(28 Aug 2015, 3:57 pm)aureolin wrote Wasn't the recent consultation to pretty much group the northern half of the 43/44, with similar highwayman services? At least that's how the questions came across to me.

Think it was this for the Highwayman services:

Service 96: Extended to Newcastle Monday-Saturday daytimes instead of 98/98A, it also means Ravensworth Road and Wellington Road benefit from a direct service to Newcastle.

64/64A: Run between Gateshead, Rose Street and Yetholm Road only.

Highwayman 97: Increased to every 10 minutes from Newcastle to Fellside Park via Gateshead and Whickham Highway, every 20 minutes a bus would continue to the Metrocentre

Service 98/98A: Would continue to run from Whickham to Newcastle, only at the busiest times of day when the majority of passengers are travelling.

Think i'll stick my OP.

Today I decided to sample the Volvo B8RLE demonstrator on service 20A between Durham Bus Station and Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.

My thoughts on it were okay, I thought the performance was reasonable in terms of speed despite fears that it is reportedly limited to 45mph, although you do have to remember that nearly the whole of the 20/20A route is 50mph or less so it's only 5mph less than the speed limit on the A690. The thing I'm sure you are all wanting to know is, how did it do getting up Houghton Cut? well it was made even more challenging by someone wishing to board at the bus stop heading up the hill but I'm pleased to say it actually got up Houghton Cut rather well. Thought the ride was pretty smooth. Downside to this bus, there was a kind of rattling noise coming from the back.

The driver and the passengers seemed to like this bus and I thought it was alright to (apart from the slight rattling) hopefully if Go North East did buy some for the 20/20A it might be nice if they could even be limited to 50mph rather than 45mph and I feel this would be a better bus in terms of passenger comfort and performance but I can still see GNE opting for the StreetLite myself.

Limiting a vehicle to 45mph (or whatever chosen speed) will 'improve' fuel economy.

Something to be borne in mind when making comparisons with other 'unrestricted' vehicles (though I would imagine that all buses will be speed-restricted to some degree).

What running board is 9108 on today

I am going to travel on some Tynedale Links bses today does anyone know the running board of 618,619,5210 and 555?

Major bridge works in Durham are finished early

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7434608

547/5162 will be withdrawn now i would imagine?

(29 Aug 2015, 9:09 am)Michael wrote Major bridge works in Durham are finished early

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7434608

547/5162 will be withdrawn now i would imagine?

I believe Dennis MPD 547 will be retained in the fleet at Peterlee for now (more on that next week), but Volvo B10BLE 5162 should be withdrawn from today (hasn't been allocated to service yet).

All of the transfers relating to the loss of Nexus Misc Works contracts should take place this weekend - will confirm as and when they take place.

(29 Aug 2015, 9:24 am)Dan wrote I believe Dennis MPD 547 will be retained in the fleet at Peterlee for now (more on that next week), but Volvo B10BLE 5162 should be withdrawn from today (hasn't been allocated to service yet).

All of the transfers relating to the loss of Nexus Misc Works contracts should take place this weekend - will confirm as and when they take place.

Cheers Dan.

Forgot the news will be out this week.

(29 Aug 2015, 9:24 am)Dan wrote I believe Dennis MPD 547 will be retained in the fleet at Peterlee for now (more on that next week), but Volvo B10BLE 5162 should be withdrawn from today (hasn't been allocated to service yet).

All of the transfers relating to the loss of Nexus Misc Works contracts should take place this weekend - will confirm as and when they take place.

Is 9108 out? If so when will it be at South Shields?

(29 Aug 2015, 9:31 am)DanPicken wrote Is 9108 out? If so when will it be at South Shields?

Not sure, sorry. I need to be on a computer to be able to answer that one, and I'm currently sat on a Coast & Country..!

(29 Aug 2015, 9:33 am)Dan wrote Not sure, sorry. I need to be on a computer to be able to answer that one, and I'm currently sat on a Coast & Country..!

Doesn't really matter know just left South Shields on 6100.

