(02 Oct 2013, 5:12 pm)Adam wrote Hang on, you mention 8 routes/brands which are to receive new vehicles. I can only think of 7 (Connections4, Citylink, Drifter, Saltwell Park, Venture, Fab Fifty Six & Cobalt Clipper).

Has an order now been placed regarding those rumoured 15 more vehicles, therefore forming the 8th brand to receive new buses? Or is it something completely different? Or am I completely blind and missed something?

Washington Street Shuttle M2/M3 as that is getting Newer Buses and a Rebrand.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:08 pm)Andreos1 wrote I wonder if the 21 has any bearing on it?
The people on it tonight, won't have all got on along Old Durham Road and won't all get off on Portobello or Vigo Lane...

Exactly. The majority of passengers on that particular service would have been commuters and shoppers, and the X25 may be the only service that will transport them to/from Newcastle and Gateshead. So passengers living in places such as Portobello, Waldridge, and Langley Park will use that service to avoid the inconvenience of changing buses at, for example Chester-le-St, so they will want to use the X25 for that reason, but may have a long time standing if doing so.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:25 pm)Adam wrote Exactly. The majority of passengers on that particular service would have been commuters and shoppers, and the X25 may be the only service that will transport them to/from Newcastle and Gateshead. So passengers living in places such as Portobello, Waldridge, and Langley Park will use that service to avoid the inconvenience of changing buses at, for example Chester-le-St, so they will want to use the X25 for that reason, but may have a long time standing if doing so.

As well as those who could get a 21, but choose not to...

(02 Oct 2013, 5:18 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Washington Street Shuttle M2/M3 as that is getting Newer Buses and a Rebrand.

Could be but they're getting the cascaded Saltwell Park Versa's, aren't they? If you are to use that, then could it be argued that the Waggonway is another route which would fit in to your point, even though it's not getting a new brand but is getting a slightly different colour and newer vehicles, consequently bringing the total up to 9?

(02 Oct 2013, 5:35 pm)Adam wrote Could be but they're getting the cascaded Saltwell Park Versa's, aren't they? If you are to use that, then could it be argued that the Waggonway is another route which would fit in to your point, even though it's not getting a new brand but is getting a slightly different colour and newer vehicles, consequently bringing the total up to 9?

I was told that the versas from 53/54 will be going on the Washington street shuttle.

streetlites going on the 60, versas from 60 going on the 61, the simples from 61 at present supposed to be going on the 39.
and also prince bishops 20 will be getting double deckers in march 2014.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:35 pm)Adam wrote Could be but they're getting the cascaded Saltwell Park Versa's, aren't they? If you are to use that, then could it be argued that the Waggonway is another route which would fit in to your point, even though it's not getting a new brand but is getting a slightly different colour and newer vehicles, consequently bringing the total up to 9?

Could more than 9 if you add the Versas on the Drifter going onto the 34/34A and Simplicities onto the 39 from the 61. Either Rob has miscalculated the Number of Rebrands or we are just being stupid in guessing what's happening. Obviously Rob needs to be bit clearer and he clearly knows something we don't know.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:42 pm)cbma06 wrote also prince bishops 20 will be getting double deckers in march 2014.

That could be the 8th one Rob was on about then

(02 Oct 2013, 5:42 pm)cbma06 wrote I was told that the versas from 53/54 will be going on the Washington street shuttle.

streetlites going on the 60, versas from 60 going on the 61, the simples from 61 at present supposed to be going on the 39.
and also prince bishops 20 will be getting double deckers in march 2014.

Already confirmed where they going by Rob.

This is what Rob had to say about the Versa's


The Saltwell Park Versa will be making their way to the Washington Street Shuttle services M2 and M3. 4 will transfer to Chester-le-Street for 34 and 34A services, leaving the remaining 4 at Deptford for service 61, which I believe is due to leave the Drifter brand identity. Services W5 and W6 are to leave the Washington Street Shuttle brand, and will be operated by MPDs 603-606, with 1 spare older MPD being retained from the current batch of Washington Street Shuttle MPDs, I believe it will be 570.

This gives Washington depot a newly designed MetroLink (at present) brand and a newly designed Washington Street Shuttle (at present) brand.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:52 pm)Michael wrote Already confirmed where they going by Rob.

This is what Rob had to say about the Versa's


The Saltwell Park Versa will be making their way to the Washington Street Shuttle services M2 and M3. 4 will transfer to Chester-le-Street for 34 and 34A services, leaving the remaining 4 at Deptford for service 61, which I believe is due to leave the Drifter brand identity. Services W5 and W6 are to leave the Washington Street Shuttle brand, and will be operated by MPDs 603-606, with 1 spare older MPD being retained from the current batch of Washington Street Shuttle MPDs, I believe it will be 570.

