(27 Jan 2018, 1:22 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Metrodecker YJ65EPU is at Saltmeadows.

Wonder if it'll go against the B9's?, as the likes of the FAB 56/Red Arrows have had them for a few years now.

(25 Jan 2018, 6:14 pm)Citaro5326 wrote 5298 cought fire but not bad as such but it's repairable

I wonder If it is related to the modifications it received before going for refurbishment?

5326 on the last day of the 9 in it's current form - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...otostream/

(27 Jan 2018, 7:40 pm)Malarkey wrote 5326 on the last day of the 9 in it's current form - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...otostream/

How many Citaro's have been branded for "The 9"

(28 Jan 2018, 12:36 am)Michael wrote How many Citaro's have been branded for "The 9"

think the last ones got done yesterday, 5326,27,29,30,33 all I know of.

DAN your going to have to write all of today's movements on here to keep us all upto date. What's gone where/supposed to go where etc. etc.

I'm sure you have plenty of time seeing as Sunday is a day of rest hahahaha ?

(27 Jan 2018, 1:47 pm)Michael wrote Wonder if it'll go against the B9's?, as the likes of the FAB 56/Red Arrows have had them for a few years now.

Should be heading to Percy Main for the 309/310 - another Optare demonstrator vehicle to join the fleet on a long-term basis.

Go North East has already a MetroDecker to the Red Arrows once (the blue one - 9099), so unlikely to be evaluated on this route again, as GNE have already got quite a bit of data on its performance on that route.

(28 Jan 2018, 12:36 am)Michael wrote How many Citaro's have been branded for "The 9"

(28 Jan 2018, 4:25 am)Citaro5326 wrote think the last ones got done yesterday, 5326,27,29,30,33 all I know of.

Yes, all should be complete (or will be, by the end of the day).

5326 and 5329 were the first two fitted on Thursday night, with the rest planned to be branded last night and today. The Sunderland 2021 bus is planned to have some minor tweaks done today, too.

(28 Jan 2018, 8:21 am)pdiddy wrote DAN your going to have to write all of today's movements on here to keep us all upto date. What's gone where/supposed to go where etc. etc.

I'm sure you have plenty of time seeing as Sunday is a day of rest hahahaha ?

Haha, yes. Quite a sizeable number of movements, will keep us all busy trying to keep on top of them all for photos etc!

Not a day of rest for me, but will knock something together tonight to get our fleet lists up to date.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:05 am)Dan wrote Should be heading to Percy Main for the 309/310 - another Optare demonstrator vehicle to join the fleet on a long-term basis.

Go North East has already a MetroDecker to the Red Arrows once (the blue one - 9099), so unlikely to be evaluated on this route again, as GNE have already got quite a bit of data on its performance on that route.


Yes, all should be complete (or will be, by the end of the day).

5326 and 5329 were the first two fitted on Thursday night, with the rest planned to be branded last night and today. The Sunderland 2021 bus is planned to have some minor tweaks done today, too.


Haha, yes. Quite a sizeable number of movements, will keep us all busy trying to keep on top of them all for photos etc!

Not a day of rest for me, but will knock something together tonight to get our fleet lists up to date.

Dan when will the fleet list be up to date and when will the two demos be out

(28 Jan 2018, 9:25 am)NK53TMY573 wrote Dan when will the fleet list be up to date and when will the two demos be out

He's just said in the message above he will do it tonight when he gets time. I think a few people forget he actually has a life and a job away from this forum and that it can't be updated every 5 minutes.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:35 am)Dans_bus_photos wrote He's just said in the message above he will do it tonight when he gets time. I think a few people forget he actually has a life and a job away from this forum and that it can't be updated every 5 minutes.

Alright calm down I was just asking him (not you)

Stanley appear to have retained the Sunday operation of service M6.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:48 am)S813 FVK wrote Stanley appear to have retained the Sunday operation of service M6.

It's not part of the low cost unit on a Sunday. I'd imagine this plays a part in it, amongst all of the infamous BSOG payments.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:51 am)Jamie M wrote It's not part of the low cost unit on a Sunday. I'd imagine this plays a part in it, amongst all of the infamous BSOG payments.

I know. The interworking pattern with the 16A/X30 is pretty solid - probably wouldn't make sense to transfer the Sunday service to Riverside, especially as it would require 2 buses with a 53 minute layover at Stanley.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:48 am)S813 FVK wrote Stanley appear to have retained the Sunday operation of service M6.

Yup they have.  Riverside is Monday to Saturday operation.  Some late journeys on the M6 during the week are also retained by Stanley.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:59 am)S813 FVK wrote I know. The interworking pattern with the 16A/X30 is pretty solid - probably wouldn't make sense to transfer the Sunday service to Riverside, especially as it would require 2 buses with a 53 minute layover at Stanley.

