I wouldn't hold your breath about any Citaros being purchased.

(10 Jul 2016, 8:57 pm)Adrian wrote I wouldn't hold your breath about any Citaros being purchased.

Streetlites all the way!

Unless GNE are feeling sassy and they've ordered some MetroCity's.

I know GNE seem to have a good relationship with Wright bus, but is it likely that GNE will only buy Streetdecks and Streetlites for the foreseeable future, or do you think it is likely that they will still buy other manufacturers offerings as well. Obviously excluding Optare Solos as these seem to be the preferred choice of minibus. 

I think it would be nice to see something like a Citaro on the TynedaleXpress X84/X85. However I won't hold my breath.

Streetlites are ugly.

would prefer models not wrights or optare's. I don't see GNE ordering any more buses until next year.

(11 Jul 2016, 8:34 pm)Panasonic44 wrote Streetlites are ugly.

would prefer models not wrights or optare's. I don't see GNE ordering any more buses until next year.

Next year? Their financial year runs July - June, so we're technically into a new year, as far as books and budgets go.

(11 Jul 2016, 9:17 pm)Adrian wrote Next year? Their financial year runs July - June, so we're technically into a new year, as far as books and budgets go.

Ok, I only said it because since they ordered buses for X21 & 20*, they wouldn't order until next year. 

That said they could trial Scaina E400 Gas or Hybrid or City for 21 or 27.

Optare Metrocity for 12/12A, move scania to 88/88A move veras to 93/94/97

They could order in the autumn for delivery early 2017

4x wright streetlites for 34,34A.
8302,03:to crook displacing 571,72
8304 to be set on route 38 as its a standalone service.
8305 joins simplicity allowing 8328 to replace 8266 on the s1 and give next stop announcements to shoppers.
6x solo sr "indigo" service 33,238.
681,82,83 33
684,85,86 238
From this 549,550,559,560,562,564 can be withdrawn.
5x solo sr washington 85,86.
From this 570 will be withdrawn
603 will replace 557 at Riverside.
604,05,06 replace 565,73,74 and will be spares for services they can be used on peak services.
9x new buses 9,19.
From this 4978-82 will move to Chester-le-Street allowing 4926,27,28,29,34 to move to Riverside
5248,49 to riverside
4912,15-17 withdrawn.
Riverside cascades will enable b10s to be withdrawn.
Service 82 will then get new buses

(20 Jul 2016, 11:04 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote 4x wright streetlites for 34,34A.
8302,03:to crook displacing 571,72
8304 to be set on route 38 as its a standalone service.
8305 joins simplicity allowing 8328 to replace 8266 on the s1 and give next stop announcements to shoppers.
6x solo sr "indigo" service 33,238.
681,82,83   33
684,85,86   238
From this 549,550,559,560,562,564 can be withdrawn.
5x solo sr washington 85,86.
From this 570 will be withdrawn
603 will replace 557 at Riverside.
604,05,06 replace 565,73,74 and will be spares for services they can be used on peak services.
9x new buses 9,19.
From this 4978-82 will move to Chester-le-Street allowing 4926,27,28,29,34 to move to Riverside  
5248,49 to riverside
4912,15-17 withdrawn.
Riverside cascades will enable b10s to be withdrawn.
Service 82 will then get new buses

Don't even know where to start with this one.

The 34/34A really don't justify brand new buses, at all. They're the epitome of a service that receives cascaded stock, such as the Versas currently allocated. To be quite frank, the only time a vehicle the size of a Versa is necessary is during the busy periods that tend to come at peak times and the odd morning. 

Why move 4978-4982 from Percy Main to Chester-le-Street when they only transferred into the former fairly recently? 

Does the 82/82A need new buses? Priorities and all that.

(21 Jul 2016, 12:03 am)R852 PRG wrote Don't even know where to start with this one.

The 34/34A really don't justify brand new buses, at all. They're the epitome of a service that receives cascaded stock, such as the Versas currently allocated. To be quite frank, the only time a vehicle the size of a Versa is necessary is during the busy periods that tend to come at peak times and the odd morning. 

Why move 4978-4982 from Percy Main to Chester-le-Street when they only transferred into the former fairly recently? 

Does the 82/82A need new buses? Priorities and all that.

When you think about it yes it's the same with the 40 and 41 so id think the 34 would be best of with new buses or give 5391-94 to chester then getting new buses for the x66

(21 Jul 2016, 7:35 am)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote When you think about it yes it's the same with the 40 and 41 so id think the 34 would be best of with new buses or give 5391-94 to chester then getting new buses for the x66

You can't compare the two, really. The PVR of the Lambton Worm is 4, while the indiGo has a significantly bigger PVR. The latter seemed to be a growing network, hence the investment and new branding. Like I said, full-size single decks really aren't justified at the best of times.

(21 Jul 2016, 12:03 am)R852 PRG wrote Does the 82/82A need new buses? Priorities and all that.

