(03 Sep 2017, 8:19 am)Jimmi wrote Other than it not being route branded for the X5, I don't see a problem with this, like you say it is likely to be for the reason given, I'd rather have a service run with a little bus than use a big bus only for the service to swiftly be withdrawn because it can't cover the increased costs of running a large bus, probably just enthusiasts not happy about beastie Solo mates being used over Citaro's. Do the Black Cats Solo SRs have WiFi or USBs? As if not, that's the only other downside to that allocation.

Solo's being used on Sunday's on routes that use full size buses during the week ain't nothing new either, Arriva do the same.

(03 Sep 2017, 11:23 am)Michael wrote Have any other allocations changed on a a Sunday due to the changes?

(03 Sep 2017, 11:25 am)citaro5284 wrote Streetdecks now on X21

(03 Sep 2017, 9:55 am)Michael wrote NK67 EBP spotted at Heysham yesterday. (6312?)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nsf323alistair/36807846292/in/dateposted/

(03 Sep 2017, 11:23 am)Michael wrote Have any other allocations changed on a Sunday due to the changes or during the week? (expect for the X9/X10, which will change at a later date and the X21).

(02 Sep 2017, 9:21 am)citaro5284 wrote Lets hope the stickers hold better than the Streetdecks on Castles or the poor bloke - he will end up legless on the A19...and we all know that could be dangerous 

(01 Sep 2017, 8:58 pm)JP6004 wrote It looks really smart. Dont like the rear at all especially since all the windows are covered up

(03 Sep 2017, 5:11 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Agreed. Front and sides good, rear rubbish. It'll make inside at the back dark and dismal.

(03 Sep 2017, 5:11 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Agreed. Front and sides good, rear rubbish. It'll make inside at the back dark and dismal.

(02 Sep 2017, 6:10 pm)Malarkey wrote I would of put the "Go North East | Journey's Taken Care Of" slogan on the rear upper deck window, then put the feature symbols on the rear advert itself above the X9/X10. Furthermore I would of aimed the rear adverts towards local attractions across the route, similar to what Transdev have with the Yorkshire Coastliner B5's.

(03 Sep 2017, 5:46 pm)Citaro5326 wrote Not happy at the 35A sunday timetable ! At hylton castle shops towards heworth 08,28 then a 40 minute gap ! Nice to see it on time although my mate was driving ...

(03 Sep 2017, 6:24 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Aye. Tees flyover. Stockton nick. Peterlee er...

(03 Sep 2017, 6:28 pm)Michael wrote That's daft, but it's probables due to the 35A not changing to the X5 at Houghton throughout the day now.

(03 Sep 2017, 5:42 am)citaro5284 wrote GNE drivers have their meal breaks in the Arriva Haymarket canteen, so might have had something to do with that.

Seems an odd idea, having meal breaks in a competitor's canteen! Might explain it though. Thanks for the reply.

New user, looking forward to more discussions across the forums!

Any plans for Blue Arrow and Cobalt Clipper to get new buses?  

(03 Sep 2017, 8:41 pm)JP6004 wrote I think the Angel wll be prioritised over the CC as like the Ten; dont have a full standarised allocation......yet

Usually the Angel was operated by the branded vehicle, but more recently has been allocated red buses.

CC likewise is usually a branded Wright Gemini, with Presidents sometimes used and occasionally a red single deck vehicle (can't remember what they are called!). Blue Arrow is not bad for short journeys but could perhaps do with something better eventually as it gains popularity.  

(03 Sep 2017, 8:41 pm)JP6004 wrote I think the Angel wll be prioritised over the CC as like the Ten; dont have a full standarised allocation......yet

Tyne Valley Ten still has some (not sure how many) silver Ten branded examples. I thought the vehicles allocated were standardised though? Occasionally 10A/10B has been allocated a red bus,  not sure what.

I'm a bus enthusiast but still learning everything. So far, I think I like the Streetlites the best and the Citaros are good. When is the X84/X85 getting Citaros? Does 27 and X84/X85 have NSAs? Some destination blinds are white, others are orange, will this ever be standard? 

     

(03 Sep 2017, 8:58 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote

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(03 Sep 2017, 8:41 pm)JP6004 wrote I think the Angel wll be prioritised over the CC as like the Ten; dont have a full standarised allocation......yet

(03 Sep 2017, 9:08 pm)Michael wrote To reply, you have to click out of the box, not in.

If you don't click out of it, it just looks like you are adding on to the previous post and people won't know your reply.

Example attached

(03 Sep 2017, 10:32 pm)Ambassador wrote Be interesting to see how many they'd order for the 21, indeed if it would even stay as Angel. The use of Castles Express on Sundays means they can now fully concentrate on needed capacity vs express service table gimmicks if they order new. No idea what I'd order for it. Heavy loads, stop start, high intensity work. Tough one to cater for and track record proves GNE have nevr got it quite right, disastrously wrong on occasion.

A weird brand is the Angel. Nice looking and fits well over its 3 incarnations (temporary red, inexplicable pink and now bus grant green) but never really taken on by its passengers in the way Red Arrows or even Fab 56 has. Even on their own Facebook and twitter replies they call it the 21, they barely use the Angel brand. I like the idea of bringing back 'the twenty one' brand.

(03 Sep 2017, 11:09 pm)JP6004 wrote I dont understand how tables are gimmicks....should northerns new trains be table free?

Anyway the B5s (well certainly the X10 examples) have a higher capacity with tables (77) than the B9s (71) nevermind the reduced capacity on the hybrids (66)

(04 Sep 2017, 10:40 am)Ambassador wrote Trains are entirely different to buses in that they tend to be more used by business workers.  Expectations are they have workspaces and wifi.

You're unlikely to find a businessman sitting working on his laptop on the 15 minute run from low fell to Newcastle. Potentially on longer runs you'd see it but doubtful on the 21. 

Capacity is king and anything that adds more seating should win out on a stopping service which should be treated differently to an X21 X10 style service . Hope that makes sense

(04 Sep 2017, 4:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote Totally agree with the first two points.

As for the last point - as long as there is sufficient leg room!

(04 Sep 2017, 5:21 pm)big mac wrote When will the new buses be out on the X9/X10?