Yesterday 4 were off and now there is 3, there is only 9 of them. Why is it soo bad.

7155 seems to have been off the road for 3 months now, if Bus Times is to be believed that is

(16 Oct 2021, 12:35 pm)streetdeckfan wrote 7155 seems to have been off the road for 3 months now, if Bus Times is to be believed that is

I just feel the reliabity of the fleet itself is bad.

(16 Oct 2021, 12:42 pm)Keeiajs wrote I just feel the reliabity of the fleet itself is bad.

I feel it's probably less of an issue with reliability and more of an issue with lack of parts.

With buses/coaches doing such high miles, it's inevitable that things will break, normally parts are relatively easy to come by so they won't be off the road for long, probably not long enough for it to even be noticed, but with all of the things going on at the minute, pandemics, brexits, and driver shortages it's probably a right pain.

Does anyone know which interdeck was involved in the crash on the Felling-By-Pass this morning.

(19 Oct 2021, 10:10 am)ASX_Terranova wrote Does anyone know which interdeck was involved in the crash on the Felling-By-Pass this morning.

Looks like (according to bus times) 7152 XL09 NCL

(19 Oct 2021, 10:22 am)Train8261 wrote Looks like (according to bus times) 7152 XL09 NCL

From the photos seems like a lot of damage to the windscreen and front bumper.

(19 Oct 2021, 10:33 am)ASX_Terranova wrote From the photos seems like a lot of damage to the windscreen and front bumper.

It's a question of how did it happen. Looks like to me the car has tried to jump in front of the coach to get onto the bypass and the coach has just hit it turning it sideways. Due to the way the car is damaged in the photos

(19 Oct 2021, 10:36 am)Train8261 wrote It's a question of how did it happen. Looks like to me the car has tried to jump in front of the coach to get onto the bypass and the coach has just hit it turning it sideways. Due to the way the car is damaged in the photos

My guess is the car hit a puddle which pushed it into the corner of the bus. It was quite wet this morning

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(19 Oct 2021, 2:15 pm)streetdeckfan wrote My guess is the car hit a puddle which pushed it into the corner of the bus. It was quite wet this morning

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Photo?

(19 Oct 2021, 10:36 am)Train8261 wrote It's a question of how did it happen. Looks like to me the car has tried to jump in front of the coach to get onto the bypass and the coach has just hit it turning it sideways. Due to the way the car is damaged in the photos

Can't confirm 100% but heard it pulled out in front of the coach from a side road.

They've been here for months, reliability is awful. One day their was more non-branded than branded. I am sorry but it is becoming a utter joke

Tbh I don't even think there is enough of them to go around on all services. Imagine that advertising a brand new type of bus only to have a 50% chance of even getting it. smh

(29 Nov 2021, 10:29 pm)Keeiajs wrote They've been here for months, reliability is awful. One day their was more non-branded than branded. I am sorry but it is becoming a utter joke

Tbh I don't even think there is enough of them to go around on all services. Imagine that advertising a brand new type of bus only to have a 50% chance of even getting it. smh

Tbh they don't seem suitable to the route. Like it seemed like a nice idea. But they have broke down more than anything lately. 
Wouldn't surprise me there withdrawn early next year and replaced with something better

(30 Nov 2021, 12:39 am)Train8261 wrote Tbh they don't seem suitable to the route. Like it seemed like a nice idea. But they have broke down more than anything lately. 
Wouldn't surprise me there withdrawn early next year and replaced with something better

Look today you have. a 50% chance of getting a proper one, how is that okay. 

Chances are one will breakdown again. I agree with what your saying, sounded like a good idea on paper, however inreality not. 

Either replacement for them god knows what with or get like a extra 5 coaches brought up.

(30 Nov 2021, 9:04 am)Keeiajs wrote Look today you have. a 50% chance of getting a proper one, how is that okay. 

Chances are one will breakdown again. I agree with what your saying, sounded like a good idea on paper, however inreality not. 

