Equally though the Q3 could be going to Solos
https://bustimes.org/vehicles/39856

Everyone seems hellbent on replacing the B5s on the X21 - why? Also, where would they go?

(18 Jul 2022, 6:40 pm)F114TML wrote Equally though the Q3 could be going to Solos
https://bustimes.org/vehicles/39856

Everyone seems hellbent on replacing the B5s on the X21 - why? Also, where would they go?

The Q3 is always ran with single deckers (not sure why, don't believe there's any low bridges since the Wallsend extension was cut short), they had nothing else to put on there today by the looks of things as most the Streetlites have been swapped out for the Decker's on the 1. Usually they'd allocate a 1 Streetlite and throw a Decker on there.

(18 Jul 2022, 6:53 pm)Storx wrote The Q3 is always ran with single deckers (not sure why, don't believe there's any low bridges since the Wallsend extension was cut short), they had nothing else to put on there today by the looks of things as most the Streetlites have been swapped out for the Decker's on the 1. Usually they'd allocate a 1 Streetlite and throw a Decker on there.

Recently there has been deckers on the Q3, plus the Solo and Coaster StreetLites. So deckers can't do the route to Wallsend?

What depot has got the Coasters? Consett?

(18 Jul 2022, 6:53 pm)Storx wrote The Q3 is always ran with single deckers (not sure why, don't believe there's any low bridges since the Wallsend extension was cut short), they had nothing else to put on there today by the looks of things as most the Streetlites have been swapped out for the Decker's on the 1. Usually they'd allocate a 1 Streetlite and throw a Decker on there.

Deckers can and have seen use on the Q3 since it started terminating at St Peter's Basin although imagine that will change again next week when some runs starts going to Wallsend again (assuming it still goes under a low bridge)

(18 Jul 2022, 8:08 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Recently there has been deckers on the Q3, plus the Solo and Coaster StreetLites. So deckers can't do the route to Wallsend?

What depot has got the Coasters? Consett?

Q3 sometimes have Orbits on aswell.

There was a Solo, one of the 62 plates on the 310/311 today. 

And there is one coaster based at Consett (which broke down today), aswell the rest are parked quite tightly at the bottom of Riverside

(18 Jul 2022, 8:18 pm)Unber43 wrote Q3 sometimes have Orbits on aswell.

There was a Solo, one of the 62 plates on the 310/311 today. 

And there is one coaster based at Consett (which broke down today), aswell the rest are parked quite tightly at the bottom of Riverside

There's some runs on a morning that's booked to use Orbits before going onto the 51/52, today's being 5442.

(18 Jul 2022, 8:15 pm)Jimmi wrote Deckers can and have seen use on the Q3 since it started terminating at St Peter's Basin although imagine that will change again next week when some runs starts going to Wallsend again (assuming it still goes under a low bridge)

Deckers on the Q3 when it changes should be fine as it looks like the new route is omitting Eastfield Avenue and operating the same route as the 12/22/40 from Wallsend to Stotts Road.

(18 Jul 2022, 8:08 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Recently there has been deckers on the Q3, plus the Solo and Coaster StreetLites. So deckers can't do the route to Wallsend?

What depot has got the Coasters? Consett?

Ah I haven't seen Decker's on bar the short journeys when they ran buses from Newcastle to the Great Park only as the Q3A.

Actually just had a look at the new timetable and it appears they can as they're going via Stotts Road in both directions rather than via The Avenue like in the past where the low bridge is which has took a few deckers out over the years.

7 at Riverside, 1 at Consett, 1 broken at Percy Main - Dan said before.

(18 Jul 2022, 8:15 pm)Jimmi wrote Deckers can and have seen use on the Q3 since it started terminating at St Peter's Basin although imagine that will change again next week when some runs starts going to Wallsend again (assuming it still goes under a low bridge)

Ah that's fair I've never seen them on, seems they actively try to avoid on them allocating Coaster Streetlite's on, seems like it's going to avoid the low bridge though as someone else said, surprising considering the road is unserved and it's been funded by Nexus.