A reminder that changes to Services start from tomorrow..........

http://www.simplygo.com/news/changes-to-...gust-2015/

(29 Aug 2015, 9:24 am)Dan wrote I believe Dennis MPD 547 will be retained in the fleet at Peterlee for now (more on that next week), but Volvo B10BLE 5162 should be withdrawn from today (hasn't been allocated to service yet).

All of the transfers relating to the loss of Nexus Misc Works contracts should take place this weekend - will confirm as and when they take place.

I will be upset if 547 is withdrawn

(29 Aug 2015, 10:23 am)NK53 TKT wrote I will be upset if 547 is withdrawn

It will be in the future, when is the question.

(29 Aug 2015, 10:23 am)NK53 TKT wrote I will be upset if 547 is withdrawn

It will be eventually.

9108 is coming into Sunderland very soon. On the 12:02 20A from South Shields, running 10 minutes late.

What time out of Durham will it be?

(29 Aug 2015, 12:08 pm)DanPicken wrote What time out of Durham will it be?

After looking at the timetable, I think it will be on the 13:42 20A, but it may be regulated with it running 10 minutes late when I boarded. I'm not sure how late we are currently running. Currently at Rainton Bridge if that's any help.

(29 Aug 2015, 12:14 pm)Adam wrote After looking at the timetable, I think it will be on the 13:42 20A, but it may be regulated with it running 10 minutes late when I boarded. I'm not sure how late we are currently running. Currently at Rainton Bridge if that's any help.

It shouldn't be regulated as it serves different places to the 20.

Doubt they would regulate a service that is only 10 minutes late (unless it will have an impact on driving hours)

(29 Aug 2015, 1:42 pm)S813 FVK wrote Doubt they would regulate a service that is only 10 minutes late (unless it will have an impact on driving hours)

Aye it would seem strange! If it's during the day too, I've seen them just to the changeover in an unusual place. The most unusual being a late running 4 diverting to the depot, so they could stick a leading driver on for a run or so!

(29 Aug 2015, 10:23 am)NK53 TKT wrote I will be upset if 547 is withdrawn

was an ok bus although am a big hater of MPDs my favourite MPD is 568 got it once in December 2013 on Friday 13th

I bet you any money when the NEB news is updated sometime today the demonstrator will be on there 9108 nice ride like a Gemini 2 but a lot smoother went on it 2 days ago and is better than the usual batch I can now see GNE ordering these to replace the older single deckers eg renowns and the y reg dollars could order them for highwayman to start with

(30 Aug 2015, 9:13 am)Diamond One wrote I bet you any money when the NEB news is updated sometime today the demonstrator will be on there 9108 nice ride like a Gemini 2 but  a lot smoother went on it 2 days ago and is better than the usual batch I can now see GNE ordering these to replace the older single deckers eg renowns and the y reg dollars could order them for highwayman to start with

You bet me 10p if 9108 is in the NEB fleet news. 

For god sake...i actually wonder whether asking when the news will be up slows Dan down and ends up not updating it 'on time' (if there is a proper schedule)

Can u not just wait instead of posting it every week!

You've almost just got to accept that every other week on a Sunday Bazza will talk about the news.

(30 Aug 2015, 10:10 am)Jackamcardle wrote You've almost just got to accept that every other week on a Sunday Bazza will talk about the news.

But he doesn't need to! All the news is basically just what has been said over the past couple of weeks in the relevant threads. Not too common that something new is embeded in it.

---

(30 Aug 2015, 10:22 am)S813 FVK wrote But he doesn't need to! All the news is is basically just what has been said over the past couple of weeks in the relevant threads. Not too common that something new is embeded in it.

I got back home at about 05:15am following a night shift at Riverside for almost 11 hours. The news isn't getting typed up for hours yet.

(30 Aug 2015, 10:30 am)Dan wrote I got back home at about 05:15am following a night shift at Riverside for almost 11 hours. The news isn't getting typed up for hours yet.

What were you doing at Riverside?