(19 Apr 2021, 9:00 am)Micheal Aaron Parker wrote Jesus it looks awful. In my opinion though

Other than the doors and the roof it looks basically the same as any other StreetDeck

I'm guessing the black square on the front is maybe for radar cruise control?

Go North East 6942 entered service today, LX54 HAA, the former PVL390
https://flic.kr/p/2kTJvWq

(19 Apr 2021, 11:53 am)streetdeckfan wrote Other than the doors and the roof it looks basically the same as any other StreetDeck

I'm guessing the black square on the front is maybe for radar cruise control?

More likely to be collision avoidance, can't imagine cruise control is much use around Tokyo. Think the newer Levantes have them too.

Just had quite a nice ride up north on 6335 but it felt quite sluggish compared to the other B5s, it seemed to max out at 45 on the A1, and even on the downhill section past the angel only made it to 48.
Do the ex-demo B5s have a lower speed limiter than the 67 plates or did I just have a slow driver?

IIRC 6335 when it was here after it stint with Lothian was sluggish when they trialled it on the X21, so possible it still has its speed limiter on.

(27 Apr 2021, 1:02 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Just had quite a nice ride up north on 6335 but it felt quite sluggish compared to the other B5s, it seemed to max out at 45 on the A1, and even on the downhill section past the angel only made it to 48.
Do the ex-demo B5s have a lower speed limiter than the 67 plates or did I just have a slow driver?

6335 seemed fine when I had it on X21 a few weeks back, dare say it performed better than the 67 plates, you probs just a slow driver or the gremlins have got to 6335.

Have heard mixed reviews on them two B5s.

(27 Apr 2021, 1:58 pm)Rapidsnap wrote IIRC 6335 when it was here after it stint with Lothian was sluggish when they trialled it on the X21, so possible it still has its speed limiter on.

6334 was the one trialled in the North East & at Lothian.

How did the xlines network end up being such a total mess? There is a virtually brand new full xlines red seat decker sitting spare at riverside (6377) except when its needed for X11. There are nearly new xlines red seats but without some features 6335 and 6334 again seeming to take on a spare role. Consett have ex 21 angel fakelines as i call them with incorrect interior allocated everyday. They now have cooperate livery streetdecks with incorrect interior out all day aswell. There are 2 ADL400 with yet another time of interior adding to the fakelines family. We even have 11 year old Mercs now for the X20 after it FINALLY dawned on them that mini buses for a express network was a bad idea. Its funny how when it comes to publicity they can find a proper xlines but to take photos off. To the average passenger who know nothing about buses it gives the impression that if you get a xlines but your going to get a nice new double decker with red comfortable seats, a table, somewhere to charge you phone etc etc. What kind impression does it give when the fakelines family of, ex angel, mini buses and mercs turn up all be it with a fancy paint job. Oh and the evening X30 is another lucky dip special, optare, streetlite, merc, omnicity, adl200. They have all been on it. I can understand the coach x9/ x10 being differant sort off. Is there really any point going forward creating brands and special livery when anything just gets thrown on anything. Its really is time GNE just gave up on this idea its just embarrassing now.

(27 Apr 2021, 7:59 pm)CookieMonster wrote How did the xlines network end up being such a total mess? There is a virtually brand new full xlines red seat decker sitting spare at riverside (6377) except when its needed for X11. There are nearly new xlines red seats but without some features 6335 and 6334 again seeming to take on a spare role. Consett have ex 21 angel fakelines as i call them with incorrect interior allocated everyday. They now have cooperate livery streetdecks with incorrect interior out all day aswell. There are 2 ADL400 with yet another time of interior adding to the fakelines family. We even have 11 year old Mercs now for the X20 after it FINALLY dawned on them that mini buses for a express network was a bad idea. Its funny how when it comes to publicity they can find a proper xlines but to take photos off. To the average passenger who know nothing about buses it gives the impression that if you get a xlines but your going to get a nice new double decker with red comfortable seats, a table, somewhere to charge you phone etc etc. What kind impression does it give when the fakelines family of, ex angel, mini buses and mercs turn up all be it with a fancy paint job. Oh and the evening X30 is another lucky dip special, optare, streetlite, merc, omnicity, adl200. They have all been on it.  I can understand the coach x9/ x10 being differant sort off. Is there really any point going forward creating brands and special livery when anything just gets thrown on anything. Its really is time GNE just gave up on this idea its just embarrassing now.

