(01 Mar 2022, 3:42 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Doesn't look like it made it out today

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(03 Mar 2022, 7:20 am)Ambassador wrote Having an office day, Through a stroke of luck. I’m currently on it! Just passed the Angel ironically. It doesn’t show up as a fleet number on the app. It’s due into Newcastle Eldon at 7.46z

Initial thoughts it’s very bright and airy, much more pleasant than normal. The info screen upstairs with range information and battery levels is a bit weird to see. Fairly pleasant ride but the seats are horrific. Not wide enough and uncomfortably upright, it’s like an ironing board. I admit the lack of nsa is a joy

(03 Mar 2022, 9:03 am)ne14ne1 wrote Is it lighter coloured panelling that’s giving it a very bright and airy feel?

Have the rear doors been used out of interest?

(03 Mar 2022, 10:12 am)Ambassador wrote i think so, plus the seats are shorter in height and lighter so less oppressive.

re the doors. Yes at all stops, passengers are instinctively using them which ironically they didn’t when the 21 was dual doored.

(03 Mar 2022, 10:52 am)ne14ne1 wrote Oh wow, brilliant. Makes all the difference if drivers actually use them.
I was on an ex London B7(?) the other day and pressed the bell and waited at the exit doors. 
Bus pulled right up alongside the straight kerb, no railings or street furniture in the way, but the driver just opened the front doors and stared at me in the interior mirror until I then squeezed up to the front doors with my bags and dog. So annoying.

(05 Mar 2022, 10:38 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19967398.go-north-east-respond-claims-chester-le-street-depot-close/

The end of Picktree Lane depot?

(05 Mar 2022, 11:00 am)cbma06 wrote There could let/rent Chester depot for preserved buses etc… for storage, maintenance etc.., since Martijn is a bit nostalgic

If the 21 (and X21?) transfers to riverside, could close Washington depot and merge the fleet to deptford and Chester


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(05 Mar 2022, 11:00 am)cbma06 wrote There could let/rent Chester depot for preserved buses etc… for storage, maintenance etc.., since Martijn is a bit nostalgic

If the 21 (and X21?) transfers to riverside, could close Washington depot and merge the fleet to deptford and Chester


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(07 Mar 2022, 2:05 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Okay Another video of the Electroliner.

Unfortunately this driver makes the elderly gent shuffle all the way to the front to exit from the front doors.

(07 Mar 2022, 2:50 pm)Adrian wrote That particular stop was never used for dual-door operation when the Vykings were used. The sticker is still present on the bus stop flag.
The curb is raised for the front doors, but its lower down where the rear doors would exit to, which I imagine make it unsuitable.

(07 Mar 2022, 3:42 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Doesn’t look like the rear doors were used at all throughout that video. 
Surely a standard height curb is suitable? It is elsewhere in the country for buses with separate exit doors. 

What does the old bus stop flag sticker say, just out of interest?

(07 Mar 2022, 3:58 pm)Adrian wrote When the 21 was previously dual-door operation, several stops en-route had a pink 2X sticker added to the bus stop flag pole, to indicate that they weren't suitable for the rear doors to be used. Some are more obvious than others, e.g. the shelter or railings being in the way.

I suppose it depends what the risk assessment that GNE hold states, but I can't see any reason other than the mismatch in curb heights that would make it unsuitable... if you lowered the bus to the height of the curb for people boarding, its still enough for someone to lose their footing when alighting. Especially elderly passengers.

(08 Mar 2022, 9:56 am)streetdeckfan wrote I'm guessing that the charging infrastructure at CLS (or lack thereof) is the reason for the sporadic operation.

Looking at how long it seems to be between outings (a day and a half) and the fact it seems to be limited to around 100 miles of range, I'd hazard a guess and say the charging infrastructure is limited to a 7kw car charger.

(08 Mar 2022, 12:56 am)deanmachine wrote I've been told in the past when using dual door deckers to not use the rear doors apart from with wheelchairs, I can't remember why or who asked for that, it may have been Nexus. Mind that never used to stop me on metro replacement at the likes of Gateshead when dumping my full bus load from using both doors to make the operation quicker.