That M1 looks shockingly filthy :p
Same with the white van from the papershop!

Yep. The paper shop van is definitely letting the side down.

On Compass YJ04BZU on the 73. It's worth mentioning that it's spotless inside and out. They must have been following #DirtyBusesOnNEB

On Compass YJ04BZU on the 73. It's worth mentioning that it's spotless inside and out. They must have been following #DirtyBusesOnNEB

Interesting, as it was scruffy on Thursday and Friday when I seen it, Probs had a wash off the Rain, which is more than likely than Compass cleaning it themselves.

#DirtyBusesOnNEB

Interesting, as it was scruffy on Thursday and Friday when I seen it, Probs had a wash off the Rain, which is more than likely than Compass cleaning it themselves.

#DirtyBusesOnNEB

Either that or they had someone in on work experience.

Bluebird on the 79 again. Didn't see the Compass allocation to the 37 this morning - so not sure what is on that.

Compass have seemingly gained yet another van-type minibus, this time in the form of WJ02KNN, a Mercedes of some sort.

Last taxed back in March of this year, so I assume this is when it was inherited.

Surprisingly clean too.

The Bluebird is back on the 37.
Overtook it on the Washington Highway earlier on.

Solo YJ08PKU made an appearance on services 515/558 today. Fairly common, but breaches the contract specification, so I thought I'd note it...

Compass Community Transport: YJ08PKU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Solo YJ08PKU made an appearance on services 515/558 today. Fairly common, but breaches the contract specification, so I thought I'd note it...

Compass Community Transport: YJ08PKU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Looks like it's had a wash too they definitely follow NEB.

Looks like it's had a wash too they definitely follow NEB.

Almost died when I saw how white it was!

Solo YJ08PKU made an appearance on services 515/558 today. Fairly common, but breaches the contract specification, so I thought I'd note it...

Compass Community Transport: YJ08PKU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Livery or capacity? Wouldn't have thought the 515 or 558 required anything bigger than the Iveco van, to be honest!

Livery or capacity? Wouldn't have thought the 515 or 558 required anything bigger than the Iveco van, to be honest!

Capacity, believe it or not!
We'd have a thread the size of Go North East's Rare & Odd Workings thread if we included non-Nexus liveried vehicles being used!

Capacity, believe it or not!
We'd have a thread the size of Go North East's Rare & Odd Workings thread if we included non-Nexus liveried vehicles being used!

BIB: If that is the case, Classic also breaches the contract specification on a daily bases given Compass' Solo only has 2 seats less than the Caetano Nimbus Darts Classic use on their board (and the Solo they previously used)

BIB: If that is the case, Classic also breaches the contract specification on a daily bases given Compass' Solo only has 2 seats less than the Caetano Nimbus Darts Classic use on their board (and the Solo they previously used)

Yes, that confused me somewhat also (having also used the Classic-operated 558 today).

I believe it was mentioned that only the Cadets do not breach the contract specification - so I'm not sure how Compass coped when they weren't around!

Yes, that confused me somewhat also (having also used the Classic-operated 558 today).

I believe it was mentioned that only the Cadets do not breach the contract specification - so I'm not sure how Compass coped when they weren't around!

That's mad! Has anyone from Nexus actually used the service? You'd be lucky to get 4 people on either service at once, never mind 40! Just seems like a waste of a bus really.

Solo YJ08PKU made an appearance on services 515/558 today. Fairly common, but breaches the contract specification, so I thought I'd note it...

Compass Community Transport: YJ08PKU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Saw it tonight just before 7 parked up in a layby on the Washington Highway.
No idea why it was there.

That's mad! Has anyone from Nexus actually used the service? You'd be lucky to get 4 people on either service at once, never mind 40! Just seems like a waste of a bus really.

Minimum Capacity of 49 when it goes over to GCT from next month...

Minimum Capacity of 49 when it goes over to GCT from next month...

What a joke! Do GCT actually have anything that large?

What a joke! Do GCT actually have anything that large?

Not yet - but they do have some nice 16 seater vans if it all goes tits up!

Not yet - but they do have some nice 16 seater vans if it all goes tits up!

Maybe a nice Renault taxi?

Maybe a nice Renault taxi?

Why not? Happens on the 939!

Exterior shot of Gateshead Central Taxis' L30OJB, Renault by danielgrahamm, on Flickr


I'm sure the 16-seaters have deputised for the Bluebirds on more than one occasion too...

Exterior shot of Gateshead Central Taxis' NA59 MPX, Renault Master by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

I'd love to be proven wrong here, but I really think that GCT have taken on more than they can chew. Worryingly, if they can't and a bailout is required, I can't see the operators that have missed out, and are capable of delivery, wanting to do it for as low as the original bid...

Is capacity classed as seated or as seat+stand? Can't see the pensioners who use these services be willing to stand.

I remember when Stagecoach used van-sized "Mercedes-Benz 709D's" on many services, like the 10/11 in South Shields.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...7873647330
Image owned by Gary James Mitchelhill.

Unfortunately, it will be something that the 515/558 passengers will have to get used to.

And this one of Gary's shows you exactly where Stockton's examples used to pop up after the withdrawn of daytime service 56 - at that time there was only need for one 709D for the 630 and the 556 (not entirely sure if the bus that did 630s then did 556s) so the spare used to appear regularly on the 52s or 58s.

I'd love to be proven wrong here, but I really think that GCT have taken on more than they can chew. Worryingly, if they can't and a bailout is required, I can't see the operators that have missed out, and are capable of delivery, wanting to do it for as low as the original bid...

Is capacity classed as seated or as seat+stand? Can't see the pensioners who use these services be willing to stand.

I can see what you mean, but honestly, the 515 definitely doesn't get more than about five on a good day. Other services, I can't speak for, however.

PB1074031/4 - COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT LTD T/A COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT, UNITS 11 - 12, SANDMERE ROAD, LEECHMERE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SUNDERLAND, SR2 9TP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Riverside park, South Hylton and Pennywell Road, Pennywell given service number 8X effective from 04-Aug-2014. To amend Timetable.

Bluebird was on the 79 this morning.

Bluebird was on the 79 this morning.

I suspect this regular allocation has led to 38C no longer being allocated a Cadet, as the Solo previously found on service 79 is on service 38C tonight.

I suspect this regular allocation has led to 38C no longer being allocated a Cadet, as the Solo previously found on service 79 is on service 38C tonight.

The 73 is a Cadet working with the Iveco on the 37.
Presumably the Bluebird is on the 79 again.

The 73 is a Cadet working with the Iveco on the 37.
Presumably the Bluebird is on the 79 again.

Compass had an 08-plate Solo on the 515 this morning, but a Bluebird minibus on this afternoon's working via Monkton Business Park.

PB1074031/11 - COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT LTD T/A COMPASS COMMUNITY TRANSPORT, UNITS 11 - 12, SANDMERE ROAD, LEECHMERE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SUNDERLAND, SR2 9TP
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between PARK LANE INTERCHANGE and TUNSTALL BANK ESTATE, RYEHOPE SUNDERLAND given service number 38C effective from 26-Jul-2014.