(15 Dec 2018, 9:40 am)Jamie M wrote If you can drive on local roads you can drive on any roads. Local knowledge is helpful but doesn't affect how you deal with and anticipate situations. It's a confidence booster more than anything that the trainees can drive anywhere in any situation and manage it, especially on the test.

Theres a handful of core test routes but the examiner often deviates from them massively. The only requirement is you complete a certain amount of turns and situations to analyse safety. The where and then when is largely irrelevant.

See I tend to disagree slightly. 
The number of errors at the roundabouts at South Gosforth was proportionaly high.
The road layout and need for extra space caused no end of issues on a regular basis. 
That's with people being quite familiar with the area.
Now assuming Carlisle is used as last resort and you have a confident learner, but who is unfamiliar with something with the road layout over there, similar to South Gosforth - then the chances of a mistake are going to be increased.

(15 Dec 2018, 6:41 am)Dan wrote It had been VOR with engine issues at Volvo at the start of September until mid-November.

It was returned to Go North East then, but has had a few more niggles since.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Thanks Dan

With 629, 630 and 640 heading back to Sunderland council, wonder what the council will do with them?

Nice touch with the display route in TTX. In line with the branding style.

Seems like Go North East are having problems with the buses on Inidgo East Durham today, still on-going since about 12pm 


Go North East
5 mins ago

Due to continuing technical issues the 14:40 service 202 from Seaham (Dalton Park 14:55, Easington Village 15:18, Peterlee 15:28, Station Town 15:48) and the 15:48 service 202 from Station Town to Peterlee 16:03 will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
39 mins ·
Due to continuing technical issues the 14:46 service 208 from Peterlee to Easington Village 15:13 and the 15:14 service 208 from Easington Village to Peterlee 15:41 will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Go North East
1 hr · 
Due to technical issues the 13:40 service 265 from Durham (Belmont 13:51, Hetton 14:03, Dalton Park 14:21, Seaham 14:36) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
2 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 13:00 service 201 from Peterlee (Bracken Hill 13:15, Peterlee 13:25) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
2 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 12:28 service 210 from Peterlee ( Hordon 12:40, Peterlee 12:58) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience

Go North East
3 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 12:00 service 201 from Peterlee (Bracken Hill 12:15, Peterlee 12:25) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience



Due to technical issues the 11:28 service 210 from Peterlee (Horton 11:40, Peterlee 11:58) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
3 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 11:16 service 208 from Peterlee (Easington Village 11:43, South Hetton 11:50, Belmont 12:07, Durham 12:28) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience

(15 Dec 2018, 3:15 pm)Michael wrote Seems like Go North East are having problems with the buses on Inidgo East Durham today, still on-going since about 12pm 


Go North East
5 mins ago

Due to continuing technical issues the 14:40 service 202 from Seaham (Dalton Park 14:55, Easington Village 15:18, Peterlee 15:28, Station Town 15:48) and the 15:48 service 202 from Station Town to Peterlee 16:03 will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
39 mins ·
Due to continuing technical issues the 14:46 service 208 from Peterlee to Easington Village 15:13 and the 15:14 service 208 from Easington Village to Peterlee 15:41 will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Go North East
1 hr · 
Due to technical issues the 13:40 service 265 from Durham (Belmont 13:51, Hetton 14:03, Dalton Park 14:21, Seaham 14:36) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
2 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 13:00 service 201 from Peterlee (Bracken Hill 13:15, Peterlee 13:25) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
2 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 12:28 service 210 from Peterlee ( Hordon 12:40, Peterlee 12:58) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience

Go North East
3 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 12:00 service 201 from Peterlee (Bracken Hill 12:15, Peterlee 12:25) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience



Due to technical issues the 11:28 service 210 from Peterlee (Horton 11:40, Peterlee 11:58) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience


Go North East
3 hrs · 
Due to technical issues the 11:16 service 208 from Peterlee (Easington Village 11:43, South Hetton 11:50, Belmont 12:07, Durham 12:28) will not be operating. We apologise for any inconvenience

The buses seem to be having a problem on the 35 too.

(15 Dec 2018, 6:41 am)Dan wrote It had been VOR with engine issues at Volvo at the start of September until mid-November.

It was returned to Go North East then, but has had a few more niggles since.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Had engine issues when on Tall Ships, with frequent loss of power, engine cutting out, pulling away at very slow pace (often lasting several minutes) and not wanting to change gear.  But if it drove without these issues it was a pleasure to drive.

---

5390 is back at Riverside, and was on Q3 today.

(15 Dec 2018, 10:14 pm)park5354 wrote Had engine issues when on Tall Ships, with frequent loss of power, engine cutting out, pulling away at very slow pace (often lasting several minutes) and not wanting to change gear.  But if it drove without these issues it was a pleasure to drive.

---

5390 is back at Riverside, and was on Q3 today.

