Fleet News: 07/12/15

There have been no changes to the fleet this week.

5160 is now at Stanley - https://flic.kr/p/BtPSi9

(07 Dec 2015, 12:04 pm)Davie wrote 5160 is now at Stanley - https://flic.kr/p/BtPSi9

Temp loan for roadworks

(07 Dec 2015, 11:40 am)Go North East wrote Fleet News: 07/12/15

There have been no changes to the fleet this week.

I've noticed 5160 is now at Stanley via Percy main

(07 Dec 2015, 12:04 pm)Davie wrote 5160 is now at Stanley - https://flic.kr/p/BtPSi9

The PVR is up 1.

(07 Dec 2015, 5:52 pm)DanPicken wrote The PVR is up 1.

2. 4912 is the other vehicle on loan.

Road closed at Station Road Annfield Plain due to RTC Service 6/16/78 diverted

(04 Dec 2015, 5:18 pm)citaro5284 wrote Put a complaint it.

(04 Dec 2015, 5:21 pm)R852 PRG wrote I think you should submit a complaint, if the driver is not disciplined and his attitude fails to change, despite this, then it would appear that either something isn't right with the system used to discipline staff, or he is just a bit of a prat. If you are still unsatisfied, contact Bus Users.

Reported and got a reply back. I'll just keep my eye out for him in the future. I never forget a face - especially one I have bother with.

Regarding the debate about the branded buses on the 57, then if someone got an opinion that they don't like the brand or whatever and they got their reasons, I don't see the issue with it.

That said for the customers, its a much better deal with newer and more comfortable buses and better deals on fares also.

As for the brand, I do feel the vinyl for the numbers "57" does not look all that good, looks a bit too squished for me and the orange circles do look out of place against the blue(think a different shade of blue may of looked better) but vast majority of customers don't care about the cosmetics, as long as their bus service is reliable and gets them from A to B then that all that matters.

New through tickets for Knightside Gardens


In response to customer feedback, following our service changes in October, we have introduced money saving tickets for the residents of Knightside Gardens.

Customers travelling from Knightside Gardens can now purchase through tickets to Newcastle and Whickham meaning there is no need to pay an additional fare, even if you are changing buses to complete your journey.

Single fare – £2.10
Return fare – £3.85
Knightside Gardens to Newcastle

Catch the 96 to Metrocentre and connect with the 6, 10, 10A, 10B, 45, 46 or 47.
Knightside Gardens to Whickham

Catch the 96 to Whickham Highway and connect with the 97, 97A or X97.

5171 has a Northern branded panel above the reg plate at the front.

If X21 gets upgraded with new buses what will happen to Volvo B7TL that on it now

(08 Dec 2015, 10:41 pm)jaimzm wrote If X21 gets upgraded with new buses what will happen to Volvo B7TL that on it now

Probs go into Corporate Livery to therefore withdraw older vehicles in the fleet.

(08 Dec 2015, 10:41 pm)jaimzm wrote If X21 gets upgraded with new buses what will happen to Volvo B7TL that on it now

easy answer it will more than likely go to a red spare livery and the vehicles spread to different depots

(09 Dec 2015, 1:37 am)Diamond One wrote easy answer it will more than likely go to a red spare livery and the vehicles spread to different depots

i looked at the fleet if they replace the olympains then 3 of them would go to riverside and rest would go to stanley

(09 Dec 2015, 6:57 am)jaimzm wrote i looked at the fleet if they replace the olympains then 3 of them would go to riverside and rest would go to stanley

I think they are replacing some Lolynes too.

5295 and 5297 have both been branded Citylink managed a shot of both 5297 was my first shot I took today I managed a shot where Start Football is I'll post the images as soon as I return home and 5297 was only branded last night

563 & 8328 are on the EP1.

(08 Dec 2015, 10:46 pm)Malarkey wrote Probs go into Corporate Livery to therefore withdraw older vehicles in the fleet.

Not all of them, 6021 has being withdrawn: 

Initially off service for an engine issue; this vehicle has now been withdrawn from service at Crook Depot, and is in storage at Chester-le-Street. It will presumably be cannibalised for spare parts, to be used in other Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs in the fleet.

(09 Dec 2015, 6:30 pm)Michael wrote Not all of them, 6021 has being withdrawn: 

Initially off service for an engine issue; this vehicle has now been withdrawn from service at Crook Depot, and is in storage at Chester-le-Street. It will presumably be cannibalised for spare parts, to be used in other Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs in the fleet.

We get what he was saying though. All of Pronto presidents are likely to be repainted into the corporate livery to replace older vehicles in the fleet, minus 6021 of course (but we didn't know this at the time of Adam's post).

