(08 Jul 2017, 7:25 pm)Michael wrote Should be a spare Scania somewhere in the fleet, one of Deptford's could replace it until the X84/X85 get Citaro's (if that's still happening).

Might not bother fixing it again and send it straight for scrap, even if its an 06 reg Scania.

Could use parts from 4926/31/34 & 36 to repair it depending on how bad the damage is.

(08 Jul 2017, 8:09 pm)R852 PRG wrote 55-reg.

Oops got mixed up!

(08 Jul 2017, 7:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Surely on what would be a more chaotic day than usual, people would appreciate why buses were running together, even on the 15 minute frequency between Chester-le-Street and Durham?

I am not going to hold back from speculating that the Merc refurbs (which they did not need to go to the expense of doing) have something to do with the fare increases. I'm probably going to be wrong, but they will have increased the amount of money spent by sending them to Blackburn - they are going to want to get that money back so they can reinvest it in improving the service for the customers of other routes. The main way that they can do this is by raising fares.

The spares out is a daily occurrence. I was at Chester-le-Street before 7am the other morning, and there was an OmniDekka and President straight out of the depot in succession. Appreciate that spares need to be used from time to time to ensure service continuity, but it should be a last resort - not a regular resort. 

The 20s coming in were delayed slightly because of loadings. In hindsight, perhaps Deptford could have utilised some deckers? 21s going out seemed to be fine, but again, quite heavy loadings. 

I find that the delay in Durham on Gala day, isn't so much down to the road closures and increased traffic, but more so because Durham Bus Station organisation is piss poor. The two set down stands at the top are shut because of traffic running in both directions, but then you have buses being dumped on stands and causing chaos. The buses have no where to go, because there is an empty bus stood on the wrong stand. Its more of a problem to nip in the bud on one day a year, because it is let to slide on every other day of the year.

5233 seen here when it was brand new - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...5764671156

(08 Jul 2017, 7:08 pm)northern156 wrote Bear in mind the engine, and earlier mentioned internal structure/furniture, will have suffered more than cosmetic damage. Unless there's a spare Scania engine knocking around, I'm guessing it'll be a costly and time-consuming fix.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Quite. If all that is left salvageable is the chassis, the it's going to be uneconomic to fix this 12 year old vehicle!

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(08 Jul 2017, 8:28 pm)Adrian wrote The spares out is a daily occurrence. I was at Chester-le-Street before 7am the other morning, and there was an OmniDekka and President straight out of the depot in succession. Appreciate that spares need to be used from time to time to ensure service continuity, but it should be a last resort - not a regular resort. 

The 20s coming in were delayed slightly because of loadings. In hindsight, perhaps Deptford could have utilised some deckers? 21s going out seemed to be fine, but again, quite heavy loadings. 

I find that the delay in Durham on Gala day, isn't so much down to the road closures and increased traffic, but more so because Durham Bus Station organisation is piss poor. The two set down stands at the top are shut because of traffic running in both directions, but then you have buses being dumped on stands and causing chaos. The buses have no where to go, because there is an empty bus stood on the wrong stand. Its more of a problem to nip in the bud on one day a year, because it is let to slide on every other day of the year.

Thats ot helped at all by North road being completely closed. The situation would probably be helped if services terminating t the station didn't even enter it eg som eof 6, 20, 22, 24 20- drop off at milburngate bridge, loop the roundabout then pick up at the elazes bowl stops. Some of 15, 16, 21, 50 drop off at wharton park, loop the roundabout then pick up again. That owuld free up the station for through and southbound services which use narrower streets.

That would all require communication, of course.

(08 Jul 2017, 11:23 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Quite. If all that is left salvageable is the chassis, the it's going to be uneconomic to fix this 12 year old vehicle!

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Thats ot helped at all by North road being completely closed. The situation would probably be helped if services terminating t the station didn't even enter it eg som eof 6, 20, 22, 24 20- drop off at milburngate bridge, loop the roundabout then pick up at the elazes bowl stops. Some of 15, 16, 21, 50 drop off at wharton park, loop the roundabout then pick up again. That owuld free up the station for through and southbound services which use narrower streets.

