Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - April 2016

[South Tyne Lad]

Was it GNE who bought the Sunderland Connect Solo SR's or did Sunderland uni, NEXUS and Sunderland Council put money together for them, due to them all funding it?

Next year it will be 5 years since the Sunderland Connect launched... i was wondering if NEXUS etc would want new buses on the route.... if GNE win the contract again.

GNE would've put some money towards the Hybrids, Though they would've been funded through that Green Bus Grant back then too.

I wouldn't be surprised if GNE keep the contract, Theve invested quite a bit in it since it was launched.

[Michael]

GNE would've put some money towards the Hybrids, Though they would've been funded through that Green Bus Grant back then too.

I wouldn't be surprised if GNE keep the contract, Theve invested quite a bit in it since it was launched.

I think they could have, i hope they do keep it, they've done a lot for the brand.

It seems to be really popular, i wish they would send it all the way down to Seaburn in summer and not stopping it at Roker, especially when Seaburn is getting done up.

[South Tyne Lad]

I think they could have, i hope they do keep it, they've done a lot for the brand.

It seems to be really popular, i wish they would send it all the way down to Seaburn in summer and not stopping it at Roker, especially when Seaburn is getting done up.

That's a good idea extending it to Seaburn, Though that will probably need the Diesel Spare Solo allocated full time.

[Michael]

That's a good idea extending it to Seaburn, Though that will probably need the Diesel Spare Solo allocated full time.

Ye that would be the only problem and with Deptford not having 635 or 636 , they'll be no spare Solo Sr's - unless of cause they use one of the Versa's.


With it coming up to 5 years, hopefully new buses could be bought for them.

[S813 FVK]

Any news on 636? Seems to have dropped off the radar over the past few weeks. According to the GNE site, it has been transferred to Hexham as planned - on paper, at least.

[Dan]

Any news on 636? Seems to have dropped off the radar over the past few weeks. According to the GNE site, it has been transferred to Hexham as planned - on paper, at least.

It's VOR, and has been since the end of February. It has yet to be repainted and branded.

Go North East records it as a Hexham-based bus, as it's technically not a Deptford-based bus any more (as its replacement has arrived and entered service at Deptford). That bus also forms part of the PVR at Hexham now, so needs to be shown as VOR there.

[S813 FVK]

It's VOR, and has been since the end of February. It has yet to be repainted and branded.

Go North East records it as a Hexham-based bus, as it's technically not a Deptford-based bus any more (as its replacement has arrived and entered service at Deptford). That bus also forms part of the PVR at Hexham now, so needs to be shown as VOR there.

Oh dear. Must be something reasonably 'bad' for it to be VOR for over a month.

[citaro5284]

Oh dear. Must be something reasonably 'bad' for it to be VOR for over a month.

Nah, it just it has had to go to Bells Trucks, so they dont rush and you just join the queue.

[S813 FVK]

Nah, it just it has had to go to Bells Trucks, so they dont rush and you just join the queue.

Ah right. A quite search on google maps shows that it was where that i saw 633 a few months ago now. It was the one over in Benton and i found it very odd. Had no idea it was that company, though.

[Dan]

Ah right. A quite search on google maps shows that it was where that i saw 633 a few months ago now. It was the one over in Benton and i found it very odd. Had no idea it was that company, though.

I believe it's on the Team Valley.

[Andreos1]

Ah right. A quite search on google maps shows that it was where that i saw 633 a few months ago now. It was the one over in Benton and i found it very odd. Had no idea it was that company, though.

Cue everyone heading to Benton!
From what I know of Bells, I would say it's down the Valley.

[S813 FVK]

I believe it's on the Team Valley.

There is one on the Team Valley, yes.

[citaro5284]

There is one on the Team Valley, yes.

Its in the fruit market on the Valley

[northern156]

Bell's in Durham too and you get some lovely chips from there

[Si1989]

Its in the fruit market on the Valley

Bells on the valley has closed down now all vehicles are now done at benton

[Andreos1]

Bells on the valley has closed down now all vehicles are now done at benton

Missed that one! When did that happen?

[Si1989]

Missed that one! When did that happen?

Few month ago. They have one fitter based there for call outs. But all work is done at benton now.

[Andreos1]

Few month ago. They have one fitter based there for call outs. But all work is done at benton now.

Just done some digging and found out the reasons why.
Interesting times ahead at Benton it seems!

[thetravelman]

If the Cadets are likely to be withdrawn in the near future, what will happen with the Cadets within the Driving School?

Will these also be withdrawn, Anyone any ideas or in the know of what the Training School is likely to receive in their place?

Since the Driving School received the Cadets when the coaches went to Hexham for School Contract work, they never got painted into the Training School livery like the coaches did, all they received were "L" plates and a yellow Training Vehicle vinyl to the front. I've always thought they never looked finished and could do with a bit more branding up!

[Davie]

I was going to mention this earlier but forgot; 6080's front destination blind is only showing the destination and not the service number.