(18 Jul 2022, 8:28 pm)Storx wrote Ah I haven't seen Decker's on bar the short journeys when they ran buses from Newcastle to the Great Park only as the Q3A.

Actually just had a look at the new timetable and it appears they can as they're going via Stotts Road in both directions rather than via The Avenue like in the past where the low bridge is which has took a few deckers out over the years.

7 at Riverside, 1 at Consett, 1 broken at Percy Main - Dan said before.


Ah that's fair I've never seen them on, seems they actively try to avoid on them allocating Coaster Streetlite's on, seems like it's going to avoid the low bridge though as someone else said, surprising considering the road is unserved and it's been funded by Nexus.

Thanks for the reply.  5474 is always knackered! Could be interesting to see Coasters on different services!

I've done a couple of videos of the Q3 with Tynemouth 6101 and Cobalt & Coasts on. Admittedly not a regular occurrence. Other deckers have been allocated before according to bustimes.org.

(18 Jul 2022, 8:28 pm)Storx wrote Ah I haven't seen Decker's on bar the short journeys when they ran buses from Newcastle to the Great Park only as the Q3A.

Actually just had a look at the new timetable and it appears they can as they're going via Stotts Road in both directions rather than via The Avenue like in the past where the low bridge is which has took a few deckers out over the years.

7 at Riverside, 1 at Consett, 1 broken at Percy Main - Dan said before.

Must have missed this, why are the Coaster Streetlites off?

(18 Jul 2022, 11:02 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Must have missed this, why are the Coaster Streetlites off?

Deckers on the 1 to cope with extra capacity due to Metro closure.

(18 Jul 2022, 6:40 pm)F114TML wrote Everyone seems hellbent on replacing the B5s on the X21 - why? Also, where would they go?

Well if there's 8x StreetDecks available which are also to a pretty high spec, it makes sense putting them on the X21 to give a clean allocation without any ex-dealer stock. The Gen2 StreetDecks previously allocated were no bother and the X21 was actually due to receive some of the 'new' StreetDecks' back in 2020 before COVID.

Likewise, the B5TLs could then either go on the 47 (with 6314 as a Consett spare) and 6334/35 maybe going elsewhere like Riverside..........Or giving the Amazon extension and if GNE were to upseat 6308-14 by removing tables given their length, they could go on the 58 (filling the exact PVR of 7x) with 6334/35 as Riverside spares.

(19 Jul 2022, 5:16 am)L469 YVK wrote Well if there's 8x StreetDecks available which are also to a pretty high spec, it makes sense putting them on the X21 to give a clean allocation without any ex-dealer stock. The Gen2 StreetDecks previously allocated were no bother and the X21 was actually due to receive some of the 'new' StreetDecks' back in 2020 before COVID.

Likewise, the B5TLs could then either go on the 47 (with 6314 as a Consett spare) and 6334/35 maybe going elsewhere like Riverside..........Or giving the Amazon extension and if GNE were to upseat 6308-14 by removing tables given their length, they could go on the 58 (filling the exact PVR of 7x) with 6334/35 as Riverside spares.

I don't think removing the tables would make much difference to capacity would it, two seats and a table pretty much just takes the space of two rows.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

Im sure Dan has already said on a post on this forum not too long ago that the streetdecks will not be put on the X21, but im sure if it keeps getting posted on here that one day it will happen and people will be happy for a few weeks before they start complaining about something else

(19 Jul 2022, 8:12 am)streetdeckfan wrote I don't think removing the tables would make much difference to capacity would it, two seats and a table pretty much just takes the space of two rows.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

But....but ....by removing three or four tables per bus you could add at least one or two rows equating to four extra passengers. Do that to 10 buses and that's an extra 40 passengers meaning you can cut the PVR by 1 and place that extra resource on the Coast Rpad......bibble, bibble, bibble.......

