(15 May 2017, 6:22 pm)Jamie M wrote The green one has been poorly on/off for a long time, from my knowledge.

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Must've been something really bad for it to be withdrawn already. Wasn't repainted too long ago either.

Seen a picture of 5426 on North East Bus Enthusiasts Facebook page, post by Neil Heskett.

5283 has gained the 'Stay Connected' tagline and has returned to service at Riverside (still no feature blobs):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/34...ateposted/

5277 hasn't got its Merc logo back yet either:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/34...ateposted/

(16 May 2017, 5:33 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5283 has gained the 'Stay Connected' tagline and has returned to service at Riverside (still no feature blobs):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/34...ateposted/

5277 hasn't got its Merc logo back yet either:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/34...ateposted/

They won't receive the feature symbols immediately. Saltmeadows Road apply the main vinyls of the corporate livery, but only the third party supplier who vinyls up Go North East's buses stock the feature symbols (for now).

As for the Merc badge - it's been without it for a considerable amount of time now, I doubt it will get one again unless it's found! Same applies for the other one without a badge too (5281?)

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ADL E400 City demonstrator 9098 has returned to Go North East for further trials.

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(16 May 2017, 5:44 pm)Dan wrote ADL E400 City demonstrator 9098 has returned to Go North East for further trials.

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Must of liked it, wonder if it'll go on one of the services which got deckers in 2013 (so FAB 56 etc) as they should be up for a repaint this year.

(16 May 2017, 5:44 pm)Dan wrote ADL E400 City demonstrator 9098 has returned to Go North East for further trials.

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Quite enjoyed it on the 21. Preferable to 9099 which feels very cramped inside

(16 May 2017, 6:06 pm)Michael wrote Must of liked it, wonder if it'll go on one of the services which got deckers in 2013 (so FAB 56 etc) as they should be up for a repaint this year.

Currently sat in CLS, starting on the 21s.

Had my first real-life sighting of a baby-Solo tonight. It was working the 237 and I have to admit to being shocked at the size of them. Knew they were small, but those things are harking back to the days of the Renault MiniLinks!

(16 May 2017, 7:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote Had my first real-life sighting of a baby-Solo tonight. It was working the 237 and I have to admit to being shocked at the size of them. Knew they were small, but those things are harking back to the days of the Renault MiniLinks!

At least the Renaults had decent seating!

(16 May 2017, 6:06 pm)Michael wrote Must of liked it, wonder if it'll go on one of the services which got deckers in 2013 (so FAB 56 etc) as they should be up for a repaint this year.

Just a continuation of the previous trial. Lot of demand for a trial of the E400 City demo, so it's only available in brief stints.

Will spend the next two weeks on Angel 21, followed by a week on the Castles Express.

The week on Castles Express could be substituted for a week on the Stanley Toon Link services, if Go North East are unable to make amendments to wiring required for the Ticketer machines.

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(16 May 2017, 8:01 pm)Dan wrote The week on Castles Express could be substituted for a week on the Stanley Toon Link services, if Go North East are unable to make amendments to wiring required for the Ticketer machines.

Yes, it certainly looks low enough to be suitable for the X30.

(16 May 2017, 7:36 pm)Adrian wrote At least the Renaults had decent seating!

Imagine the baby Solos if they hadn't been re-trimmed!

They're bliss now compared to what they were like before...

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(16 May 2017, 8:03 pm)Dan wrote Imagine the baby Solos if they hadn't been re-trimmed!

They're bliss now compared to what they were like before...

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I bet, but the Renaults that ran the Washington locals had a coach spec seating in. I can't find any decent interior shots, but you can make them out on the photo below. 

Most modern seats don't compare in my opinion.

(16 May 2017, 9:34 am)Michael wrote Seen a picture of 5426 on North East Bus Enthusiasts Facebook page, post by Neil Heskett.

Is that the one involved in the RTC at Houghton the other week?

The skidmarks across the central reservation and the state of the car park wall, show it travelled some distance before stopping.

Any idea when it start to be out in service ?


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(16 May 2017, 9:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is that the one involved in the RTC at Houghton the other week?

The skidmarks across the central reservation and the state of the car park wall, show it travelled some distance before stopping.

Ye it is, looks quite bad.

