(13 Feb 2020, 7:38 pm)Adrian wrote Some interesting options available, if that is the route!

Wear Buses Express
Northern NBC Dual Purpose
VFM
Venture
Gypsey Queen

Any others?

Low Fell Coaches
ExpressLink
Highstyle Holidays
Armstrongs of Ebchester
Voyager
Superliner

(13 Feb 2020, 7:38 pm)Adrian wrote Some interesting options available, if that is the route!

Wear Buses Express
Northern NBC Dual Purpose
VFM
Venture
Gypsey Queen

Any others?

Expresslink, Superliner, Tees Link, Tyne Link, Big Orange, The VFM Express livery (can't remember what it was called) - all 'old' brands.

Then you have the other operators 'acquired' over the years, like Low Fell Coaches and Jayline.

When can we expect to see Tynedale Links and Little Coasters upgraded? With NSAs now programmed for most routes, can we expect them in use on all services in the near future? Seems a waste having NSAs available, but not in use. Tynedale Links needs to be refurbished with road stripes. and ideally NSAs fitted. Little Coasters should get newer buses, having been downgraded by GNE, and have NSAs fitted too.

Has GCT been awarded the 11, 19, 40, 41 and 42/42A for evenings and Sundays only? GNE will still be operating the secured Dinnington to Kingston Park element on Monday-Saturday daytimes? Frustratingly, that leaves me with only the 33A and Q3 on Sundays in the West End.

(13 Feb 2020, 8:08 pm)Andreos1 wrote Expresslink, Superliner, Tees Link, Tyne Link, Big Orange, The VFM Express livery (can't remember what it was called) - all 'old' brands.

Then you have the other operators 'acquired' over the years, like Low Fell Coaches and Jayline.

Wasn’t it mentioned that it will be bus companies that were purchased by the group? And not old brands, there be a list somewhere of the companies that were purchased by the group


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(13 Feb 2020, 8:20 pm)cbma06 wrote Wasn’t it mentioned that it will be bus companies that were purchased by the group? And not old brands, there be a list somewhere of the companies that were purchased by the group


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No idea on what is going to be used to be honest. Whether it be old brands or not. Anyone betting on a Levante appearing in the Magic Roundabout livery of yore?

I think you are right about the list of companies bought out by Goahead. No idea where it was, but can remember seeing something somewhere.

(13 Feb 2020, 8:20 pm)cbma06 wrote Wasn’t it mentioned that it will be bus companies that were purchased by the group? And not old brands, there be a list somewhere of the companies that were purchased by the group


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Gypsy Queen in 1989 and Low Fell Coaches in June 1992 are the two mentioned on Wikipedia, others that I remember are Shaws and OK Travel.

Others who are older than me will be able to think of more.

(13 Feb 2020, 7:38 pm)Adrian wrote Some interesting options available, if that is the route!

Wear Buses Express
Northern NBC Dual Purpose
VFM
Venture
Gypsey Queen

Any others?

I think the Levante suits itself quite well to Wear Express

(13 Feb 2020, 8:08 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote When can we expect to see Tynedale Links and Little Coasters upgraded? With NSAs now programmed for most routes, can we expect them in use on all services in the near future? Seems a waste having NSAs available, but not in use. Tynedale Links needs to be refurbished with road stripes. and ideally NSAs fitted. Little Coasters should get newer buses, having been downgraded by GNE, and have NSAs fitted too.

I don't know about other people, but I'd like to see the Tynedale Links colours changed to something a bit more traditional. 
These buses serve some quintessential English villages and towns, and in my opinion a more traditional colour scheme would be better suiting.
I also think the colours should change as the two large building merchants in the Hexham/Tynedale area use yellow and blue as the colours for their shops and fleets of lorries and vans.

(13 Feb 2020, 8:02 pm)park5354 wrote Low Fell Coaches
ExpressLink
Highstyle Holidays
Armstrongs of Ebchester
Voyager
Superliner

Coastliner

(13 Feb 2020, 10:39 pm)Echo07 wrote I don't know about other people, but I'd like to see the Tynedale Links colours changed to something a bit more traditional. 
These buses serve some quintessential English villages and towns, and in my opinion a more traditional colour scheme would be better suiting.
I also think the colours should change as the two large building merchants in the Hexham/Tynedale area use yellow and blue as the colours for their shops and fleets of lorries and vans.

Correct of I'm wrong, but the reason for the bright colours - yellow and similarly orange on the old 43 and 44 was so they were easily spotted in heavy snow? I believe that was the purpose of the Diamond B10s having the large fleet number on the roof?

Here are the liveries I'm hoping to see....

Gypsy Queen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125283981@N03/16772898481

Diamond - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/48350222442

Expresslink - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootymasters/30885055663

NORTHERN - https://www.flickr.com/photos/166796028@N08/43591632440

Wakefield Motors - https://www.flickr.com/photos/108708158@N03/14280786248

Go Highstyle - https://www.flickr.com/photos/iainrobbie9/11515308745 (Though the rights to name and livery did go to Classic, don't know if they retain them)

Go-Ahead Northern Coach livery - https://www.flickr.com/photos/141863916@N07/34121121576

However I feel that they should avoid the Voyager livery - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/6468119067

6141 lying in Ashington Arriva Depot lunchtime today

(14 Feb 2020, 2:16 pm)misfit wrote 6141 lying in Ashington Arriva Depot lunchtime today

The bus used on the 434/448 services has its break at Arriva’s depot in Ashington.


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Shows how up to speed I am! Thanks.

649 getting a lift by Alpha's this afternoon, presumably off to Saltmeadows. Looks like it had been in an accident as the full front end was smashed in

(14 Feb 2020, 12:51 am)Rapidsnap wrote Here are the liveries I'm hoping to see....

