When is the 74 next going to be up for tender? Is GNE keeping this service for a while?

Has nightbus fab56 8085 preciously had modifications as part of the funding NCC/NTS/GMB councils won to clean up buses? Just it sounds quite whistley. Sounds almost hybrid like although I realise it’s not.

Also it’s audio /visual announcements still aren’t working which I mentioned to GNE last month. Wonder what’s up with them.

I may as well use up my full questions quota for today and also ask, will the refurbished Cobalt Clippers return to service with Emma Hignetts voice and self updating destinations to change to ‘Haymarket’ once they reach the East Coast Mainline Bridge on the Coast rd for example and cross into the city border?

(19 Feb 2019, 8:55 am)ne14ne1 wrote Has nightbus fab56 8085 preciously had modifications as part of the funding NCC/NTS/GMB councils won to clean up buses? Just it sounds quite whistley. Sounds almost hybrid like although I realise it’s not.

Also it’s audio /visual announcements still aren’t working which I mentioned to GNE last month. Wonder what’s up with them.

I may as well use up my full questions quota for today and also ask, will the refurbished Cobalt Clippers return to service with Emma Hignetts voice and self updating destinations to change to ‘Haymarket’ once they reach the East Coast Mainline Bridge on the Coast rd for example and cross into the city border?

It had a GKN Flywheel system fitted - but this was removed in May 2016 following an unsuccessful trial. Shouldn't have any impact on what the bus performs like now.

The news of the announcements not working hadn't filtered through to me on this occasion, but thanks, noted. There's quite a few of the old systems not working at the moment but work will commence on repairing these when the Cobalt Clippers return to service (as the old units are being replaced for new units as part of the refurbishment, giving us the old units to play with for repairs to the others in the fleet).

And yes, as the Cobalt Clippers are having the new systems fitted, it'll be 'Emma-fied'. The new units are the ones capable of changing the destinations, so yes to that one too.

(18 Feb 2019, 9:45 pm)Gonorth91 wrote I think bus drivers want to leave on the appropriate time I was standing at South Shields bus station waiting for the 50 it was due 17.24 went past without stopping it was 17.18 hadto wait nearly 25 mins for the crap 5

I would very much doubt it. Probably the one in front as 6 minutes early is a lot and would be picked up by control ( normally). I know there have been a couple of sets of 4 way traffic lights causing a bit of bother lately. But the fact you did not see your bus at all is strange like

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(19 Feb 2019, 9:08 am)Dan wrote It had a GKN Flywheel system fitted - but this was removed in May 2016 following an unsuccessful trial. Shouldn't have any impact on what the bus performs like now.

The news of the announcements not working hadn't filtered through to me on this occasion, but thanks, noted. There's quite a few of the old systems not working at the moment but work will commence on repairing these when the Cobalt Clippers return to service (as the old units are being replaced for new units as part of the refurbishment, giving us the old units to play with for repairs to the others in the fleet).

And yes, as the Cobalt Clippers are having the new systems fitted, it'll be 'Emma-fied'. The new units are the ones capable of changing the destinations, so yes to that one too.

Ah okay, cool. Thanks for the info, Dan.

What is happening with the cobalt clippers with their refurb, what are they getting done?

No one did wasnt looking when time got closer i always look but he shudnt of went strsight past

Appreciate it isn't latest news, but with the 'bus incidents' thread vanishing, this is probably the most relevant thread.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...m-15846860

Noted at Saltmeadows are EYMS ADL E400 A17EYC, Volvo B7RLE / MCV YX14HDZ and one of the open toppers.

(20 Feb 2019, 12:24 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Noted at Saltmeadows are EYMS ADL E400 A17EYC, Volvo B7RLE / MCV YX14HDZ and one of the open toppers.

Repaints most likely.

626 is back at riverside tracked on the 33

Will there be any change to the allocated vehicles on the Crusader routes next week while diversions are in place at Hebburn . The reason for the questions is the last time a similar diversion was in place the Citaro's were replaced with Versa's for the duration of the diversion.

https://www.route-one.net/articles/Chari...to_hospice

Will the Cobalt Clippers have a dedicated spare after the changes on the 24th March?

My predictions are below:
- 2x ex London B9TLs transferred from Stanley to Percy Main & Deptford leaving the Fab 56 & 309/310 with 2x spares for each route (1x high spec & 1x normal spec).

OR

- 6084 released from Riverside to Deptford to maintain common fleet numbers leaving the TVT & X9/X10 with 3x spares covering a PVR of 23. 6084 & 6099 remain at Deptford with 6100 transferred to Percy Main as spare for the 309/310.

Question. Why are the EYMS vehicles going to Saltmeadows for a repaint, wouldn't it be cheaper for EYMS to do it at Anlaby Road depot especially on the fuel costs.

654 looks to have had its indiGo branding updated.