(19 Jul 2022, 8:32 am)N1cholas wrote Im sure Dan has already said on a post on this forum not too long ago that the streetdecks will not be put on the X21, but im sure if it keeps getting posted on here that one day it will happen and people will be happy for a few weeks before they start complaining about something else

The StreetDecks only got removed of the X21 due to the way the new orders got worked out after covid.

(18 Jul 2022, 6:40 pm)F114TML wrote Everyone seems hellbent on replacing the B5s on the X21 - why? Also, where would they go?

No exactly hellbent, but the 58 100% doesn't need Streetdecks, X21 are really the only option, then the B5's could go onto the X20, leaving only the 10 plate citaros for the 35.

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Something needs to be using the 8x Streetdecks, and the X21 is really the only option that would make sense, maybe the 47.

(19 Jul 2022, 9:45 am)Unber43 wrote No exactly hellbent, but the 58 100% doesn't need Streetdecks, X21 are really the only option, then the B5's could go onto the X20, leaving only the 10 plate citaros for the 35.

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Something needs to be using the 8x Streetdecks, and the X21 is really the only option that would make sense, maybe the 47.

Why would the X20 need double deckers for... 

The 58 deserves better buses it's been a flagship for GNE for years but it's got some of the worst buses in the fleet on it now.

The 58 is a much more important bus route than the 47 and even more so than the X20. It's better to invest in a bus route that has the potential to grow. The fact the 47 got downgraded kind of says how that went. 

Not to mention having a spare Streetdeck or two at Riverside would be handy for the 21, X21 and X10. 

The Enviro 400 MMC's (minus tables) that got bought for Hull under GNE are on a very similar route to the 58 just saying. 

It also means there's suitable buses (62 plate B79s) for the 327, X21 peaks, X1A etc which are mostly ran with Omnidekkas atm.

(19 Jul 2022, 11:22 am)Storx wrote Why would the X20 need double deckers for... 

The 58 deserves better buses it's been a flagship for GNE for years but it's got some of the worst buses in the fleet on it now.

The 58 is a much more important bus route than the 47 and even more so than the X20. It's better to invest in a bus route that has the potential to grow. The fact the 47 got downgraded kind of says how that went. 

Not to mention having a spare Streetdeck or two at Riverside would be handy for the 21, X21 and X10. 

The Enviro 400 MMC's (minus tables) that got bought for Hull under GNE are on a very similar route to the 58 just saying. 

It also means there's suitable buses (62 plate B79s) for the 327, X21 peaks, X1A etc which are mostly ran with Omnidekkas atm.

I agree the 58 does deserve better buses, but certainly not Double Deckers.

Best option would be:

- 8x StreetDeck - X21
- 7x B5TL - 58
- 2x B5TL - Riverside spares

The B5TL Gemini 3's are a longer body compared to the StreetDeck. With the extension to Amazon, it would make sense to allocate these with extra seating and extra capacity could be created by removing tables.

Likewise, 8x StreetDecks on the X21 would match the 'exact' PVR unlike now.

(19 Jul 2022, 4:49 pm)L469 YVK wrote Best option would be:

- 8x StreetDeck - X21
- 7x B5TL - 58
- 2x B5TL - Riverside spares

The B5TL Gemini 3's are a longer body compared to the StreetDeck. With the extension to Amazon, it would make sense to allocate these with extra seating and extra capacity could be created by removing tables.

Likewise, 8x StreetDecks on the X21 would match the 'exact' PVR  unlike now.

Pretty sure adding 10 extra seats will be lovely with the other 40 which are usually free.

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If there is a free stand at Eldon Square add the 56/27/58. Every 5 mins, similar to Stand A.


56 could also be timed with the X1 on an evening combining an ever 15 min frequency upto Spingwell

(19 Jul 2022, 4:57 pm)Unber43 wrote Pretty sure adding 10 extra seats will be lovely with the other 40 which are usually free.

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Might not be the case with the extension to Amazon.

(19 Jul 2022, 5:15 pm)L469 YVK wrote Might not be the case with the extension to Amazon.

