(09 Jul 2018, 2:11 pm)TEN 6083 wrote Couple of updates from Hexham. 9090 has been parked at Hexham Bus Station today, presumbaly on driver familiarisation prior to entering service. 723 is currently sat inside the depot shed and still has no route branding. Guessing this will be getting branded within the next day or so as it was parked up at the back of the yard all of last week

723 branded last night.

Still a couple of other jobs to do on it, though.

(09 Jul 2018, 6:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote Today I had a day out and listened out for the Next Stop Announcement updates as I said I would last week.

I didn't find the service announcement annoying at all, even on the 21 which stopped regularly. The only thing that I would suggest, if possible, is that the gap between the completion of the terminating stop and the 'where this bus terminates' be reduced.

Sadly the gap can't be reduced - there's no way to specify the time between the two recordings yet, although this has been requested by GNE to Hanover for a future update.

For passengers I don't think the service announcement is annoying at all - most are getting on with their own business (talking between themselves, earphones in, etc), so don't listen to or care about the announcements. Glad you think they're not so annoying after experiencing them! 

Might be a little bit more annoying for the drivers, but even then I think you learn to blank it out too. I know I can, but I'm slightly bias as I'm all for the system and the benefits it has for the visually impaired and those unfamiliar with the area. As a driver, I love being able to tell a passenger who asks to be reminded to shout of them when we arrive at x to just listen out for the announcement on the speakers.

(09 Jul 2018, 6:32 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Impressive!
 (Hope they make use of the centre doors).

Yes, we'll be using the centre-doors where possible!