(28 Oct 2021, 11:50 am)Andreos1 wrote It will be interesting to see how sustainable electric vehicles are going to be, when the wholesale prices are going up across Europe.
I'm sure I read somewhere, that some tocs have been reverting back to diesel ops when available as it works out cheaper.

Any idea when the next batch are due for delivery ?

(28 Oct 2021, 11:50 am)Andreos1 wrote It will be interesting to see how sustainable electric vehicles are going to be, when the wholesale prices are going up across Europe.
I'm sure I read somewhere, that some tocs have been reverting back to diesel ops when available as it works out cheaper.

It was two Freight Operating Companies: Freightliner & Direct Rail Services, the FOCs pay as they use the electricity from Network Rail whereas the Passenger TOCs don't. The FOCs do not always operate all the services that are in the Working Timetable so they don't want to have a standing charge, whereas the TOCs (well pre-COVID) pretty much operated all the services that they planned to so the charges were not wasted.

(30 Oct 2021, 3:43 pm)IRHardy wrote It was two Freight Operating Companies: Freightliner & Direct Rail Services, the FOCs pay as they use the electricity from Network Rail whereas the Passenger TOCs don't. The FOCs do not always operate all the services that are in the Working Timetable so they don't want to have a standing charge, whereas the TOCs (well pre-COVID) pretty much operated all the services that they planned to so the charges were not wasted.

That's them. I hadn't heard the full tale or seen the full story at the time, but there's plenty online about it including this piece. https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/rising...-traction/

Next batch of EVs due around July 2022 (stated by MG on the Net Zero Transport NCC Policy Cabinet meeting yesterday - available to watch on NCC’s YouTube channel).

Not sure if that date was already known.

Kim Purcell (Arriva) also added that Arriva NE and Stagecoach NE will be trialling a hydrogen bus later in the year.

(10 Nov 2021, 12:14 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Next batch of EVs due around July 2022 (stated by MG on the Net Zero Transport NCC Policy Cabinet meeting yesterday - available to watch on NCC’s YouTube channel).

Not sure if that date was already known.

Kim Purcell (Arriva) also added that Arriva NE and Stagecoach NE will be trialling a hydrogen bus later in the year.

That is just when the Newcaslte bring in their emissions charge, something tells me that the 57 may have to have some buses from other depots to cover it.

(10 Nov 2021, 12:56 pm)Keeiajs wrote That is just when the Newcaslte bring in their emissions charge, something tells me that the 57 may have to have some buses from other depots to cover it.

The 57 already has buses available for the time being - 5463-5469.

The Prime Minister with 8809 which was sporting a few additional temporary vinyls while serving as a shuttle at Port of Tyne today: 

https://twitter.com/martijngne/status/14...23683?s=21

(22 Nov 2021, 12:42 pm)ne14ne1 wrote The Prime Minister with 8809 which was sporting a few additional temporary vinyls while serving as a shuttle at Port of Tyne today: 

https://twitter.com/martijngne/status/14...23683?s=21

Glad this photo op for the PM didn't come at the cost of his speech preparation or anything like that...

Go North East gonna get a mention on Look North or Tyne Tees news tonight

(22 Nov 2021, 12:57 pm)mb134 wrote Glad this photo op for the PM didn't come at the cost of his speech preparation or anything like that...

The photo was after the speech.


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(22 Nov 2021, 2:47 pm)Dan wrote The photo was after the speech.


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Crikey. Surprised his advisers let him loose after that shocker.

(22 Nov 2021, 12:42 pm)ne14ne1 wrote The Prime Minister with 8809 which was sporting a few additional temporary vinyls while serving as a shuttle at Port of Tyne today: 

https://twitter.com/martijngne/status/14...23683?s=21

Imagine wanting to associate with or go anywhere near Boris. 
PR exercise, begging bowl opportunity or something else. 

Hopefully it hasn't damaged anyone's brand or reputation too much.

Gannon the chair of the NE combine authority on transport or whatever its now called wont be happy at the fraternizing with the enemy!

(22 Nov 2021, 3:59 pm)mb134 wrote Crikey. Surprised his advisers let him loose after that shocker.

Was it a shocker. Or was it Boris being the bumbling fool as normal.

(22 Nov 2021, 5:14 pm)Andreos1 wrote Imagine wanting to associate with or go anywhere near Boris. 
PR exercise, begging bowl opportunity or something else. 

Hopefully it hasn't damaged anyone's brand or reputation too much.

Only a cretin with Custard's lack of awareness would dare set foot in the region after what he has done...

(22 Nov 2021, 5:55 pm)54APhotography wrote Only a cretin with Custard's lack of awareness would dare set foot in the region after what he has done...

Not just the region. The entire country. 

Appreciate we are getting away from electric buses, but once those images are published, there's absolutely no getting away from the fact that a certain operator and its staff are pictured (voluntarily) associating, bumping elbows and rolling out the red carpet for the cretin responsible for some horrendous mistakes and subsequently overseeing the highest numbers of deaths in the western world, for many a year.

