will be.

I'd have a guess at it being 8324. I believe Dan has said in the past (I think it was when 5249 missed its repaint slot but the news had been updated to show that it had been repainted) that he notes repaints on the fleet news as happening on the first day that the bus is off the road for that purpose, rather than on the actual day it is repainted.

(08 May 2017, 6:37 pm)S813 FVK wrote I'd have a guess at it being 8324. I believe Dan has said in the past (I think it was when 5249 missed its repaint slot but the news had been updated to show that it had been repainted) that he notes repaints on the fleet news as happening on the first day that the bus is off the road for that purpose, rather than on the actual day it is repainted.

Oh i thought he meant a different Versa

Wasn't expecting a venture on the 39 this morning

(09 May 2017, 7:30 am)Acky81 wrote Wasn't expecting a venture on the 39 this morning

713 also on loan to Chester-le-Street today, on service 34A.

Is simplicity being axed? What's the pvr for 2/2a? Does anyone know the plans for deptford? Will the 36 have a nice brand at Chester le st?

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Is it just 33 38 and 39 getting branded for black cats or will the 2 2a join the brand

(09 May 2017, 10:00 am)Acky81 wrote Is simplicity being axed? What's the pvr for 2/2a? Does anyone know the plans for deptford? Will the 36 have a nice brand at Chester le st?

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Is it just 33 38 and 39 getting branded for black cats or will the 2 2a join the brand

2/2A PVR is 9

I think the 36 brand is going to be the same but on a blue base.

If the 2/2A get new streetlites, then it might join the brand, nothing confirmed though.

(09 May 2017, 7:30 am)Acky81 wrote Wasn't expecting a venture on the 39 this morning

And 645's rear tagline refers to the old Venture service V8 (now 16), are the Ventures planned to gain replacement taglines soon?

(09 May 2017, 4:33 pm)S813 FVK wrote And 645's rear tagline refers to the old Venture service V8 (now 16), are the Ventures planned to gain replacement taglines soon?

Go North East tends to repaint buses/refresh its brands every four years - I would expect all vehicles ordered as part of the centenary year in 2013 would be up for repaint soon.

(09 May 2017, 4:35 pm)Dan wrote Go North East tends to repaint buses/refresh its brands every four years - I would expect all vehicles ordered as part of the centenary year in 2013 would be up for repaint soon.

When the B9's on the 56 go for a repaint, please no flowers.. Haha

(09 May 2017, 7:14 pm)Michael wrote When the B9's on the 56 go for a repaint, please no flowers.. Haha

Simplicity B9s?

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With 5320 being away for refurb, and apparently going on Crusader when it returns, I wonder if the Crusader will return to the plum/maroon that the cadets/B10's had.

(09 May 2017, 11:01 am)Michael wrote 2/2A PVR is 9

I think the 36 brand is going to be the same but on a blue base.

If the 2/2A get new streetlites, then it might join the brand, nothing confirmed though.

8306 8307 8308 8309
8325 8326 8327 8328
If it's 9 there won't be enough versas

Wouldn't Sunderland Connect be a better brand for the 2/2A

(09 May 2017, 9:59 pm)Ds1197 wrote Wouldn't Sunderland Connect be a better brand for the 2/2A

I like it

(09 May 2017, 10:07 pm)Acky81 wrote I like it

It also provides more links to different areas  of Sunderland then the 700 does

Metrocentre Mini?

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(08 May 2017, 6:45 am)Dan wrote The Black Cats brand is finally being unveiled today, with Solo SR 681 being the first to be branded this morning.

Just passed in Sunderland City Centre, still not branded, Deptford still must be short.

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(10 May 2017, 8:22 am)Adrian wrote Metrocentre Mini?

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Looks decent.

(10 May 2017, 12:40 pm)Michael wrote Just passed in Sunderland City Centre, still not branded, Deptford still must be short.

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Looks decent.

Timetable also includes service no. M6 along with M7 & M8 under this brand.

I think it looks amateurish (as do many GNE brands) IMO should have extended Venture, with maybe a sub/tag line for these services: "Venture into the Metro Centre" and include "intu Metro Centre" brand within this cant strip if intu are paying advertising monies/promotional spend.

(10 May 2017, 12:59 pm)Venturego wrote Timetable also includes service no. M6 along with M7 & M8 under this brand.

I think it looks amateurish (as do many GNE brands) IMO should have extended Venture, with maybe a sub/tag line for these services: "Venture into the Metro Centre" and include "intu Metro Centre" brand within this cant strip if intu are paying advertising monies/promotional spend.

But isn't that the point of the brand to promote the Metrocentre?

Jesus I thought 3980 sounded back from the street it's even worse as a passenger on it! When should these be withdrawn?!

(09 May 2017, 9:30 pm)Acky81 wrote 8306 8307 8308 8309
8325 8326 8327 8328
If it's 9 there won't be enough versas

Ye, think that's why it was suggested 10 of the 18 new Streetlites could be for the 2/2A to ease that problem, as suggest before, every Versa could leave Deptford to standardise it.

All 14 Versa's from the 2/2A and 61 could be split so they go to either Riverside and Chester (as they would be the only depots with Versa's), as Riverside could do with a couple of more spare Versa's.

Just all speculation though, until the Streetlites start to arrive!

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(10 May 2017, 3:08 pm)idiot wrote Jesus I thought 3980 sounded back from the street it's even worse as a passenger on it! When should these be withdrawn?!

Dan said the next deckers to go is the Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents (24?) and the Vyking's (18) were next to go.


Go North East's new financial year starts next month, hopefully it's mainly double deckers!