Hehe let's leave it there. Mainly because I don't actually know myself why I was bashing that early!

Must say, I love the NSAs, passenger display screen and the refurbs of the Quaylinks. Currently on 8313 to St Peter's Basin (1214 off Haymarket) and it's really like these buses have a new lease of life in them!

You like listening to the Flashing Blade?

You like listening to the Flashing Blade?

Never heard of it before!

Never heard of it before!

it!!!

Flashing Blade is the legend which is Alan Robson....

8331 now stuck at Guildhall - doors won't open and it now won't start after he turned it off from the rear.

I doubt we'll see a Volvo B10BLE withdrawn as a consequence (yet); after all, three of Riverside's Volvo B10BLEs (4901, 4902 and 4916) were recently sighted at Thorntons, so they'll need to keep some spare buses on to cover for these...  

These three vehicles all returned to service earlier this week, following minor modifications to make these vehicles DDA-compliant. One of the modifications saw the removal of a side-facing tip-up seat from the wheelchair bay (pictured below):

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The next three Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles to go to Thorntons for modifications are 4899, 4918 and 4922.

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

It's almost time for Peterlee's new pink buses to hit the streets... The final bus was branded at Saltmeadows Road this afternoon, ahead of the "indiGo" launch on Monday.

Go North East: 656 / NK15GDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

All fourteen of these vehicles will be let loose from Saltmeadows Road Depot tomorrow... That'll be an interesting sight for passers-by: floods of pink buses!

Watch this space...

It's almost time for Peterlee's new pink buses to hit the streets... The final bus was branded at Saltmeadows Road this afternoon, ahead of the "indiGo" launch on Monday.

Go North East: 656 / NK15GDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

All fourteen of these vehicles will be let loose from Saltmeadows Road Depot tomorrow... That'll be an interesting sight for passers-by: floods of pink buses!

Watch this space...

Is it just me or does the right bumper panel not look like it isnt fitted properly, seems to be a big gap in the lining of the panels compared to the left side, the same gap in lining of panels is also noticeable on 654, cant really tell with other two parked behind 656 if it is the same on them as well.

Is it just me or does the right bumper panel not look like it is fitted properly, seems to be a big gap in the lining of the panels compared to the left side, the same gap in lining of panels is also noticeable on 654, cant really tell with other two parked behind 656 if it is the same on them as well.

Could just be the angle that the photo has been taken at.

it!!!

Flashing Blade is the legend which is Alan Robson....

Ah man! Thought you meant some obscure BBC documentary (after a quick Google search).

Aye do like his show, even though I can only listen to about an hour max when I do!


5292 seemingly broken down at Sunniside with 5288 right in front, I imagine to replace it.

Is it just me or does the right bumper panel not look like it is fitted properly, seems to be a big gap in the lining of the panels compared to the left side, the same gap in lining of panels is also noticeable on 654, cant really tell with other two parked behind 656 if it is the same on them as well.

It is just you......there could not be 2 with exactly the same issue when they are brand spanking new!!

It's almost time for Peterlee's new pink buses to hit the streets... The final bus was branded at Saltmeadows Road this afternoon, ahead of the "indiGo" launch on Monday.

Go North East: 656 / NK15GDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

All fourteen of these vehicles will be let loose from Saltmeadows Road Depot tomorrow... That'll be an interesting sight for passers-by: floods of pink buses!

Watch this space...

Wondering if we'll get an early preview on the 59

These three vehicles all returned to service earlier this week, following minor modifications to make these vehicles DDA-compliant. One of the modifications saw the removal of a side-facing tip-up seat from the wheelchair bay (pictured below):

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The next three Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles to go to Thorntons for modifications are 4899, 4918 and 4922.

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

Will 4922 get the new seats added?

These three vehicles all returned to service earlier this week, following minor modifications to make these vehicles DDA-compliant. One of the modifications saw the removal of a side-facing tip-up seat from the wheelchair bay (pictured below):

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The next three Volvo  B10BLE/ to go to Thorntons for modifications are 4899, 4918 and 4922.

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

How many of the Volvo B10BLE's will get a modification?

How many of  the Volvo B10BLE's will get a modification?

Since a variety of vehicles in each batch have been done so far i would suggest most of 4896-4925.

Since a variety of vehicles in each batch have been done so far i would suggest most of 4896-4925.

Looking at it, looks like it, will all 30 get done though?

Looking at it, looks like it, will all 30 get done though?

Who knows. Lol. Don't even think Dan will know to be honest.

I am just breaking citaro's law again and assuming that most of them will get done (apart from the ex-Oxford renowns).
All of 4896 to 4925 (excluding 4906-4909) have at least one flipdot destination too - could cause a problem in terms of cost. Quite a few would probably come out of already withdrawn vehicles though.

One of the Indigo Solo's was out on the A167 this morning heading south from Gateshead towards Low Fell at 10:15.

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Who knows. Lol. Don't even think Dan will know to be honest.

I am just breaking citaro's law again and assuming that most of them will get done (apart from the ex-Oxford renowns).
All of 4896 to 4925 (excluding 4906-4909) have at least one flipdot destination too - could cause a problem in terms of cost. Quite a few would probably come out of already withdrawn vehicles though.

New buses will get rid of the B10's to so i think only half will be done.

One of the Indigo Solo's was out on the A167 this morning heading south from Gateshead towards Low Fell at 10:15.

What? No WiFi?

What? No WiFi?

Whey...most of the services they will operate are just local services. I wouldn't expect them to be fully equipped with WiFi and plug sockets.

3886 looking nice and shiny:

Go North East 3886 Dennis Trident Plaxton President. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

Do you know if the Merits are seen as compliant? Specifically the priority seats.

Do you know if the Merits are seen as compliant? Specifically the priority seats.

Yes - only the B10BLE, Olympian and Trident/Lolyne are non-DDA.

Yes - only the B10BLE, Olympian and Trident/Lolyne are non-DDA.

Cheers Dan. I was a bit confused as to what the designated priority seats are that's all, as the front-most offside pair only provide about 200mm knee-room at most, because of the single seat in front. 

I'll try and catch one throughout the week, as I couldn't for the life of me think which ones had been marked up.

New buses will get rid of the B10's to so i think only half will be done.

Unlikely there will be enough new buses in service by the 31st December this year to allow all the B10BLE to be withdrawn - the plan is to complete all of 4896 to 4925 before then, and possibly some of the ex Oxford vehicles.

Today am looking forward to the fleet news and hopefully should be posted asap but I say around 6ish but that's my prediction

Today am looking forward to the fleet news and hopefully should be posted asap but I say around 6ish but that's my prediction

The only two things Bazza ever goes on about... Fleet news and his cat.

Today am looking forward to the fleet news and hopefully should be posted asap but I say around 6ish but that's my prediction

Yes - will be pretty late evening today.

The only two things Bazza ever goes on about... Fleet news and his cat.  

Or licking his camera!

Last day of yellow mpds at Peterlee