Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2015

[Tom]

Shame that we'll see the back of all the Renowns by the end of the year, but I can't say I'll be sorry to see the back of the Lolynes in 2017.

Really? I think the Lolynes are really nice!

[Michael]

67x Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown (to be disposed of prior to 1 January 2016)
10x Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2 (to be disposed of prior to 1 January 2017)
27x Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne (to be disposed of prior to 1 January 2017)

This financial year will see the withdrawal of some of these vehicles. Any single deckers remaining at the end of this financial year will have to be withdrawn in the next financial year instead. One would naturally assume that there will be a staggering number of new vehicles to enter the fleet in 2015 to assist in the withdrawal of the above vehicles.

Cheers, i thought it was something like that, =)

[Michael]

Really? I think the Lolynes are really nice!

I hope your being sarcastic! 

[Tom]

I hope your being sarcastic! 

No I'm not!
They are actually nice in my opinion.

[Dan]

Cheers, i thought it was something like that, =)

No problem.

I hope your being sarcastic! 

Never understood what the fuss has been about on this forum about the Tridents. Pretty poor reliability-wise, but think they provide a decent journey... Prefer them to Volvo B7TLs.

[Michael]

You can't beat the B10's though, the ones which are/were on the Lime =D

[Adrian]

The seats always feel really low for me, and you get hit with that damp smell as soon as you board.

[Jimmi]

Really? I think the Lolynes are really nice!

I actually don't mind a ride on a Lolyne, always nice to see one turn up on the X21 and X22 in place of Plaxton President's.

Not the best reliability wise though.

[nk55]

No problem.


Never understood what the fuss has been about on this forum about the Tridents. Pretty poor reliability-wise, but think they provide a decent journey... Prefer them to Volvo B7TLs.

Try driving them!!. B7 for me any day.

[Davie]

No I'm not!
They are actually nice in my opinion.

I agree Tom, I like Loynes

[S813 FVK]

I like the lolynes too. I cant say i have many buses that i hate but i dont like the B7 Presidents and Vykings and i would like to say i dont like the omnicities either.

[Davie]

I like the lolynes too. I cant say i have many buses that i hate but i dont like the B7 Presidents and Vykings and i would like to say i dont like the omnicities either.

Robert, I thought I was the only bus enthusiasts who had that opinion

[gtom]

Passenger wise I preferred the Lolynes when they were on the 21 to the current kit. I struggle with the legroom on the B7s (aside that driver side seat behind the stairs)

I don't find the B5's particularly comfortable at all tbh. I particularly hate the back 'mini row' on them

I quite liked the Vykings and they probably would have been more popular if they hadn't have persisted with the 2 door policy that never ever worked

[nk55]

The dual door B7s couldn't be converted to single door because the ramp is located at the centre door and if i remember its either down to the fact the area near the front door wasn't wide enough to allow a wheelchair through or the cost.

[Kuyoyo]

Passenger wise I preferred the Lolynes when they were on the 21 to the current kit.  I struggle with the legroom on the B7s (aside that driver side seat behind the stairs)

I don't find the B5's particularly comfortable at all tbh.  I particularly hate the back 'mini row' on them

I quite liked the Vykings and they probably would have been more popular if they hadn't have persisted with the 2 door policy that never ever worked

If they'd had to covert them to single door, I don't think they would have come here - given the quoted cost of their refurbishment without the single door conversion (£20k a vehicle).

[Adrian]

Passenger wise I preferred the Lolynes when they were on the 21 to the current kit.  I struggle with the legroom on the B7s (aside that driver side seat behind the stairs)

I don't find the B5's particularly comfortable at all tbh.  I particularly hate the back 'mini row' on them

I quite liked the Vykings and they probably would have been more popular if they hadn't have persisted with the 2 door policy that never ever worked

See, I think the Geminis are comfortable, and I can seem to sit anywhere without struggling for leg room. I can't say the same about Lolynes or the ex-London Presidents. On the latter, I always end up with pins and needles in my legs on longer journeys, due to how cramped the spacing between seats can be. 

The Vykings were alright, but again, the legroom is pretty poor. I used to try and sit either side of the first raised seats on the lower deck, but found you always slid off the seats, due to a mixture of the seating style and heavy braking.

The two door policy wouldn't have been so bad, if they were a) supported by the council in terms of infrastructure, and b) people understood the basics of a one way system.

[gtom]

The two door policy wouldn't have been so bad, if they were a) supported by the council in terms of infrastructure, and b) people understood the basics of a one way system.

The infrastructure was there from Gateshead Council, can't speak for the rest. They retrofitted a lot of bus stops

[Adrian]

The infrastructure was there from Gateshead Council, can't speak for the rest.  They retrofitted a lot of bus stops

Durham had quite a few stops where the stickers appeared, which led to quite a bit confusion. You often had people queueing up at the middle doors to get off, only to be told to go out the front doors. 

[gtom]

Durham had quite a few stops where the stickers appeared, which led to quite a bit confusion. You often had people queueing up at the middle doors to get off, only to be told to go out the front doors. 

Oddly enough the only time I was ever told to get off at the middle doors was on an X22 working!

[R852 PRG]

See, I think the Geminis are comfortable, and I can seem to sit anywhere without struggling for leg room. I can't say the same about Lolynes or the ex-London Presidents. On the latter, I always end up with pins and needles in my legs on longer journeys, due to how cramped the spacing between seats can be. 

The Vykings were alright, but again, the legroom is pretty poor. I used to try and sit either side of the first raised seats on the lower deck, but found you always slid off the seats, due to a mixture of the seating style and heavy braking.

The two door policy wouldn't have been so bad, if they were a) supported by the council in terms of infrastructure, and b) people understood the basics of a one way system.

I think Vykings are alright for short hops. I wouldn't like to drive one on one of those 4 hour 21 boards!