Personally I think the Waggonway brand looks much better on the brownish base colour rather than a more maroon colour. There's 11 Solars if 5 are off to Waggonway and 4 to Lambton Worm (as has been rumoured) that leaves 2 spare, where will they be going? Into Northern? I mean when/if they 56 & 20 get Deckers there's going be a whole host of vehicle movements which will probably spell the end for a lot of SPD's. Thinking out the box is there any other brands/services which could do with new vehicles or a brand refresh?

Possible reason that the shade of Maroon on 4958 isn't the same as the Waggonway is because the shadw of paint on the DAFs would have changed slightly over the years due to various weathering.

Difference is massive, otherwise I would have agreed.
If it had actually been a maroon-like colour rather than plum, it would have made sense that they were replicating what the original colour of the Waggonway branded vehicles was actually like - it obviously looks borderline brown on some vehicles now, and that wouldn't have been great.

Here's 4984 when freshly painted. I agree with Dan that its not the same colour. Wouldn't be the first time they've changed the colour though I guess!

Couldn't tell when looking at the pictures of the freshly painted Scania, but after seeing it in the flesh yesterday and seeing the Waggonway vehicles on a daily basis since they were introduced, it was obvious it was a totally different shade, even taking into account any weathering on the DAF's.

Taking into account the picture above of a freshly painted DAF, it is even more clear they are different - which going back to the point I made yesterday, the Waggonway is getting new buses AND a new colour scheme or they are going elsewhere.

I see versas on 61 route now have every 15 mins

Wonder if that means it will join the Simplicity brand

Possible developments re services in the Nissan area: https://www.facebook.com/215880875709/ti...tory?ut=44&hash=8840945301580484555&wstart=0&wend=1372661999&pagefilter=2&ustart&_mn_=17&refid=17

Can only echo others that the base colour of the Scania is entirely different to even the new maroon Waggonway. Far more plum

The M1 Scainas seems to be the top talking point.. So everyone has rumoured that they are going to Waggonway/Lambton Worm so going on this logic maybe the plum Scaina is for the 34/34A under a new brand? The Lambton worm brand is something I would be sad to see go but then again I liked ShowStopper, pink angels etc.

More than likely, this is a re-brand to remove the bad rap associated with the heritage brand existent on those Prestige. The use of the word 'heritage' alone, to most, would suggest breakdowns and unreliability. Its hardly an ideal colour to replicate on Scania's either. The Prestige's have a far more heritage feel to them, with the bodywork alone. The lines and curves on the Scania's don't really fall into that design scope. The brand in its existing form couldn't be pulled off on a Scania. It would essentially be a clash of old and new(ish), without a modern twist.

I think the branding on 4847 is the way to go. 28/28A doesn't need a brand really if it wasn't for the fact it serves the museum. So I'd drop Waggonway and go either Northern Red or the plum colour and keep it Beamish branded.

Only other thing would be all red Northern General in Gold lettering on one side with the Beamish ad on the other side

"SimpliCity" 8320 on the 35 today.
I noted two or three "Washington Street Shuttle" MPDs on the 88 also. Really does infuriate me that it seems the "South Tyne" Cadets seem to struggle massively, and that they're a rarity on their branded service!

"Fab Fifty Six" 4936 was taken out of service today. Arrived in blinded up for the 56 back to Newcastle but went out still blinded up for the 56, turned its lights off and went back to the depot. No idea if a replacement was organised!

Finally, "Go for less with Go North East" leaflets advertising prices etc seem to have been rolled out on most vehicles in the fleet.

The M1 Scainas seems to be the top talking point.. So everyone has rumoured that they are going to Waggonway/Lambton Worm so going on this logic maybe the plum Scaina is for the 34/34A under a new brand? The Lambton worm brand is something I would be sad to see go but then again I liked ShowStopper, pink angels etc.

Does the 34/34a having the Lambton Worm branding stretch the connection too much?
Bearing in mind the actual location of the story and where the worm lived.

However, I must admit, as funky as the Lambton Worm branding is and my attitude to branding in general, it is unique and I did miss it when taken off the 71.

I also missed it when they removed it from the 71 =(

The M1 Scainas seems to be the top talking point.. So everyone has rumoured that they are going to Waggonway/Lambton Worm so going on this logic maybe the plum Scaina is for the 34/34A under a new brand? The Lambton worm brand is something I would be sad to see go but then again I liked ShowStopper, pink angels etc.

I still think they'll end up on the Wear Tees Xpress.

4958 on the M1 at Fatfield Bridge
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9160350979/

3964 NK06 JKC GNE Festival of the North East Wright Gemini on Service 64A to Gateshead
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9162585604/

3964 NK06 JKC GNE Festival of the North East Wright Gemini on Service 96 to Gateshead
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9162584632/

549 NK53 TKD GNE North Tyne Links Dennis Dart MPD on the 307 to Benton Asda
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9160335507/

5245 NK56 KHO GNE Cobalt Connect Scania Omnicity on the 1 to Whitley Bay
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9162556760/[/align]

I've just noticed on the keymobile app, service X21 is listed as 'Prince Bishops'. Guessing this is a mistake and not something to come?

Reflecting on the withdrawal of the OK1, I wonder what difference it would have been if the Pronto had been branded as an OK Expressway service.

Would it have made sense for all Bishop services to have OK branding as opposed to the two, pretty isolated ones in the town?

Just wondering if anyone knows does the 24 interwork with any other services during the day? Thanks.

