I knew Dan was onto something when he said that it was in GNE red...

If it is the B8RLE, i hope it goes on the Prince Bishops because as Malarky said in the predictions thread:

That being said the Prince Bishops PVR is made up of Wright Solars of various ages from 2001/2002 & 2004, they are also a mix of Euro 4/5 also, so it will only be a matter of time in my opinion before the Prince Bishops does receive investment, as the latter will be due to be Withdrawn from Service in the next 2 Years I would think, with the 53/54reg Examples taking backseat role in the fleet - It can be found here: http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1483&page=25

Dan also said a while back that the scania's would be the next bus to take a back role seat in the fleet...

Some of the scania's are coming up to 14/15 years old - i think they'll be replaced this year.

Also trail it on the Diamond to.

A nice shiny red bus has just arrived

Having visited Edinburgh earlier this month and evaluated by Lothian Buses' company management, this vehicle has now been acquired by Go North East for a demonstration trial to compare against other new single deckers available on the market, namely the integral Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid.

Allocated fleet number 9108 during its time at Go North East, this vehicle will first spend some time on "Prince Bishops" services 20/20A, transferring to Deptford from Saltmeadows Road later today.

It is pictured below after arrival at Saltmeadows Road. If anyone wanting photos of it wasn't quick enough to get down to Saltmeadows Road following citaro5284's earlier post, you'll get your chance to see it tomorrow in and around the Sunderland area.

Go North East: 9108 / BA15BXS by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 9108 / BA15BXS by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

One of the 97 buses is at saltmedows looked like it was sanded down ready for repaint

Former "The Highwayman" branded Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4932 (Y932 ERG) is the example at Saltmeadows Road for repaint, I believe, and it is joined by Deptford's former "laser" branded Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5308 (NK08 CHX).

Is it carpeted?

Is it carpeted?

I think its just like the blue floor they have on the buses now.

Thank god, all the seats are facing one way!

I wonder... if this will be used as the extra PVR bus for the 20/20A once its service to allow 5162 to be withdrawn?

Any idea how long is it here for Dan?

Wonder if GNE will favour the E400MMC (both Cummins and Scania) and B8RLE over the Street'shed' and Streetlite.

Wonder if GNE will favour the E400MMC (both Cummins and Scania) and B8RLE over the Street'shed' and Streetlite.

Unfortunately if the MPG of the Wright integral products is more efficient than the two competing products, chances are they will be favoured.

Dan were you on the 10:49 682 this morning?

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Dan were you on the 10:49 682 this morning?

Just I was...

Unfortunately if the MPG of the Wright integral products is more efficient than the two competing products, chances are they will be favoured.

Yeah, I think that the B8RLE is a bit too heavy of a vehicle TBH. The results might show otherwise but I highly doubt it. Why don't GNE look at the ADL E200MMC with a 6.7l ISBe unit? Good combination of performance and fuel economy too.

I know that GNE and Go Ahead are loyal to Wrightbus but ADL's offering across the board looks far superior TBH, fulfilling every requirement of a bus operator through a range of chassis and body combinations. Shame Volvo didn't put the 8 litre engine into the Gemini 3. GNE would've snapped them up like hotcakes and I don't think that the B5TL nor the Streetdeck are suitable for anything other than Town and City work. The E400MMC would take the Pronto to the next level. The Streetdeck would only solve issues short term.

Yeah, I think that the B8RLE is a bit too heavy of a vehicle TBH. The results might show otherwise but I highly doubt it. Why don't GNE look at the ADL E200MMC with a 6.7l ISBe unit? Good combination of performance and fuel economy too.

I know that GNE and Go Ahead are loyal to Wrightbus but ADL's offering across the board looks far superior TBH, fulfilling every requirement of a bus operator through a range of chassis and body combinations. Shame Volvo didn't put the 8 litre engine into the Gemini 3. GNE would've snapped them up like hotcakes and I don't think that the B5TL nor the Streetdeck are suitable for anything other than Town and City work. The E400MMC would take the Pronto to the next level. The Streetdeck would only solve issues short term.

It'll be interesting to see how it copes on the 20/20A being its a long route, it still has a 7.7 litre engine so it might cope quite well, we just don't know until it enters service...

I do hope it goes well and GNE do buy some... it also depends on the price, anyone know the rough price, that including.. sockets, WIFI and stop announcements?, as GNE will have to buy 20 of them?

Yeah, I think that the B8RLE is a bit too heavy of a vehicle TBH. The results might show otherwise but I highly doubt it. Why don't GNE look at the ADL E200MMC with a 6.7l ISBe unit? Good combination of performance and fuel economy too.

I know that GNE and Go Ahead are loyal to Wrightbus but ADL's offering across the board looks far superior TBH, fulfilling every requirement of a bus operator through a range of chassis and body combinations. Shame Volvo didn't put the 8 litre engine into the Gemini 3. GNE would've snapped them up like hotcakes and I don't think that the B5TL nor the Streetdeck are suitable for anything other than Town and City work. The E400MMC would take the Pronto to the next level. The Streetdeck would only solve issues short term.

Dont think you have mentioned this before.....

It'll be interesting to see how it copes on the 20/20A being its a long route, it still has a 7.7 litre engine so it might cope quite well, we just don't know until it enters service...

