(22 Feb 2014, 7:58 pm)Dan wrote This is indeed the case, as Bazza Houston managed to get a photograph of it today:


Note that the Go North East stickers previously applied have been removed in favour of "Blaydon Racers" vinyls.

i had only been in Blaydon roughly 5-10 mins got the 49B from Metrocentre at 1st i thought it was one of the former Washington examples til i noticed the reg plate

Does 5338 still retain Southern Vectis seat covers.

I was meant to post this last night, but totally forgot...
To give an update on recent happenings:

- 5334 and 5336 are still currently at Saltmeadows. I'd imagine 5334 will be sent to Deptford on Monday, ready for service on Tuesday. All being well, 5336 the day after.

- 5152 is the latest Volvo B10BLE to arrive at Saltmeadows for a red repaint. This is likely to be next week's example to be repainted rather than this week's.

- Volvo B9TLs 6116/17 have now arrived at Percy Main, but I do not believe any further movements have occurred to reflect this. 5335 and 5337 should both be sent to Saltmeadows together for repaint now that Percy Main's spare vehicle allocation will not be affected.

(20 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm)andreos1 wrote It seems strange that low fares aren't viable when it comes to QCS, but when it comes to attracting punters from a competitor...

Come now, Andreos - you're a clever lad. My local spar is currently hawking coca cola at buy one get one free. The real I am as well, not their own American rubbish. Don't think they'll be able to do that for the next 10 years though, will they?

Good luck to GNE in trying to grow the market with this. If it all goes Pete Tong though, it's entirely their commercial risk. No risk to me as a taxpayer.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:29 am)Chris wrote Come now, Andreos - you're a clever lad. My local spar is currently hawking coca cola at buy one get one free. The real I am as well, not their own American rubbish. Don't think they'll be able to do that for the next 10 years though, will they?

Good luck to GNE in trying to grow the market with this. If it all goes Pete Tong though, it's entirely their commercial risk. No risk to me as a taxpayer.

Wish there was a 'like' button

(23 Feb 2014, 9:09 am)Dan wrote I was meant to post this last night, but totally forgot...
To give an update on recent happenings:

- 5334 and 5336 are still currently at Saltmeadows. I'd imagine 5334 will be sent to Deptford on Monday, ready for service on Tuesday. All being well, 5336 the day after.

- 5152 is the latest Volvo B10BLE to arrive at Saltmeadows for a red repaint. This is likely to be next week's example to be repainted rather than this week's.

- Volvo B9TLs 6116/17 have now arrived at Percy Main, but I do not believe any further movements have occurred to reflect this. 5335 and 5337 should both be sent to Saltmeadows together for repaint now that Percy Main's spare vehicle allocation will not be affected.

Thanks for the update

(23 Feb 2014, 9:29 am)Chris wrote Come now, Andreos - you're a clever lad. My local spar is currently hawking coca cola at buy one get one free. The real I am as well, not their own American rubbish. Don't think they'll be able to do that for the next 10 years though, will they?

Good luck to GNE in trying to grow the market with this. If it all goes Pete Tong though, it's entirely their commercial risk. No risk to me as a taxpayer.

It was a tongue in cheek comment like.

How long will they keep the 59p journeys?
The loss leader on the coke will be temporary, but money will be made elsewhere in the shop to cover wages, distribution, heating etc.
I am not sure GNE can make money to cover the drivers wages, fuel, insurance etc on a 59p ticket, without seeing a massive upsurge in passenger numbers OR increasing fares elsewhere, to maintain profit levels.

Whether it is the taxpayer through QCS or as a passenger under the current scheme, there will always be risk.

edit. Just found this article on loss leader bus tickets in Utah http://mn2020hindsight.org/view/free-tra...oss-leader

(23 Feb 2014, 9:44 am)andreos1 wrote It was a tongue in cheek comment like.

I did read it that way, and my response was also intended to be mischevious.

I haven't got the inclination to work it out for myself so I'll believe your maths, but to non users a 59p journey has got to be appealing? "Try owt once. Twice if you like it" so the saying goes (obviously there are limitations to this one like...)

Your regulars are going to have their zonal buzzfare ticket anyway, so in effect it's aiming for non or occasional users?

(23 Feb 2014, 11:07 am)Chris wrote I did read it that way, and my response was also intended to be mischevious.

I haven't got the inclination to work it out for myself so I'll believe your maths, but to non users a 59p journey has got to be appealing? "Try owt once. Twice if you like it" so the saying goes (obviously there are limitations to this one like...)

Your regulars are going to have their zonal buzzfare ticket anyway, so in effect it's aiming for non or occasional users?

Yeah based over a 7 day period of two journeys a day it is 59p per trip.

I am guessing the majority of regulars will hold a zonal ticket like you say - although, there should be a significant number who purchase the Sunderland saver ticket.
Although, it could be said that the target audience includes Stagecoach passengers.

