(11 Nov 2014, 2:43 pm)mrnut85 wrote I wonder if 16833 could operate the 14:45 X34 from The Nook.

(11 Nov 2014, 6:21 pm)AIG20 wrote Why is that on the X34!?! I bet depot management have put some money to one side ready to pay a fine as it is a "high-floor" vehicle...

It was at the rear of Sunderland Depot, looking in great condition, this morning and I assume South Shields have a shortage due to ADL E300s under repaint and getting the new branded applied.

(11 Nov 2014, 6:32 pm)tyresmoke wrote My guess is they want something high capacity to replace any broken/missing E400's rather than single decks.

(11 Nov 2014, 2:43 pm)mrnut85 wrote I wonder if 16833 could operate the 14:45 X34 from The Nook.

(11 Nov 2014, 6:21 pm)AIG20 wrote Why is that on the X34!?! I bet depot management have put some money to one side ready to pay a fine as it is a "high-floor" vehicle...

It was at the rear of Sunderland Depot, looking in great condition, this morning and I assume South Shields have a shortage due to ADL E300s under repaint and getting the new branded applied.

(11 Nov 2014, 8:58 pm)Robinwtait.19 wrote Hi Dan. Is 16833 still at stockton or is it at the rear of sunderland depot, or has it been used on any x34 runs today. Regards Robin ps any news about what is Happening Between south shields and Stockton over Bus Movements at the end of the month.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:07 pm)mrnut85 wrote 16833 is at South Shields and is a fleet reserve bus for the X34 only, it will be used to time correct the service and it's being used as it is a spare unlike any E400 from Newcastle.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:18 pm)AIG20 wrote I'm sure South Tyneside Council was the reason why Stagecoach and GNE got rid of most of the high-floor vehicles that operated within South Tyneside.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:18 pm)AIG20 wrote I'm sure South Tyneside Council was the reason why Stagecoach and GNE got rid of most of the high-floor vehicles that operated within South Tyneside.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:18 pm)Dan wrote It may have been in a reserve capacity, but in my opinion, that does not warrant its transfer to South Shields to act as an active reserve vehicle for service X34. Newcastle's Enviro400s were not 'spare' in the summer when they were used to provide transport for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, nor were they 'spare' a few weeks back when they saw use on shuttle services elsewhere... Instead, MAN 18.220LF/Alexander ALX300 vehicles were used to cover for them at Newcastle.

Why couldn't this have happened again?


Could you be thinking of the East Gateshead Quality Partnership? If so, this does not affect Stagecoach's X34 service, as the partnership only involves Go North East's services; even so, I don't think the parties involved would be able to issue fines on commercially-operated runs based on vehicle allocation.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:30 pm)mrnut85 wrote So you think it would be acceptable to have a spare E400 sitting around all day on the chance it may get used.......

(11 Nov 2014, 9:47 pm)AIG20 wrote 27737 (NK11 BGU) also has the new branding, which is much, much better than the former "fancy a splash" branding.
Images owned by "Ian J Stanness" of the "Stagecoach Bus Enthusiasts" Facebook Group.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:50 pm)aureolin wrote Get there with Es?! I know they're referring to the route numbers, but howay man...

(11 Nov 2014, 9:52 pm)Dan wrote Think it's going to be another love it/hate it branding from Stagecoach!

Not keen on the massive 'Stagecoach in South Shields' myself... Just because it's non-standard!  

(11 Nov 2014, 9:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote @Dan
Wrong partnership
http://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/south-tyneside-better-bus-network-launched This was probably the one AIG20 was referring to, not the one in Gateshead.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:55 pm)aureolin wrote It baffles me that it's even being used. The first thing that came to mind when I seen the tagline was 'ecstasy' (or E's). I can honestly say I've never had that come to mind before, when having the first look at new branding.

(11 Nov 2014, 9:47 pm)Dan wrote If it means that an operator is actually providing a quality service, as they should be, then yes?

Do you think it's acceptable for wheelchair users to be turned away from using service X34 because a high-floor vehicle has turned up in place of the usual low-floor vehicle which customers are accustomed to?

As an enthusiast, I love Olympians. As a customer with family members who are disabled, different story.

(12 Nov 2014, 5:23 am)mrnut85 wrote The time table States that a high floor bus may operate at times

(12 Nov 2014, 6:47 am)Dan wrote They also state this with Sunderland's timetables, but high floor vehicles haven't operated from this depot in years (excluding recent Olympians for SAFC Park and Ride)...

(12 Nov 2014, 8:08 am)mrnut85 wrote Let me put it this way, either we regulate service with the Olympian or the service doesn't operate which means a gap of an hour in the service, what is better?

(12 Nov 2014, 8:09 am)Dan wrote You've missed the alternative of an Enviro400 being replaced by a MAN at Newcastle as a temporary measure... For a wheelchair user, it's still a gap of an hour if an Olympian turns up.

(12 Nov 2014, 1:31 pm)Dan wrote We were walking back to school from town and one of my friends spotted the new branding, and laughed, saying 'Dan, you get the E2 home... Do you get some Es on there?'

Was 27737 - the 1317 E2 from Sunderland I believe.

(12 Nov 2014, 2:30 pm)beefcake wrote 33101 is still alive and kicking - out in Hartlepool on the 6/7. Also noticed 27167's branding is incomplete on the offside missing Middlesbrough off the route description.