(10 Dec 2013, 6:51 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote As far as i am aware it is all routes, i still cant get over the fact that i have seen 2 solo srs off route in 4 days of been in service!

Its better than having two sitting doing nothing in the depot, as there are two spare.

(10 Dec 2013, 7:13 pm)mattdw92 wrote Its better than having two sitting doing nothing in the depot, as there are two spare.

Didn't even know they had spares, i thought their PVR route was 12 not 10.
Silly me, haha

(06 Dec 2013, 4:24 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote 649 is on the 15, 1st day in service and one is already off route!

What time was it on the 15, as Venture buses are scheduled to operate evening 15's

(10 Dec 2013, 8:43 pm)busmanT wrote What time was it on the 15, as Venture buses are scheduled to operate evening 15's

I saw it at about 15:25 at Lanchester Village Green.

(10 Dec 2013, 6:43 pm)randomdude wrote Just a quick question, are any of you who have travelled on the venture solos aware of which routes have received next stop announcements? Is it all routes (inc. 689 etc.) or just the main routes such as V1,V2, V8?

Yes, they will, but there's loads of stops to record & its taking some time to do & they'll all get done - even the 689

Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

The Cobalt Citaros came from Go South Coast in an exchange deal which saw 4 older Cadets go the other way.
Two other 2nd hand buses in the fleet are two MPD's 618/619 (recently moved to Peterlee) which entered from Redby Buses.
I'm sure there's others too....

8293 came when GNE took over Northumbria Buses

Off memory the 2nd hand buses in service in the fleet at present are.......

618/619 - Ex Redby
3966-3983 - Ex Go-Ahead London
4989/4990 - Ex Ludlows
4991/4992 - Ex Anglian
5144-5150 - Ex Arriva Northumbria
5151-5171 - Ex Oxford Bus Company
5337/5338 - Ex Southern Vectis
5339/5341/5345/5347/5348 - Ex Go-Ahead London
6008-6042 - Ex Go-Ahead London
8289 - Ex Elcock Reisen
8293 - Ex Northumbria Coaches

That makes a total of 93 buses making up the second hand fleet.

For the record Arriva has around 75 which is due to increase.
Stagecoach has around 40 when all the Tridents are in service, but looks set to reduce as the Gas Buses are finally in service.

Speaking of Ensign Bus, They have a 2010 Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 up for sale, if they have a few it could a good investment for GNE, And there is still some Ex Go Ahead London Omnideckers available also.

http://www.ensignbus.com/volvo-b9tl-2010.html

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

As well as the current stock mentioned by Gary, other second hand aquisitions over the last 10-15 years, which have gone the journey - include the MPD's which came from Arriva at the same time as 5150 etc.
There was the Bluebird from Northumbria Coaches too.
There were the P & R reg Palatine Olympians which came North from London, deckers from Dublin and Nottingham, ex Arriva ECW and Palatine Olympians, the ex Ok Optare and Olympians, some Optare Spectra's from down South as well as a couple of Darts which arrived around the same time as 8289.

There will be many more such as the Marshall and Caetano bodied Darts and I'm sure others will be able to give more details (going from memory alone here).

(11 Dec 2013, 3:21 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Speaking of Ensign Bus, They have a 2010 Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 up for sale, if they have a few it could a good investment for GNE, And there is still some Ex Go Ahead London Omnideckers available also.

http://www.ensignbus.com/volvo-b9tl-2010.html

Doesn't look like your WSS have gone anywhere yet either .

Www.ensignbus.com/mini-pointer-dart-2003.html

edit. Just noticed this bad boy - not sure how long it will take to flog this mind www.ensignbus.com/daf-sb220-1998.html

(11 Dec 2013, 2:42 pm)Ely1992 wrote Has anybody got a list/photos of Vehciles that GNE have bought/got second hand in the past, I know recently they are buying new, however time to time there are Citaros/Scanias etc avaiable on ensign, Especially when theyve sold buses to ensign before, Im surprised they havent considering buying as a better alternative to buying brand new 'Spares' Im assuming its most likely not finacially sound, But i always find it more interesting when a bus moves to a new company to see the changes they make to it.

I know there is 2 older Citaros on the cobalt clipper that are 2nd hand, arent they.

Got a list of GNE photos that I currently have online available here - http://www.gjm-photogenic.co.uk/095GNE_photolist.htm - shows vehicles with other companies before and after GNE.

(11 Dec 2013, 3:31 pm)andreos1 wrote Doesn't look like your WSS have gone anywhere yet either .

Www.ensignbus.com/mini-pointer-dart-2003.html

edit. Just noticed this bad boy - not sure how long it will take to flog this mind www.ensignbus.com/daf-sb220-1998.html

They'll be joined by the Former East Durham Examples soon I would think, I'm now even more baffled as to why GNE are getting rid of them, as they are DDA Compliant according to the information on Ensign. One or Two of the WSS MPD's are still hanging on at Washington Depot mind if anyone is wanting photos.

(11 Dec 2013, 3:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote They'll be joined by the Former East Durham Examples soon I would think, I'm now even more baffled as to why GNE are getting rid of them, as they are DDA Compliant according to the information on Ensign. One or Two of the WSS MPD's are still hanging on at Washington Depot mind if anyone is wanting photos.

