(11 Aug 2013, 7:23 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I'd say from judging what I've found on Google Maps, it's not much different to what the buses going down Knightside Gardens in Dunston have to cope with. It looks like a squeeze in some places, but should probably be fine.

The 26 and 727 both had deckers go around Barley Mow. Until recently when the MPDs were sent round, full sized single deckers all went around too.
Dorset Avenue is the only place (currently on/off route) which seems to have more parked cars than ever. Not sure if thats ever been a factor.
Deckers have always got around Vigo on scholars services too.

Can only presume it is loadings stopping Compass sticking the Cadet on the 23.

Loadings would make sense, I've never seen more than 3 or 4 people on it. I'd suggest a Solo is probably overloading it.

It's a prime candidate for a TaxiBus

Stanley have used Olympian's on service 23 to Barley Mow in the past...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61391443@N02/8009651292

(11 Aug 2013, 7:46 pm)gtomlinson wrote Loadings would make sense, I've never seen more than 3 or 4 people on it. I'd suggest a Solo is probably overloading it.

It's a prime candidate for a TaxiBus

A couple of weeks ago I saw the Stanley MPD on the 23 at Wrekenton. It had 10 people on (I was sad enough to count them ) It can be a popular little service at times.

Conpass had Iveco NX04 AWU on 23 today.

Had an A4 sheet in the window with 23 on it. Find that a bit poor

(13 Aug 2013, 11:45 am)gtomlinson wrote Conpass had Iveco NX04 AWU on 23 today.

Had an A4 sheet in the window with 23 on it. Find that a bit poor

Welcome to the world of the 37/8X. :p

Must contravene a few nexus rules?

(13 Aug 2013, 12:03 pm)gtomlinson wrote Must contravene a few nexus rules?

You'd have thought so! I still can't get over the fact they're allowed to have buses running around that aren't in the Nexus livery - a subject which we've touched on before.

(13 Aug 2013, 12:05 pm)Daniel wrote You'd have thought so! I still can't get over the fact they're allowed to have buses running around that aren't in the Nexus livery - a subject which we've touched on before.

I'm going to ask Nexus

(13 Aug 2013, 5:31 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'm going to ask Nexus

@Aureolin shared a sample Nexus contract with us before, but I can't actually remember if it mentioned anything about the livery of vehicles?
Would be good if we could have a copy on the forum again.. hint hint!

(13 Aug 2013, 5:31 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'm going to ask Nexus

As Nexus-branded vehicles are owned by bus companies there is nothing to stop them being used on other services according to their operational needs. We expect to see branded buses on the routes we pay for using public funds unless there are operational problems

source:

http://www.nexus.org.uk/nexusbus-arriva

(13 Aug 2013, 5:45 pm)cbma06 wrote As Nexus-branded vehicles are owned by bus companies there is nothing to stop them being used on other services according to their operational needs. We expect to see branded buses on the routes we pay for using public funds unless there are operational problems

source:

http://www.nexus.org.uk/nexusbus-arriva

They know for a fine fact they're not going to get that with Compass though, because nothing in their fleet is Nexus liveried...
Would love to know how they get away with it!

(13 Aug 2013, 5:47 pm)Daniel wrote They know for a fine fact they're not going to get that with Compass though, because nothing in their fleet is Nexus liveried...
Would love to know how they get away with it!

Funny we mentioned this, was speaking to a friend last night who lives in Birtley and his Gran missed the 23 because the Iveco went speeding past and she thought it was just another van.

He'd already had details of someone at Nexus and got this response

With regards to the type of bus that you saw on the 23 yesterday, we are aware that Compass have resorted to utilising the Iveco due to the regular bus (and the spare bus) being off the road. Nevertheless we would expect the service to be operated by a low floor easy access bus with a suitable destination blind on the front of the bus, as per the contract. I have witnessed the Iveco myself on both the 23 and 37 services recently and we will be taking action for the use of the Iveco.

The Iveco has been pretty much a daily allocation on the 8X since it last changed. They used to interwork it with the 37 and a school swimming baths run and also the 8X as far as I'm aware.
They started using the Bluebird they have for a while but then stopped...
They have a few Solos, a few Cadets and the Bluebird with destination blinds. No reason at all not to use them. All of their services are covered by those vehicles.

(14 Aug 2013, 2:41 pm)Daniel wrote The Iveco has been pretty much a daily allocation on the 8X since it last changed. They used to interwork it with the 37 and a school swimming baths run and also the 8X as far as I'm aware.
They started using the Bluebird they have for a while but then stopped...
They have a few Solos, a few Cadets and the Bluebird with destination blinds. No reason at all not to use them. All of their services are covered by those vehicles.

I assume Compass tell Nexus that all those vehicles are off road?

Doesn't give me huge confidence in QC if they let Compass get away with stuff like this

(13 Aug 2013, 5:44 pm)Daniel wrote @Aureolin shared a sample Nexus contract with us before, but I can't actually remember if it mentioned anything about the livery of vehicles?
Would be good if we could have a copy on the forum again.. hint hint!

Copy attached to this post. Might be worth adding to the PTE docs section of the bygone era too?

It states: "Vehicles used in the performance of this contract must be painted in corporate/advertising livery or a livery approved or specified by Nexus. Under certain circumstances, operators may be required to confirm their corporate livery."

