(20 Jul 2015, 5:53 pm)Diamond One wrote Might have a catchy name anyhow how many solos are they getting from what someone said about 15 of them correct me if am wrong but could you also get me the PVR of the routes of the East Durham brand please eg 202 would be let me know asap

East Durham has PVR of 12. 
I believe that's broke down as; 
201/209/210: PVR 2
202/265/208/204: PVR 8
Short 208: PVR 1 
206: PVR 1 (a few journey work onto 923's) 

I do hope "Pink Panther" isn't the new brand name... Think just East Durham works okay.. Wouldn't object to a new name if there was a good alternative. 
Hope these Solos have wifi. However if East Durham get wifi, Wear Tees Xpress will need it too.

(20 Jul 2015, 9:15 pm)thetravelman wrote Thanks guys - I was busy typing up my last reply and submitted it before seeing your comments.

Is it just my lack of Knowledge or is there a lack of choice of buses on the market at the moment and what is New on the market seems to be more geared up for London and its green targets!

You've hit the nail on the head.

There's a very limited market for heavy-weight vehicles which are suited to long distance and demanding service work. With its 9-litre engine, the Volvo B9TL provided bus operators with an alternative to the Scania available with a 9-litre engine.

It is clear that bus manufacturers have opted for light-weight vehicles with great fuel economy (some of said vehicles also qualifying for extra BSOG grants) to cater for the majority of operators who don't actually need the extra power for their routes; alas, I think we are quite unfortunate in the North East, because I would suggest a large number of our routes are quite demanding and ought to have something with a bit more oomph.

Sadly the Euro 6 heavy-weight vehicles on the market not only have expensive running costs (compared to the light-weight alternatives), but big initial price tags too. This puts bus operators in a very awkward position, as there has to be a solid business case surrounding the order of any new vehicles.

Black Road will be closed between Hedgeley Road and Auckland Road from Monday 27th July to allow for essential maintenance and strengthening works on Black Road Metro bridge.
During these works, Service 88 will be unable to serve Albert Road, Victoria Road East or Black Road and will instead operate between Jarrow Bus Station and Auckland Road via the route of Service 88A, i.e Ellison Street, Western Road, Blackett Street and High Lane in each direction.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works which are outside of our control.

Maybe the 88 can use double deckers as the 88A route has no low bridge.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:54 pm)thetravelman wrote Ah, right... I see.... so as this service has proved & established itself since 2011, it is obviously now viable for GNE to invest in and receive New buses.
Where as previously it only received second hand vehicles, whilst GNE assessed its demand and profitability.

If the Streetdeck Demo, is not going to be well liked or even suitable for the job....

Obviously GNE could consider an order for the E400 - which seems to be well liked at the mo.

Are you still able to to purchase new - Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - since they seem to be up to the job and well liked.

i do think that wright have gone down market because the streetlites give me the impression they that have been built cheap and quick.

Don't know if anybody else has noticed but i quite like this destination:

5303 Go North East Service 35A (2) by Diamond One, on Flickr

Clearly advertises that it has a guaranteed connection with service X35 (same bus operates through).

(21 Jul 2015, 9:46 am)S813 FVK wrote Don't know if anybody else has noticed but i quite like this destination:

5303 Go North East Service 35A (2) by Diamond One, on Flickr

Clearly advertises that it has a guaranteed connection with service X35 (same bus operates through).

They have been like that since the 20 started going to South Shields......you need to open your eyes a bit more 

(21 Jul 2015, 10:07 am)citaro5284 wrote They have been like that since the 20 started going to South Shields......you need to open your eyes a bit more 

I have an excuse!! I don't live over in Sunderland thank the lord

Found a similar one for the AD122 (although no mention of the fleet number):

5210 Go North East Scania Wright Solar on Tynedale Links on Tynedale Express Service X85 by Diamond One, on Flickr

Bazza's photos are becoming quite useful all of a sudden

(21 Jul 2015, 10:10 am)S813 FVK wrote I have an excuse!! I don't live over in Sunderland thank the lord

You say that, Robert; but you live in a place that I could only compare to the favelas!

(21 Jul 2015, 10:24 am)R852 PRG wrote You say that, Robert; but you live in a place that I could only compare to the favelas!

There's nowt wrong with Stanley. We get treated like royalty up here. It's the people of Chester-le-Street you need to be scared of!

(21 Jul 2015, 10:30 am)S813 FVK wrote There's nowt wrong with Stanley. We get treated like royalty up here. It's the people of Chester-le-Street you need to be scared of!

Your idea of royalty must be different to mine. I bet something from the chip shop for Christmas dinner is standard, I reckon you've got so many bus services because most of the cars up there are stolen or burnt out in the middle of fields; and I also imagine the pigeon is your equivalent of the swan; an animal that is legally protected!

