Go North East

[chris white]

RE: Go North East

(04/08/2012 14:37)kuyoyo Wrote:  It's smart - not too over the top but not as basic as the one on the B7s.
And here's a better look - Photo @ peter_b2008

I agree, while the branding is on the minimal side, this is a case where less is better. Not to mention a big improvement on the temporary brand the X9/X10 has previously carried.

Chris

[Metroline1511]

RE: Go North East
So, I shall list my rollcall of Go North East bus rides here. I hope I remember to include them all here!

Volvo Olympian-NC II 3814 (route 95a)
Volvo B7TL-Presidents 6018 (21), 6029 (M3), 6035 (X21)
Volvo B7TL-East Lancs 3975 (24)
Volvo B9TL-Gemini 6005, 6007 (X1)
Mercedes Citaro Bendibus 5345 (58)
DAF-Prestige 4986 (28)
Volvo B10BLE-Wright Endurance 4905 (8), 5148 (31), 5154 (49a), 5164 (69)
Volvo B7RLE-Eclipse 4982 (32)
Scania-Wright Solars 4945 (9), 4969 (X88), 4990 (X20), 5202 (56), 5229 (OK1)
Scania Solar Bendibus 4953 (X66)
Scania OmniCities 5243 (X70), 5269 (1)
Mercedes Citaro 5297 (44), 5311 (10)
Cadet 8263 (97)
Versas 8299 (53), 8301 (54), 8313 (Q1), 8316 (Q2)
MPD 557 (74a), 618 (689)
Solo SR 630 (700), 631 (353)

[Metroline1511]

RE: Go North East
As well as enjoying the above bus rides, I enjoyed several observations. The modern moquette is like a spiced-up Go-Ahead London moquette, with Go super-imposed in several places. Last week, ex-London Citaro bendibuses 5344 and 5345 had not been refurbished, so you can see what I mean.

Also unrefurbished were some Tridents, Solars on route X35 and Volvo B10BLEs and Cadets on the dandy Highwayman routes. I did see a Solar parked in Gateshead bus station in Highwayman green but without logos, so no doubt destined for these routes. Maybe the Cadets will then be refurbished and replace SPDs on routes 17 and 19, and Caetanos. With even R-reg Renowns already refurbished, I wonder whether the X-reg ones face early withdrawal?

Oh yes, it was ironic seeing R-reg buses on route 27. I remember seeing and riding a new Olympian-NC II on its predecessor route 527 in October 1998. While some newer buses sometimes operate the route, it felt bizarre reflecting that some buses on the route are now older than those from 1998!

My Olympian ride was my first bus ride of the day on Friday 27th July. My ticket has route 95a on it, and as the route was withdrawn 2 days later, my ticket is already a collector's item! I had even seen another Olympian on route 53 at around 8.35pm on the Thursday, and a few out on the Saturday, so they seem to be limited all-day Monday-Saturday buses. I didn't notice any on Sunday and doubt they are ever needed on Sundays.

I would be surprised if route 10 goes double-deck as it didn't seem unduly busy.

I would have liked route 9 to be called Cross Tyne Link or East Tyne Link, as it connects Jarrow and North Shields via the Tyne Tunnel. Mind you, Wearsiders in Sunderland might not like it! Talking of branding, the only main routes I noticed not branded were route 17 and Durham-area routes 13, 14, 15 and 15a. Maybe Sweet Seventeen and North Durham Locals could be in the offing?

I note that some generic buses are Yellow Buses while others are red with Northern branding. I am not sure what the differentiation is. My guess was that spare buses used to be yellow but a new policy of a red livery was subsequently introduced.

[W179 SCU]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:11)Metroline1511 Wrote:  .

Also unrefurbished were some Tridents, Solars on route X35 and Volvo B10BLEs and Cadets on the dandy Highwayman routes. I did see a Solar parked in Gateshead bus station in Highwayman green but without logos, so no doubt destined for these routes. Maybe the Cadets will then be refurbished and replace SPDs on routes 17 and 19, and Caetanos. With even R-reg Renowns already refurbished, I wonder whether the X-reg ones face early withdrawal?

That would be great - Anything bar Compasses and SPD's!

[kuyoyo]

RE: Go North East
The Cadets in Highwayman Green are going red for the 64/64A/95/96, the 17 will be sticking with SPDs for the time being.

[W179 SCU]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:35)kuyoyo Wrote:  The Cadets in Highwayman Green are going red for the 64/64A/95/96, the 17 will be sticking with SPDs for the time being.

Will it ever get new buses?

[Metroline1511]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:35)kuyoyo Wrote:  The Cadets in Highwayman Green are going red for the 64/64A/95/96, the 17 will be sticking with SPDs for the time being.

Oh yes, I saw a new Highwayman timetable, and seem to recall just routes 97 and 98 are now included. So, it seems these will retain green X-reg Renowns, and routes 95 and 96 will not be dandy anymore.

[Metroline1511]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:28)W179 SCU Wrote:  That would be great - Anything bar Compasses and SPD's!

They were my least fave buses in the area, alongside all but the newest MPDs. At least 618 had a respectable interior, but I think it may have been ex-dealer stock. I only rode the one on route 74a as it was a Sunday-only route.

[kuyoyo]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:42)Metroline1511 Wrote:  

(05/08/2012 20:35)kuyoyo Wrote:  The Cadets in Highwayman Green are going red for the 64/64A/95/96, the 17 will be sticking with SPDs for the time being.

Oh yes, I saw a new Highwayman timetable, and seem to recall just routes 97 and 98 are now included. So, it seems these will retain green X-reg Renowns, and routes 95 and 96 will not be dandy anymore.

The X-reg Renowns will be replaced by Scania L94UBs in September. Not sure what will happen to the Renowns however.

[W179 SCU]

RE: Go North East

(05/08/2012 20:46)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(05/08/2012 20:42)Metroline1511 Wrote:  

(05/08/2012 20:35)kuyoyo Wrote:  The Cadets in Highwayman Green are going red for the 64/64A/95/96, the 17 will be sticking with SPDs for the time being.

Oh yes, I saw a new Highwayman timetable, and seem to recall just routes 97 and 98 are now included. So, it seems these will retain green X-reg Renowns, and routes 95 and 96 will not be dandy anymore.

The X-reg Renowns will be replaced by Scania L94UBs in September. Not sure what will happen to the Renowns however.

Well, hopefully they could go on the 17!