(03 Jun 2014, 10:14 pm)Dan wrote The usual allocation is one of the vans. An enthusiast I talk to actually informs me of when something besides a van turns up, given that it interworks with the evening 8X service and it may be worthy of a photograph.
It is very rare for a Solo to turn up on the 37, the Bluebird used to be the regular until the Cadets were brought in, and ever since, it has seemingly been a van with the odd working being the Bluebird these days.
You mentioned other contractors? It therefore did seem appropriate to mention that the Go North East variation of service 37 is usually operated to a much higher standard than that set by Compass - like I say, the vehicles Go North East allocate always have a destination display and are Euro 5 99% of the time (although this can be in the form of the Sunderland Connect backup or indeed a SimpliCity Versa).
Go North East do have a 'record', but is this not to be expected when you consider the amount of contracts/tendered services they operate compared to the likes of Compass? I really cannot see issues with quality on Go North East's half, but if you can, so be it...
Will have to keep my eyes open next time I pop round to the folks (the 37 is the only bus that serves their estate), with the house in view of the bus stop.
As I say, it tends to be the Bluebird whenever I am round theirs - but if your enthusiast friend says it is the van, so be it...
Mind, I never said there was a quality issue with the GNE allocation to the 37 or any other bus that is allocated to it, commenting on the fact a Solo is the usual allocation...
What I did say, was that they have a record - look at the fines for non-compliance.
I haven't done any maths, but it will be interesting to see fines vs the fleet size/suitable vehicles to see if these smaller independents are as bad as made out.