(13 Jul 2020, 12:51 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I really like the light blue they currently use, it feels a lot brighter, which is needed with relatively small windows. It already looks quite dark in the photo (although that could just be Dan's photography skills )

Same colourscheme as the 'New bus for London' buses, so it is quite dark but it is very light above waist height where an off-white colour is used instead.

(13 Jul 2020, 2:33 pm)Dan wrote Same colourscheme as the 'New bus for London' buses, so it is quite dark but it is very light above waist height where an off-white colour is used instead.

I suppose it's one of those things you have to see in person

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Mod note:

The quality/presentation discussion and debate has been moved to its own thread in the "off-topic bus chat" section of the forum:
https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showt...p?tid=2609

Are all the Red Kite B9’s starting to lose their calling point decals from along the side/advertisement frame area prior to repaint/transfer or has it just been 6119 I’ve kept seeing recently?

(13 Jul 2020, 4:02 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Are all the Red Kite B9’s starting to lose their calling point decals from along the side/advertisement frame area prior to repaint/transfer or has it just been 6119 I’ve kept seeing recently?

Yes, 6118-21 have all had the cant rails stripped. The route details were only relevant to the 47 and since being fitted with advert frames, the advert covers all bar a small section of the end.

6121 also had the bird stripped at the back, but this turned out to be a very time-consuming job, so the others were not done. See photo: https://flic.kr/p/2jjfDs4

Go North East: Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 (BG15RNF/6118) by James Dunkley, on Flickr

(13 Jul 2020, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote Yes, 6118-21 have all had the cant rails stripped. The route details were only relevant to the 47 and since being fitted with advert frames, the advert covers all bar a small section of the end.

6121 also had the bird stripped at the back, but this turned out to be a very time-consuming job, so the others were not done. See photo: https://flic.kr/p/2jjfDs4

Go North East: Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 (BG15RNF/6118) by James Dunkley, on Flickr

Are these still going to East Yorkshire?

I can imagine trying to get the Red Kite off being a nightmare haha

On Sundays, will some E400MMCs at Hexham and Consett (depending on PVRs) step in for older StreetDecks (mainly 16 plates if they're allocated to Consett) & B9TLs to help either conserve vehicles and or reduce fuel bills?

I'd imagine an E400MMC with stop-start would be cheaper to run on the Tyne Valley Ten than a B9TL. And barring the livery, the B9TLs and E400MMCs at Hexham would be nigh on identical in terms of interior specification.

Interesting to see no mention of the X5/X15. If the 56 goes back to normal frequency, could some Red Kite streetlites be used on this service, with others transferring to Deptford?

(14 Jul 2020, 10:31 am)JP6004 wrote Interesting to see no mention of the X5/X15. If the 56 goes back to normal frequency, could some Red Kite streetlites be used on this service, with others transferring to Deptford?

When (if) the college returns in September, streetlites are too small capacity wise. Think it was mentioned that streetdecks will complete the allocation for X15/X45/X46/X47. 6 new ones and 7 existing fleet +2 spares in my opinion will be enough.

(14 Jul 2020, 10:46 am)Stanleyone wrote When (if) the college returns in September, streetlites are too small capacity wise. Think it was mentioned that streetdecks will complete the allocation for X15/X45/X46/X47. 6 new ones and 7 existing fleet +2 spares in my opinion will be enough.

Cheers, sorry didnt realise they were included in the allocation of streetdecks

(14 Jul 2020, 10:49 am)JP6004 wrote Cheers, sorry didnt realise they were included in the allocation of streetdecks

I don't think it was like!

(14 Jul 2020, 10:46 am)Stanleyone wrote When (if) the college returns in September, streetlites are too small capacity wise. Think it was mentioned that streetdecks will complete the allocation for X15/X45/X46/X47. 6 new ones and 7 existing fleet +2 spares in my opinion will be enough.

PVR for X45/X46/X47 is 14 (same as when 45/46/47 inter worked) and PVR for X5/X15 is 4. That leaves a total combined PVR of 18.

Will the frequency remain the same on all of the above services and if so, where will the extra vehicles come from?

(14 Jul 2020, 6:20 pm)L469 YVK wrote PVR for X45/X46/X47 is 14 (same as when 45/46/47 inter worked) and PVR for X5/X15 is 4. That leaves a total combined PVR of 18.

