(21 Feb 2014, 5:58 pm)Dan wrote One in front probably broke down.

Or late, but it could also help with depot standardisation with them gointo Chester for the 34 (5251/5252/61/62), 28 (5263/4/5/6/7) and X25 (5268/9/70/71/72) allowing 8303/4/5/6 to go to Washington for the W5/W6.

(21 Feb 2014, 6:08 pm)Tom wrote Or late, but it could also help with depot standardisation with them gointo Chester for the 34 (5251/5252/61/62), 28 (5263/4/5/6/7) and X25 (5268/9/70/71/72) allowing 8303/4/5/6 to go to Washington for the W5/W6.

Don't get gtom excited............

EDIT: In all seriousness, I highly doubt it'll happen this year. Maybe one for 2015.

(21 Feb 2014, 6:15 pm)Dan wrote Don't get gtom excited............

EDIT: In all seriousness, I highly doubt it'll happen this year. Maybe one for 2015.

I agree, and I wasnt expecting it to happen this year

(21 Feb 2014, 6:23 pm)Tom wrote I agree, and I wasnt expecting it to happen this year

Honestly don't think the Coaster could justify double deckers though. Mercs to help with reliability (which isn't actually too bad at present in my opinion), maybe. Only way it would justify deckers is if they're wanting to invest in the fleet of the future so they're not in sticky positions as was the case last year with the Pronto.

(21 Feb 2014, 6:27 pm)Dan wrote Honestly don't think the Coaster could justify double deckers though. Mercs to help with reliability (which isn't actually too bad at present in my opinion), maybe. Only way it would justify deckers is if they're wanting to invest in the fleet of the future so they're not in sticky positions as was the case last year with the Pronto.

Possibly decrease the frequency down to 20 mins then, as it is a busy service.

Something to consider for 2015...

Assuming everything which should be withdrawn this year is withdrawn, the list below is what should be withdrawn next year:

• 27x Lolyne
  
• 35x Volvo B7TL
  
• 36x Volvo B10BLE
  
• 14x 2002 MPD
  
• 27x 2003 MPD
  
• 6x Cadet
  

That's a total of 145 vehicles, when we're only expecting 80 vehicles...

I don't think the Coaster requires double decks. Single decks are just fine. It would be good though if the Gateshead journeys were extended to Blyth every 30 minutes to give a combined frequency with the 309 of every 15 minutes between Blyth and Whitley Bay thus creating new links between North Tyneside and Northumberland.

(21 Feb 2014, 6:47 pm)Dan wrote Something to consider for 2015...

Assuming everything which should be withdrawn this year is withdrawn, the list below is what should be withdrawn next year:

• 27x Lolyne
  
• 35x Volvo B7TL
  
• 36x Volvo B10BLE
  
• 14x 2002 MPD
  
• 27x 2003 MPD
  
• 6x Cadet
  

That's a total of 145 vehicles, when we're only expecting 80 vehicles...

Other cascades might get rid of the rest

(21 Feb 2014, 7:55 pm)Michael wrote Other cascades might get rid of the rest

You'd expect that 80 new buses would allow 80 current buses in the fleet to be withdrawn, no?
There's still 65 more due to be withdrawn - 62 of which are double deckers which are primarily allocated to scholars/workers anyway.

(21 Feb 2014, 7:59 pm)Dan wrote You'd expect that 80 new buses would allow 80 current buses in the fleet to be withdrawn, no?
There's still 65 more due to be withdrawn - 62 of which are double deckers which are primarily allocated to scholars/workers anyway.

Perhaps GNE might look into getting rid of some Scholar work, considering nothing can really replace the B7TL. Certainly nothing new would be invested in Scholar.

(21 Feb 2014, 8:06 pm)mattdw92 wrote Perhaps GNE might look into getting rid of some Scholar work, considering nothing can really replace the B7TL. Certainly nothing new would be invested in Scholar.

They could give up some scholar work, let compaines like kingleys have them.

How many scholar contracts do GNE have?

