(02 Oct 2013, 10:08 am)Daniel wrote Introducing Citylink...
Photo credit to Damon Powell.
wow that's my new fav brand!
re-posting the list for the dates for new buses to arrive..(thanks Rob)
Lets get it right, on order:
11 Mercedes Citaro for MetroLINK -ALL HERE =D - Enter service mid October at a date to be confirmed.
8 Wright Streetlite for Drifter and 8 Wright Streetlite for Saltwell Park, which are due to start arriving towards the end of October - Drifter variants first. They are 2 different lengths for those who like the details.
14 Optare Versa for Citylink, which are due to start arriving mid/late October.
12 Optare Solo SR for Venture, which are due to arriving mid November.
34 Volvo B9/Wright Gemini for Fab Fifty Six and Cobalt Clipper, which are due to start arriving late December.
From the initial arrival dates, it will take a few weeks for everything to arrive, be fitted with the key smart card readers, have blinds programmed, branded, tested and ready to go.
In terms of the additional 15 vehicles which could be arriving next year, details have not been confirmed. What I will say, is that there is 1 route which has had no change for a while, and a lot of you have speculated for a while that it will get upgrades before the Waggonway. That one!
He also confirmed... Basically yes, all of the buses arriving are different to those currently in service. The brand has to be updated to match the new style of the vehicle. If you are to ask if brand names will be changing, then it is a mixed answer. Some will change, some will stay the same. I'm pretty sure a few references to those changes and those staying have already been made on this forum. A little bit of searching and I'm sure the results can be found.
The Saltwell Park Versa will be making their way to the Washington Street Shuttle services M2 and M3. 4 will transfer to Chester-le-Street for 34 and 34A services, leaving the remaining 4 at Deptford for service 61, which I believe is due to leave the Drifter brand identity. Services W5 and W6 are to leave the Washington Street Shuttle brand, and will be operated by MPDs 603-606, with 1 spare older MPD being retained from the current batch of Washington Street Shuttle MPDs, I believe it will be 570.
The MetroLink is to be re-branded and will feature a brand new striking design on the Citaro's bright blue bodywork.
This gives Washington depot a newly designed MetroLink (at present) brand and a newly designed Washington Street Shuttle (at present) brand.
I do look forward to the rumors circulating regarding out bright orange Volvo B9s and the lovely flower patterns to be covering these vehicles.