(14 Nov 2017, 7:26 pm)Michael wrote Go North East

We are sorry, but due to continued acts of vandalism and anti-social behavior, we have again temporarily removed all buses from Houghton le Spring Church & Newbottle St. Please walk to the stops on Hillside Way (outside Lidl) to board your bus.

(15 Nov 2017, 4:47 pm)Swiny1 wrote What is 9092 again Dan

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(15 Nov 2017, 3:55 pm)Dan wrote Wright Streetlite 9101 has again returned to Go North East for further use. It has been in use at Washington today as a staff shuttle, but transferring to Chester-le-Street tonight (for use on service 34) in exchange for 9092 which will be used at Washington in service instead.

(15 Nov 2017, 7:33 pm)Michael wrote Have you got interior pictures of 9092?

(15 Nov 2017, 7:43 pm)Jimmi wrote Here's one from Flickr.
Wright Streelite SK17HHL - Interior Front to Back (GF) (080717-07) by George Figuerola, on Flickr

If you want a view from the back to the front, check out my YouTube video of it during it's trial at Arriva North East: https://youtu.be/TppDyBhJHz

(15 Nov 2017, 3:55 pm)Dan wrote Wright Streetlite 9101 has again returned to Go North East for further use. It has been in use at Washington today as a staff shuttle, but transferring to Chester-le-Street tonight (for use on service 34) in exchange for 9092 which will be used at Washington in service instead.

(15 Nov 2017, 7:47 pm)Malarkey wrote Guessing this will be on the 4 & 5/50 then.

(16 Nov 2017, 5:37 pm)Michael wrote According to the news, 9092 will go on the 4.

It will see allocation to "Connections4" service 4, to evaluate suitability of this vehicle type on the service and to compare against the present Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro allocation.

(16 Nov 2017, 11:03 pm)Andreos1 wrote I despair...

(16 Nov 2017, 11:52 pm)mb134 wrote Roughly translates as "Can we scrimp on yet another route to please the accountants?"

(16 Nov 2017, 7:58 pm)Michael wrote The Citaro's look like they're going back to 2 a week, as 5333 has also returned this week, and will enter service at Deptford tomorrow, 5325 has gone for refurbishment.

I think 5298 will be the next to arrive back from Blackburn, as i'm sure that went after 5333.

(17 Nov 2017, 5:26 am)Dan wrote Friday routine scuppered!

(16 Nov 2017, 11:52 pm)mb134 wrote Roughly translates as "Can we scrimp on yet another route to please the accountants?"

(17 Nov 2017, 5:18 am)Dan wrote As an enthusiast; I'd agree that a Streetlite is a downgrade compared to a Citaro (I personally think the Mercs are one of the best buys since the Volvo B10BLEs, even if they are more expensive to run and very expensive to maintain), but from a passenger perspective, there's probably not a great deal of difference other than the fact we can assume USB charging points would be made available (bringing this service up to standard with most other routes, as it currently lacks this feature).

(17 Nov 2017, 8:33 am)Andreos1 wrote From a financial perspective (particularly the short term one), unfortunately there's only one winner.

(17 Nov 2017, 10:44 am)mb134 wrote I think we all know that Streetlites are cheaper to buy initially, run and to an extent maintain, than the current heavyweight vehicles available. Indeed, the Government isn't going to pay companies to operate Citaros and B8RLEs.

However my concern is that, as we've seen with multiple Arriva examples, operators are thinking short term a bit too much. Obviously, we have no evidence to base the life expectancy of a Streetlite on, but I think it fair to assume in majority of cases that it will be nowhere near as long as the vehicles they're replacing. I know it may not be the case in this instance, going back to the point Dan made about the Citaros probably not being needed on this route initially, but in quite a few cases across both companies, they have been allocated to routes where a heavyweight vehicle would probably be more suited. It also begs the question, if Stagecarriage can buy heavyweight vehicles when required, why can't 2 of the main North East operators?

Obviously, my main experience with Streetlites are with First in Aberdeen. All of which are allocated to inner-city routes, and yet at just 3 and a half years old, there are a number that feel shockingly bad to travel on. I boarded one last night, and as it dropped me off home, an alarm was ringing in the cab. About an hour later, by chance I caught it home from Morrisons and the same alarm was ringing, this time for pretty much the duration of the journey. As I got off, the driver switched it off, and then it completely failed to start up on first time of asking. Second time was alright, though it was evident something wasn't quite right.

(17 Nov 2017, 9:36 pm)G-CPTN wrote Which are the longest double deckers?
Some B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 seem to have a 'small' window (like the RMLs) - but are they the longest ones or shorter (because of the smaller window)?
Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro 400 seems to have 7 windows all the same size.