(21 Apr 2018, 2:40 pm)L469 YVK wrote Anyone doubting the decision to put deckers on the Coaster, just seen one going towards Gateshead before in Shields and looked busy.

Think 50 should get deckers too. Always heaving during warm weather

Expect numbers to increase after Spanish City reopens

Seen a few mentions of 5438 having a repaint but no photos, here is 5438 now in plain red https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

Any ideas on if this going to have another promotional livery?

(21 Apr 2018, 7:39 am)Dan wrote I think the trial of the electric Yutong vehicle suggests the company are definitely interested in investing in this technology - I'd expect a press release early next week when the vehicle is returned - but there's a significantly higher cost for this type of bus than a standard diesel, and I think it's a bit of a risk given that the long-term reliability just cannot be predicted.

I was a huge fan of Stagecoach North East's gas buses when they were first launched, but living in Sunderland, I see/hear/quite regularly ride on them, and a lot of them are much rougher now, than they were when brand new. One wouldn't expect them to stay 'as new' forever, but the sound some of them make isn't the best, so I'm a little skeptical.

I had a ride of the Yutong yesterday and felt, from a passenger's perspective, the interior was dark and dingy, and felt quite clinical. Aside from the lack of legroom and rattly emergency exit door, I have no real problems with the interior of a Streetlite by comparison. They feel quite light and airy - the LED strip in the centre of the ceiling seems to provide more than enough lighting for the saloon.

The Yutong should be heading to Stagecoach North East next week after its trial at Go North East. Believe, after initial murmurs that the bus would be used in Sunderland to compare against the gas buses, it will now be used on the 100?

Trails on the 100 yes. Not heard that one myself, but I believe it was always destined for the 100 - was certainly the case in the weeks leading up to it landing at GNE, as it was wibbled for it to arrive with Stagecoach first.

(21 Apr 2018, 8:46 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Trails on the 100 yes. Not heard that one myself, but I believe it was always destined for the 100 - was certainly the case in the weeks leading up to it landing at GNE, as it was wibbled for it to arrive with Stagecoach first.

Don't think it was ever intended to go to Stagecoach first - its trial with Go North East was delayed by a few weeks, which may be the reason for this suggestion.

Both operators intending to use the Yutong for a bit of PR, although Stagecoach mightn't bother once Go North East's goes out (bit like missing the boat!) Assume it helps Stagecoach out at a time when they're struggling with the MANviros on the 100..!

(21 Apr 2018, 8:51 pm)Dan wrote Don't think it was ever intended to go to Stagecoach first - its trial with Go North East was delayed by a few weeks, which may be the reason for this suggestion.

Both operators intending to use the Yutong for a bit of PR, although Stagecoach mightn't bother once Go North East's goes out (bit like missing the boat!) Assume it helps Stagecoach out at a time when they're struggling with the MANviros on the 100..!

Be interesting if it causes a bit of confusion at the Metrocentre with regular X66 commuters who have seen it...!

I went on it a couple of times on the X66 and found it ok.... The NE roads don't do it any favours, fair few rattles, but along the Centrelink it was pretty smooth and speedy. Interior spec'd up to say GNE or SC and it might be a bit more welcoming, but was certainly billy-basic dealer standard with a Yutong twist.

(21 Apr 2018, 8:59 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Be interesting if it causes a bit of confusion at the Metrocentre with regular X66 commuters who have seen it...!

I went on it a couple of times on the X66 and found it ok.... The NE roads don't do it any favours, fair few rattles, but along the Centrelink it was pretty smooth and speedy. Interior spec'd up to say GNE or SC and it might be a bit more welcoming, but was certainly billy-basic dealer standard with a Yutong twist.

One would hope that Stagecoach put a bit more effort into making a bit more... Stagecoach-y... which may reduce confusion.

Naff Chinese destination can't be helped, but it was rushed out at Go North East without fleet numbers or fleet names. I'd be amazed if some folk haven't missed the bus, as it's gone through Teams!

Having seen pictures of 6117s nearside which actually looks quite good, I've got to wonder why they didn't do the same for the offside which looks very bland. It does looks as if they've done half a job with it.

(21 Apr 2018, 9:29 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Having seen pictures of 6117s nearside which actually looks quite good, I've got to wonder why they didn't do the same for the offside which looks very bland. It does looks as if they've done half a job with it.

I didn’t realise both sides were different until I saw photos on Flickr of the near side as I got a photo of it today at Haymarket assuming it was the same on both sides so will need a photo of the near side when I next see it


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Forgot to mention, seen a black Omnidekka getting towed down the A1 yesterday, looks like it was heading towards Riverside.

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(21 Apr 2018, 9:02 pm)Dan wrote One would hope that Stagecoach put a bit more effort into making a bit more... Stagecoach-y... which may reduce confusion.

Naff Chinese destination can't be helped, but it was rushed out at Go North East without fleet numbers or fleet names. I'd be amazed if some folk haven't missed the bus, as it's gone through Teams!

Ye, i don't like it all, any chance it could be changed if it was bought for a route in the NE?

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(20 Apr 2018, 7:53 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote That would be good. That will leave the Omnidekkas as the only bus I don't like. 

When are the Presidents due to go?

Not sure, hopefully soon.

(22 Apr 2018, 11:17 am)Michael wrote Forgot to mention, seen a black Omnidekka getting towed down the A1 yesterday, looks like it was heading towards Riverside.

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Ye, i don't like it all, any chance it could be changed if it was bought for a route in the NE?