This gives Washington depot a newly designed MetroLink (at present) brand and a newly designed Washington Street Shuttle (at present) brand.

Of course, as you have said before Michael, things could change

(02 Oct 2013, 6:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Of course, as you have said before Michael, things could change

It just seems it will end that way. Unless it has changed but just confirming what Rob said.

I suppose the only thing we can all do is just wait and see what happens

(02 Oct 2013, 6:03 pm)Adam wrote I suppose the only thing we can all do is just wait and see what happens

I do hope though the 39 do get decent buses but they really need to change its frequency, its mad how empty they are running on the Doxford park - Park lane part is

Full route should be every 15 mins - would only require 7 buses (i think)


20/20A needs to sort its reliability out first before anything, everyday i see the 20/20A run together

(02 Oct 2013, 6:12 pm)Michael wrote 20/20A needs to sort its reliability out first before anything, everyday i see the 20/20A run together

Pretty sure the only bit it struggles on is Gilesgate Bank and the Leazes Bowl in Durham (and rush our at Doxford Interchange) - apart from that, it usually has a pretty clear run.

I'm wondering if it should miss out Gilesgate Bank and use the A690 Bus Lane from Belmont like the x20 did/does.

(02 Oct 2013, 6:12 pm)Michael wrote I do hope though the 39 do get decent buses but they really need to change its frequency, its mad how empty they are running on the Doxford park - Park lane part is

Full route should be every 15 mins - would only require 7 buses (i think)


20/20A needs to sort its reliability out first before anything, everyday i see the 20/20A run together

GNE frequent 10 minute frequency on most of there routes, theres always going to be 2 buses together at certain times of the day, theres no way to keep them spread out, unless you run empty to certain destinations along the route, then you get the passengers on facebook saying the bus didn't stop and it was not in service and I waited 30 or 40 minutes etc... for a bus on a 10 minute frequency.

And when drivers run light to get back on time, there don't always tell control aswell, this is why on facebook the reply to passengers saying theres been no problems on that certain bus service.

I think service 20/20A could go on a 15 minute service between Sunderland and Durham when there get the double deckers ( 20x2 20Ax2 per hour).

(02 Oct 2013, 6:27 pm)cbma06 wrote I think service 20/20A could go on a joint 15 minute service between Sunderland and Durham when there get the double deckers.

If.

Citylink brand - Looks very nice, hopefully more people will use it from Hadrian Park to Newcastle.

''Connections4'' brand - Looks nice again!

Regarding the reliability of the 20/20A, it is terrible, I totally agree. However, there are worse services. Also, I think the M2/M3 deserves a upgrade, hopefully the branding will be just as good as it is on these two new brands. It's a shame the ''Washington Street Shuttle'' brand will be dropped, though. I really liked it.

(02 Oct 2013, 5:52 pm)Michael wrote Already confirmed where they going by Rob.

This is what Rob had to say about the Versa's


The Saltwell Park Versa will be making their way to the Washington Street Shuttle services M2 and M3. 4 will transfer to Chester-le-Street for 34 and 34A services, leaving the remaining 4 at Deptford for service 61, which I believe is due to leave the Drifter brand identity. Services W5 and W6 are to leave the Washington Street Shuttle brand, and will be operated by MPDs 603-606, with 1 spare older MPD being retained from the current batch of Washington Street Shuttle MPDs, I believe it will be 570.

This gives Washington depot a newly designed MetroLink (at present) brand and a newly designed Washington Street Shuttle (at present) brand.

The latest plan is that the Saltwell Park Versa's are now destined for the 88 service replacing the South Tyne Cadets.

(02 Oct 2013, 6:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote The latest plan is that the Saltwell Park Versa's are now destined for the 88 service replacing the South Tyne Cadets.

Ah right, that changed quickly, the Cadet's how ever on that service are rubbish, Lillic Versa's?


I wasn't getting in to no one btw, was just repeating what had being confirmed at the time.

(02 Oct 2013, 6:29 pm)Rob wrote I shall edit this post with a list of movements.

8294 to 8301 are now destined for South Tyne services 88/88A.
8302 to 8305 are destined for Lambton Worm services 34/34A
8306 to 8309 are destined for Simplicity.

Thank's Rob =)

Haha so what's the M2/M3 getting?

(02 Oct 2013, 6:39 pm)Michael wrote Thank's Rob =)

Haha so what's the M2/M3 getting?

