(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy wrote What a terrible day it's been today

Stu Gray's last day?

I don't think that many operators have a cleaning regime that is sufficient. Some of the poles and bars on buses are absolutely manky, and you can visibly see the dirt on them. Combine that with how many folk have been to the toilet without washing their hands, sneezing full of cold, etc, and you get an idea of just how much germs you're coming into contact with.

It's perhaps worth noting,that in the QCS scheme, there'd be a stipulation that buses should be deep cleaned every 4 weeks. This can be found in Appendix S.

(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy wrote What a terrible day it's been today

Those pesky Pronto Presidents eh! Saw one broke in Durham Bus Station this morning then another broke down on the stand in Eldon Square which certainly caused some problems.

(27 Nov 2015, 7:12 pm)R852 PRG wrote Stu Gray's last day?

No not that... 

IIt was Stu's last day tho.  He's off to pastures new. We wish him well

(27 Nov 2015, 7:25 pm)Jimmi wrote Those pesky Pronto Presidents eh!  Saw one broke in Durham Bus Station this morning then another broke down on the stand in Eldon Square which certainly caused some problems.

That wasn't the half of it unfortunately

One was opposite Chester depot at 0650 with hazards on getting something topped up

I think we all know now that the Pronto will certainly be getting newer stock. I wonder whether or not if GNE go with ADL for either the Pronto or any other service with cascades going to Crook, whether or not they will:

- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 5 specification (if available?) which would be the cheapest option.
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 6 specification which would be slightly cheaper than the MMC body.
- Get the E400MMC which would be the most expensive option.

Bearing in mind that GNE have already sampled the classic body but to Euro 5 spec that time on the X1, do you think GNE would go for newer technology but with older bodywork?

(27 Nov 2015, 10:11 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think we all know now that the Pronto will certainly be getting newer stock. I wonder whether or not if GNE go with ADL for either the Pronto or any other service with cascades going to Crook, whether or not they will:

- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 5 specification (if available?) which would be the cheapest option.
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 6 specification which would be slightly cheaper than the MMC body.
- Get the E400MMC which would be the most expensive option.

Bearing in mind that GNE have already sampled the classic body but to Euro 5 spec that time on the X1, do you think GNE would go for newer technology but with older bodywork?

I think the Pronto will get new buses, and it'll be Streetdecks....

(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy wrote What a terrible day it's been today

Guessing it is either bad news about the replacement vehicles for the X21 or you were pipped at the post, at the GNE staff awards ceremony!

When I saw 4978 today, with what is supposedly the finished article of the corporate livery that it gained some time ago, I wondered; what has happened to that? I haven't heard much of any other vehicles receiving the same branding, has it just been forgotten about?

(28 Nov 2015, 5:26 pm)R852 PRG wrote When I saw 4978 today, with what is supposedly the finished article of the corporate livery that it gained some time ago, I wondered; what has happened to that? I haven't heard much of any other vehicles receiving the same branding, has it just been forgotten about?

It took the company a while to put the old northern livery on even months after the first one was done they did a bland one on an spd that looked and reminded me of Roman Times New Font deffo a PC thing

(27 Nov 2015, 7:20 pm)Adrian wrote I don't think that many operators have a cleaning regime that is sufficient. Some of the poles and bars on buses are absolutely manky, and you can visibly see the dirt on them. Combine that with how many folk have been to the toilet without washing their hands, sneezing full of cold, etc, and you get an idea of just how much germs you're coming into contact with.

It's perhaps worth noting,that in the QCS scheme, there'd be a stipulation that buses should be deep cleaned every 4 weeks. This can be found in Appendix S.

The muck engrained on to the circular bells (like on the Mercs) is pretty vile.
 

Delays likely on X9/X10 this morning due to an RTA on the A19 resulting in these services diverting near Dalton Park.

Fleet News: 30/11/15

Tridents 3862: W862 PNL and 3870: W174 SCU have been sold to Ensign Bus Co.

Buses can't use the high level bridge

(30 Nov 2015, 3:51 pm)Davie wrote Buses can't use the high level bridge

Why?

(30 Nov 2015, 3:59 pm)DanPicken wrote Why?

It was blocked by a broken down vehicle, however services are now operating as usual. Only blocked for about ten or fifteen minutes.

(30 Nov 2015, 4:01 pm)BJ10VUS wrote It was blocked by a broken down vehicle, however services are now operating as usual. Only blocked for about ten or fifteen minutes.

No doubt a GNE veichle.

(30 Nov 2015, 4:02 pm)DanPicken wrote No doubt a GNE veichle.

As Go North East are the main users of the bridge, it's the most likely. However, it could have been a taxi, X34 or X12, but I'm not too sure?

5246 still has old timetables in the holders on the wheelchair side of the bus, newer timetables are on the pushchair side.

(30 Nov 2015, 4:02 pm)DanPicken wrote No doubt a GNE veichle.

Of course there's doubt, unless you're writing your post based on fact. It could have been anything that has broken down.

A single car would cause huge tailbacks, depending on the location of the breakdown. As it creates a bottleneck from two lanes into one.

It's daft unconstructive posts like this, for why we don't have a like system anymore.

(30 Nov 2015, 4:46 pm)Adrian wrote Of course there's doubt, unless you're writing your post based on fact. It could have been anything that has broken down.

A single car would cause huge tailbacks, depending on the location of the breakdown. As it creates a bottleneck from two lanes into one.

It's daft unconstructive posts like this, for why we don't have a like system anymore.

I didn't know what it was actually.

(30 Nov 2015, 4:47 pm)DanPicken wrote I didn't know what it was actually.

So why post it?

(30 Nov 2015, 4:48 pm)Dan wrote So why post it?

Because the majority of veichles are GNE.

I hope I don't start Davy B off, but 6001 has an O2 advertisement.

Not really a discussion point as such bit its about time they started repainting the rest of the Presidents at Stanley...

(30 Nov 2015, 5:15 pm)S813 FVK wrote Not really a discussion point as such bit its about time they started repainting the rest of the Presidents at Stanley...

Yeah I agree. I think it'll just have taken a back seat, whilst they prepared buses for the service changes last month. It seemed to take an age and a day, to get the Diamond Mercs repainted/branded. 

I'd hope to see it start happening, once we've had the 2015 order delivered and out in service. I can't see much being done in the meantime.

(30 Nov 2015, 5:21 pm)Adrian wrote Yeah I agree. I think it'll just have taken a back seat, whilst they prepared buses for the service changes last month. It seemed to take an age and a day, to get the Diamond Mercs repainted/branded. 

I'd hope to see it start happening, once we've had the 2015 order delivered and out in service. I can't see much being done in the meantime.

Now that all of the new buses are in service and repaints associated with service changes have been completed, the repainting programme to get rid of Northern has commenced again.

As per our news section - 3885 is the latest example to head to Saltmeadows.

(30 Nov 2015, 5:15 pm)S813 FVK wrote Not really a discussion point as such bit its about time they started repainting the rest of the Presidents at Stanley...

6032 (?) also needs a repaint, if my memory serves correct, it is the last Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President in the Northern livery.

Wonder if the Vyking's will be done...?