The problem with having a ticket this cheap,is that existing passengers will spend less money by purchasing this over more expensive offerings.
Immediately, each run is making less money - making it even more important that new passengers are picked up, to make up the shortfall.

Sorry if its been asked before. But whens the new corporate livery being rolled out, cause at the moment there's far too many buses that look too plain

(23 Feb 2014, 12:13 pm)Wellsey18 wrote Sorry if its been asked before. But whens the new corporate livery being rolled out, cause at the moment there's far too many buses that look too plain

Don't take my word as i'm not sure but most likely when the other buses start to gain their brands due to fleet movements.

20 on diverson today... not passing bede going along premier road in Sunderland.

(23 Feb 2014, 12:13 pm)Wellsey18 wrote Sorry if its been asked before. But whens the new corporate livery being rolled out, cause at the moment there's far too many buses that look too plain

To be honest, I think that is the new spare livery, I don't personally like because it does, as you say look very plain. But because of its plainness (if that's a word) im guessing it isn't complete yet.

4930 on the X22 today with very poor loadings, two passengers on it coming in, one leaving. (1235 departure).

(23 Feb 2014, 2:32 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote To be honest, I think that is the new spare livery, I don't personally like because it does, as you say look very plain. But because of its plainness (if that's a word) im guessing it isn't complete yet.

I think something along the lines of what Oxford Bus Company use would be nice as a new corporate livery.

Here's an example of a Citaro - photo from Wikimedia.

(23 Feb 2014, 3:18 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think something along the lines of what Oxford Bus Company use would be nice as a new corporate livery.

Here's an example of a Citaro - photo from Wikimedia.

I've never been keen on the two tone red, if I'm honest...

5254 still serving Percy Main and on the 9 today.

(22 Feb 2014, 11:44 am)Dan wrote So do 7060 and 8220 which are currently on Hexham's Death Row pending scrap... Are they to sit as spares too?

Wouldn't be suprised if 8220 is still sitting as a reserve, but if you look at all of the other buses on 'death row', 3826 etc. they have all had their O-Licences removed.

(23 Feb 2014, 3:18 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think something along the lines of what Oxford Bus Company use would be nice as a new corporate livery.

Here's an example of a Citaro - photo from Wikimedia.

I think it may look to be something along the lines of this - http://www.flickr.com/photos/36190698@N04/12664181224/ or alternatively - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11717981@N02/9459095265/ - Both Liveries from Plymouth Citybus, From a Personal opinion I think we would more likely see the Livery which is on the Citaro to be honest, unless GNE came up with various variations of there New Corporate Livery, I do quite like the one on the Pulsar though.

(23 Feb 2014, 4:25 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote I think it may look to be something along the lines of this - http://www.flickr.com/photos/36190698@N04/12664181224/ or alternatively - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11717981@N02/9459095265/ - Both Liveries from Plymouth Citybus, From a Personal opinion I think we would more likely see the Livery which is on the Citaro to be honest, unless GNE came up with various variations of there New Corporate Livery, I do quite like the one on the Pulsar though.

The livery on the Volvo is now discontinued in favour of the Mercedes one.

(23 Feb 2014, 4:27 pm)citaro5284 wrote The Pulsar one is now discontinued.

That's a shame, looks much better than the one on the Citaro

(23 Feb 2014, 4:30 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote That's a shame, looks much better than the one on the Citaro

I'm guessing they thought it was better as a single colour repaint is cheaper. Unfortunately it also looks much cheaper...

(23 Feb 2014, 4:35 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'm guessing they thought it was better as a single colour repaint is cheaper. Unfortunately it also looks much cheaper...

Go North East's corporate livery is designed to be cheaper because there are only a few buses in this livery which are on frontline allocation rather than in the reserve fleet. Their focus is the main brands.

I can't speak for Plymouth Citybus, but I guess they were wanting a simple but effective corporate livery to reduce costs. I don't think their corporate livery looks cheap at all though, for what it's worth. Without the "swoop" it would, mind.

(23 Feb 2014, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote Go North East's corporate livery is designed to be cheaper because there are only a few buses in this livery which are on frontline allocation rather than in the reserve fleet. Their focus is the main brands.

I can't speak for Plymouth Citybus, but I guess they were wanting a simple but effective corporate livery to reduce costs. I don't think their corporate livery looks cheap at all though, for what it's worth. Without the "swoop" it would, mind.

Well for me I think all main service need to be branded then. Too many unbranded routes for a so basic livery to work, 9/29/X25/13/14/15/95/96 should be branded, then I think a plain red with simple Go North East logos then would work as they'd literally be allocated as spares only and not on many regular workings. Just a personal opinion.

(23 Feb 2014, 4:56 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Well for me I think all main service need to be branded then. Too many unbranded routes for a so basic livery to work, 9/29/X25/13/14/15/95/96 should be branded, then I think a plain red with simple Go North East logos then would work as they'd literally be allocated as spares only and not on many regular workings. Just a personal opinion.

