(11 hours ago)Kuyoyo wrote No, that's correct - 7 11.6m examples (I'm merely assuming on the length) for the 2 and 14 10.9m (again, assuming but that is the shortest length) for the rest of the town network bar the tendered 16 17 and 18.

Seems there's shorter variants around these days, as Metroline have 10.2m examples in service - https://www.facebook.com/buspix1/posts/m...276084647/

Can't imagine 10.9m buses would be able to do some of the Darlington locals, seem way too long.

(11 hours ago)Storx wrote Seems there's shorter variants around these days, as Metroline have 10.2m examples in service - https://www.facebook.com/buspix1/posts/m...276084647/

Can't imagine 10.9m buses would be able to do some of the Darlington locals, seem way too long.

They certainly can - the short Streetlites are regularly used on the town network when there is a shortage of E200s. And indeed, with the extended 10 increasing the allocated PVR of the E200s to 14 (from 14), they'll be regularly making appearances on those boards. The 10, when standalone, could be worked by full sized vehicles.

So there will be seven Kites for the 2, and fourteen smaller Kites for everything other than 16, 17 and 18? 16 and 17 will have longer E200MMCs (electric?) and the 18 will have little E200MMCs as now? No Evoras for Darlington?

These are coming in the summer?

What about the 1, 5, 7 and X66/X67?

(11 hours ago)OrangeArrow49 wrote So there will be seven Kites for the 2, and fourteen smaller Kites for everything other than 16, 17 and 18? 16 and 17 will have longer E200MMCs (electric?) and the 18 will have little E200MMCs as now? No Evoras for Darlington?

No - the 16 will likely be either a small E200MMC or remain worked by the Solo (3053). The 17 interworks with the 8 so will be large single deckers. Darlington are due 10 full size (11.8m) E200MMCs for an as-yet-unannounced route.

(11 hours ago)Kuyoyo wrote They certainly can - the short Streetlites are regularly used on the town network when there is a shortage of E200s. And indeed, with the extended 10 increasing the allocated PVR of the E200s to 14 (from 14), they'll be regularly making appearances on those boards. The 10, when standalone, could be worked by full sized vehicles.

Aye must admit, I always thought certain routes were a no go. The 4, in particular, around the Brinkburn Avenue area. Cut down there once or twice when the main road is slammed through Cockerton, trying to get across Darlington and it's rather cosy.

(11 hours ago)Storx wrote Aye must admit, I always thought certain routes were a no go. The 4, in particular, around the Brinkburn Avenue area. Cut down there once or twice when the main road was trying to get across Darlington and it's rather cosy.

They do tend to keep the Streetlites on the 9/10/13 cycle rather than the 3/19 or 4 - however, all of them will be larger vehicles come the electric fleet's arrival. Although there has been times in the past when full-size vehicles have been used on the 4 - there was a morning trip on the front of an X21 board at one time, seeing the use of EcoCitys. And a Scania was used at one stage during the numerous Covid periods.

Ashington struggling extremely bad today. 7503/7509 & 7621 are all on Ashington routes today with the E400 on the 1 & DB300 on the 57/57A however was on the 1 this morning

(10 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Ashington struggling extremely bad today. 7503/7509 & 7621 are all on Ashington routes today with the E400 on the 1 & DB300 on the 57/57A however was on the 1 this morning

They have been at Ashington since Saturday - 7503 spent the day on 1s, 7509 spent the day on 2s while 7621 spent the day on the 1 board that then does evening trips on the 2.
Those E400s getting a last run-out - Blyth's changing points looked to be almost all fitted.

(10 hours ago)Kuyoyo wrote They have been at Ashington since Saturday - 7503 spent the day on 1s, 7509 spent the day on 2s while 7621 spent the day on the 1 board that then does evening trips on the 2.
Those E400s getting a last run-out - Blyth's changing points looked to be almost all fitted.

Unless plans have changed, a late March roll out was rumoured for the BYD’s

(10 hours ago)220631612 wrote Unless plans have changed, a late March roll out was rumoured for the BYD’s

BYDs are the replacement buses for the 43/44/45?

(10 hours ago)IOrangeArrow49 wrote BYDs are the replacement buses for the 43/44/45?

The BYD’s will be allocated to the 43/44/45 but will help with the vehicle situation as not all the planned withdrawals will happen until the E400’s due arrive

(10 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Ashington struggling extremely bad today. 7503/7509 & 7621 are all on Ashington routes today with the E400 on the 1 & DB300 on the 57/57A however was on the 1 this morning

7503/9 and 7621 are there due to emissions issues - 7529, 7533, and 1539 are at Blyth in their place.

1497 and 7553 are on local work for the same reason.

Former redcar 1435, Yorkshire 1445 is now withdrawn