(23 Jan 2020, 4:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I understand, I was just saying the counter-argument of saying they can't be branded separately could be invalidated by the fact that two different brands run the route already.
I do agree that it would be more confusing with the way they'll run from Sunday

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but won't the Angel branded journeys actually increase from Sunday (temporarily at least)? 
If there aren't enough X-Lines branded vehicles already and there are more X-Lines services being added, won't Angel branded vehicles have to be used?

As a side note, do we know which Angel branded ones will be rebranded? I assume it'll be the higher numbered ones to keep the X-Lines all together

As a further side note, I've just noticed the proper X21 timetable is now on the website so it's easier to understand!

..which Angel branded one (not plural!)

6331.

(23 Jan 2020, 5:26 pm)Dan wrote ..which Angel branded one (not plural!)

6331.

I assume it'll be going blue X-lines to match the rest?

(23 Jan 2020, 5:32 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I assume it'll be going blue X-lines to match the rest?

Yes.

Whilst I'm disappointed to see that the new timetable once again uses a raster image for the livery on the timetable, it's good to see that they haven't locked me from being able to open it in Illustrator with a password like they do with the non X-Lines timetables (I assume they're designed by a different firm?) so I can have play around!

Also, it allows you to visually see how much better the new route round Woodhouse is compared to the old one! (left being the new, and right being the left)

Woodhouse (2).png (Size 176.12 KB | Downloads 82)

PS: why does clicking remove attachment save the post? I accidentally uploaded a more edited than I thought version and clicking remove posted it!

Which other Angels are going X-Lines X21? or is it just 6331?

(23 Jan 2020, 7:09 pm)Michael wrote Which other Angels are going X-Lines X21? or is it just 6331?

I think Dan made it quite clear that it's just the one (not plural!)

I thought there would have to be more painted like, but then again we're still waiting for the new ones to arrive!

(23 Jan 2020, 7:15 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I think Dan made it quite clear that it's just the one (not plural!)

I thought there would have to be more painted like, but then again we're still waiting for the new ones to arrive!

Ah right, was just checking!

Seems daft, when they need a few more repainted... unless we're gonna see a service dropped from the current order of Streetdecks (like the X5/X15) so they would end up on the X21 instead, although, 2 are currently on order for the X21.

(23 Jan 2020, 7:21 pm)Michael wrote Ah right, was just checking!

Seems daft, when they need a few more repainted... unless we're gonna see a service dropped from the current order of Streetdecks (like the X5/X15) so they would end up on the X21 instead, although, 2 are currently on order for the X21.

So between Chester and Durham, there be a 21 every 15 minutes and a X21 every 15 minutes?, it’s a bit overkill for that section of route, should of just had the 21 every 30 minutes on that section of route since both services stop at every single bus stop.


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(23 Jan 2020, 7:41 pm)cbma06 wrote So between Chester and Durham, there be a 21 every 15 minutes and a X21 every 15 minutes?, it’s a bit overkill for that section of route, should of just had the 21 every 30 minutes on that section of route since both services stop at every single bus stop.


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21 is only every 30 mins between Durham and Chester

(23 Jan 2020, 7:41 pm)cbma06 wrote So between Chester and Durham, there be a 21 every 15 minutes and a X21 every 15 minutes?, it’s a bit overkill for that section of route, should of just had the 21 every 30 minutes on that section of route since both services stop at every single bus stop.


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The 21 will be evry 30 Newcastle to Durham, with the X21 every 15, 21 remains every 7/8 to Chester.

(23 Jan 2020, 7:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote 21 is only every 30 mins between Durham and Chester

Ok, Must of read it wrong


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(23 Jan 2020, 7:21 pm)Michael wrote Ah right, was just checking!

Seems daft, when they need a few more repainted... unless we're gonna see a service dropped from the current order of Streetdecks (like the X5/X15) so they would end up on the X21 instead, although, 2 are currently on order for the X21.

