Will the E400MMC be "banned" from any static Hexham 10 boards (where bus both starts and ends day at Hexham depot) or will they sometimes be allocated?

Would make sense to be allocated on a Sunday as long as the E200MMC (Riverside) would qualify as sufficient familiarisation for the E400MMC should it end up on a "bait board".

Martijn tonight confirmed on his live update that the new E400's for the X84/X85 should be out by end of next week.

Video here: https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...3198535364

(01 Dec 2020, 7:32 pm)Michael wrote Martijn tonight confirmed on his live update that the new E400's for the X84/X85 should be out by end of next week.

Video here: https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...3198535364

 
I noticed he mentioned something on the lines of expresses calling at stops they wouldn’t usually to help spread out passengers, which reminded me I had a question to post here.
The other day I was waiting for a bus to work from Gateshead Team Street and an x46 was approaching. I wasn’t going to put my hand out as I thought since the 45, 46 and 47s became Xlines expresses they ran non stop between Newcastle & Metrocentre. However, at the last second I happened to glance down and see (to my surprise) that the X45, X46 and X47 were all listed on the information board as stopping there, which made me wonder why I’ve previously seen some green streetdecks’ destination screens saying ‘Non stop to Central Station’?

(01 Dec 2020, 8:34 pm)ne1eng wrote  
I noticed he mentioned something on the lines of expresses calling at stops they wouldn’t usually to help spread out passengers, which reminded me I had a question to post here.
The other day I was waiting for a bus to work from Gateshead Team Street and an x46 was approaching. I wasn’t going to put my hand out as I thought since the 45, 46 and 47s became Xlines expresses they ran non stop between Newcastle & Metrocentre. However, at the last second I happened to glance down and see (to my surprise) that the X45, X46 and X47 were all listed on the information board as stopping there, which made me wonder why I’ve previously seen some green streetdecks’ destination screens saying ‘Non stop to Central Station’?

My friend was at Team Street and tried to catch an X47 only because it was due a few minutes before the 10A and they didn't stop, they just drove straight past, not even acknowledging that they don't stop there.

(01 Dec 2020, 8:34 pm)ne1eng wrote  
I noticed he mentioned something on the lines of expresses calling at stops they wouldn’t usually to help spread out passengers, which reminded me I had a question to post here.
The other day I was waiting for a bus to work from Gateshead Team Street and an x46 was approaching. I wasn’t going to put my hand out as I thought since the 45, 46 and 47s became Xlines expresses they ran non stop between Newcastle & Metrocentre. However, at the last second I happened to glance down and see (to my surprise) that the X45, X46 and X47 were all listed on the information board as stopping there, which made me wonder why I’ve previously seen some green streetdecks’ destination screens saying ‘Non stop to Central Station’?

Thought I should note it turns out on closer inspection the x45 x46 & x47 are only marked to call at Teams St bus stop on a few early morning services, but are obviously stopping throughout the day during COVID to help spread out the passenger numbers.

Just stopped this on the GNE Fleet Archive

The final new vehicles to be procured this year have now been delivered. These are in the two-tone orange variant of the “X-lines” livery, for use on services X84/X85. These feature cycle racks like the batch earlier this year which are used on services X70/X71 between Newcastle and Consett, but additionally feature new “business tables” on the upper saloon (which pull out from the main table for laptops and tablets) as well as two wheelchair bays, improving accessibility.

(03 Dec 2020, 7:15 pm)Michael wrote Just stopped this on the GNE Fleet Archive

The final new vehicles to be procured this year have now been delivered. These are in the two-tone orange variant of the “X-lines” livery, for use on services X84/X85. These feature cycle racks like the batch earlier this year which are used on services X70/X71 between Newcastle and Consett, but additionally feature new “business tables” on the upper saloon (which pull out from the main table for laptops and tablets) as well as two wheelchair bays, improving accessibility.

Every batch of E400s seems to have a completely different interior spec!
What's going to happen when they eventually get cascaded to a different route

Looks like the x84/x85 MMCs have a cross bar over the top deck windscreen for extra protection against trees.

(04 Dec 2020, 10:28 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Looks like the x84/x85 MMCs have a cross bar over the top deck windscreen for extra protection against trees.

Not surprised, aren't they still waiting for some trees to be cleared along the route?

(03 Dec 2020, 7:15 pm)Michael wrote Just stopped this on the GNE Fleet Archive

The final new vehicles to be procured this year have now been delivered. These are in the two-tone orange variant of the “X-lines” livery, for use on services X84/X85. These feature cycle racks like the batch earlier this year which are used on services X70/X71 between Newcastle and Consett, but additionally feature new “business tables” on the upper saloon (which pull out from the main table for laptops and tablets) as well as two wheelchair bays, improving accessibility.

So, these are the final new vehicles this year.  Apart from any Voltra single-deckers awaiting delivery, are there any double-deckers currently due for next year?

(05 Dec 2020, 4:18 am)Metroline1511 wrote So, these are the final new vehicles this year.  Apart from any Voltra single-deckers awaiting delivery, are there any double-deckers currently due for next year?

There's rumoured to be some second hand Omnidekkas from Brighton & Hove, but I think every new vehicle has been delivered now.

(05 Dec 2020, 6:20 am)deanmachine wrote There's rumoured to be some second hand Omnidekkas from Brighton & Hove, but I think every new vehicle has been delivered now.

Brighton & Hove’s influx of new vehicles have also all now been delivered and the majority of their displaced OmniDekkas have been swallowed up by Plymouth Citybus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(05 Dec 2020, 4:18 am)Metroline1511 wrote So, these are the final new vehicles this year.  Apart from any Voltra single-deckers awaiting delivery, are there any double-deckers currently due for next year?

With the exception of the X9 & X10 coaches, that's it for this year.

