(19 Jul 2022, 9:42 am)Unber43 wrote Tbf they could just get one of the QuayCity Solos and repaint it. Especially if they get the new electric buses, 7 are needed + 1 spare, leaves 1 for the 74, plus they can grab 729 or 730 to replace it if it breakdown. + there will be spare versa's off the 25 cancellation from CLS to Langley Park

There is no Quaycity Solos..?

The 74 100% doesn't need Versa's nor does the 684 either really. Wouldn't be surprised to see those get new buses at the same time. 

Be interesting to see what happens as it was supposed to be sorted under Zebra but they didn't win the funds.

Means the Versa's can all go off to Deptford and see off the Merc's and the 09 Versa's dotted all over which are slowly getting withdrawn (most are Euro 4).

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(19 Jul 2022, 7:23 am)GNE6312 wrote If it were for the 74 they might want to wait till next year as that contract only has a year so pointless investing in a bus that would spend less than a year on a route (obviously that's a worse case scenario but still has ti be considered) unless it's something standard across another (or afew other) depots to allow it to move to another route should GNE loose the 74 next year

Aye fair point all depends when the LEZ comes in really though. Not sure how the tendering works for the Hexham routes I know some of Arriva's ie the X14, I don't believe, go out to tender. (There's a word for it but the word has gone out my head).

(19 Jul 2022, 11:01 am)Storx wrote Aye fair point all depends when the LEZ comes in really though.

The proposals would see the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) brought into operation from November this year, with drivers of non-compliant vehicles entering the zone being sent warning letters, along with details about financial support.

Subject to government approval, charges for non-compliant taxis, buses and HGVs would begin from 30 January 2023.

(19 Jul 2022, 12:35 pm)ne14ne1 wrote
The proposals would see the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) brought into operation from November this year, with drivers of non-compliant vehicles entering the zone being sent warning letters, along with details about financial support.

Subject to government approval, charges for non-compliant taxis, buses and HGVs would begin from 30 January 2023.

Couldn't the company provide details whether within 1 year the vehicles would be replaced/upgraded weren't going to be charged

(19 Jul 2022, 1:33 pm)Unber43 wrote Couldn't the company provide details whether within 1 year the vehicles would be replaced/upgraded weren't going to be charged

Really it should go off the date the CAZ was originally meant to start, not the new start date, because really the vehicles should be here by the new start date if they were hoping to take advantage of that last time!

(19 Jul 2022, 12:35 pm)ne14ne1 wrote
The proposals would see the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) brought into operation from November this year, with drivers of non-compliant vehicles entering the zone being sent warning letters, along with details about financial support.

Subject to government approval, charges for non-compliant taxis, buses and HGVs would begin from 30 January 2023.

Thanks, got lost with the dates since the delays.

(19 Jul 2022, 1:33 pm)Unber43 wrote Couldn't the company provide details whether within 1 year the vehicles would be replaced/upgraded weren't going to be charged

They do January 1st 2023. It's a year after it was meant to come in. As Streetdeck said it's a bit irrational to then claim another year on top of it.

I'm guessing it's why they had the minibus trial last month. Feel for the 74 passengers if they go with breadvans.

(19 Jul 2022, 3:33 pm)Storx wrote Thanks, got lost with the dates since the delays.


They do January 1st 2023. It's a year after it was meant to come in. As Streetdeck said it's a bit irrational to then claim another year on top of it.

I'm guessing it's why they had the minibus trial last month. Feel for the 74 passengers if they go with breadvans.

I wonder if they might just buy a set of 2 of Euro 6 strata's (or whatever they are called) for the poor customers

Does anyone think GNE will ever order any brand new diesels buses again? Or will E200/E400 & Streetdecks be the last of them?

Passing observation, Henry Copper's two B7RLE Urbans are out of work, 2010 registered as with the ex EY six....

(29 Aug 2022, 8:21 am)54APhotography wrote Passing observation, Henry Copper's two B7RLE Urbans are out of work, 2010 registered as with the ex EY six....

