(17 Jan 2018, 6:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote Almost predictably, there's no Windows Phone app.
Disappointing they can't even offer a watered down version to suit passengers using that type of phone. Obviously ANE and Nexus can offer an alternative of sorts.

I will continue using the multi-modal, multi-operator, multi-country 'Moovit' app. Realtime tracking and not just limited to GNE. 
Especially handy when in other parts of the country and/or world.

Husband writes software like this and it's rare that a windows mobile version is done, unless it's made specifically for Windows based hardware. The platform is hugely different in terms of what's available for a developer to use.

8322 looking poorly and towed away from Park Lane, earlier.

And I've finally worked out the engine noise of a stationary B9 ,(currently on the 56):

STICK STICK STICK STICK...

(18 Jan 2018, 12:36 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Husband writes software like this and it's rare that a windows mobile version is done, unless it's made specifically for Windows based hardware. The platform is hugely different in terms of what's available for a developer to use.

Even if they had something for non-apple/android users, it would be a start.
Nexus and ANE can cobble something together. Shame GNE haven't.

Regardless of how easy/difficult it is to pull something together for Windows users, there will still be a significant portion of their customer base who dont have a smartphone and/or aren't iphone/android sheep.

(18 Jan 2018, 3:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote Even if they had something for non-apple/android users, it would be a start.
Nexus and ANE can cobble something together. Shame GNE haven't.

Regardless of how easy/difficult it is to pull something together for Windows users, there will still be a significant portion of their customer base who dont have a smartphone and/or aren't iphone/android sheep.

Thats what online timetables are for 

(18 Jan 2018, 3:04 pm)JP6004 wrote Thats what online timetables are for 

They don't tell you how late the bus is though

The Crusader mercs getting a rebrand? 5321 seems to have had an update to the branding with a different style tagline like the 49 Streetlites and the rear boot looks different too.

(18 Jan 2018, 4:38 pm)EL1TE wrote The Crusader mercs getting a rebrand? 5321 seems to have had an update to the branding with a different style tagline like the 49 Streetlites and the rear boot looks different too.

Same as 5305, you can see the pic of it in the news

(18 Jan 2018, 4:42 pm)JP6004 wrote Same as 5305, you can see the pic of it in the news

Photo link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62209150@N03/27965238779/

Much less crowded than the version being replaced.

(18 Jan 2018, 4:43 pm)S813 FVK wrote Photo link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62209150@N03/27965238779/

Much less crowded than the version being replaced.

I like the new rear of the merc,but I think there is a slight of hand here in clouding South Shields in the 10 min frequency.while I recognise technically there is a bus between Newcastle to South Shields at 10 min frequency, but from jarrow anyone not knowing the difference between 26/27 may be very annoyed going on the 26 to southshields or visa versa, as you go around the houses to get there and it takes longer than 27 which I may add is the most direct bus.the rear signage is a bit of a miss information,and should indicate the two routes are split with 20 min frequencies from jarrow on each route. It might not seem a lot  but if you go to southshields and get on 26 by mistake you are going to be fed up when you get to the end of the line.

(18 Jan 2018, 4:38 pm)EL1TE wrote The Crusader mercs getting a rebrand? 5321 seems to have had an update to the branding with a different style tagline like the 49 Streetlites and the rear boot looks different too.

(18 Jan 2018, 4:43 pm)S813 FVK wrote Photo link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62209150@N03/27965238779/

Much less crowded than the version being replaced.

All of the existing Crusaders have had their branding modified over the last two nights. 5307 is another grey Citaro to return from refurbishment today, along with 5337 in fleet livery.

Instead of returning to Deptford as planned, 5305 has transferred to Riverside ahead of next weekend's service changes. 5307 should return to Deptford, but it may transfer to Riverside too.

(19 Jan 2018, 2:32 pm)Dan wrote All of the existing Crusaders have had their branding modified over the last two nights. 5307 is another grey Citaro to return from refurbishment today, along with 5337 in fleet livery.