I doubt we'll see anything significant ordered until 2022/23 given the current climate.

(05 Dec 2020, 12:04 pm)L469 YVK wrote With the exception of the X9 & X10 coaches, that's it for this year.

I doubt we'll see anything significant ordered until 2022/23 given the current climate.

That will be handy in case I do come next year.  Go NE does have quite a modern fleet.  My timing may depend on what vehicles are being refurbished through next year.

I was just browsing Flickr and noticed Dan has put some pictures up of the new tables on the X84/X85 E400s, and they look fantastic. Much better than the tables on the rest of the batch, no more reaching a mile to use your laptop.
My only question would be whether they'd be able to fit my 15" gaming laptop, and be able to hold the weight of it without bending.

Not a fan of the LED lighting around them though, looks a bit tacky to me

Go North East: 6352 / YX70OKM by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6352 / YX70 OKM by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6355 / YX70 OKP by kieron mathews, on Flickr

The E400s have started to transfer to Hexham with them entering service any day now. I saw 2 out of the 4 there this afternoon with one on driver familiarisation and the other at the depot.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

---

(04 Dec 2020, 10:28 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Looks like the x84/x85 MMCs have a cross bar over the top deck windscreen for extra protection against trees.

Go North East X-lines 6352 / YX70 OKM by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Yes they certainly do


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

what age are the busses on the x21 xlines service? On was broken down on St James boulevard last night heading toward Newcastle and looked in some state with mechanics scratching their heads when I went passed.

(09 Dec 2020, 4:12 pm)Rob44 wrote what age are the busses on the x21 xlines service? On was broken down on St James boulevard last night heading toward Newcastle and looked in some state with mechanics scratching their heads when I went passed.

3 years old (67 plate).

ah right cheers. Thought it was one of the new ones busted already!

Go North East site now updated to show the X84/X85 as X-Lines, along with the timetable.

So looking at the new CitiRider livery for the 56, that states every 15 minutes.

So the above along with earlier reductions to Cobalt & Coast leaves:

- 3x B9TL Deptford
- 1x B9TL Percy Main (based on PVR 16 and excl 311 temporary allocation of single decks)

Surely there's got to be B9TL's going to Consett for either the X31 or X45/X46/X47 unless there's going to be some frequency changes in January?

I am sure Streetdeckfan will be able to fill you in, he did not have many questions to ask MG and DG. Defo got his monies worth there!

(10 Dec 2020, 7:58 pm)L469 YVK wrote So looking at the new CitiRider livery for the 56, that states every 15 minutes.

So the above along with earlier reductions to Cobalt & Coast leaves:

- 3x B9TL Deptford
- 1x B9TL Percy Main (based on PVR 16 and excl 311 temporary allocation of single decks)

Surely there's got to be B9TL's going to Consett for either the X31 or X45/X46/X47 unless there's going to be some frequency changes in January?

Could be looking at more frequency changes with interworkings etc changing. I'd be very surprised if they replace four Red Kite 15 plate B9s with older vehicles at Consett when the rest of the depot is entirely ADL, Wright and Optare. It would seem like an oddity which does not make much sense in terms of standardisation.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/hexham-new...north-east

Travellers can also sit back and relax as these state-of-the-art buses come with all the latest mod-cons, including free Wi-Fi, USB and wireless charging, seat back phone holders, next-stop audio-visual announcements, including live rail connection times, and tables on the upper-deck.

Nice additional feature GNE 

(11 Dec 2020, 7:54 am)ne14ne1 wrote https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/hexham-new...north-east

Travellers can also sit back and relax as these state-of-the-art buses come with all the latest mod-cons, including free Wi-Fi, USB and wireless charging, seat back phone holders, next-stop audio-visual announcements, including live rail connection times, and tables on the upper-deck.

Nice additional feature GNE 

An excellent feature, with many benefits. 
Something I feel should be rolled out across all vehicles which pass a mainline station. 
Appreciate it may be difficult when Central is at peak, but the integration between bus and rail is key in some areas imo and that includes timetabling.

I think tocs and bocs should be working together to complement each others offer and this is a good start.

(11 Dec 2020, 8:48 am)Andreos1 wrote An excellent feature, with many benefits. 
Something I feel should be rolled out across all vehicles which pass a mainline station. 
Appreciate it may be difficult when Central is at peak, but the integration between bus and rail is key in some areas imo and that includes timetabling.

I think tocs and bocs should be working together to complement each others offer and this is a good start.

I personally think live times of connecting services would be just as, if not more helpful for the average passenger, especially on the Xlines services where chances are you'll be connecting to something else.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

yep, I know it would take alot or work but showing what time other route numbers are due to arrive at the stop that's coming up...

(11 Dec 2020, 10:37 am)streetdeckfan wrote I personally think live times of connecting services would be just as, if not more helpful for the average passenger, especially on the Xlines services where chances are you'll be connecting to something else.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

We all know its not just the express network which has passengers switching buses.
The entire network is built on the hub & spoke model and I'd hazard a guess that a vast majority of the passengers do. 

I do agree that it could be useful if implemented correctly.

(11 Dec 2020, 12:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote We all know its not just the express network which has passengers switching buses.
The entire network is built on the hub & spoke model and I'd hazard a guess that a vast majority of the passengers do. 

I do agree that it could be useful if implemented correctly.

Definitely, I was just thinking of routes where it would be relatively practical as they all have NSA systems installed, although with them still specifying the LED displays upstairs it would probably be impossible.

(11 Dec 2020, 12:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote We all know its not just the express network which has passengers switching buses.
The entire network is built on the hub & spoke model and I'd hazard a guess that a vast majority of the passengers do. 

I do agree that it could be useful if implemented correctly.

Exactly. Remember the good old days when you could get on one bus to go from one place to another?

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk