(13 Dec 2016, 9:51 pm)Ryan99 wrote Metrodeckers are apparently on order just thought I'd share this rumour too

I haven't had a chance to have a ride on it yet so can't comment if its a good move or not.

(13 Dec 2016, 10:02 pm)Michael wrote I haven't had a chance to have a ride on it yet so can't comment if its a good move or not.

Which implies the reason why I don't think its true: it's still here on trial.

(13 Dec 2016, 10:09 pm)S813 FVK wrote Which implies the reason why I don't think its true: it's still here on trial.

Ye, never know though might see it in the 2017/2018 orders.

When is the Metrodekka due to leave GNE?

(13 Dec 2016, 8:19 pm)JP6004 wrote Unreliable - As far as I'm aware the Streetdecks are one of the most reliable in the fleet...let's hope it's better in the snow than the Citaro's

At less than a year old, no vehicle should be unreliable. 

Look at it this way. If you had the choice of a brand new B9TL or a Streetdeck, you'd go with the Volvo. Now, after 4 years the TTX has nailed the fleet of B9s that are allocated to it, think about how a bus with an engine nearly half the size will cope over the same time period.

(13 Dec 2016, 10:16 pm)Michael wrote Ye, never know though might see it in the 2017/2018 orders.

When is the Metrodekka due to leave GNE?

Should be February as its on its 9th week of a 16 week (4month) trial

Weeks 1-4 - X1
Weeks 5-8 - 21
Weeks 9-12 10A/10B
Weeks 13-16 ?

So should be another 4 weeks at another depot after its current trial at Riverside then return to Optare.


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(13 Dec 2016, 11:04 pm)mb134 wrote At less than a year old, no vehicle should be unreliable. 

Look at it this way. If you had the choice of a brand new B9TL or a Streetdeck, you'd go with the Volvo. Now, after 4 years the TTX has nailed the fleet of B9s that are allocated to it, think about how a bus with an engine nearly half the size will cope over the same time period.

I was commenting on the vehicle itself not the suitability of it on the X9/X10 - hence the reason why only a portion of the post was quoted.

There have been new vehicles in the past that have had failures not long after arrival. The 11 reg versas for example had to have its electrics fixed within weeks of arriving

(14 Dec 2016, 12:21 am)JP6004 wrote I was commenting on the vehicle itself not the suitability of it on the X9/X10 - hence the reason why only a portion of the post was quoted.

There have been new vehicles in the past that have had failures not long after arrival. The 11 reg versas for example had to have its electrics fixed within weeks of arriving

I could remember the water ingress examples, but didn't know about the wrong fuse being fitted and the other recall.


http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/...7A004B4D17&freeText=Blank&tx=0.9114344

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/...60002503E9

(14 Dec 2016, 12:21 am)JP6004 wrote I was commenting on the vehicle itself not the suitability of it on the X9/X10 - hence the reason why only a portion of the post was quoted.

There have been new vehicles in the past that have had failures not long after arrival. The 11 reg versas for example had to have its electrics fixed within weeks of arriving

Apologies, assumed from the context of the post that you were referring to it's TTX suitability.

4964 is back at Percy Main on the 11

(13 Dec 2016, 11:04 pm)mb134 wrote At less than a year old, no vehicle should be unreliable. 

Look at it this way. If you had the choice of a brand new B9TL or a Streetdeck, you'd go with the Volvo. Now, after 4 years the TTX has nailed the fleet of B9s that are allocated to it, think about how a bus with an engine nearly half the size will cope over the same time period.

I'd go for the Volvo decker all day long

(13 Dec 2016, 7:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote 6084 was on yesterday. Saw it crossing Hylton Bridge southbound at about 1045 yesterday morning, seconds behind a branded example. Both in service.

There had been an accident northbound at Herrington earlier in the morning, but for whatever reason, it didn't seem any regulating was going on with this specific case.

I have had that actually, i was in Peterlee some 2 or 3 weeks ago waiting for 9098 to pass, and 6048 pulled in and started the next x9, which i got on, but when i got off at Gateshead, a branded x9 was behind, still havent worked out what was going on 

(13 Dec 2016, 8:19 pm)JP6004 wrote I tend to disgree:

Horrible - They are a lot better lookong than the Metrodekka. Just looks like a melted versa
Cheap - Depends on quantity and specs
Unreliable - As far as I'm aware the Streetdecks are one of the most reliable in the fleet...let's hope it's better in the snow than the Citaro's
Plasticy - all buses tend to have plastic seat backs and other plastic components, however I think Wright might of ran out of the hand-carved oak seats and the scratch resistant glass tables 

Well...
Horrible - They look nice with the livery on, i will say that... try looking at them without the vinyls.
Cheap - The Castles Express ones i thought were lovely at first but the feel of them just seems a bit cheap and nasty.
Unreliable - One or two are running like a shed, and apparently at least one broke down on Saturday.
Plasticy - I still think the inside just has a cheap feel compared to other buses in the fleet.

HOWEVER if i had to choose between the current B9's and new Streetdecks, it would be streetdecks by miles.

Also has GNE failed to notice the awful crackling noise coming predominantly from the top right corner of the top deck of ALL the current TTX B9's when they are at speed?

(04 Dec 2016, 11:18 am)Jamie M wrote Percy main.

