(05 Feb 2021, 5:30 pm)Dan wrote The dual-door buses were re-trimmed into Go-Ahead London's moquette shortly before being acquired, which was one of the main reasons nothing was ever done with them. They were, and still are, in very good condition. The second reason being that they were only ever acquired for the Tall Ships event, and remained in the fleet due to the fact Go North East were awarded a sizeable number of scholars contracts in July to commence operation in September (despite there being a large volume of work, such as the Sunderland Airshow, for these vehicles to be allocated to, between award of the contracts and their commencement).

The Scania OmniDekkas on the other hand were incredibly poor quality, but, as normal, were rushed out into service as quickly as possible, due to the business requirements at the time. There was a long-term project to re-trim the seats in all the Scania OmniDekkas on a rolling basis. All bar 6122 were completed (this one intentionally not being done due to it being the oldest in the batch, and planned for withdrawal this year).

Cannot deny that the quality of the refurbishment on Arriva's pre-owned vehicles is sublime - alas the downside to this is that the cost of the refurbishment (including centre-door conversion) would have been more than the cost of the bus, and as such they're probably lumbered with those buses for many years to come now (whereas Go North East's examples are close to being fully depreciated so could, in theory, be easily disposed of, should newer stock become available).

The first 57-plate ex-B&H OmniDekka is due back from repaint next week - I wonder how the interior will be presented?

As much as I'd love to agree with you on scholars being the 'customers of the future', unfortunately I'd have to disagree in this instance as very few show any kind of regard for the buses that they're using. Most vandalise them.


That, or operators factor into the cost of their bid the cost of undertaking significant refurbishment work, coming at the expense of the taxpayer (I'm sure that wouldn't be popular, either!)

(05 Feb 2021, 6:38 pm)Storx wrote Not sure which post it was so I haven't quoted but you keep mentioning simplifying tickets and how GNE will be in a better position than Arriva etc but surely now is the time you really need to work together in certain areas and if you did overall it would be better for everyone.

For example in North Tyneside you've got the North Tyneside smartzone and then the Newcastle smartzone tickets. I'm not sure who sets them up but surely an offering of a ticket which covers both North Tyneside and Newcastle which is priced around the £19 - £21 mark a week would a good offer for quite a chunk of passengers with the potential of use to the Metro Centre as a bonus and try and get the Nexus buses on board aswell. You's are all going to struggle at the end of the day the biggest competitor in the area is the Metro and always will be. Least then you've got a bus vs metro war as right now if your the wrong area buses just aren't an option and it gives endless more oppertunities for some punters for example those in Holy Cross who could get the 41 to Wallsend then jump on the 22 to Newcastle for example or someone in Briardene can jump on the W3 and then get the first bus that turns up to Newcastle.

Right now it's very unattractive for a typical passenger as the only intermodal ticket are Network One tickets (which are impossible to buy) which costs £29.60 and you'd jump on the metro anyway and that isn't cheap nor value for money. It then get's even worse for a passenger wanting to travel from Cramlington to Tynemouth for example which involves 2 operators and there's no intermodal ticket at all. Surely these are the places where things could be improved. I'm not sure how much say you have in Smartzones, but they'd be popular if they were expanded for the whole of the North of Tyne like that exists down Tees Valley which covers pretty much everywhere for those that need it as long as it's priced above the individual Arriva and your offers, no-one is really losing out. I know Teesside isn't mentioned much on here but the Tees Valley tickets are excellent value for money imo considering you travel all the way from Darlington to Saltburn and Hartlepool.