(03 Jun 2017, 10:35 am)Michael wrote Ye, the spare should be a B9 (once the new buses arrive), not the style of bus which is ordered, which is daft in my opinion.


Anyone want to guess whats ordered? - my guess is Wright StreetDeck's.

I've heard B5TLs somewhere which may be more suitable. I wouldn't rule the Streetdeck out though.

Moving to the 35/36, will the timetables for the services in the future be split or will they remain in the same timetable? I am surprised that there were not any minor changes to come into effect tomorrow to coincide with the depot transfer eventhough i am not too sure why there would need to be any.

(03 Jun 2017, 10:38 am)S813 FVK wrote I've heard B5TLs somewhere which may be more suitable. I wouldn't rule the Streetdeck out though.

Moving to the 35/36, will the timetables for the services in the future be split or will they remain in the same timetable? I am surprised that there were not any minor changes to come into effect tomorrow to coincide with the depot transfer eventhough i am not too sure why there would need to be any.

Ye, didn't think of those.

It should be split as they use different buses now, don't think we will see it split though.

(03 Jun 2017, 10:38 am)S813 FVK wrote I've heard B5TLs somewhere which may be more suitable. I wouldn't rule the Streetdeck out though.

Moving to the 35/36, will the timetables for the services in the future be split or will they remain in the same timetable? I am surprised that there were not any minor changes to come into effect tomorrow to coincide with the depot transfer eventhough i am not too sure why there would need to be any.

Transdev use them on the 36 and Coastliner without too much trouble it would seem

It seems like the 9 has a full allocation of citaros today

(03 Jun 2017, 11:02 am)citaro5284 wrote Transdev use them on the 36 and Coastliner without too much trouble it would seem

If it is B5TLs, I only hope they are to a similar spec to those used by Transdev on Coastliner - they look lush.....

(03 Jun 2017, 11:07 am)Kuyoyo wrote If it is B5TLs, I only hope they are to a similar spec to those used by Transdev on Coastliner - they look lush.....

Been on them Coastliner's and I do think they are great interior wise. Sadly it will no doubt be Civic 3 e-leather for us though

Wonder if it's possible to up the limited speed on the B5TLs as I think they are limited to 50mph. If B9's are in the states they are in now, I dread to think how quick the B5's get to where the B9's are now.

(03 Jun 2017, 11:16 am)Jimmi wrote Been on them Coastliner's and I do think they are great interior wise. Sadly it will no doubt be Civic 3 e-leather for us though

Wonder if it's possible to up the limited speed on the B5TLs as I think they are limited to 50mph. If B9's are in the states they are in now, I dread to think how quick the B5's get to where the B9's are now.

Modern Volvo's can have there limiters set up to around 62mph, Similar to what the B9's are currently limited too.

Anyone know when 9098 is next due out of Eldon Square ?


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(03 Jun 2017, 10:45 am)Michael wrote Ye, didn't think of those.

It should be split as they use different buses now, don't think we will see it split though.

What happened to the Routemaster suggestion? 

The rumour I heard, involved upping the frequency and sticking single deckers on. Assuming the trial of the example seen at Weardale proved successful.

Could the new buses for the X9/X10 not be Enviro 400s (integral or Scania)?

(03 Jun 2017, 2:20 pm)L469 YVK wrote Could the new buses for the X9/X10 not be Enviro 400s (integral or Scania)?

Personally, I think the ADL Enviro 400 MMC bodied scania would be the best bus for this route. Cant see it happening though.

8325 has arrived at Chester le Street in the new corporate livery, carrying the tagline "Our buses run 35 million miles a year - that's like going to the moon and back 72 times", 8325 replaced 4956 on the 28/28A earlier this afternoon.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

**Note did not see Lee's post in Rare/Odd Working Thread prior to posting**

(03 Jun 2017, 4:45 pm)Malarkey wrote 8325 has arrived at Chester le Street in the new corporate livery, carrying the tagline "Our buses run 35 million miles a year - that's like going to the moon and back 72 times", 8325 replaced 4956 on the 28/28A earlier this afternoon.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

**Note did not see Lee's post in Rare/Odd Working Thread prior to posting**

They can be arsed to brand it but not to programme the route it's on.

Priorities much...

(03 Jun 2017, 7:07 pm)Ambassador wrote They can be arsed to brand it but not to programme the route it's on.

Priorities much...

It was programmed, it just hadn't been uploaded to the bus.

The bus came direct from Saltmeadows Road this morning, having been painted whilst officially a Deptford bus.

Rushed out at last minute and had the destinations uploaded to the bus by a leading driver after one run, once the driver had reported he couldn't display the 28 destination.