That would all require communication, of course.

The ideal would be to work with the DMA, and ensure any marches starting at Redhills or Sutton Street, are out of the way before 8am. Then anything North of Durham could arrive and depart on Sutton Street instead. 

That small section of could massively help to keep things moving.

Heard from a friend that 5229-5233 are off to Chester for the 28/28A.... of course now 1 down due to 5233 going up in flames.

(08 Jul 2017, 5:08 pm)Michael wrote Thanks, I've been away so haven't noticed anything myself, the fleet list hasn't been updated too but of course Dan will be busy.

5476 has been delivered - will be branded on Monday, and likely to be out in service on Tuesday. The final Streetlite for Deptford, 5477, should be delivered next week. It is currently undergoing PDI, prior to shipping.

With 16 of 18 Streetlites now having entered service, the operation of service 61 is starting to be allocated the Black Cats branded Scania L94s. This has enabled the temporary withdrawal of 5298 and 5304, so far.

(09 Jul 2017, 1:56 pm)Dan wrote 5476 has been delivered - will be branded on Monday, and likely to be out in service on Tuesday. The final Streetlite for Deptford, 5477, should be delivered next week. It is currently undergoing PDI, prior to shipping.

With 16 of 18 Streetlites now having entered service, the operation of service 61 is starting to be allocated the Black Cats branded Scania L94s. This has enabled the temporary withdrawal of 5298 and 5304, so far.

Will those Citaro's be refurbished like the ones on the X5, 27 etc?, just its got "internal refurbishment and repaint" on the news and doesn't include, USB ports etc, i take it that, 5299-5303 will follow later on?


Was hoping the 9 would finally have a full allocation of Citaro's.........


6071 will be the first of the TEN B9's to be repainted Green next week ahead of re branding it to "Tyne Valley Ten".

(09 Jul 2017, 2:01 pm)Michael wrote 6071 will be the first of the TEN B9's to be repainted Green next week ahead of re branding it to "Tyne Valley Ten".

Shame - I think the current TEN livery is well-suited for a respected service.

(08 Jul 2017, 8:12 pm)Michael wrote Oops got mixed up!





Edit:


Who included the video on my post?, as i didn't post it! haha

Dear me! Yet another bus fire! I hope the driver and the passengers are ok and that no one was hurt. Just wondering is that the engine I can hear running in the video or is it the flames?

Just seen 672 getting a tow
heading west along the coast road presumably heading for salt meadows

Has 3965 had an internal deep clean?

Smells and looks fresh. That long since I've been on a green angel it's hard to tell!

Tho the bell doesn't work and it's leaking like a sieve inside

4900 towed away from Riverside today by Trevor Wigley around 10am.

6071 has the same shade of green as the green arrow Solars....

Also there's an angel gemini 1 along with a cobalt clipper in the pits. I think the angel was 3962.

(09 Jul 2017, 2:01 pm)Michael wrote 6071 will be the first of the TEN B9's to be repainted Green next week ahead of re branding it to "Tyne Valley Ten".

Could this brand refresh also allow the Cobalt Clipper to gain a full branded allocation?

With only 3 of the TTX B9s required to make up the PVR, 1 of the spares could release 6084 (due to having USB Sockets) to Percy Main allowing 6116 (to keep the fleet numbers consecutive) to be repainted and branded for the Cobalt Clipper.

(11 Jul 2017, 4:29 pm)S813 FVK wrote Could this brand refresh also allow the Cobalt Clipper to gain a full branded allocation?

