I would have thought if there were plans to refurbish the OmniCitys, these would have been done before the younger Mercedes Citaros.

If anything, I think we'll just see Wi-Fi retrofitted to the examples which haven't yet had this work done already. It won't be too long before these buses are on "lesser" routes - they probably wouldn't justify the significant investment to undergo a full refurbishment.

In all fairness the existing Toon Link examples are only 3 Months older the existing Blaydon Racers Mercs so it's not though there is major age gap between them.

In all fairness the existing Toon Link examples are only 3 Months older the existing Blaydon Racers Mercs so it's not though there is major age gap between them.

But there is a 'major age gap' between them and the 10-plate Mercedes Citaros which have since been refurbished.

I think it is more likely that the Optare Versas new between 2009 and 2011 will be refurbished in the next financial year.

Civic V3 i would imagine, they're going to be better spec than the Connections 4 Citaro's, if they go back to Washington... But i don't think they will, same as 5324.

The Connections4 citaros might get USB and leather seating retrofitted while on warranty repaint, which i think should be due soon...

But there is a 'major age gap' between them and the 10-plate Mercedes Citaros which have since been refurbished.

I think it is more likely that the Optare Versas new between 2009 and 2011 will be refurbished in the next financial year.

That would be good, least the Versa's on the 36 will be up to the same spec as the 35! 

Shame they're rubbish, hopefully if they do go for a refurbishment then the Quaylink brand is sorted in to a proper sequence, as they have 3 different aged Versa's.


Or at least get it in to some sort of sequence for other routes which use Versa's.

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The Connections4 citaros might get USB and leather seating retrofitted while on warranty repaint, which i think should be due soon...

Hopefully, would be good if they did, least then all the Citaro's would be the same.

Also confirmed is the impending withdrawal of the Waggonway branded Scania L94s and remaining V-reg Volvo B7TL:

Go North East 4957 NL52WVN by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr

Go North East 6009 V209LGC by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr

On paper, once the Mercedes Citaro refurbishment programme is completed (so late January).

The transfer of 5201 and 5202 to Riverside has no bearing on the withdrawal of any further elderly Volvo B10BLE or Scania L94 from Riverside.

Possibly worth mentioning that one of the main reasons why 4898 has been withdrawn so soon is because a buyer has already expressed interest in taking 4898. Another example of its kind saved for preservation, joining 4855 and 4897.

Pictured below at Saltmeadows Road, with the inscription "Do Not Remove Parts" on the windscreen:

Go North East: 4898 / V988ETN by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Where will 5328/9 be hiding?

Where will 5328/9 be hiding?

Deptford - undergoing preparation for PSV test, so likely in the workshop.

At least one of them should be done and out in service next Thursday, the other subject to completion of pre-PSV defect repairs.

What's replacing the Scania's on the "Waggonway"?

What's coming in to replace the Presidents?


I deleted my old post by accident.

What's replacing the Scania's on the "Waggonway"?

What's coming in to replace the Presidents?


I deleted my old post by accident.

Younger Solars?

Younger Solars?

Which ones?, most have just been repainted in to the new "Go North East" livery?

Can't see them dropping the "Waggonway" brand.

What's replacing the Scania's on the "Waggonway"?

What's coming in to replace the Presidents?


I deleted my old post by accident.

Citylink Versa, according to grapevine/chinese whispers etc !!!!!

Citylink Versa, according to grapevine/chinese whispers etc !!!!!

Wouldn't be suprised if it was Versa's, could they cope on the 28/28A route?

5 to the Waggonway + 1 spare

Leaves 2 Versa's.

Streetlites for the 58?

Wouldn't be suprised if it was Versa's, could they cope on the 28/28A route?

5 to the Waggonway + 1 spare

Leaves 2 Versa's.

Streetlites for the 58?

Ive heard south tyne versas with some other rumours around too.

Ive heard south tyne versas with some other rumours around too.

Surely the 34/34A are due new buses. 8302,04,05 could always go to Peterlee allowing Peterlee to allocate them like this:
8302: 452/968 - This will allow 705 to be allocated to service 168.
8304: 206 - 
8305: Spare for all services at Peterlee 
This would be a good idea for when the AD122 starts again because 635, 636 won't be at Peterlee then

Versas are probably a bit bigger than what Peterlee actually need. I can see either more Solos coming into the fleet (new or second-hand) or service changes reducing the PVR freeing up some Solos (they would need at least 5?) Service changes could also include contract losses.

The decision to introduce a full route on the x21 on Sunday seems to be a good one.  Has been well filled each time I have been on it.

My guess is for chester is
8294 - 8298 for 28/28A
8299-8302 on 34/34A
8304 & 8305 spare
Send either 8304 & 8305 to crook for 18s
695 & 696 to peterlee ready for 635/636 to go back for AD122

If the Versas are coming off South Tyneside, I do hope they replaced by omnicities or GNE to order enviro 200s.

Why would chester be using younger solars on the 28A if they've just sent 2 of them to another depot?
I think a corp brand could have worked but no point.

Wouldn't put it past streetlites. Wouldn't put it past the salty park streetlites being cascaded off as they've stayed as long as the versas beforehand.

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Can we use Go North East passes on the 40/40A/40B?

No, unfortunately not. That's why there's nothing on Go North East's website about this service.

Would you happen to know what ticket types ARE accepted on these services, then?  Would the Explorer, for example, be valid, or is there some kind of specific-to-Durham ticket that would be needed?  Or possibly just pay for the single journeys made?

Would you happen to know what ticket types ARE accepted on these services, then?  Would the Explorer, for example, be valid, or is there some kind of specific-to-Durham ticket that would be needed?  Or possibly just pay for the single journeys made?

Explorer don't work on it least didn't when Stanley had it ever have to pay or if you have bus pass use that

Would you happen to know what ticket types ARE accepted on these services, then?  Would the Explorer, for example, be valid, or is there some kind of specific-to-Durham ticket that would be needed?  Or possibly just pay for the single journeys made?

Cathedral Bus day tickets cost £1 (adult) and 50p (child). Aside from this; Concessionary Passes, Durham Park & Ride tickets, and Explorer tickets are all valid for travel. No other tickets are valid.

This should reflect the previous ticket acceptance when this contract was operated by Stanley Travel.

Has 9091 entered service today ?


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Has 9091 entered service today ?


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Not yet.

Solo 670 on the 185/681/X81 cycle today.

Why would chester be using younger solars on the 28A if they've just sent 2 of them to another depot?
I think a corp brand could have worked but no point.

Wouldn't put it past streetlites. Wouldn't put it past the salty park streetlites being cascaded off as they've stayed as long as the versas beforehand.

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Haven't we previously noted that Go North East aren't expecting any new single decks this year?
So nothing to replace current buses on Saltwell Park or Citylink.

It probably makes extremely little profit but it’d be nice if the 28s got something a bit more reliable for those buzzfare spending punters . First it was DAFs then it was Solars...a horse and cart seems the next logical step

Maybe it could get Omnicities cascaded off the Coaster in the future should the B5LH's migrate to the Coaster or alternatively GNE could drop the brand altogether.

Apparently 5214,5215,5216,5217 are all going to riverside

Apparently 5214,5215,5216,5217 are all going to riverside

Should allow 4929, 30, 35 to be withdrawn after Deptford without returning to Riverside.