(23 Jan 2019, 7:00 am)Michael wrote No doubt it'll be Streetlites, Go North East last bought Versa's and Citaro's in 2013, can't see them going back to buy them now... especially when Citaro's are really expensive.


Can't see the 4 getting new buses, the Citaro's are alright on them, more likely to see the Quaylink or Citylink 58 getting new buses first so the Versa's can move on too Scania routes (after June).

In all honesty i wouldn't rule out the ADL products. It has been mentioned previously that the engineering head has an important say, though the MD will be the one who signs off the business case to group (London) for financing the deal. And as i remember MD isn't a fan of the Streetlites (not sure about streetdecks).

One of the Citylink 57s has had a window smashed in the Leam Lane area, apparently by youths



Photo posted on Facebook


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(23 Jan 2019, 6:54 pm)Stanleyone wrote In all honesty i wouldn't rule out the ADL products. It has been mentioned previously that the engineering head has an important say, though the MD will be the one who signs off the business case to group (London) for financing the deal. And as i remember MD isn't a fan of the Streetlites (not sure about streetdecks).

Na wouldn't rule anything out, but they've never had ADL, so personally, i would think they wouldn't go for it, and stick to Streetlites/Streetdecks... but hey, i don't know what happens in the background so we could get ADL products.

Would be different to see ADL products in Go North East livery.

(23 Jan 2019, 5:19 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Is there a schedule of which services these will be just so I can avoid them? It's difficult enough to concentrate on the X21 as it is with the 'characters' that get on never mind all the forced conversations. Not that it's a bad idea, it's just I actually prefer being alone

There is a reason why it's called public Transport.  Would you prefer the buss to be totally empty? perhaps you need to consider a Taxi?

You really can't expect a bus full of passengers not to disturb you. 

(23 Jan 2019, 5:28 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's not the teenagers that are the problem, I can deal with them, it's the grown adults that think it's ok to open cans of cider and bottles of wine on the bus!

---

It's impossible (imo) to both encourage conversations on a bus and not disturb other passengers

The X21 I'm currently on is currently packed full of people desperately trying not to make eye contact. Don't know about upstairs, mind.

(24 Jan 2019, 6:50 am)gordondack wrote There is a reason why it's called public Transport.  Would you prefer the buss to be totally empty? perhaps you need to consider a Taxi?

You really can't expect a bus full of passengers not to disturb you. 

It's not that I don't want other people on the bus, it's that I don't like the idea of them using regular bus services for this. It's impossible for them to do this and not disturb the regular passengers on the bus, especially when they're going to be using the tables. The only reason I even get the bus from Newcastle to Bishop is because I can get work done on the way down, hence why I would like to know when these services are so I can get a bus where I can use the tables.

(24 Jan 2019, 12:33 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The X21 I'm currently on is currently packed full of people desperately trying not to make eye contact. Don't know about upstairs, mind.

Upstairs is where all the fun happens because they know the driver can't see what's going on. I had an incident where someone came over to my table and took my empty coffee cup (because the X21 doesn't have bins like the 21 does!) and tried to pour themselves a cup of Lambrini, but ended up spilling most of the bottle all over the floor, or the other day when a load of people going to Durham on a night out got on in Bishop and were sat upstairs drinking bottles of beer

5256 is now in corporate livery.

(23 Jan 2019, 6:57 pm)TEN 6083 wrote One of the Citylink 57s has had a window smashed in the Leam Lane area, apparently by youths



Photo posted on Facebook


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A relative was driving either the Loops or Saltwells parks on Tuesday and this happened as well! Brick through the window ....

(24 Jan 2019, 1:36 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's not that I don't want other people on the bus, it's that I don't like the idea of them using regular bus services for this. It's impossible for them to do this and not disturb the regular passengers on the bus, especially when they're going to be using the tables. The only reason I even get the bus from Newcastle to Bishop is because I can get work done on the way down, hence why I would like to know when these services are so I can get a bus where I can use the tables.