I better not say the usual sentence! #limpmodevdls

(27 Apr 2021, 7:59 pm)CookieMonster wrote How did the xlines network end up being such a total mess? There is a virtually brand new full xlines red seat decker sitting spare at riverside (6377) except when its needed for X11. There are nearly new xlines red seats but without some features 6335 and 6334 again seeming to take on a spare role. Consett have ex 21 angel fakelines as i call them with incorrect interior allocated everyday. They now have cooperate livery streetdecks with incorrect interior out all day aswell. There are 2 ADL400 with yet another time of interior adding to the fakelines family. We even have 11 year old Mercs now for the X20 after it FINALLY dawned on them that mini buses for a express network was a bad idea. Its funny how when it comes to publicity they can find a proper xlines but to take photos off. To the average passenger who know nothing about buses it gives the impression that if you get a xlines but your going to get a nice new double decker with red comfortable seats, a table, somewhere to charge you phone etc etc. What kind impression does it give when the fakelines family of, ex angel, mini buses and mercs turn up all be it with a fancy paint job. Oh and the evening X30 is another lucky dip special, optare, streetlite, merc, omnicity, adl200. They have all been on it.  I can understand the coach x9/ x10 being differant sort off. Is there really any point going forward creating brands and special livery when anything just gets thrown on anything. Its really is time GNE just gave up on this idea its just embarrassing now.

Amen. Say no more. Was never a fan of it and it's just all over the place. Has "X-lines" actually gotten anyone to use the bus? Doubt it...

(27 Apr 2021, 8:45 pm)BeachBoy99 wrote Amen. Say no more. Was never a fan of it and it's just all over the place. Has "X-lines" actually gotten anyone to use the bus? Doubt it...

And neither does the attitude of "it has 4 wheels and an engine". At least GNE are trying to actually get passengers. They were in a strong position pre-pandemic and although in ropey waters at the moment, they'll hopefully attract "new" customers who wouldn't otherwise use the bus.

The bus isn't going to be for everyone for various reasons but those who it would suit who'd otherwise use alternative means are the ones GNE are trying to attract.

Now going back to the A v B argument, a certain other operator has retained their "local" services but at what expense? Is it really a sustainable business model taking everything into account (resources, on going investment etc)?

(27 Apr 2021, 9:01 pm)L469 YVK wrote And neither does the attitude of "it has 4 wheels and an engine". At least GNE are trying to actually get passengers. They were in a strong position pre-pandemic and although in ropey waters at the moment, they'll hopefully attract "new" customers who wouldn't otherwise use the bus.

The bus isn't going to be for everyone for various reasons but those who it would suit who'd otherwise use alternative means are the ones GNE are trying to attract.

Now going back to the A v B argument, a certain other operator has retained their "local" services but at what expense? Is it really a sustainable business model taking everything into account (resources, on going investment etc)?

Well, realistically, that's the perspective that a lot of everyday people take. All they want is the bus to actually turn up and take them to where they want to be.

Yeah, GNE are trying to get passengers and don't we know it? They try too hard to get new people on board, but the general public isn't exactly that interested in the quality of the bus that turns up, or the creature comforts it provides.

Changing brand identities every few years, which costs hundreds of thousands — if not millions — is a total waste of investment if they are only going to go and be done up again 18 months down the line, which then further impacts on finances.

Let's also not forget that, despite Go North East having put a lot of investment and promotional material into various services recently, that other services have been downgraded with older, lower-spec vehicles. That's not exactly going to boost the market on the premise that people don't have the "it has 4 wheels and an engine" attitude.

