I do agree with The 9 getting the streetlites.

Crusader being upgrade to Enviro 400 or 300 single decker or scaina omnicites.

(30 Dec 2018, 10:57 am)busmanT wrote Need to add reliability to the list of things considered as part of the evaluation of new buses - although Go North East have no experience of ADL double deck products in recent years, other parts of Go Ahead do.

Hopefully that doesn't put them off, as its a completely new demo bus, we expected a few niggles but i think the E400 has done well (according to other people) so hopefully those niggles are put down to it being completely new. 





For 2018:


I think we'll see more Streetlites coming in, ready for June/July, for the start of the Scania L94 withdrawal's... however only routes I could see getting new Streetlites is the Loop and 35 (standardising the types of buses at Deptford) along with new Streetlites arriving for the Quaylink, pushing the Versa's out on most of the Scania routes (Green Arrow), 13, 14 and X25. 


23 new Streetlites for the Quaylink including 2 spare = total of 25
8 new Streetlites for the 35 + 1 spare = total of 9. 
8 Streetlites for the Loop + 1 spare = total of 9

Cascades would be: 

10 Versa for the Green Arrow - but brand dropped
10 Versa for the 13, 14 and X25

Withdrawals: 

If my numbers are right, (which they'll not be!) it withdraws almost all the Scania’s and just leaves 5229, 5230, 5231, 5232 in service but some of the 2004 batch could be left in service as spares. 


Although, we know Go North East won't buy as many Streetlites as above, this is a suggestion, if they wanted to get rid of them straight away, as some are now 17 years old....

I don't think GNE would buy anymore Streetlites after it was rumoured the current MD had bad experience with Wright Products during his time at Reading Buses. I'm hoping for Optare Products myself.

(31 Dec 2018, 4:57 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I don't think GNE would buy anymore Streetlites after it was rumoured the current MD had bad experience with Wright Products during his time at Reading Buses. I'm hoping for Optare Products myself.

Remember that it was said, that the MD doesn't have much as a say as people think, when it comes to buying new buses, the lead engineer has some sort of say in that.

But i do hope for something different.

(31 Dec 2018, 4:57 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I don't think GNE would buy anymore Streetlites after it was rumoured the current MD had bad experience with Wright Products during his time at Reading Buses. I'm hoping for Optare Products myself.

Optare are not much better imo. The Metrodecker they have on demonstration was sent a council tax bill the other week, given how much time it spends stood in the depot. 

(30 Dec 2018, 5:47 pm)Citaro5326 wrote Castles express 6304 currently wedged in the bridge near metro centre on X21...

Thats what stopped my bloody train at Newcastle last night. Ended up finishing my journey on the 10

(31 Dec 2018, 4:38 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully that doesn't put them off, as its a completely new demo bus, we expected a few niggles but i think the E400 has done well (according to other people) so hopefully those niggles are put down to it being completely new. 





For 2018:


I think we'll see more Streetlites coming in, ready for June/July, for the start of the Scania L94 withdrawal's... however only routes I could see getting new Streetlites is the Loop and 35 (standardising the types of buses at Deptford) along with new Streetlites arriving for the Quaylink, pushing the Versa's out on most of the Scania routes (Green Arrow), 13, 14 and X25. 


23 new Streetlites for the Quaylink including 2 spare = total of 25
8 new Streetlites for the 35 + 1 spare = total of 9. 
8 Streetlites for the Loop + 1 spare = total of 9

Cascades would be: 

10 Versa for the Green Arrow - but brand dropped
10 Versa for the 13, 14 and X25

Withdrawals: 

If my numbers are right, (which they'll not be!) it withdraws almost all the Scania’s and just leaves 5229, 5230, 5231, 5232 in service but some of the 2004 batch could be left in service as spares. 


Although, we know Go North East won't buy as many Streetlites as above, this is a suggestion, if they wanted to get rid of them straight away, as some are now 17 years old....

My suggestion would be:
18 new streetairs (like the lothian ones) for the Q3
(5501-18) +12 spare (5519-30) +13 for the q1 + 12 fir the Q1/2(5531-43)

The 12 spares mean 6 spares for each route

8 new, eclipse 3s for the loop (5601-08) + 5 spare (5609-13)

8 more streetairs for the city link 58 (5544-51)+
5 spare (5552-56)


This will allow to transferr MOST of riversides versas to other depots to withdraw MOST of the L94s to be withdrawn


Let me know your thoughts

Wright Streetairs are a joke. Lothian ordered 12, but cancelled their order after 6 arrived after they turned out to be quite poor. Plus they are short wheelbase and would in no way cope with the loads on the Q3.