Upstairs is where all the fun happens because they know the driver can't see what's going on. I had an incident where someone came over to my table and took my empty coffee cup (because the X21 doesn't have bins like the 21 does!) and tried to pour themselves a cup of Lambrini, but ended up spilling most of the bottle all over the floor, or the other day when a load of people going to Durham on a night out got on in Bishop and were sat upstairs drinking bottles of beer

I don't know what it is about the x21, but whenever I've seen people drinking alcohol on a bus, I think it's been on the x21 every time!

(24 Jan 2019, 5:02 pm)Malarkey wrote 5256 is now in corporate livery.

That was quick, 5257 should of gone to SM for repaint.

(23 Jan 2019, 8:27 am)Swiny1 wrote I couldn't agree with you more but I've heard deffo 4 getting new buses. I think the Mercs are a great fit for the 4 and don't understand. Ive actually heard a number of things like I said so I'm just gonna wait and see what happens or turns up but it is supposed to be soon

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Streetlites for the 4 does seem to be the motion from what I hear.

On another note, also hearing that the first Cobalt Clipper B9s have now left for Blackburn for their refurbishment programme.

(25 Jan 2019, 9:17 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Streetlites for the 4 does seem to be the motion from what I hear.

On another note, also hearing that the first Cobalt Clipper B9s have now left for Blackburn for their refurbishment programme.

What are the Cobalt Clipper B9s getting done to them?

(25 Jan 2019, 10:29 am)L469 YVK wrote What are the Cobalt Clipper B9s getting done to them?

I think tables were on the cards(?), and I guess going down to Blackburn would mean a full upgrade inline with the new interior spec.

(25 Jan 2019, 11:10 am)RBZ 5459 wrote I think tables were on the cards(?), and I guess going down to Blackburn would mean a full upgrade inline with the new interior spec.

I think that makes much more sense for the B9s on the Cobalt Clipper and the Fab 56 then new buses. The buses are great, just upgrade the insides.

(25 Jan 2019, 9:17 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Streetlites for the 4 does seem to be the motion from what I hear.

On another note, also hearing that the first Cobalt Clipper B9s have now left for Blackburn for their refurbishment programme.

Good, they don't need upgrading, a refurb will be better.

(25 Jan 2019, 12:02 pm)Michael wrote Good, they don't need upgrading, a refurb will be better.

Unless the following might be happening:
- 12x new StreetDecks or MetroDeckers for 309 & 310 + 6301-07 from Crook
- 6101-07 to Crook for X21
- 6108-13 to Stanley for Toon Link
- 6114-17 to Stanley for Red Kite

Cascades:
- 1x ex London B9TL remains in Toon Link livery with others allowing older OmniDekkas/B7TLs to be withdrawn. 1x could also probably also go to Crook as a backup for 6101-07
- 6118-21 either allocated to DFDS work or sent to EYMS

(25 Jan 2019, 9:17 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Streetlites for the 4 does seem to be the motion from what I hear.

On another note, also hearing that the first Cobalt Clipper B9s have now left for Blackburn for their refurbishment programme.

The Optare Versa xFE demonstrator bus recently with Weardale has now landed at Go North East - it had been intended to be used here first hence why its stint at Weardale didn't last very long... It'll be used at Washington on the 4.

6101 is the bus that has gone for repaint and refurbishment. 5201, originally withdrawn, has been MOT'd and re-instated. It's intended to return to Chester-le-Street to release 5205 (float) to Percy Main to cover for it. It'll be joined by two further float Scania L94s this weekend.

(25 Jan 2019, 1:27 pm)Dan wrote The Optare Versa xFE demonstrator bus recently with Weardale has now landed at Go North East - it had been intended to be used here first hence why its stint at Weardale didn't last very long... It'll be used at Washington on the 4.

6101 is the bus that has gone for repaint and refurbishment. 5201, originally withdrawn, has been MOT'd and re-instated. It's intended to return to Chester-le-Street to release 5205 (float) to Percy Main to cover for it. It'll be joined by two further float Scania L94s this weekend.

