(26 Jan 2014, 3:08 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote As for Crook I would say that they are struggling Reliability wise if as Pdiddy says there is Breakdowns on a Daily Basis on the X21.

But little lost mileage as citaro5284 confirmed. Means that passengers aren't being inconvenienced because their bus is breaking down in the bus station and a replacement is being provided immediately...unlike the WTX.

(26 Jan 2014, 3:08 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote The WTX is no surprise at all, with there ongoing history of Breakdowns since the Launch of the Service Last Year, As for Consett that would been down to the Roadworks on Lobley Hill, which has seen a Venture Solo SR appearing on those Service a few times in Recent Weeks, same with other Stanley based Services. As for Crook I would say that they are struggling Reliability wise if as Pdiddy says there is Breakdowns on a Daily Basis on the X21.

Roadworks at Lobley Hill only started on Monday 20th!

wonder when the bi-monthly update is getting posted p.s hope its good

(26 Jan 2014, 3:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote Roadworks at Lobley Hill only started on Monday 20th!

Really, I thought the Roadworks there were same ones from before Christmas, well hopefully I don't get stuck in Traffic going down to Team Valley Tomorrow Morning as I start yet another Training Course through Ingeus at Zodiac, ohhh the joys

Would it not be a wise idea for 4906-4909 to be debranded and temporarily swapped with northern vehicles at a different depot for them to play a spare role, for example 4 Northern Scania's at Deptford or 4 of the Omnicities at Percy Main, until permenant vehicles are found for X7- so atleast there is less chance of them breaking down and being VOR every few days.

(26 Jan 2014, 4:01 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Really, I thought the Roadworks there were same ones from before Christmas, well hopefully I don't get stuck in Traffic going down to Team Valley Tomorrow Morning as I start yet another Training Course through Ingeus at Zodiac, ohhh the joys

The ones before Christmas were water works, this is to make a bus lanes and to make one straight through the roundabout at Maingate.

There was a couple of days roadworks at Maingate early January, but that was cutting down the trees on the roundabout for this work to commence.

(26 Jan 2014, 4:08 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Would it not be a wise idea for 4906-4909 to be debranded and temporarily swapped with northern vehicles at a different depot for them to play a spare role, for example 4 Northern Scania's at Deptford or 4 of the Omnicities at Percy Main, until permenant vehicles are found for X7- so atleast there is less chance of them breaking down and being VOR every few days.

Won't the B9TLs be entering service on the Cobalt Clipper soon enough anyhow?

(26 Jan 2014, 4:19 pm)Rob wrote Won't the B9TLs be entering service on the Cobalt Clipper soon enough anyhow?

Hopefully soon before anymore breakdowns on the X7- has a definate decision been made on where the Cobalt Clipper citaro's are heading to once the B9s enter service?

(26 Jan 2014, 3:09 pm)Dan wrote But little lost mileage as citaro5284 confirmed. Means that passengers aren't being inconvenienced because their bus is breaking down in the bus station and a replacement is being provided immediately...unlike the WTX.

However just because there is no lost mileage doesn't mean that passengers aren't being inconvenienced. A service can be left to run 30 mins late, there's no lost mileage but a lot of inconvenience to passengers.

(26 Jan 2014, 12:55 pm)andreos1 wrote Who else apart from old biddies would be seen dead with an old biddie shopping trolley like?

3 generations from the same family from Avenue Vivian I suspect ! There where also a couple of blokes behind me & they were definetely from Fencehouses as there was a thrilling chat as to why they go to Houghton rather than Chester - you'll be surprised that the difference in bus fare wasn't one of the reasons !!!

(26 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)palatine3833 wrote However just because there is no lost mileage doesn't mean that passengers aren't being inconvenienced. A service can be left to run 30 mins late, there's no lost mileage but a lot of inconvenience to passengers.

Have you seen many X21s running in twos like?

(26 Jan 2014, 2:32 pm)Dan wrote I wonder if the Pronto has ever had 100% of its allocation VOR on any given day?

Not for ar least 4 months.... only 2 out of 7 prontos were on road last friday... rest were tridents n spds...
misread that... the most off has been 5 at once

Not for ar least 4 months.... only 2 out of 7 prontos were on road last friday... rest were tridents n spds
[/quote]

Still running a complete service though, although not to fond or the spds.

Merc 5347 now carries the revised "X66 Metrocentre" branding.
Imagine it will be out tomorrow in its hugely improved livery.

(26 Jan 2014, 5:41 pm)Dan wrote Merc 5347 now carries the revised "X66 Metrocentre" branding.
Imagine it will be out tomorrow in its hugely improved livery.

Probably why 4842 was on there today.

(26 Jan 2014, 5:41 pm)Dan wrote Merc 5347 now carries the revised "X66 Metrocentre" branding.
Imagine it will be out tomorrow in its hugely improved livery.

