Northern Electric

Omnibuses2.0 continues its report on a visit to the north east

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These strange looking but somehow pleasing buses are just over two years old. 10 hybrid Designline Olymbuses (sic) began service for Stagecoach in July 2005, in Newcastle and Gateshead. Their use on high frequency routes Q1 & Q2 serve both cities' quaysides. Supported by Nexus PTE, DfT and the two councils, the £7.7mil project aims to demonstrate the usefulness of hybrid technology during an intensive, 18 hour service.

The vehicles are remarkably smooth and quiet. There was little opportunity within the crowded confines of either Gateshead’s quayside art district or Newcastle’s city centre to sample them at any sort of speed. They were nonetheless remarkably refined. And almost silent.

Compare them with the Optare Solos owned by Merseytravel for Arriva’s S1 and S2 services, a similar PTE all-day hybrid demonstration. The ride on these Solos is as you might expect. The drive, though, was disappointingly noisy, with the high-revving diesel engine kicking in to adjust battery levels at the most unexpected moments. Thus the bus would be resting at traffic signals and the engine might suddenly begin to race, as if the bus wanted to surge forward.

The Merseytravel Solos have consistently proven to be unreliable, such that Arriva has substituted Darts. Two of the remaining Solos were re-engined in March 2007 by Traction Technology and Wrightbus, for fresh trials.

Back in Newcastle, the Q1 and Q2 go from strength to strength. After a year, the numbers travelling doubled. The service has been extended. As the riverside is regenerated, expect further passenger growth.