A mistake easily made, if someone has assumed that the bus arrived last night and was updated along with the rest of the blue Versas which transferred from Deptford.

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(03 Jun 2017, 3:43 pm)Pulsar wrote Personally, I think the ADL Enviro 400 MMC bodied scania would be the best bus for this route. Cant see it happening though.

I'd imagine I big clue would lie on VOSA, As the former Streetdeck demonstrator ( 9119? ) was reported to be running extremely late due to it's 50mph Speed Limiter, So a big giveaway to what's been ordered could lie to whether timetable alterations have registered for the TTX for that time, Of course, The timetable could be edited for any other bus, But it's a clue anyhow.

I personally hope GNE actually have more sense than to order Streetdeck's for a Service like that.

(03 Jun 2017, 7:50 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I'd imagine I big clue would lie on VOSA, As the former Streetdeck demonstrator ( 9119? ) was reported to be running extremely late due to it's 50mph Speed Limiter, So a big giveaway to what's been ordered could lie to whether timetable alterations have registered for the TTX for that time, Of course, The timetable could be edited for any other bus, But it's a clue anyhow.

I personally hope GNE actually have more sense than to order Streetdeck's for a Service like that.

Even with decent buses, the timetable could do with more slack. Maybe they'll add more running /recovery time and fit in a roughly 30 minute layover at Eldon Square with changeovers taking place there via the Red Kites.

(03 Jun 2017, 8:06 pm)L469 YVK wrote Even with decent buses, the timetable could do with more slack. Maybe they'll add more running /recovery time and fit in a roughly 30 minute layover at Eldon Square with changeovers taking place there via the Red Kites.

Given all the buses which need to do 5-10 minute layovers, where would it sit for a 30 minute layover? (also given that the driver will be inactive for that time, too, unless swaps can  happen)

(03 Jun 2017, 10:11 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Given all the buses which need to do 5-10 minute layovers, where would it sit for a 30 minute layover? (also given that the driver will be inactive for that time, too, unless swaps can  happen)

There should be a threashold at arriving eldon bound at gateshead. If beforehand they know the bus is over x minutes late, the newcastle -> segment segment will be operated by any bus. The late bus will be turned around (cutting off 30 minutes) and will wait for the arrival of the replacement bus from eldon, to transfer passengers and then leave gateshead on time.

The gateshead -> newcastle segment doesn't need to be covered in these times as long as the passengers can hop on any bus to newcastle with their ticket for free.

This does happen on occasion, but it's rare. I think it's more effective than adding in tonnes of 30 minute fills, paying drivers and extra fuel for the extra PVR and the extra bus. They could run a check when the eldon bound bus arrives at Heworth to decide whether it gets turned around and a shuttle provided, or not. It only takes about 2 minutes to swap the passengers over, and since drivers have their break at gateshead, there would be no change of driver. Just an LD doing the shuttle or whatever.

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(03 Jun 2017, 11:35 pm)Jamie M wrote There should be a threashold at arriving eldon bound at gateshead. If beforehand they know the bus is over x minutes late, the newcastle -> segment segment will be operated by any bus. The late bus will be turned around (cutting off 30 minutes) and will wait for the arrival of the replacement bus from eldon, to transfer passengers and then leave gateshead on time.

The gateshead -> newcastle segment doesn't need to be covered in these times as long as the passengers can hop on any bus to newcastle with their ticket for free.

This does happen on occasion, but it's rare. I think it's more effective than adding in tonnes of 30 minute fills, paying drivers and extra fuel for the extra PVR and the extra bus. They could run a check when the eldon bound bus arrives at Heworth to decide whether it gets turned around and a shuttle provided, or not. It only takes about 2 minutes to swap the passengers over, and since drivers have their break at gateshead, there would be no change of driver. Just an LD doing the shuttle or whatever.

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What a layover at ES would mean is that the X9/X10 would work on the same terms as the X21 / Hexham 10's where the next bus goes out with the next driver and the one coming off parks up on layby before the drivers rides back to Riverside on the Red Kite. Then about 10 mins before the bus goes back out, another driver comes in from Riverside and prepares the next round trip before doing the same. All it would mean is an extra bus, no extra drivers.

(03 Jun 2017, 11:07 am)Kuyoyo wrote If it is B5TLs, I only hope they are to a similar spec to those used by Transdev on Coastliner - they look lush.....

Me too, i do like the style of the stairs though, with the glass.

