(25 Nov 2020, 5:28 pm)S813 FVK wrote This one has since been spotted at the Go North West depot in Manchester.

They've still got a lot of B7RLEs so makes sense to jump onto the Citaros being freed up here.

Ok, perhaps not all as it seems if this photo is anything to go by (description below): 
https://flic.kr/p/2kajDhY

Arriving at the Go North West depot today on temporary loan was NK08CHN numbered 5305 in the Go North East fleet, it is expected the vinyl’s will be removed whilst in Manchester although it is not expected to enter revenue service here, well not yet.

(25 Nov 2020, 6:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote Ok, perhaps not all as it seems if this photo is anything to go by (description below): 
https://flic.kr/p/2kajDhY

Spotted this on Facebook.

23 might end up joining "Go North West" in the future.

Sorry if I've missed anything but are all citaros exept the Connection 4 ones getting withdrawn next year?

(25 Nov 2020, 8:05 pm)Michael wrote Spotted this on Facebook.

23 might end up joining "Go North West" in the future.

Guessing that means the Tynedale Express ones are on borrowed time then and it's 5298 - 5322 going. Don't think it was ever confirmed they were definitely getting withdrawn.

(25 Nov 2020, 9:04 pm)Storx wrote Guessing that means the Tynedale Express ones are on borrowed time then and it's 5298 - 5322 going. Don't think it was ever confirmed they were definitely getting withdrawn.

I believe it was announced during one of the Facebook Lives that the Citaros would be withdrawn by the end of the year, I could be wrong though

It's a shame to see the 08 plate Citaros going, although some of them are past their best, they're fantastic machines when healthy. Especially compared to the two 06 plate ones that Deptford are stuck with, awful things.

Interesting, certainly an upgrade on the Eclipses but very much older than the rest of the Manchester area fleets. So a sideways move (tho tbf something less profitable area first Manchester customers will be sort of used too)

Though reading on here you’d assume the crusader citaros are rust buckets on wheels barely making it out of the depot door each day

(26 Nov 2020, 12:43 am)Ambassador wrote Interesting, certainly an upgrade on the Eclipses but very much older than the rest of the Manchester area fleets. So a sideways move (tho tbf something less profitable area first Manchester customers will be sort of used too)

Though reading on here you’d assume the crusader citaros are rust buckets on wheels barely making it out of the depot door each day

My only real issue with the Citaros are the seats, they're horrifically uncomfortable, other than that, I'd have no issue with using them every day.
Plus, with them being recently refurbished, I'd imagine the interior is in much better nick than a lot of newer buses round there, and let's be real, the only part of a bus that really matters is the interior.

(26 Nov 2020, 12:48 am)streetdeckfan wrote My only real issue with the Citaros are the seats, they're horrifically uncomfortable, other than that, I'd have no issue with using them every day.
Plus, with them being recently refurbished, I'd imagine the interior is in much better nick than a lot of newer buses round there, and let's be real, the only part of a bus that really matters is the interior.

You won't be using them though, as you don't live down that way.

How much would withdrawn buses currently cost to purchase?
Have any NE Independents shown interest in doing so?

(11 Dec 2020, 10:51 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote How much would withdrawn buses currently cost to purchase?
Have any NE Independents shown interest in doing so?

I know GNE still have some of the solars lying around, that if I recall correctly, they wanted roughly 5k each for. No clue about the Citaros though.

(12 Dec 2020, 12:39 am)reymyster9 wrote I know GNE still have some of the solars lying around, that if I recall correctly, they wanted roughly 5k each for. No clue about the Citaros though.

From my point of view, they could be giving the Citaros away and independents probably wouldn't take them.

I think the only operators that can afford to run them would be the big groups, if something goes wrong on a Citaro, it costs a fortune

(12 Dec 2020, 12:39 am)reymyster9 wrote I know GNE still have some of the solars lying around, that if I recall correctly, they wanted roughly 5k each for. No clue about the Citaros though.

Is there a chance an enthusiast may try to pay that 5k for nostalgia purposes.

(12 Dec 2020, 10:14 am)ASX_Terranova wrote Is there a chance an enthusiast may try to pay that 5k for nostalgia purposes.

I wouldn't part 5k for them, but there seem to be a few kicking around in various places for static use. 
Bournmoor Scout Club at Woodstone Village have one.

(12 Dec 2020, 12:41 am)streetdeckfan wrote From my point of view, they could be giving the Citaros away and independents probably wouldn't take them.

I think the only operators that can afford to run them would be the big groups, if something goes wrong on a Citaro, it costs a fortune

If they gave them away for free, i think i would try and take 1 or 2 for personal use.

The Tynedale Express buses have been removed from Bustimes.org, looks like they've been fully withdrawn, surprised they haven't been kept as spares leading up for Christmas.

(19 Dec 2020, 12:02 pm)Michael wrote The Tynedale Express buses have been removed from Bustimes.org, looks like they've been fully withdrawn, surprised they haven't been kept as spares leading up for Christmas.

The Bustimes fleetlists are occasionally subject to erroneous updating - they are, after all, capable of having edits submitted by members of the public.  Our local operator has had a number of edits submitted to them which were not, in fact, true, including premature removal of vehicles from the fleet.

As always, treat Bustimes data with caution!

(19 Dec 2020, 12:34 pm)Ianthegoon wrote The Bustimes fleetlists are occasionally subject to erroneous updating - they are, after all, capable of having edits submitted by members of the public.  Our local operator has had a number of edits submitted to them which were not, in fact, true, including premature removal of vehicles from the fleet.

