(24 Feb 2015, 9:07 pm)Dan wrote The issue is that, on Monday - Friday and Sunday daytimes, a PVR upgrade wouldn't be necessary. I'm inclined to suggest that something needs to be done about peak times, as I've seen standees from the front of a single deck to the back. Saturday daytimes seem to cope fine at the moment with single deckers, but every seat always seems to be occupied. Peak times, same story.

Wonder if it would be possible to retain the current PVR but drop red buses onto the X66 at peak times to keep things moving?


The Commercial Team realised this was an issue, and that's why the mitre vinyl which covers the windows towards the back of the vehicle was replaced with contravision in the recent re-branding of the Scania L94s to allow customers to see out of the windows easily.

See the photo below - you can see the colour difference when the sun shines on it:
Go North East: 4969 / NK53UNV by danielgrahamm, on Flickr


I think they'll attend, but just in a limited capacity. A couple of buses, similar to Arriva's recent presence at the Metrocentre. Think that was the point of sending so many last year.

This may not seem a good idea but perhaps the X66 get some new double deckers like a few geminis and make the service every 10 minutes, or pull this not work as well...?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:07 pm)Dan wrote The issue is that, on Monday - Friday and Sunday daytimes, a PVR upgrade wouldn't be necessary. I'm inclined to suggest that something needs to be done about peak times, as I've seen standees from the front of a single deck to the back. Saturday daytimes seem to cope fine at the moment with single deckers, but every seat always seems to be occupied. Peak times, same story.

Wonder if it would be possible to retain the current PVR but drop red buses onto the X66 at peak times to keep things moving?

I think it's potentially more complex than most other routes. I agree with your point about Saturday daytimes, but I think you've still got a constant flow, which is more than a standard rigid bus can cope with, Monday-Friday daytime. The complexity comes from the morning demand solely being A to B, but the afternoon/early evening demand solely being B to A? 

Deckers and that low bridge on the centrelink (or anywhere) are like oil and water, they dont work. Perfect if you want to convert a bus to an open top for free like!

(24 Feb 2015, 9:08 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Scania Ominicity to Toon Link Eclipses to red Renowns to Withdrawn

Looks like way, a further post was made just after Citaros, from Kuyoyo about the Omnicites...so it looks like:

Omnicity to Toonlink 11/31/32.
Eclipses will stay 47 (didn't say if it would retain Toonlink brand, as it no longer interworks)

Like we know..  the B10's will be withdrawn.

Although, i don't think its confirmed where they're going...?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:11 pm)Robert wrote As previously discussed, there are not enough omnicities to replace all the Toon Link branded vehicles. It looks like just the Renowns will be replaced since they need to be withdrawn before January 2016 because of DDA requirements.

What is going to replace all of the B10BLE's before then?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:16 pm)Tom wrote What is going to replace all of the B10BLE's before then?

Haven't got a clue but they need to start somewhere. There will be an extra Red Kite omnicitiy though as only 8 are required. Maybe to Percy Main for the 17 replacing one?Maybe Citaro will know  

(24 Feb 2015, 9:07 pm)Dan wrote I think they'll attend, but just in a limited capacity. A couple of buses, similar to Arriva's recent presence at the Metrocentre. Think that was the point of sending so many last year.

I'd like to see at least 3 vehicles from the GNE fleet attend. And perhaps one could even be a B10BLE? I understand that they aren't exactly the newest things out there, but they are loved by enthusiasts, and despite it being advertised as a bit of a family day, the rally is generally aimed at bus enthusiasts, from a perspective.

As citaro5284 said the vehicles are expected for March-May, I reckon each month we will get a new batch of vehicles (March - X66, April - Lime, May - Red Kites, just at a guess) I'm predicting...

1.) An X66-branded (if it continues as a brand!) Streetlite

2.) A Lime-branded Streetlite

3.) A Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown

A cheeky 4 .) Possibly an Olympian? (Hoping they last until May!)

I'd also like to see some shuttles again, they seemed very popular last year!

Anyway, back on topic...

