(31 Aug 2014, 10:29 am)Dan wrote Originally released for repaint and subsequent transfer following the arrival of "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 632 (NK61 FEV) at Percy Main which had been pending transfer since 27th July 2014, but couldn't transfer due to being on long-term VOR prior to that date, Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 548 (NA52 AXO) has now (finally) been transferred to Deptford Depot. This follows on from repairs at Hexham Depot, where it also saw subsequent allocation to service, and an overnight stay at Riverside Depot. At Deptford Depot, this vehicle has released DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8272 (NK54 NLC) to Chester-le-Street Depot, where it will be allocated to service 71. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.


A number of miscellaneous services (which include scholar and workers services) were up for tender from Nexus, operational from Monday 1st September 2014.

For the forthcoming academic school year, to enable the withdrawal of further high-floor Volvo Olympian vehicles, Go North East has mainly lost these tendered services to other operators - with these services then being gained by smaller independent operators such as Gateshead Central Taxis, Weardale, and Jim Hughes.

As such, a large number of buses have been re-allocated to different depots this morning, ahead of the new academic school year starting tomorrow.

Following the loss of contracts at Riverside Depot:

• Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 6015 (V315 LGC), 6023 (V923 KGF) and 6031 (V331 LGC) have all been transferred from Riverside Depot to Percy Main.
  
• As such, this has released Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3803 (V803 EBR), 3860 (W806 PNL) and 3861 (W861 PNL) from Percy Main Depot to Stanley Depot.
  
• This has in turn allowed for the transfer of Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2 3819 (S819 OFT), 3824 (S824 OFT) and 3825 (S825 OFT) to Riverside Depot, leading to the ultimate withdrawal of similar 3815 (S815 FVK), 3817 (S817 FVK) and 3818 (S818 OFT).
  
• Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking 3979 (PJ02 PZF) has been transferred from Riverside Depot to Deptford.
  
• This has released Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6028 (V328 LGC) from Deptford Depot, and it has transferred to Washington Depot, where it will be allocated to a newly gained scholar service.

Following the loss of contracts at Percy Main Depot:

• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3873 (W183 SCU), 3874* (W184 SCU) and 3880 (W176 SCU) have all been transferred from Percy Main Depot to Stanley.
  
• As such, Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2 3814 (S814 FVK), 3828 (S828 OFT) and 3829 (S829 OFT) have all been withdrawn.

* This vehicle is currently VOR and unable to transfer, so one of the Volvo Olympians mentioned above will remain in service temporarily.

Following the loss of contracts at Stanley Depot:

• Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) has transferred from Stanley Depot to Deptford.
  
• This has released Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4934 (Y934 ERG) from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street, where it will become a reserve. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.

As mentioned previously, Go North East could be gaining a few additional contracts, and a number of vehicles have been temporarily held on retention at their current depots (ultimately meaning two Olympians have been retained), just in case. If Go North East does not gain these contracts, these vehicles will simply be re-allocated as originally planned.


Following the loss of services 37/73 last month, "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 635 (NK61 FJP) and 636 (NK61 FMD) have been allocated to service 38, converting this service to a cheaper minibus operation. This has in turn allowed for DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8273 (NK54 NLD) to transfer from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street, where it will be allocated to service 71. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.


Stanley has also lost Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4905 (W905 RBB). This vehicle has transferred to Deptford Depot, releasing Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4935 (Y935 ERG) from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street Depot. This vehicle, or 4934 (which, as noted above, is a reserve), will be allocated to a scholar service for St. Bedes, and will also be allocated to the additional peak-time X21 services.


I'd imagine that the three "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles to be withdrawn are 4850 (R856 PRG), 4851 (R851 PRG), and 4852 (R852 PRG), given that they are the oldest - though Chester-le-Street may instead withdraw any of the other examples in that batch which are in a worse condition. This should be confirmed on the Go North East Fleet News tomorrow morning. I will update our fleet lists at some point today to reflect the information above.