Getting frustrated with being so busy the past few weeks I thought enough is enough and get at least get 2 buses please note this is 2 mini outings over 2 days......
Strait after going to see my sister get on the coach to her venue for Prom and not returning until 12:30am I decided to for a E200 bash...
Journey 1 Home - South Shields Town Centre ADL Enviro 200 36475 18:57-19:25 Service 18
Expecting a integral E200 because there was only 2 or 3 MANviros out that day I hoped for a lucky catch ( 15 Reg Enviro ) but that didn't work out, in the end catching one from the original batch to enter service here in November 2011. The driver was in such a hurry, in the middle of picking my change and nearly got thrown the length of the bus! a nice load of around 7 people, picking up around 13 people through the journey even 1 of my friends from football gets on, Saying he's going to Tantobie via the Metro,X66 and X43 to visit his Dad. he gets off at Chichester to catch his Metro ad I continue to Kepple Street where I get off.
Hanging around for around 15 minuets for 1 of the 3 15 reg E200s out on Friday and 1 finally turns up on the 12.
Journey 2 South Sheilds Town Centre - Harton Nook ADL Enviro 200 37305 19:40-19:55 Service 12
Get in! I find one of the new E200s for my local routes ( 10,11,18 ) on the 12. I get on to find 2 drunk men singing the Wheels on the Bus. I sit a few rows in front of them but still manage to here them talking about how there going to cheat the benefits system and that stuff. Thankfully they get off around Tyne Dock and I go and sit a few rows towards the back to here the engine and gearbox. the driver put his foot down and the engine did well the thing I hate about the gearbox is the lack of a Kickdown button like the MANs which results in the driver putting his foot down but only gets a half kickdown in return. I abandon bus in the nook to find 1 of my friends from school ordering a Chinese yum yum, I chose not to disturb her and find another bus back to the town.
I wait in the nook for around 20 minutes to find either 22734 or 19194 on the Es or something else, in the distance I see 22725 on the 7 so I sprint across the road and up the road only to get ignored by the driver so I just wait another 10 mins for the 10 to the Crematorium which is only a short walk from my home.
Journey 3 Harton Nook - Simonside Crematorium ADL Envir 200 36469 20:08-? Service 10
Nothing much to comment on just the bus was packed and the bus struggled up the fast part of the John Reid Road. from getting of the bus I walk the short distance home getting home for around 20:40
The next day ( Today ) I was going to leave my Mam and Dad at home and meet them again at the Metrocentre to go to the cinema, yes the cinema on this boiling hot day!
So I walk from my home towards the Metro station to hear a Northern 142 going over the points just after the station. From my memory a metro is due 4 minutes after the Northen 142....it was, and I miss the train by a fraction after sprinting to the platform and buying my ticket so I wait another 9 minuets for the next one..
Journey 1 Brockely Whins - Heworth Interchange Metrocars ? and ? ( sorry I forgot their numbers )
Preety much packed like normal. The metrocar was rattling and had Minor corrosion which shows that these Metrocars were definatly done on the cheap.
Nothing else to say, It was only a 10 minute journey.
I get off a Heworth and grab a drink form the Newsagents in the station and went to catch which ever bus comes first
Journey 2 Heworth Interchange - Gateshead Interchange Optare Versa 11.7 Metres 5388 Service 58
Driver was really slow and drove in that really annoying ECO way. I like these Versas but preferred the Mercedes Citaro G Bendys that once plied this very busy route.
In my opinion the Versas are too small for this route maybe a powerful Double Deck like a B9TL would have been good but there not in production anymore so anyways..
Very busy,mostly older people but also 2 buggies and some kids my age and older aswell.relieved to arrive in Gateshead after having 25 mins of total Slowness.
My Mam,Dad and Nana are in Toby Carvery in the Metroasis place so I catch the 49 instead of the X66 as it stops right at the door.
Journey 3 Gateshead Interchange - Metroasis Mercedes Citaro 5331 service 49
Very good Journey but then, what do you expect from a Citaro? Bus was packed and nothing else to comment on....
HAve a good weekend and I might see yous at Whitley bay tomorrow sorry if I disturb you for a quick hello just haven't met yous in person before.
Once again have a nice weekend!!!
RE: Bus Related Outings and Reviews
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