(04 Mar 2014, 6:47 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Looks to be a Write Off, not much point in spending money on repairing it if it's to be withdrawn come the end of 2014, As we know Diagtest Ltd have been extensive work on the Electrics etc on the Washington Batch, Not pointing fingers here, but they could of rewired something wrong when repairing the Vehicle, which has resulted in a Engine Fire, Just listing a Possibility.

I think i'll avoid sitting at the Rear of a Cadet in Future and sit near the Front, otherwise i'll get the 2C/50 in future, don't fancy being burnt to a Crisp just Yet. Is there any chance GNE could source some Midibuses Temporarily like they did for Q1/Q2 before the Versas Arrived, to then Withdraw the Cadets earlier than Anticipated i.e. from Ensign.

As for 5256, I do apologize as it must of been a Different Omnicity, Probs 5258/9 and I simply misread the Fleet Number or Something, but I could of sworn it was 5256 though, Note to Andreos1 the Blondy had the Day Off Today so wouldn't of seen her anyway.

The Solar been there a while, can't understand what the delay is, unless they are trying to claim it as an insurance jobby.

The Omni was parked alongside the Solar, so put two and two together - obviously got 53 instead of 4.

It was after 5 that the andreos-mobile was going along Picktree Lane tonight (it was after 6 last night), so wasn't expecting to see her.
Was hoping for a quick peak of the manager woman though.
Got some fella with a beard and a little lass in a black leather jacket instead.

(04 Mar 2014, 7:51 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The Solar been there a while, can't understand what the delay is, unless they are trying to claim it as an insurance jobby.

The Omni was parked alongside the Solar, so put two and two together - obviously got 53 instead of 4.

It was after 5 that the andreos-mobile was going along Picktree Lane tonight (it was after 6 last night), so wasn't expecting to see her.
Was hoping for a quick peak of the manager woman though.
Got some fella with a beard and a little lass in a black leather jacket instead.

The Manager was off also unfortunately, not a good day for you haha

(04 Mar 2014, 6:18 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Well then don't use them if you feel like you're risking your life? There's been one fire, when was the most recent one before today's?

Agree, how many times has he said 'until service 5 gets newer or more reliable buses I wont be using the service' (or something along the lines of that) and then the next day complained about the service the next day because he has travelled on the service.

Bus drivers must get long hours got on a bus this morning about half 7 went home about 10 to 6 at night same driver must be sick to death how long are bus driver breaks and that

(04 Mar 2014, 10:21 pm)speedwheels22 wrote Bus drivers must get long hours got on a bus this morning about half 7 went home about 10 to 6 at night same driver must be sick to death how long are bus driver breaks and that

I have only ever known the 3 categories that driver shifts are in:
Early: Early in the day (first runs to about 9:00 clock on)
Middle: Round about the middle of the day (10:00 till about 14:00)
Late: Later on, tend to do the last journeys of the operational day (15:00 till late)

I do personally think that 7:30 until 17:50 is a bit too long. Especially with only around 40 minute breaks in between each run due to law.

(04 Mar 2014, 10:28 pm)Robert wrote I have only ever known the 3 categories that driver shifts are in:
Early: Early in the day (first runs to about 9:00 clock on)
Middle: Round about the middle of the day (10:00 till about 14:00)
Late: Later on, tend to do the last journeys of the operational day (15:00 till late)

I do personally think that 7:30 until 17:50 is a bit too long. Especially with only around 40 minute breaks in between each run due to law.

