KU52 RXF was on 710 today never seen it before have they had it long?

(31 Jul 2014, 8:20 pm)Andy wrote KU52 RXF was on 710 today never seen it before have they had it long?

Not the 713? That is operated by Hunters of Tantobie who also own this Dart

(31 Jul 2014, 8:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote Not the 713? That is operated by Hunters of Tantobie who also own this Dart

Andy - brilliant way to tell if it was actually the 713 and owned by Hunters will be if you took a photo of the bus...

Without fail, the driver covers his face and sticks his middle finger up at you. It's always fun going to Stanley, just to take some photos of him. Never had the same experience with Stanley Travel.

Yeh think it was the Hunter's Dart and the driver looked very miserable and nearly ran somebody over at the crossing

(31 Jul 2014, 8:25 pm)Dan wrote Andy - brilliant way to tell if it was actually the 713 and owned by Hunters will be if you took a photo of the bus...

Without fail, the driver covers his face and sticks his middle finger up at you. It's always fun going to Stanley, just to take some photos of him. Never had the same experience with Stanley Travel.

I must admit i think Hunters should be in line for the most unprofessional company award and if there isnt one, there should be!

- The drivers dont have uniforms
- Wouldnt say the buses are well maintained
- The yard isnt secure which isnt good for a depot thats on a main road

Probably more reasons that could be rhymed off the list but thats just a few that i think are most important. The top one for a start gives people a first impression on the company and to me, its not a very good one at that.

(31 Jul 2014, 9:38 pm)Robert wrote I must admit i think Hunters should be in line for the most unprofessional company award and if there isnt one, there should be!

- The drivers dont have uniforms
- Wouldnt say the buses are well maintained
- The yard isnt secure which isnt good for a depot thats on a main road

Probably more reasons that could be rhymed off the list but thats just a few that i think are most important. The top one for a start gives people a first impression on the company and to me, its not a very good one at that.

Did you ever see/know of St George Travel?
Long gone, but an interesting set up.

Classic, Gillinghams and others have all gone down the non-uniform route in the past.
Sure Stanley did too at one point.

(31 Jul 2014, 9:42 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Did you ever see/know of St George Travel?
Long gone, but an interesting set up.

Interesting is one way of putting it. Was it the 179/279 that they ran in Washington? Horrible clapped out little mini buses and the professional standards of a bent copper.

(31 Jul 2014, 9:42 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Did you ever see/know of St George Travel?
Long gone, but an interesting set up.

Classic, Gillinghams and others have all gone down the non-uniform route in the past.
Sure Stanley did too at one point.

JSB/SB Travel drivers don't appear to have uniforms and at least one of their drivers drives around in tatty T-Shirts, think one said sex, drugs and sausage rolls.

(31 Jul 2014, 9:46 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting is one way of putting it. Was it the 179/279 that they ran in Washington? Horrible clapped out little mini buses and the professional standards of a bent copper.

Well, didn't want to appear libelous

But aye, they ran the 179 in competition with Wear Buses.

One driver used to look after 'his' vehicle to the point of it being beyond pedantic with the passengers.

Can remember seeing the vehicles being maintained on ramps on one of The Avenues in Harraton and on Beatrice Terrace too.

On a 194 once and the driver pulled another one on the bus link by the police station to let another driver know about a new vehicle St George had - such was the amazement.

(31 Jul 2014, 9:47 pm)Jimmi wrote JSB/SB Travel drivers don't appear to have uniforms and at least one of their drivers drives around in tatty T-Shirts, think one said sex, drugs and sausage rolls.

What can you say to that, apart from asking him if he prefers Greggs or Cooplands?

(31 Jul 2014, 9:47 pm)Jimmi wrote JSB/SB Travel drivers don't appear to have uniforms and at least one of their drivers drives around in tatty T-Shirts, think one said sex, drugs and sausage rolls.

See I'm not keen on the Arriva polo shirts either, as I don't think they look smart. Noticed some wearing similar colour dress shirts though?

I think the Sapphire uniform is smarter too iirc... Not used the 7 for a while, but there was a pretty smart woman driving last time I used it.

(31 Jul 2014, 10:02 pm)aureolin wrote See I'm not keen on the Arriva polo shirts either, as I don't think they look smart. Noticed some wearing similar colour dress shirts though?

I think the Sapphire uniform is smarter too iirc... Not used the 7 for a while, but there was a pretty smart woman driving last time I used it.

I'm fine with the Arriva uniform, its not very smart but its still a uniform, same with Scarlet Band having polo shirts again not particularly smart but still a uniform, it annoys me when drivers of services operated by independents like JSB who don't have a uniform, but they should still tell their drivers to look presentable even if its just wearing a white shirt bought from a supermarket for about £5.