I suppose the problem with the smaller operators is that if they were to fully comply with the rules, most likely their entire fleets would be made up of Nexus branded vehicles only - unlike GNE and Arriva, where it's just a small percentage.

The 79 was being worked by the 'van' yesterday.
Not sure where the normal Solo was.

Previous to that, noticed the Cadet on the 73 was as empty as ever on Thursday and on Friday, sitting empty at Heworth on the service along Shields Road.

I'd be amazed if these unprofessional jokers won anymore contracts (and if they do, Nexus want shot)

(18 Aug 2013, 7:11 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'd be amazed if these unprofessional jokers won anymore contracts (and if they do, Nexus want shot)

Well they've only just snatched the 73 from GNE, the company who offers a "Nexus Bus" branded Euro 5 Solo SR...

(18 Aug 2013, 7:17 pm)Daniel wrote Well they've only just snatched the 73 from GNE, the company who offers a "Nexus Bus" branded Euro 5 Solo SR...

I'd love to know what action Nexus takes (as it promised) I have a horrible feeling its a letter or a phone call saying 'C'mon guys, don't send that van out'

(18 Aug 2013, 7:28 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'd love to know what action Nexus takes (as it promised) I have a horrible feeling its a letter or a phone call saying 'C'mon guys, don't send that van out'

You'd think they could at least swap the van for a second-hand Dart MPD or something like that!

I understand that the independants probably can't afford the shiny brand-new vehicles that the 'big three' can, but they need to get their act together.

(18 Aug 2013, 7:17 pm)Daniel wrote Well they've only just snatched the 73 from GNE, the company who offers a "Nexus Bus" branded Euro 5 Solo SR...

What's the deal with the 73? I caught it the other morning, and it was a GNE Solo as you mention, so I managed to use my BuzzFare no issue at all. Coming back over though it was a white Cadet ran by Compass, and I couldn't use my BuzzFare. Are they running a vehicle each or something?

I don't think Compass would be in a position to bid for any more work? I understand they have 8 contracts (8/8X, 23, 37, 38/38C, 73, 79/79A, 515, and 558) with a fleet size of 9? I'd personally say they've taken on far too much as it is.

(18 Aug 2013, 7:33 pm)aureolin wrote What's the deal with the 73? I caught it the other morning, and it was a GNE Solo as you mention, so I managed to use my BuzzFare no issue at all. Coming back over though it was a white Cadet ran by Compass, and I couldn't use my BuzzFare. Are they running a vehicle each or something?

I think Compass run one journey per day?

(18 Aug 2013, 7:32 pm)BJ10VUS wrote You'd think they could at least swap the van for a second-hand Dart MPD or something like that!

I understand that the independants probably can't afford the shiny brand-new vehicles that the 'big three' can, but they need to get their act together.

I'm unsure how bus ownership works but if my car goes off the road for a service, the dealer gives me a courtesy vehicle

Surely it wouldn't cost much to rent something from Ensign?

(18 Aug 2013, 7:33 pm)aureolin wrote What's the deal with the 73? I caught it the other morning, and it was a GNE Solo as you mention, so I managed to use my BuzzFare no issue at all. Coming back over though it was a white Cadet ran by Compass, and I couldn't use my BuzzFare. Are they running a vehicle each or something?

I don't think Compass would be in a position to bid for any more work? I understand they have 8 contracts (8/8X, 23, 37, 38/38C, 73, 79/79A, 515, and 558) with a fleet size of 9? I'd personally say they've taken on far too much as it is.

Compass operate one board on the 73, same with the 23 and 515/558 (515/558 is one contract using 1 vehicle). Their board on the 37 is peak-time only while the 8X and 38/38C are evening and Sunday only. So, during the main daytime, they actually only have 4 buses out all day with a fifth joining them at peak times.

(18 Aug 2013, 7:35 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think Compass run one journey per day?

No, one board (admittedly often allocated one of Deptford's yellow MPDs which later ran onto the 592 if I am correct) was taken on by Compass, while GNE retained the other which was allocated the usual SR.
So they alternate hourly, one being done by GNE and the other by Compass.

I'm just wondering, without doing any digging whether they are a charity/not for profit business...

Hence running the stock they do.

Not using it as an excuse or saying they are/aren't suitable for Nexus Contracts - but by lacking (and I'm saying this through gritted teeth) shareholder investment, that a PLC would have, then maybe they can't afford to upgrade their fleet as it stands.

Edit: https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/charity/view/2624 They're a Charity...

(18 Aug 2013, 7:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'm just wondering, without doing any digging whether they are a charity/not for profit business...

Hence running the stock they do.

Not using it as an excuse or saying they are/aren't suitable for Nexus Contracts - but by lacking (and I'm saying this through gritted teeth) shareholder investment, that a PLC would have, then maybe they can't afford to upgrade their fleet as it stands.

Edit: https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/charity/view/2624 They're a Charity...

I think that despite their use of the Iveco, their fleet is actually decent. Their newest full-size vehicle is an 08-reg Solo, and their oldest a Y-reg Solo - so it's not particularly 'old' for an independent.

The vans should never be out. Given the above mentioned number of 5 vehicles (+2 on hospital Park&Ride if you want to include those too) being out at one point in the day, we see their fleet below:
http://northeastbus.co.uk/companies/comp...mtrans.htm

The above excludes the Ivecos and other vans they have running about, as well as the P&R branded ones which are almost always out on the correct service.