(09 Mar 2014, 4:58 pm)Dan wrote Following on from my near-side rear shot which I shared yesterday - if you would like to see an off-side frontal view of the final Merc to depart Deptford for onward transfer to Peterlee, do click the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/13037153135/

Each vehicle carries a different slogan on the rear, and I'd imagine the slogan on the front will differ too.
The off-side appears to be missing the large Go North East logo on the "black banner". The livery looks lost without it..!

(09 Mar 2014, 5:06 pm)Michael wrote Any idea's what each slogan says?

(09 Mar 2014, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote 5333 rear:
"Peterlee to Sunderland in only 30 minutes"

5334 rear:
"Peterlee to Middlesbrough in only 50 minutes"

5334 front window:
"Weekly tickets from £11.40"

I'd expect one of the rears to be about Sunderland to Middlesbrough every hour, but I'm not sure what the other one could be.

(09 Mar 2014, 5:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I hope this goes well for the service and passenger number goes up. I'd love to see a possible evening extension and even a Sunday service. But we'll take it one step at a time!

(09 Mar 2014, 5:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I love the new livery for WearTees Xpress. Think it suits the Citaro well, I think the 'X' looks alright I do agree as a general rule of thumb I don't like obscuring widows with branding (aka Prince Bishops etc.) but I can't wait to have these on the service will be a welcome change from 4907!
I hope this goes well for the service and passenger number goes up. I'd love to see a possible evening extension and even a Sunday service. But we'll take it one step at a time!

(09 Mar 2014, 8:07 pm)aureolin wrote I'd say the X is perforated vinyl over the glass. Shouldn't obscure passengers views, but we'll have to wait and see I guess!

(09 Mar 2014, 8:27 pm)Robert wrote You are right as confirmed in Dans photo of 5333 it was said that was why the gold seems to be different.

(09 Mar 2014, 8:31 pm)aureolin wrote Wouldn't say it was confirmed! I just made the same speculative guess on Flickr as I did here. :p

danielgrahamm 26 hours ago
I'm not sure, but is it possible that these vinyls could be a similar type to the ones Stagecoach use on windows? Passengers can still see through those, and that's why they may appear to be different shades of gold. That, or it's simply down to the different surfaces which the vinyls have been applied to - but I have no idea!

BusPicsGuy 26 hours ago
I know passengers can still see out the windows that are covered because if you look closely you can still see the seats and the fence on the other side. Still not too keen on that though and spoils the livery a lot, therefore as I said, I wont be excited to see these out and about.

danielgrahamm 26 hours ago
That's what made me think the vinyls on the windows were perhaps similar to the ones Stagecoach use... Honestly don't know though, but I guess we'll find out next week if we have a ride of them whilst in service!

tvtphotos 25 hours ago
Think you're looking for contravision Dan! That's what it'll be and why it appears to be a different shade of gold. You'll always get that without using full solid vinyl.

danielgrahamm 25 hours ago
That's the name I was looking for!

(09 Mar 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote That was on the photo of 5334, rather than the photo of 5333 which Robert is referring to.
It still wasn't 'confirmed', but you can see straight through the vinyl on that photo - which makes you think it is contravision.

Conversation on photograph of 5333:

(10 Mar 2014, 7:33 am)Dan wrote 5334 is performing the first X7 of the day from Sunderland (0726am, and the 1038, 1338 and 1643 after that)

5336 will perform the second X7 of the day from Sunderland (0836, and the 1138, 1438 and the 1743 after that)

5335 will perform the third X7 of the day from Sunderland (0938, and the 1238, 1538 and 1857 after that).

5333 is based at Peterlee to act as a backup.

(10 Mar 2014, 7:45 am)CatsFast101 wrote So the spare will now be at Peterlee full time? As opposed to when Deptford kept one branded vehicle. It makes sense having it at Peterlee in Case it's necessary to replace a vehicle at Middlesbrough etc. wonder if we'll see 5333 or any other Mercs on East Durham services when an MPD seemingly fails!

(10 Mar 2014, 7:33 am)Dan wrote 5334 is performing the first X7 of the day from Sunderland (0726am, and the 1038, 1338 and 1643 after that)

5336 will perform the second X7 of the day from Sunderland (0836, and the 1138, 1438 and the 1743 after that)

5335 will perform the third X7 of the day from Sunderland (0938, and the 1238, 1538 and 1857 after that).

5333 is based at Peterlee to act as a backup.

(10 Mar 2014, 7:57 am)Dan wrote

(10 Mar 2014, 12:24 pm)Bazza Houston wrote Percy Main vehicles continue to be cascaded to other depots following delivery of new Geminis with Citaros 5335 transferring to Peterlee for Wear Tees Express and 5337 transferring to Stanley. Omnicity 5256 is the last such vehicle to be transferred to Chester le Street for WheyAye 50.

Volvo B10BLE 4845: R845 PRG has been transferred from Deptford to Stanley, Volvo B12B 7090: CU6860 is now in the Driver Training fleet and SPD 8220: V220 ERG is withdrawn.

Olympian 3811: S811 FVK has been sold to Ensign Bus Co.

(10 Mar 2014, 12:58 pm)Dan wrote In reality, 4845 is back at Deptford as we all know and I believe I saw it on 39s earlier.

Praise the Lord... 8220 withdrawn... Only a month and a half after it actually happened...!

(10 Mar 2014, 12:58 pm)Dan wrote In reality, 4845 is back at Deptford as we all know and I believe I saw it on 39s earlier.

Praise the Lord... 8220 withdrawn... Only a month and a half after it actually happened...!

(10 Mar 2014, 4:08 pm)Robert wrote Also, they must of got your email as all the mistakes have finally been corrected

(10 Mar 2014, 3:37 pm)CatsFast101 wrote 4845 is indeed on 39's today, can also confirm that the the new Wear Tees Xpress livery means the 'X' is perforated over the windows so you can see out of windows.