Will the frequency remain the same on all of the above services and if so, where will the extra vehicles come from?

You're right it was 14.

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(14 Jul 2020, 8:59 pm)Storx wrote This is just speculation, but possibly the X46 could be scrapped with the X47 extended from Blackwell Mill to Consett via the X46 bus route. 14 Streetdecks then would probably be enough. X45 / X47 - PVR 10, X15 - PVR 4. I don't know the numbers, but having a 10 minute bus service between Rowlands Gill to Newcastle all with deckers seems a bit overkill especially with Covid.

My speculation could be the X45 running via the X47 route, which could in theory make the V9 redundant saving a minibus but adding additional capacity on the chop well to Consett bit. Also I would question the shotley extension to the X5/X15. Could reroute the V3/V4 via kings rd or run the X5 via the V4 route and serve the hospital after Cuthberts Avenue and the X15 via the V3 route. Saving more minibuses.

(14 Jul 2020, 9:03 pm)Stanleyone wrote You're right it was 14.

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My speculation could be the X45 running via the X47 route, which could in theory make the V9 redundant saving a minibus but adding additional capacity on the chop well to Consett bit. Also I would question the shotley extension to the X5/X15. Could reroute the V3/V4 via kings rd or run the X5 via the V4 route and serve the hospital after Cuthberts Avenue and the X15 via the V3 route. Saving more minibuses.

If the X45 was made to serve it's 45 route (but as express  between Newcastle and MetroCentre), how would GoNE market routes so customers knew which ones were the fastest between Consett and Newcastle?

They could do 2x destination displays to prevent dilution so that the route is still marketed as an "express" for people between Blackhall Mill and Newcastle but known as a slower service for anywhere beyond Blackhall Mill.

So you could have (Destination / Via & for)..............
- X45(1) Blackhall Mill / then Newcastle
- X45(2) Newcastle / via Metrocentre
- X45(3) Blackhall Mill / then Consett
- X45(4) Consett / via Blackhill

A good idea would be to try and time the X46 / X70 & X71 so that they're at sort of even intervals and market them 3x services as the "fast" buses to Consett. Even keeping on nearby stands at Eldon Square would help with perhaps a dedicated Consett to Newcastle timetable for those 3x routes.

(14 Jul 2020, 9:33 pm)L469 YVK wrote If the X45 was made to serve it's 45 route (but as express  between Newcastle and MetroCentre), how would GoNE market routes so customers knew which ones were the fastest between Consett and Newcastle?

They could do 2x destination displays to prevent dilution so that the route is still marketed as an "express" for people between Blackhall Mill and Newcastle but known as a slower service for anywhere beyond Blackhall Mill.

So you could have (Destination / Via & for)..............
- X45(1) Blackhall Mill / then Newcastle
- X45(2) Newcastle / via Metrocentre
- X45(3) Blackhall Mill / then Consett
- X45(4) Consett / via Blackhill

A good idea would be to try and time the X46 / X70 & X71 so that they're at sort of even intervals and market them 3x services as the "fast" buses to Consett. Even keeping on nearby stands at Eldon Square would help with perhaps a dedicated Consett to Newcastle timetable for those 3x routes.

Maybe if they hadn't made every other route an 'express' route for the sake of branding they wouldn't have that issue...

(14 Jul 2020, 9:03 pm)Stanleyone wrote You're right it was 14.

---

My speculation could be the X45 running via the X47 route, which could in theory make the V9 redundant saving a minibus but adding additional capacity on the chop well to Consett bit. Also I would question the shotley extension to the X5/X15. Could reroute the V3/V4 via kings rd or run the X5 via the V4 route and serve the hospital after Cuthberts Avenue and the X15 via the V3 route. Saving more minibuses.

Not a bad shout that then it could see of the worst of the Solo's at Percy Main 698 - 70?. The only problem is the timing, if they both left Newcastle at the same time, by the time they're back together at Shotley they'd be in tandem. Ngl it's why I deleted it

(14 Jul 2020, 9:33 pm)L469 YVK wrote If the X45 was made to serve it's 45 route (but as express  between Newcastle and MetroCentre), how would GoNE market routes so customers knew which ones were the fastest between Consett and Newcastle?

They could do 2x destination displays to prevent dilution so that the route is still marketed as an "express" for people between Blackhall Mill and Newcastle but known as a slower service for anywhere beyond Blackhall Mill.

