(08 Oct 2016, 11:36 am)Dan wrote The running board is as follows:

- 08:12 #V8 (Park Horse - Stanley)
- Services 689 / 687 / 682
- 15:23 #831 (St Bedes School - Stanley)
- 16:05 #90 (Team Valley - Winlaton)
- 17:00 #12 (Blaydon - Newcastle)
- 17:55 #V8 (Metrocentre - Stanley)

Following use on the Tesco Consett service earlier in the day, 604 was allocated to the second half of the running board (831 service onwards) to replace Solo 641. 641 was instead allocated to services 45/47.

Thanks. I thought it must have been the V8 at first (suggested stronger by the timetable) but as it is usually a Venture bus anyway as opposed to a decker like the rest of the scholars services, it has always blended in.

Still no NSAs on TEN.

Only 3943 and 6050 to receive the new "Red Arrows" brand now.

(09 Oct 2016, 1:51 pm)Michael wrote Only 3943 and 6050 to receive the new "Red Arrows" brand now.

It has not took too long then 

(09 Oct 2016, 1:53 pm)citaro5284 wrote It has not took too long then 

It hasn't!

Whats in for repaint next? (not including the Omnidekka's and Solo's)

(09 Oct 2016, 1:55 pm)Michael wrote It hasn't!

Whats in for repaint next? (not including the Omnidekka's and Solo's)

Wait and see

(09 Oct 2016, 2:08 pm)Malarkey wrote Wait and see

It'll probables be the buses in plain red, allowing them to get the blue at back of the bus.

(09 Oct 2016, 1:55 pm)Michael wrote It hasn't

Apart from the fact the rebranding process was started in November 2015 when 6001 was repainted I understand that it was due to other projects though which is fair enough.

(09 Oct 2016, 2:18 pm)S813 FVK wrote Apart from the fact the rebranding process was started in November 2015 when 6001 was repainted I understand that it was due to other projects though which is fair enough.

, ye but still should of been GNE's priority to get them done!


I think they'll be gone next or in a couple of years from the "Red Arrows" anyway as they'll be 5/6 years old...

Anyone would think I uploaded a photo of 6050 to Flickr this morning, with these comments...

(09 Oct 2016, 2:22 pm)Dan wrote Anyone would think I uploaded a photo of 6050 to Flickr this morning, with these comments...

Nope, i got it from the news/fleet lists on here haha

(09 Oct 2016, 1:55 pm)Michael wrote It hasn't!

Whats in for repaint next? (not including the Omnidekka's and Solo's)

Red hybrids 

(09 Oct 2016, 3:21 pm)Ambassador wrote Red hybrids 

Wishful thinking!

(09 Oct 2016, 3:29 pm)Dan wrote Wishful thinking!

Would 5323 be repainted for Diamond and 5292 go to riverside for 57 upon its return? I'm aware that there has been instances where companies have done this out of respect...

(09 Oct 2016, 3:40 pm)JP6004 wrote Would 5323 be repainted for Diamond and 5292 go to riverside for 57 upon its return? I'm aware that there has been instances where companies have done this out of respect...

I was thinking something like this. 4907 was swapped with 4843 (initially 4845) after its incident, albeit that wasn't off the road for half as long as 5292.

(09 Oct 2016, 3:29 pm)Dan wrote Wishful thinking!

You continue to disappoint Dan!     

3962/65 will be hitting 11 next year and are still a better ride and internally in better nick than the 2012 Hybrids.

Not long now

(09 Oct 2016, 7:28 pm)pdiddy wrote Not long now

Till what?

I would like to see the TEN group of services receive some new buses, either a full set for the PVR or just to make up the existing branded to a full set, so that Red corporate vehicles don't have to be used. Don't think it is very good having so many TEN service being run by a Red corporate vehicle.

Are the TEN likely to receive an upgrade soon, or even just the few to make up the full PVR in branded spec?

Not sure if i'm right but looking on the fleet list there's only 11 more B10's left in the main fleet... It'll not long before they go.

Didn't even notice they're going do fast.

(09 Oct 2016, 9:03 pm)thetravelman wrote I would like to see the TEN group of services receive some new buses, either a full set for the PVR or just to make up the existing branded to a full set, so that Red corporate vehicles don't have to be used. Don't think it is very good having so many TEN service being run by a Red corporate vehicle.

Are the TEN likely to receive an upgrade soon, or even just the few to make up the full PVR in branded spec?

My thoughts on new orders and cascades :-


19 Wright streetdeck for Chester. 17 for Angel 21, and two red spares for X21/21.

15 B5H to Stanley for Red Kite.

B9TL 6118-21 to Percy Main for DFDS 327.

Streetlite 5409-18 to Riverside for Blaydon Racer.  5419 to Riverside as a spare for X66/49.

Mercedes Citaro 5275-83/5292 onto Green Arrow, with 5323 to Stanley for 16/16A.


18 Optare MetroDecker for Riverside/Hexham. 16 for TyneValley (was TEN), with 2 red spares.

B9TL 6071-83 onto Crusader, with 6084 as a red spare.

Mercedes Citaro 5310-18 onto Loop.  5319 as red spare.