(21 Feb 2014, 8:06 pm)mattdw92 wrote Perhaps GNE might look into getting rid of some Scholar work, considering nothing can really replace the B7TL. Certainly nothing new would be invested in Scholar.

That's certainly the only option, if they want to get rid of the deckers... There are some standalone scholar boards though - PVRs of depots would be decreasing... There's only so much work they could get rid of before drivers wouldn't be having as much work.

A long time away, but this is what I think the 2015 orders will be...

4 X Optare Versa - ''Sunderland Connect'', freeing up the current Solos for use on the 5, replacing 8242-6.

20 X Mercedes Citaro - ''Coaster'' and ''Cobalt Connect'', freeing up 5243-6/5251-2/5261-72, with 5243-6 for use on the ''Lambton Worm''(replacing 8303-6 for use on the ''East Durham'' services 202/208/265, replacing various MPD's), 5251-2 for use on the 71 (replacing 2 X B10BLE), 5261-65 for use on the Waggonway (replacing 5 X Wright Solar to replace various B7TL/B10BLE's), 5266-71 for the X25 (replacing B10BLE's/ELC's) and 5272 spare at Chester-le-Street replacing a ELC.

7 X Unknown for ''Tyne Tees Xpress'' - Freeing up 3963/6043-8 for use on the ''Pronto'' (replacing B7TL vehicles)

8 X Optare Versa for ''LOOP'' - Freeing up 5219-26 (replacing various buses)

33 X Optare Solo SR - Replacing all ''Tynedale Links'' (555-559 and 8293), ''North Tyne Links'' (548-551/553-554/562/566-569) and ''East Durham'' (535-546/560/564-565/573-574/618-619) - One spare at each depot. East Durham would also use Optare Versa on busier journeys.

The newer MPD's (603-606/618-9) would replace spare MPD's at Riverside/Deptford:

603-6 would replace 542/544/561 at Deptford, 603/4 destined for the 99, 605/6 would be a spare. 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for the S1 (Merit 8266 would replace a B10BLE, helping to reach the target) and 27X/40A, replacing 547.

(21 Feb 2014, 9:18 pm)Tom wrote A long time away, but this is what I think the 2015 orders will be...

4 X Optare Versa - ''Sunderland Connect'', freeing up the current Solos for use on the 5, replacing 8242-6.

20 X Mercedes Citaro - ''Coaster'' and ''Cobalt Connect'', freeing up 5243-6/5251-2/5261-72, with 5243-6 for use on the ''Lambton Worm''(replacing 8303-6 for use on the ''East Durham'' services 202/208/265, replacing various MPD's), 5251-2 for use on the 71 (replacing 2 X B10BLE), 5261-65 for use on the Waggonway (replacing 5 X Wright Solar to replace various B7TL/B10BLE's), 5266-71 for the X25 (replacing B10BLE's/ELC's) and 5272 spare at Chester-le-Street replacing a ELC.

7 X Unknown for ''Tyne Tees Xpress'' - Freeing up 3963/6043-8 for use on the ''Pronto'' (replacing B7TL vehicles)

8 X Optare Versa for ''LOOP'' - Freeing up 5219-26 (replacing various buses)

33 X Optare Solo SR - Replacing all ''Tynedale Links'' (555-559 and 8293), ''North Tyne Links'' (548-551/553-554/562/566-569) and ''East Durham'' (535-546/560/564-565/573-574/618-619) - One spare at each depot. East Durham would also use Optare Versa on busier journeys.

The newer MPD's (603-606/618-9) would replace spare MPD's at Riverside/Deptford:

603-6 would replace 542/544/561 at Deptford, 603/4 destined for the 99, 605/6 would be a spare. 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for the S1 (Merit 8266 would replace a B10BLE, helping to reach the target) and 27X/40A, replacing 547.

Hmm.. I'd definitely say the Coaster has a good change but if the 27 gets upgraded to deckers, they might end up on the Coaster.

