Today marks the end of nearly 14 years of unusual operation by Go-Ahead subsidiary, Go North East. Way back in 2001, the popular X66 Metrocentre Centrelink service was growing busier by the day. Standard saloons were normal fare. Types such as Plaxton Prestige/ DAF SB220s, Wright Renown-bodied Volvo B10BLEs and newer Wrights in the shape of recent Eclipse Solar-bodied Scania L94UBs. Even with the high frequency timetable, crowds at both ends of the route meant Go North East had to push for higher capacity vehicles. The route itself had recently gained its own private section of road alongside the River Tyne. This meant the buses on the X66 using this section had to pass under the bridge allowing the Tyne & Wear Metro to connect Gateshead with Newcastle. The low height of only 11-12ft between the bridge and the road had enforced the rule that it was to be single-deckers or nothing. It has been known for deckers to be put out on the X66, but using more densely populated public roads, taking longer to get between the two termini. Go North East took a massive risk by placing a small batch of 18m articulated buses into service on the X66 in late 2001. Following on from other deliveries, bodywork and chassis choice followed suit of other arrivals at the time. The Wright Solar Fusion-bodied Scania L94UA buses were an instant hit. Granted, the seating capacity was up only by a small number, but the extra standee spaces allowed the buses to carry a maximum of just over 100 passengers on the short route. It was perfect for the X66s needs. They performed well, the solid Scania engine coupled to an eager ZF automatic transmission produced a bus far from sluggish. Ride quality was smooth (at first) and the buses were reasonably well behaved. After nearly 9 years on this service, the Scania Bendies were replaced by the next Artic type to serve here. This was not the end of this type however, as a few remained in the fleet to serve the X40 Great Park & ride service between Newcastle and a site just north of Regent Centre. * * * 2011 started just like an other year, with very little news of development happening in this region. London was in due course to oust its Bendy Buses so hated by the new Mayor. Go-Ahead Group saw a great business opportunity in taking reasonably new ex-London artics and placing them in service in the Go North East fleet. Hence the arrival of a number of former London General Mercedes Citaro Gs. Being ex-London, the buses had to be refurbished to provincial standards, but not all were treated. As it goes, the newer 57-plate buses were placed onto the X66. These were converted to dual door (one in each section) and acted as direct replacements for the Solar Fusions. The remainder, a mix of 57 and older 54-plate buses, remained to the tri-door arrangement. This was to allow them to take up work on only the second North East route to have ever seen artic operation, the 58. At the time, it was home to rigid Ciatros new here, but the added gimmick of artics gave GNE opportunity to see what hey could get out of their new toys. The 58 was a great route for artics on paper. Linking the transport interchange of Heworth with the Tyneside-based office park known as Hadrian Park, the route served Gateshead Interchange and Newcastle City Centre along the way. This drew commuters, shoppers and school traffic to the service. Sadly, reality dictated the 58s new Bendies were to fail faster than a one legged man doing the Hokey-Cokey. Roads were far too narrow and winding. Schedules were thrown out of the window as buses got trapped in traffic and stuck behind parked cars on awkward bends. After less than two years, the Citaro Gs on this service were withdrawn and sold. Their replacement came in the shape of Optare Versa V1170s. Cries of despair still ring out for double-deckers on this service. It wasnt just the route that let the Citaro Gs down in Go North Easts eyes. With abnormal mechanics in the shape of a London-suited Voith gearbox, the buses were sluggish under crush loadings. Not a problem in London, but murder in hillier terrian such as Gateshead. All the 54-plate buses were moved on to new operators, many heading south to affiliated subsidiary, Brighton & Hove. Some of the 57-plates went too, but those on the X66 remained, no immediate replacement being readily available. Until now, that is. Time has been called on the Gelenkbuses here in the North East. Although saying that, we are still in the dark as to what will replace these crowd shifters. In view of the circumstances, a selection of pictures showing the changing stages of Go North Easts artic operation is supplied with this post. Heres to the Bendy Bus. Ever unappreciated, never un-bowed.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:34:58 +0000
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