They’ll keep them busy on private hires for the next two years, I suspect.


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(29 Aug 2022, 2:45 pm)Dan wrote They’ll keep them busy on private hires for the next two years, I suspect.


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Called in yesterday and they confirmed they are keeping them.

8 of the new voltras are on newcastle quayside now

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(01 Sep 2022, 8:02 am)toward6931 wrote 8 of the new voltras are on newcastle quayside now

GNE Future Orders

21 - Streetdeck Electric Buses (Riverside)
ex Angels refurbed for the 56 & X20 & USB's Replaced 6315-6333

8/78 MCV Single Deckers PVR 14 (Consett Operated)
ex Country Ranger Replace older Versa's

60 - E200 EV ex Drifters moved onto 35 (Deptford)

4 - eCitaros PVR 9 (Deptford)
ex Connections 4 moved onto 2/2A, 2/2A split between Sunderland & washington (would get Citaros), and Sunderland & Silksworth (8339-44)

20 - Volvo BZL PVR 12 every 12 mins (Deptford)
ex Prince Bishops Refurbed replaces 61 and older vehicles

(03 Sep 2022, 5:47 pm)Unber43 wrote GNE Future Orders

21 - Streetdeck Electric Buses (Riverside)
ex Angels refurbed for the 56 & X20 & USB's Replaced 6315-6333

8/78 MCV Single Deckers PVR 14 (Consett Operated)
ex Country Ranger Replace older Versa's

60 - E200 EV ex Drifters moved onto 35 (Deptford)

4 - eCitaros PVR 9 (Deptford)
ex Connections 4 moved onto 2/2A, 2/2A split between Sunderland & washington (would get Citaros), and Sunderland & Silksworth (8339-44)

20 - Volvo BZL PVR 12 every 12 mins (Deptford)
ex Prince Bishops Refurbed replaces 61 and older vehicles

The  X20 100% does not need deckers. I doubt deptford would get brand new electric E200s considering there’s no requirement to keep up the air quality there the most likely thing would be that those are ordered for the 97/96 and the green arrow 200s go on to the 60.

(03 Sep 2022, 8:44 pm)ALavery wrote The  X20 100% does not need deckers. I doubt deptford would get brand new electric E200s considering there’s no requirement to keep up the air quality there the most likely thing would be that those are ordered for the 97/96 and the green arrow 200s go on to the 60.

Personally I think even if there is no air requirements that shouldn't stop them investing in other areas of the fleet. 

And it would be nice for Deptford to not get the scraps of other depots now the euro 6 requirements has been fulfilled. I must say I saw several 20's absolutely rammed Friday afternoon heading towards Durham

(03 Sep 2022, 8:44 pm)ALavery wrote The  X20 100% does not need deckers. I doubt deptford would get brand new electric E200s considering there’s no requirement to keep up the air quality there the most likely thing would be that those are ordered for the 97/96 and the green arrow 200s go on to the 60.

Personally I don't think there will be any orders for awhile unless there's some more money from the government somewhere bar something maybe for Hexham and the E6 zone.

There's nothing that really needs replacing and I'm not sure they'll want to be making investments now when they don't need to.

(03 Sep 2022, 9:05 pm)Storx wrote Personally I don't think there will be any orders for awhile unless there's some more money from the government somewhere bar something maybe for Hexham and the E6 zone.

There's nothing that really needs replacing and I'm not sure they'll want to be making investments now when they don't need to.

I think GNE will place orders in 2023 for 2024.

(03 Sep 2022, 9:05 pm)HStorx wrote Personally I don't think there will be any orders for awhile unless there's some more money from the government somewhere bar something maybe for Hexham and the E6 zone.

There's nothing that really needs replacing and I'm not sure they'll want to be making investments now when they don't need to.

Oh definitely not, it would be utterly daft especially considering services are being chopped due to a lack of funding, would be all buses but no services to run them on. they’ve just had about 20+ deckers come in school contract or not.

