(29 Dec 2015, 1:47 pm)grandad wrote As a point of interest, are the new Levantes auto or manual?

They use the Volvo I-Shift system which is a Automated Semi-Auto box with I think 12 gears.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:03 pm)R852 PRG wrote 7093 seems to be highly thought-of by the members of the Northern Enthusiasts Group.

Don't get me wrong, the bus is a good performer, the only reason I'm not so fond of it is simply because of the seats, when you're spending the best part of three hours on there, you want the seats to be extremely comfortable, which the seats in 7093 aren't so much, especially compared to the newer stuff used on National Express work.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:13 pm)Jimmi wrote Don't get me wrong, the bus is a good performer, the only reason I'm not so fond of it is simply because of the seats, when you're spending the best part of three hours on there, you want the seats to be extremely comfortable, which the seats in 7093 aren't so much, especially compared to the newer stuff used on National Express work.

Aye, I agree with you there Jimmi. Spec should be relatively the same no matter what NX service you use, and 7093 should be confined to the past.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:19 pm)Adrian wrote Aye, I agree with you there Jimmi. Spec should be relatively the same no matter what NX service you use, and 7093 should be confined to the past.

I imagine it will be due to be withdrawn in the next couple of years at least, given that it is getting old now and I think the lifespan of coaches on frontline National Express duties is 10 years (although 7093 is the dedicated spare now I understand, but I've been told it sees a lot of use on the 663 to Skegness when it runs). Will be interesting to see what the Northern Enthusiasts Group use after 7093 goes.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:03 pm)R852 PRG wrote 7093 seems to be highly thought-of by the members of the Northern Enthusiasts Group.

Enthusiasts tend to like older buses/coaches - that's no secret. I'd guess that most 'normal' customers, like Jimmi, would much prefer the newer coaches, as they're a lot more comfortable.

7093 has been in a reserve capacity since the withdrawal of the seasonal Skegness 663 service. I'd imagine that it will be transferred to the Driver Training school or Hexham (for scholars contracts) when the remainder of the new coaches arrive in 2016, as one of these could presumably take 7093's place in the reserve fleet.

The last time it was used on National Express work was 22/12/15 (Newcastle - Bradford). It's spent most of its time this month in use with the Driver Training school and/or at internal National Express recruitment events.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:19 pm)Adrian wrote Aye, I agree with you there Jimmi. Spec should be relatively the same no matter what NX service you use, and 7093 should be confined to the past.

I seem to be really unlucky with the Go North East National Express allocations, the first time I went to Manchester on the 580 I got 7092, comical thing about that journey was they put a illustration of what a National Express coach looks like and I don't think 7092/7093 have toilets in them like it was suggesting (may be wrong on that though).

(29 Dec 2015, 2:42 pm)Dan wrote Enthusiasts tend to like older buses/coaches - that's no secret. I'd guess that customers, like Jimmi, would much prefer the newer coaches, as they're a lot more comfortable.

7093 has been in a reserve capacity since the withdrawal of the seasonal Skegness 663 service. I'd imagine that it will be transferred to the Driver Training school or Hexham (for scholars contracts) when the remainder of the new coaches arrive in 2016, as one of these could presumably take 7093's place in the reserve fleet.

I certainly fall into the category of being an enthusiast liking older stuff, however when I am travelling to places to Manchester where I am making journeys that are been between two and three hours long and paying for the privilege, I want the coaches with the dense leather (or e-leather, whatever) seats that I can sink into and be comfortable for the whole journey, not a ten year old coach with thin and let's be honest now worn down fabric seats where your backside can feel the metal that's holding the seat in place, when I had 7093 on my last trip to Manchester, it was the morning 580 that additionally calls at Bradford, so I was on it for just shy of three hours and didn't want to sit down for a while afterwards when I got off.

(29 Dec 2015, 2:42 pm)Dan wrote Enthusiasts tend to like older buses/coaches - that's no secret. I'd guess that most 'normal' customers, like Jimmi, would much prefer the newer coaches, as they're a lot more comfortable.

7093 has been in a reserve capacity since the withdrawal of the seasonal Skegness 663 service. I'd imagine that it will be transferred to the Driver Training school or Hexham (for scholars contracts) when the remainder of the new coaches arrive in 2016, as one of these could presumably take 7093's place in the reserve fleet.

