(04 Nov 2014, 9:08 pm)AIG20 wrote Stagecoach Teesside "Zone" branded ADL E300 27180 (SN64 OKF) seen on test at ADL Falkirk.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/15526561728/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/15527175930/
Images owned by Flickr user "Gordon Scott".

Not sure i like it or not

(04 Nov 2014, 9:46 pm)mrnut85 wrote "what ever shit they find" < quoted from AOM

Would be interesting to see what would be the replacements. Guessing that they would be from other regions since the only free vehicles in the North East are withdrawn MAN ALX300s...

(04 Nov 2014, 10:02 pm)Michael wrote Not sure i like it or not

I think the 24xxx and the new 27xxx look a lot nicer in the plain Stagecoach livery

(04 Nov 2014, 10:02 pm)Michael wrote Not sure i like it or not

I'm the same as you.
What does "The Zone" symbolise - if anything? Why has "comfort" been selected for that route? It may be due to my unfamiliarity with the routes on Teesside, but I just don't get it...

(04 Nov 2014, 10:52 pm)Dan wrote I'm the same as you.
What does "The Zone" symbolise - if anything? Why has "comfort" been selected for that route? It may be due to my unfamiliarity with the routes on Teesside, but I just don't get it...

I'm the same, not sure if its because i'm not from the area

Not too sure why they've chose to advertise the Middlesbrough-Norton every 7 1/2 minutes on the comfort zone branding, thought that would be better linked to the time zone. Will have to see what the branding looks like on the buses at the launch on Friday, but I have to admit I'm not a fan of the branding on the front of the bus

(04 Nov 2014, 11:24 pm)beefcake wrote Not too sure why they've chose to advertise the Middlesbrough-Norton every 7 1/2 minutes on the comfort zone branding, thought that would be better linked to the time zone. Will have to see what the branding looks like on the buses at the launch on Friday, but I have to admit I'm not a fan of the branding on the front of the bus

'Time Zone' and 'Comfort Zone' both have the same route descriptions (the every 7 1/2 minutes Middlesbrough-Norton on the nearside and the completely incorrect North Tees Hospital-Hartlepool one). So, it appears there's only 3 route descriptions (the third being Roseowrth-James Cook Hospital every 15 minutes which again is incorrect to the plannd changes).

Currently on the 16 and its packed and more have pilled on the hospital

when will the new brand buses enter service. And what buses would take over the rest of the old man alx 300 buses what are left at Stockton.

A canny few branded e300's were parked outside today, so much for keeping them under closed doors!

(05 Nov 2014, 6:26 pm)benambro wrote A canny few branded e300's were parked outside today, so much for keeping them under closed doors!

Funny - not a single one sat in the yard this morning. Of course, it all depends how many of the active fleet were required inside as well - after all isn't room in the pits and main shed for at least 14 brand new branded buses as well as 9+ fleet members undergoing work/tests etc.

Teesside trainer 21037 (L37 HHN) appeared to be on loan to South Shields this morning. I saw it on Lizard Lane at about 12PM.

(04 Nov 2014, 10:52 pm)Dan wrote I'm the same as you.
What does "The Zone" symbolise - if anything? Why has "comfort" been selected for that route? It may be due to my unfamiliarity with the routes on Teesside, but I just don't get it...

Don't worry, I've lived Teesside all my life and I don't get it either!

Hope everyone turns up to the launch tomorrow and tells them they should have got double deckers. Just about every 36/37/38 from 4 to 7 last night left M'bro with a standing load - except 17028 on the 36 and an Olympian which appeared to be a 37 duplicate.

(06 Nov 2014, 4:42 pm)Cock Robin wrote Hope everyone turns up to the launch tomorrow and tells them they should have got double deckers. Just about every 36/37/38 from 4 to 7 last night left M'bro with a standing load - except 17028 o the 36 and an Olympian which appeared to be a 37  duplicate.

The Middlesbrough college passes don't help... Standing loads on most buses arriving in Middlesbrough between 8 and 9 on a morning as they all want to be in at the same time. Even Leven Valley's stuff comes in bursting.

And tell them we don't want branding over the windows either! The new E300s can't have adverts on the offside so they have all that panelling to play with without obscuring windows!

(06 Nov 2014, 4:40 pm)AIG20 wrote Sunderland Pointer Dart 35159 has gained a moustache.
https://twitter.com/StagecoachNE/status/...25/photo/1

Forgot to note 35193 also has a 'tache.

