In Mid to Late 2006 Go North East,a principal bus operator in Northeast England,began a branding exercise on many of it's routes radiating from Newcastle and local routes in Sunderland & Gateshead.One of these routes,the Bargain Bus,began in September 2006,as routes X42/X43.
The Service operates between Blyth & Cramlington in Northumberland,and Haymarket Bus Station in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.It uses a fleet of 6 Leyland Olimpians-2 of which began with Dublin Bus as Summerhill Depot's RH24 &27 in September 1990.
The Above Photos show Former Dublin Bus RH24 (90-D-1024) at Blyth Bus Station on June 6th 2007,in it's Go North East Guise as 3947 (H481 PVW).
Both RH's joined Dublin Bus' Summerhill Depot in September 1990,joining Go North East after spells with Ensign Bus and Isle of Man Transport in September 2005.
Initally they were operated on Schools services at Bishop Auckland depot.In July 2006 that depot moved to Arriva and the RH's transferred to Percy Main,re-entering service on the Bargain Bus in September 2006.
The Upstairs of Both veichles.The First photo shows RH24 towards the front at Haymarket,the second RH27 at Blyth.
Internally the veichles reintain their Green Motif,with some main seating going grey,and the Irish language on their emergency exists remains.Externally the veichles have had centre doors removed,Dot Matrix displays installed,smaller wing mirros and in RH27's case headlights modified.
My thanks to my travelling companion for hiding while the photos were taken!!
3 views of Former RH27,the first at Blyth Bus Station,the last 2 at Haymarket Bus Station.
The Veichles are well suited in their yellow livery,with "greengrocers" style vinals.Go North East strongly believes that this sells the bus,rather than use leaflet advertising.
The Ex Dublin Olympians share the service with 4 other Leyland Olimpians with Northern Counties Bodywork,which,like the RH's,came from Ensign Bus,who purcured them from Arriva London.
3958 is seen here leaving Haymarket Station for Blyth.
The Bargain Bus seemed well patronised when travelled upon by the webmaster.the service operates at xx20 and xx50 past the Hour from Newcastle and xx55 & xx25 from Blyth.The veichles are in good nic and should last a good while yet on the service.Long term it is intended that the veichles will move to the former Northumbria Buses depot in Ashington,due to capacity crunch at Percy Main.
Details on Both RHs can be found below:
| RH24 (90-D-1024) | New to Dublin Bus 09/90 (Summerhill Depot),withdrawn 05/02,to Ensign Bus 09/02,to Isle of Man Transport 05/03,to Go North East 09/05 as 3947 (H481 PVW),to Bargain Bus 09/06 |
| RH27 (90-D-1027) | New to Dublin Bus 09/90 (Summerhill Depot),withdrawn 06/02,to Ensign Bus 09/02,to Isle of Man Transport 05/03,to Go North East 09/05,as 3948 (H485 PVW)to Bargain Bus 09/06 |
Go North East also have Former Dublin Bus Olympians RH1,26,65 & 85,based at Stanley (Co.Durham) Depot.
The June 2007 edition of "Buses" Magazine has an excellent article on the Go North East Branding Exercise.
Relavent Links
For Photos of RH1,Click Here
For Information on Bargain Bus,Click Here.
For Photos of Go North East and Other ex Dublin UK Olympians,Click Here
For Photos of All Go North East Ex Dublin Olympians,Click Here.
For Photos of Former RH's 76, 77, 92 & 99,Click Here.
For our Rail Element of this trip to Tyneside,Click Here.