I'm looking at these photos now, cringing and asking 'why'.

Agree entirely.

Honestly, only this forum could find a way to have a go at GNE for providing a private hire using an electric bus just because the PM used it. Have a word!

(22 Nov 2021, 7:08 pm)DeltaMan wrote Honestly, only this forum could find a way to have a go at GNE for providing a private hire using an electric bus just because the PM used it. Have a word!

100% agree.

At least he's up here.... haven't seen Keir Starmer in the NE unless I've missed something.

(22 Nov 2021, 7:08 pm)DeltaMan wrote Honestly, only this forum could find a way to have a go at GNE for providing a private hire using an electric bus just because the PM used it. Have a word!

And not just the PM but 120 other business leaders in the region who attended the conference and could have been so amazed by the quality and standard of the Voltra electric bus that they encourage bus travel to colleagues in their businesses, through new corporate travel schemes.

Terrible idea. Go North East should be ashamed of themselves for developing new business opportunities.


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(22 Nov 2021, 7:21 pm)Dan wrote And not just the PM but 120 other business leaders in the region who attended the conference and could have been so amazed by the quality and standard of the Voltra electric bus that they encourage bus travel to colleagues in their businesses, through new corporate travel schemes.

Terrible idea. Go North East should be ashamed of themselves for developing new business opportunities.


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When you have a PM, who gave a speech like that....

No one is saying GNE shouldn't have did it, it was just the absolute embarrassment the "prime minster" is

(22 Nov 2021, 7:21 pm)Dan wrote And not just the PM but 120 other business leaders in the region who attended the conference and could have been so amazed by the quality and standard of the Voltra electric bus that they encourage bus travel to colleagues in their businesses, through new corporate travel schemes.

Terrible idea. Go North East should be ashamed of themselves for developing new business opportunities.


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Having seen his speech and performance, I’d hope electric buses don’t have that effect on everyone ?

Get amazed by Voltra but wonder why Diane from accounts isn’t too thrilled with her Omnidekka. Probably one for another debate but bus and to a extent metro travel is the number one barrier to us getting colleagues back into the office. Hard to install confidence in them

(22 Nov 2021, 7:31 pm)Ambassador wrote Having seen his speech and performance, I’d hope electric buses don’t have that effect on everyone ?

Get amazed by Voltra but wonder why Diane from accounts isn’t too thrilled with her Omnidekka. Probably one for another debate but bus and to a extent metro travel is the number one barrier to us getting colleagues back into the office. Hard to install confidence in them

You’re absolutely right - but allow people to have a conversation about it, rather than just give up on public transport completely.

If even just some of the 120 business leaders travelling on that bus today start thinking about how their employees travel to work and consider bus as a viable option - because buses have changed since some people have last used them (pre-Covid), including all the cosmetic changes but also more attractive ticketing options (better price, more flexibility) - then this is a good thing.

I don’t think any of them were under any illusion that every bus was to that standard - but as I say, it enables a conversation to start taking place. There’s a long journey ahead and it won’t be easy, but there needs to be a proactive and collaborative approach to getting those people back in offices.

Usually see a lot of criticism on this forum about how operators are not proactive, don’t do anything besides ‘titivating’, and so on. I’d like to think, political views aside, that this ought to be considered a positive.

That was what today was about, more than anything else. The PM being there and wanting to talk about Go North East’s electric buses was just a by-product, and I can’t see there being any reputational damage when the MD’s Twitter account has a very limited audience.


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(22 Nov 2021, 7:43 pm)Dan wrote You’re absolutely right - but allow people to have a conversation about it, rather than just give up on public transport completely.

If even just some of the 120 business leaders travelling on that bus today start thinking about how their employees travel to work and consider bus as a viable option - because buses have changed since some people have last used them (pre-Covid), including all the cosmetic changes but also more attractive ticketing options (better price, more flexibility) - then this is a good thing.

I don’t think any of them were under any illusion that every bus was to that standard - but as I say, it enables a conversation to start taking place. There’s a long journey ahead and it won’t be easy, but there needs to be a proactive and collaborative approach to getting those people back in offices.

Usually see a lot of criticism on this forum about how operators are not proactive, don’t do anything besides ‘titivating’, and so on. I’d like to think, political views aside, that this ought to be considered a positive.

That was what today was about, more than anything else. The PM being there and wanting to talk about Go North East’s electric buses was just a by-product, and I can’t see there being any reputational damage when the MD’s Twitter account has a very limited audience.


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I hope there is positive business from the CBI people, but I wouldn't take an ounce of confidence from that charlatan Johnson. After what he's done to Rail in our region, don't believe anything he commits to.

(22 Nov 2021, 8:15 pm)54APhotography wrote I hope there is positive business from the CBI people, but I wouldn't take an ounce of confidence from that charlatan Johnson. After what he's done to Rail in our region, don't believe anything he commits to.