(21 Feb 2014, 9:28 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Hmm.. I'd definitely say the Coaster has a good change but if the 27 gets upgraded to deckers, they might end up on the Coaster.

I think the Crusader Citaros are going on the ''Red Kite''. Suppose the remaining ones could go on the Cobalt Connect rather than buying new ones, so there would only be 18 Citaros (two spare) for Percy Main.

If streetlites could be a viable option could they not be purchased for the simplicity group (42/61/39) & Orbit 51/52, and also with a rumoured upgrade on QuayLink. This allows then 33 Versas to be freed up, 17 for East Durham, 11 NTL, 5 South Tyne 5.
I'd think if any service, out of those MPD/Low Cost services, M2/M3 could probably justify new vehicles outright. 5 Versas could be bought for 700/701 to allow the 4 Solo to go onto W4/W5.
I'd then suggest upgraded Red Arrows to new vehicles, allowing 7 B9's to go onto Pronto, 3 onto angel (giving 1 spare and displacing B7's), 1 B9 goes onto Tyne Tees Xpress (allowing them to have 7 branded vehicles all B9's). This then creates spare deckers to displace older ones and withdrawn remaing Olympians.

(22 Feb 2014, 1:06 am)CatsFast101 wrote If streetlites could be a viable option could they not be purchased for the simplicity group (42/61/39) & Orbit 51/52, and also with a rumoured upgrade on QuayLink. This allows then 33 Versas to be freed up, 17 for East Durham, 11 NTL, 5 South Tyne 5.
I'd think if any service, out of those MPD/Low Cost services, M2/M3 could probably justify new vehicles outright. 5 Versas could be bought for 700/701 to allow the 4 Solo to go onto W4/W5.
I'd then suggest upgraded Red Arrows to new vehicles, allowing 7 B9's to go onto Pronto, 3 onto angel (giving 1 spare and displacing B7's), 1 B9 goes onto Tyne Tees Xpress (allowing them to have 7 branded vehicles all B9's). This then creates spare deckers to displace older ones and withdrawn remaing Olympians.

I don't think they'll be in a hurry to buy another batch of Streetlites. Not at least until the so called teething problems have been resolved.

(22 Feb 2014, 1:06 am)CatsFast101 wrote If streetlites could be a viable option could they not be purchased for the simplicity group (42/61/39) & Orbit 51/52, and also with a rumoured upgrade on QuayLink. This allows then 33 Versas to be freed up, 17 for East Durham, 11 NTL, 5 South Tyne 5.
I'd think if any service, out of those MPD/Low Cost services, M2/M3 could probably justify new vehicles outright. 5 Versas could be bought for 700/701 to allow the 4 Solo to go onto W4/W5.
I'd then suggest upgraded Red Arrows to new vehicles, allowing 7 B9's to go onto Pronto, 3 onto angel (giving 1 spare and displacing B7's), 1 B9 goes onto Tyne Tees Xpress (allowing them to have 7 branded vehicles all B9's). This then creates spare deckers to displace older ones and withdrawn remaing Olympians.

Good ideas... I think Versas should be bought for the Simplicity and Orbit services, and 6 X Optare Solo for the ''Tynedale Links'' with the Versa going onto the ''East Durham'' and the ''North Tyne Links''. If my suggestion with the ''Coaster'' getting a upgarde and the 34 gettng the Omnicities, the total number of Versas would be perfect! 8303-8309/8319-8321 for the ''North Tyne Links'' and 8322-8330 for the busier ''East Durham'', with new Solos for the town services? This would allow 8331-38 to displace 5219-26 on the ''LOOP''?

So rather than the 33 X Solo SR and 8 X Versa, it'd be 7 X Optare Solo SR (one spare for Hexham) and 28 X Optare Versa (15 for Simplicity with two spare for Deptford, 9 for Orbit, with two spare at Riverside.) When the ''Quaylink'' gets upgraded, the Versas would transfer to Washington for the M2/M3.

