Tyne Tees Express likely to get new buses soon, they need them.

But after that, i would say the Cobalt Clipper or TEN.

They weren't exactly going to trial those modifications on 15 year old buses at Stanley or Crook, though. The B9/B5LHs were the only vaguely new buses then - and at the time the 56/309/310 were the newest deckers (63 reg). I feel it was down to this, more than anything.
Logically, the company would be looking to upgrade the route which costs the most to run by fuel (crawling through town and challenging hill work or travelling flat out along national speed limit). This gives a shortlist of everything BUT the 309/310: X9/X10 (A19), 10/A/B/X (Town -> Station -> Metro -> Stocksfield), 21 (Past Chester to Durham or Bishop), X1 (Wrekenton) and 56 (Donwell -> Wrekenton).

I could be wrong in ruling out the 309/310, but the others seem to have a more challenging route than just coasting at 30, which I'd guess at being the most economical speed for a bus.



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I don't mean that but on a route where a bus isn't being stretched to it's capabilities, surely it would make more sense to utilise the fuel savings there rather than on a more challenging route. Having a B9TL running around the estates around Shields, West Chirton, Battle Hill, High Farm, Cobalt, Whitley Bay Town Centre would surely prove to be costly in comparision to what the operational cost of a Streetdeck would offer.

On top of this, 6101 would also allow a grace period for new 'suitable' buses to be sourced for the X9/X10 as this alongside 6084 could be used to give 6043-48 more downtime to conserve them for one more year as well as allow more maintenance to be carried out on them.

I don't mean that but on a route where a bus isn't being stretched to it's capabilities, surely it would make more sense to utilise the fuel savings there rather than on a more challenging route. Having a B9TL running around the estates around Shields, West Chirton, Battle Hill, High Farm, Cobalt, Whitley Bay Town Centre would surely prove to be costly in comparision to what the operational cost of a Streetdeck would offer.

On top of this, 6101 would also allow a grace period for new 'suitable' buses to be sourced for the X9/X10 as this alongside 6084 could be used to give 6043-48 more downtime to conserve them for one more year as well as allow more maintenance to be carried out on them.

Stanley doesn't require quality as such, just something to make numbers meet.

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Stanley doesn't require quality as such, just something to make numbers meet.

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Not on about Stanley but more so about the buses that could be used to get cascaded to Stanley therefore creating two upgrade options out of either the Cobalt Clipper or the TEN which is where I'm making particular reference to buses being stretched to their capabilities.

Update, 6104 missing branding on rear bonnet

Update, 6104 missing branding on rear bonnet

Could mean nothing, might of had damage....

In July it'll be 5 years since the B9's arrived for the X9/X10...... i would say new buses are due soon.....

With the last Streetlite due, i wonder when the next lot of buses will arrive? (not including the Solo's from the South)

In July it'll be 5 years since the B9's arrived for the X9/X10...... i would say new buses are due soon..... [emoji14] [emoji14]

I was just about to type how you got 5 years from vehicles which are 62 plate, but I realised it's 2017 now haha.

It'll be interested to see how long they can keep going for. Since they're fairly new and standard, parts should be avaliable for order, unlike the issue with the X21s before they were upgraded where 16 year old vehicles were canablising 16 year old broken parts just to keep them going.

Are anymore orders due for this financial year then? Not after routes or vehicle types etc, just orders.

Are anymore orders due for this financial year then? Not after routes or vehicle types etc, just orders.

I would expect so. Go North East usually orders around 50 buses in each financial year now.

I would expect so. Go North East usually orders around 50 buses in each financial year now.

Any hints on what month the next lot will arrive then?

Does this order include the 9 Solo's from the South? Or is that separate because they're cascades from the same company?

Any hints on what month the next lot will arrive then?

Does this order include the 9 Solo's from the South? Or is that separat because they're cascades from the same company?

Second-hand buses aren't included, just brand new buses.

Second-hand buses aren't included, just brand new buses.

That's good, thought they would have, how many coaches are arriving?

