(18 Oct 2016, 9:25 pm)James101 wrote make a successful new depot.

(17 Oct 2016, 3:05 pm)Tom wrote Dan is the 9 definitely being run by Deptford? Wasn't sure if you had confirmed it or not.

If so I can see 5248/9 transferring out of Percy Main, one to Washington as a spare for the 5/50 and one to Riverside for the 12/12A maybe.

(19 Oct 2016, 5:10 am)Dan wrote I hadn't previously confirmed, but yes, Deptford Drivers were informed about a month ago that they would be taking on all boards of service 9 (including those to North Shields), and have hence been route learning for the past few weeks.

In the interests of fleet standardisation at each depot (that old chestnut), I'd suggest it would make more sense for both 5248 and 5249 to transfer to Washington, replacing two L94s. Washington have now had this vehicle type in their fleet for six months, so know what the common defects are on this vehicle type and how to repair them quickly and efficiently (in terms of cost). All of the OmniCitys at Washington are having work done to them at the moment, hence the regular allocation of 4961-63 to the "Whey Aye Five 0" services.

That will mean Washington have one less vehicle type to worry about (the transfer of 4963 to Percy Main previously mentioned is still outstanding - ie there'd be no Scania L94s housed at Washington), and they can consistently allocate the same vehicle type to deputise for branded vehicles (5248/49 for services 5/50, 5324 for service 4, 3943 for service X1, 705 for the indiGo network, etc).

(19 Oct 2016, 5:10 am)Dan wrote I hadn't previously confirmed, but yes, Deptford Drivers were informed about a month ago that they would be taking on all boards of service 9 (including those to North Shields), and have hence been route learning for the past few weeks.

In the interests of fleet standardisation at each depot (that old chestnut), I'd suggest it would make more sense for both 5248 and 5249 to transfer to Washington, replacing two L94s. Washington have now had this vehicle type in their fleet for six months, so know what the common defects are on this vehicle type and how to repair them quickly and efficiently (in terms of cost). All of the OmniCitys at Washington are having work done to them at the moment, hence the regular allocation of 4961-63 to the "Whey Aye Five 0" services.

That will mean Washington have one less vehicle type to worry about (the transfer of 4963 to Percy Main previously mentioned is still outstanding - ie there'd be no Scania L94s housed at Washington), and they can consistently allocate the same vehicle type to deputise for branded vehicles (5248/49 for services 5/50, 5324 for service 4, 3943 for service X1, 705 for the indiGo network, etc).

(22 Oct 2016, 1:52 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Anyone know why the new 2/2A timetable is just plain GNE rather than Simplicity branded?  

Or why there's no new 39 timetable, despite it being only available on a soon to be out of date 2/2A/39 leaflet?

(23 Oct 2016, 10:54 am)Michael wrote God knows, maybe its a hint the Versa's are coming off the 2/2A (one can always hope!)

(23 Oct 2016, 6:08 pm)Brian13 wrote I heard a rumour that Mercs may be coming onto them

(23 Oct 2016, 6:08 pm)Brian13 wrote I heard a rumour that Mercs may be coming onto them

(26 Oct 2016, 5:59 pm)Michael wrote F1 - Gateshead - Saltwell Park - http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/files/F001-GNE-051116.pdf

(23 Oct 2016, 6:32 pm)Michael wrote I don't use the 2/2A services at all now but would welcome Mercs back on the route...

However i think the Citaro's from the Blaydon Racers (if they do get streetlites, not confirmed at all) will end up on the new X5/X6 so they're inline with the X7, offering decent buses plus WIFI.


2 Citaro's remain on the X7
2 Citaro move to the X6 from Wear Tees
1 Citaro from Blaydon Racers moves on to the X6
7 Citaro's on the X5 from the Blaydon Racers


Leaves 2 Citaro's from the Blaydon Racers as spares - one for the X5/X6/X7.

1 remains at Riverside.