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(14 Dec 2016, 6:08 pm)James M wrote I have had that actually, i was in Peterlee some 2 or 3 weeks ago waiting for 9098 to pass, and 6048 pulled in and started the next x9, which i got on, but when i got off at Gateshead, a branded x9 was behind, still havent worked out what was going on 

Was it a Saturday morning?

(14 Dec 2016, 6:17 pm)James M wrote Well...
Horrible - They look nice with the livery on, i will say that... try looking at them without the vinyls.
Cheap - The Castles Express ones i thought were lovely at first but the feel of them just seems a bit cheap and nasty.
Unreliable - One or two are running like a shed, and apparently at least one broke down on Saturday.
Plasticy - I still think the inside just has a cheap feel compared to other buses in the fleet.

HOWEVER if i had to choose between the current B9's and new Streetdecks, it would be streetdecks by miles.

Also has GNE failed to notice the awful crackling noise coming predominantly from the top right corner of the top deck of ALL the current TTX B9's when they are at speed?

Nothing can be done about it, Its what id call a design flaw with the Gemini 2s, I believe its due to the way the air vents are designed, Which results in the wind flying past at high speed and into the vent tubes, Causing the crackling noise your describing.

Sorry to go off topic but 3983 is now out of the 'Northern' livery but is in the old corporate livery.

Anyone noticed that the cobalt clippers have a hole in the side of the bus,i dont know if other buses in the GNE fleet have it but its weird,whats it for?

(14 Dec 2016, 9:16 pm)V514DFT wrote Anyone noticed that the cobalt clippers have a hole in the side of the bus,i dont know if other buses in the GNE fleet have it but its weird,whats it for?

All the B9s have it, I'd hazard a guess that it's for drainage when they wash it or it leaks etc.


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691 (YJ13 HNW) got WIFI quick, looks like it arrived yesterday/today.

I can ignore any B9 upper deck noise because it's a reprieve from the grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt engine noise on the lower deck. The grunting is at a frequency that I find quite painful to listen to. I even only manage hte X1 with deep breaths to get me through it.

(14 Dec 2016, 11:48 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I can ignore any B9 upper deck noise because it's a reprieve from the grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt engine noise on the lower deck. The grunting is at a frequency that I find quite painful to listen to. I even only manage hte X1 with deep breaths to get me through it.

The tridents are a bit like that, but I love the noise. It's the sound of a powerful diesel engine that doesn't have some alien-like ZF sounding gearbox within it. Makes the bus feel like its going 50 miles am hour quicker, but hey, that's just me!

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Has GNE got a new 'NOT IN SERVICE' display?

Seen it on 5389 and 5221.

(15 Dec 2016, 6:35 am)EL1TE wrote Has GNE got a new 'NOT IN SERVICE' display?

Seen it on 5389 and 5221.

No. That's just something that was quickly knocked up in a special destination programme for when Next Stop Announcements are tested.

There was some discussion about it on Sunday gone.

6143 has reentered service. It was allocated to scholars 823 this evening and will operate the 16:17 V8 from Stanley to Crookgate.

(14 Dec 2016, 11:48 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I can ignore any B9 upper deck noise because it's a reprieve from the grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt grunt engine noise on the lower deck. The grunting is at a frequency that I find quite painful to listen to. I even only manage the X1 with deep breaths to get me through it.

Not all  B9TLs on the TEN have the so aptly described noise - though most of them do.
(6073 was the quiet one today.)
I wonder what has deteriorated to induce this grunting noise, as I don't recall it being a feature when they were new.

(15 Dec 2016, 3:08 pm)Dan wrote No. That's just something that was quickly knocked up in a special destination programme for when Next Stop Announcements are tested.

There was some discussion about it on Sunday gone.

Thanks Dan. Didn't read the forum for a few days.

(15 Dec 2016, 4:01 pm)G-CPTN wrote Not all  B9TLs on the TEN have the so aptly described noise - though most of them do.
(6073 was the quiet one today.)
I wonder what has deteriorated to induce this grunting noise, as I don't recall it being a feature when they were new.

Pretty sure it was present from new on the X1 branded vehicles - includng the second batch.
I can't remember the noise situation on the other Gemini vehicles, although I have yet to ride any Percy Main or Stanley examples.

However, I am sure the newer builds don't have opening windows at the front (may be wrong on that). Whether it makes much difference, I don't know.

(15 Dec 2016, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote 6143 has reentered service. It was allocated to scholars 823 this evening and will operate the 16:17 V8 from Stanley to Crookgate.

Come on - 38, 88. Almost home again! 😛

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(15 Dec 2016, 5:14 pm)Jamie M wrote Come on - 38, 88. Almost home again! ?

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I had the delight of the troublesome 6014 today - it stalled in South Moor.

(15 Dec 2016, 5:19 pm)S813 FVK wrote I had the delight of the troublesome 6014 today - it stalled in South Moor.

If you see 6014 or 3886 as your bus - just walk! Quicker and healthier

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Comments on the Go-Ahead Group revising forecasts - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/...e-12326833
The last paragraph is of particular interest, where there is mention of its North Eastern bus division.

Its bus business in the North East was described as being weak and “suppressing overall growth rates for the division.”

Previous years have commented on the road network as a reason behind poor performance. I haven't looked at the GAG Shareholder website to see if there are any additional comments or quotes, relating to the North East.