(04 Jun 2017, 10:14 am)L469 YVK wrote What a layover at ES would mean is that the X9/X10 would work on the same terms as the X21 / Hexham 10's where the next bus goes out with the next driver and the one coming off parks up on layby before the drivers rides back to Riverside on the Red Kite. Then about 10 mins before the bus goes back out, another driver comes in from Riverside and prepares the next round trip before doing the same. All it would mean is an extra bus, no extra drivers.

But the 10s are more frequent. Much more frequent.and the x21 goes straight out again, unless it's been regulated.

(04 Jun 2017, 2:27 pm)BusLoverMum wrote But the 10s are more frequent. Much more frequent.and the x21 goes straight out again, unless it's been regulated.

The Hexham 10s during Monday to Saturday daytimes (not the 10A / 10B which are mostly Riverside operated during Monday to Saturday daytimes) do a round trip and whereas the allocated bus used to get 5 minutes layover with a driver change at Hexham, the new driver now just takes another bus and the bus which comes in does the same 30 minutes later.

The Castles Express X21 also does the same too and both routes do it irrespective of late running as the timetable dictates that.

Example
10 Hexham > Newcastle
Hexham: 09:50
Newcastle: 11:17
10 Newcastle > Hexham
Newcastle: 11:25
Hexham: 12:50 >>>>>>>> This bus will then take out the next departure from Hexham at 13:20

Example
X21 Bishop Auckland > Newcastle
BA: 10:01
Newcastle: 11:30
X21 Newcastle > Bishop Auckland
Newacastle: 11:39
BA: 13:06 >>>>>>>>>> This bus will then take out the next departure from Bishop Auckland at 13:31

(03 Jun 2017, 10:38 am)S813 FVK wrote I've heard B5TLs somewhere which may be more suitable. I wouldn't rule the Streetdeck out though.

It can now be confirmed that the X9/X10 will receive new Volvo B5TLs, with the first in the batch being delivered next month.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/350...06/in/feed

(04 Jun 2017, 5:08 pm)Dan wrote It can now be confirmed that the X9/X10 will receive new Volvo B5TLs, with the first in the batch being delivered next month.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/350...06/in/feed

That's good, can you give out any details on specs?

Will the fleet numbers continue from 6307, so the TTX batch would be: 6308 - 6313, maybe 6314 if a spare is ordered.

Does anyone know if Washington and Stanley buses have had the new ticket machines fitted yet ?

(04 Jun 2017, 5:08 pm)Dan wrote It can now be confirmed that the X9/X10 will receive new Volvo B5TLs, with the first in the batch being delivered next month.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/350...06/in/feed

Is that a hint that other 'batches' of Volvo B5TLs are also due later down the line then?

Also, will the new B5TLs be full height or low height if bodied by Wrightbus?

(04 Jun 2017, 5:33 pm)Coppercap40 wrote Does anyone know if Washington and Stanley buses have had the new ticket machines fitted yet ?

Washington buses have. Stanley will be the final depot to receive the new machines, next weekend.

(04 Jun 2017, 4:03 pm)L469 YVK wrote The Hexham 10s during Monday to Saturday daytimes (not the 10A / 10B which are mostly Riverside operated during Monday to Saturday daytimes) do a round trip and whereas the allocated bus used to get 5 minutes layover with a driver change at Hexham, the new driver now just takes another bus and the bus which comes in does the same 30 minutes later.

The Castles Express X21 also does the same too and both routes do it irrespective of late running as the timetable dictates that.

Example
10 Hexham > Newcastle
Hexham: 09:50
Newcastle: 11:17
10 Newcastle > Hexham
Newcastle: 11:25
Hexham: 12:50 >>>>>>>> This bus will then take out the next departure from Hexham at 13:20

Example
X21 Bishop Auckland > Newcastle
BA: 10:01
Newcastle: 11:30
X21 Newcastle > Bishop Auckland
Newacastle: 11:39
BA: 13:06 >>>>>>>>>> This bus will then take out the next departure from Bishop Auckland at 13:31

I thought you meant at ES. Bishop doesn't have the same space constraints, so that makes more sense.

(04 Jun 2017, 5:33 pm)L469 YVK wrote
Is that a hint that other 'batches' of Volvo B5TLs are also due later down the line then?

Also, will the new B5TLs be full height or low height if bodied by Wrightbus?

Hopefully for the "Angel & Red Arrow"

(04 Jun 2017, 5:18 pm)Michael wrote That's good, can you give out any details on specs?

Will the fleet numbers continue from 6307, so the TTX batch would be: 6308 - 6313, maybe 6314 if a spare is ordered.

As these are B5TLs rather than Streetdecks, I would imagine that GNE would start a new sequence of fleet numbers for them?