Dan Wrote: #221 "The week on Castles Express could be substituted for a week on the Stanley Toon Link services"

Services 6,X30/1, X70/1 due new buses soon?! - At last! - possibly.. perhaps..?

These are long routes and could be very busy if Fares, Timetables and Quality were improved.

Fares outside Tyne & Wear i.e to Stanley & Consett rocket outside Nexus Tyne & Wear zone area, yet are shorter in distance to some areas / destinations in, for example, Sunderland / Durham border areas (extreme boundaries of Tyne & Wear, which also benefit from linked fares with Metro (to Airport etc..)
Get this right and I believe revenues will rise while giving customers a better service.

(16 May 2017, 9:49 pm)Venturego wrote "Dan Wrote: The week on Castles Express could be substituted for a week on the Stanley Toon Link services"

Services 6,X30/1, X70/1 due new buses soon?! - At last! - possibly.. perhaps..?

These are long routes and could be very busy if Fares, Timetables and Quality were improved.

Fares outside Tyne & Wear i.e to Stanley & Consett rocket outside Nexus Tyne & Wear zone area, yet are shorter in distance to some areas / destinations in, for example, Sunderland / Durham border areas (extreme boundaries of Tyne & Wear, which also benefit from linked fares with Metro (to Airport etc..)
Get this right and I believe revenues will rise while giving customers a better service.

Remember that the 20/16 had the optare metrocity thing and both are now on Streetlites.

The was an Enviro and a Pulsar too, amongst many notable buses. Trial buses give an idea of what's suitable for that type of route, not specifically that route or that bus.

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(16 May 2017, 9:49 pm)Venturego wrote Dan Wrote: #221 "The week on Castles Express could be substituted for a week on the Stanley Toon Link services"

Services 6,X30/1, X70/1 due new buses soon?! - At last! - possibly.. perhaps..?

These are long routes and could be very busy if Fares, Timetables and Quality were improved.

Fares outside Tyne & Wear i.e to Stanley & Consett rocket outside Nexus Tyne & Wear zone area, yet are shorter in distance to some areas / destinations in, for example, Sunderland / Durham border areas (extreme boundaries of Tyne & Wear, which also benefit from linked fares with Metro (to Airport etc..)
Get this right and I believe revenues will rise while giving customers a better service.

The Toon Links need something i think, even if it was just free WiFi although given the age of the Omnidekkas, this is unlikely to happen.

Wonder when the roadworks on norham road start if the 310 will follow the normal eiversion set by council for all traffic or they could go down bottom of norham road then up tyne tunnel trading estate to cobalt south and GNE could put a shuttle bus on from formica to cobalt south as it is happening for nearly a year.

Anybody know if there are any new timetables at Durham bus station for weekend changes yet?

(17 May 2017, 5:20 pm)Northern wrote Anybody know if there are any new timetables at Durham bus station for weekend changes yet?

I know the new 6 and X71 timetables are now available on the buses so I imagine that they will be available in bus stations and travel shops too.

The bus stop timetables have started to be updated too, using the old Go North East logo.

6042 back at Washington?
Was on one of their scholars this morning.

(17 May 2017, 6:43 pm)EL1TE wrote 6042 back at Washington?
Was on one of their scholars this morning.

Yup - it got transferred from Stanley yesterday.

When is the buses at Deptford getting the new ticket machines fitted?

(17 May 2017, 8:14 pm)Michael wrote When is the buses at Deptford getting the new ticket machines fitted?

They are all getting fitted this weekend so they will be out in service from Sunday 21-05-17.

6131 has return black/branded. Noting that it will be the only decker in that brand to have a full set of blue seats since 6133/43 remain in their respective branding for now.

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(18 May 2017, 1:20 pm)Jamie M wrote 6131 has return black/branded. Noting that it will be the only decker in that brand to have a full set of blue seats since 6133/43 remain in their respective branding for now.

Only 04 reg too.

I hope that 6013 is one of the B7s that are withdrawn/cascaded from Stanley - it doesn't seem to have much left to give unlike 6042 which we have lost!

Rumour -

Hexham scanias are transferring to Deptford and the Tynedale Express is getting mercs. Is this one true? (Hope so!)

TENs are apparently getting repainted green for 'Tyne Valley Ten'. Now I am aware that GNE 'leaked' the name in a timetable published on the website but does this count for the whole TEN brand?