(26 Apr 2021, 4:22 pm)Rapidsnap wrote To be fair GNE aren't the only company to do this. Transdev, Trent Barton, First, Arriva are just all as guilty of it.

All of which used Best Impressions, if Ray's creations are so "desirous" then why hide the company name if it's something that the company wishes to be associated with...

Somewhat related is the "search: adventures by bus" branding that First use down south. Something that is totally pointless...

(26 Apr 2021, 4:33 pm)omnicity4659 wrote All of which used Best Impressions, if Ray's creations are so "desirous" then why hide the company name if it's something that the company wishes to be associated with...

Somewhat related is the "search: adventures by bus" branding that First use down south. Something that is totally pointless...

Don't say anything bad about the lord and saviour Ray Stenning!

(26 Apr 2021, 4:22 pm)Rapidsnap wrote To be fair GNE aren't the only company to do this. Transdev, Trent Barton, First, Arriva are just all as guilty of it.

I had to pop to Doncaster a couple of weeks ago.
Quick in and out job.
As we came off the A1 and on to Warmsworth Road, the first thing I noticed was a First decker. It might have been the X78.
The livery and design on the back end was more or less identical to some of the GNE back-ends that refer to journey times between key locations.

Again, if I knew nowt about buses - there could easily be the assumption that the buses on Tyneside and in South Yorkshire are operated by the same company.
Particularly as both liveries seem to be adorned with diagonal stripes and two tone colour schemes.

(26 Apr 2021, 5:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote I had to pop to Doncaster a couple of weeks ago.
Quick in and out job.
As we came off the A1 and on to Warmsworth Road, the first thing I noticed was a First decker. It might have been the X78.
The livery and design on the back end was more or less identical to some of the GNE back-ends that refer to journey times between key locations.

Again, if I knew nowt about buses - there could easily be the assumption that the buses on Tyneside and in South Yorkshire are operated by the same company.
Particularly as both liveries seem to be adorned with diagonal stripes and two tone colour schemes.

Tbf the first new livery and GNE livery are the same/similar style with different colours.

(26 Apr 2021, 8:51 am)ne14ne1 wrote I’ve just been looking at this image and wondering how many people (non-enthusiasts) actually see this pass and realise it’s actually fully electric. 
I feel this was a bit of a missed opportunity livery/branding wise for GNE to really shout about ultra clean green public transport and that its them who are delivering it.

Maybe at least some electric-blue variation of the ‘environmental leaves’ could be applied towards the rear with ‘Fully electric, zero emissions’ written within rather than the Euro 6 wording obviously.

https://flic.kr/p/2kV2E2J

Yep. Voltra is the worst Go North East livery that has ever been released. Dreadful. It was an open goal to promote the electric Yutongs, which themselves are ugly with their boxxy roof pods. Alas, they dress them in silver rather than, you know, green... which conveys the eco-friendly message?, then add a vulgar swoop under the windows which does nothing whatsoever, other than defer if from the house style which EVERY brand was intended to be categorised under.

There isn't a thing I like about Voltra: the livery is tacky and certainly does not communicate that the buses are electric; the destination blinds are horrendous, particularly the rear face one; and the overuse of the LED lights around the top is... pointless?

Sorry, but First did a much better job with their Yutongs. Apparently the vinyl application was terrible on them, but it looks exactly the same as any other vinyled-up bus.

Rant over.

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(26 Apr 2021, 4:33 pm)omnicity4659 wrote All of which used Best Impressions, if Ray's creations are so "desirous" then why hide the company name if it's something that the company wishes to be associated with...

Somewhat related is the "search: adventures by bus" branding that First use down south. Something that is totally pointless...

You and I are very much on the same wavelength, and obviously I've seen your work before and you could do a tenfold better job than RS. Just saying.

Voltra isn't the beat livery. I'd admit the Silver left and just a few stuff put on was meh. Yea I agree with the green would have stood out. But then that would make it compare to the green arrow

(26 Apr 2021, 5:57 pm)GNE6312 wrote Tbf the first new livery and GNE livery are the same/similar style with different colours.

Very!
Even down to the random paint job on the front grille.

Found these two examples to show the similarity.

(26 Apr 2021, 8:47 pm)Andreos1 wrote Very!
Even down to the random paint job on the front grille.

Found these two examples to show the similarity.

It's quite easy to see why they're so similar when they use this for their designs...

(26 Apr 2021, 7:22 pm)BeachBoy99 wrote You and I are very much on the same wavelength, and obviously I've seen your work before and you could do a tenfold better job than RS. Just saying. :)

On a hiatus with the design at the moment whilst I move onto the wrong side of the Tyne, they'll all be back soon 

(26 Apr 2021, 9:28 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's quite easy to see why they're so similar when they use this for their designs...

I know this doesn’t suit your agenda against Best Impressions, but that agency did not design the ‘road stripe’ concept for Go North East, which the Cityrider livery is based on.


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(27 Apr 2021, 9:24 pm)Dan wrote I know this doesn’t suit your agenda against Best Impressions, but that agency did not design the ‘road stripe’ concept for Go North East, which the Cityrider livery is based on.


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So, what you're saying is whichever agency designed the 'road stripe concept' copied and pasted a design from an agency that is known for copy and pasting designs?

(26 Apr 2021, 11:19 am)streetdeckfan wrote Did you just assume my identity?!  Believe it or not, some people have lives outside of buses! I tend to discuss more important things at home like plumbing or 

To my knowledge, my mother can only recognise 3 buses, the Arriva X46, GNE X21 and 'The Angel', and the only reason she knows the X46 is forever shouting at it when she's late for work and it's trundling along at 30 in a 60! I've no idea how she knows the X21, and every bugger knows the Angel.