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Not sure, hopefully soon.

Does Stagecoach NE have any plans to run the same types of buses as GNE, such as Solos, Versas, Streetlites etc? They do in other places.

Do you not like the Presidents? I like the Coaster deckers. I am not sure what has been allocated to Blue Arrow recently, I use the Coaster now.

Quaylink versa 8311 was in Consett at approx 14.15 this afternoon on red kite service 45, presumably covering a breakdown. Not sure if it did just the one round trip

(22 Apr 2018, 8:03 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does Stagecoach NE have any plans to run the same types of buses as GNE, such as Solos, Versas, Streetlites etc? They do in other places.

Do you not like the Presidents? I like the Coaster deckers. I am not sure what has been allocated to Blue Arrow recently, I use the Coaster now.

Doubt it for the NE, they'll stick to Enviro's.

I don't like the presidents, built to go 10mph for London, rubbish up here.

Blue Arrows now use Scania Omnicities, most which were on the Coaster before it got the hybrids from the Angel.

(22 Apr 2018, 8:03 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does Stagecoach NE have any plans to run the same types of buses as GNE, such as Solos, Versas, Streetlites etc? They do in other places.

Do you not like the Presidents? I like the Coaster deckers. I am not sure what has been allocated to Blue Arrow recently, I use the Coaster now.

No they don’t need too. I can’t think of any routes they need Solos on (off the top of my head)

(22 Apr 2018, 8:03 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does Stagecoach NE have any plans to run the same types of buses as GNE, such as Solos, Versas, Streetlites etc? They do in other places.

Do you not like the Presidents? I like the Coaster deckers. I am not sure what has been allocated to Blue Arrow recently, I use the Coaster now.

UK Bus heading away from Optare again, after various reliability issues and upkeep maintenance cost, especially post-warranty. Any Streetlites in the group been have been part funded by grants and council initiatives.

Seen this on the news about 5202:

In order to improve the appearance of the Driver Training fleet, the entire batch of Scania L94s are to undergo repaint. Having previously carried a plain red base livery, this vehicle has now received a plain blue livery. It is intended for the batch to have branding fitted in the future, showcasing some of the benefits of joining "Team GNE" thereby acting as a mobile advertisement for the company's recruitment programme.

Good idea repainting them to blue and then putting branding on them to attract new drivers.

Which bus has 6315's machine in?

Anyone know if the Olympians are still operating the Jewish scholars, and the best time/place to see them?

(23 Apr 2018, 9:43 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Anyone know if the Olympians are still operating the Jewish scholars, and the best time/place to see them?

2 of them are now withdrawn.

6304 in receipt of tlc at ES. Mechanics says it's knackered.

(24 Apr 2018, 11:08 am)BusLoverMum wrote 6304 in receipt of tlc at ES. Mechanics says it's knackered.

Must've been engineer talk, it's back on the road again!

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(24 Apr 2018, 11:08 am)BusLoverMum wrote 6304 in receipt of tlc at ES. Mechanics says it's knackered.

Broke down on the 11:09 from Eldon Square, easily recognisable that one thanks to half its missing rear branding. Hard to say what looks better, the full rear branding or just the bottom half. Probably the latter

Some potentially sad news, the last remaining Wright Renown in the fleet was seen at Gateshead Interchange this evening having broken down, 1001 was in attendance to take it back to the depot.

Could this be the end of an era

(26 Apr 2018, 5:34 pm)Malarkey wrote Some potentially sad news, the last remaining Wright Renown in the fleet was seen at Gateshead Interchange this evening having broken down, 1001 was in attendance to take it back to the depot.

Could this be the end of an era

Wouldn't be surprised now, shame too.

(26 Apr 2018, 5:40 pm)Michael wrote Wouldn't be surprised now, shame too.

4899 is a dog anyway awful , 4898 and 4922 were the better ones

(26 Apr 2018, 5:43 pm)Citaro5326 wrote 4899 is a dog anyway awful , 4898 and 4922 were the better ones

Aye it's got 4 different shades of red from various periods of times. Rides awful too, like. More a milestone than anything.

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(26 Apr 2018, 5:54 pm)Jamie M wrote Aye it's got 4 different shades of red from various periods of times. Rides awful too, like. More a milestone than anything.

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I somehow had a bond with 4914,4916,and 4917 out of the renowns,and out of the solars it was 4971 and 4973 and the only buses i liked in the 48xx series are the long departed prestiges

(26 Apr 2018, 5:34 pm)Malarkey wrote Some potentially sad news, the last remaining Wright Renown in the fleet was seen at Gateshead Interchange this evening having broken down, 1001 was in attendance to take it back to the depot.

Could this be the end of an era

It wouldn't start. Back on the road today.

Slightly confused at this one. I seen this morning that GNE have a new cherished reg plate, 'N21 GNE' which I think everyone say that would be fantastic on Night Angel 6333.... but it's ended up on on 5321...

(27 Apr 2018, 8:22 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Slightly confused at this one. I seen this morning that GNE have a new cherished reg plate, 'N21 GNE' which I think everyone say that would be fantastic on Night Angel 6333.... but it's ended up on on 5321...

Said bus. Sounds like it was suppose to be on 6333 anyway...  
5321 N21GNE Newcastle 27 by Matt Williamson, on Flickr

Just a idea but would it be stupid to put some Versas into Indigo?

How regularly is the Great Exhibition of the North Versa, 5390, on Q1/Q2? I've only noticed it once, at Eldon Square.