(31 Dec 2018, 9:53 pm)GNE6312 wrote My suggestion would be:
18 new streetairs (like the lothian ones) for the Q3
(5501-18) +12 spare (5519-30) +13 for the q1 + 12 fir the Q1/2(5531-43)

The 12 spares mean 6 spares for each route

8 new, eclipse 3s for the loop (5601-08) + 5 spare (5609-13)

8 more streetairs for the city link 58 (5544-51)+
5 spare (5552-56)


This will allow to transferr MOST of riversides versas to other depots to withdraw MOST of the L94s to be withdrawn


Let me know your thoughts

Spare buses are being kept to a minimum, so that isn't happening.

I would like to see streetdecks on red kites, 5409-5419 to kick off 10 solars. New streetlites somewhere to reduce others and perhaps keep a few 54 plate ones for misc/spare rota work, like the 95/64 etc.

(31 Dec 2018, 9:53 pm)GNE6312 wrote My suggestion would be:
18 new streetairs (like the lothian ones) for the Q3
(5501-18) +12 spare (5519-30) +13 for the q1 + 12 fir the Q1/2(5531-43)

The 12 spares mean 6 spares for each route

8 new, eclipse 3s for the loop (5601-08) + 5 spare (5609-13)

8 more streetairs for the city link 58 (5544-51)+
5 spare (5552-56)


This will allow to transferr MOST of riversides versas to other depots to withdraw MOST of the L94s to be withdrawn


Let me know your thoughts

Do you know about allocations, a Route does not need 5/6 Spare Buses there would be no benefit in that and will be a complete waste of money and that’s if GNE can even afford to have that many spares, my mind is blown.

(31 Dec 2018, 4:57 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I don't think GNE would buy anymore Streetlites after it was rumoured the current MD had bad experience with Wright Products during his time at Reading Buses. I'm hoping for Optare Products myself.

I like the streetlites from both perspectives. They're comfy and warm from pax point of view with wifi, chargers, nsas and a nice modern feel.
Warm and drive nicely from a drivers point of view. Can drive them all day no problem and regularly have done. Don't know why they have such bad reputation.

Great from an operators point of view due to the BSOG payments and the fact they are very good on the fuel.

(31 Dec 2018, 10:01 pm)NewcastleOne wrote Do you know about allocations, a Route does not need 5/6 Spare Buses there would be no benefit in that and will be a complete waste of money and that’s if GNE can even afford to have that many spares, my mind is blown.

They don't all have to be on quaylink/loop/city link 58 they can go onto other services that may repuire a spare for whatever reasons and the 67/68/69 so they won't all be spare for 1 service

(31 Dec 2018, 10:16 pm)GNE6312 wrote They don't all have to be on quaylink/loop/city link 58 they can go onto other services that may repuire a spare for whatever reasons and the 67/68/69 so they won't all be spare for 1 service

The branding scheme is to keep as many branded vehicles on the routes as possible, flooding the allocation with spare vehicles isn't really solving any problems. It would only become nearly sensible if more services became corp livery which I can't see happening.

Most of the time, the right vehicles get allocated and at some point in most days there's 100% correct branding, at least at Riverside.

(31 Dec 2018, 10:04 pm)Jamie M wrote I like the streetlites from both perspectives. They're comfy and warm from pax point of view with wifi, chargers, nsas and a nice modern feel.
Warm and drive nicely from a drivers point of view. Can drive them all day no problem and regularly have done. Don't know why they have such bad reputation.

Great from an operators point of view due to the BSOG payments and the fact they are very good on the fuel.

(31 Dec 2018, 10:04 pm)Jamie M wrote I like the streetlites from both perspectives. They're comfy and warm from pax point of view with wifi, chargers, nsas and a nice modern feel.
Warm and drive nicely from a drivers point of view. Can drive them all day no problem and regularly have done. Don't know why they have such bad reputation.

Great from an operators point of view due to the BSOG payments and the fact they are very good on the fuel.

In the enthusiast community, they are the buses you love to hate, very few seem to actually like them and are regularly slated, I recently visited Carlisle and posted that Arriva's 1577 turned up as my 685 back to Newcastle and pretty much everyone reacted in the same way which was wetting themselves laughing and proclaiming that they would sooner spend an extra hour in Carlisle rather than get on it. It's personal preferences at the end of the day, I wouldn't say I love them but can bare them which is just as well when I have to put up with them most days now, I actually enjoyed having 1577 on the 685 that day, only thing that actually reallu bothered me about that journey was the hard e-leather seats Arriva gave them.

As much as I love big bulky fuel binge drinking buses, those days seem to be over and I feel we need to move on as this is clearly the future for bus travel whether we like it or not.

(31 Dec 2018, 9:55 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Wright Streetairs are a joke. Lothian ordered 12, but cancelled their order after 6 arrived after they turned out to be quite poor. Plus they are short wheelbase and would in no way cope with the loads on the Q3.

Have they sold any other than those 6? I don't think even London have ordered any.

