(19 Oct 2013, 4:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote If they operated in the same area, I could understand it, but since they operate in different area's, I cannot see the connection (get it ) between Stagecoach 10/11 and GNE 4.

Not suggesting that there was any connection here, however Stagecoach did seem to just sneak some new buses out on a wet Saturday morning, no fanfare or flash mobs etc...

(20 Oct 2013, 1:23 pm)missedbus wrote Not suggesting that there was any connection here, however Stagecoach did seem to just sneak some new buses out on a wet Saturday morning, no fanfare or flash mobs etc...

I wonder why they don't do anything like the above. Why not advertise the fact that they have spent millions on new buses

(20 Oct 2013, 4:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote I wonder why they don't do anything like the above. Why not advertise the fact that they have spent millions on new buses

I don't think Busways/SNE have ever really gone for the fanfare and boiler suit approach to introducing new buses (someone must have an example to disprove this?). The closest I can recall is the 'LoLiner is coming' leaflets that were produced for the 2/3/4/12/13/104 in Sunderland and the 100 in Newcastle back in the late 1990s when the first ALX200 & ALX300 were introduced.

Apart from that, it's been vinyls stuck on the side of the first lot of E200's ('Another New Bus from SNE') some time after they were introduced or going back further 'New bus' stickers on the Darts and - I think - posters inside some new buses back in Busways days saying how much they'd spent etc.

(20 Oct 2013, 4:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote I wonder why they don't do anything like the above. Why not advertise the fact that they have spent millions on new buses

I can see it from both sides. I personally think it's great what GNE and Arriva do for example, with promoting and marketing a new service, whether that be brand specific or greener transport. I can also see it from (what I'd perceive to be) Stagecoach's point of view. They're only replacing operational assets that have ended their usable life after all. Would you see Sainsburys shout and scream from the roof tops if they'd replaced all their tills once they reached EOL?

What'd be more interesting is to see the loading figures before and after some of these relaunches? For example, the GNE X1, 21, M1/4, and Arriva's 308, 2, 11 and 12. If I was investing in marketing campaigns, I'd want to see a steady increase on loadings post re-launch.

(20 Oct 2013, 5:19 pm)aureolin wrote I can see it from both sides. I personally think it's great what GNE and Arriva do for example, with promoting and marketing a new service, whether that be brand specific or greener transport. I can also see it from (what I'd perceive to be) Stagecoach's point of view. They're only replacing operational assets that have ended their usable life after all. Would you see Sainsburys shout and scream from the roof tops if they'd replaced all their tills once they reached EOL?

What'd be more interesting is to see the loading figures before and after some of these relaunches? For example, the GNE X1, 21, M1/4, and Arriva's 308, 2, 11 and 12. If I was investing in marketing campaigns, I'd want to see a steady increase on loadings post re-launch.

If GNE hadn't promoted the X84/X85, I highly doubt it would have such high passenger numbers! - I think it's great many people are using these two services, there is even some posters on Percy Main based Lolynes, with ''Visit Hexham'' posters on!

I highly doubt many people would have known about the launch of the E200's in Sunderland. If people had, there's a chance they might have trailed them. However, they aren't anything exciting, to me, unlike Go North East's launches. They're just a bog-standard vehicle to the public! I hope these new Gas Buses have a proper launch! They are much more exciting than E200's! More people would want to ride the Gas Buses than the E200's, I guess!

I think GNE/ANE need to promote their new vehicles which will be used on routes which have previously been unreliable due to the old fleet breaking down etc. Theres nothing wrong with the darts at Sunderland- there just replacing them and no routes or timetables are changing as a result

(20 Oct 2013, 5:31 pm)Tom wrote If GNE hadn't promoted the X84/X85, I highly doubt it would have such high passenger numbers! - I think it's great many people are using these two services, there is even some posters on Percy Main based Lolynes, with ''Visit Hexham'' posters on!

I highly doubt many people would have known about the launch of the E200's in Sunderland. If people had, there's a chance they might have trailed them. However, they aren't anything exciting, to me, unlike Go North East's launches. They're just a bog-standard vehicle to the public! I hope these new Gas Buses have a proper launch! They are much more exciting than E200's! More people would want to ride the Gas Buses than the E200's, I guess!

