(26 Aug 2014, 9:31 pm)Dan wrote This has consequently released MPD 548 from Percy Main to be repainted at Saltmeadows, into corporate livery.

MPD 548 will not return to Percy Main after this repaint, and will instead transfer to Deptford Depot, where I am told it will release a DAF SB120 to Chester-le-Street for use on service 71.

Christ I thought deptford were losing MPD buses as we only have 3/4 now we getting 548 back. We are going back in time as this was once black cats bus up to pennywell (26/26a

(26 Aug 2014, 10:23 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Since when did the 294 go to Harraton, Could of sworn it was the 293, with the 294 Terminating just up from the Beehive Pub, just off of Blind Lane in Houghton, used to use the Service all the time until around 2004 when visiting my Grandparents.

The 294 went to Harraton for donkeys years, until they decided to extend it to Success in about 2002ish.
The extension wasn't a success (see what I did there) and it was withdrawn completely.

The Lynxes had route branding on the side from pretty early on in their lives - which gives an indication of how long the 294 ran to Harraton.
At one point, the 189 also extended to Harraton - generally following the 294 from The Victoria.

(27 Aug 2014, 12:24 am)Acky81 wrote Christ I thought deptford were losing MPD buses as we only have 3/4 now we getting 548 back. We are going back in time as this was once black cats bus up to pennywell (26/26a

Yes, but we still need some at Deptford for services 99 and 238, until such a time comes whereby their loadings justify the use of a midi-sized vehicle.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:50 pm)Robert wrote I believe 4850-4855 (and possibly a few others) were new to Chester back in 1998. They then transferred to Stanley for use on services 765/766 and 775/778. They remained there until they were repainted green for Lime then moved back down to Chester and saw use on mostly service 729.

Yes a batch of Renown's with registrations R***PRG were introduced to the 21 in Chester le Street in 1998 with quite a blaze of press publicity at the time. This was the result of the deal between Classic and GNE when Classic withdrew their 21 and GNE started their 21. GNE made several press releases stating that they had invested in new low floor buses for the high frequency 21 service with photos of the buses in the local press.

Dennis Trident 3875 is the latest example in for repaint.

I shall attempt to edit the fleet list from my phone...
EDIT: Updated.

I think I better make a trip to Chester-le-St to get my final rides on the B10BLEs soon.

(27 Aug 2014, 4:40 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The 294 went to Harraton for donkeys years, until they decided to extend it to Success in about 2002ish.
The extension wasn't a success (see what I did there) and it was withdrawn completely.

The Lynxes had route branding on the side from pretty early on in their lives - which gives an indication of how long the 294 ran to Harraton.
At one point, the 189 also extended to Harraton - generally following the 294 from The Victoria.

Think it would have been around 2000 it was extended, as I remember a good few year of the Renowns doing the 294 to Success. The Solars would have arrived late 02/03?

294 was never bad for loads, mainly because it doubled up with the 194 to provide a 10 min frequency between Heworth and Herrington Burn, with exception that the 294 drifted off to serve Donwell bus link and the drive. Morning loads to Success were generally heaving, with afternoon loads (2pm-5pm) being really good before it even left Success to do the Newbottle loop and back to Philadelphia.

I remember when the Solars first came in and they were short for a while, so the 194/294 had a National assigned. What a treat that was. A million times better than what you dread getting as a replacement these days!

(27 Aug 2014, 9:17 am)Tom wrote I think I better make a trip to Chester-le-St to get my final rides on the B10BLEs soon.

Very soon! You'd better hope for nice weather for some time this week. Make it an Olympian trip too.

On the subject of Volvo B10BLEs, 4922 is the latest example in for repaint.

(27 Aug 2014, 2:55 pm)Dan wrote Very soon! You'd better hope for nice weather for some time this week. Make it an Olympian trip too.

On the subject of Volvo B10BLEs, 4922 is the latest example in for repaint.

Cheers for the update

(26 Aug 2014, 1:31 pm)Robert wrote I usually wait but is there any sign of 9120 been returned to Evobus now the bank holiday weekend is over?

9120 is out on the 8/78 today it arrived in Chester le Street at 1515 on an 8 to Stanley.

(27 Aug 2014, 2:55 pm)Dan wrote Very soon! You'd better hope for nice weather for some time this week. Make it an Olympian trip too.

On the subject of Volvo B10BLEs, 4922 is the latest example in for repaint.

Lee Garrett mentioned on Facebook that he heard from a "Reliable" source that 8 of the Olympians were due to be Withdrawn over the course of the next 4 Weeks, if true then I would hitch a ride asap.

(27 Aug 2014, 3:10 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Lee Garrett mentioned on Facebook that he heard from a "Reliable" source that 8 of the Olympians were due to be Withdrawn over the course of the next 4 Weeks, if true then I would hitch a ride asap.

'Four weeks' is a questionable timeframe, but the general sense of the information was correct.

However, this may no longer be the case. If Go North East is awarded with some additional contracts for the forthcoming academic year, some buses will have to be retained.

(27 Aug 2014, 2:55 pm)Dan wrote Very soon! You'd better hope for nice weather for some time this week. Make it an Olympian trip too.

On the subject of Volvo B10BLEs, 4922 is the latest example in for repaint.

I think that's what I'll be doing on Friday. Quick trip over Stanley and/or Consett to see if I can see an Olympian out and about for a trip. Spot of Renown hunting too!

(27 Aug 2014, 3:11 pm)Dan wrote However, this may no longer be the case. If Go North East is awarded with some additional contracts for the forthcoming academic year, some buses will have to be retained.

Doesn't surprise me at all...

(27 Aug 2014, 3:12 pm)aureolin wrote I think that's what I'll be doing on Friday. Quick trip over Stanley and/or Consett to see if I can see an Olympian out and about for a trip. Spot of Renown hunting too!