You shouldn't believe anything any politician commits to, regardless of their political persuasion.

(22 Nov 2021, 6:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Not just the region. The entire country. 

Appreciate we are getting away from electric buses, but once those images are published, there's absolutely no getting away from the fact that a certain operator and its staff are pictured (voluntarily) associating, bumping elbows and rolling out the red carpet for the cretin responsible for some horrendous mistakes and subsequently overseeing the highest numbers of deaths in the western world, for many a year.

I'm looking at these photos now, cringing and asking 'why'.

I think its seen as the obligatory thing to do. Employers, departments and agencies in this country feel obliged to roll out the red carpet for politicians, and they do so on a non-partisan basis. 

Whether that is the right or wrong thing to do is another debate entirely, but something that should be considered as a whole rather than a criticism of one business that attended the CBI conference. Not that I've ever been to one, but I don't think Go North East would have much control over who can send delegates to such event, and who delivers the keynote speeches.

It's worth pointing out that there was an absence of criticism over Nexus rolling out the red carpet for the Royals a week or so ago, and lets face it, they have a more chequered history than Boris Johnson could ever dream of having...

(22 Nov 2021, 7:18 pm)Michael wrote 100% agree.

At least he's up here.... haven't seen Keir Starmer in the NE unless I've missed something.

All in good time, Michael. He's on the agenda later in the week, as he was last year.

He'd have been up sooner, if you had found him some socialists to expel.

(22 Nov 2021, 7:31 pm)Ambassador wrote Having seen his speech and performance, I’d hope electric buses don’t have that effect on everyone ?

Get amazed by Voltra but wonder why Diane from accounts isn’t too thrilled with her Omnidekka. Probably one for another debate but bus and to a extent metro travel is the number one barrier to us getting colleagues back into the office. Hard to install confidence in them

(22 Nov 2021, 7:43 pm)Dan wrote You’re absolutely right - but allow people to have a conversation about it, rather than just give up on public transport completely.

If even just some of the 120 business leaders travelling on that bus today start thinking about how their employees travel to work and consider bus as a viable option - because buses have changed since some people have last used them (pre-Covid), including all the cosmetic changes but also more attractive ticketing options (better price, more flexibility) - then this is a good thing.

I don’t think any of them were under any illusion that every bus was to that standard - but as I say, it enables a conversation to start taking place. There’s a long journey ahead and it won’t be easy, but there needs to be a proactive and collaborative approach to getting those people back in offices.

Usually see a lot of criticism on this forum about how operators are not proactive, don’t do anything besides ‘titivating’, and so on. I’d like to think, political views aside, that this ought to be considered a positive.

That was what today was about, more than anything else. The PM being there and wanting to talk about Go North East’s electric buses was just a by-product, and I can’t see there being any reputational damage when the MD’s Twitter account has a very limited audience.

Having a conversation about it is a very good start, and to be fair, something that GNE seem to want to do a lot more than anyone else, but too many operators are stuck using old money. Either because they either don't want to or haven't got the skills to start accepting new money. Until there's a wholesale change of attitude in the industry, you're always going to stifle progression.

Based on the conversations I'm having with people every other day now, people simply still don't see buses (and other public transport) as a viable option, or the perception is that they're unreliable, germ-ridden and expensive. I think if their local route was a VOLTRA or Xlines, they'd have a completely different perception, which to me screams of why we so badly need a roadmap to wholesale improvement of bus services.

I was hoping the BSIP would go some way in getting us there, but sadly that is even watered down; quoting 4 years to get to Euro 6, nevermind buses utilising renewable energy.

We'll have to see what the response is to this £804 million that has been asked for. Johnson's answers to the two transport questions would have told business leaders everything they need to know about the Govt's priorities for infrastructure and transport in our region. He really hasn't got a clue and hadn't bothered to brief himself of any facts (or the geography) before his speech.

(22 Nov 2021, 7:21 pm)Dan wrote And not just the PM but 120 other business leaders in the region who attended the conference and could have been so amazed by the quality and standard of the Voltra electric bus that they encourage bus travel to colleagues in their businesses, through new corporate travel schemes.

Terrible idea. Go North East should be ashamed of themselves for developing new business opportunities.


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I'm not sure anyone has said it was a terrible idea for developing new business opportunities with business leaders. 
In fact nothing has been said along those lines at all. 
The comments have all related to Boris and the voluntary sycophantic behaviour shown towards a fella 'leading' (and I use the words loosely) the country through the pandemic, demonstrating behaviours that touch on negligence, but could probably attract a lot worse words from a better educated man than myself.

Quite why anyone would want to associate themselves with him, is beyond me. Quite why anyone would want to associate their business or brand with him...

Was going out to Hexham today and spotted 8808 going towards Prudhoe with an engineer driving, bit far from its usual areas.


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What month is the next 9 electric buses due to arrive?

(31 Dec 2021, 2:59 pm)Michael wrote What month is the next 9 electric buses due to arrive?

I think June-August was the 'rumour'