Interestingly 5201 was down at Percy Main this morning.

(25 Jan 2019, 2:43 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Interestingly 5201 was down at Percy Main this morning.

Yes - as I said before, it has been MOT'd and reinstated.

Currently allocated to Percy Main to cover for 6101, but long-term 5205 will serve this purpose (with 5201 returning to Chester-le-St in full service), along with the other two float Scania L94s in the fleet.

(25 Jan 2019, 2:48 pm)Dan wrote Yes - as I said before, it has been MOT'd and reinstated.

Currently allocated to Percy Main to cover for 6101, but long-term 5205 will serve this purpose (with 5201 returning to Chester-le-St in full service), along with the other two float Scania L94s in the fleet.

Ah yes, my bad - my Friday brain didn't register that correctly!

(25 Jan 2019, 2:43 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Interestingly 5201 was down at Percy Main this morning.

Got 3995 machine
On 680 to go onto 19

(25 Jan 2019, 1:27 pm)Dan wrote The Optare Versa xFE demonstrator bus recently with Weardale has now landed at Go North East - it had been intended to be used here first hence why its stint at Weardale didn't last very long... It'll be used at Washington on the 4.

How long is it here for? and what fleet number has it received?

(25 Jan 2019, 1:27 pm)Dan wrote 6101 is the bus that has gone for repaint and refurbishment. 5201, originally withdrawn, has been MOT'd and re-instated. It's intended to return to Chester-le-Street to release 5205 (float) to Percy Main to cover for it. It'll be joined by two further float Scania L94s this weekend.

Wonder if this confirms that the Red Arrow will be getting new buses?, really thought they would of gone before the Cobalt Clipper B9's.

(25 Jan 2019, 6:11 pm)Michael wrote Wonder if this confirms that the Red Arrow will be getting new buses?, really thought they would of gone before the Cobalt Clipper B9's.

Red Arrows could be going at a later time for all we know. But I'm highly suspicious that GNE would just send the Cobalt Clipper B9s to be tarted up unless GNE simply want to keep one foot ahead of Arriva despite the B9s needing nothing more than a lick of paint and maybe a deep clean.

 A full refurb would allow GNE the perfect opportunity with the addition of 11 or 12 new orders to upgrade the Cobalt Clipper as well as reducing fuel costs. The reduction would allow GNE to run extra evening services or increase the PVR to improve reliability. On the other foot, the Castles Express would benefit from a more suitable vehicle.

Update: Spoke to driver on 309 tonight who said that there'll be no new buses and refurbs only for Cobalt Clipper. However, the 309 and 310 will become mostly standalone later this year with new timetable supposedly.

(25 Jan 2019, 8:45 pm)L469 YVK wrote Update: Spoke to driver on 309 tonight who said that there'll be no new buses and refurbs only for Cobalt Clipper. However, the 309 and 310 will become mostly standalone later this year with new timetable supposedly.

So they will be repaints for the cobalt clipper but no new buses.


Also is 9087 still with GNE

(25 Jan 2019, 8:58 pm)GNE6312 wrote So they will be repaints for the cobalt clipper but no new buses.


Also is 9087 still with GNE

The white streetlite is, yes

(25 Jan 2019, 8:58 pm)GNE6312 wrote Also is 9087 still with GNE

Yes still with GNE, was on 49s today


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(25 Jan 2019, 8:58 pm)GNE6312 wrote So they will be repaints for the cobalt clipper but no new buses.


Also is 9087 still with GNE

According to the driver, supposedly so. Wonder what vehicle would act as a spare if the PVR increased to 17 though (10x 309 and 7x 310/X39)?

(26 Jan 2019, 12:48 am)L469 YVK wrote According to the driver, supposedly so. Wonder what vehicle would act as a spare if the PVR increased to 17 though (10x 309 and 7x 310/X39)?

My guess is omnidekkas or b7s