Go North East

[B.I.Q.]

RE: Go North East
The TEN will be converted to double decker operation at some point, it's a case of when. The suitability of both a standard diesel and a hybrid Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 will be tested on the route to see which is most appropriate. If it is deemed that hybrid deckers are suitable for the route, funding will be sought after from the Green Bus Fund. It is also likely that another batch of vehicles will be applied for though the Green Bus Fund. The TEN Mercedes Citaros will then cascade onto The Crusader in coincide with the South Tyne Partnership.

The Highwayman 97/98/98A will recieve Solar L94/Wright Solar's being displaced from other services and spare vehicles.

As has already been stated in the press release the Tyne Tees Express operations will gain a batch of new Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 with a few extra features. These vehicles are anticipated to arrive early to mid autumn this year.

A batch of Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 have also been ordered to replace the current Mercedes Citaros on Red Arrows X1 services. These are expected to start arriving very soon, during late summer/early autumn this year. No guaranteed dates can be given as they will arrive as and when each vehicle is completed.

Angel service 21 will also be gaining a batch of Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, however these vehicles will feature Volvo's Parallel Hybrid System. These vehicles are also expected to arrive this year around the late autumn/early winter period. All new vehicles should be in service prior to the new year.

As all ready seen The Loop vehicles have recently been refurbished and rebranded for this service. Within the next two to three weeks the full fleet of Red Kite vehicles will also been rebranded. The Prince Bishop vehicles have also started to be rebranded. There are also a number of other brands being redesigned as well as some new brands coming over the next few months of this year.

Plans for the 64,64A, 95 and 96 services are still being finalised. So the vehicles used on these services has yet been finalised.

The amount of Dennis Dart SPD vehicles still in service was not what was anticipated at this point, this is why so many fleet changes are occurring to dispse of these vehicles. It is also anticipated by early Spring next year that no Volvo Olympains will remain in service. These vehicles will be displaced by Dennis Trident Plaxton Presidents, Dennis Trident East Lancs Lolynes, Volvo Plaxton Presidents and Volvo East Lancs Vykings.