(20 Jul 2015, 2:06 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Seen someone mention on facebook that a bright pink Solo was seen passing washington services with GNE on the blinds. Judging by the colour description will it be the return of the Pink Panther.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:13 pm)Tom wrote Hopefully the Solos will be at the same specification as the Streetlites.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:20 pm)S813 FVK wrote I would imagine so. Without WiFi like the Venture Solos i'd think with them being mainly local services with very few long distance routes.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Reported that one of the Optare Solo SRs for Peterlee was heading up the A1 earlier. In pink too!

(20 Jul 2015, 2:06 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Seen someone mention on facebook that a bright pink Solo was seen passing washington services with GNE on the blinds. Judging by the colour description will it be the return of the Pink Panther.

• 7087 Driver Training to Hexham
  
• 6020 Percy Main to Deptford
  
• 4843 Chester le Street to Riverside
  
• 4854 sold

(20 Jul 2015, 2:17 pm)LeeCalder wrote Just too add, one of the drivers from Riverside told me to expect massive changes in September.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:06 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Seen someone mention on facebook that a bright pink Solo was seen passing washington services with GNE on the blinds. Judging by the colour description will it be the return of the Pink Panther.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:47 pm)Dan wrote That's right - new Optare Solo SR 655 (NK15 GDJ) was delivered to Go North East earlier today.

As for the brand name, interior specification, and other technicalities, I'd suggest your best bet is to keep an eye on Go North East's website... More info coming soon! 

(20 Jul 2015, 4:39 pm)S813 FVK wrote Lets see how many enthusiasts hang around Saltmeadows so they can get a photo of it.

(20 Jul 2015, 4:44 pm)citaro5284 wrote loads I reckon........some will be taking a deck chair to sit on!!

(20 Jul 2015, 4:39 pm)S813 FVK wrote Lets see how many enthusiasts hang around Saltmeadows so they can get a photo of it.

(20 Jul 2015, 5:01 pm)aureolin wrote I think they're missing a trick here, given how many registered key card users there are. In addition to the paper consultations distributed along the route, I don't know why a token based survey link isn't sent out to every user with a home address in the area open for consultation? I'm all for things being done online, but I find it baffling how I could be sitting on a computer in Australia, and leave feedback on the Diamond services in Stanley.

If there are technical limitations to it, why not just ask for a home post code on the first screen of the survey, and then filter out any results that aren't likely to use those services. If I put a TS20 post code in for example, then the chances of me using the Diamond services are probably slim to none.

(20 Jul 2015, 5:06 pm)cbma06 wrote Anyone can go on the Internet and get a post code for an address for the area where the consultation is. Not all passengers have key cards.

(20 Jul 2015, 2:47 pm)Dan wrote That's right - new Optare Solo SR 655 (NK15 GDJ) was delivered to Go North East earlier today.

As for the brand name, interior specification, and other technicalities, I'd suggest your best bet is to keep an eye on Go North East's website... More info coming soon! 

(20 Jul 2015, 5:01 pm)aureolin wrote I think they're missing a trick here, given how many registered key card users there are. In addition to the paper consultations distributed along the route, I don't know why a token based survey link isn't sent out to every user with a home address in the area open for consultation? I'm all for things being done online, but I find it baffling how I could be sitting on a computer in Australia, and leave feedback on the Diamond services in Stanley.

If there are technical limitations to it, why not just ask for a home post code on the first screen of the survey, and then filter out any results that aren't likely to use those services. If I put a TS20 post code in for example, then the chances of me using the Diamond services are probably slim to none.

(19 Jul 2015, 10:11 pm)thetravelman wrote I must admit I'm not right up on which bus manufacturers are best or worse?

However am I right in thinking that a lot of you seem to like the older Wright Renowns but don't like the New Wright Streetlites?

Have Wright gone down market over the years? 

Also, with the current Wright StreetDeck Demo, reading comments on here from alot of you.. its doesn't seem to score many points!

How does the Wright Gemini's currently used on service TEN & Angel services etc , compare with the new Streetdeck ?

Do you like the Wright Gemini's or dislike them the same as the New Streetdeck demo?

I've not sampled the new demo's.... however my thinking would be that you need a good comfortable bus that can stand the test of time, especially on longer distance routes, such as the Pronto services X21 Newcastle to Bishop Auckland !

Based on that fact, and comments previously discussed on here.... why have GNE not upgraded the buses on Pronto X21 earlier?

Cheers.

(19 Jul 2015, 10:16 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Volvo Gemini's or Gemini's as you say in your post are 1 trillion times better than the Streetdeck, Comfort and Capable wise

At the time the X21 started ( 2011 ) when the Volvo B7s came from London, This route was brand new and so didn't require Brand New Vehicles but now that GNE have seen enough passenger growth to warrant new Double Deckers that's why there demonstrating the two vehicles at the moment.

There also demonstrating to see which vehicle to buy from now until the end of Euro 6.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:54 pm)thetravelman wrote Are you still able to to purchase new - Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - since they seem to be up to the job and well liked.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:57 pm)S813 FVK wrote The simple answer is no. You can (or could) however, purchase some out of dealer stock which is what GNE did for the Red Kite B9TLs and ANE did for the MAX X93 B9TLs. Unsure of how many are left.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:54 pm)thetravelman wrote Ah, right... I see.... so as this service has proved & established itself since 2011, it is obviously now viable for GNE to invest in and receive New buses.
Where as previously it only received second hand vehicles, whilst GNE assessed its demand and profitability.

If the Streetdeck Demo, is not going to be well liked or even suitable for the job....

Obviously GNE could consider an order for the E400 - which seems to be well liked at the mo.

Are you still able to to purchase new - Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - since they seem to be up to the job and well liked.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:57 pm)aureolin wrote Are the Volvo Geminis better though? GNE had the B5TL on loan last year, used it on both the X21 and ToonLink, and decided to hunt own some B9TLs instead!

(20 Jul 2015, 8:57 pm)S813 FVK wrote The simple answer is no. You can (or could) however, purchase some out of dealer stock which is what GNE did for the Red Kite B9TLs and ANE did for the MAX X93 B9TLs. Unsure of how many are left.

(20 Jul 2015, 8:59 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I *think* they've all now gone - East Yorkshire are awaiting what I expect are the last 3.

(20 Jul 2015, 4:55 pm)S813 FVK wrote Aye. Either that or they'll hang around for hours, we'll then start making comments about it and in their defence they'll say "well i was just on my way to [insert place name] and i got off the bus and was passing. I saw the bus, happened to have my camera on me (eventhough where i was going didn't involve taking photos) so stopped to get a shot of it"

Amazing how somebody who doesn't intend to go out and take photos of buses (or anything!) still bothers to take their camera with them.