I think stagecoach could wait for the Gas buses to arrive, that sounds a better idea, TBH a launch for the new E200's would be pointless as we already have them before these ones arrived.

(20 Oct 2013, 5:33 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote I think GNE/ANE need to promote their new vehicles which will be used on routes which have previously been unreliable due to the old fleet breaking down etc. Theres nothing wrong with the darts at Sunderland- there just replacing them and no routes or timetables are changing as a result

I'd disagree. I'd think they were doing it to try and encourage more people onto buses if anything. People using the 10/11 in Sunderland will just see it as another bus, so the likelihood of them improving patronage on those services is slim.

When they bought the new buses onto the #23 they sent you leaflets with day ticket vouchers on

(19 Oct 2013, 5:17 pm)Dan wrote Dan said above they're at the back so they're being prepped to leave now.
Anyone considered one or two may be going to Hartlepool to get rid of their ALX200s?

Or possibly South Shields to get rid of 33492 and/or 21156? I know these two vehicles are spares however they are seeing daily use on the 17/18 circuit at the minute.

New bus smell on the 10, like how they set out and the noise of the engine, 1 chair in the wheelchair area

Better than the other enviros in the Sunderland fleet

Also like the black at front of the bus where the no smoking sign is.

(20 Oct 2013, 11:13 pm)Simmy wrote Or possibly South Shields to get rid of 33492 and/or 21156? I know these two vehicles are spares however they are seeing daily use on the 17/18 circuit at the minute.

As they are reserve vehicles, they won't be replaced when their time comes. Hartlepool, on the other hand, do still have an ALX200 on their allocation (33488) so that will need replacing while the other 2 (33486/91) can be replaced without replacement.

Stagecoach in Hartlepool darts are now transferring to Walkergate and Slatyford. One was seen on the 22, two on the 32/32A and another on the 15! - 22155 is on the 15A.

(22 Oct 2013, 10:50 am)Tom wrote Stagecoach in Hartlepool darts are now transferring to Walkergate and Slatyford. One was seen on the 22, two on the 32/32A and another on the 15! - 22155 is on the 15A.

Don't you mean Stagecoach in Sunderland Darts? And I assume you mean 21155 (we don't have a 22155)

(22 Oct 2013, 11:09 am)Kuyoyo wrote Don't you mean Stagecoach in Sunderland Darts? And I assume you mean 21155 (we don't have a 22155)

I swear it was NK04NPN

And yeah, 21155!

Un ID'd 63 reg on #4

Side indicators look different.

34610 (NK04NPV) was on service 22 to Throckley this morning.

Although 35156 and 35188 were parked at the back of Sunderland's depot the other day they are still in service at Sunderland as both were out today.

How many of Sunderland's new E200's are out in Service now?

How many is here?

Current Dart arrivals:
Walkergate: 34610, 34614
Slatyford: 35159

(22 Oct 2013, 6:14 pm)Michael wrote How many of Sunderland's new E200's are out in Service now?

How many is here?

Latest update I've had is that all up to 36978 have arrived. I stopped going to the depot myself a while ago - it does get tedious.
Will update fleet list in the morning, as I can't remember off hand where I was up to.

Only 2 left to arrive by the fleet list, hopefully the ones which are here now come out during the school holidays.

I just want the gas buses to arrive haha

[/align]36979 is registered SN63VVP and is also in the depot now

(22 Oct 2013, 9:17 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote [/align]36979 is registered SN63VVP and is also in the depot now

, hopefully last 1 will be here tommoz

(22 Oct 2013, 9:30 pm)Michael wrote , hopefully last 1 will be here tommoz

Last 2. There's 21 on order - 36979 only makes it 19

Their is... being a long day at uni

(22 Oct 2013, 7:51 pm)mattdw92 wrote Current Dart arrivals:
Walkergate: 34610, 34614
Slatyford: 35159

34612 too.

(23 Oct 2013, 3:36 pm)Dan wrote 34612 too.

Seen her today
Had a ride on 35159 yesterday on the 32A and handled rather well. Although probably because I'm not used to a "nice" Dart as our 56/04 reg ones back home are rather shagged. Driver wasn't too keen on it though and wanted an ALX200 back!

has the last 2 E200's arrived yet?


What service's have the new Enviro's being used on apart from the 10/11?

How many more is to enter service?