(07 Dec 2016, 12:25 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Something need to be done to the X9/X10 soon 3694 is on there today, needless to say it's currently in peterlee broken down, recovery truck just arrived to sort the problem

(07 Dec 2016, 12:35 pm)Jimmi wrote Chances are it would have been the 12:00 X9 from Middlesbrough which is not operating.

The amount of reports of breakdowns I see/hear from GNE and people is starting to become quite frankly alarming and it's now at the point where we now seem to be in the same situation as back in 2012 with the Volvo B7TL's which were frequently failing on the TTX.

(07 Dec 2016, 10:53 am)Cock Robin wrote You joking?! The deckers get packed! They tried coaches on the X9 originally.

(07 Dec 2016, 11:44 am)C785 OCN wrote Does anybody know the best place to get hold of the new Indigo east Durham paper timetables please

(07 Dec 2016, 7:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote Although I suggested the cheaper option of using vehicles that interwork on a less demanding route, therefore saving wear and tear. Is it not time to actually go for it? Stopping with the fannying about with buses and introduce something that will last.

(07 Dec 2016, 9:07 pm)mb134 wrote Their current way of doing it clearly isn't working. Every four to five years there are a few months where breakdowns seem to happen on a far too frequent basis. This will inevitably be noticed by passengers, reducing their impression of the service. The vehicles used are then no good for any service that has any level of demand, unless they undergo serious mechanical work. 

Coaches would last longer, arguably help increase service growth, and you'd think would have some use afterwards, as you stated. 

It's also not as if coaches aren't accessible, or 'local' service friendly either now.

(07 Dec 2016, 10:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote With the upcoming changes to Northern next year, I reckon we could see more people hit the rail network.
Whoever launches the improvements first, could end up having a massive headstart.

(07 Dec 2016, 10:57 pm)Michael wrote Won't the Northern trains have WIFI, plugs etc? or i'm i thinking of a different company?

(07 Dec 2016, 11:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/

At the very least, frequency between Boro and Tyneside is matched with the X9/10.

(07 Dec 2016, 10:30 pm)thetravelman wrote If the coach option is not viable and similar double decker type vehicles are to be sourced for the service, would it not be better to change them say every 3  years before regular breakdowns start occurring and service reliability starts to suffer.

(07 Dec 2016, 10:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote With the upcoming changes to Northern next year, I reckon we could see more people hit the rail network.
Whoever launches the improvements first, could end up having a massive headstart.

(08 Dec 2016, 6:47 am)C785 OCN wrote WRT paper timetables at Hexham bus station. What's WRT anyone please?

(07 Dec 2016, 10:58 am)Michael wrote I think we will see the Enviro 400 City on the services.... but that's a massive "think" haha.

(07 Dec 2016, 11:16 pm)Michael wrote Ah cool, might give GNE some competition although it already exists but with Northern trains gaining WIFI etc... might get people to use the service.

Glad to see the sevice increase too, about time.

(07 Dec 2016, 11:20 pm)mb134 wrote Changing the allocation every 3 years would surely make double deckers a worse economic investment than coaches would it not? Over a 10 year period you're nearly into your fourth set of vehicles, while coaches would probably just be being replaced. 

Yep. I also wouldn't really class GNE going for the same type of vehicles (i.e standard double deck buses) as a massive improvement, especially considering the improvements that Northern are promising within the next few years. 

Just a query, do the tables brought in on the Streetdecks lower the capacity? That's one way that I could see GNE improving the TTX, however then the capacity issue comes up again.

(07 Dec 2016, 1:12 pm)GX03 wrote When you consider these coaches seat 79 (16 lower / 63 upper) , nat ex layout. whilst the current deckers seat 71 (43/28) and no standees, coaches will no doubt last longer.

(08 Dec 2016, 6:47 am)C785 OCN wrote WRT paper timetables at Hexham bus station. What's WRT anyone please?

(08 Dec 2016, 8:53 am)NK05 GWZ wrote Can someone let me know if you see 3872 out today? Many thanks!

(08 Dec 2016, 2:47 pm)Cock Robin wrote 6047 screen still kaput.

(08 Dec 2016, 2:47 pm)Cock Robin wrote Deckers are easier to cascade or sell on though.

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(07 Dec 2016, 11:20 pm)mb134 wrote Changing the allocation every 3 years would surely make double deckers a worse economic investment than coaches would it not? Over a 10 year period you're nearly into your fourth set of vehicles, while coaches would probably just be being replaced. 

Yep. I also wouldn't really class GNE going for the same type of vehicles (i.e standard double deck buses) as a massive improvement, especially considering the improvements that Northern are promising within the next few years. 

Just a query, do the tables brought in on the Streetdecks lower the capacity? That's one way that I could see GNE improving the TTX, however then the capacity issue comes up again.

(08 Dec 2016, 7:54 pm)LivingOnGNE wrote When are the Mercs going on X5?

(08 Dec 2016, 8:04 pm)Michael wrote I would imagine when new buses arrive, they can't cascade any Citaro's until they do, as the 4 from Peterlee are allocated to service 9. (2/4 so far due to not all of the Solo Sr's arriving from Thames Travel), while it's also more likely 2 Citaro's will be allocated to the 9 when they become available so it can become a fully Citaro route so Deptford should have services X5, 9, 35/35A/36 as Citaro's.


The Blaydon Racers were one of the Citaro routes rumoured to be getting new buses, it would seem logical because 9 Citaro's are needed at Deptford for a full allocation to the X5 (7) and 2 for the 9, with 1 spare and the Blaydon Racers is a busy route. The 35/36 were also rumoured to be getting get new buses. 


If the 35/36 got new buses, they'll be enough to upgrade the X5 (7), 9 (Only need 2 because of Citaro's from the Peterlee) and the 61 (5) and leaves 1 spare and means more services have 1 set of buses. 

Never know the 35/36 and the Blaydon Racers might both get upgraded. 


Hopefully in the next couple of months, new buses start to arrive but it's all rumours at the moment.