This would displace all 2002 and most 2003 MPD's, 603-6 would remain on the W5/W6 and 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for use on the S1 and 27X/40A replacing MPD 547 to be withdrawn, and 8266 to replace a B10BLE. 573/4 would replace 542/4, 561 would remain in service with Deptford. Hopefully that and my other suggestions would replace all 2002 cadet, all B10BLE, all Lolynes and most 2002/2003 MPD's.

(22 Feb 2014, 10:17 am)Tom wrote Good ideas... I think Versas should be bought for the Simplicity and Orbit services, and 6 X Optare Solo for the ''Tynedale Links'' with the Versa going onto the ''East Durham'' and the ''North Tyne Links''. If my suggestion with the ''Coaster'' getting a upgarde and the 34 gettng the Omnicities, the total number of Versas would be perfect! 8303-8309/8319-8321 for the ''North Tyne Links'' and 8322-8330 for the busier ''East Durham'', with new Solos for the town services? This would allow 8331-38 to displace 5219-26 on the ''LOOP''?

So rather than the 33 X Solo SR and 8 X Versa, it'd be 7 X Optare Solo SR (one spare for Hexham) and 28 X Optare Versa (15 for Simplicity with two spare for Deptford, 9 for Orbit, with two spare at Riverside.) When the ''Quaylink'' gets upgraded, the Versas would transfer to Washington for the M2/M3.

This would displace all 2002 and most 2003 MPD's, 603-6 would remain on the W5/W6 and 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for use on the S1 and 27X/40A replacing MPD 547 to be withdrawn, and 8266 to replace a B10BLE. 573/4 would replace 542/4, 561 would remain in service with Deptford. Hopefully that and my other suggestions would replace all 2002 cadet, all B10BLE, all Lolynes and most 2002/2003 MPD's.

Got to remember that's if GNE win the contract for the Quaylink... they could still loose it.... means the buses on their don't have to be replaced and it free's up 9 versa's.....not sure if anyone else would bid

(22 Feb 2014, 10:20 am)Michael wrote Got to remember that's if GNE win the contract for the Quaylink... they could still loose it.... means the buses on their don't have to be replaced and it free's up 9 versa's.....not sure if anyone else would bid

Yeah, so regardless those buses are free, hopefully to go on the M2/M3.

Possibly Stagecoach and Arriva are fighting for it too! Hope Go North East get it though.

(22 Feb 2014, 10:22 am)Tom wrote Yeah, so regardless those buses are free, hopefully to go on the M2/M3.

Possibly Stagecoach and Arriva are fighting for it too! Hope Go North East get it though.

After the problems stagecoach has with those horrid yellow things, not sure they would bid, they need to be Euro 5?, not sure where the buses would come from.

GNE already have them on their.


I agree before anymore streetlites are ordered they need to sort out the problems they having... iv'e not seen alll of them out together on the drifter since they arrived.

Also think Solo SR's will replace most of the remaining darts

(22 Feb 2014, 10:25 am)Michael wrote After the problems stagecoach has with those horrid yellow things, not sure they would bid, they need to be Euro 5?, not sure where the buses would come from.

GNE already have them on their.


I agree before anymore streetlites are ordered they need to sort out the problems they having... iv'e not seen alll of them out together on the drifter since they arrived.

Also think Solo SR's will replace most of the remaining darts

If the Orbit and Simplicity did get upgraded to new and longer Versas, then these could replace all North Tyne Links MPD's, some East Durham MPD's (other would be replaced with new Solos) and also 5219-6 on the ''LOOP''.

555-559 and that horrid 8293 at Hexham could be replaced by new Solo's too.

(22 Feb 2014, 10:28 am)Tom wrote If the Orbit and Simplicity did get upgraded to new and longer Versas, then these could replace all North Tyne Links MPD's, some East Durham MPD's (other would be replaced with new Solos) and also 5219-6 on the ''LOOP''.

555-559 and that horrid 8293 at Hexham could be replaced by new Solo's too.

I still think the 61 shouldn't be branded Simplicity - For me the brand should of being... 38,39,42 - with rest spares.