(09 Dec 2015, 6:32 pm)S813 FVK wrote We get what he was saying though. All of Pronto presidents are likely to be repainted into the corporate livery to replace older vehicles in the fleet, minus 6021 of course (but we didn't know this at the time of Adam's post).

Ye, i was just saying though, new buses????????

(09 Dec 2015, 6:30 pm)Michael wrote Not all of them, 6021 has being withdrawn: 

Initially off service for an engine issue; this vehicle has now been withdrawn from service at Crook Depot, and is in storage at Chester-le-Street. It will presumably be cannibalised for spare parts, to be used in other Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs in the fleet.

Can't wait to see pdiddy's reaction... 

6021 was one of the better ones... it suffered an engine problem earlier in the week, which I presume isn't financialy viable to repair, hense why its  been withdrawn. It will be replaced with a red decker from Chester. How's that for a reaction hahaha

Currently we have 3875 as it's replacement , however i don't think it will have a set replacement . Probs just any spare decker from Chester.  Trident or B7

Customer Services Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

Our Customer Services Team will be on hand to help you with any queries you have over the festive period.

Wednesday 23 December - 7am until 7pm
Christmas Eve - 7am until 5pm
Christmas Day - CLOSED
Boxing Day - 9am until 5pm
Sunday 27 December - 9am until 5pm
Monday 28 December - 9am until 5pm
Tuesday 29 December : 7am until 7pm
Wednesday 30 December - 7am until 7pm
New Year's Eve - 7am until 5pm
New Year's Day - CLOSED
Normal hours resume from Saturday 2 January, with opening hours of 7am-7pm during the week, and 9am-5pm on weekends.
We've also got your travel needs wrapped up this year, with a wide range of services running during the Christmas and New Year period.

(09 Dec 2015, 5:05 pm)Malarkey wrote 563 & 8328 are on the EP1.

Enchanted Park (EP1) Shuttle Service Photos.

563 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

8328 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

Bit of a random thing. I noticed that the driver of my school bus was wearing a Brighton and Hove hat. Not really of any significance but just found it strange.

(09 Dec 2015, 6:43 pm)Michael wrote Ye, i was just saying though, new buses????????

Just a waiting game now. Hopefully shouldn't see any deckers for this or any other alike service in terms of demand arrive at Heysham unless Volvo have snuck an 8 litre engine in. Hopefully should see some double deckers that will keep the lads and lasses down in Darlington in jobs or even some people in Sweeden for that matter (not including a manufacturer starting with a V).

Surf the web on the Coaster...



The "Coaster" branded vehicles at Percy Main are in the process of receiving free passenger Wi-Fi. In addition to the branded vehicles being installed, red spares 5273 and 5274 will also be installed. Should any of the branded vehicles be off the road, these two red Scania OmniCitys should be used as preference to cover for the branded vehicle.

This follows all of the "Coaster" branded vehicles recently undergoing a deep clean at Thorntons, improving the quality of service for passengers.

(10 Dec 2015, 8:07 am)Dan wrote Surf the web on the Coaster...



The "Coaster" branded vehicles at Percy Main are in the process of receiving free passenger Wi-Fi. In addition to the branded vehicles being installed, red spares 5273 and 5274 will also be installed. Should any of the branded vehicles be off the road, these two red Scania OmniCitys should be used as preference to cover for the branded vehicle.

This follows all of the "Coaster" branded vehicles recently undergoing a deep clean at Thorntons, improving the quality of service for passengers.

Cool, thought it wouldn't be long before the Coaster gained WIFI, i think this confirms the "Coaster" isn't getting new buses.

Will the Cobalt Connect Omnicities be done next?

Edit: I'm surprised the Citylink 57 hasn't gained WIFI with it now being part of the brand, like before the Citaro's was allocated it could being installed.

I'm going to give you an exclusive sneak peak at part of my review as I want more people to see the experience I just had:

1230 19 North Shields Town Centre - Royal Quays (GNE 5246)
Arrived at the stop at 12:30 and there was two mothers with pushchairs blocking my ways of getting on the bus, so the one in the bus shelter moved and just as she moved the driver closed the doors so I had to signal that I wished to board the bus so the driver opened the doors and very rudely commented by saying something like "you should have said that wanted this bus." Noticed when I alighted the bus at Royal Quays he didn't say thank you to me but did say thank you to the old woman who also alighted at this stop, also decided to take a photo of the bus and of course the coward pulled the sun visor right down so we can't see his face. Oh and I should also point out that this bus should have left North Shields Town Centre at 12:33, so the fact he was going to drive off over two minutes before the departure time makes this even more of a joke. This was totally no need for the driver to speak to me in this way so I will certainly making a complaint about this.