Either replacement for them god knows what with or get like a extra 5 coaches brought up.

There are six spares - 7108, 7110, 7111, 7128, 7130 and 7132.

(30 Nov 2021, 9:05 am)Dan wrote There are six spares - 7108, 7110, 7111, 7128, 7130 and 7132.

You have more chance of getting those than a branded one. 

There may be 6 spares but they are the advertised ones. 

Why won't in the next 'campaign' you say something like 'we have brought in "brand new" coaches for the X9/X10 Fun Fact: You'll only get them 50% of the time.

Who wants to be on those 6 spares. No one. Look their is 4 coaches off, that is MORE than is on, that is a joke

(30 Nov 2021, 9:08 am)Keeiajs wrote You have more chance of getting those than a branded one. 

There may be 6 spares but they are the advertised ones. 

Why won't in the next 'campaign' you say something like 'we have brought in "brand new" coaches for the X9/X10 Fun Fact: You'll only get them 50% of the time.

Who wants to be on those 6 spares. No one. Look their is 4 coaches off, that is MORE than is on, that is a joke

What is wrong with those six coaches?

They have Wi-Fi, comfortable seats and charging points, just like the branded interdecks. They allow wheelchair access, just like the branded interdecks (albeit a bit clunkier and not quite as easy as a fold-out ramp). The only thing they're missing is the next stop announcements, which I don't mean to understate as being an issue, but in the grand scheme of things, most customers would benefit from all the other points which they do have.

(30 Nov 2021, 9:10 am)Dan wrote What is wrong with those six coaches?

They have Wi-Fi, comfortable seats and charging points, just like the branded interdecks. They allow wheelchair access, just like the branded interdecks (albeit a bit clunkier and not quite as easy as a fold-out ramp). The only thing they're missing is the next stop announcements, which I don't mean to understate as being an issue, but in the grand scheme of things, most customers would benefit from all the other points which they do have.

Don't let facts get in the way of some good drama!

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If they were to be replaced. I'd say something like the
Volvo B8L ADL Enviro400XLB would be a great fit to the X9/X10 (that's if the coaches ever left)

(30 Nov 2021, 9:14 am)streetdeckfan wrote Don't let facts get in the way of some good drama!

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Their argument would have more substance if there wasn't any spare coaches of a similar specification, and conventional buses were regularly being allocated.

That clearly isn't the case - given usual spare vehicle ratios are around 12-14% of PVR, this clearly shows Go North East has identified reliability issues with the interdeck coaches and put adequate measures in place to address this, by increasing spare provision to an almost 100% percentage.

(30 Nov 2021, 9:28 am)Dan wrote Their argument would have more substance if there wasn't any spare coaches of a similar specification, and conventional buses were regularly being allocated.

That clearly isn't the case - given usual spare vehicle ratios are around 12-14% of PVR, this clearly shows Go North East has identified reliability issues with the interdeck coaches and put adequate measures in place to address this, by increasing spare provision to an almost 100% percentage.

What are the problems with them?

Are GNE working with Volvo to sort the issues out?

(30 Nov 2021, 9:39 am)Michael wrote What are the problems with them?

Are GNE working with Volvo to sort the issues out?

I'd be concerned about the cost of sorting them out, presumably due to their age (and acquiring them used) means they're out of warranty and anything would have to be done at GNE's expense

(30 Nov 2021, 12:39 am)Train8261 wrote Tbh they don't seem suitable to the route. 

Reliability issues with second hand stock does not mean they're not suitable for the route. They're arguably the most suitable vehicles for that sort of route (Stagecoach operate the exact same vehicle type on similar services, and Megabus work, without anywhere near as much issue).

Part of the reliability issues is possibly down to GNE engineering still getting used to them, their common problems, and likely having to consult with Volvo on major issues. They're unique vehicles within GNE (possibly also within GAG?), so it's not as if they'll have mountains of spare parts lying around either - and the wait time on parts at the moment is lengthy I'm led to believe.