So you could have (Destination / Via & for)..............
- X45(1) Blackhall Mill / then Newcastle
- X45(2) Newcastle / via Metrocentre
- X45(3) Blackhall Mill / then Consett
- X45(4) Consett / via Blackhill

A good idea would be to try and time the X46 / X70 & X71 so that they're at sort of even intervals and market them 3x services as the "fast" buses to Consett. Even keeping on nearby stands at Eldon Square would help with perhaps a dedicated Consett to Newcastle timetable for those 3x routes.

You don't basically, they'd probably want to try and push them onto the X70/X71 as they'll be quieter than the X45/X47 if they reduced the frequency of those.

Not sure I think the 45/46/67 moving to the XLines brand was the wisest choice. The routes are not much different to than they were without the express element. I think the branding should be focused around a revised Red Kite.

On a side note, what are the loadings like on the X30/1 and X70/1?

(14 Jul 2020, 11:41 pm)Big O wrote Not sure I think the 45/46/67 moving to the XLines brand was the wisest choice. The routes are not much different to than they were without the express element. I think the branding should be focused around a revised Red Kite.

On a side note, what are the loadings like on the X30/1 and X70/1?

I can only go off what I've operated. At the minute all are increasing steadily but nothing like pre pandemic. If we are talking pre pandemic, x30 busy most journeys even the Consett extensions were picking up. x31 was mainly busier on the east Stanley bit but carried a few in the peaks, X70/X71 was busy around the peaks. Most travelling between from  Consett bus station and Newcastle tend to get the X70/X71 but a few choose the X30 for that new bus feel

So if the X9/X10 Volvo B5TLs end up on the X21, how will they cope? Did they perform well on the 10/10A during the initial lockdown?

What will be the long term plan for the X21 should demand return? I can't see the B5TLs being at their best past the 5 year mark on a route like the X21 even more so with it now serving West Auckland now.

(14 Jul 2020, 9:03 pm)Stanleyone wrote You're right it was 14.

---

My speculation could be the X45 running via the X47 route, which could in theory make the V9 redundant saving a minibus but adding additional capacity on the chop well to Consett bit. Also I would question the shotley extension to the X5/X15. Could reroute the V3/V4 via kings rd or run the X5 via the V4 route and serve the hospital after Cuthberts Avenue and the X15 via the V3 route. Saving more minibuses.

If these were the changes and the pvr for the X45 X46 and X5 X15 was 14 in total then if it still is the plan to move the coast and country 78 to Consett , it would be easier to accommodate 7-8 streetlites at Hownsgill and the excess drivers from reduced services could be partly redeployed on 78. It all depends I guess if Covid has changed those plans!

(15 Jul 2020, 9:46 pm)L469 YVK wrote So if the X9/X10 Volvo B5TLs end up on the X21, how will they cope? Did they perform well on the 10/10A during the initial lockdown?

What will be the long term plan for the X21 should demand return? I can't see the B5TLs being at their best past the 5 year mark on a route like the X21 even more so with it now serving West Auckland now.

The X21 still has about 10 miles of 50/70mph dual carriageway plus another few miles of fast single carriageway A roads, with some quite steep banks (although not as bad as some other routes).

To me, the main area where I'd like to see what the B5s are like is ride comfort and the noise inside. On the common sections of the X21 and X9/X10 through Newcastle/Gateshead, the B5s are far more uncomfortable and louder than the StreetDecks (in my opinion anyway).

No doubt on the Motorway sections they'll probably be nicer, but once you get past The Honest Lawyer the road quality is shockingly bad, the StreetDecks just about cope with it so It'd be interesting to see what the B5s are like.

(15 Jul 2020, 10:00 pm)Olympian3521 wrote If these were the changes and the pvr for the X45 X46 and X5 X15 was 14 in total then if it still is the plan to move the coast and country 78 to Consett , it would be easier to accommodate 7-8 streetlites at Hownsgill and the excess drivers from reduced services could be partly redeployed on 78. It all depends I guess if Covid has changed those plans!

I asked our OM about 2 weeks ago if the 78 was still expected to move up from Consett, the answer I got was yes, delayed but still expected. That of course was before the fleet allocation changed so it might well have changed the 78 plan as well. So fond out if route learning commences soon as there's a lot of drivers who dont know the route.

