Guys....after a bit of help.

Whilst you are out on your travels and you are a bus fitted with Next Stop and there is no voice announcements yet the screen is showing the correct info, can you send me a PM advising me of the fleet number please.

6073 leaving Hexham @ 13:23 was advertising the free WiFi and other socal media links before rebooting into Windows XP followed by advertising free WiFi etc.

Just look at the congestion created by all those buses:-



Get rid of the buses and the roads will be clear for cars 

9119's planned 14:05 run from Bishop Auckland is being operated by 6021.

Edit: Actually it was 6034, got myself mixed up with the two B7s in the layover.

6073 leaving Hexham @ 13:23 was advertising the free WiFi and other socal media links before rebooting into Windows XP followed by advertising free WiFi etc.

thanks

9119's planned 14:05 run from Bishop Auckland is being operated by 6021.

Probably due to the congestion in Newcastle delaying it.

Probably due to the congestion in Newcastle delaying it.

Aye, left about 20/25 minutes late

Streetdeck will be on the 1604 X21 from Newcastle.

Go North East is supporting this year's LGBT Pride Festival with a specially-designed bus.

Based on the new Quaylink livery, and incorporating the LGBT rainbow, the bus will be at the Pride Festival at Exhibition Park in Newcastle on Saturday 18 July, along with the company's promotional team. Go North East will be bringing along a 'selfie bus', games, and face painting. As usual, there will be a give-away too. The main aim is to have some fun, and the more that come, the better!

Beyond the festival the bus will become a regular sight on the streets of Newcastle and Gateshead, as part of the new Quaylink service.

As an aside, the latest Optare Versas to arrive at Saltmeadows Road for repaint include former "Orbit" branded 8330 (NK11 HDO) and 8331 (NK11 HJX).

Looks like quite a bit of fun was had - by Go North East employees and those attending the Pride event! I asked the driver of the bus about the level of interest in the bus, and I was told that there had been quite a bit of interest indeed, with many commenting on how it was great such a large company like Go North East was showing their support and celebrating diversity. Most of you left a bit too early and as such missed the special destination display that was programmed, showing the new Quaylink logo as well as messages such as "Pride in transport", "Bringing communities together" and "Celebrating diversity" with various coloured squares on the destination to incorporate the LGBT rainbow.

I managed to get a few photographs before being landed with 'the selfie bus' and a white Go North East polo! See below:

Go North East: 8335 / NK11HJF by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 8335 / NK11HJF by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

For anybody who is interested. ...

The Enviro400MMC is on the 09:05 X21 from Newcastle then 10:34 from Bishop etc.

The StreetDecker will start on the 11:04 X21 from Bishop at 11:04 then 12:35 from Newcastle etc...

I managed to get a few photographs today. I appreciate varying driving styles between different drivers and different loadings making it difficult to directly compare the two demonstrator vehicles, but I could not fault the ADL Enviro400 MMC whereas I wasn't particularly keen on the StreetDeck at all.

I was very impressed with how the former coped on the route from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland. It seemed to be quite quick off the mark and the bus was incredibly comfortable too. The seating is truly first-class (with more than enough leg room) and the tables added an element of luxury too. I overheard quite a few passengers talking about the bus and how it was much better than the buses they usually have to ride on service X21. Although I do think this sort of internal seating layout with tables would work really well, I would worry about the loss of seats.

My return journey on the StreetDeck had a lot more passengers and seemed much slower to pull away. It really needed more power to climb the banks, and I'd suggest that the performance wasn't too different from the normal Volvo B7TL allocated. The bus really did struggle to gain any sort of speed on the A1, and I'd imagine this would have been slightly annoying for the driver when he was joining the A1 from Chester-le-Street. Again, I'm not sure whether this was related to the fact it was literally a full load (very few seats spare upstairs - and as so many older people had ventured upstairs, I guess it was a similar situation on the lower deck too).

I think the StreetDeck could cope for a few years on the X21, but the vehicles would have to move to a much lesser role a lot quicker in my opinion. I personally can't see Go North East moving away from Wrights, as the entire Go-Ahead Group seems to have quite a good relationship with Wrights and show this by continuing to opt for vehicles manufactured by Wrightbus. Only time will tell.

See photos below:

Go North East: 6024 / V324LGC by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 9109 / YY64GWX by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 9119 / SN64CTU by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I think the StreetDeck could cope for a few years on the X21, but the vehicles would have to move to a much lesser role a lot quicker in my opinion. I personally can't see Go North East moving away from Wrights, as the entire Go-Ahead Group seems to have quite a good relationship with Wrights and show this by continuing to opt for vehicles manufactured by Wrightbus. Only time will tell.