(31 Jul 2014, 10:02 pm)aureolin wrote See I'm not keen on the Arriva polo shirts either, as I don't think they look smart. Noticed some wearing similar colour dress shirts though?

I think the Sapphire uniform is smarter too iirc... Not used the 7 for a while, but there was a pretty smart woman driving last time I used it.

Think the sapphire uniform is better than the ordinary uniform is just to bring the drivers up to the services level although i have to say, the general public wont be dressed formally to use the service but its still better to make employees look presentable.

(30 Jul 2014, 9:14 pm)Robert wrote As stated on the Gateshead Central Taxis thread, Wright Streetlite MX60 BXD is now with them. Also on loan.

We actually ended up with a 61 plate from Gateshead central. We have it for 1 month while E3 stx undergoes engine surgery, and all 3 EV's have now gone back to Optare to try and see if there is a way they can be brought up to a usable standard.

The loan bus happenes to be ex-Reays of Wigton Streetlite MX61BCE, seen below on the 40B yesterday

https://twitter.com/stanley_travel/statu...9508077568

Stanley Travel have just tweeted a link to the first of the refurbed deckers.

(15 Aug 2014, 5:18 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote https://twitter.com/stanley_travel/statu...9508077568

Stanley Travel have just tweeted a link to the first of the refurbed deckers.

Looks to have LED destys too..I am impressed!

Just had a short ride on MX61 BCE. Beautiful is the best word to describe it. Too quiet to get the message 'get off the road' to people but will any bus at the end of the day?

Discussions also revealed that R6 and R7 were deffo been either part exchanged or sold to Ensign. Something that was said by a mechanic to the driver in question. Also said was that K2 may be staying with them been the only Olympian doing so.

As can clearly be seen with only 1 president been refurbed, not all of them will be done by September hence why R7 has been MOT'd and R6 should be due for the same soon meaning they can cling on for a little longer than originally intended.

LK03 NHY has returned from its refurbishment:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/14804313769/

Former loanee KY63VTJ has now arrived at Cumfybus: https://flic.kr/p/oz6NEr

V146 LGC has been reregistered as S5 STX

Had a quick look at Nexus work/school services earlier...

Stanley are operating these service 939's this year

0710 Sunderland - Team Valley

1608 Team Valley - Concord
1638 Team Valley - Sunderland

Just as a heads up, S5 STX (V146 LGC) will be allocated to the following services tomorrow:

845 AM 845 - Hamsterley Mill to St Thomas More, Blaydon
886 PM 886 - Charles Thorp, Ryton to St Thomas More, Blaydon
845 PM 845 - St Thomas More, Blaydon to Hamsterley Mill

Stanley Travel have supposed to have received an electric bus today (presumably for the Cathedral Bus). Dont even know if its true nor what kind of bus it is. Sure ill be able to provide more information tomorrow.

(08 Sep 2014, 6:33 pm)Robert wrote Stanley Travel have supposed to have received an electric bus today (presumably for the Cathedral Bus). Dont even know if its true nor what kind of bus it is. Sure ill be able to provide more information tomorrow.

Probably one of the electric Solos back from Optare?

(08 Sep 2014, 6:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote Probably one of the electric Solos back from Optare?

Hmm. Didnt think of that if im honest. Discussions are saying that its brand new but that is looking slim as if its supposed to have arrived today then the mechanic would have gone down to Plaxtons at Scarborough to pick it up but he has been in the yard all day. Thats if they are getting it at all, i have just heard this from drivers discussions.

Noticed Stanley Travel were doing Scholars in Wallsend tonight, canny way back to Stanley like!

(09 Sep 2014, 2:03 pm)Tom wrote Noticed Stanley Travel were doing Scholars in Wallsend tonight, canny way back to Stanley like!

They do have a few over that way and those are some of the runs based out of the Kingsleys Depot at Birtley. Still quite a trek though!

(09 Sep 2014, 3:12 pm)Robert wrote They do have a few over that way and those are some of the runs based out of the Kingsleys Depot at Birtley. Still quite a trek though!

The other one is done by Jim Hughes.

(08 Sep 2014, 6:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote Probably one of the electric Solos back from Optare?

Turns out its this:

https://www.flickr.com/search?sort=relevance&text=YJ13%20HKY

It was delivered on a low loader (for obvious reasons) and i assume its just extending its demonstration life rather than actually being purchased by the company.

(09 Sep 2014, 3:38 pm)Robert wrote Turns out its this:

https://www.flickr.com/search?sort=relevance&text=YJ13%20HKY

It was delivered on a low loader (for obvious reasons) and i assume its just extending its demonstration life rather than actually being purchased by the company.

And im wrong. It has been purchased by the company as a replacement to the electric solos that were withdrawn a few months ago.