(21 Jul 2015, 10:34 am)R852 PRG wrote Your idea of royalty must be different to mine. I bet something from the chip shop for Christmas dinner is standard, I reckon you've got so many bus services because most of the cars up there are stolen or burnt out in the middle of fields; and I also imagine the pigeon is your equivalent of the swan; an animal that is legally protected!

We have a decent market, unlike Chester-le-Street. We have an ASDA, unlike Chester-le-Street. We can even afford to have a bus station, unlike Chester-le-Street. What's not to like!

(21 Jul 2015, 10:48 am)S813 FVK wrote We have a decent market, unlike Chester-le-Street. We have an ASDA, unlike Chester-le-Street. We can even afford to have a bus station, unlike Chester-le-Street. What's not to like!

I admit the market has lost it's purpose over the years... You might have an ASDA; but do you have a Tesco, Morrisons, Iceland or Aldi? We did have a bus station... Roughly where Tesco is now.

(21 Jul 2015, 10:55 am)R852 PRG wrote I admit the market has lost it's purpose over the years... You might have an ASDA; but do you have a Tesco, Morrisons, Iceland or Aldi? We did have a bus station... Roughly where Tesco is now.

We do have an Iceland although it is tucked out of the way

Tesco is too expensive and Morrisons, ugh! Try to be too much like Newcastle with their Market Street!

http://www.simplygo.com/news/10-things-t...nk-routes/

(21 Jul 2015, 10:23 am)S813 FVK wrote Found a similar one for the AD122 (although no mention of the fleet number):

5210 Go North East Scania Wright Solar on Tynedale Links on Tynedale Express Service X85 by Diamond One, on Flickr

Bazza's photos are becoming quite useful all of a sudden

I take random shots without realising only took 1 photo today and it was my most hated bus aka 5165 saw it while waiting for bus home

The A19 will be closed southbound only between the A1231 (Sunderland Highway) and A183 (Chester Road) overnight between 8pm and 6am from Monday 27th July, every night until 8th August for resurfacing.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/southbound-...-27th-july

On a similar note:

From Monday 27th to Wednesday 30th July between 8am and 6pm each day, the southern roundabout on Ayton Road under the A1231 will be closed for resurfacing.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/resurfacing...-27th-july

655 (NK15 GDJ) at Saltmeadows:

Go North East NK15GDJ Optare Solo SR. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

(21 Jul 2015, 3:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote 655 (NK15 GDJ) at Saltmeadows:

Go North East NK15GDJ Optare Solo SR. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

I think that looks quite smart actually!

(21 Jul 2015, 3:32 pm)Davie wrote I think that looks quite smart actually!

Does actually look quite smart, think that is actually a good shade of pink, can't wait to see what it looks like branded.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:32 pm)Davie wrote I think that looks quite smart actually!

The pink looks slightly darker to what was used on the Pink Panther solos: http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1529&pid=117327#pid117327

However, i think it looks quite similar to the pink used on the Pink panther MPDs: https://flic.kr/p/6opsa4

I'm not saying that the brand name will be Pink Panthers by the way. I infact don't think it will be - other than being situated in East Durham which is the main joke, it wouldn't be worth it.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote 655 (NK15 GDJ) at Saltmeadows:

Go North East NK15GDJ Optare Solo SR. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

Still not sure about the colour... might change my mind once its branded.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:42 pm)Michael wrote Still not sure about the colour... might change my mind once its branded.

You boring person ITS PINK! (proof that i do open my eyes citaro )

(21 Jul 2015, 3:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote You boring person ITS PINK! (proof that i do open my eyes citaro )

Michael would not be happy unless it was red and white.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote Michael would not be happy unless it was red and white.

Typical mackem, eh?

(21 Jul 2015, 3:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote Michael would not be happy unless it was red and white.

Haha, thats true!

Looking forward to seen the Black Cats brand on the 33/33A/39.

Edit: i hope they keep the East Durham brand name though....

Hope it doesn't get branded as pink panther, would like the brand as East Durham Links with the branding of local past present landmarks.

So there be:

North Tyne Links
Tynedale Links
East Durham Links

Was the person in charge of the base colour at the time pissed by any chance.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:53 pm)cbma06 wrote Hope it doesn't get branded as pink panther, would like the brand as East Durham Links with the branding of local past present landmarks.

So there be:

North Tyne Links
Tynedale Links
East Durham Links

Was the person in charge of the base colour at the time pissed by any chance.

Hahaha, i bet it was citaro who decided he wanted Pink SR's... although he denys that its not his job... bet it is secertly...

Good idea cbma, i think NTL and Tynedale links will also get new buses this year, maybe all the MPD services atm could be branded...... ********* Links... have 1 brand for all the MPD's services.

(21 Jul 2015, 3:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote 655 (NK15 GDJ) at Saltmeadows:

Go North East NK15GDJ Optare Solo SR. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

i will more than likely photograph the batch of these in Peterlee and Durham reminds of of a few years ago when the pink panthers brand was out