Even if this is just a personal perspective on whats expected of the Omnicites, which dont show any going to the x30/x31/x70/x71, what would you put on them services, surely they wont be Northern deckers Long term,

On another note, when the deckers arrive for the Cobalt Clipper, are the mercs moving to a different service or staying part of the brand, or are there just enough Deckers arriving to replace the Omnicities.

did I read on a post they are planning changes again to the 9, x3, x36. I cant seem to find anything about this. does anyone know what is planned and when these changes could come into service

(25 Nov 2013, 11:08 pm)Ely1992 wrote haha I take that back then! I wasnt aware they were that bad!

I travel on the X30/X31 alot from Lanchester to Newcastle, its an awful ride, and although i prefered the Omnicities back then, smoother ride, its not ideal.

How do you find the service out of interest?

That and the X70 seem to take a massive hammering on Facebook and I imagine the current roadworks in Bensham will help at all

X30/X31 is a good route, it picks up alot of people heading to Stanley, then everybody seems to get off at Stanley, and it fills up again, get to Gateshead I would say 75% of the people get off! The Northern deckers are too slow, usually I arrive in Newcastle 10-20minutes late everyday, as in the time its predicted to arrive. The worst traffic is always around Gateshead, heading towards the interchange, and leaving the interchange.

I would love to see something that is designed to travel up big hills, personally I didnt think the Omnicities could handle the route to start off with, so when i appeared to be getting on Northern Deckers everyday, I was abit shocked, seemed like a massive step back.

I dont know what would fit the route best, Deckers wise i would love to see the upgrades the 10/X1/X9/X10 have, Although I doubt it would be worth the investment, Im sure they would like to keep the route Single rather than double, although recently ive noticed a few of the journeys ive been on have been single deckers.

Mercs could handle the route maybe ? I dont know.

(25 Nov 2013, 11:20 pm)Ely1992 wrote On another note, when the deckers arrive for the Cobalt Clipper, are the mercs moving to a different service or staying part of the brand, or are there just enough Deckers arriving to replace the Omnicities.

There are 17 Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini destined for Percy Main - 15 of these will be branded, whilst 2 will join the 'spare role' family, and will be repainted red.
Omnicitys 5255-60 will be repainted into a light blue base livery, where they will later be transferred to Chester-le-Street for use on "Whey Aye Five 0" service 50. These repaints have already begun, and the latest repaint information can be viewed on our "NEB News" page here.
The remaining Omnicitys from Cobalt Clipper (5250, 5253/54 and 5273) are to head to Stanley and will be repainted red to be put into the company's generic livery. Go North East have confirmed on multiple occasions that the X30/X31 is to receive 'newer vehicles' by the end of this year (in reality, mid-January), so we can second guess that they will be for use on services X30/X31. As I said above, I imagine the final vehicle will be a Renown, with 3886-9 seeing use on X70/X71.
The Citaros are heading to Crook and will all see use on "Pronto" service X21. This allows the Presidents to transfer to Stanley, withdrawing further Olympians.

Regarding the use of Citaros on the X30/X31, let's see how the services cope with this upgrade. Y'never know, they may be able to justify Merc use next year - would fit in lovely with Stanley receiving some Mercs for the Lime (which has been strongly hinted at by our GNE reps in the past), thereby standardising Stanley depot!

(25 Nov 2013, 11:28 pm)Nicholas Perry wrote did I read on a post they are planning changes again to the 9, x3, x36. I cant seem to find anything about this. does anyone know what is planned and when these changes could come into service

Indeed you did - I scanned and shared a copy of the consultation last month when it was first stocked on buses:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...hp?tid=491&pid=16464#pid16464

Assuming the consultation feedback in positive, these changes are likely to be implemented in January, and if this is so, we should see the registration on VOSA next month.

Can anyone confirm if there is planes to drop the centurion livery??? Saw on Flickr that the 17 is to become a gne route again?

