Scania L94UA - Wright Solar Fusion
Here we see 4953 at the Metrocentre on the 63.
There are only 4 members of this batch of buses and they are the most unusual style of buses in the North East. The Solar Fusions are Articulated buses which were only found in large numbers in Europe. However these days articulated buses are now becoming widespread in places such as London, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and other areas.
The Go North East vehicles are not the only articulated buses owned by the Go-Ahead group, as London General has some articulated versions if the Mercedes Benz Citaro for Red Arrow services. However back to the GNE vehicles. These vehicles are intended for the X66 and also the 63 and 66. The Solar Fusions have appeared on other routes as a trial and these routes are the 1, 193, and 611. There have also been mentions of them been used on the 188 (If this is true and if they still run on the 188, could some please give details of which journeys they operate please). The Solar Fusions have Dual Purpose seating with non standard seat covers, and they are the only dual door buses in normal service in the North East.
The Registrations are as follows
4950 - NK 51 OLR
4951 - NK 51 OLT
4952 - NK 51 OLU
4953 - NK 51 OLV
All are allocated to Sunderland road and standard on the X66, 63 and 66.
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| Here we see one of the Solar Fusions demonstrating on how they maneuvering on a hill. This is at Gateshead Metro. | Seen on the 611 is Solar Fusion 4952 (I'll confirm this later) It is seen at High Spen on a sunny morning on the 28/03/02. |
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| Seen departing from the old X66 stand at Gateshead is 4951. | A night shot of 4951 at the new X66 stand at Gateshead. |