Here is a scan of the AD122 timetable showing 524 with the Brampton via Gilsland destination display that I referred to earlier.

Bluegrass Research have sent out a survey to members of the Go North East Passenger Panel seeking their views on "how you use the bus and the type of journeys made".

(30 Mar 2015, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote If they're the same, they should be ok, only Stanley and Chester-Le-Street drivers need familiarisation, as they haven't drove them before. 

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Should be all drivers as they're rigid buses now.

There should be less familiarisation required at Stanley as their drivers have already had a Streetlite on trail with the Lime services.

Maintenance Vehicle 1038 is currently parked up outside my house, meanwhile a 12reg Red Arrows B9TL is on 82/82A heading towards Concord.

Been waiting 20 Minutes for the 13:24 Service 2 from Lambton to Sunderland, any ideas where it is, the one which would of done the 13:31 2A was running 7 Minutes late.

(31 Mar 2015, 12:39 pm)Malarkey wrote Been waiting 20 Minutes for the 13:24 Service 2 from Lambton to Sunderland, any ideas where it is, the one which would of done the 13:31 2A was running 7 Minutes late.

On the 13:44 which is running 4 Minutes Late.

I noticed that Adrian has already posted a better photo of the X66 brand - but here's mine - it saw sunlight briefly at 10:30 this morning.

Having digested the X66 brand so to speak, I have to say I'm impressed with it. It certainly works a lot better on the blue than it did on the gold. The elf on the nearside front is a nice touch, as it's something kids will notice as it pulls in.

MPD 557 had it's seats removed at Saltmeadows Road this morning, possibly a retrim.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:42 pm)aureolin wrote Having digested the X66 brand so to speak, I have to say I'm impressed with it. It certainly works a lot better on the blue than it did on the gold. The elf on the nearside front is a nice touch, as it's something kids will notice as it pulls in.

I have to agree, it looked spectacular when I saw it this morning.
The "Metrocentre X66" on the front window is a nice touch as it gives more space for the MetroGnome and the Multi-coloured person.
Wonder if there are different MetroGnomes on each bus? 

Cobalt Connect OmniCity 5243 was at Saltmeadows Road this morning on the jacks.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:45 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote I have to agree, it looked spectacular when I saw it this morning.
The "Metrocentre X66" on the front window is a nice touch as it gives more space for the MetroGnome and the Multi-coloured person.
Wonder if there are different MetroGnomes on each bus? 

Interesting thought. 4 MetroGnomes and 4 X66 vehicles...wouldnt be surprised if you're right with that one.

Bus company aims to hire army of women drivers
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7185617

It's a bit disappointing the spin the Echo have put on this one, but I can't say I'm surprised. Look at the article preview text from both the Echo and GNE compared:

Sunderland Echo wroteGo North East is specifically targeting women for 300 jobs on its services in Sunderland and across the North East.

Go North East wroteWe have launched a major recruitment campaign to find 300 new drivers – and women with customer service experience are in particular demand.

GNE's own press release is very balanced, yet the Echo have completely ignored the majority of it, and put a spin on it as if GNE are *only* looking for women.

Talking of driver recruitment, everywhere I went today (including MC Coach Park) was a Driver Training coach, must be very successful so far.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:55 pm)aureolin wrote Bus company aims to hire army of women drivers
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7185617

It's a bit disappointing the spin the Echo have put on this one, but I can't say I'm surprised. Look at the article preview text from both the Echo and GNE compared:

From the Echo article:-

Just eight per cent of the company’s 1,600 drivers are men, 

(31 Mar 2015, 2:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote From the Echo article:-

Really? Not intending to be sexist but i always thought bus driving was more of a 'mans job'? Obviously you get the odd woman but overall, most bus drivers that i have seen are men.

(31 Mar 2015, 2:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote From the Echo article:-

That's pure BS.

128 - err, no.

just reading the quote again, should the 'men' not be women as later on in the sentence, it says:

and the firm believes this is because women think it’s a difficult, male-only job.

Think it meant eight percent are women. Unless, of course, the Sunderland Echo has just got so twisted in the story they don't know themselves! Would confuse the public...why would a company need so many female staff at the wheel, when 92% of their staff are in the first place!

The Sunderland Echo Wrote Pure Rubbish:
Just eight per cent of the company’s 1,600 drivers are men, and the firm believes this is because women think it’s a difficult, male-only job.

If not many women drive for GNE, and if only 128 men drive for GNE... Who exactly drives our buses?

There have been no further arrivals at Saltmeadows for repaint, but 6030 was receiving corporate livery vinyls today in the paintshop, so it should be returning to Percy Main shortly. 557 is fully branded for the AD122 now - it was having its re-trimmed seats fitted again today, while also receiving interior branding (disabled bay vinyls etc). I can confirm that each "X66" branded vehicle features a different coloured gnome on the front.

4845 (R845 PRG) was not present at Saltmeadows Road today so has presumably been sold, but this will be confirmed in Go North East's fleet news next week. 4950-52 and 8293 are still in storage at Saltmeadows.