I don't know like 
Riverside drivers have some strange layover times. 30 minutes or so at BHM on 10As, at night 32A has 34 minutes at Market Street West. Wouldn't put it past them 

When and where is the next bus rally

(28 Jan 2018, 10:25 am)NK53TMY573 wrote When and where is the next bus rally

I don't know off the top of my head, but check here - http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/forumd...php?fid=83
If events are posted, that's where the info will be for you.

(28 Jan 2018, 9:05 am)Dan wrote Should be heading to Percy Main for the 309/310 - another Optare demonstrator vehicle to join the fleet on a long-term basis.

Could it also end up being used on the Coaster too?

(28 Jan 2018, 11:14 am)L469 YVK wrote Could it also end up being used on the Coaster too?

Hopefully, would be good to see it go against the B5 Hybrids.


Stupid question but how long is a "Long term loan?", 6 months,? a year?, 2 years?

648 now at Riverside - on 33A today

(28 Jan 2018, 12:59 pm)S813 FVK wrote 648 now at Riverside - on 33A today

637 & 638 now at deptford and 5209 is

(28 Jan 2018, 9:05 am)Dan wrote Haha, yes. Quite a sizeable number of movements, will keep us all busy trying to keep on top of them all for photos etc!

Not a day of rest for me, but will knock something together tonight to get our fleet lists up to date.

As promised:

The transfer of the operation of the Monday - Saturday daytime M6/M7/M8 services has seen the transfer of Metrocentre Mini Solos 710 - 714 to Riverside, as well as fleet livery Solo SR 648, which will act as the spare vehicle for the services. This will allow for further cascades; but up to now, the only resultant cascade is 638 to Deptford, releasing 628 back to Riverside.

The transfer of the operation of the 516 service has seen the transfer of 637 from Riverside to Deptford.

The transfer of the operation of the Cathedral Bus 40/40A/40B services has resulted in the transfer of 707 and 708 to Chester-le-Street from Stanley.

In line with the service changes today, 5305 - 5309 have, on paper, also now transferred from Deptford to Riverside (in reality, 5305/07 never returned to Deptford, while 5306/09 only returned from refurbishment on Friday, and 5308 only returned from refurbishment today), while 5325 has also transferred from Deptford to Riverside in line with the service changes in South Tyneside today, in order to allow a consistent allocation of high-specification Mercedes Citaros to the 12/12A, 26/27 and 57 services.

Surplus to requirements at Riverside as a result of today's service changes, all of the "South Tyne" branded Optare Versas should be temporarily withdrawn from service now. It may be that some are retained at Riverside until 5305 - 5309 are all in service (5305 hopefully back in service tomorrow, 5307 should enter service tomorrow following completion of AVID exhaust modifications, 5306 was branded yesterday but requires some other work to be completed at Saltmeadows Road prior to returning to service, 5309 should be branded tomorrow, while 5308 is likely to be branded on Wednesday).

8295 has now been repainted into fleet livery and has transferred from Riverside Depot to Crook. At the moment it hasn't surfaced at Crook (with 8302 and 8326 being allocated to Crook 'on loan' at the moment). This allows the conversion of service 18 from minibus to midibus. It's also due to be joined by 8307 from Riverside, which has transferred as a result of the Optare Versa loan vehicle being allocated to Riverside for use on the 67/69 services, but again, is still currently at Chester-le-Street.

The conversion of service 18 from minibus to midibus has resulted in the trasnfer of 695 to Chester-le-Street (to be allocated to service 34, releasing 5209 to Deptford), and 696 to Stanley (allowing 706 to transfer to Chester-le-Street for use on the new Durham County Council contracted town services in Chester-le-Street). As the Durham Cathedral Bus contract requires a small size vehicle to be allocated due to the nature of the route, 695 can be allocated to the Chester-le-Street Town Service, if any of the 'baby' Solos are off the road, with service 34 being allocated another bus.

Following repaint, 5263 is another Scania OmniCity to transfer to Washington. This will, but hasn't yet, enable the transfer of 5338 to Deptford (joining 5337 which was allocated to Deptford on return from refurbishment, having already been replaced at Washington by 5262). 5261 is the third fleet livery OmniCity due to transfer to Washington, but is currently undergoing accident damage repairs at Saltmeadows Road. This will enable 5324 to transfer to Riverside.

5254 was parked at Saltmeadows awaiting repaint on Saturday.

(28 Jan 2018, 5:39 pm)Rapidsnap wrote 5254 was parked at Saltmeadows awaiting repaint on Saturday.

All being well; due to be repainted on Tuesday and branded on Wednesday, prior to allocation to Washington, to cover the PVR increase on service 5. As Washington have yet to receive 5254, this will be another reason for retaining 5338, otherwise they'd be a bus short.