Just messing with you. Thought I'd respond in the same abrupt manner as Dan

I was kinda hoping they'd repaint an extra 3 of the Angel ones so we can palm the 16 plates off on another route!

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(23 Jan 2020, 8:05 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Just messing with you. Thought I'd respond in the same abrupt manner as Dan

I was kinda hoping they'd repaint an extra 3 of the Angel ones so we can palm the 16 plates off on another route!

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What would then run on the 21?

The PVR of the 21 reduces by one bus, so one bus will be painted and branded for the X21.


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When service 21 gets refreshed livery, will it be similar to the livery on 309/310 except for the colour?


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Is Tynedale Links still going to exist, and gain road stripes? The Northumberland contracts should be up for renewal this year, I think. Seriously hoping the 74 continues to exist! As Tynedale Express is going X-lines at some point, I thought we might see the end of Tynedale Links too.

Can anyone clarify if the 74 is currently running the normal route along Stamfordham Road or not?

(23 Jan 2020, 8:32 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Is Tynedale Links still going to exist, and gain road stripes? The Northumberland contracts should be up for renewal this year, I think. Seriously hoping the 74 continues to exist! As Tynedale Express is going X-lines at some point, I thought we might see the end of Tynedale Links too.

Can anyone clarify if the 74 is currently running the normal route along Stamfordham Road or not?

The 74 is running it's normal route.
It just gets the odd small delay from the two sets of roadworks between Callerton and St John's church in Westerhope.

(23 Jan 2020, 8:09 pm)Dan wrote What would then run on the 21?

The PVR of the 21 reduces by one bus, so one bus will be painted and branded for the X21.


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The 16 plates!

And yes, that would just be moving the problem of mixed buses to a different service, but one that I don't use!

With the Cobalt & Coast PVR reducing back to 16x vehicles, will another vehicle out of 6101-6117 go into fleet livery or will 1x just be earmarked for special liveries (charities, promotions etc) ?

(23 Jan 2020, 10:04 pm)L469 YVK wrote With the Cobalt & Coast PVR reducing back to 16x vehicles, will another vehicle out of 6101-6117 go into fleet livery or will 1x just be earmarked for special liveries (charities, promotions etc) ?

Definitely not - they’ve literally just been painted, they’re not going to be painted again. Plus all 17 Volvo B9s have had their branding updated inside and out to reflect the service changes.

At such a high PVR there will always be at least one off service anyway.


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(23 Jan 2020, 8:09 pm)Dan wrote What would then run on the 21?

The PVR of the 21 reduces by one bus, so one bus will be painted and branded for the X21.


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THe 21 seems to get any sort of bus these days, I'm surprised that your taking another one of the Angel StreetDeck and making it Xlines.

(24 Jan 2020, 9:49 am)busmanT wrote THe 21 seems to get any sort of bus these days, I'm surprised that your taking another one of the Angel StreetDeck and making it Xlines.

Suppose it’s the difference between what the commercial team plan for (ie what is achievable on paper) and what happens in reality. The 21 will have the right number of buses branded to match PVR, and it’s down to engineering and operational colleagues to ensure that those buses are fit for service.

As the X21 is becoming core service on this corridor and to the premium Xlines specification, there’s an argument for trying to run as many high quality buses on this route than the “lesser” slow equivalent.

One would assume things would start to improve with StreetDeck availability soon; Wrightbus are on the mend, which should mean parts availability improves and off service time reduced.


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(24 Jan 2020, 9:52 am)Dan wrote Suppose it’s the difference between what the commercial team plan for (ie what is achievable on paper) and what happens in reality. The 21 will have the right number of buses branded to match PVR, and it’s down to engineering and operational colleagues to ensure that those buses are fit for service.

As the X21 is becoming core service on this corridor and to the premium Xlines specification, there’s an argument for trying to run as many high quality buses on this route than the “lesser” slow equivalent.

One would assume things would start to improve with StreetDeck availability soon; Wrightbus are on the mend, which should mean parts availability improves and off service time reduced.


