Are all the X66 bendies out today? I might get some last photos and a ride before they go...

(24 Jan 2015, 9:28 am)Tommy_1581 wrote Are all the X66 bendies out today? I might get some last photos and a ride before they go...

More than likely.
There will probably be a Versa/B10BLE out too. 

(24 Jan 2015, 9:28 am)Tommy_1581 wrote Are all the X66 bendies out today? I might get some last photos and a ride before they go...

5339 isn't (possibly withdrawn following the arrival of 6084) - the rest are.

Thanks Tom & Dan, just want to get more photos of them because I've taken crappy photos of them when I was getting used to my new camera and the last time I went for photos at MC was when the Drifter StreetLite was on trial on the X66.

I hope the new order has artics for the X66, wouldn't like to see the artics leave the Metrocentre forever.

(24 Jan 2015, 9:42 am)Tommy_1581 wrote Thanks Tom & Dan, just want to get more photos of them because I've taken crappy photos of them when I was getting used to my new camera and the last time I went for photos at MC was when the Drifter StreetLite was on trial on the X66.

I hope the new order has artics for the X66, wouldn't like to see the artics leave the Metrocentre forever.

Highly unlikely. The current Mercedes Citaro articulated vehicles are just seven years old - they're being disposed of due to the poor reliability of these vehicles and the associated high running costs (higher rate of pay for drivers and poor fuel economy.) Whilst newer articulated vehicles would be more fuel efficient, they are definitely not as fuel efficient as a rigid vehicle.

It is unlikely that the new vehicles for service X66 will see market growth, but profits will be increased due to lower running costs.

(24 Jan 2015, 9:42 am)Tommy_1581 wrote I hope the new order has artics for the X66, wouldn't like to see the artics leave the Metrocentre forever.

They will be rigids

(24 Jan 2015, 10:18 am)citaro5284 wrote They will be rigids

The Citaro Gs are nice, is there a sign that they've been ordered?

(24 Jan 2015, 9:46 am)Dan wrote Highly unlikely. The current Mercedes Citaro articulated vehicles are just seven years old - they're being disposed of due to the poor reliability of these vehicles and the associated high running costs (higher rate of pay for drivers and poor fuel economy.) Whilst newer articulated vehicles would be more fuel efficient, they are definitely not as fuel efficient as a rigid vehicle.

It is unlikely that the new vehicles for service X66 will see market growth, but profits will be increased due to lower running costs.

New buses coming from March to May.... Also 30 B7s Gemini's from London in the summer to replace Tridents 

But Still nowt to replace the Prontos where the reliability is ridiculous.... losing mileage daily

(24 Jan 2015, 10:31 am)pdiddy wrote New buses coming from March to May.... Also 30 B7s Gemini's from London in the summer to replace Tridents 

Are you sure?

(24 Jan 2015, 10:31 am)pdiddy wrote New buses coming from March to May.... Also 30 B7s Gemini's from London in the summer to replace Tridents 

But Still nowt to replace the Prontos where the reliability is ridiculous.... losing mileage daily

Surely if newer Volvo B7TL stock was arriving in from London, Go North East would aim to replace the current allocation on the Pronto opposed to stock which is primarily allocated to scholar services...

I'm afraid I don't see any logic attached to this speculation at all.

(24 Jan 2015, 10:37 am)Dan wrote Surely if newer Volvo B7TL stock was arriving in from London, Go North East would aim to replace the current allocation on the Pronto opposed to stock which is primarily allocated to scholar services...

I'm afraid I don't see any logic attached to this speculation at all.

While I agree there is no logic behind it if there not going to be used on the X21 unless the X21 gets Brand New Vehicles between March and May, but it does look increasingly likely that with Services in London being converted to Borismasters, and whatever else they decide to purchase down there, that Ex London Vehicles will be coming up North in future, whether that be in the summer or not time will only tell, must also bare in mind the ELC Lolynes and B7TL Presidents are up for Withdrawal this year, so how else would you replace "X" amount of Vehicles as I doubt GNE would Purchase a load of New Deckers for use on Scholars as it wouldnt justify the Investment.

Before I cause mass outrage.

Is Pat the driver that everyone on here loves an older lady with blonde hair?

I had 6084 on the 10B from Newcastle to the MetroCentre - still has the FabFiftySix logo on the upstairs screen, see image attached.

@gtom - Yes, yes she is. Hard not to like Pat - a careful driver with a great sense of humour.

(24 Jan 2015, 2:58 pm)gtom wrote Before I cause mass outrage.

Is Pat the driver that everyone on here loves an older lady with blonde hair?

Sounds like her.

She's driving 4854 on the 8 at the moment - just gone past her at Fallowfield Way.

(24 Jan 2015, 3:59 pm)Dan wrote Sounds like her.