(27 Apr 2021, 9:01 pm)L469 YVK wrote And neither does the attitude of "it has 4 wheels and an engine". At least GNE are trying to actually get passengers. They were in a strong position pre-pandemic and although in ropey waters at the moment, they'll hopefully attract "new" customers who wouldn't otherwise use the bus.

The bus isn't going to be for everyone for various reasons but those who it would suit who'd otherwise use alternative means are the ones GNE are trying to attract.

Now going back to the A v B argument, a certain other operator has retained their "local" services but at what expense? Is it really a sustainable business model taking everything into account (resources, on going investment etc)?

GNE were actually the weakest out of the 3 in the North East by quite a margin aswell when it comes to profits which is the important figure with Arriva considerably higher who your referring to here before the pandemic. Just saying.

(27 Apr 2021, 7:59 pm)CookieMonster wrote How did the xlines network end up being such a total mess? There is a virtually brand new full xlines red seat decker sitting spare at riverside (6377) except when its needed for X11. There are nearly new xlines red seats but without some features 6335 and 6334 again seeming to take on a spare role. Consett have ex 21 angel fakelines as i call them with incorrect interior allocated everyday. They now have cooperate livery streetdecks with incorrect interior out all day aswell. There are 2 ADL400 with yet another time of interior adding to the fakelines family. We even have 11 year old Mercs now for the X20 after it FINALLY dawned on them that mini buses for a express network was a bad idea. Its funny how when it comes to publicity they can find a proper xlines but to take photos off. To the average passenger who know nothing about buses it gives the impression that if you get a xlines but your going to get a nice new double decker with red comfortable seats, a table, somewhere to charge you phone etc etc. What kind impression does it give when the fakelines family of, ex angel, mini buses and mercs turn up all be it with a fancy paint job. Oh and the evening X30 is another lucky dip special, optare, streetlite, merc, omnicity, adl200. They have all been on it.  I can understand the coach x9/ x10 being differant sort off. Is there really any point going forward creating brands and special livery when anything just gets thrown on anything. Its really is time GNE just gave up on this idea its just embarrassing now.

I'm not being funny, but have you added a little something extra to your cookies?

I know I like to have a good moan about mixing and matching interiors, but what about the 'fakelines' StreetDecks makes them any less X-lines? They're exactly the same spec that are currently being used on the X21, does that mean it's not X-Lines?

The 16 plate corporate StreetDecks are actually of a higher spec since they have 240v sockets to every seat, which was dropped with the 67 plates in favour of just USB.

As much as I hate agreeing with Dan, there is no X-lines interior, only a list of specifications, which they all meet. Even the 11 year old Mercs, which many would say are far superior to newer vehicles in the fleet.

Nowhere does it say an X-lines service will have a new double decker, in fact the first X-Lines route was a Solo! So if anything, passengers should be under the impression that X-Lines means it's run by a Solo!

(27 Apr 2021, 9:50 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'm not being funny, but have you added a little something extra to your cookies?

I know I like to have a good moan about mixing and matching interiors, but what about the 'fakelines' StreetDecks makes them any less X-lines? They're exactly the same spec that are currently being used on the X21, does that mean it's not X-Lines?

The 16 plate corporate StreetDecks are actually of a higher spec since they have 240v sockets to every seat, which was dropped with the 67 plates in favour of just USB.

As much as I hate agreeing with Dan, there is no X-lines interior, only a list of specifications, which they all meet. Even the 11 year old Mercs, which many would say are far superior to newer vehicles in the fleet.

Nowhere does it say an X-lines service will have a new double decker, in fact the first X-Lines route was a Solo! So if anything, passengers should be under the impression that X-Lines means it's run by a Solo!

I think you misread his point tbf. I kind of get what he's saying. For example if your a customer in Sunderland who's never used a bus for awhile but used to use the 35 occasionally and started to hate it for whatever reason. Pop comes on your Facebook page brand new buses, tables, fancy lights, comfy seats with red leather etc I'll try that they look really good. Pop he goes to catch the 35 to try the 'new' X20. Gets on... Your going to be a bit disappointed to find out it's the same bus you just used on the 35 with a fancy paint work. Even worse if you get off the Black Cat services and realise it's an 'old bus'. Similar could be said for the X21 aswell tbh. Others routes can get away with it though as they replaced older buses / capacity upgrades.
 