Its been 7 years since I drove in the Coaching Unit, but i remember dearly 7092/3 being delivered 10 years ago. With their 12 litre engines coupled to the Volvo i-shift, these vehicles produced 420 b.h.p. Speaking from a purely personal point of view, but i am certain that other drivers will agree, that these vehicles were far superior to anything that had come before. In Devon, the A38 Haldon Hill and A380 Telegraph Hill, both notoriously long, steep hills were climbed effortlessly, as was Saddleworth Moor on the M62 betweenYorkshire and Greater Manchester. Even the best B10M could not touch them.
But as has been mentioned this was in the past and i suppose smoke emission control and fuel economy has took over. And after 10 yrs, the seats will be probably worn out and due an interior refurb.

Fleet News: 29/12/15

There have been no changes to the fleet this week.

Sorry if it's been reported, but, 6028's rear blind isn't working.

Seen in Birtley on the 82 half a 0 showing.

Well i wasn't aware that the NX services had their numbers updated to Arial too! - https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...datetaken/

Looks like a bit has been cut off though.

(30 Dec 2015, 10:12 am)S813 FVK wrote Well i wasn't aware that the NX services had their numbers updated to Arial too! - https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...datetaken/

Looks like a bit has been cut off though.

Possibly the wrong file uploaded into the vehicle?

(30 Dec 2015, 10:12 am)S813 FVK wrote Well i wasn't aware that the NX services had their numbers updated to Arial too! - https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...datetaken/

Looks like a bit has been cut off though.

All of the coaches are currently being updated to include new displays for the 435/436 etc, but I've updated every other destination so that via points coincide with the calling points on the National Express website.

Only the tri-axle Scania coaches should have the route numbers in Arial font as these have the same size display (144x19) as a normal bus. The Volvo coaches all have smaller displays (128x15), which is why these just use the standard font.

The depot appears to have used the wrong profile on that coach - it has been set up as a Scania (Profile 1) instead of a Volvo (Profile 2). This is why nothing fits, as the displays on the Volvos are considerably smaller.

8273's rear blind isn't working

Go North East
1 hr ·
Services 82 & 82A are unable to serve the bus stop at the In-Shops in Washington Galleries, because of a Police road closure.

So with work on Billy Mill and Norham Road starting soon the traffic and delays are going to build up.
How about if there are major delays on the 80 seperate them from the interworkings to minimise delays to 40/41?
What will the 310 and W3 do since the bridge is closing to be demolished?

Seen today nat ex coach with the front display not fitting to the screen and the side display scrolling the via points and the rear display not fitting to the display as well

(30 Dec 2015, 7:32 pm)Transbus574 wrote Seen today nat ex coach with the front display not fitting to the screen and the side display scrolling the via points and the rear display not fitting to the display as well

If you scroll further up this page, you will see Dan has explained why.

I wonder due to GNE only trialing 9109 on the X21 whether or not they merely used that bus to evaluate a similar layout (with tables) to what the Streetdecks down in Brighton have.

On another note referring to the Rare and Odd workings thread, I think the Streetdeck will more than likely be kept and become a spare for the X21 but on the otherhand, the X21 (full route) doesn't operate on evenings and Sundays either. Therefore, I don't know if GNE are due anymore Omnidekkas ut if they are, one could perhaps become a spare with 9119 seing use elsewhere or returned to Wrightbus.

Have just seen an 8 crossing Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland - was a bit of a surprise to say the least!

Go North East has stated on its Facebook page that the Queen Alex Bridge is closed due to a police incident, so all services are diverting via Wearmouth Bridge.

(31 Dec 2015, 1:12 pm)Dan wrote Have just seen an 8 crossing Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland - was a bit of a surprise to say the least!

Go North East has stated on its Facebook page that the Queen Alex Bridge is closed due to a police incident, so all services are diverting via Wearmouth Bridge.

I hope its nothing serious =(

(31 Dec 2015, 12:48 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I wonder due to GNE only trialing 9109 on the X21 whether or not they merely used that bus to evaluate a similar layout (with tables) to what the Streetdecks down in Brighton have.

On another note referring to the Rare and Odd workings thread, I think the Streetdeck will more than likely be kept and become a spare for the X21 but on the otherhand, the X21 (full route) doesn't operate on evenings and Sundays either. Therefore, I don't know if GNE are due anymore Omnidekkas  ut if they are, one could perhaps become a spare with 9119 seing use elsewhere or returned to Wrightbus.

A spare OmniDekka for the X21, should more arrive, would be a good idea in my opinion. While it's not to the same vehicle specification as the Streetdecks will be; an OmniDekka shouldn't have any issues with the route, as they've proved themselves to be workhorses that rarely seem to have any issues, which has led to a popularity amongst enthusiasts. This could allow 6038 to be transferred elsewhere, as 6024/34/35/37/40/41 probably will when the Streetdecks arrive.

Earlier this year Go North East had a customer survey on their website seeking feedback on the demonstrator vehicle used on the Pronto X21.
Does anyone know if the results of the survey were ever shared with the customers?