As always, treat Bustimes data with caution!

Also, buses can have the wrong ticket machine in, so you can't necessarily trust the tracking either

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(19 Dec 2020, 1:41 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Also, buses can have the wrong ticket machine in, so you can't necessarily trust the tracking either

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

In First Bristol it sometimes seems that the number tracking is the least likely identity for the actual vehicle!

Any update on how Go North West found the Citaro?, and have they decided to buy the 23 off Go North East?

(19 Dec 2020, 7:50 pm)Michael wrote Any update on how Go North West found the Citaro?, and have they decided to buy the 23 off Go North East?

Realistically, I think they'll probably take them regardless

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(19 Dec 2020, 12:02 pm)Michael wrote The Tynedale Express buses have been removed from Bustimes.org, looks like they've been fully withdrawn, surprised they haven't been kept as spares leading up for Christmas.

A picture was circulating on Facebook yesterday on the Citaros having departed Hexham, dunno if there's gone elsewhere yet or just to Saltmeadows or whatever, think they are still earmarked for transfer to Go North West.

Pretty likely they might go via Thorntons for Repaint. Not sure if they be refreshed internally as the Go seat pattern won't look out of place with Go North West.

News from Behind The Scenes at Go North West facebook page....

The trial of our Mercedes-Benz Citaro from fellow operator Go North East was a success! The first 8 of 23 Citaros destined for Manchester have now left Go North East, and are at Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year.

The first 12 buses will receive this bright new colour scheme and brand for the 41 - look out for more details soon. The remainder of the fleet will receive a modified version of our base livery.

These buses represent a significant upgrade for our customers in Manchester, featuring free WiFi, leather seats, USB power and a designer interior - and they'll be upgraded to Euro VI emissions standards, too.

The news means that our remaining ex-First B7RLEs are now on borrowed time - withdrawals will begin in earnest in the New Year, so catch them while you can!

(24 Dec 2020, 2:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote News from Behind The Scenes at Go North West facebook page....

The trial of our Mercedes-Benz Citaro from fellow operator Go North East was a success! The first 8 of 23 Citaros destined for Manchester have now left Go North East, and are at Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year.

The first 12 buses will receive this bright new colour scheme and brand for the 41 - look out for more details soon. The remainder of the fleet will receive a modified version of our base livery.

These buses represent a significant upgrade for our customers in Manchester, featuring free WiFi, leather seats, USB power and a designer interior - and they'll be upgraded to Euro VI emissions standards, too.

The news means that our remaining ex-First B7RLEs are now on borrowed time - withdrawals will begin in earnest in the New Year, so catch them while you can!

Glad they've decided to take the 23 of them, however I thought they couldn't be upgraded to Euro 6?

(24 Dec 2020, 2:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote News from Behind The Scenes at Go North West facebook page....

The trial of our Mercedes-Benz Citaro from fellow operator Go North East was a success! The first 8 of 23 Citaros destined for Manchester have now left Go North East, and are at Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year.
The first 12 buses will receive this bright new colour scheme and brand for the 41 - look out for more details soon. The remainder of the fleet will receive a modified version of our base livery.
These buses represent a significant upgrade for our customers in Manchester, featuring free WiFi, leather seats, USB power and a designer interior - and they'll be upgraded to Euro VI emissions standards, too.
The news means that our remaining ex-First B7RLEs are now on borrowed time - withdrawals will begin in earnest in the New Year, so catch them while you can!

Wonder what they'll do with the seats since they have the GNE logo embroidered into them, and due to the seat design, the head rests aren't separate like they are with other vehicles.

Probably be cheaper to start from scratch than with them rather than try and change it

Go North East 5305 (NK08CHN) by Buses2012, on Flickr

(24 Dec 2020, 2:55 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Wonder what they'll do with the seats since they have the GNE logo embroidered into them, and due to the seat design, the head rests aren't separate like they are with other vehicles.

Probably be cheaper to start from scratch than with them rather than try and change it

Go North East 5305 (NK08CHN) by Buses2012, on Flickr

It does say:

"Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year."


Wonder if its just the seats getting changed.

(24 Dec 2020, 2:59 pm)Michael wrote It does say:

"Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year."


Wonder if its just the seats getting changed.

Is there anything else that needs done? They're still fairly new inside and from memory everything else is pretty generic.

To be honest, the seats need changed anyway, they're horrific. Absolutely no cushion whatsoever

(24 Dec 2020, 2:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote News from Behind The Scenes at Go North West facebook page....

The trial of our Mercedes-Benz Citaro from fellow operator Go North East was a success! The first 8 of 23 Citaros destined for Manchester have now left Go North East, and are at Thorntons awaiting refurb before they join us in the New Year.

The first 12 buses will receive this bright new colour scheme and brand for the 41 - look out for more details soon. The remainder of the fleet will receive a modified version of our base livery.

These buses represent a significant upgrade for our customers in Manchester, featuring free WiFi, leather seats, USB power and a designer interior - and they'll be upgraded to Euro VI emissions standards, too. 

The news means that our remaining ex-First B7RLEs are now on borrowed time - withdrawals will begin in earnest in the New Year, so catch them while you can!

But, but... They can't be upgraded to Euro6.

Perhaps Go North East felt the cost to upgrade them wasn't value for money or the councils requested Scanias to be done because it was cheaper.