(22 Aug 2017, 5:50 pm)Dan wrote Would be a bit of an odd move, when Go North East haven't got any Enviro 200s in their fleet at the moment?

(22 Aug 2017, 8:45 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Also they aren't just any normal Enviro 200s either. They are MAN 14:240 chassis with the ADL Enviro 200 body, similar to what Stagecoach have in Hartlepool and Newcastle. The only Go-Ahead company that would prob operate these would by Plymouth, but even that is unlikely. More likely that these along with a lot of Metrobus vehicles were leased and will prob be returned to the leaser, wouldn't be suprised if these turned up in New Zealand to be honest, they seem to like that chassis type over there.

(22 Aug 2017, 9:23 pm)Citaro5326 wrote Some of my mates saying 3 mpds to be replaced by this so 559,618,619 but dunno because tynedale links mpds only 12 years old

(22 Aug 2017, 10:08 pm)S830OFT wrote The sale value on 618/19 will be good though. Wasn't it rumoured 649 is repacing 559?

(23 Aug 2017, 1:21 am)iJordan2104 wrote Think dan mentioned 649 was to go to percy main and then 639 would go to depford

(22 Aug 2017, 8:45 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Also they aren't just any normal Enviro 200s either. They are MAN 14:240 chassis with the ADL Enviro 200 body, similar to what Stagecoach have in Hartlepool and Newcastle. The only Go-Ahead company that would prob operate these would by Plymouth, but even that is unlikely. More likely that these along with a lot of Metrobus vehicles were leased and will prob be returned to the leaser, wouldn't be suprised if these turned up in New Zealand to be honest, they seem to like that chassis type over there.

(24 Aug 2017, 1:07 pm)Dan wrote 6308 (NK17 GKD) has now been delivered to Go North East. Will be re-registered as a 67 plate before entering service.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

(24 Aug 2017, 2:17 pm)JP6004 wrote Taking advantage of the poker table are you 

(24 Aug 2017, 1:07 pm)Dan wrote 6308 (NK17 GKD) has now been delivered to Go North East. Will be re-registered as a 67 plate before entering service.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

(24 Aug 2017, 3:12 pm)Dan wrote A selection of photos of the interior and exterior are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/shares/7op7K4


The interior specification is largely the same as the StreetDecks on the Castles Express, but it has been marginally improved. Following positive feedback received from passengers on services allocated the refurbished Mercedes Citaros regarding the comfort of these seats, the seats on the new X9/X10 buses use 'proper leather' as opposed to e-leather. Each headrest has a red Go North East logo embroidered into it.

Like the Castles Express, there are four tables on the upper-deck, though this time each table has a game. Each one is different: Snakes and Ladders, Where's Wally, Solitaire, and a race track. Primarily designed for commuters or students using laptops, there are also three-pin sockets at each table seat. To answer S813 FVK's next question: the power socket feature symbol won't be shown on the bus, given that the three-pin sockets are only at the tables.

The specification for the stairwell has been revised - the glass and logo are now lit up with blue LEDs providing more lighting on the stairwell, and the CCTV TFT monitor has been moved to the stairwell, and is planned be frozen on one or two cameras, showing if there are any seats available upstairs, before passengers try and go up.

There is now a larger litter bin downstairs adjacent to the stairwell, and there are a few smaller bins upstairs. These were used by some passengers on routes which the demonstrator vehicles (which featured these bins in the upper saloon) were used on, so hopefully this continues on these new buses.


Something else worth mentioning is that Go North East have bought alloy wheels for these buses, rather than the standard ones. Look much better, in my opinion, and add an element of class and style.

(24 Aug 2017, 4:36 pm)Ambassador wrote Games on the table are quirky, rip off from Grand Central but I like it.

Certainly looks a more premium product and about as close to an Oxford tube style coach express that we'll get.

(24 Aug 2017, 3:12 pm)Dan wrote A selection of photos of the interior and exterior are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/shares/7op7K4


The interior specification is largely the same as the StreetDecks on the Castles Express, but it has been marginally improved. Following positive feedback received from passengers on services allocated the refurbished Mercedes Citaros regarding the comfort of these seats, the seats on the new X9/X10 buses use 'proper leather' as opposed to e-leather. Each headrest has a red Go North East logo embroidered into it.