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(30 Nov 2021, 9:19 am)Train8261 wrote If they were to be replaced. I'd say something like the
Volvo B8L ADL Enviro400XLB would be a great fit to the X9/X10 (that's if the coaches ever left)

No they wouldn't. 

A Scania powered MMC or the 6 cylinder Streetdeck would be far more likely, and suitable, options.

(30 Nov 2021, 10:54 am)mb134 wrote Reliability issues with second hand stock does not mean they're not suitable for the route. They're arguably the most suitable vehicles for that sort of route (Stagecoach operate the exact same vehicle type on similar services, and Megabus work, without anywhere near as much issue).

Part of the reliability issues is possibly down to GNE engineering still getting used to them, their common problems, and likely having to consult with Volvo on major issues. They're unique vehicles within GNE (possibly also within GAG?), so it's not as if they'll have mountains of spare parts lying around either - and the wait time on parts at the moment is lengthy I'm led to believe.

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No they wouldn't. 

A Scania powered MMC or the 6 cylinder Streetdeck would be far more likely, and suitable, options.

How long have the coaches now. You think they would have gotten used to it now

Mechanically they are no different to the Caetano Levantes (well the Mk2 version) used on NatEx work, they all being Volvo B11RTs. Not sure if they gearboxes are the same. It could also be some other issue that just affects the Elite-i such as failed destination equipment which is a pain to replace or the entrance doors.

(30 Nov 2021, 10:54 am)mb134 wrote Reliability issues with second hand stock does not mean they're not suitable for the route. They're arguably the most suitable vehicles for that sort of route (Stagecoach operate the exact same vehicle type on similar services, and Megabus work, without anywhere near as much issue).

Part of the reliability issues is possibly down to GNE engineering still getting used to them, their common problems, and likely having to consult with Volvo on major issues. They're unique vehicles within GNE (possibly also within GAG?), so it's not as if they'll have mountains of spare parts lying around either - and the wait time on parts at the moment is lengthy I'm led to believe.

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No they wouldn't. 

A Scania powered MMC or the 6 cylinder Streetdeck would be far more likely, and suitable, options.

Agree that the Scania powered Enviros would be ideal, but after the song and dance when introducing luxury/executive coaches onto the route earlier this year, I fear that reverting back to a normal service bus would be seen as a downgrade. I'd say it'd also not be as appealing to those looking to switch over from the train.

The introduction of the second-hand coaches was a good move, and takes the service to a new level in my opinion, but clearly there's a cost vs benefit argument to be had in the near-future here, and a dilemma that is of the operator's own creation.

(30 Nov 2021, 11:30 am)Train8261 wrote How long have the coaches now. You think they would have gotten used to it now

Do you work in engineering? If not, then I'm not sure how you can make sure a comment.

Perhaps you can enlighten us on how long it takes to be able to support a particular vehicle type fluently?

I can only assume it was their previous use that rendered them unreliable, Megabus B11RTs are great at their job. The Oxford tube was a punishing service, Astromegas suffered as well.

They're not bad, they perhaps just needed a bit more than Crowther could offer in terms of uplift..

When X9/X10 bus is off I don't know about you but I would much rather have Streetdeck or E400 covering. 

And I think Dan mentioned USB's on the white coaches, they do however it would be amazing if they actually worked

(30 Nov 2021, 5:37 pm)Keeiajs wrote When X9/X10 bus is off I don't know about you but I would much rather have Streetdeck or E400 covering. 

And I think Dan mentioned USB's on the white coaches, they do however it would be amazing if they actually worked

Are you a regular user of these services, ie 3 to 5 days a week, return journeys?

(30 Nov 2021, 6:37 pm)ifm001 wrote Are you a regular user of these services, ie 3 to 5 days a week, return journeys?

Judging by their posts, they're a regular of every service going