(03 Sep 2022, 9:23 pm)ALavery wrote Oh definitely not, it would be utterly daft especially considering services are being chopped due to a lack of funding, would be all buses but no services to run them on. they’ve just had about 20+ deckers come in school contract or not.

I think its more like 40-60

(03 Sep 2022, 8:48 pm)Unber43 wrote Personally I think even if there is no air requirements that shouldn't stop them investing in other areas of the fleet. 

And it would be nice for Deptford to not get the scraps of other depots now the euro 6 requirements has been fulfilled. I must say I saw several 20's absolutely rammed Friday afternoon heading towards Durham

Personally I couldn’t care less about getting scraps especially not if they had comfy seats, Wireless/USB charging and smart insides like riversides enviros. You never know they might just order some more up to date streetlites  and if there’s somewhere that specifically needs cleaner buses it makes sense to invest there and keep that a high priority and disperse older, but still clean buses elsewhere.about the 20 that definitely does get an issue sometimes, best I could see on there would be G2s or Enviro400s for fleet standardisation.

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(03 Sep 2022, 9:26 pm)Unber43 wrote I think its more like 40-60

I thought so, didn’t want to over estimate haha

New Orders - 
9x E400MMC - X21
17x StreetDeck's - 10/10A/10B
8x E200 MMC EV - 60
9x E200 MMC EV | MCV Evora - 4
19x Wright StreetDeck Electroliner - 21

Possibly New Orders - 
16x MCV Evora - 8/78
10x MCV Evora Single/Decker - 20
4x (something) 65

Old Stock - 
MCV Evora Deckers for 16/16A/X5


Fleet Movements - 
X21 B5's - 56/309/310/311
21 StreetDecks - 56/309/310/311
10/10A/10B G2's - Spare Role Replacing older buses. 
60 Streetlites - X20
4 Citaros - 2/2A 
8/78 Streetlite - Replace Versa's 
20 Streetlites - 35
65 Streetlites - 61
16/16A/X5 Hybrids - Withdrawn/Replace older buses

(29 Sep 2022, 9:25 am)Unber43 wrote New Orders - 
9x E400MMC - X21
17x StreetDeck's - 10/10A/10B
8x E200 MMC EV - 60
9x E200 MMC EV | MCV Evora - 4
19x Wright StreetDeck Electroliner - 21

Possibly New Orders - 
16x MCV Evora - 8/78
10x MCV Evora Single/Decker - 20
4x (something) 65

Old Stock - 
MCV Evora Deckers for 16/16A/X5


Fleet Movements - 
X21 B5's - 56/309/310/311
21 StreetDecks - 56/309/310/311
10/10A/10B G2's - Spare Role Replacing older buses. 
60 Streetlites - X20
4 Citaros - 2/2A 
8/78 Streetlite - Replace Versa's 
20 Streetlites - 35
65 Streetlites - 61
16/16A/X5 Hybrids - Withdrawn/Replace older buses

Would be nice .......
Especially new vehicles for the 60 ..yes please

(29 Sep 2022, 9:47 am)Retro Nero wrote Would be nice .......
Especially new vehicles for the 60 ..yes please

They're not desperately needed tbf if anything a refurb with USB's, however its more of a case of putting them on lesser popular routes. Same with the 78/8/20 really.

Can't see any investment for a couple of years personally. The oldest bus in the fleet is a 10 plate (in frontline service) so it's just a waste of money.

No way are they going to withdraw the B9's yet. They're nowhere near finished or even ready for school runs.

The money would be better spend on proper refurbs (not a retrim) and get shot of the horrid blue.

The Drifter streetlights have been on the 60s the longest since 2013 with previous ( Versa) only being 5 years.

(29 Sep 2022, 10:45 am)Storx wrote Can't see any investment for a couple of years personally. The oldest bus in the fleet is a 10 plate (in frontline service) so it's just a waste of money.

No way are they going to withdraw the B9's yet. They're nowhere near finished or even ready for school runs.

The money would be better spend on proper refurbs (not a retrim) and get shot of the horrid blue.

