Thought I'd kick this off since order for new buses for X1 due to be placed within the next month.

Thoughts people.....more DD to be ordered or do we think more singles this year....?

More Electrics

I'd really like to see some electric deckers, but I can't think of a route this would be viable on at the minute.

What I do think we'll see is quite a few orders for the 6 cylinder Streetdeck, and hopefully no more orders for the E400s!

(20 Aug 2019, 9:53 am)streetdeckfan wrote I'd really like to see some electric deckers, but I can't think of a route this would be viable on at the minute.

What I do think we'll see is quite a few orders for the 6 cylinder Streetdeck, and hopefully no more orders for the E400s!

I hope we are more E400 orders as they seem nice rather than the Gemini 3s (streetdecks are decent though)

(20 Aug 2019, 11:08 am)GNE6312 wrote

I hope we are more E400 orders as they seem nice rather than the Gemini 3s (streetdecks are decent though)

The Gemini 3s are far too loud and bumpy for my liking.

During CTBW I tried out Arriva's E400s on the X21 and wasn't impressed. My experience of ADL products in general is that the quality is just isn't as good as Wright, plus they just don't look as good.

I refer to my previous comment:

I don't think ADL have made a nice looking bus yet! The E200 looks like its having a stroke, and the E400 looks like it's had an allergic reaction!

I'm actually on one of Arriva's E400s now and it's bad. It rattles more than a Streetlite and the ride is harsher than a Streetdeck, the ceiling upstairs is way too low and I think the AC has asthma. The only positive thing I can come up with is the engine is a hell of a lot quieter than the Streetdeck.
I'm sure the ones I tried down in Southampton weren't this bad.

I get for routes like the X30, the low ceiling is a must for low bridges, but for routes that don't require it, why bother. And when you say something rattles more than a Streetlite, you know there's an issue!

(20 Aug 2019, 11:24 am)streetdeckfan wrote

The Gemini 3s are far too loud and bumpy for my liking.

During CTBW I tried out Arriva's E400s on the X21 and wasn't impressed. My experience of ADL products in general is that the quality is just isn't as good as Wright, plus they just don't look as good.

I refer to my previous comment:

I don't think ADL have made a nice looking bus yet! The E200 looks like its having a stroke, and the E400 looks like it's had an allergic reaction!

I'm actually on one of Arriva's E400s now and it's bad. It rattles more than a Streetlite and the ride is harsher than a Streetdeck, the ceiling upstairs is way too low and I think the AC has asthma. The only positive thing I can come up with is the engine is a hell of a lot quieter than the Streetdeck.
I'm sure the ones I tried down in Southampton weren't this bad.

I get for routes like the X30, the low ceiling is a must for low bridges, but for routes that don't require it, why bother. And when you say something rattles more than a Streetlite, you know there's an issue!

Got to bare in mind that Arriva's are Voith examples whereas GNE would most likely order ZF gearboxes.

(20 Aug 2019, 9:30 am)NewcastleOne wrote More Electrics

I think we will see more Yutong's in the fleet.

-------------

I think we will see more deckers on order again, the Omnicities and Versa's will stay for another few years, MG on Twitter a while back confirmed some of the Versa's will go for a refurbishment in the next 2 years.



14 Streetdeck's for the Red Arrow (2 spare)

Going to be honest, i can't see what would replaced on main stream services atm


It all depends how many Deckers get withdrawn with this years orders.

(20 Aug 2019, 5:43 pm)Michael wrote I think we will see more Yutong's in the fleet.

-------------

I think we will see more deckers on order again, the Omnicities and Versa's will stay for another few years, MG on Twitter a while back confirmed some of the Versa's will go for a refurbishment in the next 2 years.



14 Streetdeck's for the Red Arrow (2 spare)

Going to be honest, i can't see what would replaced on main stream services atm


It all depends how many Deckers get withdrawn with this years orders.

The 20 would be a good shout if the Volvo B9s are refurbished...

(20 Aug 2019, 6:01 pm)S830OFT wrote

The 20 would be a good shout if the Volvo B9s are refurbished...

See i'm not sure on that, think the streetlites will be on for another 5 or so years before being replaced.

Only the Cobalt and Coast B9's have been done so far.

The FAB 56 B9's aren't going for a refurb

The TEN B9's have just got the Euro 6 upgrades, so they'll be on the TEN for a while

Red Arrow - Likely new buses (current buses will probables take a spare role) - would imagine they aren't refurbished.

Seems like a lot of B9s will be spare with nowhere obvious for them to go. They must have a plan for them somewhere.

(20 Aug 2019, 6:24 pm)deanmachine wrote Seems like a lot of B9s will be spare with nowhere obvious for them to go. They must have a plan for them somewhere.

They'll replace the Omnidekka's on the front line services, moving the omnidekka's to a spare role, hopefully replacing those horrid presidents and Vykings....

Enviro 200 MMC (Short) at Percy Main, Hexham or Riverside (M1/2/3) to replace some of the older solos. There's been a few trials of buses on the 19 now and the 58 plates are due for replacement (12 years for mini buses). Dan also mentioned that there's going to be investment in new buses at Hexham on the minis awhile back.

(20 Aug 2019, 6:45 pm)Storx wrote Enviro 200 MMC (Short) at Percy Main, Hexham or Riverside (M1/2/3) to replace some of the older solos. There's been a few trials of buses on the 19 now and the 58 plates are due for replacement (12 years for mini buses). Dan also mentioned that there's going to be investment in new buses at Hexham on the minis awhile back.

GNE may also gain the 613/815/882/885 services from PCL which are finishing in September, as I can't see any other operators doing them, unless Phoenix bid again...

(20 Aug 2019, 7:06 pm)S830OFT wrote

GNE may also gain the 613/815/882/885 services from PCL which are finishing in September, as I can't see any other operators doing them, unless Phoenix bid again...

Or indeed GNE could lose some of the Hexham tenders!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

(20 Aug 2019, 7:22 pm)Dan wrote Or indeed GNE could lose some of the Hexham tenders!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

When does the Hexham contracts come up for tender?, i can't find the post!

(20 Aug 2019, 6:28 pm)Michael wrote They'll replace the Omnidekka's on the front line services, moving the omnidekka's to a spare role, hopefully replacing those horrid presidents and Vykings....

I don't find anything wrong with the presidents but I hope the presidents replace the omnideckers 6135s suspension squeaks more than the brakes on a pacer and 6122 rattles as much as a streetlite

(25 Aug 2019, 1:45 pm)GNE6312 wrote

I don't find anything wrong with the presidents but I hope the presidents replace the omnideckers 6135s suspension squeaks more than the brakes on a pacer and 6122 rattles as much as a streetlite

I actually don't mind the Omnidekkas, at least the ones that I've been on anyway. For the most part they are quite refined and the ride is fairly good. There are a few terrible example though, I'll give you that

The only time I don't like the Omnidekkas is when it's boiling outside and there's 2 or 3 of them in a row on the X21, I refuse to sit on a non air-conditioned bus for 2 hours when it's 30 degrees outside, or when it's raining and water is pouring in through the ceiling.

(25 Aug 2019, 1:45 pm)GNE6312 wrote

I don't find anything wrong with the presidents but I hope the presidents replace the omnideckers 6135s suspension squeaks more than the brakes on a pacer and 6122 rattles as much as a streetlite

With the 69** presidents seem to be younger (not 6935-41) than some of the Omnidekka's, i would imagine the Omnidekka's would go first?, however i would think the Omnidekka has more capacity?

The Vyking's and 6010, 6017, 6033, 6935-41 would definitely go, when the new buses arrive for the X30/X31 etc

Wonder if the new buses for the X1 have been finalised yet?

Have a feeling it'll be some sort of Electric decker.

(07 Sep 2019, 12:01 pm)Michael wrote Wonder if the new buses for the X1 have been finalised yet?

Have a feeling it'll be some sort of Electric decker.