It's a fair point tbh when talking about new customers really.

(27 Apr 2021, 10:41 pm)Storx wrote I think you misread his point tbf. I kind of get what he's saying. For example if your a customer in Sunderland who's never used a bus for awhile but used to use the 35 occasionally and started to hate it for whatever reason. Pop comes on your Facebook page brand new buses, tables, fancy lights, comfy seats with red leather etc I'll try that they look really good. Pop he goes to catch the 35 to try the 'new' X20. Gets on... Your going to be a bit disappointed to find out it's the same bus you just used on the 35 with a fancy paint work. Even worse if you get off the Black Cat services and realise it's an 'old bus'. Similar could be said for the X21 aswell tbh. Others routes can get away with it though as they replaced older buses / capacity upgrades.
 
It's a fair point tbh when talking about new customers really.

Well said, Storx. Completely agree with everything you've pointed out here.

(27 Apr 2021, 10:41 pm)Storx wrote I think you misread his point tbf. I kind of get what he's saying. For example if your a customer in Sunderland who's never used a bus for awhile but used to use the 35 occasionally and started to hate it for whatever reason. Pop comes on your Facebook page brand new buses, tables, fancy lights, comfy seats with red leather etc I'll try that they look really good. Pop he goes to catch the 35 to try the 'new' X20. Gets on... Your going to be a bit disappointed to find out it's the same bus you just used on the 35 with a fancy paint work. Even worse if you get off the Black Cat services and realise it's an 'old bus'. Similar could be said for the X21 aswell tbh. Others routes can get away with it though as they replaced older buses / capacity upgrades.
 
It's a fair point tbh when talking about new customers really.

I get where you're coming from in a way, but the fact is that X-Lines isn't solely about having fancy new shiney buses. Yes, they've all be upgraded to the spec, however the main point is that it's a route you'd likely take in your car. To take your X20 example, the route that service takes is the route you'd take in the car. A690 direct from Sunderland to Houghton. Now if you're making that journey (I don't know the journey times exactly) that's the quickest way you'll do it. If you took the 35, you're adding I'd guess at least 10-15mins onto the same journey.

To me, unless you have particular reason why you can't use or don't want to use the vehicle allocated, then the bonus is simply that it looks better and has some home comforts to make your journey more comfortable and allow you to charge your phone and use the WiFi.

Sent from my SM-G981B using Tapatalk

Not all X Lines have the new seats ethier. Dan has stated before that X Lines specs are charging ports , something to do with the seats at the back and next stop audio amongst others. I like X Lines as it stands out to the rest of the brands. It would be easier having all the Express routes as one brand instead of servel other brand names

(29 Apr 2021, 10:57 am)Micheal Aaron wrote Not all X Lines have the new seats ethier. Dan has stated before that X Lines specs are charging ports , something to do with the seats at the back and next stop audio amongst others. I like X Lines as it stands out to the rest of the brands. It would be easier having all the Express routes as one brand instead of servel other brand names

High back seats, basically meaning the seats have a full height back for added comfort. Although, for me the 'headrest' is still more of an 'upper back rest'!

(27 Apr 2021, 9:49 pm)Storx wrote GNE were actually the weakest out of the 3 in the North East by quite a margin aswell when it comes to profits which is the important figure with Arriva considerably higher who your referring to here before the pandemic. Just saying.

But Arriva have not invested at least in Northumbria since 2017.

(29 Apr 2021, 8:45 pm)L469 YVK wrote But Arriva have not invested at least in Northumbria since 2017.

I know, investments don't affect the profits that much though (that's mostly in the balance sheet) and investments in painting and refurbishments etc should be offset by the increased sales (otherwise what's the point). These are the profits. Stagecoach by far dominates in Newcastle and it shows, shame the investment doesn't show either with the MAN's tbh.

