(17 Jul 2015, 3:42 pm)aureolin wrote What does everyone think of the E400MMC then?

I had two journeys on it today. Durham to Newcastle, and then Newcastle to Chester le Street. I thought it was excellent, and it certainly doesn't rattle. Possibly the most comfortable bus seats I've ever used, and the leg room is absolutely spot on. Finally a bus designed for people that are over 5ft tall!

I'd love to see some of these ordered to that spec, and I reckon the tables upstairs would attract more commuters on the X21 route. Something similar would be ideal on the ANE X12 too, because I know a lot of students tend to work on laptops on the bus.

(17 Jul 2015, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote Suspect Nexus would have been the main body behind it..? It's been a while since the last re-hash of a bus station, hasn't it?

I saw the map last week and was less than impressed myself. I do agree with some of the stand re-allocations, but can't get my head around others.

On the up side, I would anticipate that this will allow for the artwork at each stand to be updated? QuayLink, Saltwell Park, etc.

(17 Jul 2015, 5:33 am)citaro5284 wrote Mind, I hope when the new Quaylink starts, you all get on for a try, even if it is just to hear the next stop announcements done by the flashing blade.....bit of a taster below.

Hearing his voice for about 6 hours the other day was different thats for sure.....

(17 Jul 2015, 5:28 pm)ne1eng wrote All for the Quaylink changes but hope the rest don't sound like than that. 
Far too Geordie.
I'd much prefer a professional sounding announcement than a local accent. Who does the Cobalt Clipper ones? They sound much better than the CityLink and original (over enthusiastic) Quaylinks.

(17 Jul 2015, 6:01 pm)aureolin wrote I've not heard the Red Kite announcements yet, but I like Stuart Elmore on the Coast & Country. For me, it's a massive improvement alone, just removing all the chatter from the announcements. I can't get away with the Red Arrows ones trying to teach passengers how to suck eggs!

I don't think Alan Robson is too Geordie at all. I'd say Jimmy Nail or Gazza would be too Geordie though. Although the accent is there with Alan, it's certainly never stopped him on the Radio. How long has Night Owls been going now?? Oh and I'm pretty certain he used to announce at St James Park too.

Out of interest, can many remember the Geordie 'Stand clear of the doors please' announcement on the Metro?

(17 Jul 2015, 4:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Given you saw me jumping on for my second ride, I can echo your verdict.

I did the opposite of most - initially trying it between Bishop Auckland and Chester-Le-Street given the hill heading up towards Middlestone Moor. It handled the hills faultlessly.

However, I disagree on the subject of the tables - having them either takes seats or legroom away as already mentioned in the review of Brighton's Streetdecks in last month's Buses. Plus, Arriva's X12 needs more capacity not less otherwise you'd end up having to increase it to every 20 minutes.

(17 Jul 2015, 7:31 pm)aureolin wrote Out of interest, do you know how many seats are lost with the inclusion of tables? I was trying to find the layouts, but the Alexander Dennis specification PDF only lists non-table layouts. I'm assuming the seating layout in 9109 is London standard in terms of leg room too?

(17 Jul 2015, 7:31 pm)aureolin wrote Hope I didn't get in the way of your shot! Was in a mad rush to capture 9109 on video.

Out of interest, do you know how many seats are lost with the inclusion of tables? I was trying to find the layouts, but the Alexander Dennis specification PDF only lists non-table layouts. I'm assuming the seating layout in 9109 is London standard in terms of leg room too?

(17 Jul 2015, 8:32 pm)Malarkey wrote There was 4 Tables upstairs on board 9109, so I would think 8 Seats are lost in total.

(17 Jul 2015, 8:41 pm)aureolin wrote But how? The table probably covers the combined leg room of the 4 seats it serves, if both sets of two were facing forward?

(18 Jul 2015, 6:33 am)pdiddy wrote For anybody who is interested. ...

The Enviro400MMC is on the 09:05 X21 from Newcastle then 10:34 from Bishop etc.

The StreetDecker will start on the 11:04 X21 from Bishop at 11:04 then 12:35 from Newcastle etc...

(18 Jul 2015, 7:00 am)S813 FVK wrote Will the Streetdeck (9119) be operating the 17:47 #X46 out of Durham tonight then? Trying to work out the times and have got to that stage and wanted to double check i'm doing it right.

(18 Jul 2015, 7:07 am)Dan wrote Thanks, pdiddy.

Full running board details (assuming no changeovers take place) below:

ADL Enviro400 MMC (9109):
Bishop Auckland - 0736
Newcastle - 0905
Bishop Auckland - 1034
Newcastle - 1205
Bishop Auckland - 1334
Newcastle - 1505
Bishop Auckland - 1634
Newcastle - 1810

Wright StreetDeck (9119):
Bishop Auckland - 1104
Newcastle - 1235
Bishop Auckland - 1404
Newcastle - 1535
Bishop Auckland - 1706 (terminating at Durham)
Durham - 1747 (X46 to Crook).

(18 Jul 2015, 7:19 am)S813 FVK wrote I ended up being an hour behind on the E400MMC board lol. Got the Streetdeck one straight first time. I'm getting better!

(18 Jul 2015, 7:23 am)Dan wrote The ones running off onto X46s are more confusing too! The X21 only boards are pretty easy to work out as you just add three hours every time at each terminus.

(18 Jul 2015, 11:34 am)citaro5284 wrote Think the Pride march was around 12 from the Civic Centre, so guessing that is the reason.