Anyway, moving onto the limes, do you think that they will still keep it as the bike bus, or will they scrap that?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:20 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Anyway, moving onto the limes, do you think that they will still keep it as the bike bus, or will they scrap that?

I think they will scrap it, i don't think anyone used it when all the B10's were on the lime.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:19 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I'd like to see at least 3 vehicles from the GNE fleet attend. And perhaps one could even be a B10BLE? I understand that they aren't exactly the newest things out there, but they are loved by enthusiasts, and despite it being advertised as a bit of a family day, the rally is generally aimed at bus enthusiasts, from a perspective.

As citaro5284 said the vehicles are expected for March-May, I reckon each month we will get a new batch of vehicles (March - X66, April - Lime, May - Red Kites, just at a guess) I'm predicting...

1.) An X66-branded (if it continues as a brand!)  Streetlite

2.) A Lime-branded Streetlite

3.) A Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown

A cheeky 4 .) Possibly an Olympian? (Hoping they last until May!)

I'd also like to see some shuttles again, they seemed very popular last year!

Anyway, back on topic...

I'd love to see the only Plaxton Concept, but I'm not sure that that will be there!

(24 Feb 2015, 9:20 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Anyway, moving onto the limes, do you think that they will still keep it as the bike bus, or will they scrap that?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:21 pm)Michael wrote I think they will scrap it, i don't think anyone used it when all the B10's were on the lime.

Agree with Michael. I've used the Lime hundreds (possibly thousands! ) of times over the years of the brand's existence and not once seen a person with a bike on!

(24 Feb 2015, 9:20 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Anyway, moving onto the limes, do you think that they will still keep it as the bike bus, or will they scrap that?

I think it'll be scrapped.

I've never seen a bike on-board the Lime, and the scheme has arguably been made redundant since the withdrawal of the first few "Lime" branded vehicles (4850 - 4852) and the repainting of 4896 - 4902 into corporate livery anyway. Stanley sees 4897 - 4902 as red Volvo B10BLEs rather than 'bike buses': other red Volvo B10BLEs end up being allocated to the 8/78 while the former "Lime" branded vehicles are allocated elsewhere.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:21 pm)Michael wrote I think they will scrap it, i don't think anyone used it when all the B10's were on the lime.

I thought they would maybe switch them onto the red kite, because there are a few good cycle locations along there eg. Winlaton Mill, Rowlands Gill, Hamsterly Mill, Swalwell

Are Wrights only doing the Micro-hybrid of the Streetlite now?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:07 pm)aureolin wrote He'll blank you if he sees you in a bus station though... 

Dan Mk2.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:26 pm)Michael wrote Are Wrights only doing the Micro-hybrid of the Streetlite now?

Wrightbus offer the Streetlite Max with and without Micro-Hybrid technology.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:28 pm)Dan wrote Wrightbus offer the Streetlite Max with and without Micro-Hybrid technology.

That's good

It looks like it will be the Streetlite Max on the X66, Lime and Red Kite. 

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

Now we have to guess what else is on order...  


Citaro all you need to do now is to say if the red arrows are getting new buses, that'll make Davey's day  

New buses for a Percy Main route hopefully. Possibly Solos for the North Tyne Links.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:29 pm)Michael wrote That's good

It looks like it will be the Streetlite Max on the X66, Lime and Red Kite. 

The Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid offers a 10% fuel consumption saving compared to its standard equivalent and operators can claim an additional fuel subsidy* of 6p/kilometre, so it's obvious that it'll definitely be a contender... Providing they're set up correctly (like Arriva NE's examples on their Teesside "Sapphire" routes), there's no reason why they can't manage to get up steep hills at 30mph.

* Andreos may wish to substitute this word for 'handout'  

(24 Feb 2015, 9:31 pm)Tom wrote New buses for a Percy Main route hopefully. Possibly Solos for the North Tyne Links.

Solos will look great on the North Tyne links!

(24 Feb 2015, 9:36 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Solos will look great on the North Tyne links!

Totally agree!

After thinking it over, here is the Official Marcus Green Prediction...