I'll be very surprised if they're not Streetdecks. The question for me would be whether they go with the 4 or 6 cylinder.
The reason I think that is because Martijn said the order will be finalised in the coming months, and they have one of the 6 cylinders on the way.
The timing makes me think they're waiting to try it out before ordering for the X1

(07 Sep 2019, 12:35 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'll be very surprised if they're not Streetdecks. The question for me would be whether they go with the 4 or 6 cylinder.
The reason I think that is because Martijn said the order will be finalised in the coming months, and they have one of the 6 cylinders on the way.
The timing makes me think they're waiting to try it out before ordering for the X1

Yes I agree with streetdecks. Cant see fully electric DD due to the nature of the route. Also Euro 6 will still comply with the Newcastle CAZ

But I wonder if they plan to do the rebrand of the 4 when deckers arrive in March...

(07 Sep 2019, 12:52 pm)JP6004 wrote

Yes I agree with streetdecks. Cant see fully electric DD due to the nature of the route. Also Euro 6 will still comply with the Newcastle CAZ

But I wonder if they plan to do the rebrand of the 4 when deckers arrive in March...

Most the buses which arrived in 2013 need a repaint (as new).

Although, i haven't seen or used the Connections 4 buses since i left Usworth college (2015) so can't say how the paintwork is looking.

(07 Sep 2019, 1:00 pm)Michael wrote
Most the buses which arrived in 2013 need a repaint (as new).

Although, i haven't seen or used the Connections 4 buses since i left Usworth college (2015) so can't say how the paintwork is looking.

I wouldn't say they need a repaint, they can easily get another decade out of it, just ask Arriva!

Seriously though, with the way GNE is going at the minute, I have the feeling everything is going to be rebranded soon enough

(07 Sep 2019, 1:07 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wouldn't say they need a repaint, they can easily get another decade out of it, just ask Arriva!

Seriously though, with the way GNE is going at the minute, I have the feeling everything is going to be rebranded soon enough

That's true but the FAB 56 deckers need a repaint... i agree, that most routes will receive a rebrand soon enough though

Hopefully some pointless brands are dropped, think we won't see many repaints of current buses until the refurbishment of the Cobalts are done and all of the new buses are in service.

(07 Sep 2019, 1:12 pm)Michael wrote That's true but the FAB 56 deckers need a repaint... i agree, that most routes will receive a rebrand soon enough though

Hopefully some pointless brands are dropped, think we won't see many repaints of current buses until the refurbishment of the Cobalts are done and all of the new buses are in service.

Believe MG said versas would be next for refurb...and moved from frontline services

(07 Sep 2019, 1:22 pm)JP6004 wrote

Believe MG said versas would be next for refurb...and moved from frontline services

Aye he did, he mentioned the Quaylink versa's in a twitter post as an answer from someones question about new buses on the Quaylink... although he didn't say what year Versa's they would be.



New buses for the Quaylink then?

(07 Sep 2019, 1:32 pm)Michael wrote
Aye he did, he mentioned the Quaylink versa's in a twitter post as an answer from someones question about new buses on the Quaylink... although he didn't say what year Versa's they would be.



New buses for the Quaylink then?

I'd like to see electrics on the Quaylink. If anything, it would look bad in them if they weren't

(07 Sep 2019, 1:34 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'd like to see electrics on the Quaylink. If anything, it would look bad in them if they weren't

Or maybe E200. With the trouble with optare, I wouldn't be surprised if the solos eventually got replaced with SWB E200s

(07 Sep 2019, 1:42 pm)JP6004 wrote

Or maybe E200. With the trouble with optare, I wouldn't be surprised if the solos eventually got replaced with SWB E200s

Why not both? I quite liked the E200EV they had a while back!

(07 Sep 2019, 1:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Why not both? I quite liked the E200EV they had a while back!

Quite possibly. Wouldn't be surprised if the quaylinks and 58 etc aren't part of the 2020/21 year order. But we will see what else is ordered for this year. Maybe new for X84/85 then Xlines will encompass all Express services, with no doubt streetlites getting xlines treatment