Ah yes, only 30 seats free!

(19 Jul 2022, 5:15 pm)L469 YVK wrote Might not be the case with the extension to Amazon.

I'd personally leave the tables. It's a little bonus. The majority of journeys on the 21 are as short as the Angel and those making the longer journeys (+40 minutes) 9/10 times should arguably be using the X21 anyway.

It's no different to the 50 which arguably doesn't need them either there'd be very few people doing the route end to end but it's a little extra for a family of 4 or whatever

Also I don't understand why they don't extend the 58 to Wardley in the evening instead of the 58 terminating at Heworth doing a short 57 to Wardley and back then going back out as the 58 anyway.

(19 Jul 2022, 5:36 pm)Storx wrote Also I don't understand why they don't extend the 58 to Wardley in the evening instead of the 58 terminating at Heworth doing a short 57 to Wardley and back then going back out as the 58 anyway.

They not gonna interwork them on an evening with through fares?

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(19 Jul 2022, 5:15 pm)Unber43 wrote Ah yes, only 30 seats free!

The 58 will become busier with the new link opened up!

B5TLs would be a perfect choice for the 58. Okay not as efficient as a StreetDeck but perfect capacity wise with or without tables.

(19 Jul 2022, 5:53 pm)L469 YVK wrote They not gonna interwork them on an evening with through fares?

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The 58 will become busier with the new link opened up!

B5TLs would be a perfect choice for the 58. Okay not as efficient as a StreetDeck but perfect capacity wise with or without tables.

The 58 doesn't need Deckers, with or without Amazon, they barely get 10-20 people on, im pretty sure 40 people from amazon aren't going to fill up the current ones every 12 mins

(19 Jul 2022, 5:56 pm)Unber43 wrote The 58 doesn't need Deckers, with or without Amazon, they barely get 10-20 people on, im pretty sure 40 people from amazon aren't going to fill up the current ones every 12 mins

It's strange how the 58's passenger numbers have dwindled so noticeably over time.  I remember it being consistently busy around 10-15 years ago.  Why has it declined so much?

(19 Jul 2022, 6:15 pm)big mac wrote It's strange how the 58's passenger numbers have dwindled so noticeably over time.  I remember it being consistently busy around 10-15 years ago.  Why has it declined so much?

I don't think people have realised how much the 58 numbers have actually went down, it could be cos of the copious amount of buses which go around their route.

But yeah, Bendys were quite busy, Versas a fair amount of people and the deckers are just dead, they maybe have 20 seats free during peak times. The 58 to me is no longer a flagship route, and I don't really think it was very really one

(19 Jul 2022, 5:53 pm)L469 YVK wrote They not gonna interwork them on an evening with through fares?

Don't think there's any through connections, nothings mentioned anywhere anyway. Seems not very sensible considering both the 57/58 pretty much do the same bus route throughout anyway.

Not sure how possible it is but it'd be better to swap the 57 and 58 extensions around imo, have the 58 serving Wardley and the 57 serving Follingsby. Least they'd have a service all day without the short runs complicating things with decent buses on the 58 and try and really grow it, it's a bit of an ignored mess lately and the 57 has been a dumping ground for crap for years.

There's no noitceable lost links as far as I'm aware (the 67 and 69 do the QE)

(19 Jul 2022, 6:25 pm)Storx wrote Don't think there's any through connections, nothings mentioned anywhere anyway. Seems not very sensible considering both the 57/58 pretty much do the same bus route throughout anyway.

Not sure how possible it is but it'd be better to swap the 57 and 58 extensions around imo, have the 58 serving Wardley and the 57 serving Follingsby. Least they'd have a service all day without the short runs complicating things with decent buses on the 58 and try and really grow it, it's a bit of an ignored mess lately and the 57 has been a dumping ground for crap for years.

There's no noitceable lost links as far as I'm aware (the 67 and 69 do the QE)

Tbf 57 does get some of the nicest buses in the fleet, 

6337, 6050. However Its mostly just crap which gets thrown on there.