Today's arrivals included the first two green Streetlites which are to be allocated to Chester-le-Street for services 8/78. These are 5402 (NK15 ENP) and 5405 (NK15 ENU).

(31 Mar 2015, 3:25 pm)Dan wrote There have been no further arrivals at Saltmeadows for repaint, but 6030 was receiving corporate livery vinyls today in the paintshop, so it should be returning to Percy Main shortly. 557 is fully branded for the AD122 now - it was having its re-trimmed seats fitted again today, while also receiving interior branding (disabled bay vinyls etc). I can confirm that each "X66" branded vehicle features a different coloured gnome on the front.

4845 (R845 PRG) was not present at Saltmeadows Road today so has presumably been sold, but this will be confirmed in Go North East's fleet news next week. 4950-52 and 8293 are still in storage at Saltmeadows.

Today's arrivals included the first two green Streetlites which are to be allocated to Chester-le-Street for services 8/78. These are 5402 (NK15 ENP) and 5405 (NK15 ENU).

Thanks for the update Dan.

Dan on the fleet list you've missed off 5401 and 5409 for the Lime.

(31 Mar 2015, 1:55 pm)aureolin wrote Bus company aims to hire army of women drivers
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7185617

It's a bit disappointing the spin the Echo have put on this one, but I can't say I'm surprised. Look at the article preview text from both the Echo and GNE compared:



GNE's own press release is very balanced, yet the Echo have completely ignored the majority of it, and put a spin on it as if GNE are *only* looking for women.

In defence, GNE have made it clear they are wanting women, I recall press photos of two female drivers on board a bus at the new depot? With a 'chat' and comment from them about their experiences so I think the angle is very much the fact the company want more women drivers - they have made that obvious. However, it goes without saying that if a company needs drivers gender becomes irrelevant. If GNE could find 300 capable women drivers I have no doubt they'd be hired.  

Obiviously the mistakes in the copy on that article are inexcusable. 

(31 Mar 2015, 3:44 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the update Dan.

Dan on the fleet list you've missed off 5401 and 5409 for the Lime.

5401 and 5409 are the corporate liveried spares (for Stanley and Chester-le-Street respectively), Michael, so these are noted as 'red' for the time being. See here for the full fleet list of Streetlites - excluding 5410 - 5419 as the first vehicle in this batch has not yet arrived. This list will be updated periodically to include any updates with regards to new arrivals and/or branding column updates.

As reported in the "Tender Discussion Thread elsewhere on the forum, Go North East has been awarded with the tenders for the evening operation of service 39 (currently operated by Stagecoach) and 238/239 (239 currently operated by Compass Community Transport as number 79). These will commence from 31/05/15.

(31 Mar 2015, 4:00 pm)Dan wrote 5401 and 5409 are the corporate liveried spares (for Stanley and Chester-le-Street respectively), Michael, so these are noted as 'red' for the time being. See here for the full fleet list of Streetlites - excluding 5410 - 5419 as the first vehicle in this batch has not yet arrived. This list will be updated periodically to include any updates with regards to new arrivals and/or branding column updates.

As reported in the "Tender Discussion Thread elsewhere on the forum, Go North East has been awarded with the tenders for the evening operation of service 39 (currently operated by Stagecoach) and 238/239 (239 currently operated by Compass Community Transport as number 79). These will commence from 31/05/15.

Lmao, for gods sake, its because i just typed Green in... -.-

Just ignore me haha

Maybe the four new buses are for the 238/239?

(31 Mar 2015, 4:05 pm)Tom wrote Maybe the four new buses are for the 238/239?

I would think that GNE would want all of the East Durham brand to be the same buses... hopefully that happens this year.

(31 Mar 2015, 4:09 pm)Michael wrote I would think that GNE would want all of the East Durham brand to be the same buses... hopefully that happens this year.

If they're nexus contracts, would they be merged into the main east durham brand?

(31 Mar 2015, 4:10 pm)Robert wrote If they're nexus contracts, would they be merged into the main east durham brand?

I'm not sure, Dan said this in the Tender Discussion Thread:


I cannot remember what the contractual requirements were for the new tender, but Go North East has won the contract on a non-conforming basis, with the tender instead representing the best value for money in terms of service specification and tender conditions. This also applies to the tenders for services 238/239.

So looks like anything will go on it, which i would think would be a MPD or Solo with the 39 remaining as a Cadet based service. 

Hopefully more SOLO Sr's are due to arrive, even if just for the 238/239 or just to replace all of the East Durham branded MPD's, along with making the 38 a SOLO SR service to.


I'm i correct in saying 8 out of the 15 Lime streetlites have arrived?

Just a friend is asking and the fleet list still only has 4 reg plates on the set for the Limes  

(31 Mar 2015, 4:14 pm)Michael wrote I'm i correct in saying 8 out of the 15 Lime streetlites have arrived?

Just a friend is asking and the fleet list still only has 4 reg plates on the set for the Limes  

The vehicles which have been delivered to Go North East so far are shown here.