The new MD was not at the rally today, he was at creamfields instead enjoying his bank holiday, its on his twitter

Made the right choice there.  I wouldn't turn up to the rallies either. 

Made the right choice there.  I wouldn't turn up to the rallies either. 

If he had of turned up he probably would have been appalled by the shambolic organisation

Weird, everyone enthusiast I spoke to mentioned it including the drivers yesterday.

I don't know why people thought he would turn up - the rally was sponsored by Stagecoach

I don't know why people thought he would turn up - the rally was sponsored by Stagecoach

No idea either, but the older enthusiasts were certain he was there early morning, even the drivers there were saying same thing is what I don't get.

No idea either, but the older enthusiasts were certain he was there early morning, even the drivers there were saying same thing is what I don't get.

Driver talk.... reliable? Haven't heard that one for a while [emoji23][emoji23]

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5479 appeared to have crashed into 5471 in Park Lane earlier today

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dansnorthe...ed-friend/

Isn't 5479 and 5480 supposed to be allocated to the N56?

Isn't 5479 and 5480 supposed to be allocated to the N56?

They have another spare one and I've seen black cats ones come up on it whenever I've been kicking round toon at that time.

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They have another spare one and I've seen black cats ones come up on it whenever I've been kicking round toon at that time.

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So they're using black cats, I thought one also ran off another route 9?

Just seen a 309 it’s been fitted with a larger font boards

With the Gemini's heading to depots to be used on school/work services and sometimes front line services. Where are 6920-6934 heading?, and is it still planned for 6935- 6941 to remain at Saltmeadows?

Will the Vykings be all based at Riverside once again?

Which depot will the 392/792/794/933/939/941 be operated out of?

Which depot will the 392/792/794/933/939/941 be operated out of?

The 794 is from percy main

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The 794 is from percy main

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That's pretty stupid, it would be easier for Stanley to run it then interwork it with daytime services.

That's pretty stupid, it would be easier for Stanley to run it then interwork it with daytime services.

Maybe the return is but the morning one ends in benton, which is nowhere near anywhere. Dead milage whatever the case and I guess there's probably a scholars before/after.

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Which depot will the 392/792/794/933/939/941 be operated out of?

Riverside.

Isn't 5479 and 5480 supposed to be allocated to the N56?

Yes, on paper should be 5479 and 5480.

If either of those are unavailable, then 5438 or 5439 should be allocated.

Just seen a 309 it’s been fitted with a larger font boards

All buses should have been updated this weekend - some were updated as early as Friday - so more or less everything now should be in the larger terminal point only font.

With the Gemini's heading to depots to be used on school/work services and sometimes front line services. Where are 6920-6934 heading?, and is it still planned for 6935- 6941 to remain at Saltmeadows?

Will the Vykings be all based at Riverside once again?

All Vykings: Riverside
5481 - 5485: Saltmeadows
5486/87: Washington
6901 - 6909: Deptford
6910 - 6914: Percy Main
6915 - 6925: Riverside
6926 - 6941: Saltmeadows

• The allocation of the Volvo B7s to Percy Main allows for the transfer of 6136-38 to Chester-le-Street (which in turn releases 3965 to Riverside), as well as 6010 to Saltmeadows.
  
• The allocation of the Volvo B7s to Riverside allows for the transfer of 6122/23/28 to Chester-le-Street (in turn allowing the withdrawal of 5201 and the release of 3962-64 to Washington, which also enables 6033 to transfer to Saltmeadows).
  
• The allocation of one of the ex-Bluestar Mercedes Citaros to Washington, to be a spare bus for service 4, releases 5263 to Percy Main for a single-deck Miscellaneous Works contract there.
  

There is now a small fleet of float/reserve vehicles (5204/15 and 6017/23/30), which are to be used initially to allow completion of the remaining repaints of the Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B7 and Mercedes Citaro from Go South Coast.

Although most of these transfers have taken place over the weekend, there will be a small number which remain outstanding (mostly because the vehicles are currently VOR).

Which depot will the 392/792/794/933/939/941 be operated out of?

392 AM/PM - Percy Main
792 AM/PM - Saltmeadows
794 AM - Percy Main
794 PM - Saltmeadows
933 AM - Riverside
933 PM (16:05 x Team Valley) - Riverside
933 PM (17:10 x Team Valley) - Washington
939 AM (06:10 x Concord) - Riverside
939 AM (07:00 x Sunderland) - Deptford
939 PM - Deptford
941 AM - Saltmeadows
941 PM - Washington

All Vykings: Riverside
5481 - 5485: Saltmeadows
5486/87: Washington
6901 - 6909: Deptford
6910 - 6914: Percy Main
6915 - 6925: Riverside
6926 - 6941: Saltmeadows

• The allocation of the Volvo B7s to Percy Main allows for the transfer of 6136-38 to Chester-le-Street (which in turn releases 3965 to Riverside), as well as 6010 to Saltmeadows.
  