(26 Nov 2013, 8:21 am)Wellsey18 wrote Can anyone confirm if there is planes to drop the centurion livery??? Saw on Flickr that the 17 is to become a gne route again?

Don't believe so... not yet.
The same person told people the Citylinks were being scrapped and that the South Tyne livery would focus on a lake of some sort. I think he could be wrong again.

Indeed you did - I scanned and shared a copy of the consultation last month when it was first stocked on buses:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...hp?tid=491&pid=16464#pid1646

Assuming the consultation feedback in positive, these changes are likely to be implemented in January, and if this is so, we should see the registration on VOSA next month.
[/quote]

I heard changes were for March, not ssure as it was off a driver..

Quite impressive to see over 30 people stood in Stockton waiting for the X10 due at 0943!

(26 Nov 2013, 9:44 am)tyresmoke wrote Quite impressive to see over 30 people stood in Stockton waiting for the X10 due at 0943!

Has something happened over in your parts of the North East this morning? The X7 due into Park Lane at half 8 was full and also had standees.

(26 Nov 2013, 8:33 am)Michael wrote I heard changes were for March, not ssure as it was off a driver..

I've not heard anything regarding the consultation yet, but the earliest it can be is January. You'd assume GNE would want the shorts removed from the 39 as soon as possible so that it could receive a 100% branded vehicle allocation, but who knows?

(26 Nov 2013, 10:00 am)Dan wrote Has something happened over in your parts of the North East this morning? The X7 due into Park Lane at half 8 was full and also had standees.

I used to get that particular journey from Peterlee in the mornings, When it pulls into Peterlee theres normally 3 quarters full (since that journey starts from Station Town instead of Middlesbrough now, the X7 must be getting the passengers that used to get the arriva to Sunderland and instead of having to jump 2 buses to Sunderland, the passengers are deciding to get the X7 through to Sunderland instead of changing at Peterlee), with a quarter alighting and a full bus when it leaves Peterlee, 6 or 7 gets off at Seaham Industrial estate and a few more at Seaham Byron Place then about 10ish gets on.

(26 Nov 2013, 9:44 am)tyresmoke wrote Quite impressive to see over 30 people stood in Stockton waiting for the X10 due at 0943!

Twirlys?

A further Solo SR is en-route to Saltmeadows now, bringing the total to 11/12.
It should arrive by 13:45, assuming the driver sets off from Wetherby services soon (and of course, that the photograph was taken when uploaded to Facebook).

Its registration is NL63XZX, and a photograph kindly provided by Alan Magill on The Northern Road Transport Trust Facebook group is shown below:

Fleet Allocation: w/c 25th November 2013

• 641 - 649 651 new vehicles received but not yet in service
  
• 5384 5387 5388 5389 5390 new vehicles in service at Gateshead
  
• 5349 5350 5353 5355 withdrawn from Gateshead
  
• 5340 5342 5343 5344 5346 5352 5353 5354 sold
  

---

(26 Nov 2013, 1:42 pm)Dan wrote

• 641 - 649 651 new vehicles received but not yet in service
  

650 has also now been received, after the delivery earlier today (as shown in Post 3159) - meaning that we now await 652, presumably registered NL63 XZZ.

A complete list of registrations for the arrivals so far are given below:
641 - NL63 YBA
642 - NL63 XZO
643 - NL63 XZP
644 - NL63 XZR
645 - NL63 XZS
646 - NL63 XZT
647 - NL63 XZU
648 - NL63 XZV
649 - NL63 XZW
650 - NL63 XZX
651 - NL63 XZY

I have updated our GNE fleet list accordingly.

I have just seen a gold bendy bus I think it's on the 92 cause it was turning to go down Harlow green bank (I can see the top of Harlow green bank/Easdale gardens from my bedroom window) do not know what fleet number or reg it was can't see that close . I have noticed that most have been withdrawn and sold.

Looks like Consett will retain 2 MPD's. One for 689 and one spare.

