(14 Dec 2021, 12:42 am)Jimmi wrote Not really, GNE running 74 connects with other stuff ran by GNE in Hexham at least whereas Stagecoach would stick out like a sore thumb. Companies can't just swap routes around between either really and doubt Stagecoach would give up a more frequent commercial service to a rival company just to get an infrequent tendered route where the smallest thing they have to allocate is E200s.
Anything surrounding brands for the Tynedale Links services will be held off until its know if GNE retain the contracts next year.
(20 Dec 2021, 11:10 am)Keeiajs wrote 6087 has went to washington. Another blow for deptford how having 0 Spares for Schools, and just 1 for the 56 (Plaxton President)
(20 Dec 2021, 11:11 am)Dan wrote It's only on loan due to a high VOR at Washington today. 6180 is similarly on loan from Chester-le-Street, and 6141 from Percy Main.But aren't two needed for schools, meaning theoretically there is only 1. And most days there is atelast 1 streetlite on the 56, sometimes upto 3, including sometimes a mercedes.
Deptford have two spare buses for the 56 and schools (6086 and 6087). 6089 is the only example that's off the road today, with 6086 covering on the 56 as a result. As the schools are off, 6942 is also a last resort spare.
(21 Dec 2021, 8:48 am)ThomasBooth123 wrote Why are tables there’s no room on Single Deckers!
(21 Dec 2021, 10:09 am)streetdeckfan wrote Does adding tables really take up much extra space, I'm sure adding a table only takes half a seats worth of room because the seat is essentially just turned 180 degrees with only the little bit between the chairs 'wasted' because of the angle of the backrests.
The Enviro200EV demo vehicle they had a while back had 2 tables and it didn't feel like it took up too much extra space
(21 Dec 2021, 11:10 am)54APhotography wrote To be quite fair a Versa is a downgrade from just about anything. Having travelled on X84 and X85 in the summer I found them well used and imperious in terms of comfort over the knackered 156s and 158s on the Tyne Valley.
This whole Bus improvement chatter is absolute b*llocks, acrosss the regions services are crumbling, and yes Covid has a huge bearing, but lets face it the reductions pinned on Covid never recovered.
(21 Dec 2021, 12:30 pm)Storx wrote Personally I think the X84/X85 is on borrowed time if it goes hourly via the X84 route. It's just a matter of time before it goes back to being a Hexham -> Ovington service only. There's literally no reason for anyone to use it as it's slower than the 685 which has better buses (Enviro 400 MMC's and Pulsars) and people at the Villages of Wylam and Ovington are more likely to use the train it's every 20 minutes at the peaks, much quicker and both stations near the villages are relatively busy (Prudhoe 160k, Wylam 100k)I think the X84/X85 could work, if they went to certain busier area's.
Mind I don't agree with your comments about the Class 158, even known they're getting on they're decent trains imo. The Class 156 is a bit meh but better than most buses in particular a Versa which imo are one of the worst full size buses in the North East.
(21 Dec 2021, 12:30 pm)Storx wrote Personally I think the X84/X85 is on borrowed time if it goes hourly via the X84 route. It's just a matter of time before it goes back to being a Hexham -> Ovington service only. There's literally no reason for anyone to use it as it's slower than the 685 which has better buses (Enviro 400 MMC's and Pulsars) and people at the Villages of Wylam and Ovington are more likely to use the train it's every 20 minutes at the peaks, much quicker and both stations near the villages are relatively busy (Prudhoe 160k, Wylam 100k)The 156 overhaul was done on the cheap and the 158s are ruined, most seats are dead and the general state is patched up. They aren't ideal for the line and cast offs from elsewhere really isn't appropriate.
Mind I don't agree with your comments about the Class 158, even known they're getting on they're decent trains imo. The Class 156 is a bit meh but better than most buses in particular a Versa which imo are one of the worst full size buses in the North East.
(21 Dec 2021, 12:54 pm)54APhotography wrote The 156 overhaul was done on the cheap and the 158s are ruined, most seats are dead and the general state is patched up. They aren't ideal for the line and cast offs from elsewhere really isn't appropriate.
(21 Dec 2021, 7:29 pm)Storx wrote Must admit I haven't been on them in awhile so can't really say what they're like lately. Least we dodged the Class 150 and Class 319/769 though, two absolutely awful types of trains beyond refurbs.Should have had the new CAF units, Northern treat us like second class citizens, they're only interested in Manchester.. Now the bus is going second class, or rather third class with plastic ,leaky Versas... Tyne Valley has never had it so bad...
It's a shame they didn't get a decent refurb like the Welsh trains though, credit to Arriva for once.
(21 Dec 2021, 7:32 pm)54APhotography wrote Should have had the new CAF units, Northern treat us like second class citizens, they're only interested in Manchester.. Now the bus is going second class, or rather third class with plastic ,leaky Versas... Tyne Valley has never had it so bad...
(22 Dec 2021, 8:07 pm)Keeiajs wrote Sure that isn't just for a refurb? It does indeed have a awful interior.
Has anyone been on it? Is it comfy?
(23 Dec 2021, 12:11 am)streetdeckfan wrote 6337 is my favourite bus in the fleet (despite it being an Enviro 400!)I have been trying to get on it for a while, however it has already been on 680's which aren't exactly the easiest to plan out when they are every 2 hours. And rarely on the X84/85 (before two got taken off).
It has proper, comfy coach-style leather seats and actual has headroom, unlike the rest of the E400s