Well tbf any order GNE make won't probably come till 2024, making the older oldest buses 12-14 years old.

And for the B9's they probably need about 10 spares as they get older for the rest of the fleet as OmniDekkas are still in regular use

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(29 Sep 2022, 10:52 am)Retro Nero wrote The Drifter streetlights have been on the 60s the longest since 2013 with previous ( Versa) only being 5 years.

It was 2-3 years before the Versa's aswell.

(29 Sep 2022, 10:53 am)Unber43 wrote Well tbf any order GNE make won't probably come till 2024, making the older oldest buses 12-14 years old.

And for the B9's they probably need about 10 spares as they get older for the rest of the fleet as OmniDekkas are still in regular use

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It was 2-3 years before the Versa's aswell.

There's still all the ex London Deckers to come in though which should see off the remainder of the Omnidekka's bar maybe the 57 plates and I believe the Enviro's are staying replacing the 06 Plate B7's. 

Even 14 years old isn't really the age for buses to be replaced it's usually 15 years. Any orders will be a small batch, there won't be 60+ buses imo. There's literally 8 70 Plate Streetdecks and 8 or so 63 Plate Versa's in a spare role pretty much atm without a route.

(29 Sep 2022, 10:53 am)Unber43 wrote Well tbf any order GNE make won't probably come till 2024, making the older oldest buses 12-14 years old.

And for the B9's they probably need about 10 spares as they get older for the rest of the fleet as OmniDekkas are still in regular use

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It was 2-3 years before the Versa's aswell.

Yes , the ex London (sand coloured Drifter mpd)

I'd say investment in the coming years should be that should be marked as a priority are listed below:

x12 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro's - Connections 4 - Mercs Withdrawn.
x17 Wright Streetdeck FCEV's - Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311 - B9TL's replace older Ex Eyms/Go North West & Lothian B9TL's which would be Withdrawn.
x16 Wright Streetdeck FCEV's - Angel 21 - MH Streetdecks transfer to Hownsgill for Durham Diamond 16/16A/Red Kite Ranger 47.
x16 Wright Streetdeck FCEV's - Tyne Valley Ten - B9TL's replace older Ex Eyms/Go North West & Lothian B9TL's which would be Withdrawn.
x12 Wright Streetdeck FCEV's - Prince Bishops 20 - Streetlites replace Midi Versas which would be Withdrawn.
x13 Wright Streetdeck FCEV's - CityRider 56 - B9TL's replace older Ex Eyms/Go North West & Lothian B9TL's which would be Withdrawn.
x14 Wright Hydroliner Single Deck - Drifter 60/61 - Streetlites & Mercs Withdrawn.

Once these are completed i'd then go towards New Buses for the X-Lines Network with a focus on upgrading Mini/Midibus Services across the region, the then former X-Lines E400MMC's/B5TL's and MH Streetdecks would provide upgrades to the likes of the Crusader 27, East Gateshead Rider 58 and East Gateshead Loop 93/94 along with replacing some on the Ex London B9TL's.

I can't see anything changing with the X21 any time soon, the B5s are seemingly performing very well on it, as long as they're actually being allocated.
The most I can see with the X21 is a StreetDeck or two getting painted into Xlines blue, but even then I think they'd just paint it into Xlines charcoal so it can be used on any route

(29 Sep 2022, 5:05 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I can't see anything changing with the X21 any time soon, the B5s are seemingly performing very well on it, as long as they're actually being allocated.
The most I can see with the X21 is a StreetDeck or two getting painted into Xlines blue, but even then I think they'd just paint it into Xlines charcoal so it can be used on any route

If the Xlines brand to be kept on, then have them in the same front half colour, but the backend colour should all be the same, ie corporate colours design back end, the rest of the fleet should go corporate colours apart from all over paid advertisements, GNE need to go back to basics, individual branded services and route branding does not work when there are allocated to run other services and cause confusion to customers/passengers and not enthusiasts, and get rid of the x20 for good, it’s not needed , put deckers on the 20/20a for capacity issues


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