If the Simplicity does get new buses in 2015... Then i would include the 29,38,39 and 42 (if their all running by them numbers by then)

(22 Feb 2014, 10:42 am)Michael wrote I still think the 61 shouldn't be branded Simplicity - For me the brand should of being... 38,39,42 - with rest spares.

If the Simplicity does get new buses in 2015... Then i would include the 29,38,39 and 42 (if their all running by them numbers by then)

I've said this before 61 a murton route is in County Durham it's not a city service whereas 38 39 and 42 are!!!!

(22 Feb 2014, 10:45 am)Acky81 wrote I've said this before 61 a murton route is in County Durham it's not a city service whereas 38 39 and 42 are!!!!

It's not, really Simplicity is a Sunderland brand.. should stick to Sunderland boundaries... so 29,38,39 and 42... if new buses get ordered

(21 Feb 2014, 9:18 pm)Tom wrote A long time away, but this is what I think the 2015 orders will be...

4 X Optare Versa - ''Sunderland Connect'', freeing up the current Solos for use on the 5, replacing 8242-6.

20 X Mercedes Citaro - ''Coaster'' and ''Cobalt Connect'', freeing up 5243-6/5251-2/5261-72, with 5243-6 for use on the ''Lambton Worm''(replacing 8303-6 for use on the ''East Durham'' services 202/208/265, replacing various MPD's), 5251-2 for use on the 71 (replacing 2 X B10BLE), 5261-65 for use on the Waggonway (replacing 5 X Wright Solar to replace various B7TL/B10BLE's), 5266-71 for the X25 (replacing B10BLE's/ELC's) and 5272 spare at Chester-le-Street replacing a ELC.

7 X Unknown for ''Tyne Tees Xpress'' - Freeing up 3963/6043-8 for use on the ''Pronto'' (replacing B7TL vehicles)

8 X Optare Versa for ''LOOP'' - Freeing up 5219-26 (replacing various buses)

33 X Optare Solo SR - Replacing all ''Tynedale Links'' (555-559 and 8293), ''North Tyne Links'' (548-551/553-554/562/566-569) and ''East Durham'' (535-546/560/564-565/573-574/618-619) - One spare at each depot. East Durham would also use Optare Versa on busier journeys.

The newer MPD's (603-606/618-9) would replace spare MPD's at Riverside/Deptford:

603-6 would replace 542/544/561 at Deptford, 603/4 destined for the 99, 605/6 would be a spare. 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for the S1 (Merit 8266 would replace a B10BLE, helping to reach the target) and 27X/40A, replacing 547.

Providing Nexus were assisting with the cost of the vehicles again (as I believe they did with 629/630 (?)), I'd assume that they would contribute towards an additional vehicle for the 700's PVR of 3 and the 701's PVR of 1, as well as having one vehicle spare - though Go North East would probably have to pay for the spare as it'd be down to operational convenience.

I honestly don't think the Cobalt Connect is worthy of investment. Let's think of how many journeys are secured. If you've been on the Cobalt Connect, you'll know how few passengers actually travel between Cramlington and Ashington. They essentially carry air.
I don't know what to make of the Coaster. If it was to receive investment, I think it would be Mercs as you've pointed out... The livery re-design suggested to me that they'd be on there for another few years yet though.

The Pronto is likely to receive a full set of the same vehicle type rather than a mixture. 3963 is likely to become a 'red spare' in the near future, rather than a branded vehicle. Whether this is by cascades or by investment, I don't know.

The Loop certainly wouldn't justify investment. Not at all. It's a service for Saltmeadows drivers and Gateshead College students, with the occasional single fare and concessionary pass.

As for the Solo SRs... I really don't think that some of the services held within those brand networks can justify the cost of new vehicles. Touching on a few points regarding Hexham... They already have a branded spare MPD (the PVR is 4, and they have 5 vehicles), and 8293's replacement has to be a full sized single decker (just like 8228's had to be).