Bus driver shifts are split into 5 catagories:

Early
Middle
Backshift
Split: Does first half, then has a break of 2 hours or more, then second half normally shift starts/finishes at the depot
Long: Normally drivers who do 10 hour shifts 4/5 days a week, normally can do the full 5.5 hours first half then the full 4.5 hours second half, or the 10 hours split into 3

(04 Mar 2014, 10:33 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Bus driver shifts are split into 5 catagories:

Early
Middle
Backshift
Split: Does first half, then has a break of 2 hours or more, then second half normally shift starts/finishes at the depot
Long: Normally drivers who do 10 hour shifts 4/5 days a week, normally can do the full 5.5 hours first half then the full 4.5 hours second half, or the 10 hours split into 3

Not to mention the coach drivers who are often away for 4 or 5 days at a time, albeit doing a lot less driving constantly.
The NX shifts at Chester-le-Street can be outrageously long days though, eg 0630-2230 or even including overnight stays away from home (indeed I think they have a 3 day shift?)

https://www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/gb-domestic-rules

(04 Mar 2014, 10:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote Not to mention the coach drivers who are often away for 4 or 5 days at a time, albeit doing a lot less driving constantly.
The NX shifts at Chester-le-Street can be outrageously long days though, eg 0630-2230 or even including overnight stays away from home (indeed I think they have a 3 day shift?)

NX rota is in 2, cross country & london. Max 2 nights away on cross country but could do a back to back, londons are 3 & 4 nights away and u r right they're very long days with a fair bit of non driving involved.

5256 is out in service today. It's the 0711 service 50 departing chester towards shields.

(05 Mar 2014, 7:15 am)aureolin wrote 5256 is out in service today. It's the 0711 service 50 departing chester towards shields.

Is that all 6 Omni's transferred over for the 50/50A?


I'm surprised that the last 2 SPD's hasn't being withdrawn yet

(05 Mar 2014, 10:54 am)Michael wrote Is that all 6 Omni's transferred over for the 50/50A?


I'm surprised that the last 2 SPD's hasn't being withdrawn yet

Haven't seen them out today, as the 71 is running with B10s. I'd say its likely we see their withdrawal officially on next Monday's fleet news.

(05 Mar 2014, 10:57 am)aureolin wrote Haven't seen them out today, as the 71 is running with B10s. I'd say its likely we see their withdrawal officially on next Monday's fleet news.

Thank's the other SPD still in service is 8228 - which is at Hexham, has anyone seen this about?, they don't really need it their, as they have the scania.

Has any of 5207-09 being branded yet for Fast Cat's?

What else is in the paintshop atm?

Just a couple of observations from a quick drive through Chester.

(Presumably the same Omni which I commented on yesterday), has been moved back towards the little hut with fairy lights, to accommodate a National Express Coach.

4959 was NIS with an engineer driving it away from the Market Place.

The Northern Renowns on the 71 seem to causing confusion with passengers waiting for a 78 upto Pelton too.
Had a laugh at them all picking their shopping up off the floor at South Burns when they saw a red bus come down Front Street and turn left at the lights - to have to put them down again when they realised it wasn't their bus.

Scottwood road is apparently closed due to a bus being on fire! According to 'tyneweartravel' on Facebook. Not sure if it is one of go north east's or stagecoach's though.

(05 Mar 2014, 1:05 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Scottwood road is apparently closed due to a bus being on fire! According to 'tyneweartravel' on Facebook. Not sure if it is one of go north east's or stagecoach's though.

It is said to be Stagecoach's 21153.

(05 Mar 2014, 11:01 am)Michael wrote Thank's the other SPD still in service is 8228 - which is at Hexham, has anyone seen this about?, they don't really need it their, as they have the scania.

Has any of 5207-09 being branded yet for Fast Cat's?

What else is in the paintshop atm?

8228 should be withdrawn within the next fortnight. It is possible that 8231 will cling on until 4931 is repaired so that Chester are not short of vehicles.

5207 should have been branded yesterday. It was certainly at Saltmeadows yesterday for that reason as far as I know.
5208 is at Saltmeadows today to be branded.
Not sure about 5209, but it could have been branded at Deptford the other day when I noted it was on road test with engineers.

4845 is now at Stanley. I do not believe there will be a replacement for said vehicle at Deptford depot. 5337 has also arrived at Stanley this afternoon following red repaint.

(05 Mar 2014, 2:07 pm)Dan wrote 8228 should be withdrawn within the next fortnight. It is possible that 8231 will cling on until 4931 is repaired so that Chester are not short of vehicles.