Did 5390 ever leave..?

(15 Dec 2018, 9:47 am)Andreos1 wrote See I tend to disagree slightly. 
The number of errors at the roundabouts at South Gosforth was proportionaly high.
The road layout and need for extra space caused no end of issues on a regular basis. 
That's with people being quite familiar with the area.
Now assuming Carlisle is used as last resort and you have a confident learner, but who is unfamiliar with something with the road layout over there, similar to South Gosforth - then the chances of a mistake are going to be increased.

Sorry you are totally wrong with this statement, first to get behind the wheel of a bus you have to be a qualified driver and as such should be well used to hazards on the roads, you are being trained to handle a larger vehicle NOT learn to drive. Trainees are taken all over the north east to learn situations such as you describe, they cannot just learn the test routes. When I trained we went over the test routes a few times but usually we just headed where the instructor felt comfortable

(15 Dec 2018, 10:42 pm)makem1 wrote Sorry you are totally wrong with this statement, first to get behind the wheel of a bus you have to be a qualified driver and as such should be well used to hazards   on the roads, you are being trained to handle a larger vehicle NOT learn to drive. Trainees are taken all over the north east to learn situations such as you describe, they cannot just learn the test routes. When I trained we went over the test routes a few times but usually we just headed where the instructor felt comfortable

Ever driven in the car in a strange city? On roads you're unfamiliar with? Getting in the wrong lane by accident?
You get honked at, get gestured at or in a worst case scenario, metal hits metal. 
Imagine doing that in a vehicle you've not much experience in, several times the size of your car, in test conditions, knowing your future is on the line... 

Nobody has said they have to just learn all of the test routes. It's impossible to teach all of the test routes. Jamie pointed out himself that there are variations and deviations. 

The instructor is coaching someone to pass a test.  His/her job is often based on success rates. Just like a teacher at school. 
If an instructor doesn't tell someone or show someone a stretch of road, that is likely to pop up during the test, then the chances are that a minor fault will happen. At the very least. 

I agree that during the sessions with the instructor, that the trainee is being trained to handle a larger vehicle.
However as you know having apparently passed your test, that while on the test, they're also being tested on road sense and road positioning amongst other things. 
I've known people with a car licence who have been turned away from upgrading their licence due to their inability to not only handle the bigger vehicle, but drive in a safe manner. 

Haddricks Mill causes issues with people in cars, vans, lorries or buses. 
People have failed their test because of a dangerous manoeuvre at that roundabout.
It is just a few miles from the test centre and is (or was) on the test route.

(15 Dec 2018, 10:33 pm)Jamie M wrote Did 5390 ever leave..?

Hadn't seen it since it went for its white paint job.

(16 Dec 2018, 2:28 pm)park5354 wrote Hadn't seen it since it went for its white paint job.

Been lurking around the Citylink58 route of late - most likely as that was what it was intended to be the spare route for, prior to being repainted for the Great Exhibition of the North event.

Is 4942 withdrawn

(16 Dec 2018, 7:57 pm)GNE6312 wrote Is 4942 withdrawn

Yep, find it in your nearest corner shop with some beans in it!

Any routes around Newcastle that i can find a dual door or ex blue star citaro on at 9:30 ish on friday

(17 Dec 2018, 4:54 pm)GNE6312 wrote Any routes around Newcastle that i can find a dual door or ex blue star citaro on at 9:30 ish on friday

The 792 at Longbenton, The K3 at Freeman Hospital (I think a decker works off the 391 for 2 trips).

(17 Dec 2018, 8:26 pm)S830OFT wrote The 792 at Longbenton, The K3 at Freeman Hospital (I think a decker works off the 391 for 2 trips).

Thank you

Saw East Yorks Decker on back of lorry, heading down A1 at about 0615 this morning. Heading back home???

(17 Dec 2018, 8:26 pm)S830OFT wrote The 792 at Longbenton, The K3 at Freeman Hospital (I think a decker works off the 391 for 2 trips).

Also, what time is the dual door on the K3 till, i will be getting on at four lane ends so what time does the dual door's last k3 trip get to four lane ends and what direction in.

(18 Dec 2018, 3:55 pm)GNE6312 wrote Also, what time is the dual door on the K3 till, i will be getting on at four lane ends so what time does the dual door's last k3 trip get to four lane ends and what direction in.

The first 3 trips (8:26/9:31 from Forest Hall, 9:12 from Freeman Hospital)

No idea what it runs off, but isn't the 391 as previously suggested. That goes onto the 1 from Byker at 8:13.

(18 Dec 2018, 4:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote The first 3 trips (8:26/9:31 from Forest Hall, 9:12 from Freeman Hospital)

No idea what it runs off, but isn't the 391 as previously suggested. That goes onto the 1 from Byker at 8:13.