I was on a Citylink versa home last night so experienced GNE announcements for the first time on a route other than the Quaylink.

The announcements were good - Id say probably a little more towards being over enthusiastic rather than more professional and calm like London's iBus.
Seemed like a few odd names for stops that I personally wouldn't have named them but never mind.

What I was surprised at though it didn't say "58, to, Hadrian Park" every so often - which would be useful to blind/particularly sighted people + tourists, as it would reassure them which service they're on and the destination of it. It's all well and good hearing all these random intermediate stops, but hearing the route number and/or destination (like you do in London) at least lets people know they're heading in the right direction etc.
It was just something I noticed while on the bus home - I volunteer with a charity for the blind/particularly sighted, and I hear that the number and destination is just as reassuring as obviously hearing what the next stop will be.

But what GNE have done so far is all a step in the right direction and can make the difference for some users between using a bus, and feeling unable to use a bus at all.

A thought for the future as the system develops, maybe instead of the text at the bottom of the screen saying, 'If this is your stop ring the bell once once and remain seated until the bus stops', they could have 'Alight here for.......'
After all the current message could be put on a sticker/poster

(26 Nov 2013, 3:51 pm)grandad wrote Looks like Consett will retain 2 MPD's. One for 689 and one spare.

There are currently 13 MPDs at Consett (shown on our fleet lists here).
From what I can see by the timetables, the PVR is 11 (though don't take this as gospel, as a lot of the services interwork). This means that Consett currently have two spares.
The typical spare vehicle ratio is 1 to every 8 branded vehicles, which works out correct given that Consett are in line to receive 12 Solo SRs, and if my PVR is correct, due 1 spare Solo SR. They won't need an additional two MPDs.

See this post for the believed movements.

(26 Nov 2013, 4:13 pm)Dan wrote There are currently 13 MPDs at Consett (shown on our fleet lists here).
From what I can see by the timetables, the PVR is 11 (though don't take this as gospel, as a lot of the services interwork). This means that Consett currently have two spares.
The typical spare vehicle ratio is 1 to every 8 branded vehicles, which works out correct given that Consett are in line to receive 12 Solo SRs, and if my PVR is correct, due 1 spare Solo SR. They won't need an additional two MPDs.

See this post for the believed movements.

While we're on the subject of believed movements of MPD's whats going at Washington? Why do we have 523, 524, 526, 530, 531 in service? Apparently branded as WSS. I know 570 was retained for Spares for W5/W6, but what about the rest?

And I'm I correct in assuming once venture solo SR's are in service, MPD's 501-534 are withdrawn?

(26 Nov 2013, 5:07 pm)CatsFast101 wrote While we're on the subject of believed movements of MPD's whats going at Washington? Why do we have 523, 524, 526, 530, 531 in service? Apparently branded as WSS. I know 570 was retained for Spares for W5/W6, but what about the rest?

And I'm I correct in assuming once venture solo SR's are in service, MPD's 501-534 are withdrawn?

I believe one is to remain as a spare until all of the painting is finished at Washington.
I'm not sure if it's arrived yet, but one of the Versas was away for repair - it's possible that one MPD has been retained until this Versa has arrived too.

Providing the movements I've given you all are correct (which I'm positive they will be ), yes.

(26 Nov 2013, 12:13 pm)Dan wrote A further Solo SR is en-route to Saltmeadows now, bringing the total to 11/12.
It should arrive by 13:45, assuming the driver sets off from Wetherby services soon (and of course, that the photograph was taken when uploaded to Facebook).

Its registration is NL63XZX, and a photograph kindly provided by Alan Magill on The Northern Road Transport Trust Facebook group is shown below:

Anyone any idea (other than maybe a bad belly) why the driver would be having a break/rest that early into the journey or am I missing something really obvious?

More advertising from Go North East on the Chronicle Website:

(26 Nov 2013, 6:46 pm)Tom wrote More advertising from Go North East on the Chronicle Website:

Thank the lord for adblock. Weird seeing websites with adverts!

