(23 Dec 2015, 12:28 am)BusLoverMum wrote Now, warm, they're not! (Except in a heatwave!)

Coming from someone who hates the cold - I think they can get quite warm, once they've been out in service for a few hours.

Or the GNE ones do, at least!

(17 Dec 2015, 10:55 pm)G-CPTN wrote I will miss the MPDs . . .

I MAY LOOSE THE WILL TO LIVE HEN 547, 555 and 619 GO!

(22 Dec 2015, 9:34 pm)Michael wrote See i've only ever used it on parts of the routes, i haven't done all the route yet with the streetlites... thats something i will do when i get time, i'll report back on that.

I'd rather have Streetlites than Scania's though... for the free WIFI, plugs etc... i do like the scania's on the route though....

I think Streetlites will be a regular order now...

I thought I had replied to this last night. Obviously didn't.

I had a look online for dimensions, comparing the Solar to the Streetlite.
I was specifically looking for the width, as the Streetlites feel narrower or very cylindrical (like sitting in a tube).

Although I couldn't find the width of a Solar L94, I did find the width of the articulated version.
If wiki is correct, there is quite a difference between the two.
I imagine it to be particularly noticeable when you are trying your hardest to avoid putting your face in someone's crotch.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_StreetLite

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Solar_Fusion

Totally agree with your last point.
The Streetlite looks to be the vehicle of choice these days. The new Dart?

I have tried to be fair with the vehicles, giving them a chance. I think I did a review of them (trying to be as balanced as possible) when new on the X66. Having ridden them elsewhere (and on the X66 a few times since) I am not sure at all about them now.

To be honest, I try to avoid them, preferring a Merc on the 49's if doing a Metrocentre trip or hoping 5332 will turn up - which it did last time I got the X66.
Similarly, I look for alternatives if heading to/from Chester or Sunderland.
Mind, I have done some bashing to get the idle curiosity out of my system.

They seem to be a vehicle that stir a lot of opinions.

edit: I did do a small review http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=307&pid=103501

(23 Dec 2015, 8:55 am)NK53 TKT wrote I MAY LOOSE THE WILL TO LIVE HEN 547, 555 and 619 GO!

542's the one.

(23 Dec 2015, 8:55 am)NK53 TKT wrote I MAY LOOSE THE WILL TO LIVE HEN 547, 555 and 619 GO!

Clearly, based on this post, you're very ambitious in life.

Maybe the Solos for Tynedale Links could be in a Coast&County styled livery?

Excuse the fast mock-up, and yes thats Hadrians Wall.

(23 Dec 2015, 12:35 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Maybe the Solos for Tynedale Links could be in a Coast&County styled livery?

Excuse the fast mock-up, and yes thats Hadrians Wall.

I really like that. 

Except the V8 isn't part of the Tynedale Links !

(23 Dec 2015, 1:34 pm)Michael wrote I really like that. 

Except the V8 isn't part of the Tynedale Links !

The net he has used is the Venture one seen on ronandton.wordpress.com (hence 641s registration also been visible).

(23 Dec 2015, 1:36 pm)S813 FVK wrote The net he has used is the Venture one seen on ronandton.wordpress.com (hence 641s registration also been visible).

Ahhh didn't notice that!

(22 Dec 2015, 11:57 pm)JP6004 wrote Maybe they don't need as many decker after the reduction of the 921 service at end of Feb? 

Wouldn't make sense as currently the X1's from Easington Lane drop from 6 an hour to 4 after 4pm allowing 2 buses per hour to do the 921 service.  I would have thought the PVR would remain the same during the daytime for a service of every 10 minutes.

(23 Dec 2015, 12:35 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Maybe the Solos for Tynedale Links could be in a Coast&County styled livery?

Excuse the fast mock-up, and yes thats Hadrians Wall.

Do one for the X21 then!!!

(23 Dec 2015, 8:03 pm)pdiddy wrote Do one for the X21 then!!!

Will do when I'm back at home. 

Not like me to be out for this long 

(23 Dec 2015, 7:31 pm)gordondack wrote Wouldn't make sense as currently the X1's from Easington Lane drop from 6 an hour to 4 after 4pm allowing 2 buses per hour to do the 921 service.  I would have thought the PVR would remain the same during the daytime for a service of every 10 minutes.

'Docking' morning and afternoon services in the according direction to acommodate has been in the game for a while now. Not only happens to the X1 but also the Cobalt Clippers:

AM:
- 0725 X39 to Cobalt then light to New York before running a 309 to Blyth at 0754.

- 0755 & 0825 X39s to Cobalt then down to Middle Engine Lane to run 310s to Shields at 0824 and 0854.

PM:
-1559 & 1632 309s that arrive in Blyth run light to Cobalt and work the X39s at 1635 and 1705 (1605 is normally a red shed). This means that the 309 then only runs mostly every 30 minutes between Blyth and Cobalt section of the route.

- In situ, the 310s which depart North Shields at 1626, 1656 and 1748 terminate on Norham Road then run light to Cobalt Village Hotel to operate the 309 at 1645, 1717 and 1810. This then means that the 310 runs mostly every 30 minutes between Norham Road / Darras Drive and Newcastle.