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So does that mean the X21 would get priority over the Angel StreetDecks if one of the X-lines branded ones were off the road to maintain the high spec?
I know it's rather frustrating getting an omnidekka all the way from Tindale to Newcastle

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(24 Jan 2020, 10:24 am)streetdeckfan wrote So does that mean the X21 would get priority over the Angel StreetDecks if one of the X-lines branded ones were off the road to maintain the high spec?
I know it's rather frustrating getting an omnidekka all the way from Tindale to Newcastle

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The Monday to Saturday PVR of the X21 increases to 12 from Sunday - so if you mean priority for 6301-03, until new vehicles are delivered, these all form part of the PVR anyway.

There will be no spare Volvo B7s or StreetDecks for the 21 or X21, so OmniDekkas will be the spare bus for both routes. That is, of course, until the new vehicles are delivered.

(24 Jan 2020, 12:35 pm)Dan wrote The Monday to Saturday PVR of the X21 increases to 12 from Sunday - so if you mean priority for 6301-03, until new vehicles are delivered, these all form part of the PVR anyway.

There will be no spare Volvo B7s or StreetDecks for the 21 or X21, so OmniDekkas will be the spare bus for both routes. That is, of course, until the new vehicles are delivered.

I was talking more after the new vehicles arrive.
Hypothetically if there was an angel and Xlines were both off and there weren't enough spares for both, would the Xlines have priority over the high spec spare as it's a more 'premium' service?

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(24 Jan 2020, 12:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I was talking more after the new vehicles arrive.
Hypothetically if there was an angel and Xlines were both off and there weren't enough spares for both, would the Xlines have priority over the high spec spare as it's a more 'premium' service?

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You’d like to think so.


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(24 Jan 2020, 1:01 pm)Dan wrote You’d like to think so.


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Is there a reason it isn't this way at the minute?

Is it not more fuel efficient to run Angel StreetDecks on the X21 and the Omnidekkas on the 21?

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(24 Jan 2020, 3:05 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Is there a reason it isn't this way at the minute?

Is it not more fuel efficient to run Angel StreetDecks on the X21 and the Omnidekkas on the 21?

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For starters, "angel" is a much more frequent service than the X21, so the chance of its vehicles being spare is next to nothing. Plus, the X21 isn't an "angel" service. The OmniDekkas, at least, are corporate branded and still represent Go North East's standard image rather than confusing passengers with an "angel" branded vehicle, who think the next 21 is about to pull into a busy Durham bus station, for instance.

(24 Jan 2020, 3:14 pm)BeachBoy99 wrote For starters, "angel" is a much more frequent service than the X21, so the chance of its vehicles being spare is next to nothing. Plus, the X21 isn't an "angel" service. The OmniDekkas, at least, are corporate branded and still represent Go North East's standard image rather than confusing passengers with an "angel" branded vehicle, who think the next 21 is about to pull into a busy Durham bus station, for instance.

I was thinking purely in terms of fuel economy. The Angel StreetDecks are miles more fuel efficient than the Omnidekkas, and the X21 is a far longer and more demanding route.

They already run Angels on the X21 as it is, so I doubt that is much of a concern (it's even written on the timetable that they run as Angel buses)

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(24 Jan 2020, 3:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I was thinking purely in terms of fuel economy. The Angel StreetDecks are miles more fuel efficient than the Omnidekkas, and the X21 is a far longer and more demanding route.

They already run Angels on the X21 as it is, so I doubt that is much of a concern (it's even written on the timetable that they run as Angel buses)

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Again, the "angel" vehicles are in high demand so realistically, it's not going to happen.

It has been confirmed following a successful trial in Southampton with Bluestar that further Air Filter buses will be deployed in Brighton, Manchester,
Newcastle, Oxford, Plymouth and Crawley/Gatwick in the summer according to The Go-Ahead Group Twitter Page with a further local annoucement regarding this on Monday by Martijn Gilbert who retweeted the below article.

https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/...-in-the-uk