(15 Sep 2013, 1:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote No 'If' about it, new double deckers are ordered for the 56.

(15 Sep 2013, 1:44 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aureolin - maybe the answer to your earlier question.

(15 Sep 2013, 1:34 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote That's a good point you've brought up there, thing is i'm not sure if Deptford operate any Scholars Services but i'm sure someone will know. Not a follower of Scholars Services to be honest.

(15 Sep 2013, 2:02 pm)Daniel wrote They do, which is why the 26 and short X3s are operated by double deckers and have separate timings for the school days and school holidays.

(15 Sep 2013, 1:18 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Not 38 baggage buses this year?

(15 Sep 2013, 2:25 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Thanks for that Daniel, that's jogged my memory back to last week about something regarding Scholars come to think of it.

(15 Sep 2013, 2:27 pm)Daniel wrote I'm still yet to see a photo of the recent Olympian transfer to Washington...hint hint :p

(15 Sep 2013, 2:02 pm)Daniel wrote They do, which is why the 26 and short X3s are operated by double deckers and have separate timings for the school days and school holidays.

(15 Sep 2013, 1:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote Think they might be just bus enthusiast rumours - about new vehicles for the 20 and buses from London heading towards the North East

(15 Sep 2013, 2:45 pm)citaro5284 wrote If it is 3821, it has been at Stanley since 11 September.

(15 Sep 2013, 2:55 pm)CitaroFavourite wrote if scania ominicity deckers were true they would all be repainted into Northern livery to replace the rest of the s reg deckers which by next year if GNE used them will be against the law as they are high floor

(15 Sep 2013, 2:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote The Omnicity double deckers are for sale with Ensign. Like I said, think they were just rumours

http://www.ensignbus.com/scania-omnicity-2008.html

(15 Sep 2013, 2:57 pm)tyresmoke wrote Unless they converted several school services into contract runs (eg the Durham CC tendered ones) and made them free at point of use (possibly paid for termly pass via the school) and therefore not registered as local bus services, I believe this would get around the need for DDA spec buses and allow them to continue using the Olympians?

(15 Sep 2013, 3:11 pm)CatsFast101 wrote So we know that the Ciatro's and Streetlites will be Arriving very soon, then there's the Deckers due for 56, Solos for Venture. And wasnt there something said about a possible 15 news buses also?

Press Release

Good fuel economy leads to 26 more Optare vehicles for Go North East

Following extensive trials of Optare’s 11.7 metre low-weight Versa, and good experience over many years with their Solo model, Go North East has ordered 26 new vehicles from the Yorkshire bus builder.

Optare is to supply 14 Versa and 12 Solo SR vehicles for use on services in Tyne & Wear and County Durham in an investment of £3.5million by the North East’s largest bus operator. Versa deliveries will commence in October with the Solos to follow in November.

A key factor in Go North East’s decision to order the 11.7 metre Versa was its successful operation during an extended trial of the model over a ten week period earlier this year. The test vehicle was put through its paces on some of the most demanding and intensive city centre services, with high passenger loadings and numerous hills. What particularly impressed them was the exceptional fuel efficiency achieved in these extremely testing conditions.

As with earlier Versas supplied to this customer, the new 11.7 models are powered by the Cummins ISBe engine to the Euro 5 EEV standard, which will deliver cleaner emissions in the city centre operating environment. This six-cylinder engine delivers 150 kW (201 bhp) at 2500 rpm and 700 Nm of torque, giving it a good level of performance for the tough route conditions without compromising on fuel efficiency.

Go North East has set a high specification for their new Versas with driver comfort receiving particular attention. A Chapman MK250 driver’s seat has been specified, which incorporates a head rest and lumbar support and the driver’s compartment is to have Denso air conditioning and a full protection screen.

The 12 Solo SR models are the 9.0 metre version powered by the Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine. This well proven four-cylinder engine delivers 154 bhp (115 kW) of power and 610 Nm of torque and, like the Versas, is matched to an Allison 2100 Series five-speed automatic transmission.