I didn't find them too bad, but clearly the order volume speaks for itself - either a bad product or poor value for money.

---

(31 Dec 2018, 10:04 pm)Jamie M wrote I like the streetlites from both perspectives. They're comfy and warm from pax point of view with wifi, chargers, nsas and a nice modern feel.
Warm and drive nicely from a drivers point of view. Can drive them all day no problem and regularly have done. Don't know why they have such bad reputation.

Great from an operators point of view due to the BSOG payments and the fact they are very good on the fuel.

They are always a good temperature, I'll give them that, but other than that they're pretty poor from a passenger point of view. They're narrow/cramped, uncomfortable and have more rattles than a baby's cot. It is a waste of time advertising the chargers, because they're rarely switched on. The poor design requiring a manual switch on each time the vehicle is started up, usually results in the drivers forgetting to switch them on. 

The E200MMCs that Stagecoach are running in Newcastle are essentially the same bus, but they're worlds apart in terms of build quality and ride quality IMO.

(31 Dec 2018, 10:20 pm)Jamie M wrote The branding scheme is to keep as many branded vehicles on the routes as possible, flooding the allocation with spare vehicles isn't really solving any problems. It would only become nearly sensible if more services became corp livery which I can't see happening.

Most of the time, the right vehicles get allocated and at some point in most days there's 100% correct branding, at least at Riverside.

Maybe 3 spare per route will work

(31 Dec 2018, 11:33 pm)Adrian wrote Have they sold any other than those 6? I don't think even London have ordered any.

I didn't find them too bad, but clearly the order volume speaks for itself - either a bad product or poor value for money.

---

They are always a good temperature, I'll give them that, but other than that they're pretty poor from a passenger point of view. They're narrow/cramped, uncomfortable and have more rattles than a baby's cot. It is a waste of time advertising the chargers, because they're rarely switched on. The poor design requiring a manual switch on each time the vehicle is started up, usually results in the drivers forgetting to switch them on. 

The E200MMCs that Stagecoach are running in Newcastle are essentially the same bus, but they're worlds apart in terms of build quality and ride quality IMO.

those seats are uncomfortable as anything on the stagecoaches, cannot stand them. The USB chargers always work from my experience too on the Euro 6 versions and the refurbed mercs.

---

(01 Jan 2019, 8:18 am)GNE6312 wrote Maybe 3 spare per route will work

One spare per route is the normal idea... can't see that increasing at all nevermind 3 fold.

(31 Dec 2018, 10:20 pm)Jamie M wrote The branding scheme is to keep as many branded vehicles on the routes as possible, flooding the allocation with spare vehicles isn't really solving any problems. It would only become nearly sensible if more services became corp livery which I can't see happening.

Most of the time, the right vehicles get allocated and at some point in most days there's 100% correct branding, at least at Riverside.

I don't think many people thought the Waggonway and See It Do It brands would go but they have.

I hope if new buses arrive, they'll drop some brands, and go in to "Go North East".

---

(01 Jan 2019, 8:18 am)GNE6312 wrote Maybe 3 spare per route will work

Normally the spare to route ratio is 1:8.

x50 Alexander Enviro 200MMC


23 - Quaylink Q1/Q2 & Q3
8 - Citylink 58
8 - Saltwell Park 53/54
4 - X66
7 - Go North East

Streetlites off the 53/54 & X66 go to Deptford to replace all Scania L94's used on the 35/38
14 Versa V1170's new in 2013 would move to Chester-Le-Street replacing x4 Scania L94's and x10 (09 reg) Versas for use on 13/14/28/28A & X25
18 Versa V1110's currently used on the Quaylinks would go on the 93/94 and 97, 3 spares would be used as cover for these services or on the 64/95

(01 Jan 2019, 3:04 pm)Malarkey wrote x50 Alexander Enviro 200MMC


23 - Quaylink Q1/Q2 & Q3
8 - Citylink 58
8 - Saltwell Park 53/54
4 - X66
7 - Go North East

Streetlites off the 53/54 & X66 go to Deptford to replace all Scania L94's used on the 35/38
14 Versa V1170's new in 2013 would move to Chester-Le-Street replacing x4 Scania L94's and x10 (09 reg) Versas for use on 13/14/28/28A & X25
18 Versa V1110's currently used on the Quaylinks would go on the 93/94 and 97, 3 spares would be used as cover for these services or on the 64/95

Maybe rid of those euro 4 omnicities at Stanley too... the solars earn more brownie points than they do and only 2 or so years older. Versas in their place when the services come down.

(01 Jan 2019, 3:18 pm)Jamie M wrote Maybe rid of those euro 4 omnicities at Stanley too... the solars earn more brownie points than they do and only 2 or so years older. Versas in their place when the services come down.

I'd leave them for another year.