Instead of returning to Deptford as planned, 5305 has transferred to Riverside ahead of next weekend's service changes. 5307 should return to Deptford, but it may transfer to Riverside too.

Take it 5337 will go to deptford?

(19 Jan 2018, 3:25 pm)JP6004 wrote Take it 5337 will go to deptford?

5337 still a Washington bus on paper (like 5305-09 are Deptford's buses), until 28th January.

5262, though now at Washington, is still VOR. So technically nothing has replaced 5337 yet.

On Frid at about 8.30 am I passed a Versa heading north up thr A1M at the Darlington turnoff. It was in the new corporate colours and had "Versa Hydrid" on its destination could not get its reg as I was going south. Anyone know any details?

(20 Jan 2018, 9:47 am)upt50k wrote On Frid at about 8.30 am I passed a Versa heading north up thr A1M at the Darlington turnoff. It was in the new corporate colours and had "Versa Hydrid" on its destination could not get its reg as I was going south. Anyone know any details?

Go North East has received this vehicle on long-term loan, serving as a replacement vehicle for fire-damaged Optare Versa 8303 (which has now been sold to, and collected by, Alpha Recovery for scrap).

It will be treated like one of Go North East's own vehicles for the duration of its stay - being fitted with the standard fleet livery vinyls having been painted into the base livery prior to delivery, advert frames, and vandal screen. It features a full front colour Hanover LED display.

As such, 9086 should have now been returned to Optare off-loan.

(20 Jan 2018, 9:51 am)Dan wrote Go North East has received this vehicle on long-term loan, serving as a replacement vehicle for fire-damaged Optare Versa 8303 (which has now been sold to, and collected by, Alpha Recovery for scrap).

It will be treated like one of Go North East's own vehicles for the duration of its stay - being fitted with the standard fleet livery vinyls having been painted into the base livery prior to delivery, advert frames, and vandal screen. It features a full front colour Hanover LED display.

As such, 9086 should have now been returned to Optare off-loan.

What fleet number will it take?

Only 5306, 08 and 09 to return from refurbishment now.


With changes happening a week tomorrow, will the South Tyne Versa's head straight to SM or will they head to Chester and just be repainted as of when they can be?

If the B9TL's that are coming from London were to replace the remaining Streetlites on the Red Kite, would there be enough streetlites to cover the PVR of the Green Arrow, thus allowing the withdrawal of some older Solars

(20 Jan 2018, 9:51 am)Dan wrote Go North East has received this vehicle on long-term loan, serving as a replacement vehicle for fire-damaged Optare Versa 8303 (which has now been sold to, and collected by, Alpha Recovery for scrap).

It will be treated like one of Go North East's own vehicles for the duration of its stay - being fitted with the standard fleet livery vinyls having been painted into the base livery prior to delivery, advert frames, and vandal screen. It features a full front colour Hanover LED display.

As such, 9086 should have now been returned to Optare off-loan.

9086 was still in Durham, 2 hours ago.

9085 has been pulled from operating on X21 for the rest of the day and be used as a driver taxi as the driver that was going to use it had to use 6304 which had just arrived from Newcastle, might have been the destination display as the previous driver who came in was fiddling around with it for about 5 minutes before going to the driver canteen. Wanted to have a ride on it back to Newcastle as well to compare to The Castles Express Streetdecks .


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

6332 is blue: https://flic.kr/p/23CXKuk

Probably safe to assume that it is for a promotional livery of some sort.

(20 Jan 2018, 5:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote 6332 is blue: https://flic.kr/p/23CXKuk

Probably safe to assume that it is for a promotional livery of some sort.

I think the last 2 wernt going to be in angel livery, 6332 might be the same promotion as 6100?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(20 Jan 2018, 6:02 pm)cbma06 wrote I think the last 2 wernt going to be in angel livery, 6332 might be the same promotion as 6100?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is a post on brand new bus blog spot saying that the last two Streetdecks will be delivered as one blue and one black vehicle.