5267 is also now at Saltmeadows Rd awaiting repaint - this will be the first OmniCity to be repainted and branded for the Blue Arrow. Again, all being well, painted on Wednesday and branded on Thursday.


Both 6332 and 6333 are down to be branded on Tuesday, although the Night Bus may be branded tomorrow.

With only 5338 needing to be transferred to Deptford out of the Citaro's, will 3974 move back in the special events fleet, 5204 back to Chester and will 4929, 4937 be withdrawn in the coming week or so?

I've managed to catch glimpse of more of the new style destinations, since it was rolled out to more depots and I have yet to be convinced it is better than the style it replaces.

Two that jump out (I've seen them fairly recently so are fresh in my mind) are the 4 and 20 series.

The 4 now displays 'HOUGHTON' on its blind. Fairly obvious where it goes when heading south, but for a fairly long route, passengers are fortunate enough to have a handful of calling points on the side of the vehicle.
It is also fortunate that there aren't too many route variations.
Apart from a couple of short runs, the only variation I can think of off the top of my head, is the evening/sunday Fallowfield Way terminators. 

Compare that to the three variants of route that the Purple Streetlite takes (I will come back to the allocated odd-workings they take part in shortly) and the pretty vague linear route map at the rear of the vehicle and I foresee some confusion ahead.

There is no mention of the different routes between Houghton and Durham (it simply says Houghton - Belmont - Durham on the rear of the vehicle).
I've already seen confusion when an X20 turns up (and that's with the scrolling display!).
I didn't think the Doxford diversions were originally worth a mention, although now the single destination is used, will anyone be aware of the diversion?

Then we have the scheduled odd-workings. Vehicles displaying a one line destination, but with no clue for irregular passengers as to which route it takes to get to that end point.
For a convoluted route, again I foresee confusion.

As enthusiasts, I reckon it is often easy to work out where, when and what time bus we need to get.
For those working in the industry, maybe even easier.
For normal passengers, I would state again (I know that I have said it before), that travel and information needs to be easy to find, easy to obtain and easy to understand.
Not everyone can access the internet and not everyone has the ability to read a timetable to check on via points.

Let's find a medium that works for everyone. Please.

(28 Jan 2018, 5:49 pm)Michael wrote With only 5338 needing to be transferred to Deptford out of the Citaro's, will 3974 move back in the special events fleet, 5204 back to Chester and will 4929, 4937 be withdrawn in the coming week or so?

5204 has already returned to Chester-le-Street.

(28 Jan 2018, 6:00 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5204 has already returned to Chester-le-Street.

Oh has it, must of missed that post!

(28 Jan 2018, 5:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've managed to catch glimpse of more of the new style destinations, since it was rolled out to more depots and I have yet to be convinced it is better than the style it replaces.

Two that jump out (I've seen them fairly recently so are fresh in my mind) are the 4 and 20 series.

The 4 now displays 'HOUGHTON' on its blind. Fairly obvious where it goes when heading south, but for a fairly long route, passengers are fortunate enough to have a handful of calling points on the side of the vehicle.
It is also fortunate that there aren't too many route variations.
Apart from a couple of short runs, the only variation I can think of off the top of my head, is the evening/sunday Fallowfield Way terminators. 

Compare that to the three variants of route that the Purple Streetlite takes (I will come back to the allocated odd-workings they take part in shortly) and the pretty vague linear route map at the rear of the vehicle and I foresee some confusion ahead.

There is no mention of the different routes between Houghton and Durham (it simply says Houghton - Belmont - Durham on the rear of the vehicle).
I've already seen confusion when an X20 turns up (and that's with the scrolling display!).
I didn't think the Doxford diversions were originally worth a mention, although now the single destination is used, will anyone be aware of the diversion?

Then we have the scheduled odd-workings. Vehicles displaying a one line destination, but with no clue for irregular passengers as to which route it takes to get to that end point.
For a convoluted route, again I foresee confusion.

As enthusiasts, I reckon it is often easy to work out where, when and what time bus we need to get.
For those working in the industry, maybe even easier.
For normal passengers, I would state again (I know that I have said it before), that travel and information needs to be easy to find, easy to obtain and easy to understand.
Not everyone can access the internet and not everyone has the ability to read a timetable to check on via points.

Let's find a medium that works for everyone. Please.

It looks stylish and much bolder. You can see what bus you're going to get on, no pointless via-point clutter that very few people can read. This may be me being naive, but who gets on a bus without knowing where it's heading? Half the time the older folks or less-abled can't even read the display and ask the driver anyway. The number of folk who do not have internet access, are afraid to speak to drivers and have no idea how to get somewhere by bus is probably very small. Nexus and whatnot also give good advice of how to get around. Yes, it needs to be easy to find - but I'd gather a huge percentage find it extremely easy to find the right bus.

Should drivers be operating a ticket machine (essentially a big mobile phone) when driving!?