To be honest it will be like a pacer at any time of the day

(16 Mar 2015, 9:19 pm)Davie wrote They are usually on service 33/33A/39/20/20A/X20 and 9 (Deptford based Vykings)

Seen them on the 36 and 38 quite recently too.
At one point last week I think it was, there was one on the 38 for a few days running.

The first Streetlite for service X66 has arrived at Saltmeadows. It carries a dark blue base livery, which is comparable to the "Connections 4" branded Mercedes Citaros.

(17 Mar 2015, 11:51 am)Dan wrote The first Streetlite for service X66 has arrived at Saltmeadows. It carries a dark blue base livery, which is comparable to the "Connections 4" branded Mercedes Citaros.

Cue Saltmeadows going into meltdown following a trespass incident.

(17 Mar 2015, 11:51 am)Dan wrote The first Streetlite for service X66 has arrived at Saltmeadows. It carries a dark blue base livery, which is comparable to the "Connections 4" branded Mercedes Citaros.

The blue on the Connections 4 is a nice, looking forward to seen it branded... will it still be "X66" or a new name?
I would like to see it branded... Centrelink again

As much as would like to the X66 branded Centre link again, it will end up being branded "intu metrocentre" like the artics were, hopefully it wont smoothered in contravion.

GNE refer to the X66 as 'Centrelink X66'.

........hmmm

(17 Mar 2015, 1:20 pm)Malarkey wrote As much as would like to the X66 branded Centre link again, it will end up being branded "intu metrocentre" like the artics were, hopefully it wont smoothered in contravion.

It links the two centres though. Gateshead Town Centre and the Metrocentre.

Suppose money talks and if Intu want to pay and brand the vehicles, then GNE (like any other operator will do), will take the cash.
We may see whoever owns Trinity Square paying for branding.

8263 has broke down in Sheriff hill whist operating service 57

(17 Mar 2015, 11:51 am)Dan wrote The first Streetlite for service X66 has arrived at Saltmeadows. It carries a dark blue base livery, which is comparable to the "Connections 4" branded Mercedes Citaros.

To add further information, the four Streetlites which will be allocated to service X66 are numbered 5390 - 5394. These vehicles are of a lower specification than the remainder of the batch, and are not equipped with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, Next Stop Announcements or high backed seating. They are, however, fitted with white destination displays and two-colour Tarabus Wood effect flooring. A few photographs taken at the back of Saltmeadows following arrival today:

Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Cab area looks well laid out.

LEATHER SEATS!!!!!!!!!

Hope that wooden-effect floor doesn't become scratched within the first 6 months .

(17 Mar 2015, 2:33 pm)Dan wrote To add further information, the four Streetlites which will be allocated to service X66 are numbered 5390 - 5394. These vehicles are of a lower specification than the remainder of the batch, and are not equipped with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, Next Stop Announcements or high backed seating. They are, however, fitted with white destination displays and two-colour Tarabus Wood effect flooring. A few photographs taken at the back of Saltmeadows following arrival today:

Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

I wonder how long before they go off route...

They do look great in that colour, lets hope that they don't get smothered in a horrible livery that interferes with the purpose of the window.

How are people going to cope without NSAs on the X66??

(17 Mar 2015, 3:06 pm)aureolin wrote How are people going to cope without NSAs on the X66??

OMG, it's going to end the world! 

Seriously though they look really smart. As does the interior.

(17 Mar 2015, 3:08 pm)aureolin wrote Seriously though they look really smart. As does the interior.

I believe that I'll take this StreetLite before anyone else does.

That sounds so wrong.

Dan - it can't be numbered 5390 - because that's a Versa.

Aye, I especially like the wooden flooring!
Will the Red Kites/Limes have free Wi-Fi, power sockets and next stop announcements?

(17 Mar 2015, 3:11 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Dan - it can't be numbered 5390 - because that's a Versa.

5391 - 5394.
Got it right on the Flickr captions, made a typo on here.

(17 Mar 2015, 3:11 pm)Tom wrote Aye, I especially like the wooden flooring!
Will the Red Kites/Limes have free Wi-Fi, power sockets and next stop announcements?

Yes, they will.

Brilliant!
Thanks Dan.

(17 Mar 2015, 2:33 pm)Dan wrote To add further information, the four Streetlites which will be allocated to service X66 are numbered 5390 - 5394. These vehicles are of a lower specification than the remainder of the batch, and are not equipped with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, Next Stop Announcements or high backed seating. They are, however, fitted with white destination displays and two-colour Tarabus Wood effect flooring. A few photographs taken at the back of Saltmeadows following arrival today:

Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Don't do it for me... I think they look crap in that tone of blue... If it were 'Drifer' blue it may have looked better

(17 Mar 2015, 4:27 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Don't do it for me... I think they look crap in that tone of blue... If it were 'Drifer' blue it may have looked better

The dark blue will allow for white/light vinyls to reinforce the brand.

(17 Mar 2015, 2:33 pm)Dan wrote To add further information, the four Streetlites which will be allocated to service X66 are numbered 5390 - 5394. These vehicles are of a lower specification than the remainder of the batch, and are not equipped with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, Next Stop Announcements or high backed seating. They are, however, fitted with white destination displays and two-colour Tarabus Wood effect flooring. A few photographs taken at the back of Saltmeadows following arrival today:

Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

The interior looks horrible and it should still have wi-fi and power sockets for when 5391 is off route. Sure it should be 5391 with the tacho as isn't it the first in every batch.l

(17 Mar 2015, 4:27 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Don't do it for me... I think they look crap in that tone of blue... If it were 'Drifer' blue it may have looked better

Your right it looks really bad.

(17 Mar 2015, 4:43 pm)G-CPTN wrote The dark blue will allow for white/light vinyls to reinforce the brand.

It doesn't matter if the blue reinforces it, it looks absolute hideous, and the interior is shocking

(17 Mar 2015, 4:44 pm)danpick wrote The interior looks horrible and it should still have wi-fi and power sockets for when 5391 is off route. Sure it should be 5391 with the tacho as isn't it the first in every batch.l

Your right it looks really bad.

If it's anything like our procurement, I'd guess a number of options would have been presented to the Executive. One of course would have included what's now becoming the standard onboard features - i.e.. WiFi, Plug Sockets, and NSAs. That'll then most likely have to be justified against the type of service the buses are being used on, but lets be honest, it's nothing more than a shuttle service between one Interchange and another. People aren't going to be on the bus long enough to make use of such features. I'd understand (and agree) with the gripe if this were the case for the 8.

(17 Mar 2015, 4:46 pm)leestransportphotos wrote It doesn't matter if the blue reinforces it, it looks absolute hideous, and the interior is shocking

Wouldn't say the interior is shocking. It is just keeping up with evolution and changing customer needs. 

I would