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(16 Jul 2020, 12:04 am)streetdeckfan wrote The X21 still has about 10 miles of 50/70mph dual carriageway plus another few miles of fast single carriageway A roads, with some quite steep banks (although not as bad as some other routes).

To me, the main area where I'd like to see what the B5s are like is ride comfort and the noise inside. On the common sections of the X21 and X9/X10 through Newcastle/Gateshead, the B5s are far more uncomfortable and louder than the StreetDecks (in my opinion anyway).

No doubt on the Motorway sections they'll probably be nicer, but once you get past The Honest Lawyer the road quality is shockingly bad, the StreetDecks just about cope with it so It'd be interesting to see what the B5s are like.

I'm not sure if the B5s will end up on the X21, seems a waste of money to repaint 6331-6333. Wouldn't surprise me if the streetdecks for Consett come from the Angel batch and the B5s get repainted into a new angel livery (complete with road stripes same as cobalt & coast) and the remaining Angel's get the new livery aswell

(16 Jul 2020, 8:54 am)Stanleyone wrote I asked our OM about 2 weeks ago if the 78 was still expected to move up from Consett, the answer I got was yes, delayed but still expected. That of course was before the fleet allocation changed so it might well have changed the 78 plan as well. So fond out if route learning commences soon as there's a lot of drivers who dont know the route.

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I'm not sure if the B5s will end up on the X21, seems a waste of money to repaint 6331-6333. Wouldn't surprise me if the streetdecks for Consett come from the Angel batch and the B5s get repainted into a new angel livery (complete with road stripes same as cobalt & coast) and the remaining Angel's get the new livery aswell

Still would less work repainting 6331-3 than having to repaint all the Angels, unless they were planning on it anyway

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(16 Jul 2020, 9:28 am)streetdeckfan wrote Still would less work repainting 6331-3 than having to repaint all the Angels, unless they were planning on it anyway

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Now been confirmed X21 getting B5s and Crusader the ex Red Arrow B9s. Other cascades to be confirmed soon

(16 Jul 2020, 3:51 pm)JP6004 wrote Now been confirmed X21 getting B5s and Crusader the ex Red Arrow B9s. Other cascades to be confirmed soon

Bit of a shame that the X21 didn't get E400MMCs this time around. Let's hope the route recovers post Covid with a future order and a suitable route within GoNE or another subsidary can make good use of the Volvo B5TLs

(16 Jul 2020, 4:48 pm)L469 YVK wrote Bit of a shame that the X21 didn't get E400MMCs this time around. Let's hope the route recovers post Covid with a future order and a suitable route within GoNE or another subsidary can make good use of the Volvo B5TLs

Why?

I don't get the obsession with X21 on here personally it's a long bus route which isn't particually the busiest at the far end. There's loads of bus routes in the GNE fleet that are higher priority/more important bus routes than it and Coastliner can run them from Leeds to Whitby / Scarborough without major problems like GNE.

It doesn't need nor deserve new buses every couple of year.

(16 Jul 2020, 4:48 pm)L469 YVK wrote Bit of a shame that the X21 didn't get E400MMCs this time around. Let's hope the route recovers post Covid with a future order and a suitable route within GoNE or another subsidary can make good use of the Volvo B5TLs

The B5s are well suited. Not a lot of motorway running, longer range. I dont get what's wrong with 3yo buses on the X21. More reliable than the original 16 plate batch

People on here were obsessed with getting B9s on the X21 this time last year, the B5s being a newer version of them, should be perfect for it.

Though the B5s aren't suited at all to the X9/X10 - as has been shown by the numerous reliability issues over the past few years, and their occasionally glacial performance - when they're running well they're solid enough buses. In the past few weeks I've had 6308, 6314 and 6334 - all three of which held at least 55mph along the flat, and they weren't terrible on the inclines in any way.

The X21, particularly the Newcastle to Durham stretch, is something B5s should handle reasonably easily. Reliability should improve too with it being a far less strenuous route.

I'd agree though that E400 MMCs would, in an ideal world, be the best option for it - they're by far the best decker on the market currently (though I really do not know the custom on the route well enough to argue for or against how often it should be getting new vehicles).

(16 Jul 2020, 3:51 pm)JP6004 wrote Now been confirmed X21 getting B5s and Crusader the ex Red Arrow B9s. Other cascades to be confirmed soon

Good moves.


I spotted Dan when Martjin went through the door.