Surprised to see a day-time running of the "Sunderland Connect" 701 service.
Every time I've photographed the service, it has been empty...


Assume 628 will be allocated during this time? Will bring the PVR up to 4, rather than 3...

Nexus likes to waste money though!

The inter peak journeys on the 701 are needed due to the large number of students travelling on the 700, and will be operated by the single deck bus that does scholars 458 morning and afternoon

The inter peak journeys on the 701 are needed due to the large number of students travelling on the 700, and will be operated by the single deck bus that does scholars 458 morning and afternoon

Cheers.

I've noticed the morning 700s can be quite full when I've had the great pleasure of killing time by using the service after a doctor's appointment (during school hours!)...
Night 701s remaining the same though, with the Hybrid allocation?

Fab 56 branded Solar 5208 (I think it was) had a collapsed suspension earlier. It was operating as NIS leaning to the left quite badly beside the Bridges roundabout near Sunderland Road depot. I dare say it was heading there?

It was 5204

It was 5204

obviously can't see very far when I'm not wearing my specs haha

The reliability of those routes appears to be frequently brought to the attention of Go North East Customer Services on the Facebook page, so an issue is evident. If vehicles are required to improve reliability, single decked vehicles are the only vehicles presently available in the fleet. Would it therefore be worthwhile to allocate more reliable single decked vehicles to the West Durham routes? While such vehicles would marginally decrease the total carrying capacity, it would boost reliability.

Recent water works on bensham bank and now the council coning off a lane on team valley north roundabout just to cut down some trees, have done nothing to reliability in any service that uses this stretch

Drove around the edge of the new Riverside depot and note that the depot is now complete and all contractor vehicles seem to have departed. The reception area was lit up and looked very smart.

Additionally, judging by the crash barriers, the buses will be parked at right angles to the depot building as per Walkergate depot.

Drove around the edge of the new Riverside depot and note that the depot is now complete and all contractor vehicles seem to have departed. The reception area was lit up and looked very smart.

Additionally, judging by the crash barriers, the buses will be parked at right angles to the depot building as per Walkergate depot.

Apparently the keys have been handed to Go North East and they will move in February.

Apparently the keys have been handed to Go North East and they will move in February.

First day of operation is 2 February

Apparently the keys have been handed to Go North East and they will move in February.

Ready for their first day of operation at Riverside when the VOSA registration changes take place.

Ready for their first day of operation at Riverside when the VOSA registration changes take place.

What day was the changes again?

Also February seems a long time to leave it empty, is none of the admin etc people not moving in earlier?

Hopefully we get our last Fleet update for 2013 this Monday Or Tuesday

Will the Cobalt spare become Northern? - 4911

Also February seems a long time to leave it empty, is none of the admin etc people not moving in earlier?

Not really. Remember it is a new build, all the network equipment has to be installed and tested, all computers need to be installed, all of the furniture (desks/cabinets etc) need to be set up, so there is quite a bit of work to do, don't think because GNE have the keys it can be operational from day 1.

Not really. Remember it is a new build, all the network equipment has to be installed and tested, all computers need to be installed, all of the furniture (desks/cabinets etc) need to be set up, so there is quite a bit of work to do, don't think because GNE have the keys it can be operational from day 1.

Forgot about that, its a Sunday.. i hope you will let me off.

Any of the Cobalt B9's being branded yet?

The New Riverside Depot, Handed over in December, shortly afterwards the first staff will move in (mainly office-based people, occupational health and the training school), operations will move in end of January/beginning of February, fully operational from February 2014.

still no sign of the 56 deckers in service. Saw 4937 and 5202(?) on it this morning

still no sign of the 56 deckers in service. Saw 4937 and 5202(?) on it this morning

Looks like they won't be out till after Boxing day now...=(

Looks like they won't be out till after Boxing day now...=(

Monday maybe? If I recall correctly wasn't the first CityLink Versa out midweek?

Monday maybe? If I recall correctly wasn't the first CityLink Versa out midweek?

Hope so but with Christmas eve/day and boxing day coming up, don't think they will decide to bring them out in service, might have to wait untill the 27th - 30th.

Is Go North East having an official launch for them?

To be completely frank here, the best idea would be wait until the new year to place the B9s out on the 56. Gives the depot more chance to get the driver type-trained and to make sure everything works (WiFi, 'next stop' announcement) before placing them into public service.

To be completely frank here, the best idea would be wait until the new year to place the B9s out on the 56. Gives the depot more chance to get the driver type-trained and to make sure everything works (WiFi, 'next stop' announcement) before placing them into public service.

Looks that way now... least then maybe the Cobalt Clipper and FAB 56, B9's MIGHT be out from the same date, instead of only few being out at a time. Gives them the chance to do a proper launch for both services.

Which is expected to happen.

Well originally the B9's were meant to be out before Christmas so they've been delayed sightly. Now with Christmas etc, as has been said Januray may be the best Time to launch.

Well originally the B9's were meant to be out before Christmas so they've been delayed sightly. Now with Christmas etc, as has been said Januray may be the best Time to launch.

Why? Because of a delay in arrival from Wrights.
The original date for the B9s to enter service was 15/12.

and to make sure everything works (WiFi

Hahaha... Is that a joke?

Why? Because of a delay in arrival from Wrights.
The original date for the B9s to enter service was 15/12.

Your point being?

Hahaha... Is that a joke?

The joke is Go North East, offering buses with 'wifi' which never ever works.. They advertise this it needs to work on all buses all the time! Obviously I know things break so not 100% journeys will run with working wifi etc. but more needs to be done to make sure this works GNE seem disinterested even though these services with wifi are there most important and profitable services!

Your point being?

I was giving you a reason for the delay, and why the buses aren't planned to be launched until January, which is what Liam confirmed in his post...

Will the Cobalt spare become Northern? - 4911

Possibly a replacement for 8228 at Hexham?

Could be but im sure i read Hexham is getting a ex fab 56 scania but yet it could get one of the whey aye five -0 scana's...

Possibly a replacement for 8228 at Hexham?

That sounds like a good idea, although what is the point in the 'Cobalt Spare' I don't really understand the need for it? It's not actually getting replaced by new vehicles so it maybe retained at Percy Main. Isn't 4911 in a different livery, it seems like a wasted vehicle?

That sounds like a good idea, although what is the point in the 'Cobalt Spare' I don't really understand the need for it? It's not actually getting replaced by new vehicles so it maybe retained at Percy Main. Isn't 4911 in a different livery, it seems like a wasted vehicle?

well like any other spare branded vehicle its used when a cobalt clippers off the road, which with them being repainted is helpful at the moment, and I'm sure its something to do with the contract with cobalt that cobalt gets advertised on whatever bus works 309/310 however sometimes this doesn't happen

well like any other spare branded vehicle its used when a cobalt clippers off the road, which with them being repainted is helpful at the moment, and I'm sure its something to do with the contract with cobalt that cobalt gets advertised on whatever bus works 309/310 however sometimes this doesn't happen

Yeah, it's a spare vehicle for use on the ''Cobalt Connect'' and ''Cobalt Clipper''. This won't be needed any more due to the two spare red deckers.

It is also meant to be used on the 19 as well. Mind I managed to get it on the 1 a few weeks back.