What will they actually put on the 93 and 94 from this year,baring in mind the 09 versas will be 10 years old this year

(01 Jan 2019, 4:21 pm)V514DFT wrote What will they actually put on the 93 and 94 from this year,baring in mind the 09 versas will be 10 years old this year

Atm the current Scania's, as nothing has been mentioned or confirmed about new buses arriving.

The only order we know so far is the 3 Solo's for the Sunderland Connect, which should hopefully arrive this month.

(01 Jan 2019, 2:34 pm)Jamie M wrote those seats are uncomfortable as anything on the stagecoaches, cannot stand them. The USB chargers always work from my experience too on the Euro 6 versions and the refurbed mercs.

Comfort is subjective, so each to their own! But you must be extremely lucky if the USB chargers always work from your experience. If I had a £1 for every time I have to ask for them to be switched on...

(02 Jan 2019, 6:12 pm)Adrian wrote Comfort is subjective, so each to their own! But you must be extremely lucky if the USB chargers always work from your experience. If I had a £1 for every time I have to ask for them to be switched on...

If you get on some the Arriva Darlington Sapphire ones, you are lucky if it's not just a crudely filled hole or the damaged remains of the port  

Takes very little to break them USB ports it seems...

(02 Jan 2019, 6:12 pm)Adrian wrote Comfort is subjective, so each to their own! But you must be extremely lucky if the USB chargers always work from your experience. If I had a £1 for every time I have to ask for them to be switched on...

Tbh, where the stagecoach MMCs operate, it is not a surprise to see them in such a state. Its a shame because I find these stagecoach MMCs to be the comfiest and smoothest buses in the toon.

---

If they operated in the more better areas they'd be in very good condition but the 100 makes the bus a big bin with USBs, 30/31 just to break it and on the occasions i see it on the 10, they're brilliant. If we saw these on routes like the 57,9,19,97/A and more, GNE will in my opinion have the best buses about and could easily take place of routes currently on Mercs, omnis, solars and maybe even versas while they can also get options to even replace some solo routes like the almost constant problem on indigo 40/41/42/A

(31 Dec 2018, 11:33 pm)Adrian wrote Have they sold any other than those 6? I don't think even London have ordered any.

I didn't find them too bad, but clearly the order volume speaks for itself - either a bad product or poor value for money.

---

They are always a good temperature, I'll give them that, but other than that they're pretty poor from a passenger point of view. They're narrow/cramped, uncomfortable and have more rattles than a baby's cot. It is a waste of time advertising the chargers, because they're rarely switched on. The poor design requiring a manual switch on each time the vehicle is started up, usually results in the drivers forgetting to switch them on. 

The E200MMCs that Stagecoach are running in Newcastle are essentially the same bus, but they're worlds apart in terms of build quality and ride quality IMO.

Good temperature? They have no insulation. The arriva ones with no heating are freezing in winter and boiling in summer and the Prince bishops onwards gne ones are always hot

---

(01 Jan 2019, 4:07 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd leave them for another year.

Aye. I'm never disappointed in an omnicity, so long as there's no dual carriageway embarrassment involved.

---

(01 Jan 2019, 4:07 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd leave them for another year.

Aye. I'm never disappointed in an omnicity, so long as there's no dual carriageway embarrassment involved.

Would be nice if they could replace the 11/61 reg solos on indigo north tyne,only thing really wrong with them is that they arent upto spec with the rest of them,i know they dis it because of the pvr increase,but that was like 2/3 years ago,personally i would also repaint 653/54 into corp livery as spares for the these services,but probably highly unlikely

(03 Jan 2019, 12:19 am)BusLoverMum wrote Good temperature? They have no insulation. The arriva ones with no heating are freezing in winter and boiling in summer and the Prince bishops onwards gne ones are always hot

I find the GNE ones to be spot on for saloon temperature. Certainly beats getting on an old Prestige or Solar in the winter, when it often felt colder than it was outside!

(02 Jan 2019, 10:43 pm)JM03 wrote Tbh, where the stagecoach MMCs operate, it is not a surprise to see them in such a state. Its a shame because I find these stagecoach MMCs to be the comfiest and smoothest buses in the toon.

---

If they operated in the more better areas they'd be in very good condition but the 100 makes the bus a big bin with USBs, 30/31 just to break it and on the occasions i see it on the 10, they're brilliant. If we saw these on routes like the 57,9,19,97/A and more, GNE will in my opinion have the best buses about and could easily take place of routes currently on Mercs, omnis, solars and maybe even versas while they can also get options to even replace some solo routes like the almost constant problem on indigo 40/41/42/A

Good and Bad in every area, it’s a shame that people disrespect transport in all areas.

---

I would be interested to see how the EV MMC 200s do at GNE as well as the Solos SR EV.
———-
Order prediction- I won’t say what vehicle/bus but a prediction on routes
9
26/27
97/97a/X97