(06 Nov 2014, 3:19 pm)Simmy wrote Teesside trainer 21037 (L37 HHN) appeared to be on loan to South Shields this morning. I saw it on Lizard Lane at about 12PM.

Are you sure ? It was on Junction Road Norton at 2pm I know that is do able but seems strange

(06 Nov 2014, 6:41 pm)alanf wrote Are you sure ? It was on Junction Road Norton at 2pm I know that is do able but seems strange.

Yup I saw the reg mate. Doesn't take long to get to Stockton I guess

Bit of a mystery then I wonder if that happens often

Welcome to 'The Zone'..........

Teesside's newest vehicles 27166-81 were officially launched today in Stockton High Street with 4 vehicles on display as followed:

'Time Zone' 27166



'Zone Out' 27170



'O-Zone' 27177



'Comfort Zone' 27179



The reason it's 'The Zone' is a play on 'WiFi Zone', advising the free WiFi available.

Should also point out that there's only 2 route descriptions which are as followed (along with the location on the buses):

'Middlesbrough-Stockton-Norton every 7 1/2 minutes' (Time Zone/Comfort Zone nearside, Zone Out/O-Zone offside)
'Middlesbrough-Billingham-Hartlepool every 15 minutes' (Time Zone/Comfort Zone offside, Zone Out/O-Zone nearside)

Some other bits and bobs revealed at the launch (attended by all the big managers from Stagecoach) includes:

The rumors of the transfer of 39701-14 to Stockton are completely untrue, confirmed by Phil Medlicott (as he said "if he doesn't know about it, it's not happening")
Also confirmed is the hunt for the replacements for Stockton's non-DDA Deckers (Olympians 16834 (which worked a 36 to Hartlepool this morning just before the launch) 16836 and Tridents 17025-9/32) is so far a struggle - but can confirm they are aiming for some second-hand (or even third hand) ADL E400s
Following the departure of Operation Manager Abbey Pettigrew to the same role at Oxford, Acting Operation Manager Shelly Usher is following suit with a promotion to the permanent role of Operation Manager at Stagecoach in Swindon. Her replacement as Stockton's OM is coming from West Scotland's Kilmanock depot.

Strictly speaking not North East, but Megabus Gold 50308 is currently at Walkergate Depot:
Megabus gold sleeper coach 50308 inside walkergate depot by topsweep1506, on Flickr

I think stagecoach on Teesside Volvo Olympian should have been replace with E400 in first place not the Dennis trident. I think

(07 Nov 2014, 3:56 pm)glen1234 wrote I think stagecoach on Teesside Volvo Olympian should have been replace with E400 in first place not the Dennis trident. I think

The ALX400s were probably the only vehicles available at the time. Probably quite difficult to come across Enviro400s in other divisions when there isn't a great deal of them being cascaded.

(07 Nov 2014, 1:53 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The reason it's 'The Zone' is a play on 'WiFi Zone', advising the free WiFi available.

Really? At a time when WiFi is becoming standard everywhere - including new bus orders? Seems a bit bizarre if the whole branding is around the provision of an additional service (or 'luxury' if you like), that has come to be the expectation...

(07 Nov 2014, 3:36 pm)Dan wrote Strictly speaking not North East, but Megabus Gold 50308 is currently at Walkergate Depot:
Megabus gold sleeper coach 50308 inside walkergate depot by topsweep1506, on Flickr

That bus looks quite elongated from that angle. Impressive though!

(07 Nov 2014, 5:09 pm)AIG20 wrote So will 27166-81 be entering service tomorrow?

They said they might be coming out today, but I'm back at work now.

(07 Nov 2014, 5:26 pm)Cock Robin wrote They said they might be coming out today, but I'm back at work now.

The incorrect branding has obviously been corrected before the launch, so any scoop photos beforehand will be rarities!.

(07 Nov 2014, 1:53 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Also confirmed is the hunt for the replacements for Stockton's non-DDA Deckers (Olympians 16834 (which worked a 36 to Hartlepool this morning just before the launch) 16836 and Tridents 17025-9/32) is so far a struggle - but can confirm they are aiming for some second-hand (or even third hand) ADL E400s

Any news on  replacements for the non dda remaining single deckers? 

Did anyone who attended The Zone launch today pick up the free stuff on offer, free stuff included:
headphones
memory stick
mints
thing to put in trollys instead of pound coins
screen cloth