Gypsy Queen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125283981@N03/16772898481

Diamond - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/48350222442

Expresslink - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootymasters/30885055663

NORTHERN - https://www.flickr.com/photos/166796028@N08/43591632440

Wakefield Motors - https://www.flickr.com/photos/108708158@N03/14280786248

Go Highstyle - https://www.flickr.com/photos/iainrobbie9/11515308745 (Though the rights to name and livery did go to Classic, don't know if they retain them)

Go-Ahead Northern Coach livery - https://www.flickr.com/photos/141863916@N07/34121121576

However I feel that they should avoid the Voyager livery - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jncarter1962/6468119067

A lot of those liveries are extremely dated. I think I like the OK one they've done because they've added a modern twist, which suits that it is now applied to a modern vehicle.

Out of all those liveries you've listed, I'd suggest the Expresslink is one that would be quite a good one to add a modern twist to.

Go North East 5277 / NK07 KPL by kieron mathews, on Flickr

5277 now in corporate livery


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(15 Feb 2020, 3:38 am)TEN 6083 wrote https://flic.kr/p/2itdxnb

5277 now in corporate livery


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Maybe as the Citylink citaros can not be upgraded to euro 6 for the ULEZ in newcastle they are getting repainted so can be redeployed at other depots and euro 6 buses replacing them from other depots, may see them replaced by streetlites as that is the only option, could some big fleet movements be on the way?

(15 Feb 2020, 11:53 am)N1cholas wrote Maybe as the Citylink citaros can not be upgraded to euro 6 for the ULEZ in newcastle they are getting repainted so can be redeployed at other depots and euro 6 buses replacing them from other depots, may see them replaced by streetlites as that is the only option, could some big fleet movements be on the way?

I can see 57 going electric like the 53/54/58 but fair few citaros on the crusader that will need to be displaced too....

(15 Feb 2020, 12:07 pm)JP6004 wrote I can see 57 going electric like the 53/54/58 but fair few citaros on the crusader that will need to be displaced too....

I could see the crusader getting upgraded to current double deckers from Tyne Valley Ten or new buses.

(15 Feb 2020, 1:10 pm)michaelb wrote I could see the crusader getting upgraded to current double deckers from Tyne Valley Ten or new buses.

I'm sure it's already been confirmed that the 10s will just be refurbed rather than getting new buses.
I can see it getting upgraded to deckers, but I can't see them buying new buses for it.

I don't know if the numbers would work, but perhaps new buses for the Coasters then the B5s going to Crusader

Wouldn't be surprised if the Red Arrows B9's ended up on the 6/12/12A & 57 once new vehicles arrive for the X1.

Bit early to ask this but since the Coast Road services have been streamlined, has there been growth on the 309 / 310 / 311? Also, has the enhanced evening service proved popular between Newcastle and Battle Hill?

Not sure about the Coast Road services, but from what I've seen of the X21 extension so far, there only a small number of people travelling to/from West Auckland.
From what I've been told, concessionary passengers are starting to use it over the Arriva 6, even using it to only travel from West to Tindale to catch the Arriva X1 to Darlington.

I wonder if the numbers will start to pick up, although one of the main issues is that while the first X21 from West gets to Newcastle at ~8:30am, the the last X21 to West leaves Newcastle at 5:10pm, which means people working a 9-5 can't use it to get back, so are likely to still use Arriva. If they made the last bus down an hour later, I think they'd see more people using it (assuming there are people that actually travel to Newcastle, and not just connect to other Arriva services at Durham)

Does anyone know that Go North East are operating the Rail Replacements today
If so what is the allocation

If it helps, just seen 6320 on the A194 (next stop Fellgate Metro) heading Sunderland direction about 0805.

(16 Feb 2020, 8:24 am)misfit wrote If it helps, just seen 6320 on the A194 (next stop Fellgate Metro) heading Sunderland direction about 0805.

Think that'll be the 901

I want the Rail Replacement allocation today not the met reps

(15 Feb 2020, 9:52 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Not sure about the Coast Road services, but from what I've seen of the X21 extension so far, there only a small number of people travelling to/from West Auckland.
From what I've been told, concessionary passengers are starting to use it over the Arriva 6, even using it to only travel from West to Tindale to catch the Arriva X1 to Darlington.

I wonder if the numbers will start to pick up, although one of the main issues is that while the first X21 from West gets to Newcastle at ~8:30am, the the last X21 to West leaves Newcastle at 5:10pm, which means people working a 9-5 can't use it to get back, so are likely to still use Arriva. If they made the last bus down an hour later, I think they'd see more people using it (assuming there are people that actually travel to Newcastle, and not just connect to other Arriva services at Durham)

They might make some money from Newcastle on later runs, but pretty sure they would be carrying fresh air on the northbound returns.
As nice and convenient as it may be for you and others heading home from Newcastle, you have to remember the service isn't about you or your convenience. It's about what suits the operators.

(16 Feb 2020, 12:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote They might make some money from Newcastle on later runs, but pretty sure they would be carrying fresh air on the northbound returns.
As nice and convenient as it may be for you and others heading home from Newcastle, you have to remember the service isn't about you or your convenience. It's about what suits the operators.

I mean, it's not a case of it not being convenient that the X21 doesn't run to West Auckland for another hour, it's a case of it costing passengers an extra £2+ and having to change to an Arriva bus at Bishop to get home! In which case, they might as well buy an Arriva day ticket and not bother with GNE at all.
As for them carrying air on the northbound returns, the last 2 that run to West Auckland already run light back to CLS so that's clearly not an issue