With only 3 of the TTX B9s required to make up the PVR, 1 of the spares could release 6084 (due to having USB Sockets) to Percy Main allowing 6116 (to keep the fleet numbers consecutive) to be repainted and branded for the Cobalt Clipper.

probably be better to send 6084 back to Deptford, and give Percy Main 6100, from Deptford.

heres a picture of 6071 in green 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133942712@...ed-public/

(11 Jul 2017, 5:36 pm)park5354 wrote probably be better to send 6084 back to Deptford, and give Percy Main 6100, from Deptford.

Yes, that would be even better. It isn't as if 6084's tachograph is going to provide any benefit to Percy Main.

Also, the Venture PVR will drop by 1 when the 689 transfers to Hexham/Riverside, would it perhaps be a good idea to repaint 647 into the corporate livery displacing 649 to Percy Main to allow 639 to return to Riverside to replace 559? That is just in the event of wishing to keep consecutive fleet numbers though, shortcuts could be taken.

(11 Jul 2017, 4:29 pm)S813 FVK wrote Could this brand refresh also allow the Cobalt Clipper to gain a full branded allocation?

With only 3 of the TTX B9s required to make up the PVR, 1 of the spares could release 6084 (due to having USB Sockets) to Percy Main allowing 6116 (to keep the fleet numbers consecutive) to be repainted and branded for the Cobalt Clipper.

Even more likely considering the long term roadworks that are happening increasing the PVR - have seen a lot of Presidents on there recently

I'm beginning to wonder if there is something up with the Hybrid's? Never seen so many President's and OmniDekka's on the 21 before!

(11 Jul 2017, 6:49 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'm beginning to wonder if there is something up with the Hybrid's? Never seen so many President's and OmniDekka's on the 21 before!

Me too, unless they're getting modifications at SM before they move elsewhere?, although not sure what modifications they would get.

(11 Jul 2017, 6:49 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'm beginning to wonder if there is something up with the Hybrid's? Never seen so many President's and OmniDekka's on the 21 before!

3962 has been at Saltmeadows for some time now..

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5233 is at Riverside's 'VOR row'

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150225183@...023794154/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150225183@...475789970/

(11 Jul 2017, 8:32 pm)EL1TE wrote 3962 has been at Saltmeadows for some time now..

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5233 is at Riverside's 'VOR row'

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150225183@...023794154/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/150225183@...475789970/

5233 has a tarpaulin over the back of it now.

(11 Jul 2017, 6:49 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'm beginning to wonder if there is something up with the Hybrid's? Never seen so many President's and OmniDekka's on the 21 before!

It's part of the pvr though it is increasing substantially. I use it daily and have managed a whole week without jumping on a green angel. 

It's not fantastic as the OmniDekkas are awful internally and the B7s are just worn out. I pointed this out to GNE around fare rises and the Angel stock actually getting worse. Standard reply back. NSAs, new buses, wifi and technology, none of which are benefitting Angel passengers.

Do they still have the route specific service Delivery managers? I remember Jeff Wrightsons face all over timetables during the pink days.

(11 Jul 2017, 9:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote 5233 has a tarpaulin over the back of it now.

What a shame! Almost certainly a write off looking at the pics.

Didn't realise that they would be branding the 'Tyne Valley Ten's straight away:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/35...ateposted/

Looks great

(12 Jul 2017, 3:54 pm)S813 FVK wrote Didn't realise that they would be branding the 'Tyne Valley Ten's straight away:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/35...ateposted/

Looks great

Not a fan of the branding. Personally would of had something more like C&C branding.

To me looks bit like a kids drawing

(12 Jul 2017, 4:19 pm)JP6004 wrote Not a fan of the branding. Personally would of had something more like C&C branding.

To me looks bit like a kids drawing

The TEN has been a serious brand, but now it looks like a playbius IMO.

If it ain't broke - don't fix it.

(12 Jul 2017, 4:36 pm)G-CPTN wrote The TEN has been a serious brand, but now it looks like a playbius IMO.

If it ain't broke - don't fix it.

It's not bad, was expecting a cheap and cheerful effort! Left over flags from when 3964 was green almost.. Still a few more vinyls on the windows and staircase to go it looks like.