She's driving 4854 on the 8 at the moment - just gone past her at Fallowfield Way.

God if one of the drivers on here happens to tell her we look out for her...!

(24 Jan 2015, 4:02 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote God if one of the drivers on here happens to tell her we look out for her...!

That's just you..!

I was innocently looking out the window

Had her on the 21 last week. Her driving drove me to complain (excuse the pun) Woefully slow, heavy breaking and taking an age to do anything.
I
Quite a few passengers voiced complaints. We even got overtaken by a bike at one point and by another 21. A pax asked if she was early and age said no

(24 Jan 2015, 4:19 pm)gtom wrote Had her on the 21 last week. Her driving drove me to complain (excuse the pun) Woefully slow, heavy breaking and taking an age to do anything.
I
Quite a few passengers voiced complaints. We even got overtaken by a bike at one point and by another 21. A pax asked if she was early and age said no

Doesn't sound like her...there is another driver at Chester with blonde hair, looks a bit like Pat I suppose.

(24 Jan 2015, 4:20 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Doesn't sound like her...there is another driver at Chester with blonde hair, looks a bit like Pat I suppose.

Must have been the one I had on the 50 the other week. I thought it was Pat, but she was a miserable bitch.

(24 Jan 2015, 4:23 pm)Tom wrote Must have been the one I had on the 50 the other week. I thought it was Pat, but she was a miserable bitch.

Defo not Pat.

Pat always smiles at you when you get on, and if you say thanks and she'll say 'your welcome' then smile again.

@gtom - here's one of Dan's photos showing her.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/danielgrah...D_w_IS_all

Is that her?

That's her

(24 Jan 2015, 2:21 pm)Malarkey wrote While I agree there is no logic behind it if there not going to be used on the X21 unless the X21 gets Brand New Vehicles between March and May, but it does look increasingly likely that with Services in London being converted to Borismasters, and whatever else they decide to purchase down there, that Ex London Vehicles will be coming up North in future, whether that be in the summer or not time will only tell, must also bare in mind the ELC Lolynes and B7TL Presidents are up for Withdrawal this year, so how else would you replace "X" amount of Vehicles as I doubt GNE would Purchase a load of New Deckers for use on Scholars as it wouldnt justify the Investment.

I forgot to reply to this earlier.

You seem to be forgetting that the 15-year life span is only a general guidance and this is the expected life of the vehicle when they are purchased new. The remaining Volvo Olympians in the fleet were new in 1998 and hence were due for withdrawal in 2013. They still see active use in the fleet, and if the Pronto does not receive investment this year, there will only be opportunities to get rid of a handful. Likewise, the RxxxPRG Volvo B10BLEs. Although these are guaranteed to go this year, they were also due to go in 2013.

Someone else may be able to confirm or suggest otherwise, but I believe Go North East's Volvo B7TLs are DDA-compliant (this being the reason why the Vykings are dual-door). By 1 January 2017, Go North East has to dispose of any non-DDA compliant double deckers in the fleet, and this does include the Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne vehicles. For any DDA-compliant double deckers, it's just a case of when Go North East can afford to purchase replacements. These will undoubtedly be second hand vehicles, but there's certainly no rush, unless Go North East wishes to maximise the sale value of these vehicles.

Plain purple versa in the 8306/7/8/9 range on East Durham services.

(24 Jan 2015, 4:25 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote @gtom - here's one of Dan's photos showing her.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/danielgrah...D_w_IS_all

Is that her?

I can confirm that is indeed pat. We have 10 (i think) female drivers at chester.

(24 Jan 2015, 5:00 pm)nk55 wrote I can confirm that is indeed pat. We have 10 (i think) female drivers at chester.

I've always thought of Chester as having the most female drivers for some reason haha, probably because I just like it so much!

I imagine there is double or triple that amount at Riverside though, I know I regularly see one woman always on the Q1/Q2.

Can we make sure speculation is clearly marked as such, as pdiddy's post came across as a statement...

Question too - why is it a higher rate of pay for driving an artic? I didn't think it required any additional driving qualification...?

After riding the X66 I'm slightly worried normal single deckers may be a bit of a squeeze on a Saturday, the journey I got to the MetroCentre was pretty busy and I think on Saturday you are going to end up with standing loads which should be fun blasting down the Centrelink.

Also are the Centrelink posters in Gateshead Interchange and MetroCentre Bus Station ever going to be taken down.

(24 Jan 2015, 5:05 pm)aureolin wrote Can we make sure speculation is clearly marked as such, as pdiddy's post came across as a statement...

Question too - why is it a higher rate of pay for driving an artic? I didn't think it required any additional driving qualification...?

If i remember rightly you need a trailer licence ( D + E ) to drive a bendy.

No, I was told I could drive a bendy on my ordinary PCV licence. It's one unit, not vehicle and trailer.