(12 Nov 2014, 8:15 pm)AIG20 wrote It looks the same shade of blue as 39701, which has a darker front panel than all the rest of the E200s.

(12 Nov 2014, 6:59 pm)Andreos1 wrote According to SSOpps, a single decker was on the x34 tonight.

No idea whether this picked up slack, or replaced an E400 or Olympian.

(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, 9:19 pm)RGR756V wrote I'm not sure that, even if there were provision for an E400 to be swapped with something at Shields that Stagecoach would want an E400 stood spare waiting for 'the call to action'? Especially on a service which I am assuming will carry mainly ENCTS passengers between the peaks, would it justify the cost of an extra E400?

At the risk of sounding controversial, by using a Volvo Olympian, do you inconvenience one passenger in a wheelchair or 50 able bodied? 

(12 Nov 2014, 9:27 pm)Dan wrote The fact that the Olympian was out fairly early this morning and fairly late this evening suggests a lot to me... An Enviro400 wouldn't just be 'stood spare', it would see regular use, based on reports today with the Olympian.

What happens if one of South Shields' allocated Enviro400s develops a fault and has to be off the road? Both Arriva and Go North East have allocated spare vehicles which possibly outweigh the costs of one of Stagecoach's Enviro400s to cover for buses which are VOR or to replace late-running services; it could be argued that these vehicles do not see as much use as a bus to that specification ordinarily would

(12 Nov 2014, 9:27 pm)Dan wrote The fact that the Olympian was out fairly early this morning and fairly late this evening suggests a lot to me... An Enviro400 wouldn't just be 'stood spare', it would see regular use, based on reports today with the Olympian.

What happens if one of South Shields' allocated Enviro400s develops a fault and has to be off the road? Both Arriva and Go North East have allocated spare vehicles which possibly outweigh the costs of one of Stagecoach's Enviro400s to cover for buses which are VOR or to replace late-running services; it could be argued that these vehicles do not see as much use as a bus to that specification ordinarily would...

(12 Nov 2014, 9:59 pm)RGR756V wrote Aside from that, I would also suggest that the Volvo Olympian is much better suited to the route than a E400, in terms of robustness, speed and the extra capacity - obviously in the near future with DDA compliancy rules this won't happen but for the time being, I think as enthusiasts we should be thankful of a chance of some top haulage in what- in my opinion- is the last of the proper double deck buses made

(12 Nov 2014, 10:02 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'm not sure - the spare Sapphire's see use on other services when not required on their own services. They cannot be stood idle

(12 Nov 2014, 10:24 pm)Dan wrote Like I said before, I'm really not complaining as an enthusiast... As a customer who also has disabled family members, it irritates me slightly at the decision which has been made (but hey ho, I'm not in a position to see this changed).

Those of you who regularly follow the "Go North East - Rare & Odd Workings" thread will know I've been quite negative about Stanley in the past for the same reason! Let's not forget that it costs the company money to offer a complementary taxi service should a disabled user be unable to use a service due to a high floor vehicle being allocated...


They can - but it would seem local management has chosen against it (which I didn't realise). Hate to provoke further discussion by discussing other operators in the region, but whilst branded spare vehicles are a growing thing of the past with Go North East (admittedly for the reason that it's difficult to justify having a bus which potentially has a value of £200,000 sitting doing nothing all day), they still do exist...

Go North East's X7 and Stagecoach North East's X34 are not too dissimilar, in the sense that both services have a PVR of three. Go North East has a branded spare vehicle which rarely sees use on other services but regularly isn't required, meaning that it's either sat at Peterlee Depot or Deptford Depot all day unless required. Go North East manages to justify having a four year old heavy-weight single decker vehicle spare a lot, but Stagecoach North East cannot manage to have a seven year old vehicle sitting spare?

Volvo Olympians see higher associated running costs and the potential for higher costs due to complementary taxis being offered, yet Stagecoach cannot justify having an active spare vehicle in the fleet? Struggle to see the business sense, but maybe it's just me...

(12 Nov 2014, 10:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote Just on the wheelchair/taxi thing.

Tom Dodds did quote the number of times a taxi is ordered.
He may come on here and state the specific number per year (or if someone wants to listen again) - it ain't many at all.
Charlie Charlton was shocked at how small the actual number was.

However, the numbers affected with pushchairs is much bigger.
Just look at the social media pages.
However, what may lead to resentment amongst those with pushchairs, doesn't incur a fine or taxi.

(12 Nov 2014, 10:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote I fail to see the business sense in having a £100k vehicle sat doing nothing... However I can't help but feel Stagecoach have failed here - there are fully depreciated Tridents at Stockton they could use. They are accessible to disabled people unlike the Olympians. There is no stipulation in the contract with the school contract (that Stockton's double decks are used on) for low floor buses and therefore using an extra Olympian for a couple of weeks would not be a huge issue.

(12 Nov 2014, 10:38 pm)RGR756V wrote Would those Trident's cope with the X34 Scott? If they are anything like the other examples in the region.....!

(12 Nov 2014, 10:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote I fail to see the business sense in having a £100k vehicle sat doing nothing... However I can't help but feel Stagecoach have failed here - there are fully depreciated Tridents at Stockton they could use. They are accessible to disabled people unlike the Olympians. There is no stipulation in the contract with the school contract (that Stockton's double decks are used on) for low floor buses and therefore using an extra Olympian for a couple of weeks would not be a huge issue.

(12 Nov 2014, 10:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote I am sure if they chose the right one they could. They regularly handle a full day in service at Stockton during the school holidays. They'd be ok for the odd trip to Newcastle and back, I am sure they would do as well as the unreliable E400's this extra bus is helping to stand in for !

(13 Nov 2014, 11:55 am)Andreos1 wrote Any sign of the Olympian today?

(13 Nov 2014, 1:25 pm)markydh wrote I rather think Newcastle has been raided enough thanks very much, without depriving us if yet another E400. No new buses since 2011 and no sign that any will be forthcoming next year either. Won't be long before the biggest contributor to profits has by far the oldest average age fleet either...

(13 Nov 2014, 1:25 pm)markydh wrote I rather think Newcastle has been raided enough thanks very much, without depriving us if yet another E400. No new buses since 2011 and no sign that any will be forthcoming next year either. Won't be long before the biggest contributor to profits has by far the oldest average age fleet either...

(13 Nov 2014, 1:22 pm)mrnut85 wrote It operated the 11:40 and 13:10 from Newcastle

(13 Nov 2014, 8:46 pm)Dan wrote Quick note to say I've updated our fleet lists to show details of all new Enviro300s at Stockton... I've noted them all as in service now to make my life easier!

(13 Nov 2014, 9:24 pm)Racer_Experience wrote where are the vehicles that used to be on 36 are going to by any chance one said South Shields others said Sunderland am confused

(14 Nov 2014, 12:47 pm)Dan wrote 27731 is now drugged up!