(31 Jul 2013, 8:55 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Are there vehicles planned for the X7? I for one are hoping there is some sort of new buses planned, the Renowns aren't coping the route. Northern spares, yes okay. Quick, reliable, fast, express service, they ain't. There is constant break downs, which if they are not careful will put passengers off- I for one will sometimes just use the 60 if going Sunderland-Seaham if the X7 is more than 8-10 minutes late despite the X7 been 15 minutes quicker and I can't be the only one and again in Peterlee people will prefer the X9 to the X7 because the buses are bit more 'up class' to use a better term. So it will impact loadings if problems continue.

I would like to see the X7 get the 4 Solars from the OK1, then this new Hexham service (is it confirmed, was there a VOSA registration?) get spare Solars that are lying about, but I personally can't see this Hexham service lasting anyways (personal opinion). I mean once the StreetLites arrive Deptford have 5 Versas 'spare', wonder where they'll end up? Could any service end up the soon 'spare' Washington street Shuttle MPDs?

Do we have a date when Streetlites, Ciatro's and Versas are due?

(01 Aug 2013, 7:12 am)danpick wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 8:55 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Are there vehicles planned for the X7? I for one are hoping there is some sort of new buses planned, the Renowns aren't coping the route. Northern spares, yes okay. Quick, reliable, fast, express service, they ain't. There is constant break downs, which if they are not careful will put passengers off- I for one will sometimes just use the 60 if going Sunderland-Seaham if the X7 is more than 8-10 minutes late despite the X7 been 15 minutes quicker and I can't be the only one and again in Peterlee people will prefer the X9 to the X7 because the buses are bit more 'up class' to use a better term. So it will impact loadings if problems continue.

I would like to see the X7 get the 4 Solars from the OK1, then this new Hexham service (is it confirmed, was there a VOSA registration?) get spare Solars that are lying about, but I personally can't see this Hexham service lasting anyways (personal opinion). I mean once the StreetLites arrive Deptford have 5 Versas 'spare', wonder where they'll end up? Could any service end up the soon 'spare' Washington street Shuttle MPDs?

Do we have a date when Streetlites, Ciatro's and Versas are due?

I believe there was a vosa registration further back it was posted on here

(01 Aug 2013, 7:59 am)BJ10VUS wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:12 am)danpick wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 8:55 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Are there vehicles planned for the X7? I for one are hoping there is some sort of new buses planned, the Renowns aren't coping the route. Northern spares, yes okay. Quick, reliable, fast, express service, they ain't. There is constant break downs, which if they are not careful will put passengers off- I for one will sometimes just use the 60 if going Sunderland-Seaham if the X7 is more than 8-10 minutes late despite the X7 been 15 minutes quicker and I can't be the only one and again in Peterlee people will prefer the X9 to the X7 because the buses are bit more 'up class' to use a better term. So it will impact loadings if problems continue.

I would like to see the X7 get the 4 Solars from the OK1, then this new Hexham service (is it confirmed, was there a VOSA registration?) get spare Solars that are lying about, but I personally can't see this Hexham service lasting anyways (personal opinion). I mean once the StreetLites arrive Deptford have 5 Versas 'spare', wonder where they'll end up? Could any service end up the soon 'spare' Washington street Shuttle MPDs?

Do we have a date when Streetlites, Ciatro's and Versas are due?

I believe there was a vosa registration further back it was posted on here

OK1 ends on 8 August, so the '55'-reg Solars will move any day from the 9th.

(01 Aug 2013, 8:01 am)Daniel wrote 10th
Possible they'll move over on Sunday, but I reckon they'll wait until Monday if heading straight to Saltmeadows.

(01 Aug 2013, 3:57 pm)W179SCU wrote ''Cats Fast'' 4976 made a rare appearance on the 56 today, as seen here. Also, 564 was back in service on the 27X today, as seen here

(01 Aug 2013, 3:57 pm)W179SCU wrote ''Cats Fast'' 4976 made a rare appearance on the 56 today, as seen here.

(01 Aug 2013, 4:13 pm)danpick wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 3:57 pm)W179SCU wrote ''Cats Fast'' 4976 made a rare appearance on the 56 today, as seen here. Also, 564 was back in service on the 27X today, as seen here

yay they've got the right bus and a bus that actually has the proper 27X desty

(02 Aug 2013, 8:29 am)the pilot wrote 8223 on today's 0911 departure from Wrekenton now behind schedule as the driver has gone to Greggs to get himself some of those yummy 5p coins in exchange for some £10 notes. Yee haw!

(02 Aug 2013, 8:44 am)the pilot wrote East Durham 543 on 99

(01 Aug 2013, 4:14 pm)Daniel wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 3:57 pm)W179SCU wrote ''Cats Fast'' 4976 made a rare appearance on the 56 today, as seen here.

Not relevant to the odd working itself, but rather about the brand design. That's why I dislike the "Fast Cats" design - naturally it reads 'Cats Fast' for me, because 'Cats' is placed above 'Fast'. I know we read left to right, but I read things from top to bottom too, so it's a little confusing.
Anyone else noticed that?

(01 Aug 2013, 4:13 pm)danpick wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 3:57 pm)W179SCU wrote ''Cats Fast'' 4976 made a rare appearance on the 56 today, as seen here. Also, 564 was back in service on the 27X today, as seen here

yay they've got the right bus and a bus that actually has the proper 27X desty

All vehicles (based at Saltmeadows at least) should have the proper destination display now. It was only the one day where it didn't, and I understand a complaint or two may have been made about it.

(02 Aug 2013, 2:34 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed - as Gateshead-based SB120 8262 is on the 27X today, only showing 'Go North East'. 564 meanwhile is working for Gateshead on the 27.

(02 Aug 2013, 2:34 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed - as Gateshead-based SB120 8262 is on the 27X today, only showing 'Go North East'. 564 meanwhile is working for Gateshead on the 27.

(02 Aug 2013, 2:49 pm)Daniel wrote

(02 Aug 2013, 2:34 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed - as Gateshead-based SB120 8262 is on the 27X today, only showing 'Go North East'. 564 meanwhile is working for Gateshead on the 27.

Please tell me there is a paper destination...

(02 Aug 2013, 3:51 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 564 isn't the only peak-time crusher - 544 is on the 56, just arriving in Gateshead now heading into Newcastle.

(02 Aug 2013, 4:07 pm)Daniel wrote

(02 Aug 2013, 3:51 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 564 isn't the only peak-time crusher - 544 is on the 56, just arriving in Gateshead now heading into Newcastle.

564 is reported to have broken down at Hebburn at some point today, and was subsequently replaced by 8265. Not sure how long it stayed on, if you report 8262 to be on there now.
Likewise, 5311 is reported to have broken down at Gateshead police station lights, again replaced by 544.

(02 Aug 2013, 4:36 pm)Daniel wrote 564 is reported to have broken down at Hebburn at some point today, and was subsequently replaced by 8265.