There are only approximately 21 services which do not come under a brand in Go North East's network - about 108 which do come under a brand?

Go North East's services are categorised in three groups: primary services (Angel, Tyne Tees Xpress), secondary (Coaster, Fab Fifty Seven), and the ones which aren't particularly good performers (I'll refrain from mentioning a popular service often discussed on this forum). Primary services will be branded and will often have the newest vehicles in the fleet, but only the services at the higher end of the secondary group are branded. Those at the lower end, and those which aren't particularly good at all, aren't.

Services 9 and 26 (now 29) are on the lower end of the secondary group, and I think the same applies for the X25 too. If the recent service changes work well for what was once service 26, it may mean that it will be branded in the future (if/when it justifies a vehicle upgrade).

(23 Feb 2014, 5:03 pm)Dan wrote There are only approximately 21 services which do not come under a brand in Go North East's network - about 108 which do come under a brand?

Services without branding:

M2/M2A/M3,X3,W5/W6,13,14,15/15A,X22,X25,29/29A,X30/X31,38,X43,64/64A,X70/X71,71,X88,95,96/96A,99/99A/307.

128 - Runs March till October only

Other services with only 2/3 runs a day

90,91,92,391,792 -937, 939,941 Work services.
819 > 830,830 > 838,884 > 888 - Scholars
X78 - 2 run's a day, not sure what it uses?

(23 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm)Michael wrote M2/M2A/M3,X3,W5/W6,13,14,15/15A,X22,X25,29/29A,X30/X31,38,X43,64/64A,X70/X71,71,X88,95,96/96A,99/99A/307.

128 - Runs March till October only

Other services with only 2/3 runs a day

90,91,92,391,792 -937, 939,941 Work services.
819 > 830,830 > 838,884 > 888 - Scholars
X78 - 2 run's a day, not sure what it uses?

I excluded the M2A given that it's just an extension of the M2. Same for the 29A (especially given that most runs operate with a Versa). Also excluded the X88 because on Saturdays it's typically allocated the Red Arrows B7 and on Sundays it's typically allocated a Red Arrows B9. Excluded 99A because it's an extension of the 99. Excluded 307 because it's allocated "Centurion" branded vehicles.

So 25 - still quite a low number in comparison to the number of branded services.

128 is allocated 4847, a branded B10BLE.
X78 is allocated an Olympian.

(23 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm)Michael wrote Services without branding:

M2/M2A/M3,X3,W5/W6,13,14,15/15A,X22,X25,29/29A,X30/X31,38,X43,64/64A,X70/X71,71,X88,95,96/96A,99/99A/307.

128 - Runs March till October only

Other services with only 2/3 runs a day

90,91,92,391,792 -937, 939,941 Work services.
819 > 830,830 > 838,884 > 888 - Scholars
X78 - 2 run's a day, not sure what it uses?

The scholars 819>830 (St Bedes Lanchester) use all or most of the Olympians at Stanley.

(23 Feb 2014, 5:17 pm)Dan wrote I excluded the M2A given that it's just an extension of the M2. Same for the 29A (especially given that most runs operate with a Versa). Also excluded the X88 because on Saturdays it's typically allocated the Red Arrows B7 and on Sundays it's typically allocated a Red Arrows B9. Excluded 99A because it's an extension of the 99. Excluded 307 because it's allocated "Centurion" branded vehicles.

So 25 - still quite a low number in comparison to the number of branded services.

128 is allocated 4847, a branded B10BLE.
X78 is allocated an Olympian.

Ah right, thought id make a list haha

Hopefully in the future the M2/M3/W5/W6 will get branded once again as the Washington Street Shuttle.

Really wanted to see the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation brand make a return on the X25 but that looks like it won't happen now, unless numbers increase or route changes happen.

This is what i would do..

64,64A,95/96/96A - Gateshead Links - they all go to Gateshead - provides links to all of Gateshead or branded Highwayman

X43 - Diamond?

38 - Simplicity

29 - Drop the 39 from Simplicity so 29 and 39 is branded "Doxford Clipper"

Not sure for the 13/14/15/15A - Durham Links

X30/X31/X70/X71 - No idea..

X3... lets not go their...

Hi everyone, I've been a bus enthusiast since a very young age, I've contributed to several blogs in the past but never really thought of joining an actual forum, I live in Chester-le-Street and have several contacts and friendships with managers, supervisors and drivers there, so if there is anything you need to know about any of Chester's services or buses, I'll probably be able to tell you.

Thanks very much,
Marcus

(23 Feb 2014, 5:28 pm)Marcus wrote Hi everyone, I've been a bus enthusiast since a very young age, I've contributed to several blogs in the past but never really thought of joining an actual forum, I live in Chester-le-Street and have several contacts and friendships with managers, supervisors and drivers there, so if there is anything you need to know about any of Chester's services or buses, I'll probably be able to tell you.

Thanks very much,
Marcus

Welcome to the forum!