How much improved, is it up with the standard of the new Drifter/Coaster/Connections 4 brands?

(26 Jan 2014, 5:41 pm)Dan wrote Merc 5347 now carries the revised "X66 Metrocentre" branding.
Imagine it will be out tomorrow in its hugely improved livery.

Any Photos Dan

(26 Jan 2014, 5:44 pm)Michael wrote How much improved, is it up with the standard of the new Drifter/Coaster/Connections 4 brands?

I'm afraid I couldn't see clearly as I was passing by on the Loop in the dark, but it looked a lot more detailed from the brief glimpse I had. Hence 'hugely improved'.

(26 Jan 2014, 5:52 pm)Dan wrote I'm afraid I couldn't see clearly as I was passing by on the Loop in the dark, but it looked a lot more detailed from the brief glimpse I had. Hence 'hugely improved'.

I'll get a photo of it Tomorrow Morning on my way to Team Valley.... if it's out that is. Hope i'm not in all Day, Everyday on this Training Course.

(26 Jan 2014, 5:56 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I'll get a photo of it Tomorrow Morning on my way to Team Valley.... if it's out that is. Hope i'm not in all Day, Everyday on this Training Course.

Oh fun!, what course you doing?

Wanna go to college for me or would you be nice and do my assignment for me?

(26 Jan 2014, 5:57 pm)Michael wrote Oh fun!, what course you doing?

Wanna go to college for me or would you be nice and do my assignment for me?

No idea what I am doing, Just been told to go down to Zodiac at Team Valley for 9.30am by Ingeus, And Michael I don't fancy Returning to College and Doing your Coursework for You, and I don't fancy being surrounded by Kids who were in Year 7/8 when I was in Year 11 and about to leave School.

(26 Jan 2014, 6:08 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote No idea what I am doing, Just been told to go down to Zodiac at Team Valley for 9.30am by Ingeus, And Michael I don't fancy Returning to College and Doing your Coursework for You, and I don't fancy being surrounded by Kids who were in Year 7/8 when I was in Year 11 and about to leave School.

The fun idea of a course then, get a surprise when you arrive.

I'm on a adult course so its not bad, the youngest is 18 so it's not bad, if My placement work is with 2-3 year old's and 4-5 year old's haha.... such fun and random.

Sat about 1 hour and done 118/2500 words.. glad it doesn't have to be in till March!.

Starting early before i have to start my next one! (which is due in around the same time)

(26 Jan 2014, 5:41 pm)Dan wrote Merc 5347 now carries the revised "X66 Metrocentre" branding.
Imagine it will be out tomorrow in its hugely improved livery.

Quite intrigued to see this, so you've talked me into a trip to Gateshead now.

(26 Jan 2014, 6:14 pm)aureolin wrote Quite intrigued to see this, so you've talked me into a trip to Gateshead now.

I'm sure it will be worth it!

(26 Jan 2014, 6:12 pm)Michael wrote The fun idea of a course then, get a surprise when you arrive.

No not Fun, as it'll most likely be something awful that I have zero interest in or something I have done before for the millionth time. I would rather stop up Tonight and watch WWE Royal Rumble 2014 on PPV, than get up bright and early in The Morning to do some God Awful Training Course.

(26 Jan 2014, 6:18 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote No not Fun, as it'll most likely be something awful that I have zero interest in or something I have done before for the millionth time. I would rather stop up Tonight and watch WWE Royal Rumble 2014 on PPV, than get up bright and early in The Morning to do some God Awful Training Course.

I do hope you are watching that online (illegally you thieving swine) and not paying £15 (wasting my taxes on wrestling)

(26 Jan 2014, 5:56 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I'll get a photo of it Tomorrow Morning on my way to Team Valley.... if it's out that is. Hope i'm not in all Day, Everyday on this Training Course.

You should get your expenses reimbursed and shouldn't be there for more than 16 hours a week.

Maybe best getting off at the QE and getting a bus to TVTE Sainsburys (rather than get stuck in roadworks at other end of the valley).

(26 Jan 2014, 6:31 pm)andreos1 wrote You should get your expenses reimbursed and shouldn't be there for more than 16 hours a week.

Maybe best getting off at the QE and getting a bus to TVTE Sainsburys (rather than get stuck in roadworks at other end of the valley).

Get the X1 from Washington to QE then the 93 from QE to Team Valley?

(26 Jan 2014, 6:38 pm)Tom wrote Get the X1 from Washington to QE then the 93 from QE to Team Valley?

Exactly. Saves sitting in traffic at the top end, especially as Zodiac is behind Sainsburys.

(26 Jan 2014, 6:40 pm)andreos1 wrote Exactly. Saves sitting in traffic at the top end, especially as Zodiac is behind Sainsburys.

Or even better get the X1 from Washington to Wrekenton then the Team Valley Sainsburys' free bus!