It runs off the 654

It would appear that E400MMC demonstrator YX68UPY has landed at Washington, seemingly for usage on the X1: https://twitter.com/jeffh2067/status/107...6267849728

Also, what I assume are the new Sunderland Connect Solos almost complete here at Optare: https://twitter.com/ATyldsley/status/107...5320484864

(19 Dec 2018, 4:37 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote It would appear that E400MMC demonstrator YX68UPY has landed at Washington for usage on the X1: https://twitter.com/jeffh2067/status/107...6267849728

Also, what I assume are the new Sunderland Connect Solos almost complete here at Optare: https://twitter.com/ATyldsley/status/107...5320484864

I had a go on a couple when I was down in Southampton, I thought the ride was pretty darn good, especially considering the roads down there were worse than the roads up here. Pretty impressed tbf, thought I still prefer the Streetdeck styling

(19 Dec 2018, 4:37 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote It would appear that E400MMC demonstrator YX68UPY has landed at Washington, seemingly for usage on the X1: https://twitter.com/jeffh2067/status/107...6267849728

Also, what I assume are the new Sunderland Connect Solos almost complete here at Optare: https://twitter.com/ATyldsley/status/107...5320484864

Look nice in that dark blue, i hope the brand is white, would look great together, if they're for the "Sunderland Connect"

A thought here folks. Would GNE not be better off swapping the 7x Castles Express StreetDecks for 7x B9s from Deptford or Percy Main?

I know the B9s will be 5 year old in January but they'd handle the X21 better than the StreetDecks. Although the Fab 56 or Cobalt Clipper would end up running a mixed fleet, this could be used as an advantage with the StreetDecks being allocated to some evening & Sunday boards on them services to save fuel as well as getting BSOG funding too.

The BSOG loss wouldn't be too big as the extra evening and Sunday mileage on the 56 or 309/310 would cover that and the B9 fuel economy would be the same on the X21 due to the B9s being suited better to faster sections of road.

(21 Dec 2018, 9:37 am)L469 YVK wrote A thought here folks. Would GNE not be better off swapping the 7x Castles Express StreetDecks for 7x B9s from Deptford or Percy Main?

I know the B9s will be 5 year old in January but they'd handle the X21 better than the StreetDecks. Although the Fab 56 or Cobalt Clipper would end up running a mixed fleet, this could be used as an advantage with the StreetDecks being allocated to some evening & Sunday boards on them services to save fuel as well as getting BSOG funding too.

The BSOG loss wouldn't be too big as the extra evening and Sunday mileage on the 56 or 309/310 would cover that and the B9 fuel economy would be the same on the X21 due to the B9s being suited better to faster sections of road.

While I agree about them being better suited to the faster sections as the Streetdecks sounds like they're about to explode!
But I don't think GNE would even consider it as it would be considerably downgrading the bus in terms of spec, unless they're going to do a complete refit. I honestly don't think I could live without the tables, that's the main reason I travel by bus instead of getting the car as I can get work done while travelling.

(21 Dec 2018, 1:24 pm)streetdeckfan wrote While I agree about them being better suited to the faster sections as the Streetdecks sounds like they're about to explode!
But I don't think GNE would even consider it as it would be considerably downgrading the bus in terms of spec, unless they're going to do a complete refit. I honestly don't think I could live without the tables, that's the main reason I travel by bus instead of getting the car as I can get work done while travelling.

Would the loss of leather seats be a problem if GNE swapped the tables out of 6301-6307 and into the B9TLs?

(21 Dec 2018, 3:46 pm)L469 YVK wrote Would the loss of leather seats be a problem if GNE swapped the tables out of 6301-6307 and into the B9TLs?

For me yes, but only for the cleanliness. Just the thought of everything that's been absorbed into the fabric makes me feel a bit ill. At least the leather is wipe clean.
It also makes the buses look a lot smarter as well.
But the downside is when you get the first bus of the day when it's below 0c outside and the seats haven't had a chance to warm up yet, it's not a nice experience.

(21 Dec 2018, 9:37 am)L469 YVK wrote A thought here folks. Would GNE not be better off swapping the 7x Castles Express StreetDecks for 7x B9s from Deptford or Percy Main?

I know the B9s will be 5 year old in January but they'd handle the X21 better than the StreetDecks. Although the Fab 56 or Cobalt Clipper would end up running a mixed fleet, this could be used as an advantage with the StreetDecks being allocated to some evening & Sunday boards on them services to save fuel as well as getting BSOG funding too.

The BSOG loss wouldn't be too big as the extra evening and Sunday mileage on the 56 or 309/310 would cover that and the B9 fuel economy would be the same on the X21 due to the B9s being suited better to faster sections of road.

Oi! Hands off our lovely buses!

Dan has some pictures of the insides of the E400 on demo...have to say, it looks really nice.

"The "Red Arrows" X1 and 921 services currently operate with a batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs new in 2011 and 2012, and are now beginning to evaluate suitability of different vehicle types on these routes." 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/