5207 should have been branded yesterday. It was certainly at Saltmeadows yesterday for that reason as far as I know.
5208 is at Saltmeadows today to be branded.
Not sure about 5209, but it could have been branded at Deptford the other day when I noted it was on road test with engineers.

4845 is now at Stanley. I do not believe there will be a replacement for said vehicle at Deptford depot. 5337 has also arrived at Stanley this afternoon following red repaint.

4845 didn't last long at Deptford... would it not of being easier to send it to Chester so 8231 can get withdrawn even if this was temp.

Thanks for the update!

Should see all 4 citaro's branded for the X7 soon then. =)

(05 Mar 2014, 2:15 pm)Michael wrote 4845 didn't last long at Deptford... would it not of being easier to send it to Chester so 8231 can get withdrawn even if this was temp.

Thanks for the update!

Should see all 4 citaro's branded soon then. =)

I'm not sure if it's allowing something to be withdrawn at Stanley or if they're just increasing Stanley's spare vehicle percentage...

5333 is back at Deptford, so I imagine it will be getting branded today or tomorrow.

(05 Mar 2014, 2:21 pm)Dan wrote I'm not sure if it's allowing something to be withdrawn at Stanley or if they're just increasing Stanley's spare vehicle percentage...

5333 is back at Deptford, so I imagine it will be getting branded today or tomorrow.

Not sure then, how about a yellow bus?

Looking forward to seen the Wear Tee's Xpress brand on the citaros!

(05 Mar 2014, 11:01 am)Michael wrote What else is in the paintshop atm?

Answering this part of your post now as I've only just managed to find out... Centurion B10BLE 5155 is the only new vehicle in the paintshop that we haven't already noted.

(05 Mar 2014, 5:25 pm)Dan wrote Answering this part of your post now as I've only just managed to find out... Centurion B10BLE 5155 is the only new vehicle in the paintshop that we haven't already noted.

Why 5155 before 5153/4?

(05 Mar 2014, 5:26 pm)Tom wrote Why 5155 before 5153/4?

Not a clue..!
I've said this line before, but as long as they're all repainted in the end... does it really matter?

(05 Mar 2014, 11:01 am)Michael wrote Thank's the other SPD still in service is 8228 - which is at Hexham, has anyone seen this about?, they don't really need it their, as they have the scania.

Has any of 5207-09 being branded yet for Fast Cat's?

What else is in the paintshop atm?

5205/5206/5209 have all been branded so far for fast cats with either 5207 or 5208 next

(05 Mar 2014, 5:51 pm)Bazza Houston wrote 5205/5206/5209 have all been branded so far for fast cats with either 5207 or 5208 next

Which means, as I said earlier, they're all branded (5207 branded yesterday and 5208 branded today). 5209 was the only one I was unsure of.
Again, to confirm, 5209 would have been branded when it was VOR earlier this week and was on road test during the morning - as I noted at the time.

(05 Mar 2014, 5:58 pm)Dan wrote Which means, as I said earlier, they're all branded (5207 branded yesterday and 5208 branded today). 5209 was the only one I was unsure of.
Again, to confirm, 5209 would have been branded when it was VOR earlier this week and was on road test during the morning - as I noted at the time.

got a shot of 5209 today was the back end of the vehicle still a decent shot though it will be appearing on flickr soon though as we speak

(05 Mar 2014, 10:57 am)aureolin wrote Haven't seen them out today, as the 71 is running with B10s. I'd say its likely we see their withdrawal officially on next Monday's fleet news.

i saw a spd on 28 in Gateshead today

5208 has returned to service at Deptford following branding.

(06 Mar 2014, 7:06 am)Dan wrote 5208 has returned to service at Deptford following branding.

With Wear Tee's express next to be branded

Whats after? South Tyne?

(06 Mar 2014, 11:43 am)Michael wrote With Wear Tee's express next to be branded

Whats after? South Tyne?

I'd assume 5210, and then South Tyne.