(02 Aug 2020, 12:30 pm)L469 YVK wrote I've worked it out. GNE excluding the OM936 example, will have 47x StreetDecks in the fleet including both new and existing samples. The combined PVR of the 21/X1/X5/X15/X45/X46/X47 will be 46x or 47x if X5 & X15 are not curtailed but even if they were, it's likely that the 1x remaining new one would be Washington's spare

So if the Angel frequency isn't cut to every 10 minutes, will the XLines spares be provided by B9TLs after a refurb if needed (either 6118-21 or 6096-6099)?

Without any B9TLs, Consett would only have 2x E400MMCs covering a total PVR of 29x or 30x. Chester Le Street would only have 1x B5TL covering a total PVR of 23x.

But even if there was a planned reduction of the 21's frequency, I assume 6118-6121 could temporarily help keep a 7-8 minute service until the pandemic subsides and social distancing is no longer a requirement before going to East Yorkshire.

I think you're going to drive yourself mad coming up with theories! It'll be easier if you wait a little while longer and things will become a bit clearer.

(02 Aug 2020, 12:53 pm)Dan wrote I think you're going to drive yourself mad coming up with theories! It'll be easier if you wait a little while longer and things will become a bit clearer.

Why not just tell us now, it'll be easier than listening to everyone's theories!

(02 Aug 2020, 12:53 pm)Dan wrote I think you're going to drive yourself mad coming up with theories! It'll be easier if you wait a little while longer and things will become a bit clearer.

I think some buses will be going here and there with the new buses coming to replace them.

Just a theory mind...

(02 Aug 2020, 2:41 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I think some buses will be going here and there with the new buses coming to replace them.

Just a theory mind...

I agree with MurdnunoC.

I think regardless of the Covod situation, GNE did the right thing allocating the new E400MMCs to Consett & Hexham. I reckon the bike racks will be a big game changer too.

Only question is how will users on the X84 & X85 benefit should 6336/37 turn up instead of one of the new examples? Will modifications be made on them examples to include bike racks?

The Tyne Valley is very popular for cyclists as is Derwentside.

(03 Aug 2020, 9:57 pm)L469 YVK wrote I think regardless of the Covod situation, GNE did the right thing allocating the new E400MMCs to Consett & Hexham. I reckon the bike racks will be a big game changer too.

Only question is how will users on the X84 & X85 benefit should 6336/37 turn up instead of one of the new examples? Will modifications be made on them examples to include bike racks?

The Tyne Valley is very popular for cyclists as is Derwentside.

I doubt they'd change the ex demos, although it doesn't seem like it'd be that hard of a job retrofitting them.

Are all the new StreetDecks going to be equipped with the double height destination blind?

(05 Aug 2020, 10:48 pm)6049 wrote Are all the new StreetDecks going to be equipped with the double height destination blind?

Yes, as well as an offside display

Electric buses expected to arrive in October on the update from Martijn Gilbert tonight

Full video: https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...9920923911

-------------


Bike racks on some of the X-Lines Consett to Newcastle services, then later in the year on the X84/X85.

-------------

Also confirmed, the Toonlink B9's are NOT going on the Loop now... they'll temporarily go on the 26/27 - until the Red Arrows B9's come off the X1 and back from a refresh/repaint.


No plans atm to move the 78 to Consett yet.

Looks like 6334 is out and about on the X21 today, might give me an excuse to pop back down to mine over the weekend!

Seen an X70 at Streetgate this morning as I was driving back fron Leadgate this morning, load looked very decent

---

I've thought about this, perhaps allocating E400MMCs to the X30/X70/X71 & X31 was a sensible idea. They will be far better suited than the StreetDecks particularly on the X70 & X71.

(07 Aug 2020, 10:30 am)L469 YVK wrote Seen an X70 at Streetgate this morning as I was driving back fron Leadgate this morning, load looked very decent

---

I've thought about this, perhaps allocating E400MMCs to the X30/X70/X71 & X31 was a sensible idea. They will be far better suited than the StreetDecks particularly on the X70 & X71.

With the added bike rack it might attract some that might want to sample the cycle tracks from Consett to the moors.

(07 Aug 2020, 1:51 pm)Stanleyone wrote With the added bike rack it might attract some that might want to sample the cycle tracks from Consett to the moors.

I think bike racks would work quite well on the X21, particularly if they're keeping it going to West Auckland, there's some nice places to riding round that area

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

I can bet that the bike racks will never be used just like the ones that used to be on the Lime B10's. People who want to go for a bike ride will go for a bike ride, they won't use a bus to do it. Unless you happen to live next to the bus routes then you can't get to the bus anyway since you can't use the Metro through the central core and there's no buses connecting to them. Be forgot about in a few months after launch.

Not to mention the problem of sorry mate can't use this bus there's a buggy on board.

(07 Aug 2020, 2:24 pm)Storx wrote I can bet that the bike racks will never be used just like the ones that used to be on the Lime B10's. People who want to go for a bike ride will go for a bike ride, they won't use a bus to do it. Unless you happen to live next to the bus routes then you can't get to the bus anyway since you can't use the Metro through the central core and there's no buses connecting to them. Be forgot about in a few months after launch.

Not to mention the problem of sorry mate can't use this bus there's a buggy on board.

I can imagine a lot of people living in places like Newcastle and Gateshead not wanting to cycle locally because of the traffic, even with the layout changes the councils are making. If someone can take a bus ride to out of the city centre with their bike, it might make them more likely to cycle, and give them an excuse to use the bus at the same time.