Who knows.
Maybe they are cutting their losses now, meaning they get a bigger buck now (and hard cash to help the cashflow when buying brand new vehicles), than keeping them for another year to sell.

Must admit to being puzzled when several of the original Chester Presidents were offloaded.
Presumably for similar reasons...

(10 Dec 2013, 6:43 pm)randomdude wrote Just a quick question, are any of you who have travelled on the venture solos aware of which routes have received next stop announcements? Is it all routes (inc. 689 etc.) or just the main routes such as V1,V2, V8?

I traveled on the 689 on Monday towards Hexham and next-stop announcements were not working. It would be difficult to do because between Ebchester and the A695 into Hexham, there are no recognised stops. The service is 'hail and ride'.

Don't smaller buses such as MPDs have a shell life of 12 years?

6006 looked to have broke down about 1500 this afternoon, it was standing empty with hazards flashing near the Cemetery Road stop.
Was on 5378 this afternoon and none of the announcements either visual or audio were working, all the ones I have been on so far show the stop as Leacondale Court when the actual street sign says Lecondale Court.

(11 Dec 2013, 4:45 pm)grandad wrote I traveled on the 689 on Monday towards Hexham and next-stop announcements were not working. It would be difficult to do because between Ebchester and the A695 into Hexham, there are no recognised stops. The service is 'hail and ride'.

Venture next stop information will be coming soon........being recorded by Metro radio

(11 Dec 2013, 3:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote They'll be joined by the Former East Durham Examples soon I would think, I'm now even more baffled as to why GNE are getting rid of them, as they are DDA Compliant according to the information on Ensign. One or Two of the WSS MPD's are still hanging on at Washington Depot mind if anyone is wanting photos.

They are the oldest minibuses in the fleet, so obviously the vehicles to be withdrawn and sold.

(11 Dec 2013, 5:47 pm)busmanT wrote They are the oldest minibuses in the fleet, so obviously the vehicles to be withdrawn and sold.

I fully understand that it's down to age and money from GNE's point of view and using that money to reinvesting in the Fleet, but at the end of the day there was nothing wrong with them and were in fine working order, plus they are DDA Compliant, compared to the SPD's/Olympians/Renowns and ELC Loynes which should of went before them as they are some of those 3/4 Year Older.

PB0002400/291 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Newcastle New Bridge Street given service number 56 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0002400/448 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Sunderland Park Lane Interchange given service number 135,136 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0003954/505 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between North Shields Rudyard Street and Sunderland Park Lane interchange given service number 9 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

(11 Dec 2013, 6:07 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I fully understand that it's down to age and money from GNE's point of view and using that money to reinvesting in the Fleet, but at the end of the day there was nothing wrong with them and were in fine working order, plus they are DDA Compliant, compared to the SPD's/Olympians/Renowns and ELC Loynes which should of went before them as they are some of those 3/4 Year Older.

The seating capacity on the MPD is inferior to that of say a Renown or Lolyne.

Pointless saying an Olympian or SPD as they too are currently or due to be heading out of the fleet.

(11 Dec 2013, 6:25 pm)Tom wrote PB0002400/291 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Newcastle New Bridge Street given service number 56 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0002400/448 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane Interchange and Sunderland Park Lane Interchange given service number 135,136 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

PB0003954/505 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between North Shields Rudyard Street and Sunderland Park Lane interchange given service number 9 effective from 12-Jan-2014. To amend Route.

Without a doubt related to the Roadworks in Sunderland City Centre with buses reverting to using John Street and Holmeside (just like they did many many years ago.)

(11 Dec 2013, 6:38 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Without a doubt related to the Roadworks in Sunderland City Centre with buses reverting to using John Street and Holmeside (just like they did many many years ago.)

Ye, might be a little better even though Holmeside gets packed and congested.

The 9 is then changing on the 26.1.14 to, again with a route and timetable amend. - This is more likely due to the Passenger consultation last month or October

(11 Dec 2013, 2:59 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Off memory the 2nd hand buses in service in the fleet at present are.......

618/619 - Ex Redby
3966-3983 - Ex Go-Ahead London
4989/4990 - Ex Ludlows
4991/4992 - Ex Anglian
5144-5150 - Ex Arriva Northumbria
5151-5171 - Ex Oxford Bus Company
5337/5338 - Ex Southern Vectis
5339/5341/5345/5347/5348 - Ex Go-Ahead London
6008-6042 - Ex Go-Ahead London
8289 - Ex Elcock Reisen
8293 - Ex Northumbria Coaches

That makes a total of 93 buses making up the second hand fleet.

For the record Arriva has around 75 which is due to increase.
Stagecoach has around 40 when all the Tridents are in service, but looks set to reduce as the Gas Buses are finally in service.

Thank you, spot on!

Hello noys and girls I'm new to the site just to tell you an orange gemimi is currently at deptford depot for driver familiarisation didn't get the mimber though..

Need to spell a little better too...

(12 Dec 2013, 1:00 pm)andymac wrote Hello noys and girls I'm new to the site just to tell you an orange gemimi is currently at deptford depot for driver familiarisation didn't get the mimber though..

Welcome to the forum Andy! Hope you enjoy your time with us, and thanks for informing us... they'll be for the Fab56 service! A welcome (and long overdue, imo) upgrade for the 56.

The vehicle at Deptford for driver familarisation is a Silver Volvo B9TL Gemini, one for Percy Main.