• The allocation of the Volvo B7s to Riverside allows for the transfer of 6122/23/28 to Chester-le-Street (in turn allowing the withdrawal of 5201 and the release of 3962-64 to Washington, which also enables 6033 to transfer to Saltmeadows).
  
• The allocation of one of the ex-Bluestar Mercedes Citaros to Washington, to be a spare bus for service 4, releases 5263 to Percy Main for a single-deck Miscellaneous Works contract there.
  

There is now a small fleet of float/reserve vehicles (5204/15 and 6017/23/30), which are to be used initially to allow completion of the remaining repaints of the Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B7 and Mercedes Citaro from Go South Coast.

Although most of these transfers have taken place over the weekend, there will be a small number which remain outstanding (mostly because the vehicles are currently VOR).

Thanks Dan.


I'm surprised 4942 and 4944 haven't been moved to a reserve role to use on the contracts, only reason i think it hasn't happened, is because the contracts state they must Euro 5 buses?

Thanks Dan.


I'm surprised 4942 and 4944 haven't been moved to a reserve role to use on the contracts, only reason i think it hasn't happened, is because the contracts state they must Euro 5 buses?

When Solos 724 and 725 enter service at Crook; Versa 8295 will return to Chester-le-Street to enable the withdrawal of 4942, and Versa 8307 will return to Riverside to enable the withdrawal of 4944.

When Solos 724 and 725 enter service at Crook; Versa 8295 will return to Chester-le-Street to enable the withdrawal of 4942, and Versa 8307 will return to Riverside to enable the withdrawal of 4944.

I forgot about that, 

Just seen a 309 it’s been fitted with a larger font boards

Along with the 11 and the 310

Along with the 11 and the 310

11 has been done for a while now

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I would imagine the repaints of the Cobalt Clipper will finally start this month?

Hopefully the god awful FAB 56 B9's after....

I would imagine the repaints of the Cobalt Clipper will finally start this month?

Hopefully the god awful FAB 56 B9's after....

Probably not - there's still quite a few Volvo B7/Gemini and Mercedes Citaro to complete, in addition to two of the ex-Dawson Rental Solos.

Probably not - there's still quite a few Volvo B7/Gemini and Mercedes Citaro to complete, in addition to two of the ex-Dawson Rental Solos.

Oh well, wonder when they're finally repainted, they'll drop the brand?, as we don't know what Martijn Gilbert, has planned for branding! 

Hopefully if he sticks with the FAB 56 brand, the flowers are dropped!

Oh well, wonder when they're finally repainted, they'll drop the brand?, as we don't know what Martijn Gilbert, has planned for branding! 

Hopefully if he sticks with the FAB 56 brand, the flowers are dropped!

What has been planned for the Cobalt Clipper will have had nothing to do with him. 

I don't want the brand name to be dropped, but very much want to see a new design. I think I've expressed my dislike for the current branding on the forum before.

Talking of branding, are there any plans to debrand 6124/5/31 soon? They haven't been needed on the Toon Link services since February-ish (excluding the 1 on Sundays due to operating the 07:30 X30 to Stanley).

What school contracts will be ran by Saltmeadows

What has been planned for the Cobalt Clipper will have had nothing to do with him. 

I don't want the brand name to be dropped, but very much want to see a new design. I think I've expressed my dislike for the current branding on the forum before.

Talking of branding, are there any plans to debrand 6124/5/31 soon? They haven't been needed on the Toon Link services since February-ish (excluding the 1 on Sundays due to operating the 07:30 X30 to Stanley).

There's all sorts with the 6/X30/even X31 changing depot in the future, claims which are linked up to the fact that there are too many vehicles for the new Consett depot. I think they'll be debranded when the plans are set in stone for which services go where.

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I think they'll be debranded when the plans are set in stone for which services go where.

I highly doubt that being the reason myself, but I'm willing to go with it as a possibility...

There's all sorts with the 6/X30/even X31 changing depot in the future, claims which are linked up to the fact that there are too many vehicles for the new Consett depot. I think they'll be debranded when the plans are set in stone for which services go where.

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I can see half of those services moving to Riverside as a split allocation after the new depot opens.

There's all sorts with the 6/X30/even X31 changing depot in the future, claims which are linked up to the fact that there are too many vehicles for the new Consett depot. I think they'll be debranded when the plans are set in stone for which services go where.

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It has always been intended that some routes would move to Riverside when the new Consett depot opens.