I think the issue they're more likely to see is a lack of capacity for bikes. There's only two per bus, so a family (2 adults, 2 kids) would have to take separate buses.

I'm also surprised they aren't putting bike racks on the Red Kite services, places like Chopwell Woods or Thornley Woodlands Centre for example are great places to go, and not too far of a journey.

(07 Aug 2020, 3:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'm also surprised they aren't putting bike racks on the Red Kite services, places like Chopwell Woods or Thornley Woodlands Centre for example are great places to go, and not too far of a journey.

Don't forget how long ago the StreetDeck order was placed.

(07 Aug 2020, 3:23 pm)Dan wrote Don't forget how long ago the StreetDeck order was placed.

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting it's been well over a year since they were ordered!

Could they not be retrofitted? From the pictures posted on Twitter it looks like they could just replace one of the seats

(07 Aug 2020, 3:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I can imagine a lot of people living in places like Newcastle and Gateshead not wanting to cycle locally because of the traffic, even with the layout changes the councils are making. If someone can take a bus ride to out of the city centre with their bike, it might make them more likely to cycle, and give them an excuse to use the bus at the same time.

I think the issue they're more likely to see is a lack of capacity for bikes. There's only two per bus, so a family (2 adults, 2 kids) would have to take separate buses.

I'm also surprised they aren't putting bike racks on the Red Kite services, places like Chopwell Woods or Thornley Woodlands Centre for example are great places to go, and not too far of a journey.

The thing is though these people must already have a way to get to go cycling without the bus and unless they live next door to Eldon Square or Gateshead Interchange then they're going to have to travel the same roads and traffic etc to get onto the bus anyway.

They're pretty much 99.9% likely to continue to use the car to get to the place they'd want to go cycling and also the lack of capacity, buggies in the way, pensioners who refuse to move without an argument it all becomes a hassle.

This is especially the case on the X84/X85 where the train is a much more attractive proposition as there's more space to get on. I'd like to be proved wrong don't get me wrong but really can't see people using it.

There is some routes I could see them working on tho possibly but sadly none of them are GNE. (X14, X15, X18, X20, X93, 685) since you could connect at the Regent Centre / Morpeth, Hexham or Guisborough / Outskirts of Middlesbrough.

Are 6311 and 6313 back or have the ticket machines just been used on other vehicles? Guessing it's the latter
Bus Times has them both running on the 10s

(08 Aug 2020, 9:30 am)streetdeckfan wrote Are 6311 and 6313 back or have the ticket machines just been used on other vehicles? Guessing it's the latter
Bus Times has them both running on the 10s

6311 is out but it hasn't actually departed for Bus & Coach World yet.

(08 Aug 2020, 11:03 am)Dan wrote 6311 is out but it hasn't actually departed for Bus & Coach World yet.

Aaah, I thought they'd all left.

(08 Aug 2020, 9:30 am)streetdeckfan wrote Are 6311 and 6313 back or have the ticket machines just been used on other vehicles? Guessing it's the latter
Bus Times has them both running on the 10s

6312 was also on Metro Replacement in Sunderland today

Dan said on twitter that 4 remaining B5s will go to Blackburn later this week. I presume the first 3 will return and be prepped for service after installation of buggy bay?

(11 Aug 2020, 10:50 am)JP6004 wrote Dan said on twitter that 4 remaining B5s will go to Blackburn later this week. I presume the first 3 will return and be prepped for service after installation of buggy bay?

I wonder if passengers will even notice the difference between the StreetDecks and the B5s, it's pretty hard for me to even tell the difference!
I suppose the only real giveaway to a layperson would be the different NSA displays.

I presume the exterior design will be identical to the StreetDecks

(11 Aug 2020, 11:10 am)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder if passengers will even notice the difference between the StreetDecks and the B5s, it's pretty hard for me to even tell the difference!
I suppose the only real giveaway to a layperson would be the different NSA displays.

I presume the exterior design will be identical to the StreetDecks

Half window on staircase and longer

(11 Aug 2020, 11:12 am)JP6004 wrote Half window on staircase and longer

I don't think the 'average' person is going to notice a different window!
The only thing that's really noticeable (that I can remember anyway) is the NSA being in a different place, and it having an LCD display as well, I think?

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(11 Aug 2020, 11:18 am)streetdeckfan wrote I don't think the 'average' person is going to notice a different window!
The only thing that's really noticeable (that I can remember anyway) is the NSA being in a different place, and it having an LCD display as well, I think?

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

But to be fair some people dont know how to read the destination display, then get on and ask what number it is

(11 Aug 2020, 11:22 am)JP6004 wrote But to be fair some people dont know how to read the destination display, then get on and ask what number it is

I mean, I don't trust the destination displays, I've been on a few X21s where they've had the wrong one at Durham, some showing Newcastle instead of Bishop, or just showing Bishop instead of West Auckland, so Ive got into the habit of asking anyway!

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

Just gone past 2 x Green Xlines on the M62 near Leeds ... Unsure if brand new vehicles arriving or if existing and returning from Blackburn or somewhere. But the 3nd vehicle is sat on hard shoulder with engine flap open.

(12 Aug 2020, 8:57 am)ifm001 wrote Just gone past 2 x Green Xlines on the M62 near Leeds ... Unsure if brand new vehicles arriving or if existing and returning from Blackburn or somewhere.  But the 3nd vehicle is sat on hard shoulder with engine flap open.

Vehicles at Blackburn going blue Xlines. Possible first of the new Streetdecks arriving.....if it is, seems to be taking scenic route...