(22 Feb 2014, 1:06 am)CatsFast101 wrote If streetlites could be a viable option could they not be purchased for the simplicity group (42/61/39) & Orbit 51/52, and also with a rumoured upgrade on QuayLink. This allows then 33 Versas to be freed up, 17 for East Durham, 11 NTL, 5 South Tyne 5.
I'd think if any service, out of those MPD/Low Cost services, M2/M3 could probably justify new vehicles outright. 5 Versas could be bought for 700/701 to allow the 4 Solo to go onto W4/W5.
I'd then suggest upgraded Red Arrows to new vehicles, allowing 7 B9's to go onto Pronto, 3 onto angel (giving 1 spare and displacing B7's), 1 B9 goes onto Tyne Tees Xpress (allowing them to have 7 branded vehicles all B9's). This then creates spare deckers to displace older ones and withdrawn remaing Olympians.

Replacing the 2011-born Versas (SimpliCity = 10, Orbit = 9) may be a good idea, though I question whether it would be good to do it in 2015 or 2016, given that I feel MPD replacement hasn't been a 'top priority' (X-reg MPDs should have been withdrawn in 2012, not 2013). We know that, no matter what, the "QuayLink" examples are going to be freed up - I've suggested that the current plan is for them to go to Washington for services M2/M3, assuming that the current midi-sized vehicle "trial" (if you want to treat it like that) is successful.

Nevertheless, 19 Versas to play around with... I'm not including the plain purple batch...
For a PVR of 12, I think that 14 Versas (losing one spare as the newer vehicles should be more reliable) could go to Peterlee. There are a number of services which run quite empty, but there are also a number of them which could justify a cascaded Versa. Deptford require 2 MPDs for the 238 and I'd assume like for like replacements and give them 3 for good measure. Crook require 2 MPDs for the 18, and I'd replace these likewise also - accounting for your 19 Versas.

We know that the "South Tyne" branded Cadets on the 5 are being replaced this year. We've been told that those vehicles are going to be withdrawn.

As for the cascades of the 700, you'd be allocating two different vehicle types (Hybrid vs non-Hybrid) again. I think they'll be retained for use on Nexus contracts.

(22 Feb 2014, 10:20 am)Michael wrote Got to remember that's if GNE win the contract for the Quaylink... they could still loose it.... means the buses on their don't have to be replaced and it free's up 9 versa's.....not sure if anyone else would bid

I do think it'll be a contractual requirement for eco-friendly vehicles this time around. A simple Euro regulation won't suffice, if you ask me.

(21 Feb 2014, 9:28 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Hmm.. I'd definitely say the Coaster has a good change but if the 27 gets upgraded to deckers, they might end up on the Coaster.

There's a high chance that service 35 will be upgraded to deckers and will then in turn leave quite a few citarios which could go onto Lime services (8/78).

(22 Feb 2014, 11:11 am)cbma06 wrote There's a high chance that service 35 will be upgraded to deckers and will then in turn leave quite a few citarios which could go onto Lime services (8/78).

The "Lime" is in line to receive brand new Citaros this year.

It has been suggested in the past that the Citaros from the "Laser" will go to the Prince Bishops.

(22 Feb 2014, 11:03 am)Dan wrote Providing Nexus were assisting with the cost of the vehicles again (as I believe they did with 629/630 (?)), I'd assume that they would contribute towards an additional vehicle for the 700's PVR of 3 and the 701's PVR of 1, as well as having one vehicle spare - though Go North East would probably have to pay for the spare as it'd be down to operational convenience.

I honestly don't think the Cobalt Connect is worthy of investment. Let's think of how many journeys are secured. If you've been on the Cobalt Connect, you'll know how few passengers actually travel between Cramlington and Ashington. They essentially carry air.
I don't know what to make of the Coaster. If it was to receive investment, I think it would be Mercs as you've pointed out... The livery re-design suggested to me that they'd be on there for another few years yet though.

The Pronto is likely to receive a full set of the same vehicle type rather than a mixture. 3963 is likely to become a 'red spare' in the near future, rather than a branded vehicle. Whether this is by cascades or by investment, I don't know.