Passengers on both the Versas and the Solo SRs will be seated on Esteban Civic V2 seats. The Versas are to be fitted with 37 fixed seats plus six tip-ups, three each in the wheelchair and buggy spaces located on each side of the saloon immediately to the rear of the front wheelboxes. Inclusive of standees, the Versas are capable of achieving a total carrying capacity of up to 62. The Solos will carry up to 49 passengers and have 23 fixed seats with three tip-ups in each of the wheelchair and buggy bays. In the case of both models, safe and easy access for passengers in wheelchairs and mothers with buggies will be provided by an easy to use fold-out manual ramp.

Chris Wise, Commercial Director at Optare, says that he is delighted that Go North East has again chosen both the Versa and Solo SR models of which approaching 90 have been delivered to the Go North East fleet over recent years.

“It’s particularly rewarding to win this business off the back of very extensive testing of the 11.7 metre Versa model in very demanding operating conditions and against a background of good experience not only from these trials but also from over two years of operating Versa and even longer with Solo.

“The exceptional fuel efficiency that the 11.7 metre Versa delivered during the trials is a direct result of the low weight of the bus, which unladen is just 7,820 kilos and the Solo has long enjoyed a well deserved reputation for fuel economy.

“Combining the low weight with good driveline matching and the use of our unique Optare Eco Drive dashboard makes both models the most economical buses of their size on the market.”

(15 Sep 2013, 3:15 pm)aureolin wrote The Optare order that was issued via press release was:

14x 11.7m Versas (for Citylink)
12x Solo SRs (for Venture)

Source: http://www.optare.com/pr_22_08_13.htm

(15 Sep 2013, 3:27 pm)citaro5284 wrote Refer to post 1209 - there is a quote from BusmanT who says there is a possibility of 15 more vehicles

(15 Sep 2013, 3:27 pm)W179SCU wrote There are lots of MPD services that could benefit from bigger buses. However, there are some services within that brand that don't get enough passengers.

Some bigger buses on the East Durham possibly. I agree, the 265 can get very busy, especially Durham-Hetton. I saw a MPD leaving Durrham full with a couple of standees not too long ago. The 202 can get busy too. I'd say the 208 doesn't get busy enough for anything busier than a MPD.

The North Tyne Links service aren't that busy. Although, the 80 is very busy at peak times. The 40/41 overall depends. Wallsend-Howdon can be busy if a 1 is running behind, but if a 1 is in front it doesn't get very busy.

Venture services can get busy too. V1/V2 are the most popular services from the lot, I've saw a MPD full a few times leaving Consett. Saying that, the V8 can also get very busy. Consett-Castleside has been quiet when I've saw it though. The V9 and 689 are poorly used in my opinion though.

The Tynedale Links services are a bit up and down too. The 74, 688 and 686 could do with a upgrade as they are usually very busy, but the 683/687 should just stay with MPD's.

(15 Sep 2013, 3:35 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote There was something further back than that, when we first received the Optare order announcement, which was a good few weeks back.

(15 Sep 2013, 1:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote No 'If' about it, new double deckers are ordered for the 56.

(15 Sep 2013, 4:08 pm)gtomlinson wrote Question on new bus orders in the future.

Say 2 years down the line when perhaps the Hybrids are getting weary of the alleged regular frequency of the 21, can anyone think of other suitable routes where we'll see cascading of the Hybrids too?

I've always thought they'd be nice on the fairly harmless X66 (minus the one registered route through Dunston with the low bridge) if/when the Bendy's ever departed

(15 Sep 2013, 4:11 pm)Daniel wrote The route has a low bridge at Centrelink/Pipewellgate, and all runs are meant to use that route.
Of course the X66 could serve a new route, but then it would no longer serve its 'dedicated route', as it does as present.

(15 Sep 2013, 4:51 pm)Liam wrote Trust me, it's used from dawn to dusk daily!

(15 Sep 2013, 4:57 pm)aureolin wrote There's something that's always intrigued me. Why do you quite often see services that are yet to terminate but not far from the terminus, with the incorrect destination blind set? This photo below for example:


Photo credit: Sean Harris.

I've notice this happens quite often with buses passing through Blackett Street onwards to Eldon Square bus station. It only ever seems to be specific services that do it, which made me think it could perhaps be automated and not working correctly? Seen this on the X1, X9/X10, 10, and 21 through Newcastle, the 2A/2C in Washington, and the 2A/2C/56 in Sunderland.