(20 Jan 2018, 6:02 pm)cbma06 wrote I think the last 2 wernt going to be in angel livery, 6332 might be the same promotion as 6100?

Correct. 6332 and 6333 are the spares. However, their liveries were shown as 'TBC' on our fleet list which was certainly an indication that they wouldn't be in the corporate livery.

(20 Jan 2018, 7:01 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote There is a post on brand new bus blog spot saying that the last two Streetdecks will be delivered as one blue and one black vehicle.

Black one could be night angel.

(20 Jan 2018, 4:15 pm)BusLoverMum wrote 9086 was still in Durham, 2 hours ago.

Those who haven't had a ride of it, or got their photos, should probably do so soon! It's on borrowed time!

(07 Jan 2018, 4:34 pm)S813 FVK wrote 706 has gained a rear advertisement for contactless payment (identical to that on 641-646). No idea if the other Solos/SRs have followed, but here's me hoping that 708 was fitted with a tagline while they were there.

It wasn't as the fitters didn't have one of the taglines with them when doing those rear adverts, but is due to be fitted in the next round of 'snags' at Stanley. Should be fitted within the next two weeks, along with other members of the fleet with missing branding.

Earlier today I saw a hybrid Coaster reversing out of a side street onto Benfield Rd - guessing they missed their turn or something as it was in service, and proceeded back towards Walkergate Station and turned left onto Appletree towards the coast.
5 mins later I overtook it while it was at a bus stop and I could see inside the lower deck next stop announcement screen was off.
Do you think this was a faulty one or are they running with audio only until all the visuals are created for this route?

(21 Jan 2018, 9:59 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Earlier today I saw a hybrid Coaster reversing out of a side street onto Benfield Rd - guessing they missed their turn or something as it was in service, and proceeded back towards Walkergate Station and turned left onto Appletree towards the coast.
5 mins later I overtook it while it was at a bus stop and I could see inside the lower deck next stop announcement screen was off.
Do you think this was a faulty one or are they running with audio only until all the visuals are created for this route?

Was it 6060? They don’t work as far as i know

There's a go-ahead cast-off enviro, ex metroline heading to salties. Any speculation on this one? ?

(21 Jan 2018, 9:59 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Earlier today I saw a hybrid Coaster reversing out of a side street onto Benfield Rd - guessing they missed their turn or something as it was in service, and proceeded back towards Walkergate Station and turned left onto Appletree towards the coast.
5 mins later I overtook it while it was at a bus stop and I could see inside the lower deck next stop announcement screen was off.
Do you think this was a faulty one or are they running with audio only until all the visuals are created for this route?

They should all be working, for every journey. The ones which were faulty should have been repaired by Hanover's engineer before (or in a few instances soon after) arrival at Percy Main.

If you find one that isn't working in future, drop me a note with the fleet number or report to Customer Services.

I made a post on a bus enthusiasts' Facebook Group earlier, and it's provoked quite a bit of discussion. Many of those who have commented on that post aren't members of this forum, and still stick to their guns that StreetDecks are hideously unreliable, cheap (and so on)... So I'm intrigued to see what sort of opinions members of this forum have in comparison.

My original post on said group was:

A number of comments have been made on this group and others recently about how poor Go North East's decision-making is, when it comes to investing in new vehicles.

I have just seen a sponsored advertisement on my Facebook feed from Go North East, promoting their new Wright StreetDeck buses on the Angel 21 service (link below):
https://www.facebook.com/simplyGNE/posts...2002470710

It's amazing to see how many customers have made such positive comments about these buses and how they're an improvement on the previous allocation. There's very few negative comments, which suggests that these buses aren't all that bad, in the eyes of a 'normal' passenger.

One comment that stood out below:
"Used one today. What a great experience. Used a table to carry out paperwork. The power supply worked and free wi fi. All that was missing was a G&T ?. I'm 6'4" and there was ample leg space too. A real pleasure I must say. I almost want to ride another soon but wont admit to it. Well done ?"