(02 Feb 2015, 6:04 pm)Michael wrote Do you ever think it will go back to every 10 minutes once all of the Nissan roadworks are complete?

There's no need for it to have a 10-minute frequency really (outside of peak times). Aside from that, the resources aren't there any more. To keep it as reliable as present, it will need more layover on a 10-minute frequency, and that means increasing the PVR by 2. This would eat up both of the Volvo B9TL spares and this wouldn't be ideal.

(02 Feb 2015, 2:51 pm)Dan wrote As 8306 - 8309 and 8319 were repainted purple at the back end of 2013 and these vehicles are now allocated to services 2/2A, I cannot see them being repainted again, hence my earlier suggestion that 8320 - 8327 will emerge from the paintshop in purple too.

The real question is whether the "SimpliCity" brand name will be retained on this purple base coat or not...

I don't think 8306 - 8309 and 8319 will be repainted again. 


I agree with Malarkey, the Simplicity brand suits the 33/33A/38 and 39 more than the 2/2A, i do hope the versa is only temporary, gonna speculate and say if the 27 gets new buses this year the 2/2A will gain its Citaro's as they only have 13, and the 2/2A is 13 PVR. 

With all 13 of the Versa's going on the 33/33A/38/39, this allows the Cadets to move around the NE to replace the B10's! 

Simplygo.com still hasn't been updated, with Silver Arrows and Laser still on the website. Surely this is confusing to someone who doesn't travel on buses often

(03 Feb 2015, 7:46 am)leestransportphotos wrote Simplygo.com still hasn't been updated, with Silver Arrows and Laser still on the website. Surely this is confusing to someone who doesn't travel on buses often

It is, They still have the 61 down simpicity on the site to.

The Lime 8 route hasn't being updated... as it still has it goes via Hastings Hill all the time, when its only a few runs...

(03 Feb 2015, 7:58 am)Michael wrote It is, They still have the 61 down simpicity on the site to.

The Lime 8 route hasn't being updated... as it still has it goes via Hastings Hill all the time, when its only a few runs...

Yes - web content does need sorting out. Paper timetables on buses are all correct so I see no reason why the website isn't up to date.

Will see what I can do as it's irritating me too - I managed to get a few things done last time, but this was primarily the Euro ratings and a lot of things were ignored.

(03 Feb 2015, 8:04 am)Dan wrote Yes - web content does need sorting out. Paper timetables on buses are all correct so I see no reason why the website isn't up to date.

Will see what I can do as it's irritating me too - I managed to get a few things done last time, but this was primarily the Euro ratings and a lot of things were ignored.

I mean the 8 changed a while back to omit Hastings Hill during the day, they should get the person/people who work in the office,  to do a full day working on the site, changing stuff like this, or even done the day before...

Pronto page still has a picture of a Pronto President with X20 branding.

(03 Feb 2015, 11:05 am)Jimmi wrote Pronto page still has a picture of a Pronto President with X20 branding.

When did the Pronto X20 brand end? From what I remember late 2012 - early 2013?

Anything up with the 20's today?
6099 running NIS around the back of NPower and a recently repainted Purple Solar running NIS between NPower and Houghton, but following the route of the 20A.
All within minutes of each other.

(03 Feb 2015, 11:19 am)Tommy_1581 wrote When did the Pronto X20 brand end? From what I remember late 2012 - early 2013?

I think it was either October / November 2012.

(03 Feb 2015, 11:25 am)Jimmi wrote I think it was either October / November 2012.

Must have been October 2012 when I seen one on the X20. (Jesus, how time flies!) (Don't know why I had my eyes drawn to the Pronto President, I didn't have an interest in buses until mid-2013, or it might just be me checking out the surroundings as my second time to Sumderland in my life)

Seen this as a post from someone on the GNE facebook page:

Thanks to your 2A service running 8 minutes late I am late collecting my son from school! I am keeping a diary and shall be billing you for my wasted time!

Leave earlier.

Highwayman Solar 4932 has officially joined 4937 and 4949 in the #SmokingSolarsClub, Seen in the Video below at Riverside Depot this afternoon, there was that much smoke I have had a banging headache since around 3pm.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/15814696334/

(03 Feb 2015, 7:26 pm)Malarkey wrote Highwayman Solar 4932 has officially joined 4937 and 4949 in the #SmokingSolarsClub, Seen in the Video below at Riverside Depot this afternoon, there was that much smoke I have had a banging headache since around 3pm.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/15814696334/

It wants to be the Highwayarrow  

(03 Feb 2015, 7:30 pm)Michael wrote It wants to be the Highwayarrow  

Words cant even describe how terrible that pun was.

(03 Feb 2015, 7:32 pm)Malarkey wrote Words cant even describe how terrible that pun was.

It was, i had others but they were terrible!

