Hate them seats, hate facing others on the bus to.

(01 Oct 2013, 8:38 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote god damn it, I shall try and not sit in this seat as it is just awful as I learned on the 2C a few weeks back

At least if someone is sitting next to you, they will stop you from falling

(01 Oct 2013, 8:44 pm)citaro5284 wrote At least if someone is sitting next to you, they will stop you from falling

Short people probably like that seat - and the highest of the three sideways facing ones at the back

(01 Oct 2013, 8:46 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Short people probably like that seat - and the highest of the three sideways facing ones at the back

No sideway seats on these at the rear, either front or rear facing only, something like this, but not as much difference between the height of seats

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M...rior_2.JPG

(01 Oct 2013, 8:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote No sideway seats on these at the rear, either front or rear facing only

Much better!

(01 Oct 2013, 8:50 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Much better!

I agree, it doesn't look so bad facing forwards

8267 on road test at Park Lane. A WTX has just been taken out of service and replaced by 4909 too.
8305 has also just died.

Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:08 am)Daniel wrote Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.

wow that's my new fav brand!

re-posting the list for the dates for new buses to arrive..(thanks Rob)

Lets get it right, on order:

11 Mercedes Citaro for MetroLINK -ALL HERE =D - Enter service mid October at a date to be confirmed.

8 Wright Streetlite for Drifter and 8 Wright Streetlite for Saltwell Park, which are due to start arriving towards the end of October - Drifter variants first. They are 2 different lengths for those who like the details.

14 Optare Versa for Citylink, which are due to start arriving mid/late October.

12 Optare Solo SR for Venture, which are due to arriving mid November.

34 Volvo B9/Wright Gemini for Fab Fifty Six and Cobalt Clipper, which are due to start arriving late December.

From the initial arrival dates, it will take a few weeks for everything to arrive, be fitted with the key smart card readers, have blinds programmed, branded, tested and ready to go.

In terms of the additional 15 vehicles which could be arriving next year, details have not been confirmed. What I will say, is that there is 1 route which has had no change for a while, and a lot of you have speculated for a while that it will get upgrades before the Waggonway. That one!


He also confirmed... Basically yes, all of the buses arriving are different to those currently in service. The brand has to be updated to match the new style of the vehicle. If you are to ask if brand names will be changing, then it is a mixed answer. Some will change, some will stay the same. I'm pretty sure a few references to those changes and those staying have already been made on this forum. A little bit of searching and I'm sure the results can be found.

The Saltwell Park Versa will be making their way to the Washington Street Shuttle services M2 and M3. 4 will transfer to Chester-le-Street for 34 and 34A services, leaving the remaining 4 at Deptford for service 61, which I believe is due to leave the Drifter brand identity. Services W5 and W6 are to leave the Washington Street Shuttle brand, and will be operated by MPDs 603-606, with 1 spare older MPD being retained from the current batch of Washington Street Shuttle MPDs, I believe it will be 570.

The MetroLink is to be re-branded and will feature a brand new striking design on the Citaro's bright blue bodywork.

This gives Washington depot a newly designed MetroLink (at present) brand and a newly designed Washington Street Shuttle (at present) brand.

I do look forward to the rumors circulating regarding out bright orange Volvo B9s and the lovely flower patterns to be covering these vehicles.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:08 am)Daniel wrote Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.

Isn't that the Tynedale Express livery with a different name on it? Does look quite smart - and at least they can recycle the orange boiler suits for the launch!

(02 Oct 2013, 10:32 am)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Isn't that the Tynedale Express livery with a different name on it? Does look quite smart - and at least they can recycle the orange boiler suits for the launch!

haha just noticed it is

Its much better than the current rubbish Citylink brand, well to me it is

They both look good in orange, can't to see the new

Washington Street Shuttle brand on the Versa's for the M2/M3

From the GNE FB page:

Go North East
Due to an incident at Blackett Street in Newcastle, services are diverting via St Mary's Place.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:08 am)Daniel wrote Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.

Is it me or does the route wording along the side of the top says Heworth to Newcastle only?.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:48 am)cbma06 wrote Is it me or does the route wording along the side of the top says Heworth to Newcastle only?.

Hmm yeh maybe they only putting that because it runs every 10 mins between them locations then continues every 20 Mins to Coast Road » Battle Hill Drive » Hadrian Park

not sure though, Nothing being on VOSA for changes

Unless anyone else know's?

(02 Oct 2013, 10:36 am)Liam wrote The Citylink was actually given this brand first, with the Tynedalexpress being planned as pink. A last minute decision was taken to change the Tynedalexpress brand, with the design being based on the Citylink designs.

Maybe, GNE had seconds thoughts of the pink brand for the Tynedale express, so painted the buses the same as the new Citylink orange just in case the X84 and X85 wasn't a hit and then there could transfer them over to the 58's at a later time.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:40 am)Michael wrote They both look good in orange, can't to see the new

Washington Street Shuttle brand on the Versa's for the M2/M3

I wonder if GNE will be dropping the "M" brand off the M2/M3 same as there done the M1 into 4.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:58 am)Liam wrote I believe the other side has a different set of route destinations... I can't remember for sure though.