(31 Dec 2015, 1:19 pm)R852 PRG wrote A spare OmniDekka for the X21, should more arrive, would be a good idea in my opinion. While it's not to the same vehicle specification as the Streetdecks will be; an OmniDekka shouldn't have any issues with the route, as they've proved themselves to be workhorses that rarely seem to have any issues, which has led to a popularity amongst enthusiasts. This could allow 6038 to be transferred elsewhere, as 6024/34/35/37/40/41 probably will when the Streetdecks arrive.

Bad idea imo. Compared to an Arriva Sapphire or MAX route, then they'd have to give people their money back, if they complained about the advertised features not being available.

(31 Dec 2015, 1:43 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Earlier this year Go North East had a customer survey on their website seeking feedback on the demonstrator vehicle used on the Pronto X21.
Does anyone know if the results of the survey were ever shared with the customers?

I believe I filled in the survey, praising the E400MMC, but I never found out the results. We know now anyway that the Streetdeck has seemingly come out on top.

(31 Dec 2015, 1:43 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Earlier this year Go North East had a customer survey on their website seeking feedback on the demonstrator vehicle used on the Pronto X21.
Does anyone know if the results of the survey were ever shared with the customers?

Go North East has not published results of its customer consultations since the beginning of 2014. I think it would be nice to see the results return, especially now that the company are using Survey Monkey online questionnaires, but I cannot really see the benefit to 'normal' customers in providing the results to this questionnaire?

You can find all previous customer consultation results on the link below:
http://web.archive.org/web/2014031902334...sultation/

(31 Dec 2015, 1:49 pm)Adrian wrote Bad idea imo. Compared to an Arriva Sapphire or MAX route, then they'd have to give people their money back, if they complained about the advertised features not being available.

They'll have lower specification vehicles operating the service at peak-times anyway, as the extra Newcastle - Durham peak time services are currently operated by Scania L94 vehicles.

Go North East's now-redundant equivalent scheme - Gold Standard - didn't offer money-back guarantees when the advertised features (full CCTV coverage and recording as well as information screens) were not made available.

(31 Dec 2015, 1:52 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has not published results of its customer consultations since the beginning of 2014. I think it would be nice to see the results return, especially now that the company are using Survey Monkey online questionnaires, but I cannot really see the benefit to 'normal' customers in providing the results to this questionnaire?

You can find all previous customer consultation results on the link below:
http://web.archive.org/web/2014031902334...sultation/


They'll have lower specification vehicles operating the service at peak-times anyway, as the extra Newcastle - Durham peak time services are currently operated by Scania L94 vehicles.

Go North East's now-redundant equivalent scheme - Gold Standard - didn't offer money-back guarantees when the advertised features (full CCTV coverage and recording as well as information screens) were not made available.

I just see them keeping 9119 and using that as a spare - along with what ever for the extra peak time buses.... although its euro 6........... is the rest of the order Euro 6 or are they sticking to Euro 5 for the time-being.

(31 Dec 2015, 2:01 pm)Michael wrote I just see them keeping 9119 and using that as a spare - along with what ever for the extra peak time buses.... although its euro 6........... is the rest of the order Euro 6 or are they sticking to Euro 5 for the time-being.

The only option for the Streetdeck is euro 6?

(31 Dec 2015, 2:04 pm)S813 FVK wrote The only option for the Streetdeck is euro 6?

Streetlites are still available as Euro 5, however.

(31 Dec 2015, 2:04 pm)S813 FVK wrote The only option for the Streetdeck is euro 6?

Not sure, you could be right though... but what about the Streetlites and Solo's?

(31 Dec 2015, 1:52 pm)Dan wrote They'll have lower specification vehicles operating the service at peak-times anyway, as the extra Newcastle - Durham peak time services are currently operated by Scania L94 vehicles.

Go North East's now-redundant equivalent scheme - Gold Standard - didn't offer money-back guarantees when the advertised features (full CCTV coverage and recording as well as information screens) were not made available.

You'd expect the extra features available on the Streetdecks, to be more attractive to those that don't use the service at present. Perhaps having free WiFi, comfortable seating and power sockets, will win commuters over from the train? It's not exactly great when those peak time extras, put in there to help with the commuter loadings, will be ran by 10 year old buses without any of that. If I was commuting that route, I'd deliberately avoid the extras.

I'm actually surprised a couple of spares weren't ordered for Chester, as they could have been used on the 21 too.

I'm not 100% sure off the top of my head, but I think that Gold Standard refunds only applied if your journey was delayed by 30 minutes or more? Whereas Arriva's is just for the sake of contacting them about it. Although you never actually got a refund in either case.