Just wondering if anyone knows does the 24 interwork with any other services during the day? Thanks.

Nope, it's just the 24 during the day. Think it's PVR 3. In the morning, I think the journeys that continue to Newcastle interwork with the 91. Not sure about what the arrangement for the 24A is?

Just wondering if anyone knows does the 24 interwork with any other services during the day? Thanks.

Nope, it's just the 24 during the day. Think it's PVR 3. In the morning, I think the journeys that continue to Newcastle interwork with the 91. Not sure about what the arrangement for the 24A is?

Yes, that's right.
The 24A is also standalone, PVR of 1 - hourly service, 3 mins waiting time at Newcastle, and 2 at Kibblesworth.

Reflecting on the withdrawal of the OK1, I wonder what difference it would have been if the Pronto had been branded as an OK Expressway service.

Would it have made sense for all Bishop services to have OK branding as opposed to the two, pretty isolated ones in the town?

I think that would be quite a good idea, because 'Pronto' is a pretty rubbish brand - at least the 'OK' brands have some meaning. Not sure how well the current 'OK' brand would look on a double-decker though?

---

Just wondering if anyone knows does the 24 interwork with any other services during the day? Thanks.

Nope, it's just the 24 during the day. Think it's PVR 3. In the morning, I think the journeys that continue to Newcastle interwork with the 91. Not sure about what the arrangement for the 24A is?

Yes, that's right.
The 24A is also standalone, PVR of 1 - hourly service, 3 mins waiting time at Newcastle, and 2 at Kibblesworth.

Thanks for that

Those B7s are due to move into a spare role before the year is out.

Hmmm, wonder what the X21 will use instead. I doubt it'll be given brand new deckers.

It'd be easier to move the X21 into the Angel brand (though I think it was separated to avoid confusion for pax)

A X21 OK would be nice. Echoes of the 724.

Re-Waggonway. Who's to say the service couldn't be axed in its current form and rejigged and a new brand

There was a Northern SPD Vxxx ERG (didnt get numbers) working an M1 into Houghton about 3.30. Probs covering the missing Scania mentioned above

There was a Northern SPD Vxxx ERG (didnt get numbers) working an M1 into Houghton about 3.30. Probs covering the missing Scania mentioned above

8216.

Also 2 Renowns out today on the M1, so unlikely that it's just to cover for 4956!

Ah I dunno like, 4956 is a popular bus

Didn't see any of the Renowns on it, but they're often on

Those B7s are due to move into a spare role before the year is out.

Hmmm, wonder what the X21 will use instead. I doubt it'll be given brand new deckers.

I was intrigued by this, so I decided to do a PaperBus to see what it would look like

Looks a whole lot better than the pronto brand.

Both of Deptford's "Nexus" branded Solo SRs have returned to service, with the pair being out this evening on services 135/136, meaning they had been out on services 37 and 73 through the day too.

"Sunderland Connect" Hybrid 640 was at Saltmeadows today, having only returned to service a few days ago. As such, "Drifter" branded Versa 8308 was covering for the missing vehicle - notably not fulfilling the Euro 5 criteria of the contract. A photo of 640 at Saltmeadows is displayed below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/9166453481/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...349108380/

My GNE Collections page has had some major updates, with more to come over the coming week, with over a 100 photos still to upload, and even more on Monday whilst i'm in Sunderland. Check it out for Buses By Brand/Completed Brands and Former Brands also

I think that the X21 Pronto should be re-branded OK Expressway and the ex OK1 Scanias used on that, which would speed it up. Also they should add one vehicle to the OK Way 18 and extend it to Evenwood and Cockfield which now get such a rubbish service on the Arriva 6, thus retaining the West Auckland - Bishop passengers who have used the OK1. But they haven't given the OK1 enough time to develop since they extended it to Middlesbrough. For that matter I think GNE alters services far too often and since changes in management over the last 18 months they have entered a less positive phase and cuts seem to prevail.

I think that the X21 Pronto should be re-branded OK Expressway and the ex OK1 Scanias used on that, which would speed it up. Also they should add one vehicle to the OK Way 18 and extend it to Evenwood and Cockfield which now get such a rubbish service on the Arriva 6, thus retaining the West Auckland - Bishop passengers who have used the OK1. But they haven't given the OK1 enough time to develop since they extended it to Middlesbrough. For that matter I think GNE alters services far too often and since changes in management over the last 18 months they have entered a less positive phase and cuts seem to prevail.

Maybe it's just me, but the X21 always seems to be quite busy between Durham and Chester, and then Chester and Newcastle?? Whenever I use it it seems to be the case. I don't think the single deck Scanias could cope with that.

The 18, OK1 and Pronto services were all launced at pretty much the same time, in a town pretty much abandoned by GNE approx 5 years previously.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I can't help feeling the offer was dis-jointed and possibly half-hearted.
Connections were poor, one half of the Pronto brand was withdrawn after a brief period and re-introduced as an extention of the X21, limiting the connections from the town even more.
It was as though GNE forced their operations and business model on the town, rather than adapting it to suit the needs of the town.

I've already mentioned if the Pronto was branded OK, the outcome may have been different, but if there were more local connections, rather than just the 18, feeding into the distance services, increasing brand loyalty and uptake of buzzfares etc - then again, things may have been different.
As it stands, the OK1 and Pronto struggle to pick up passengers from the small MPD working its way around the Estates and anyother passengers disembarking an Arriva service needing a connection unique to GNE.