Its a bit weird if the other side of the bus has different route description on, as the passengers wont see it when the bus pulls into the bus stop, the only way the passenger will see it when there cant cross the road to catch the bus and there miss it.

"bit of off topic" I remember when Sunderland had the Metro riders in the Wear Buses livery on service 141/142/144 and 254 etc... the drivers used to change the rear number blind to "BYE" and their changed the side number blind to "ELO".

(02 Oct 2013, 10:48 am)cbma06 wrote Is it me or does the route wording along the side of the top says Heworth to Newcastle only?.

The other side shows all key destinations of the current Citylink route. The branding on the nearside shows 'every 10 minutes' so Go North East can promote the frequency of the service between Leam Estate and Newcastle - of course with the additional benefit of WiFi.

(02 Oct 2013, 10:08 am)Daniel wrote Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.

That looks really smart despite similarities to the Tynedale Xpress Livery, Hopefully a better image of it will become available at some point over the coming days. And I am quite looking forward to getting out in the winter cold to photograph all the new arrivals over the coming months.

Lol i asked about the 39 branding my reply..

I'm unaware if any changes to branding of the service 39.

Wonder if we will get a new Doxford Clipper brand then?

Better photo of the New Citylink Brand - Photo credit to Gregg Collins

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcbp/10054749386/

Thanks, it looks good

561 has now been debranded following her transfer to Deptford, and is on 39s today. At town now heading for Doxford Park.

4844 on the x25 (half an x yellow...) crowded at the Mill House roundabout just now.

Deckers may be quiet during the day, but if that is still standing room only this far into the route, maybe single deckers are a no-no during peaks

(02 Oct 2013, 4:11 pm)Rob wrote Set 2 of the 8 new route arrivals have now been identified I see. 6 more to go, with the Drifter Streetlite up next.

A little roundup:

Citaro 5358 – 5368 filling the void on MetroLINK / Connections 4 service, will allow the following will occur:

• Scania 4956, 4957, 4958, 4959 and 4960 will move to Chester-le-Street for 28/28A services, to be branded in 2/3 weeks.
  
• Scania 4961, 4962 and 4963 are due to remain at Washington as allocated Northern vehicles.
  
• Scania 4964, 4965 and 4966 will move to Deptford as allocated Northern vehicles.
  

Versa filling the void on Citylink services, will allow Mercedes artics 5340, 5342 to 5346 and 5349 to 5356 will be withdrawn from the fleet.

Thanks Rob =D

Great 3 more Scania's for Deptford =D

Shame the artic's are going so soon, they were rubbish but seems a waste buying them, Wonder if GNE has a buyer for them?

Looking forward to riding the Streetlite, iv'e yet to ride one

Wonder what colour the Saltwell Park buses will be?

(02 Oct 2013, 4:16 pm)Andreos1 wrote 4844 on the x25 (half an x yellow...) crowded at the Mill House roundabout just now.

Deckers may be quiet during the day, but if that is still standing room only this far into the route, maybe single deckers are a no-no during peaks

The X25 is a weird service for passenger loadings. Can be nearly full with deckers some days and very quiet on other days.

I saw a Renown today on the 10:00 service from Wrekenton to Newcastle and that was standing room only. On Monday, 4837 was doing the 08:15ish rush-hour service from Wrekenton heading to NCL. Again, standing room only.

Anyway, that's enough anecdotes for now. Point is, I agree that deckers are needed on certain journeys.

(02 Oct 2013, 4:11 pm)Rob wrote [*]Scania 4964, 4965 and 4966 will move to Deptford as allocated Northern vehicles.
[/list]

I don't think 4966 is going to Deptford anymore

(02 Oct 2013, 4:34 pm)Adam wrote The X25 is a weird service for passenger loadings. Can be nearly full with deckers some days and very quiet on other days.

I saw a Renown today on the 10:00 service from Wrekenton to Newcastle and that was standing room only. On Monday, 4837 was doing the 08:15ish rush-hour service from Wrekenton heading to NCL. Again, standing room only.

Anyway, that's enough anecdotes for now. Point is, I agree that deckers are needed on certain journeys.

I wonder if the 21 has any bearing on it?
The people on it tonight, won't have all got on along Old Durham Road and won't all get off on Portobello or Vigo Lane...

(02 Oct 2013, 4:11 pm)Rob wrote Set 2 of the 8 new route arrivals have now been identified I see. 6 more to go, with the Drifter Streetlite up next.

Hang on, you mention 8 routes/brands which are to receive new vehicles. I can only think of 7 (Connections4, Citylink, Drifter, Saltwell Park, Venture, Fab Fifty Six & Cobalt Clipper).

Has an order now been placed regarding those rumoured 15 more vehicles, therefore forming the 8th brand to receive new buses? Or is it something completely different? Or am I completely blind and missed something?