Well going by the fact that no more than 20 are due, we could filter down the 3x options:

Option 1: Angel
Option 2: TEN or Cobalts
Option 3: More Coaches and New Deckers for TTX

Anyone fancy a guess at Option 4?

Do remember that 'around 50' doesn't confirm that a total of 50 buses have been ordered - it is just marking out a rough trend.

Don't forget about the 10 Solos (3x Service 33 and 7x indiGo Washington) ordered as part of this year's financial year!

And I did say 'around 50' - could be more, could be less!

Think it's going to be a very long 3 1/2 month at this rate then haha!

Well going by the fact that no more than 20 are due, we could filter down the 3x options:

Option 1: Angel
Option 2: TEN or Cobalts
Option 3: More Coaches and New Deckers for TTX

I'm resigned to no Angel upgrade in 2017. They seem perfectly happy to throw out whatever has wheels on it at the moment along at Picktree Lane. 

I'm not sure if 9099 reappearing is a sign that GNE want a second look or just covering shortages

Don't forget about the 10 Solos (3x Service 33 and 7x indiGo Washington) ordered as part of this year's financial year!

And I did say 'around 50' - could be more, could be less!

My thinking is the TTX needs upgrading, probably streetdecks. Angel unlikely in this financial year, but I wouldn't rule out streetdecks arriving in this calendar year!!. Might get a laugh but the saltwell park may just get new streetlites (judging by the versas were 09 plates and they were replaced by streetlites after 4 years, nearly 4 years for those). But other than that I'm not sure what other prime route might be upgraded

I'm resigned to no Angel upgrade in 2017. They seem perfectly happy to throw out whatever has wheels on it at the moment along at Picktree Lane. 

I'm not sure if 9099 reappearing is a sign that GNE want a second look or just covering shortages

You never know about the Angel, it's an extremely well used and popular route!

My thinking is the TTX needs upgrading, probably streetdecks. Angel unlikely in this financial year, but I wouldn't rule out streetdecks arriving in this calendar year!!. Might get a laugh but the saltwell park may just get new streetlites (judging by the versas were 09 plates and they were replaced by streetlites after 4 years, nearly 4 years for those). But other than that I'm not sure what other prime route might be upgraded

How about the 27? There were rumours of the hybrid deckers getting allocated to them when the 21 was in line for a new allocation. Whether that's still the case or not, I don't know.

The cascade of Merc's off the 27 will enable the disposal of more Solar's from the fleet.

8+1 streetlites for 93/94. (my guess)

TTX deckers next year.

8+1 streetlites for 93/94. (my guess)

TTX deckers next year.

If the rumours are true about the L94s as trainers, then I'd say streetlites for 28.

If the rumours are true about the L94s as trainers, then I'd say streetlites for 28.

28 doesn't scream out as a route that could recoup the investment - more likely newer Scanias cascaded down.

I possibly think the Volvo B5LH's will stay on the Angel 21, people saying about getting a upgrade because of the amount of spares currently appearing on the 21 (plus 3962/3965 being branded) but this has been the case pretty much since the Hybrids entered service due to the timetable being changed for reliability reasons I think? whatever the reason was, more resources were required and somehow I can't see things changing. This is just a theory I have.

I can't see the 27 getting the Volvo B5LH's, in my opinion at least, I don't think the 27 really needs the extra capacity, the only way I can see them going on the 27 is if they drop the frequency from 12 minutes to 15 minute operation.

Well, this is just a theory but unless GNE haven't managed to gobble up all the early delivery slots, I think we could now be waiting on deckers as the deliveries so far have been Minibuses and Single Decks.

Unless very faint, 6105 missing branding between upper / lower deck window on rear.

Not saying any route is getting investment, looking for tell tale signs though.

Unless very faint, 6105 missing branding between upper / lower deck window on rear.

Not saying any route is getting investment, looking for tell tale signs though.

Panels are hit and replaced all of the time. Look at the redkits and ventures - they're about 5% branded now!
A streetlite on the X66 is flying around with no front branding. You can't get signs from these until a few have been completely debranded!