I was genuinely surprised when she pointed out one of the new Yutongs since I've never mentioned them to her!

I can't imagine how mere muggles know about the electric buses https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1...ric-buses/
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...p-19354142

(27 Apr 2021, 9:24 pm)Dan wrote I know this doesn’t suit your agenda against Best Impressions, but that agency did not design the ‘road stripe’ concept for Go North East, which the Cityrider livery is based on.


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Wasn't it said back when Cobalt & Coast was introduced that Best Impressions assisted Beacon in creating the road stripe concept?

Both agencies have their own 'road stripes', there are subtle differences between their variants.

Still massively playing catch up on changes during the pandemic, but here's a write up on Voltra: https://www.busesandbeyond.co.uk/2021/05...orth-east/


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Been confirmed in Geoff's video that the other 9 is now on order!


I see Dan and Martijn got in on his video!, famous now!

Another 9. Hmmm wonder what for

Possibly the Q1 and Q2

It was mentioned by Martijn that there for Gateshead Depot so yea. Could be for the Q1/Q2

(07 Jun 2021, 5:47 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote It was mentioned by Martijn that there for Gateshead Depot so yea. Could be for the Q1/Q2

PVR is more than the order isn't it

(07 Jun 2021, 7:03 pm)JP6004 wrote PVR is more than the order isn't it

Yeah that's a fair point, think it's around 12 for the Q1 / Q2 unless there's plans to reduce it to 20 minute frequency.

Think another idea is the 49/49A which takes 7 vehicles, so leaves 2 new ones spare plus 8809 making 3 spares, so perhaps used on the 33/33A contract

(07 Jun 2021, 7:19 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Yeah that's a fair point, think it's around 12 for the Q1 / Q2 unless there's plans to reduce it to 20 minute frequency.

Think another idea is the 49/49A which takes 7 vehicles, so leaves 2 new ones spare plus 8809 making 3 spares, so perhaps used on the 33/33A contract

Think the X66 and maybe 57 more likely. Depends if battery would last on the 57. The power required to go up the bank would probably reduce its range

(07 Jun 2021, 7:22 pm)JP6004 wrote Think the X66 and maybe 57 more likely. Depends if battery would last on the 57. The power required to go up the bank would probably reduce its range

I could see them going on the X66 like, perfect kind of route for an EV. Depending on how long ago they ordered them it might also explain why they don't seem to be in any rush to rebrand the Streetlites from the Intu branding

(07 Jun 2021, 7:34 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I could see them going on the X66 like, perfect kind of route for an EV. Depending on how long ago they ordered them it might also explain why they don't seem to be in any rush to rebrand the Streetlites from the Intu branding

Neither does the metrocentre lmao

I heard that 5501-5504 (The ex EYMS Volvo B7RLEs) are supposedly going to be going on the X66, apparently 5503 is away getting an interior refurbishment in Accrington hence why it hasn't appeared in the NE yet. On a side note 5504 was parked in the rear corner at Saltmeadows today.

(07 Jun 2021, 7:54 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I heard that 5501-5504 (The ex EYMS Volvo B7RLEs) are supposedly going to be going on the X66, apparently 5503 is away getting an interior refurbishment in Accrington hence why it hasn't appeared in the NE yet. On a side note 5504 was parked in the rear corner at Saltmeadows today.

If so, maybe only temp until outings arrive

(07 Jun 2021, 7:54 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I heard that 5501-5504 (The ex EYMS Volvo B7RLEs) are supposedly going to be going on the X66, apparently 5503 is away getting an interior refurbishment in Accrington hence why it hasn't appeared in the NE yet. On a side note 5504 was parked in the rear corner at Saltmeadows today.

Why would GNE want binge drinking B7TL's on a route like the X66?

If the 6 went standalone, the PVR of the 6 would be 4x vehicles. The 6 would seem a more sensible choice.

What is the capacity difference between an Eclipse 2 & StreetLite?

(07 Jun 2021, 8:02 pm)L469 YVK wrote Why would GNE want binge drinking B7TL's on a route like the X66?

If the 6 went standalone, the PVR of the 6 would be 4x vehicles. The 6 would seem a more sensible choice.

What is the capacity difference between an Eclipse 2 & StreetLite?

Tbh it would give the Eclipses something to do instead of sitting there not doing anything

(07 Jun 2021, 8:18 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Tbh it would give the Eclipses something to do instead of sitting there not doing anything

Especially when there is  older vehicles on frontline

(07 Jun 2021, 8:02 pm)L469 YVK wrote Why would GNE want binge drinking B7TL's on a route like the X66?

If the 6 went standalone, the PVR of the 6 would be 4x vehicles. The 6 would seem a more sensible choice.

What is the capacity difference between an Eclipse 2 & StreetLite?

Not sure on the specifics, but I know First here use B7RLEs on all day boards on services which are generally Streetlite/E200MMC operated very frequently. I'd suggest that points to the fuel economy not being significantly worse, as there's not a chance in hell First (of all companies) are throwing away that much money if they can help it. 

Capacity wise I'm not sure on the exact numbers of the X66 Streetlites, but the B7s would be a small increase regardless - especially in terms of forward facing seating. 

All that said, it would be a strange one to go from branded Streetlites to older, second hand B7RLEs (unless it's part of a bigger plan). Personally any move which sees B7s replace Streetlites would be a smart one, they're absolutely fantastic.