(26 Nov 2013, 1:42 pm)Dan wrote Fleet Allocation: w/c 25th November 2013

• 641 - 649 651 new vehicles received but not yet in service
  
• 5384 5387 5388 5389 5390 new vehicles in service at Gateshead
  
• 5349 5350 5353 5355 withdrawn from Gateshead
  
• 5340 5342 5343 5344 5346 5352 5353 5354 sold
  

---

650 has also now been received, after the delivery earlier today (as shown in Post 3159) - meaning that we now await 652, presumably registered NL63 XZZ.

A complete list of registrations for the arrivals so far are given below:
641 - NL63 YBA
642 - NL63 XZO
643 - NL63 XZP
644 - NL63 XZR
645 - NL63 XZS
646 - NL63 XZT
647 - NL63 XZU
648 - NL63 XZV
649 - NL63 XZW
650 - NL63 XZX
651 - NL63 XZY

I have updated our GNE fleet list accordingly.

I like how most of the Bendies have being sold already, when will 523,524,526,530,531 moce or get withdrawn or are they stopping at Washington.
Will 5345 get withdrawn or is it staying in service?.

Theirs still quite a few buses to move over the next few weeks, when will the first Fab 56 decker arrive, since theirs one full completed at Wright?

(26 Nov 2013, 7:19 pm)Michael wrote I like how most of the Bendies have being sold already, when will 523,524,526,530,531 moce or get withdrawn or are they stopping at Washington.
Will 5345 get withdrawn or is it staying in service?.

Theirs still quite a few buses to move over the next few weeks, when will the first Fab 56 decker arrive, since theirs one full completed at Wright?

I mentioned above about the Washington MPD's above and no one really knows why. Dan mentioned about two kept on to help with repaints and a VOR Versa other than thought don't know. We can only assume they are keeping them for the time being just to help out at Washington.

I hope they keep 5345 as an X66 spare as it will help out with loadings having a spare artic means a smaller vehicle won't be allocated too often.

There's 34 Gemini's for Fab 56/Cobalt Clipper isn't there? Is that an equal split ie. 17 for Deptford, 17 for Percy Main?

(26 Nov 2013, 7:42 pm)CatsFast101 wrote There's 34 Gemini's for Fab 56/Cobalt Clipper isn't there? Is that an equal split ie. 17 for Deptford, 17 for Percy Main?

Ye 17 for each depot, with 1 or 2 spare, not sure for the spare number, someone will have to confirm that

(26 Nov 2013, 7:19 pm)Michael wrote I like how most of the Bendies have being sold already, when will 523,524,526,530,531 moce or get withdrawn or are they stopping at Washington.
Will 5345 get withdrawn or is it staying in service?.

I'd assume it has just been missed off accidentally. I don't think any were down to stay.

(26 Nov 2013, 7:19 pm)Michael wrote Theirs still quite a few buses to move over the next few weeks, when will the first Fab 56 decker arrive, since theirs one full completed at Wright?

Very soon indeed. I don't think the original date for service entry (15th Dec) will go ahead anymore, however.

(26 Nov 2013, 7:44 pm)Michael wrote Ye 17 for each depot, with 1 or 2 spare, not sure for the spare number, someone will have to confirm that

That is correct - the first fifteen B9s to arrive should be orange, destined for Deptford and branded for service 56, immediately followed by two red B9s also heading to Deptford to act as spares for the service.
I'm under the impression that Wrights may deliver the first few of fifteen silver B9s for services 309/310 at Percy Main before Christmas after the Deptford ones, but I doubt they'll be able to squeeze them all in so soon, so the delivery should continue after Christmas too. Percy Main's two red ones should arrive last, similar to Deptford's.

(26 Nov 2013, 7:44 pm)Michael wrote Ye 17 for each depot, with 1 or 2 spare, not sure for the spare number, someone will have to confirm that

Who wants to put a bet on, that the spare Gemini ends up on a 39 in its first few days?