The Loop certainly wouldn't justify investment. Not at all. It's a service for Saltmeadows drivers and Gateshead College students, with the occasional single fare and concessionary pass.

As for the Solo SRs... I really don't think that some of the services held within those brand networks can justify the cost of new vehicles. Touching on a few points regarding Hexham... They already have a branded spare MPD (the PVR is 4, and they have 5 vehicles), and 8293's replacement has to be a full sized single decker (just like 8228's had to be).


Replacing the 2011-born Versas (SimpliCity = 10, Orbit = 9) may be a good idea, though I question whether it would be good to do it in 2015 or 2016, given that I feel MPD replacement hasn't been a 'top priority' (X-reg MPDs should have been withdrawn in 2012, not 2013). We know that, no matter what, the "QuayLink" examples are going to be freed up - I've suggested that the current plan is for them to go to Washington for services M2/M3, assuming that the current midi-sized vehicle "trial" (if you want to treat it like that) is successful.

Nevertheless, 19 Versas to play around with... I'm not including the plain purple batch...
For a PVR of 12, I think that 14 Versas (losing one spare as the newer vehicles should be more reliable) could go to Peterlee. There are a number of services which run quite empty, but there are also a number of them which could justify a cascaded Versa. Deptford require 2 MPDs for the 238 and I'd assume like for like replacements and give them 3 for good measure. Crook require 2 MPDs for the 18, and I'd replace these likewise also - accounting for your 19 Versas.

We know that the "South Tyne" branded Cadets on the 5 are being replaced this year. We've been told that those vehicles are going to be withdrawn.

As for the cascades of the 700, you'd be allocating two different vehicle types (Hybrid vs non-Hybrid) again. I think they'll be retained for use on Nexus contracts.


I do think it'll be a contractual requirement for eco-friendly vehicles this time around. A simple Euro regulation won't suffice, if you ask me.

I agree, hence I pointed out that four ''Crusader'' mercs could transfer for the ''Cobalt Connect''. The 19 is only really busy at peak times beyond Cramlington, through the day it's usually only a few passengers beyond Cramlington. I still think Mercs would be suitable for the 19, and encourage more passengers to use the service in the Northumberland areas. This would have a good effect on withdrawing B10BLE's too, as 5251/2 from the Coaster would replace B10BLE's on the 71, 5243-6 Versas (therefore replacing MPD's), 5261-5 would replace Solars which would then replace B10BLE's and 5266-71 could replace Solars/Lolynes on the X25, and also helping to replace MPD's.

If the Simplicity and Orbit were to receive investment, I think some would go to Percy Main for the North Tyne Links, Peterlee for East Durham and Riverside for LOOP. A significant amount of MPD's could be withdrawn as a result of this, and B10BLE's as a result of a upgrade to the ''LOOP'', whether this be in 2015 or 2016...

And I forgot that 8293's replacement has to be a full sized single decker, because of the H11/H53. If the ''LOOP'' recives the Versa's I suggested, 5226 could transfer to replace that piece of crap.

''Sunderland Connect'' should defiantly get Versas. Where the remaining Solos go, I don't know, but I do think the 5. 603-6 don't need to be replaced for a while yet, and seem to be coping well on the W5/W6. It doesn't really justify anything bigger than a MPD in my opinion, unless the frequency was reduced to hourly on each service, which I doubt would happen.

If the M2/M3 does get a upgrade, I'd like to see a brand, something similar to the ''Washington Street Shuttle'', as I did like that brand.

(22 Feb 2014, 11:13 am)Dan wrote The "Lime" is in line to receive brand new Citaros this year.

It has been suggested in the past that the Citaros from the "Laser" will go to the Prince Bishops.

I thought the Prince Bishop buses also Fast Cats buses are to be modified just like the Loop buses etc..., which would rule out of any new or cascades buses going to those 2 routes, are the modifications been cashed by Durham County Council and Sunderland Council for those 2 specific routes to make it more greener?.