This vehicle has transferred from Deptford Depot to Peterlee, on temporary loan, whilst Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5333 (BJ10 VUT) undergoes repaint and another "Wear Tees Xpress" branded Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro vehicle is off the road.
This vehicle has transferred from Washington Depot to Chester-le-Street, on temporary loan, due to Optare MetroDecker demonstrator 9099 (YJ16 DFG) being off service.
Based on the results of the new cant rail design trialled on Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid 5432 (NK16 BYP); this vehicle has been fitted with the same cant rail design, with the view of using a similar design on other branded vehicles too.
Originally fitted with Icomera free customer Wi-Fi to allow customers on "Wear Tees Xpress" service X7 to surf the web on the go, this vehicle has now had the free Wi-Fi equipment removed. Upcoming service changes will see the this vehicle repainted and deployed on another service, with the recently acquired former Thames Travel Optare Solo SR M890 vehicles 691 - 694 taking the place of Mercedes Citaros 5333 - 5336 on this corridor, where the free Wi-Fi equipment will instead be allocated to.
Having recently been displayed at the Euro Bus Expo 2016 at the NEC in Birmingham, this vehicle has now been acquired by Go North East for a two-week demonstration period. Allocated fleet number 9098 in Go North East's fleet, the company is the first in the country to receive this demonstrator vehicle, having been delivered with just 1000 miles on the odometer. During its first week with Go North East; the vehicle will be allocated to "Tyne Tees Xpress" services X9/X10, to evaluate suitability compared to the current allocation of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs. During its second week with Go North East; the vehicle will be allocated to "Angel" service... see more