I wouldn't think too much about that. First Bus over the last 2 or 3 years have ordered a mixture of ADL and Wrightbus. Although GNE have a good relationship with Wrightbus, they would not risk putting an underpowered and unreliable vehicle on a relatively challenging route just to save a few quid and keep good ties.

If they really want to test the Streetdeck, they should send it upto Hexham for a fortnight on the TEN (no fluid boards though!) and the Hexham Drivers (particularly ex Arriva and NMS) would be able to tell straightaway whether or not it could hack any such routes.

I thought the Streetdeck was as flat as a fart. No power whatsoever. It actually felt like a bus that has been on the road constantly for 6 or 7 years, and it struggled with the incline on the A1. It doesn't come close to the E400MMC in my opinion, which handled the same route flawlessly.

I wouldn't think too much about that. First Bus over the last 2 or 3 years have ordered a mixture of ADL and Wrightbus. Although GNE have a good relationship with Wrightbus, they would not risk putting an underpowered and unreliable vehicle on a relatively challenging route just to save a few quid and keep good ties.

If they really want to test the Streetdeck, they should send it upto Hexham for a fortnight on the TEN (no fluid boards though!) and the Hexham Drivers (particularly ex Arriva and NMS) would be able to tell straightaway whether or not it could hack any such routes.

I would argue that the X21 is more of a demanding route than the TEN to be honest.

I would argue that the X21 is more of a demanding route than the TEN to be honest.

I agree. Not only does it deal with fast-moving motorways, it also has some steep climbs and descents on the Durham-Bishop Auckland section of the route.

If they really want to test the Streetdeck, they should send it up to Hexham for a fortnight on the TEN (no fluid boards though!) and the Hexham Drivers (particularly ex Arriva and NMS) would be able to tell straightaway whether or not it could hack any such routes.

And a run up to Allendale on the 688.

Can't forget the X1.....

Much like everyone else I wasn't that impressed with the Streetdeck, I thought it was slow on pretty much all sections of the route especially on hills and the sliproad getting on the A1(M) although by that point there was few seats left but even before that I thought it was slow.

I had another ride on the Enviro 400 MMC between Chester-le-Street and Bishop Auckland and I think this is a much better performer.

Unfortunately I can see GNE going with the Streetdeck over the Enviro 400 MMC because of the relationship with Wright and will probably be cheaper than the E400.

Can't forget the X1.....

You reckon new buses on there Michael.....wonder what they would do with the cyrrent B9's thou 

I hope the senior management are reading all these messages about the 2 Demo buses.... because I couldn't agree more.

It's gotta be the e400mmc for the X21

You reckon new buses on there Michael.....wonder what they would do with the cyrrent B9's thou 

6001 - 6007 + 3943 (spare) to Crook, 6049(T) to Riverside, 6050 Riverside, 6051 Hexham, 6052 / 6053 Percy Main (both including 6117 could be used in the afternoons instead of Lolynes / B7s providing there's no VORs), 6054 / 6055 fitted with GKN Carbon Flywheels and go to CLS for the Angel, 3941/42/63/64 to Percy Main for DFDS work, 3890 / 3891 go where needed, 6084(T) becomes permanent vehicle on the TEN, 3962 / 3965 become permanent spares for the Angel.

I hope the senior management are reading all these messages about the 2 Demo buses.... because I couldn't agree more.

It's gotta be the e400mmc for the X21

Have you had a run out on the Streetdeck yourself today? Looks smart inside and out, but it's obviously no good if it struggles as much as it does.

6001 - 6007 + 3943 (spare) to Crook, 6049(T) to Riverside, 6050 Riverside, 6051 Hexham, 6052 / 6053 Percy Main (both including 6117 could be used in the afternoons instead of Lolynes / B7s providing there's no VORs), 6054 / 6055 fitted with GKN Carbon Flywheels and go to CLS for the Angel, 3941/42/63/64 to Percy Main for DFDS work, 3890 / 3891 go where needed, 6084(T) becomes permanent vehicle on the TEN, 3962 / 3965 become permanent spares for the Angel.

Why would you send the oldest vehicles to Crook!? Theoretically speaking, they won't last as long.