That's if the service remains every 10mins. Like the 56 I think it only warrants a bus every 12 mins during the day. Only the peak time X1 journeys are worthy of a 10min frequency

Are the Solos that NTL are getting going to be same spec as indigo?
They going to be same branding as mpd?

(25 Dec 2015, 11:12 pm)dannygee wrote Are the Solos that NTL are getting going to be same spec as indigo?
They going to be same branding as mpd?

I'd be surprised if they weren't the same spec. Looking over the previous year's order, it's pretty much becoming a fleet standard.

(22 Dec 2015, 9:37 pm)Davie wrote The reason I posted this was because 6001has gained advertisement boards, while 6004 hasn't. Of course, it may just be so that it will be like 3943, and have adverts as well as Redarrows branding, or it may be coming off the service.
Good. I think the B9s are suitabke for the X1, and Go North East would probably only replace the with Streetwrecks anyway.

6001-6003 are remaining Red Arrows, advert frames are being fitted to maintain the volume of advertising space that is contractually required.
All the Red Arrows vehicles are being repainted and updated branding will shortly be applied.

(02 Jan 2016, 9:57 pm)busmanT wrote 6001-6003 are remaining Red Arrows, advert frames are being fitted to maintain the volume of advertising space that is contractually required.
All the Red Arrows vehicles are being repainted and updated branding will shortly be applied.

That's fine than.

Does anyone know the month for when the Streetlites are due for the Prince Bishops?

(09 Jan 2016, 11:42 am)Michael wrote Does anyone know the month for when the Streetlites are due for the Prince Bishops?

Yes

(09 Jan 2016, 12:14 pm)citaro5284 wrote Yes

And he ain't ganna tell us lot!

(09 Jan 2016, 11:42 am)Michael wrote Does anyone know the month for when the Streetlites are due for the Prince Bishops?

(09 Jan 2016, 12:14 pm)citaro5284 wrote Yes

(09 Jan 2016, 12:22 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote And he ain't ganna tell us lot!

I was just answering his question 

(02 Jan 2016, 9:59 pm)Davie wrote That's fine than.

I think that they'll be there to stay now until at least 2018 / 2019 and I don't think they'll be replaced. Mind you though, I thought that they were good candidates for replacement giving the Pronto needing newer stock and Riverside needing more backup vehicles for the TEN / TTX as well as a few others.

I honestly can't think of any other decker routes that require an upgrade and if they were to upgrade the 27 to double deck vehicles, I think that another batch of Streetdecks would most likely end up being ordered but bar a few runs where the Metro is off and perhaps a very small number of peak time runs, I don't think GNE will replace the Citaros as they do the job well.

I think GNE are looking to keep the Omnicities, Citaros and B9TLs (bar the TTX) on their retrospective routes for as long as possible before seeking replacements. Just look at the Coaster, GNE have recently fitted Wi-Fi onboard and that in itself shows commitment to keeping them for that bit longer. I know that GNE replaced the Red Kite examples but they were then utilised (at the time) to replace some of the aging vehicles on the 11/31/32.

Although in theory having a 10 year old vehicle running around even on some very profitable routes is a bad idea, unlike some of Arriva's refurbished Sapphires up and down the Country, the vehicles in question bar a few, don't really have much questionable history behind them (being used on the likes of the X93 etc) which could determine the reliability of them.

(09 Jan 2016, 12:26 pm)citaro5284 wrote I was just answering his question 

,  i thought u would reply with an answer like that , least it answered my question

Na what which month are we expecting them?, soon isn't a answer Citaro or Dan! Haha .

(09 Jan 2016, 12:41 pm)Michael wrote ,  i thought u would reply with an answer like that , least it answered my question

Na what which month are we expecting them?, soon isn't a answer Citaro or Dan! Haha .

I think it will at least be in the first 1/2 of this year more than likely.

With the X21 getting newer stock, do you think GNE could end up enhancing the service by perhaps introducing an evening and Sunday service throughout the whole route?

(09 Jan 2016, 3:39 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think it will at least be in the first 1/2 of this year more than likely.

With the X21 getting newer stock, do you think GNE could end up enhancing the service by perhaps introducing an evening and Sunday service throughout the whole route?

It would be good if they did, least then it can be the correct allocations on a evening and Sunday.

Will any of the 21 timetable have to be changed though if the interworking at Durham is stopped?

Does anyone know when the new streetlites are due for the 20 ?

I wonder why GNE went for the Streetdeck rather than the Volvo B5TL?

(14 Jan 2016, 10:20 pm)SGS wrote I wonder why GNE went for the Streetdeck rather than the Volvo B5TL?

Presumably, out of the three vehicles trialled for the X21, the Streetdeck must have ticked all of the boxes in the eyes of Go North East (although many people seem to view the Enviro400MMC as the more suitable choice, although I suspect a general prejudice towards Wrights products has helped to form that opinion, as I certainly couldn't see anything wrong with 9119's performance last Saturday on the X21, and that is after seeing use on various other services during it's long trial). Didn't personally think the Volvo B5TL was up for the job.

Is the brand of the solos for North Tyne Links staying same or changed?
How many wheelchair/buggy bays will be on board?