(01 Dec 2020, 6:09 pm)Michael wrote From the GNE site:

Following the completion of the repaints on the “Saltwell Park” branded Wright Streetlites, Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid 5415 (NK15 EOF) has transferred from Riverside to Deptford. Similar 5416 (NK15 EOG) and 5417 (NK15 EOH) have both been formally allocated to Riverside (previously float/reserve), displacing Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6048 (NK12 GCZ) and 6084 (NL63 XBS) to Deptford. These three buses, as well as Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3943 (NK05 GZR) which transferred to Deptford last week, will provide cover whilst Deptford’s “Fab Fifty Six” branded Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2s undergo repaint and refurbishment. The examples taken out of service thus far include 6087 (NL63 YHP), 6088 (NL63 YHR), 6089 (NL63 YHS) and 6090 (NL63 YHT).


Wonder if this confirms, they'll stay on the 56.

But wasn't the Fab 56 (or a new brand) earmarked for just a repaint and not a full refurb like the Cobalts?

Perhaps they're are getting a refurb but as things stand with no changes earmarked for the Fab 56, they'd only need 6085-6095 as part of the PVR with 6084 as spare.

That then leaves 6096-98 free as well as 6099 given that the Cobalt PVR is 16x (TBC! -  leaving 6100 & 1x branded as spare). The Coaster also has 2x spare Volvo B5LH now that the PVR is 13x.

No more StreetDecks are supposedly moving from Chester Le Street. Therefore, if the frequency of the X45/X46/X47 remains the same, then B9TLs for Consett either on those routes or the X31 will no doubt be on the cards unless some extra StreetDecks from "somewhere" are on the cards.

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(01 Dec 2020, 6:25 pm)Storx wrote You do realise the Euro 6 mods paid by the council aren't just a free giveaway for GNE to spend whatever they want on right? The buses will have been agreed in advance on what route they're running on so you can't just move buses around for the sake it.

6100 - 6117 are on the 309/10/11 for the forseeable future and I'm guessing 5385 - 5388 on the Q3 as they're the buses done from the NT pot see https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/sites/de...port_0.pdf.

There's similar ones for Arriva and Stagecoach aswell believe they're the 51, 306, 308 and 38 off the top of my head. Similar contracts will have been done for the B9TL's at Riverside, Deptford and Hexham some of which will be agreed for the 10, 27 and 56. They can't just be sent off to Consett now otherwise they'll be breaking the back to back contract which is mentioned in there.

But what does the contract specifically state? Surely there will be scope in the event that an operator has to decrease the PVR (already have done from 17x to 16x).

And I'm sure that if GNE replaced them in the future (with newer vehicles) but still within the contract, then that shouldn't be a problem as GNE will still be meeting their obligation of running Euro 6 vehicles.

@Dan, do you know what the legal stance is for the Fab 56 and Cobalt B9s in terms of PVR reductions and surplus vehicles?