6001 - 6007 + 3943 (spare) to Crook, 6049(T) to Riverside, 6050 Riverside, 6051 Hexham, 6052 / 6053 Percy Main (both including 6117 could be used in the afternoons instead of Lolynes / B7s providing there's no VORs), 6054 / 6055 fitted with GKN Carbon Flywheels and go to CLS for the Angel, 3941/42/63/64 to Percy Main for DFDS work, 3890 / 3891 go where needed, 6084(T) becomes permanent vehicle on the TEN, 3962 / 3965 become permanent spares for the Angel.

Don't think you've mentioned this one before mate.... tell me more....

6001 - 6007 + 3943 (spare) to Crook, 6049(T) to Riverside, 6050 Riverside, 6051 Hexham, 6052 / 6053 Percy Main (both including 6117 could be used in the afternoons instead of Lolynes / B7s providing there's no VORs), 6054 / 6055 fitted with GKN Carbon Flywheels and go to CLS for the Angel, 3941/42/63/64 to Percy Main for DFDS work, 3890 / 3891 go where needed, 6084(T) becomes permanent vehicle on the TEN, 3962 / 3965 become permanent spares for the Angel.

If only everything was as simple as in Davey's world....

Why would you send the oldest vehicles to Crook!? Theoretically speaking, they won't last as long.

Only way you get the newest ones across would be to have an oddball (1x 11 reg one) as 6049 would need to go to Riverside to provide a spare for the TTX to stop 6084 or 6071 having to be constantly used.

Only way you get the newest ones across would be to have an oddball (1x 11 reg one) as 6049 would need to go to Riverside to provide a spare for the TTX to stop 6084 or 6071 having to be constantly used.

So basically, stop constantly using 6084 and instead constantly use 6049?

So basically, stop constantly using 6084 and instead constantly use 6049?

Well yes. 6049 and 6050 (alternating with 6051 from Hexham) would be Riverside's spares but in the event that any of the TTX B9s are VOR or if the X9 / X10 is severly delayed, they could then use 6049 as a backup rather than having to use 6084 of the TEN.

Have you had a run out on the Streetdeck yourself today? Looks smart inside and out, but it's obviously no good if it struggles as much as it 

I have driven both, and also recieved feedback from drivers and passengers. And everybody says the same things, the E400mmc is much more impressive and comfortable in every way.

Saw a rather odd sighting early this morning at Gateshead Interchange at around 6:30. A Fab 57 renown(too far away too see the fleet number sadly) with the blinds showing First with the first 'F' Logo on either side of it. 


Perhaps Dan or Citaro can answer why GNE would have a blind of another bus company being programmed? Its a sighting I don't think I will ever see again, although I don't take photos of buses myself, I wish I did on this occasion!

Saw a rather odd sighting early this morning at Gateshead Interchange at around 6:30. A Fab 57 renown(too far away too see the fleet number sadly) with the blinds showing First with the first 'F' Logo on either side of it. 


Perhaps Dan or Citaro can answer why GNE would have a blind of another bus company being programmed? Its a sighting I don't think I will ever see again, although I don't take photos of buses myself, I wish I did on this occasion!

It is from the Glasgow Games last year. All of the double deckers that went up had to have some special destinations programmed - that being one of them.

The Gateshead programme in the past has just been built on and built on rather than anything being removed, so I suspect that is how it has ended up being included within the main Gateshead programme on other vehicles. You certainly won't see a Gateshead based vehicle showing that display again from 26 July... [emoji14]

Saw a rather odd sighting early this morning at Gateshead Interchange at around 6:30. A Fab 57 renown(too far away too see the fleet number sadly) with the blinds showing First with the first 'F' Logo on either side of it. 


Perhaps Dan or Citaro can answer why GNE would have a blind of another bus company being programmed? Its a sighting I don't think I will ever see again, although I don't take photos of buses myself, I wish I did on this occasion!

It was programmed for when GNE loaned vehicles to Glasgow for the Commonwealth games, wasn't it?

Saw a rather odd sighting early this morning at Gateshead Interchange at around 6:30. A Fab 57 renown(too far away too see the fleet number sadly) with the blinds showing First with the first 'F' Logo on either side of it. 


Perhaps Dan or Citaro can answer why GNE would have a blind of another bus company being programmed? Its a sighting I don't think I will ever see again, although I don't take photos of buses myself, I wish I did on this occasion!

First wanted some destinations in the vehicles that went to Glasgow for the Games.  They have been removed from the programme, but for some reason this vehicle must not have had an update since the programme was updated.