(03 Feb 2015, 7:26 pm)Malarkey wrote Highwayman Solar 4932 has officially joined 4937 and 4949 in the #SmokingSolarsClub, Seen in the Video below at Riverside Depot this afternoon, there was that much smoke I have had a banging headache since around 3pm.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/15814696334/

If it killed you it would be living up to its name...

(03 Feb 2015, 7:26 pm)Malarkey wrote Highwayman Solar 4932 has officially joined 4937 and 4949 in the #SmokingSolarsClub, Seen in the Video below at Riverside Depot this afternoon, there was that much smoke I have had a banging headache since around 3pm.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/15814696334/

#MoltenMalarkey
#HashtagsonNEB

I've often thought it must be confusing for people who are not especially familiar with routes, brands etc to navigate the simplygo.com website. If you click on "our services" it only shows branded routes, requiring another click to get to "all routes" but then confusingly offers a link to "all services" which again just shows the branded routes but this time with the page misleadingly headed "All services".

8320 is back in service at Deptford in Plain Purple, and is on the Npower Chiltern Shuttle.

(04 Feb 2015, 11:33 am)Malarkey wrote 8320 is back in service at Deptford in Plain Purple, and is on the Npower Chiltern Shuttle.

So much for being allocated to the 2/2A then...... 

It seems the 39 now stops at stand J in park lane.

(04 Feb 2015, 11:33 am)Malarkey wrote 8320 is back in service at Deptford in Plain Purple, and is on the Npower Chiltern Shuttle.

(04 Feb 2015, 11:51 am)Michael wrote So much for being allocated to the 2/2A then...... 

As mentioned above 8320 is back from repaint - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/16257452289/

Michael I was sat on the 20A heading to Sunderland when 8320 showed up, so I quickly got off took a photo and got straight back on, sure Dan and others have done this on several occasions also, as for the 2/2A allocations there were 3 Northern/Corporate Liveried Solars on today, I had the pleasure of 4936 back home from Sunderland, 5202 and either 4942 or 4943 were the others iirc, these allocations should have resulted in 8321 being sent to Saltmeadows for Repaint, sure Dan will confirm this though as usually does a little update on a Wednesday.

(04 Feb 2015, 5:02 pm)Malarkey wrote As mentioned above 8320 is back from repaint - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/16257452289/

Michael I was sat on the 20A heading to Sunderland when 8320 showed up, so I quickly got off took a photo and got straight back on, sure Dan and others have done this on several occasions also, as for the 2/2A allocations there were 3 Northern/Corporate Liveried Solars on today, I had the pleasure of 4936 back home from Sunderland, 5202 and either 4942 or 4943 were the others iirc, these allocations should have resulted in 8321 being sent to Saltmeadows for Repaint, sure Dan will confirm this though as usually does a little update on a Wednesday.

Loving the pose/look that the driver is offering!

(04 Feb 2015, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Loving the pose/look that the driver is offering!

Hahaha I didnt even realise, tbf when I take a photo I never focus on the driver looking/posing, no doubt I got some cracking mugshots.

So far, how have the passenger numbers been on the improved Sunderland services? Better or worse?

Can't see the X36 lasting long. Saw it leaving Market Street on Saturday with one passenger.

(04 Feb 2015, 8:26 pm)Tom wrote So far, how have the passenger numbers been on the improved Sunderland services? Better or worse?



Can't see the X36 lasting long. Saw it leaving Market Street on Saturday with one passenger.

Most times I saw it leave Eldon Square before the changes with not many more passengers than that which was probably why it was cut to hourly on this section.

Think the X36 may only survive at the Sunderland end of the route with the Newcastle end being binned.

(04 Feb 2015, 8:26 pm)Tom wrote So far, how have the passenger numbers been on the improved Sunderland services? Better or worse?

Can't see the X36 lasting long. Saw it leaving Market Street on Saturday with one passenger.

To be honest, nothing much seems to have changed. The changes weren't designed to increase passenger numbers - they were really just to improve reliability and improve cross-city links by merging already established services.

With the morning peak X36s to Enterprise Park being cut, the 8s now leave Park Lane absolutely rammed... But that's about it!

(04 Feb 2015, 8:46 pm)Dan wrote To be honest, nothing much seems to have changed. The changes weren't designed to increase passenger numbers - they were really just to improve reliability and improve cross-city links by merging already established services.

With the morning peak X36s to Enterprise Park being cut, the 8s now leave Park Lane absolutely rammed... But that's about it!

I noticed that the 36 left park lane with no seats, this was heading towards North Sunderland.

(04 Feb 2015, 8:26 pm)Tom wrote So far, how have the passenger numbers been on the improved Sunderland services? Better or worse?

Can't see the X36 lasting long. Saw it leaving Market Street on Saturday with one passenger.

The final X36 at 1831 out of Heworth looked quite busy this evening. I think there are a few things that need to be sorted with regards the Newcastle/Heworth to Boldon section of the X36 and 35A.