In 2019:
Arriva: 3.3m (Northumbria: 1.8m, Durham: 1.5m)
GNE: 2.9m
Stagecoach: 8.5m (Busways: 6.9m, Cleveland: 1.6m)

In 2018:
Arriva: 4.6m (Northumbria: 1.2m, Durham: 3.4m)
GNE: 4.0m
Stagecoach: 11.8m (Busways: 9.9m, Cleveland: 1.9m)

Not sure who mentioned about Stagecoach Newcastle being the 2nd top performer with those numbers wouldn't be surprised tbh.

Xlines advert

(09 Aug 2021, 1:40 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Xlines advert

Was just about to share this.

I saw it on Twitter on my phone, and I liked it. But when I watched it on the computer and it played the audio, no thanks.

The music is crap and they couldn't have picked a worse VO artist. The way she says X-Lines makes me physically sick!

Visually I like it though

Interesting advert, very aspirational of who actually uses buses mind...

The nod to being a better alternative to Uber was again...very aspirational.

Hmm,

(09 Aug 2021, 2:30 pm)Ambassador wrote Interesting advert, very aspirational of who actually uses buses mind...

The nod to being a better alternative to Uber was again...very aspirational.

Hmm,

Genuinely though, what is the alternative? 

If you're not aspirational about your product or the services you offer, then you might as well just accept that people don't want to use buses.

(09 Aug 2021, 1:48 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Was just about to share this.

I saw it on Twitter on my phone, and I liked it. But when I watched it on the computer and it played the audio, no thanks.

The music is crap and they couldn't have picked a worse VO artist. The way she says X-Lines makes me physically sick!

Visually I like it though

it’s the same music as the voltra promo I believe.

(09 Aug 2021, 2:59 pm)Adrian wrote Genuinely though, what is the alternative? 

If you're not aspirational about your product or the services you offer, then you might as well just accept that people don't want to use buses.

Hard to convey tone on a forum but I wasn't necessarily being critical, aspiration is good.

Just left me thinking in my head, probably another thread, what's the largest town (if there is one) that doesn't have an Express service? (not necc served by GNE)

Well at least from the video. We know why 6377 was half way down the UK for a few weeks ago

And we also know what that flashing bus was on Dan’s Twitter a few months ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Advert looks very good actually, the brief glimpse of a map is good connecting all the dots, slightly odd they’ve labelled Easington Lane though! They made the sort of correct call to not bother mentioning the true terminus of Langley Park and West Auckland on their but choose Easington Lane would have made more sense putting Houghton down I feel, at least then keep the map to the main town and cities.

I feel like I’ve asked before but I’m not sure I ever got a straight answer, it does feel a bit strange that X6 was removed from XLines? It’s the only X route that isn’t within that brand, and surely it doesn’t cost that much to have a bus painted a certain colour? And therefore fills a gap on the map along the Durham coast. And surely debranding it and giving it less promotion (no longer promoted in such material above among other express buses) isn’t the way to go about improving passenger numbers?

(09 Aug 2021, 4:06 pm)Drifter60 wrote Advert looks very good actually, the brief glimpse of a map is good connecting all the dots, slightly odd they’ve labelled Easington Lane though! They made the sort of correct call to not bother mentioning the true terminus of Langley Park and West Auckland on their but choose Easington Lane would have made more sense putting Houghton down I feel, at least then keep the map to the main town and cities.

I feel like I’ve asked before but I’m not sure I ever got a straight answer, it does feel a bit strange that X6 was removed from XLines? It’s the only X route that isn’t within that brand, and surely it doesn’t cost that much to have a bus painted a certain colour? And therefore fills a gap on the map along the Durham coast. And surely debranding it and giving it less promotion (no longer promoted in such material above among other express buses) isn’t the way to go about improving passenger numbers?

Not strictly true, there's the X22 and X66, plus a few other X variants of standard routes that only run a couple times a day

Wasn't the reason the X6 was debranded due to interworking patterns?