I am told (thanks Daron Hardy!) that YT51EAW was traded in for a newer example, presumably at Ensign.

Diversion to service 20 in Darlington due to road closure tomorrow (Mon 8th June & Wed 10th June):

Service 20 will operate via North Road and Salters Lane North between the town centre and Whinfield. 

Going back to discussion about the Park and Ride livery, i wonder if the original livery worn by the ordinary solos (https://flic.kr/p/6mDVg1) would work on the SR.

After looking at this photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/1852...ateposted/ , i have realised that the right design is actually of the P&R routes themselves around the City Centre:
Red is PR1 from Belmont, Green is PR1 from Sniperley and Blue is PR2 from Howlands.

YT51EAW is apparently no longer part of the Scarlet Band fleet.

It has been part-exchanged for YN04LWM.

It has been part-exchanged for YN04LWM.

Now in service, was on the 113 today.
Scarlet Band: YN04 LWM by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

New 16 and 20 timetables from Monday 29th June.

Service 16
http://www.connectteesvalley.com/data/ti...290615.pdf

Service 20
http://www.connectteesvalley.com/data/ti...290615.pdf

Service 20 will now only operate on Mondays (including bank holidays).

Well, ive posted my vote, why not do yours?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=rTZJp...YQpQ%3d%3d

Well, ive posted my vote, why not do yours?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=rTZJp...YQpQ%3d%3d

You probably voted for the lad's design, being that he's from Stanley. 

I voted for the nice and colourful one. I'd like to see that design when I use the Park and Ride.

You probably voted for the lad's design, being that he's from Stanley.  [emoji14]

I voted for the nice and colourful one. I'd like to see that design when I use the Park and Ride.

I voted for the bright and colourful one as I liked as soon as I first saw it whereas the other design I was less keen on the first time I saw it and still ain't keen on it now.

still ain't keen on it now.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...ateposted/

It looks vile!!! Who thought that having dots about the back is nice?!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...ateposted/

It looks vile!!! Who thought that having dots about the back is nice?!

Yes it looks a bit over the top on the back

I like the stripey design (Bliss) much better than the dotty one, and of course I dislike the dotty one even more because it covers the windows, which are for LOOKING OUT OF and, whatever anyone says, you can't see properly through contravision!

I like the stripey design (Bliss) much better than the dotty one, and of course I dislike the dotty one even more because it covers the windows, which are for LOOKING OUT OF and, whatever anyone says, you can't see properly through contravision!

The dots aren't contravision...

But still obstruct the view.

But still obstruct the view.

There is more than one window on the bus that a passenger can see out of other than the one the passengers are sitting directly next to.

I have noted, after observations on many buses, that seats next to obstructed windows are the last ones people choose to sit in, only doing so when all others are occupied. And I often hear passengers grumbling about them, often the Bishop's mitre on the GNE 20/20A and the wave on the 50, but most of all the crap on the front top windows of Stagecoach deckers.

PR2 Howlands – Durham (Millburngate Bridge roadworks)
Route will terminate at New Elvet, omitting normal stops at Leazes Rd and Millburngate. Revised timetable details with departure times from Howland unchanged. Frequency remains every 10 minutes.

PR2 Howlands – Durham (Millburngate Bridge roadworks)
Route will terminate at New Elvet, omitting normal stops at Leazes Rd and Millburngate. Revised timetable details with departure times from Howland unchanged. Frequency remains every 10 minutes.

It'd have made more sense to run the PR2 between Howlands and Belmont, and then the PR1 Sniperley to Durham. That way neither service has to cross the Millburngate Bridge.

has there only been one 51 plate bus sold because they have to. the ast time i checked

has there only been one 51 plate bus sold because they have to. the ast time i checked

They did indeed have two, YT51EAW and YT51EAY.

YT51EAW which was "The Pink Bus" for the 16/16A has left the fleet but I saw standard liveried YT51EAY operating service 88 in Bishop Auckland last Thursday so I'd assume they still have YT51EAY.

They did indeed have two, YT51EAW and YT51EAY.

YT51EAW which was "The Pink Bus" for the 16/16A has left the fleet but I saw standard liveried YT51EAY operating service 88 in Bishop Auckland last Thursday so I'd assume they still have YT51EAY.

just seems strange to sell one and keep the other if they are both the same

just seems strange to sell one and keep the other if they are both the same

No idea why they only got rid of YT51EAW, it's possible they chose to ditch that one so service 16 could benefit from a younger bus. Also YT51EAW was exchanged for YN04LWM.

I wonder if they are maybe looking like they are going to get rid of the older Solos as I think ex Durham County Council Solo X315CBT had it's front LED destination screen removed when I saw it on the 110 in Ferryhill yesterday morning although it may have just been the sun reflecting onto the screen.

I think Solo's T469BCN and V931VUB have also left the fleet recently although I am not 100% on these but I haven't seen either in ages and the drivers seat in one of the ex Rossendale Solos has the old GNE style fabric so I think it's been taken out of T469BCN.

EDIT: X315CBT has NOT had it's LED screen removed.

No idea why they only got rid of YT51EAW, it's possible they chose to ditch that one so service 16 could benefit from a younger bus. Also YT51EAW was exchanged for YN04LWM.

I wonder if they are maybe looking like they are going to get rid of the older Solos as I think ex Durham County Council Solo X315CBT had it's front LED destination screen removed when I saw it on the 110 in Ferryhill yesterday morning although it may have just been the sun reflecting onto the screen.

I think Solo's T469BCN and V931VUB have also left the fleet recently although I am not 100% on these but I haven't seen either in ages and the drivers seat in one of the ex Rossendale Solos has the old GNE style fabric so I think it's been taken out of T469BCN.

Also they bought EAW about a year before EAY.

X49 branded YJ55YGM unusually appeared on the 85 this afternoon.
Scarlet Band: YJ55 YGM by Jimmi's Bus Photos, on Flickr

Also note the failed attempt to hide from the camera.

Scarlet Band's Darlington services 16 and 20 should now operate until at least March 2018 thanks to a small government grant being made available to support the on-going costs of operating the services.

Service 16 will mostly be operated on a commercial basis although requires a small subsidy to support certain journeys.

The new government grant will also enable service 20 to operate until March 2018 although now only operates on Monday's (including bank holidays).

Well, ive posted my vote, why not do yours?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=rTZJp...YQpQ%3d%3d

Reminder that the vote closes next week (8/7/15). Wonder who is winning

The Park and Ride livery worn by Solo SR YJ64 DYH has won the public vote:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/busdesign

The Park and Ride livery worn by Solo SR YJ64 DYH has won the public vote:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/busdesign

There was only ever one design in the running..!

There was only ever one design in the running..!

Liked the winning design as soon as I first saw it, wasn't sure on the other design.

It does seem like more people liked the winning design, even on my Flickr the two designs appeared together and the winning design racked up 11 favourites while the other only got 3 (although the winning design appeared first and was a slightly better photo).