(08 Jul 2020, 7:27 pm)JACK6081 wrote Will go north east be painting them or will they be dine down in oxford

(08 Jul 2020, 7:30 pm)mb134 wrote I would imagine it'll be done at an external company as with most major refurbishment programmes - especially with them not being based in the NE so Saltmeadows isn't really an option.

(08 Jul 2020, 6:17 pm)Michael wrote Go for it!!

It's going be interesting to see how they'll do the X-Lines brand on them.

Xline Coach.jpg (Size 650.39 KB | Downloads 109)

(08 Jul 2020, 6:13 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Do we have any interior pictures? Had a quick look about but couldn't see any

Might do a quick photoshop, see what the X-Lines livery would look like on them (presumably they'll keep the same style!)

(08 Jul 2020, 7:44 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Not my finest work, and I'm sure I've got the colours slightly wrong, but you get the idea

(08 Jul 2020, 7:54 pm)Michael wrote It looks plain but i would imagine they'll add the route and hopefully the frequency on the sides and back.

Please no adverts, even if it does go down the A19

(08 Jul 2020, 8:29 pm)L469 YVK wrote With these being a unique vehicle type, would a return to the "Tyne Tees Xpress" brand not be a good move?

Similar livery to "X-Lines" perhaps but more tailored to a coach operation.

To be fair, GoNE haven't got a bad deal with these in turn for losing the extra StreetDecks to Oxford.

(08 Jul 2020, 8:55 pm)streetdeckfan wrote What's a fully loaded StreetDeck like GNE's cost? Probably £250-275k each I'd say

Those coaches are probably worth around £200k.

So really, the value depends on how many of GNE's StreetDecks they'd be taking

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(08 Jul 2020, 9:13 pm)JACK6081 wrote Streetdecks will be more as there a 5 year difference inbetween but if they were new then I'd say the coaches is worth more

(08 Jul 2020, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote Ah right, ye think they might, doesn't coaches need tachograph's fitted anyway?

(09 Jul 2020, 6:58 am)big mac wrote If they are no longer going to serve Eldon Square, where in Newcastle will they depart from?

(09 Jul 2020, 9:38 am)Andreos1 wrote It would make sense to try and have them operate as close as possible to Eldon Square. Dropping off on Pilgrim St, away from their main network won't work imo.
In an ideal world, Percy St - but we know that's not likely to happen. 

Gloucester Green in Oxford isn't too big (similar to Eldon Square in some aspects), but probably has the advantage of being a bit quieter vehicle wise hence them operating from there in their previous life.

(09 Jul 2020, 10:22 am)Storx wrote Would it really matter not being near Eldon Square; can't imagine there being many connecting customers there. Anyone from Tyne Valley are likely to get the direct train through, anyone from Derwentside / Consett are more likely to go via Durham and the X12 as it'll be quicker and anyone from Gateshead / South Tyneside would change at Heworth or Gateshead instead.

Stagecoach (inc. Megabus) customers are likely the ones are more likely to use the service from Newcastle; wouldn't surprise me if it went from John Dobson Street as it could potentially cause problems at Pilgrim Street aswell as it'll take up 2 out of the 3 bus stops.

(09 Jul 2020, 9:24 am)tyresmoke wrote In my opinion the X9/X10 have been needing a solution like this for years now but passenger loadings have been too high to allow it. With the current situation loadings will naturally reduce, and the train going half hourly in December is likely to take a slice of the passengers too.
Equally it needs to stand out against these to retain as many people as possible, which these coaches will surely help with, especially in the wonderful gold XLines brand - if that is still going ahead.
Naturally it solves a couple of issues in that Oxford get some new vehicles, GNE lose some capex from the budget and cascaded coaches will still allow other routes to be improved, and Oxford lose their coaches that they've never really found a home for since the X90 was pulled.

(09 Jul 2020, 10:42 am)S830OFT wrote Just to point out the Coaches coming from Oxford have a 3 + 1 seating arrangement at the front of the top deck.

(09 Jul 2020, 10:35 am)Andreos1 wrote John Dobson Street was amongst my thoughts too. However, it's not very central compared to some. A loop of sorts, involving Central Station could mitigate that. 

As for Eldon Square, it's the main hub for GNE services in the town. It's right next door to Haymarket and provides connectivity to other services and modes of transport.
Whilst I agree the train may be an option for some on the Tyne Valley, it won't be for all and that element of competition needs to exist. GNE would be daft imo to ignore a certain market that may already exist, just cos there's the direct train option. If that was the case, they may as well not serve Middlesbrough, MetroCentre, Prudhoe, Corbridge, Blaydon or Hexham - cos there's the direct train there too.

(09 Jul 2020, 10:57 am)Storx wrote Yeah I understand that but when it comes to being quicker and not having a change at the same time, could imagine more people choosing it for the limited amount of people there is. I do understand the new for competition though.

I just had a quick look around town and Market Street could be a potential stop outside of Harry's where the 54 goes (https://goo.gl/maps/Z3AX8HRhaVzwNNKV7). There's plenty space for 2 buses comfortably in there and it's quite central for most people. Could potentially nab a few train passengers aswell instead of having to travel all the way down to Central which is a bit out the way.

(09 Jul 2020, 11:32 am)Andreos1 wrote Market St could be an option, would the rest of the road network be suitable for it to get around? Genuinely don't know. 

I think there will be a lot more comes in to the train vs bus than just speed and convenience. Timetables and price will both be a factor.
As a side note, I've mentioned before that when myself and MrsC are in R&C and coming up to the town, the train is the option we tend to go for. A change at Boro with a railcard is massively cheaper than using the bus. However, depending on what time the return trip back down is, the bus can be the only option.
If its just me making the trip (one way or return), then the bus is a viable alternative. 

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that what may suit one - may not suit the other and with the ticketing arrangements GNE have, they need to ensure passengers are aware, can take advantage and ensure that any changes or connections are an easy, attractive option. If that means going near or as close to Eldon Square as possible, so that Barbara can pop to in to Fenwicks between her visit to the metrocentre and whilst waiting for her X9 - without having to traipse across the town, so be it.
If they don't, then Barbara may just use the train instead.

(09 Jul 2020, 11:56 am)Storx wrote Don't see any issues with the route if it came straight off the Central Motorway onto Market Street then either all the way down and left onto the Bigg Market and out over the High Level Bridge, the only place it could have issues is turning left onto the Bigg Market but could easily avoid that by going down Grainger Street (possibly serving there) then left onto Collingwood Street and rejoin at the cathedral.

Yeah I totally understand where your coming from there. Just checked the train price from Hexham to Middlesbrough and it's £19.60 which is a bit steep so could easily persuade some across. Personally though I'd say either Pilgrim Street or Market Street would be a better place for the X9/X10 as it's nearer other services, the Metro, Stagecoach services. Obviously both places would be ideal but could see it being quite difficult to serve Newgate Street as mentioned could have similar problems in terms of blocking anything else getting there not to mention doing a loop of Newcastle and not stopping at Eldon Square is a bit pointless.

Both have their pros and cons though I guess, depends where people are coming from I suppose on where's better.