From earlier, these were my guesses for the PVR:

7 for the X5 as of now 
3 for the X6
2 for the X7

(27 Oct 2016, 10:24 am)cbma06 wrote Even though I would prefer citarios for service X5/X6 and X7, since service X7 will be Sunderland to peterlee only, I think solos would be enough and have service X6 as the bigger bus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(19 Oct 2016, 5:10 am)Dan wrote I hadn't previously confirmed, but yes, Deptford Drivers were informed about a month ago that they would be taking on all boards of service 9 (including those to North Shields), and have hence been route learning for the past few weeks.

In the interests of fleet standardisation at each depot (that old chestnut), I'd suggest it would make more sense for both 5248 and 5249 to transfer to Washington, replacing two L94s. Washington have now had this vehicle type in their fleet for six months, so know what the common defects are on this vehicle type and how to repair them quickly and efficiently (in terms of cost). All of the OmniCitys at Washington are having work done to them at the moment, hence the regular allocation of 4961-63 to the "Whey Aye Five 0" services.

That will mean Washington have one less vehicle type to worry about (the transfer of 4963 to Percy Main previously mentioned is still outstanding - ie there'd be no Scania L94s housed at Washington), and they can consistently allocate the same vehicle type to deputise for branded vehicles (5248/49 for services 5/50, 5324 for service 4, 3943 for service X1, 705 for the indiGo network, etc).

(28 Oct 2016, 2:34 pm)Shrek wrote Just spotted a sign on the 353 that states from the 6th November the service will no longer go onto the Newcastle Airport site and only service stops on the Ponteland Road outside. There'll also be timetable changes during rush hour to improve reliability.

(28 Oct 2016, 2:02 pm)Michael wrote With it coming up to a week for the changes to X1 etc...


What will the allocation to be the 9 from the 6th November at Deptford?

(28 Oct 2016, 9:35 pm)Ds1197 wrote I'm guessing solars becasue they are probably perfect size for the 9 but I do hope the 9 gets route branding now or soon

(28 Oct 2016, 9:47 pm)Michael wrote Don't think it'll get branding now, PVR is dropping from 7 to 4.

But i think the 2 Solars from Washington will move to Deptford so the 9 can have a full Solar allocation.

(29 Oct 2016, 8:12 am)Dans_bus_photos wrote The PVR is defiantly going to be more than 4, I worked it out the other week and I'm sure it was 6

(29 Oct 2016, 12:52 am)Ds1197 wrote Will the 9 run like this when the changes happen?
 
Sunderland-Jarrow 
Jarrow-Sunderland 
Sunderland-North Shields 
North Shields-Jarrow
Jarrow-North Shields 
North Shields-Sunderland 

Then back to the start again.

(29 Oct 2016, 9:30 am)Michael wrote It was just a guess, you're probables right.

Hopefully not a mixed allocation...as i wonder where rest of the Scania's will come from?, the 2 from Washington seem like the only ones which which will come in as spares atm, if the 9 PVR is 6.


Deptford Solar allocations 

Service X35 - 7 PVR
X36 - 2 PVR
39 - 7 PVR


Currently leaves 6 spare - which will be took if the 9 is Solar allocated with a 6 PVR

Only other option is to:


2 from Washington as spares
2 from Riverside


The Solars seem to be allocated to the 36 a lot lately

(18 Oct 2016, 9:26 pm)Michael wrote Ah right.

If the PVR is 4, (just a guess) GNE could run Scania's on it but that only leaves 2 spare at Deptford, meaning they'll likely need 1 more from else where.

As it looks like the "Red" scania's are remaining on the 39.

(29 Oct 2016, 2:59 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Yes it looks like Ds1197 says, each vehicle does the complete cycle of workings taking six hours hence an off peak requirement of six buses.

(18 Oct 2016, 7:59 pm)Cock Robin wrote GNE don't have much success with their Teesside services do they. First the OK, now the X7. Shame.