Mercedes Citaro 5328/29/30/31 to Hexham for Tynedale Express, with 5332 as a red spare.

Scania 5229/30/31/32/33 to Chester for Waggonway 28/28A.


This would allow 4926-4949 and 4954-66 to be withdrawn, and 4967 to become red spare.
5218-28 would be used on 67/69, with 7 spare.


3941/3942/43, 3962/63/64/65 would become spare, allowing 3885/86/87/88/89/90/91 to be withdrawn.

(09 Oct 2016, 10:00 pm)Michael wrote Not sure if i'm right but looking on the fleet list there's only 11 more B10's left in the main fleet... It'll not long before they go.

Didn't even notice they're going do fast.

Should GNE consider Volvo 7900 as Full size single Decker for selected services: e.g. Northern Service 6 (re-branded as Newcastle Diamond / Magpie, X30-2 / X70-1/ Coaster, Crusader, new services servicing Airport from County Durham and Tee-side?
Branding in General: I would like to see a much more uniform approach to branding i.e, Corporate identity and Sub branding in a defined font, with secondary route branding and colour identity still being identifiable  as related to Corporate Brand ("Go Northeast" (Northern Depots) / "Northern" (Southern Depots).

Route Branding has, in my opinion, become too diverse and unrelated to corporate identity. My marketing and brand background is from 30 years in Multi-national, where link to Corporate brand is paramount to perception of quality and consistence of service.
Be interested to hear views on how brands / sub-brands - route branding should evolve to incorporate corporate values. - I think Brand/ Route Marketing within GNE are currently given too free reign, and focus should be much more on corporate promoting standards of quality and service and fewer meaningless route brands.
Express
Express services should have some point of difference e.g.  Limited stops, ex National Express Coaches used on long distance routes and on possible new routes to Airport where luggage is anticipated and journeys charged at premium fares (But below alternative methods of travel e.g. via multi mode/ rail)

Single deckers on northerns or X30s as an investment is cruel. Peak journeys on omnicities on either regularly leaves 12 standing, and every seat filled on an omnidekka or president.
If anything other than double deckers are cascaded on to either, I'm getting my bike out and cycling - it's ridiculous how packed they get at times and how many complaints about it get ignored.

Trident 3867 has reverted back to its original registration and is currently in the process of losing its extended luggage racks.

Had 703 on the 82 earlier on, and the Bus Station Manager came over to speak to the driver at The Galleries, in which he advised that Head Office had been on phone asking why the older Solos were on the 82 and why two SR's were on the 86 and advised them to be swapped over asap.

(10 Oct 2016, 1:59 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Trident 3867 has reverted back to its original registration and is currently in the process of losing its extended luggage racks.

3866 should have reverted back to its original registration too

(08 Oct 2016, 3:42 pm)G-CPTN wrote Still no NSAs on TEN.

or the Q3

(09 Oct 2016, 3:40 pm)JP6004 wrote Would 5323 be repainted for Diamond and 5292 go to riverside for 57 upon its return? I'm aware that there has been instances where companies have done this out of respect...

(09 Oct 2016, 3:47 pm)S813 FVK wrote I was thinking something like this. 4907 was swapped with 4843 (initially 4845) after its incident, albeit that wasn't off the road for half as long as 5292.

5323 is the first Mercedes Citaro in the fleet to be repainted into the new corporate livery - so no is the answer to your question!

The reason why it hasn't been repainted for the Durham Diamond is not out of a lack of respect at all... There are reasons why it hasn't been done, but one of the main reasons is that 5323 is a spare Euro 5 vehicle for Riverside. Until 5292 returns to service, Riverside would gain float 4896 (Euro 2). This would not be practical, when Riverside has a large number of contracts stipulating the use of a Euro 5 vehicle on evenings/Sundays.

(11 Oct 2016, 4:32 pm)Dan wrote 5323 is the first Mercedes Citaro in the fleet to be repainted into the new corporate livery - so no is the answer to your question!

The reason why it hasn't been repainted for the Durham Diamond is not out of a lack of respect at all... There are reasons why it hasn't been done, but one of the main reasons is that 5323 is a spare Euro 5 vehicle for Riverside. Until 5292 returns to service, Riverside would gain float 4896 (Euro 2). This would not be practical, when Riverside has a large number of contracts stipulating the use of a Euro 5 vehicle on evenings/Sundays.

I meant no offence by the comment. Im just aware that on occasions that this has been done in the past. I just thought it might of been an opportunity to get rid of the B10 sooner than later.
Are there any plans to replace 4896 before 5292 returns?

(11 Oct 2016, 4:32 pm)Dan wrote 5323 is the first Mercedes Citaro in the fleet to be repainted into the new corporate livery - so no is the answer to your question!

The reason why it hasn't been repainted for the Durham Diamond is not out of a lack of respect at all... There are reasons why it hasn't been done, but one of the main reasons is that 5323 is a spare Euro 5 vehicle for Riverside. Until 5292 returns to service, Riverside would gain float 4896 (Euro 2). This would not be practical, when Riverside has a large number of contracts stipulating the use of a Euro 5 vehicle on evenings/Sundays.

And because durham diamond doesnt exsist anymore so to have a bus in that livery,would that not be false advertising