In answer to your question, yes it does.

Since the "Street Shuttle" MPD's were withdrawn from service, we have seen almost the entire fleet of Cadets come and go on the 82, and now we are stuck with a mix allocation of vehicles of various ages, which is far from ideal to be honest, while other services receive investment, which are to a similar scale, such as the Venture, Indigo's & Tynedale Links Networks. The Washington Local Services have been overlooked for far to long and it is time for some long overdue investment into the Washington Network, which in turn could see passenger numbers rise..."with a bit of luck", but in turn I think the services could do with being re-routed or extended to other areas, or merged with other services to bring in growth.

(21 Jul 2016, 6:52 pm)Malarkey wrote In answer to your question, yes it does.

Since the "Street Shuttle" MPD's were withdrawn from service, we have seen almost the entire fleet of Cadets come and go on the 82, and now we are stuck with a mix allocation of vehicles of various ages, which is far from ideal to be honest, while other services receive investment, which are to a similar scale, such as the Venture, Indigo's & Tynedale Links Networks. The Washington Local Services have been overlooked for far to long and it is time for some long overdue investment into the Washington Network, which in turn could see passenger numbers rise..."with a bit of luck", but in turn I think the services could do with being re-routed or extended to other areas, or merged with other services to bring in growth.

I agree, i think they could do a lot with the Washington local services.

(21 Jul 2016, 6:52 pm)Malarkey wrote In answer to your question, yes it does.

Since the "Street Shuttle" MPD's were withdrawn from service, we have seen almost the entire fleet of Cadets come and go on the 82, and now we are stuck with a mix allocation of vehicles of various ages, which is far from ideal to be honest, while other services receive investment, which are to a similar scale, such as the Venture, Indigo's & Tynedale Links Networks. The Washington Local Services have been overlooked for far to long and it is time for some long overdue investment into the Washington Network, which in turn could see passenger numbers rise..."with a bit of luck", but in turn I think the services could do with being re-routed or extended to other areas, or merged with other services to bring in growth.

The Washington network has been decimated compared to what it once was. 
Services merged, services reduced, services constantly messed with (W2/W3/82/82a/83/77/183 and whatever other numbers there may have been on that route, in addition to the 2's and 50/50A) and services axed to the level seen now.

I think it was Adrian who drew up a network map of Washington showing a before and after.  It will be out of date now but it outlines how much consolidation there has been over the last few years.

(21 Jul 2016, 7:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote The Washington network has been decimated compared to what it once was. 
Services merged, services reduced, services constantly messed with (W2/W3/82/82a/83/77/183 and whatever other numbers there may have been on that route, in addition to the 2's and 50/50A) and services axed to the level seen now.

I think it was Adrian who drew up a network map of Washington showing a before and after.  It will be out of date now but it outlines how much consolidation there has been over the last few years.

Yet they are proposing to extend the Metro to Washington . . .

(21 Jul 2016, 7:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote The Washington network has been decimated compared to what it once was. 
Services merged, services reduced, services constantly messed with (W2/W3/82/82a/83/77/183 and whatever other numbers there may have been on that route, in addition to the 2's and 50/50A) and services axed to the level seen now.

I think it was Adrian who drew up a network map of Washington showing a before and after.  It will be out of date now but it outlines how much consolidation there has been over the last few years.

I recall Adrian posting it in another thread, can't remember if he sent me it via PM at some point either as I can't seem to find it.

I think Go North East should of kept the original M2/M3 as they were from Heworth to Chester-le-Street/Waterview Park, but instead of going to Waterview Park going to Birtley as they do now.

(21 Jul 2016, 8:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote Yet they are proposing to extend the Metro to Washington . . .

And that will bring further cutbacks our local bus services.

(21 Jul 2016, 8:30 pm)Malarkey wrote I recall Adrian posting it in another thread, can't remember if he sent me it via PM at some point either as I can't seem to find it.

I think Go North East should of kept the original M2/M3 as they were from Heworth to Chester-le-Street/Waterview Park, but instead of going to Waterview Park going to Birtley as they do now.

Bare in mind that this was done in August 2012.

Circa 2006


My 2012 mock up

(21 Jul 2016, 8:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote Yet they are proposing to extend the Metro to Washington . . .

(21 Jul 2016, 8:33 pm)Malarkey wrote And that will bring further cutbacks our local bus services.

There's no chance it'll happen for a long time, if at all. It was covered under Orpheus, which was another pie-in-the-sky vision.

(21 Jul 2016, 8:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote Yet they are proposing to extend the Metro to Washington . . .

Maybe it is to make up for the reduction in bus services? Sensing an opportunity to attract passengers...

(21 Jul 2016, 8:30 pm)Malarkey wrote I recall Adrian posting it in another thread, can't remember if he sent me it via PM at some point either as I can't seem to find it.