I'll be doing it tomorrow! Probably a X25 (chance of a Renown) to Chester-le-St, then a 8 or 78 to Stanley, X43 to Metrocentre then whatever I fancy for the rest of the time!

(27 Aug 2014, 3:41 pm)Tom wrote I'll be doing it tomorrow! Probably a X25 (chance of a Renown) to Chester-le-St, then a 8 or 78 to Stanley, X43 to Metrocentre then whatever I fancy for the rest of the time!

Seen a few on the 28's this week. May be worth keeping your eye on, if they aren't on an x25.
Nowt but Solars on the 71 these days.

(27 Aug 2014, 4:06 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Seen a few on the 28's this week. May be worth keeping your eye on, if they aren't on an x25.
Nowt but Solars on the 71 these days.

I see the FPF finally got their message across that they wanted younger vehicles?

(27 Aug 2014, 5:01 pm)Marcus wrote I see the FPF finally got their message across that they wanted younger vehicles?

They'll be getting even younger vehicles in a few weeks - but it's mainly linked to the size factor...!

We're on 1000th page if nobody has realised! Quite a milestone, eh?

(27 Aug 2014, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote They'll be getting even younger vehicles in a few weeks - but it's mainly linked to the size factor...!

Surely MPDs would be better though, extending to Seaham?

(27 Aug 2014, 5:05 pm)Robert wrote We're on 1000th page if nobody has realised! Quite a milestone, eh?

And when you include all the threads that were split off by month a while ago when we were having a few issues, we're on the 1622nd page!

(27 Aug 2014, 5:05 pm)Robert wrote We're on 1000th page if nobody has realised! Quite a milestone, eh?

I noticed, and was waiting to see what happened when the 10000th post occurred.

Some bulletin boards like this have a limit per thread.

(27 Aug 2014, 5:01 pm)Marcus wrote I see the FPF finally got their message across that they wanted younger vehicles?

W reg Renowns or Y reg Solars are pretty much the same age anyway

The FPF just want a decent service beyond 6pm and on Sundays/Bank Holidays/Christmas Shopping Days, a service which takes people to destinations such as Newcastle (which has always been served) or the Metrocentre that don't involve 2/3 changes in either direction (nor the forced purchase of a day ticket), in addition to fare/boundary structures which are as reasonable as they are in other areas.

It isn't much to ask...

Residents of Fencehouses had the direct buses to Newcastle, had the services beyond 6pm and were part of a more affordable fare/boundary structure - then the summer of 06 arrived!

Overnight, older vehicles were introduced, direct buses to Newcastle were axed, buses stopped offering a decent service beyond 6pm and day tickets more or less doubled in price.

(27 Aug 2014, 5:27 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote W reg Renowns or Y reg Solars are pretty much the same age anyway

The FPF just want a decent service beyond 6pm and on Sundays/Bank Holidays/Christmas Shopping Days, a service which takes people to destinations such as Newcastle (which has always been served) or the Metrocentre that don't involve 2/3 changes in either direction (nor the forced purchase of a day ticket), in addition to fare/boundary structures which are as reasonable as they are in other areas.

It isn't much to ask...

Residents of Fencehouses had the direct buses to Newcastle, had the services beyond 6pm and were part of a more affordable fare/boundary structure - then the summer of 06 arrived!

Do you think you will get this under QCS?

(27 Aug 2014, 6:40 pm)citaro5284 wrote Do you think you will get this under QCS?

They have already stated the price structure for fares - which will be lower (based on this current fares and inflation if I remember correctly) for the majority of residents in Tyne & Wear, inc Fencehouses

As for the other stuff, who knows - guessing that is a debate that needs to take place in the QCS thread though.

(27 Aug 2014, 6:40 pm)citaro5284 wrote Do you think you will get this under QCS?

Yes, because cross subsidy will take place, and the network will be ran by a body that is accountable to every single member of the public.

I'll leave the rest for the QCS thread.

Very dissatisfied with my trip on Drifter 5375 on the X66 today. Comfy enough but the bus in general seems to whine a lot. Also there was a capacity issue. In addition, normally when an X66 pulls into Metrocentre behind schedule with a big que, the bus station manager will check tickets and passes and accept boarding onto the rear doors of the Mercedes. This cannot be done and so the service loses further time. The driver made comment to another driver that he did not like the bus, too light and, in comparison to anything else, rattles a lot and is uncomfortable, seemed to be very unimpressed with throttle response and the steering.

In addition, as my username suggests I was on the 56 today, as I am everyday. Had a small brainwave, when the 56 was on diversion due to works at Nissan, the service was never late reaching Concord. The bus company would benefit, in my opinion, from running the service along the diversionary route as standard, serving Nissan Factory in time for shift changes so as to still facilitate the transportation of workers to and from the plant.

Additionally, was fortunate enough to have to ride the 42 today. I felt the vehicle accelerates very harshly. Is there a system which has replaced RIBUS keys to alert the driver to overenthusiastic acceleration?

Just on that note, does Steve and Karen do the announcements for the 56 or is it just Steve?

the bus in general seems to whine a lot

Reminds me that a TEN through Corbridge about 21:30 last night was very noisy - unlike the usual engine sound - sounded like a bent fan or something.

I was too far away to see the rego but I could hear it as it travelled the length of Hill Street to the stop and beyond as it turned right past the Angel Inn.

(27 Aug 2014, 8:19 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Just on that note, does Steve and Karen do the announcements for the 56 or is it just Steve?

You will be thrilled to hear that it is neither. I think it is the gentleman who records Metro Radio's own adverts which they sometimes use in their radio shows. He frequently can be heard saying things such as "Would you like to win £1000?" and the likes... If you know who I mean...