Waggonway DAF's?

Is the PVR of the 88/88A not 9?

(02 Oct 2013, 6:51 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Is the PVR of the 88/88A not 9?

I think its 8 + it has 1 spare, not sure

(02 Oct 2013, 6:54 pm)Michael wrote I think its 8 + it has 1 spare, not sure

Thought it was 5, plus 4 'Street Shuttles'?

(02 Oct 2013, 6:51 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Is the PVR of the 88/88A not 9?

I worked it out as 9 too, which is why 8247-55 are branded for "South Tyne" whilst 8260 acts as a spare for the service, in Northern livery.

(02 Oct 2013, 6:29 pm)Rob wrote I shall edit this post with a list of movements.

8 11.5 metre Streetlite for Saltwell Park services 53/54

• 8294 to 8301 are now destined for South Tyne services 88/88A.
  

8 10.8 metre Streetlite for Drifter service 61

• 8302 to 8305 are destined for Lambton Worm services 34/34A.
  
• 8306 to 8309 are destined for Simplicity, providing a 10 minute 39 service.
  

Citaro 5358 – 5368 filling the void on MetroLINK / Connections 4 service, will allow the following will occur:

• Scania 4956, 4957, 4958, 4959 and 4960 will move to Chester-le-Street for 28/28A services, to be branded in 2/3 weeks.
  
• Scania 4961, 4962 and 4963 are due to remain at Washington as allocated Northern vehicles.
  
• Scania 4964 and 4965 will move to Deptford as allocated Northern vehicles.
  
• Scania 4966 will move to Gateshead as an allocated Northern vehicle.
  

[*]8306 to 8309 are destined for Simplicity, providing a 10 minute 39 service. - does that mean the other Simplicity buses will join for the 39 (expect for the 5 for the 42)?

(02 Oct 2013, 6:58 pm)Michael wrote [*]8306 to 8309 are destined for Simplicity, providing a 10 minute 39 service. - does that mean the other Simplicity buses will join for the 39 (expect for the 5 for the 42)?

8319 acts as a spare for "SimpliCity" network, whilst 8320-24 are allocated to service 39 (running alongside repainted Versas 8306-09) and 8325-29 are allocated to service 42.

(02 Oct 2013, 7:00 pm)Daniel wrote 8319 acts as a spare for "SimpliCity" network, whilst 8320-24 are allocated to service 39 (running alongside repainted Versas 8306-09) and 8325-29 are allocated to service 42.

Ah right, Finally a full allocation of good buses on the 39 and it joins a good brand - shame all the route can't be every 10 mins along its full route.

hmm the 88/88A is a funny one then unless it's time for 8319 to loose its Centenary brand?


noted a typo by Rob to - 8 10.8 metre Streetlite for Drifter service 61 =)

(02 Oct 2013, 6:29 pm)Rob wrote I shall edit this post with a list of movements.

8 11.5 metre Streetlite for Saltwell Park services 53/54

• 8294 to 8301 are now destined for South Tyne services 88/88A.
  

8 10.8 metre Streetlite for Drifter service 60

• 8302 to 8305 are destined for Lambton Worm services 34/34A.
  
• 8306 to 8309 are destined for Simplicity, providing a 10 minute 39 service.
  

Citaro 5358 – 5368 filling the void on MetroLINK / Connections 4 service, will allow the following will occur:

• Scania 4956, 4957, 4958, 4959 and 4960 will move to Chester-le-Street for 28/28A services, to be branded in 2/3 weeks.
  
• Scania 4961, 4962 and 4963 are due to remain at Washington as allocated Northern vehicles.
  
• Scania 4964 and 4965 will move to Deptford as allocated Northern vehicles.
  
• Scania 4966 will move to Gateshead as an allocated Northern vehicle.
  

so glad the 88/a is getting new buses

(30 Sep 2013, 7:05 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote That's true but I was thinking GNE could combine the 21/X21 so they Interwork using the Hybrids.

So for example

21 to Durham - Every 15 Minutes - Then onto an X21 to Bishop Auckland - Every 30 Minutes, Basically what happens currently on a Sunday at higher Frequency.

You need to get in the real world mate. X21 is appreciated for providing quick links to Gateshead and Newcastle from Chester/Durham/Spennymoor/Bishop, and is popular as a result.

(02 Oct 2013, 7:39 pm)RGR756V wrote You need to get in the real world mate. X21 is appreciated for providing quick links to Gateshead and Newcastle from Chester/Durham/Spennymoor/Bishop, and is popular as a result.

Do you think it could even justify newer vehicles being cascaded down?