I do hope it goes well and GNE do buy some... it also depends on the price, anyone know the rough price, that including.. sockets, WIFI and stop announcements?, as GNE will have to buy 20 of them?

To be quite honest, the Streetlite Micro-Hybrids cope well on services 8/78 (even if they sound like they are being pushed to their limits). The Volvo B8RLE will have to be one hell of a bus to prove itself better than the Streetlite Micro-Hybrid, and the fuel economy of both is what will really make or break an order for either.

Based on the press releases earlier this year for the new "Coast & Country" and "Red Kite" Streetlites, a top-spec Streetlite comes in at around £165,000. Whilst I would expect the Volvo B8RLE to be more expensive, I cannot see the difference being huge, as Wrights must want to sell some Volvo B8RLEs otherwise they wouldn't have offered bodywork for it in the first place..!

To be quite honest, the Streetlite Micro-Hybrids cope well on services 8/78 (even if they are pushed to their limits). The Volvo B8RLE will have to be one hell of a bus to prove itself better than the Streetlite Micro-Hybrid, and the fuel economy of both is what will really make or break an order for either.

Based on the press releases earlier this year for the new "Coast & Country" and "Red Kite" Streetlites, a top-spec Streetlite comes in at around £165,000.

That's true, they haven't had any massive problems yet, i do hope it proves to be a decent bus but like you said it depends on fuel economy. 

If the B8RLE is around that price - its going to cost 3.3m for 20 of them, unless if you buy so many you get a discount?

Will the highwayman Scania's go red or are they getting a complete new brand?

on your pic of the B8BLE, it shows a cadet, which one is it?

I'd like them to buy the Volvo B8RLE over the Streetlite, just for the sake of some variety.

Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

If it's been transferred to Deptford this afternoon, I imagine they'll try and get it out on the road as soon as possible, once driver familiarisation is complete. I'm sure it'll be posted on here when it enters service.

Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

Drivers will need to undergo familiarisation with this vehicle type prior to it entering service - the dash layout is completely different compared to other vehicles in the fleet manufactured by Volvo.

Drivers will need to undergo familiarisation with this vehicle type prior to it entering service - the dash layout is completely different compared to other vehicles in the fleet manufactured by Volvo.

Hopefully it'll be out on Saturday... would be nice of GNE to send it to Seaburn on bank Holiday............ 

Hopefully it'll be out on Saturday... would be nice of GNE to send it to Seaburn on bank Holiday............ 

it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

Could race it with a National? 

it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

Fingers crossed it will be on my 20 to Sunderland on Monday morning in that case.

Is 5239 still at Stanley for maintenence? Wont be withdrawn until it gets to Riverside - it is in full branding for toon link

No, it's not. All being well, 5148 will be withdrawn by the end of this week (but don't hold your breath!)

4919 is back in service today, was parked at Gateshead metro this morning.

As such, Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) is the latest example to go to Thornton's for DDA modifications.

No, it's not. All being well, 5148 will be withdrawn by the end of this week (but don't hold your breath!)


As such, Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) is the latest example to go to Thornton's for DDA modifications.

BIB #1: Shame. Brilliant machine.

BIB #2: Good. They seem to be flying through these.

When is the Streetdeck due to move on to the X9/X10?

What a shame. The withdrawal of 5148 will be the end of Era for me as I've had the pleasure of experiencing the 'Toon Link' Renowns almost every day for the past few years. I can almost surely hold them accountable for truly transforming what was a typical childhood interest into a blissfully serious hobby, even passion, in recent years.

Looking towards the future, I am complacently optimistic about the qualities of the B8RLE solely based on my fondness of the B7RLE, another bus I've been fond of and has seemingly been omnipresent on my local 47, in addition to my admiration of the Eclipse design.

Some of these in a MAXgold spec for the 685 sounds like the way forward for us.... Anyone at Doxford watching?

B8RLE's for the 20? What about our favoured #purplesolars ?

Some of these in a MAXgold spec for the 685 sounds like the way forward for us.... Anyone at Doxford watching?

Do Arriva NE buy Volvo's?

What a shame. The withdrawal of 5148 will be the end of Era for me as I've had the pleasure of experiencing the 'Toon Link' Renowns almost every day for the past few years. I can almost surely hold them accountable for truly transforming what was a typical childhood interest into a blissfully serious hobby, even passion, in recent years.

Looking towards the future, I am complacently optimistic about the qualities of the B8RLE solely based on my fondness of the B7RLE, another bus I've been fond of and has seemingly been omnipresent on my local 47, in addition to my admiration of the Eclipse design.

I felt the same when 4853-4855 were withdrawn. The last ''Limes'' standing.

I felt the same when 4853-4855 were withdrawn. The last ''Limes'' standing.

Not the only one.. i was gutted although the Streetlites are doing really well, i actually like them on the routes.

Not the only one.. i was gutted although the Streetlites are doing really well, i actually like them on the routes.

Although I admit they seem to be doing well at the moment, I'm not a fan of them; they sound characterless and uninspiring.

Do Arriva NE buy Volvo's?

Well you never know   If you don't ask you don't get. Look what happened with the X93...