Late March: Streetlites arrive for the X66, a few older vehicles withdrawn from service. Namely a few older B10BLEs in the fleet, while the youngest B10BLEs at Riverside take their place at their respective depots.

Mid April: 15 Streetlites arrive for the Lime, 4853/4/5 (by now possibly withdrawn with the younger B10BLEs taking their place at CLS following arrival of X66 Streetlites) definitely withdrawn by this point. 4896 withdrawn too, whilst the 3 in the former X7 batch (4906/8/9) are displaced elsewhere (with the 7 PVR of Chester-le-Street's Lime runs being filled by the new Streetlites and no need for a spare B10BLE, with the spare Streetlite confirmed). 6 B10BLEs at Stanley either directly withdrawn (probably 4897-4902, technically oldest after 4853-55 and 96) or relocated to other depots where gaps need to be filled. 

Mid May: 10 Streetlites arrive for Red Kite. 9 branded and 1 spare. 9 Red Kite-branded OmniCities (5234 - 5243) taken away from Stanley and 8 allocated to Toon Link (or whatever it was we were discussing haha) and 1 to Percy Main as a spare. 8 B10BLEs from the Toon Link services directly withdrawn as a result.

My prediction.

I reckon an additional Citaro would be nice at Deptford, possibly 5332, as a spare for the 35/36 and 61.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:31 pm)Tom wrote New buses for a Percy Main route hopefully. Possibly Solos for the North Tyne Links.

I think the rest of the orders will be Deckers.

Double Decker routes (NOT Confirmed) - 21 - buses -  Style of bus not confirmed. 

Crusader - 13 (+1 spare)
Pronto - 6 (+1 spare)


Single Decker routes = 31 buses (including spares) - Streetlites - Confirmed!

Red Kite - 9 (+1 spare)
X66 - 5 (+1 spare)
Lime - 13 (+2 spare)


Total 52 buses 

Quite surprised nobody has said anything about Deckers being on Order for the 47, looks like everyone has taken the whole Omnicity/B7RLE Split Allocation as being gospel.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:45 pm)Malarkey wrote Quite surprised nobody has said anything about Deckers being on Order for the 47, looks like everyone has taken the whole Omnicity/B7RLE Split Allocation as being gospel.

Is there any deckers on order for the 47?

(24 Feb 2015, 9:39 pm)Tom wrote I reckon an additional Citaro would be nice at Deptford, possibly 5332, as a spare for the 35/36 and 61.

PVR 27: 13
PVR 49/49B: 10
Total PVR: 23

PVR 35/36: 15
PVR 61: 5
Total PVR: 20

I think Riverside will keep 5332 as a spare vehicle for their Mercedes Citaro routes, given that they have the higher PVR.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:44 pm)Michael wrote I think the rest of the orders will be Deckers.

Double Decker routes (NOT Confirmed) - 22 - buses -  Style of bus not confirmed. 

Crusader - 13 (+1 spare)
Pronto - 6 (+1 spare)


Single Decker routes = 31 buses (including spares) - Streetlites - Confirmed!

Red Kite - 9 (+1 spare)
X66 - 5 (+1 spare)
Lime - 13 (+2 spare)


Total 53 buses 

If the Crusader does get new buses, maybe the Citaros could go to the 9/17, displacing all of the Renowns at Percy Main for withdrawal?
Omnicties would move to a spare role.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:46 pm)citaro5284 wrote Is there any deckers on order for the 47?

Dunno there could be, who knows.

(24 Feb 2015, 9:44 pm)Michael wrote I think the rest of the orders will be Deckers.

Double Decker routes (NOT Confirmed) - 22 - buses -  Style of bus not confirmed. 

Crusader - 13 (+1 spare)
Pronto - 6 (+1 spare)


Single Decker routes = 31 buses (including spares) - Streetlites - Confirmed!

Red Kite - 9 (+1 spare)
X66 - 5 (+1 spare)
Lime - 13 (+2 spare)


Total 53 buses 

Do you think the Crusader needs double decker, i was on it at a 'peak' time recently and it filled up but didn't overcrowd, also, they are very frequent!