I think Go North East should of kept the original M2/M3 as they were from Heworth to Chester-le-Street/Waterview Park, but instead of going to Waterview Park going to Birtley as they do now.

I have lost track of the M2/M3 over the years. Too many variations to remember. 
I can remember the bus war between GNE and St George Travel on the Washington - Chester route though.

(21 Jul 2016, 8:51 pm)Adrian wrote Bare in mind that this was done in August 2012.

Circa 2006


My 2012 mock up

That's the one!

The Washington network is in desperate need of investment.

On one journey, you might have an MPD and then on the next a President.

As said above, the Washington network is no different to those of North Tyneside and Tynedale, etc. So why should it be overseen?

The only thing the Washington network has saw in the last few years is cuts and more cuts. It is pretty much down to the bare bones.

(21 Jul 2016, 8:51 pm)Adrian wrote Bare in mind that this was done in August 2012.

Circa 2006


My 2012 mock up

(24 Jul 2016, 1:52 pm)LeeCalder wrote The Washington network is in desperate need of investment.

On one journey, you might have an MPD and then on the next a President.

As said above, the Washington network is no different to those of North Tyneside and Tynedale, etc. So why should it be overseen?

The only thing the Washington network has saw in the last few years is cuts and more cuts. It is pretty much down to the bare bones.

Sat for the past 2 Hours or so drawing up a Map for the Washington Network as it is now, amazing what a difference 10 Years of service changes makes.

[attachment=8028]

(24 Jul 2016, 7:33 pm)Malarkey wrote Sat for the past 2 Hours or so drawing up a Map for the Washington Network as it is now, amazing what a difference 10 Years of service changes makes.

On the map it says Teal farm no service theres more buses than before despite not being Go north east theres the new link to doxford park

(24 Jul 2016, 7:58 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote On the map it says Teal farm no service theres more buses than before despite not being Go north east theres the new link to doxford park

But it's a map of Go North East buses, in a Go North East thread. The W4 was twice an hour and 186 was hourly.

Wonder when GNE will receive their new buses?

Looking forward to seeing which way they've gone, have they stuck to Wrights or gone for something new...

I don't think anybody is expecting them to have put any orders in yet given that we are only about 2 months into this financial year.

(07 Aug 2016, 3:46 pm)S813 FVK wrote I don't think anybody is expecting them to have put any orders in yet given that we are only about 2 months into this financial year.

Well you never know, they might of got the order in as quick as they could because of the none DDA deadline coming up, other companies will be doing the exactly the same.

I don't see how the DDA deadline is an issue for GNE now. With 14 non-DDA deckers left (excluding 3878), the flood of Omnidekkas should be enough to get rid of the other 7 non-DDA deckers that will logically remain after Stanley's 7 have been withdrawn.

With that, i can see the orders being placed towards the end of the year with deliveries early next year, as usual. There are rumours going around about Solos coming for Washington later this year although i think the chance of that happening as soon is the same as pigs being able to fly.

(07 Aug 2016, 4:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote I don't see how the DDA deadline is an issue for GNE now. With 14 non-DDA deckers left (excluding 3878), the flood of Omnidekkas should be enough to get rid of the other 7 non-DDA deckers that will logically remain after Stanley's 7 have been withdrawn.

With that, i can see the orders being placed towards the end of the year with deliveries early next year, as usual. There are rumours going around about Solos coming for Washington later this year although i think the chance of that happening as soon is the same as pigs being able to fly.

I gather mr burns said that.
I could take it as washington getting solos as citaro 5284 said a change could occur so my prediction is the 54 reg darts replace 547,550,556,557 on nexus work.

(07 Aug 2016, 4:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote I don't see how the DDA deadline is an issue for GNE now. With 14 non-DDA deckers left (excluding 3878), the flood of Omnidekkas should be enough to get rid of the other 7 non-DDA deckers that will logically remain after Stanley's 7 have been withdrawn.

With that, i can see the orders being placed towards the end of the year with deliveries early next year, as usual. There are rumours going around about Solos coming for Washington later this year although i think the chance of that happening as soon is the same as pigs being able to fly.

DDA not an issue as the 3 Olympian at Gateshead can remain in the fleet after 31 December 2016, they are used on a non registered contract. All other non-DDA will be replaced by ex Brighton Scania.

Go North East need to standardise on vehicle types, not buy all different types of buses. Streetlite use 50% less fuel than Citaro.

Oh, and watch out for flying pigs..........

(17 Aug 2016, 5:19 pm)busmanT wrote DDA not an issue as the 3 Olympian at Gateshead can remain in the fleet after 31 December 2016, they are used on a non registered contract. All other non-DDA will be replaced by ex Brighton Scania.

Go North East need to standardise on vehicle types, not buy all different types of buses. Streetlite use 50% less fuel than Citaro.

Oh, and watch out for flying pigs..........

If they do get solos, do you think they will get an xtra solo to replace 8266? Means they will be able to get rid of all the merit/cadets