(31 Jul 2014, 11:37 am)Chris wrote Or that that investment will indeed be Mercs for the X66.
The 58 had a Streetlite Max demo for a while but then ended up with Versas. Versas for the X66 have certainly been hinted at too.
(31 Jul 2014, 11:59 am)Michael wrote I would think it would get citaros over anything else.The X66 hardly requires a vehicle which will cash in at, what, 20k more? Per vehicle..?
Just because they are posher than the versa and its one of their main routes.
Rob menioned a while back: Single deckers on a increased frequancy for the X66.
Lets hope it moves on to the lime next.
(31 Jul 2014, 12:05 pm)Dan wrote The X66 hardly requires a vehicle which will cash in at, what, 20k more? Per vehicle..?
A light weight Versa would drastically reduce running costs and 5389/90 have been trialled on Saturdays when the PVR is 5 opposed to 4, and as far as I am aware, it has been successful.
In addition, if Versas are ordered, 5389/90 can continue to act as spares - only four would have to be ordered for the X66.
(31 Jul 2014, 12:06 pm)cbma06 wrote Why does GNE need a Mercedes Citaro demonstrator?, when GNE has a lot of these buses already, unless this demonstrator has any kind of upgrade since their received the Citaros for service 4. their only have to take a bus off service 4 and trial it on the X66 and lime branded services. unless it didn't cost anything as a courtesy of GNE purchasing more Mercs.
Im hoping that their be solos coming for the East Durham brand this year (just like venture did).
(31 Jul 2014, 12:08 pm)Michael wrote So why have they got a citaro on demo purposes if its gonna cost more to run them?To trial it on different kinds of routes (the X66 not being particularly demanding but does see the vehicles go up to speeds of 50mph), and to compare it against the Versa.
seems like its wasting time on the X66 when it could be used else where.
(31 Jul 2014, 11:34 am)Dan wrote A demonstrator vehicle doesn't always disctate whether or not a service receives investment!
That said, it's no secret that the X66 will receive investment this year...
(31 Jul 2014, 12:14 pm)Robert wrote Id say yes, it does. Any service that has a demonstrator on it during or close to the start of the financial year is a service that Go North East are looking to invest in. [NEGATIVE SQUARED LATIN CAPITAL LETTER B]Obviously part of YJ62 FFBs trial wasnt to see if they would cope considering that the Diamond citaros had just gone onto the route the year before[/B] but the Citylink however did get an upgrade.
(31 Jul 2014, 1:30 pm)Dan wroteGo North East: 91xx / BP14FJZ by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 91xx / BP14FJZ by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
(31 Jul 2014, 1:30 pm)Dan wroteHas it gone out for in Service yet DanGo North East: 91xx / BP14FJZ by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 91xx / BP14FJZ by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
(31 Jul 2014, 2:20 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Has it gone out for in Service yet Dan
(31 Jul 2014, 2:21 pm)Dan wrote Drivers have to receive familiarisation on the vehicle yet.
The X66 rota is fairly small (which is why you always see the same drivers on there), so it shouldn't take too long for all drivers on that rota to receive driver familiarisation.
After this is completed, it will go out in service (I'm inclined to suggest Monday - but don't take that as gospel).
(31 Jul 2014, 2:26 pm)Simmy wrote Not sure if it has been mentioned - I noticed a 'red spare' B7TL / Gemini 1 being driven around the Metrocentre Interchange at around 1:30/2PM yesterday afternoon. The blind displayed "Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014" or something similar.
I am guessing that certain vehicles have started to return from Glasgow, as surely they wouldn't send a vehicle down here only to send it back up in a day or two.
(31 Jul 2014, 11:59 am)Michael wrote I would think it would get citaros over anything else.
Just because they are posher than the versa and its one of their main routes.
Rob menioned a while back: Single deckers on a increased frequancy for the X66.
Lets hope it moves on to the lime next.
(31 Jul 2014, 2:01 pm)Robert wrote 4941 may possibly be taken off the road. The coolant is smoking and the leak is quite bad. Not a bus mechanic but I would say that this shouldn't be happening?
(31 Jul 2014, 3:14 pm)Chris wrote I'm still fancying Versas for it myself, more so given Dans comments re 5389/90.
When I've used the service in the past, most passengers appear to be key card holders so i'm not sure if it could justify the Mercs.
That said, the demo does look nice like!
(31 Jul 2014, 4:16 pm)Tom wrote Will Chester be operating the College X21s? If so, what with?
(31 Jul 2014, 4:43 pm)Marcus wrote I would imagine they would be by either Crook or Chester, possibly could interwork with a few Chester scholars? Maybe even one could drift off a College run onto that 814 from Durham to L. Park?
(31 Jul 2014, 4:15 pm)cbma06 wrote Just been looking on DCC website, as it has the new X35 timetable for 31st August 2014, only thing I can see that it operates 1 minute earlier from Sunderland Interchange.
http://durham.pindarcreative.co.uk/announcements.asp
http://durham.pindarcreative.co.uk/tt2/X35.pdf