Didn’t get a chance to see what the text said but I did note a Cobalt logo on the side windows.

(20 Feb 2019, 10:24 pm)L469 YVK wrote Will the Cobalt Clippers have a dedicated spare after the changes on the 24th March?

My predictions are below:
- 2x ex London B9TLs transferred from Stanley to Percy Main & Deptford leaving the Fab 56 & 309/310 with 2x spares for each route (1x high spec & 1x normal spec).

OR

- 6084 released from Riverside to Deptford to maintain common fleet numbers leaving the TVT & X9/X10 with 3x spares covering a PVR of 23. 6084 & 6099 remain at Deptford with 6100 transferred to Percy Main as spare for the 309/310.

More likely to be Omnidekka's, as the spare bus(es).

(21 Feb 2019, 9:53 pm)GNE6312 wrote

When does the display change to Eldon square on the blaydon racer's?. Scotswood bridge?

Newcastle college

(21 Feb 2019, 9:53 pm)Jamie M wrote Newcastle college

Really? Surely it’d make more sense for it to change as in comes over the Scotswood Bridge and into the City of Newcastle. It would be more useful for passengers at stops from there onwards to see ‘Eldon Square’ as they’re already in Newcastle.

(21 Feb 2019, 9:53 pm)Jamie M wrote Newcastle college

Thank you for the info.

Some photo's of the new Consett Depot, photos by Gary Edmundson

https://twitter.com/garyedm/status/1097877605351677952

(22 Feb 2019, 5:53 am)ne14ne1 wrote Really? Surely it’d make more sense for it to change as in comes over the Scotswood Bridge and into the City of Newcastle. It would be more useful for passengers at stops from there onwards to see ‘Eldon Square’ as they’re already in Newcastle.

And the chances of any passengers boarding at the handful of stops between the college and Eldon Square, is slim to nil.
Totally agree that it needs to display Eldon Square before the college mind.

(22 Feb 2019, 3:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote And the chances of any passengers boarding at the handful of stops between the college and Eldon Square, is slim to nil.
Totally agree that it needs to display Eldon Square before the college mind.

I find the announcements are a bit iffy on the 12s. Some of the locations are a bit off in all, but I think it's generally good. After spending a week of doing shifts revolving around 12s, I definitely have changed my opinion on the essay that gets read out before approaching the final stop. Hearing it once or twice is ok, hearing it 7 times or so a day, gets a bit repetitive

(22 Feb 2019, 4:10 pm)Jamie M wrote I find the announcements are a bit iffy on the 12s. Some of the locations are a bit off in all, but I think it's generally good. After spending a week of doing shifts revolving around 12s, I definitely have changed my opinion on the essay that gets read out before approaching the final stop. Hearing it once or twice is ok, hearing it 7 times or so a day, gets a bit repetitive

I wonder what the drivers of the X9/X10 think of the announcements, I lost count of the amount of times I was told to download the app, or connect to the WiFi

6315 just broke down just after gateshead interchange on X21 just now

(22 Feb 2019, 4:13 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder what the drivers of the X9/X10 think of the announcements, I lost count of the amount of times I was told to download the app, or connect to the WiFi

Can barely hear 'em on the X10s. Some drivers have even asked for them to be turned up.

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(22 Feb 2019, 6:26 pm)Dan wrote Can barely hear 'em on the X10s. Some drivers have even asked for them to be turned up.

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Dan what do you think of the comments re the Blaydon Racer 12's destinations changing to 'Eldon Square' on the Scotswood Bridge? Likewise will the refurbished Cobalt Clipper's destinations change to 'Haymarket' before arriving at the Benfield Road slip road?

(Having said that most of the Cobalt Clippers may as well terminate at St Marys Place - they seem to arrive and sit there for ages. Upon a morning I see drivers checking everyones off, turning the engine off, shutting the doors and wandering along to Greggs lol).

(22 Feb 2019, 6:43 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Dan what do you think of the comments re the Blaydon Racer 12's destinations changing to 'Eldon Square' on the Scotswood Bridge? Likewise will the refurbished Cobalt Clipper's destinations change to 'Haymarket' before arriving at the Benfield Road slip road?

(Having said that most of the Cobalt Clippers may as well terminate at St Marys Place - they seem to arrive and sit there for ages. Upon a morning I see drivers checking everyones off, turning the engine off, shutting the doors and wandering along to Greggs lol).

Yeah, probably got a point. I think it was intended to change at the business park rather than the college. Worth having a look into, anyway.

I'd already confirmed the Cobalt Clipper auto-change of destination when you asked last time! ;-)

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(22 Feb 2019, 7:11 pm)Dan wrote Yeah, probably got a point. I think it was intended to change at the business park rather than the college. Worth having a look into, anyway.

I'd already confirmed the Cobalt Clipper auto-change of destination when you asked last time! ;-)

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When will the first Cobalt Clipper B9 arrive back from refurbishment?