On a totally different note - Sunderland 39727 is on 12s today covering for an ALX300.

(11 Oct 2013, 7:05 am)Daniel wrote Can't keep up with the edits here Matt - 'twas totally different last time I saw that post!

Surely the bid would be non-compliant again, if Stagecoach could not include confirmation from the relevant manufacturer(s) that they can meet the deadline of 31st March 2014?

See Section 4.2:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...idance.pdf

Unless an exception has been made in the past, is it likely that it will happen this time?

Admittedly, Section 4.2 also states
"Bids will be non­-compliant if they are received after the advertised deadline of 17:00 on Tuesday 26th March 2013"

On top of the 37 already intended for Stagecoach (in accordance with the 2013/14 Stagecoach Handbook), an additional 3 have been ordered. We know that 17 were intended for Stagecoach in Sunderland whilst the other 20 were for Sheffield (?), but an additional 3 have been ordered.
So perhaps the guidelines can be bent to suit circumstances such as this - but it does seem a little unlikely to me. I admit that the manufacturers would be incredibly pressured to have these buses built for March 2014, but I'm just going on the official documentation made available publicly.

Not quite Dan, the additional 20 were to be an order for West Scotland (?) but unfortunately they could not get the funding for these so therefore that order didn't get placed. Therefore the additional 23 for Sundrland will go in as a fresh order. The government will have to extend the deadline for this additional batch they've just announced surely due to the lead time from orders being placed to taking delivery.

(11 Oct 2013, 7:05 am)Daniel wrote Can't keep up with the edits here Matt - 'twas totally different last time I saw that post!

Apologies! Had lots if ideas going round my head, relating to previous years info and also asking people for their opinion, and kept disagreeing with my thoughts! :L Ending with me just thinking they have to extend as I kept dismissing ideas!

36083/85 on 16s whilst 22486 (?) has been allocated to 4s.
Also noted another ADL E200 on 16s in the distance but didn't catch fleet number.

Back onto the ADL E200 discussion...

I am under the impression that SN63VVA (which you'd have thought would have been allocated fleet number 36965) has actually been allocated fleet number 36966.

SN63VVE is reported to have been allocated fleet number 36970, whilst VVF is reported to have been allocated fleet number 36971. Both should have arrived today, though I can't confirm that (anyone else?)

I have updated the Stagecoach North East fleet list with the fleet numbers we believe to have been allocated so far nevertheless:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/snefleetsearch.php?fleetno=®=&chassis=Dennis+Dart+SLF+4&bodywork=Alexander+Enviro+200&depot=Sunderland&livery=Stagecoach&year=2013

Reserve ALX200 33829 on 23s, as is 35155.
Reserve ALX200 33484 on 19s.
Meanwhile, E200 36093 is on 20s.

(11 Oct 2013, 6:58 pm)Daniel wrote Back onto the ADL E200 discussion...

Both should have arrived today, though I can't confirm that (anyone else?)

Both have arrived, alongside VVD - bringing the total up to 11 arrivals (5 last week, 6 this week). I could be wrong, but I assume the sixth from last week may still be getting looked at if a fault has occurred. This would be VUY/Z, 36965 in fleet number format.

(12 Oct 2013, 10:20 am)Daniel wrote Both have arrived, alongside VVD - bringing the total up to 11 arrivals (5 last week, 6 this week). I could be wrong, but I assume the sixth from last week may still be getting looked at if a fault has occurred. This would be VUY/Z, 36965 in fleet number format.

Managed to get this shot of the latest new arrivals at the Wheatsheaf depot this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N07/10224368844/

(12 Oct 2013, 2:33 pm)Peter B wrote Managed to get this shot of the latest new arrivals at the Wheatsheaf depot this morning:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N07/10224368844/

I managed quite a similar shot myself Peter! It was a delight to see all of them together at the back of the depot with no other vehicles around.



I've updated North East Buses' fleet list accordingly.

Richard

Could I ask where you got the information about the different codings?

Rgds
David

(13 Oct 2013, 7:57 am)Daniel wrote I managed quite a similar shot myself Peter! It was a delight to see all of them together at the back of the depot with no other vehicles around.



I've updated North East Buses' fleet list accordingly.

Brill shot =D

(13 Oct 2013, 9:24 am)Michael wrote Brill shot =D

Ta :p
'twas a wonderful birthday treat from Stagecoach!

(13 Oct 2013, 9:24 am)Richard Smiles wrote David,

Not sure if we know each other, but my contacts are confidential.
Sorry!.

Regards,

Richard

No, I don't think we do know each other. Anyway, thanks for posting what you can.

Regards
David

I am totally confused....can someone confirm what new vehicles Stagecoach is getting and which depots are getting what. Are Sunderland getting everything and Newcastle nowt?

