I'm probably going to say it's for demonstration purposes on the Washington local services (82/82A/85/86) to wipe out the MPD's?

Possibly not the 82/82A though due to the Cadet/Merit/President allocation?

To be honest, the best idea would be to trial it on routes that use the Optare Solo considering they are meant to be comparing it to the Solo in the first place.

(06 May 2016, 9:06 pm)GMitchelhill wrote To be honest, the best idea would be to trial it on routes that use the Optare Solo considering they are meant to be comparing it to the Solo in the first place.

But if you use the same routes as a current Solo, how would you know how it is going to perform on the routes you are looking to buy it for?

(06 May 2016, 7:21 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote Im looking through all the services suitable for 9101 and came across a picture of a white streetlight on the 34 and so here is my suggestion of services it could be trailed on.
1)  the ventures
2)  sunderland connect
3) lampton worm
4) 82/85/86
5) 38/238
Not saying its these services just a suggestion and a guess.

My vote is for the Lambton Worm. I have no idea how full the versas get, but the green ones, in defense of the tedious hashtags, do seem to be VOR more often than not, lately.

Do we know if GNE are keeping the Sunderland Connect, yet?

(06 May 2016, 9:11 pm)citaro5284 wrote But if you use the same routes as a current Solo, how would you know how it is going to perform on the routes you are looking to buy it for?

So what was the point of the Optare Metrocity trial then hmmm 

Anyway as a bus passenger, I found the Optare Solo to be far superior product to the Wright Streetlite, though then again the company seems to go for the cheapest rattley rubbish these days.

(06 May 2016, 8:21 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'm probably going to say it's for demonstration purposes on the Washington local services (82/82A/85/86) to wipe out the MPD's?

Possibly not the 82/82A though due to the Cadet/Merit/President allocation?

The bus should transfer to Washington on Monday, and, following a period of driver familiarisation, be allocated to services 82/82A/82B for one week. After this, it will be used on services 85/86 for a further week.

It will transfer out of Washington after this, for a further two-week trial on another service.

(06 May 2016, 7:49 pm)citaro5284 wrote Not the 18.....pdiddy will be wanting it there for sure

 pleeeezzzz

(07 May 2016, 5:39 am)Dan wrote The bus should transfer to Washington on Monday, and, following a period of driver familiarisation, be allocated to services 82/82A/82B for one week. After this, it will be used on services 85/86 for a further week.

It will transfer out of Washington after this, for a further two-week trial on another service.

The people who use the 82/82A/82B/85/86 will think Christmas has come early!

(06 May 2016, 6:47 pm)Michael wrote Is there a limited amount of tickets or is it to get an estimate of how many people will turn up for future reference?

Well, the tickets look to have all 'sold out' now. However, there was never an advertised amount of tickets available?

(07 May 2016, 8:48 am)S813 FVK wrote Well, the tickets look to have all 'sold out' now. However, there was never an advertised amount of tickets available?

What?!?!?!?!!?!

(07 May 2016, 8:33 am)Michael wrote The people who use the 82/82A/82B/85/86 will think Christmas has come early!

Really?! I'd rather have one of 8261-8265 or 570/603-606.

Does anyone know if any of the new Prince Bishops streetlites are out today?

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

(05 May 2016, 6:02 pm)Dan wrote Probably early next week for them entering service now.

A Streetlite has gone to Deptford for familiarisation but I doubt they will manage to get through all of Deptford's drivers within two days.

Thanks Michael
Hadn't seen that

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

(07 May 2016, 9:25 am)randomdude wrote Thanks Michael
Hadn't seen that

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

No worries, thought i would just quote Dan's post as its easier =).

Hopefully they are out early next week! =)

(07 May 2016, 9:26 am)Michael wrote No worries, thought i would just quote Dan's post as its easier =).

Hopefully they are out early next week! =)

Current plan is for six to enter service on Tuesday.

(07 May 2016, 9:17 am)randomdude wrote Does anyone know if any of the new Prince Bishops streetlites are out today?

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

The purple Solars (or at least some of them), are recieving 'coming soon' posters.
A date hasn't been given on the posters.

(07 May 2016, 9:30 am)Dan wrote Current plan is for six to enter service on Tuesday.

Cool, Will they be in service from first thing or put in to service during the day?

Will they replace the branded Scania's so they can go to SM for repaint, quickens them up to get other buses done.

(07 May 2016, 9:35 am)Michael wrote Cool, Will they be in service from first thing or put in to service during the day?

Will they replace the branded Scania's so they can go to SM for repaint, quickens them up to get other buses done.

I personally can't see any reason for them not to allocate them from the start of service. 

The branded Scanias will obviously going for a repaint, too. Although maybe not all at once.

(07 May 2016, 9:31 am)Andreos1 wrote The purple Solars (or at least some of them), are recieving 'coming soon' posters.
A date hasn't been given on the posters.

We're on 5214 and that has one.

(07 May 2016, 9:35 am)Michael wrote Cool, Will they be in service from first thing or put in to service during the day?

Will they replace the branded Scania's so they can go to SM for repaint, quickens them up to get other buses done.

(07 May 2016, 9:39 am)S813 FVK wrote I personally can't see any reason for them not to allocate them from the start of service. 

The branded Scanias will obviously going for a repaint, too. Although maybe not all at once.

Final preparation for service should be achieved on at least six of the seven which have arrived so far (5420/21/22/23/24/25/32) on Monday, ready for run out on Tuesday morning. There may be a few things that crop up at last minute, though.

(07 May 2016, 9:39 am)S813 FVK wrote I personally can't see any reason for them not to allocate them from the start of service. 

The branded Scanias will obviously going for a repaint, too. Although maybe not all at once.

Me too but i was just asking because its happened in the past where new buses have entered service during the day.


Don't see why at least 4 of branded can go to SM for repaint once the Streetlites start to enter service.

Tickets are now back in operation for the Riverside event

(07 May 2016, 9:52 am)Michael wrote Me too but i was just asking because its happened in the past where new buses have entered service during the day.


Don't see why at least 4 of branded can go to SM for repaint once the Streetlites start to enter service.

4954 is out today still in pb livery if any one needs it it left park lane at 09:10 towards shields

(07 May 2016, 10:04 am)S813 FVK wrote Tickets are now back in operation for the Riverside event

Where do you buy them?

(06 May 2016, 2:24 pm)Michael wrote FREE Family Fun Day at Gateshead Riverside Depot – Sunday 22 May

http://www.simplygo.com/news/family-fun-...day-22-may

(07 May 2016, 10:06 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Where do you buy them?

(07 May 2016, 10:06 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Where do you buy them?

They're completely free - you can register for a ticket and print it out on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/go-north-...86#tickets

(07 May 2016, 10:08 am)Dan wrote They're completely free - you can register for a ticket and print it out on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/go-north-...86#tickets

Thanks Dan and Michael

(07 May 2016, 10:04 am)S813 FVK wrote Tickets are now back in operation for the Riverside event

phew.................!

I bet Andreos has his printed off already.

I was expecting them that had them trading them on the black market 

(07 May 2016, 10:08 am)Dan wrote They're completely free - you can register for a ticket and print it out on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/go-north-...86#tickets

And if you have an iPhone, and have the event brite app you can add them to your wallet, that's what have done with mine so I don't lose them