Like the Castles Express, there are four tables on the upper-deck, though this time each table has a game. Each one is different: Snakes and Ladders, Where's Wally, Solitaire, and a race track. Primarily designed for commuters or students using laptops, there are also three-pin sockets at each table seat. To answer S813 FVK's next question: the power socket feature symbol won't be shown on the bus, given that the three-pin sockets are only at the tables.

The specification for the stairwell has been revised - the glass and logo are now lit up with blue LEDs providing more lighting on the stairwell, and the CCTV TFT monitor has been moved to the stairwell, and is planned be frozen on one or two cameras, showing if there are any seats available upstairs, before passengers try and go up.

There is now a larger litter bin downstairs adjacent to the stairwell, and there are a few smaller bins upstairs. These were used by some passengers on routes which the demonstrator vehicles (which featured these bins in the upper saloon) were used on, so hopefully this continues on these new buses.


Something else worth mentioning is that Go North East have bought alloy wheels for these buses, rather than the standard ones. Look much better, in my opinion, and add an element of class and style.

(24 Aug 2017, 6:00 pm)Malarkey wrote Will 6084 be repainted and branded for the X9/X10, or will it remain in Red.

(24 Aug 2017, 6:52 pm)Citaro5326 wrote 6308-6314 branded for X9/10
6043/6044/6045/6084 will be spares for decker routes

(24 Aug 2017, 8:27 pm)Malarkey wrote Will it be a branded spare though

(24 Aug 2017, 8:38 pm)JP6004 wrote Doubt it......they seem to be moving away from branded spares...however i agree that an eighth branded B5 would of been beneficial so least one could have a day off being hauled up the A19....might last a bit longer too

(24 Aug 2017, 9:05 pm)Malarkey wrote won't last two years on there going flat out at 60mph up and down the A19, surprised the B9's lasted five years, should of purchased coaches instead in my opinion

(24 Aug 2017, 9:07 pm)S813 FVK wrote I have become so predictable haven't I? Yes, I agree that the symbol should only be used if it is available at every seat - USBs alone probably aren't too effective when charging up a laptop.

Not massively keen on the black headlight surrounds though but hopefully seeing it in person will make it look better, much like the Black Cats branding on the Streetlites.

(24 Aug 2017, 5:17 pm)JP6004 wrote Looks fab! Although looks like the NSA has now gone back to the TFT rather than the LED version.......or is that something else on the upper deck windscreen?

(24 Aug 2017, 6:00 pm)Malarkey wrote Will 6084 be repainted and branded for the X9/X10, or will it remain in Red.

(24 Aug 2017, 6:52 pm)Citaro5326 wrote 6308-6314 branded for X9/10
6043/6044/6045/6084 will be spares for decker routes

(25 Aug 2017, 7:35 am)Dan wrote They certainly do!

The Next Stop Announcements will still use an internal LED sign - the downstairs one is fitted at the wheelchair bay (like the Castles Express) but the upstairs one hasn't been fitted yet. They'll likely be in service for a couple of weeks before a new bracket can be created and fitted by Wrightbus, with the LED sign mounted on this, at the top of the staircase.

The TFT monitor on the plastic bulkhead is presently being used to show CCTV images, though it is intended (if it is possible to do so) to link this to the Next Stop Announcements instead, so it can be better utilised for advertising (Dalton Park, connections to other Go North East buses, etc).




6084 should be repainted into the red/blue fleet livery next week, ahead of the service changes on 3rd Sept, when it will become a dedicated spare vehicle for the X9/X10.

6045 - 6047 will be repainted for the TEN: 6045/46 allocated to Riverside, and 6047 allocated to Hexham.
6043/44/48 will be repainted into the red/blue fleet livery: 6043/44 allocated to Riverside (spare for the TEN) and 6048 allocated to Hexham (spare for the TEN).

All six of the current "Tyne Tees Xpress" branded Volvo B9TLs will have Next Stop Announcements fitted during repaint (indeed, the system has already been fitted, it just requires the TFT monitors to be fitted and connected up), providing consistency with the main branded allocation of the branded vehicles.