(13 Oct 2013, 1:33 pm)citaro5284 wrote I am totally confused....can someone confirm what new vehicles Stagecoach is getting and which depots are getting what. Are Sunderland getting everything and Newcastle nowt?

I'd be happy to oblige.

Sunderland are receiving 21 new ADL E200s (which have already started to arrive).
Sunderland are also receiving 40 eco-friendly Scania E300s.

We should see the withdrawal of Sunderland's three final ALX200s as a result of the new ADL E200 arrivals, and (at least) 18 Pointer 2 Darts should be transferred to Newcastle so that their older vehicles (i.e. ALX200s) can also be withdrawn.

The Scania E300s should see the withdrawal of the non-DDA ALX300s.

(13 Oct 2013, 1:33 pm)citaro5284 wrote I am totally confused....can someone confirm what new vehicles Stagecoach is getting and which depots are getting what. Are Sunderland getting everything and Newcastle nowt?

Ye Sunderland getting 61 new buses - Newcastle - Nothing - for once we getting a good delivery =D

40 which are gas - First 17 are due in next couple of months - the other 23 have just being announced - Not sure when they will arrive.

21 E200's - 11 have arrived so far - Hopefully out soon

These will let the Darts move to other depot's and withdraw all the older MAN buses =)


Ah Daniel beat me to it again.. haha

(13 Oct 2013, 1:36 pm)Daniel wrote I'd be happy to oblige.

Sunderland are receiving 21 new ADL E200s (which have already started to arrive).
Sunderland are also receiving 40 eco-friendly Scania E300s.

We should see the withdrawal of Sunderland's three final ALX200s as a result of the new ADL E200 arrivals, and (at least) 18 Pointer 2 Darts should be transferred to Newcastle so that their older vehicles (i.e. ALX200s) can also be withdrawn.

The Scania E300s should see the withdrawal of the non-DDA ALX300s.

What influence if any do you think the new MD has had in Sunderland getting these new vehicles (or were these ordered before Phil). Under John Conroy it seemed Newcastle got everything

(13 Oct 2013, 2:37 pm)citaro5284 wrote What influence if any do you think the new MD has had in Sunderland getting these new vehicles (or were these ordered before Phil). Under John Conroy it seemed Newcastle got everything

Not sure, might be a lot but glad Sunderland are getting new buses rather than Newcastle, its about time we got new buses.

I am glad Sunderland have new buses instead of Newcastle and south shields and they are always getting new buses I think stagecoach on Teesside should have turn of getting new buses next time and they need them badley

(13 Oct 2013, 3:40 pm)glen wrote I am glad Sunderland have new buses instead of Newcastle and south shields and they are always getting new buses I think stagecoach on Teesside should have turn of getting new buses next time and they need them badley

Ye, Sunderland won't get new buses for a while after this lot.

Sunderland ALX300 22072 has broken down on Chester Rd.

5A went past my house about 5 mins ago, it was packed for once

Not sure how long this has been in effect for, but it seems Stagecoach now prohibit 'electronic cigarettes' on their buses... I'm not a smoker myself, but I thought the whole idea was that it helps people get away from the addiction somewhat, and that they can be used whenever and whereever?

(14 Oct 2013, 10:17 am)Richard Smiles wrote Though still not yet actually seen, the registration number for E200
36965 has now been formally confirmed as SN63VUY.

Regards

Richard

She has now arrived at Sunderland.

B10 trainer 20552 is at Sunderland.

NEXUS ADMITS KEY CLAIMS UNDERPINNING ITS CASE FOR BUS CONTRACTS SCHEME ARE "INACCURATE"
http://stagecoach.com/media/news-release...laims.aspx

Perhaps Nexus should withdraw all bus support and leave it to the commercial companies. Once GNE and Stagecoach start cutting services, the lies of commercial companies will be exposed. SNE haven't created any new services in Sunderland for 8 years or so.

(15 Oct 2013, 5:46 pm)pringlj wrote Perhaps Nexus should withdraw all bus support and leave it to the commercial companies. Once GNE and Stagecoach start cutting services, the lies of commercial companies will be exposed. SNE haven't created any new services in Sunderland for 8 years or so.

Perhaps not 'new', but the extension of service 23 to Seaburn on Sundays?

(15 Oct 2013, 5:46 pm)pringlj wrote SNE haven't created any new services in Sunderland for 8 years or so.

Do Stagecoach really need to create any new services in Sunderland? If they are viable and successful why change them and surely it is better to have a stable network rather than the Go North East approach to Sunderland.

I agree , that the GNE way is stupid, but no SNE new services in 8 years ?? Don't get me wrong SNE are reliable unlike GNE.