(19 Dec 2021, 4:27 pm)Keeiajs wrote That is a fair point, and I hope it is true. 
What routes from Nexus is GNE taking over for Boxing Day?

(19 Dec 2021, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote The 306 and 308 for Nexus, the 43, X10, X18 and X21 for Northumberland County Council.


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(19 Dec 2021, 10:34 am)busmanT wrote The average passenger won't know to scroll down!

(19 Dec 2021, 12:32 pm)54APhotography wrote Ultimately, no matter what we have all written here, this is not the fault of the bus companies, the situation with HGV pay rates is still taking those drivers who can away. The rate of new recruits is incapable of matching the usual loss plus this, and the DVLA have royally screwed up licences for the best part of three years now.

But those companies who can should as written here dedicate themselves to ensuring deckers are available to be switched in when mass cancellations take place and the impending crush on Christmas Eve. GNE obviously have a better ability to do this, but there are countless heavily stacked operators who have a good stock that could come out after 12 noon to make this Christmas Eve not go as many of us suspect...

(19 Dec 2021, 3:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote It will be interesting to see how they manage that situation and whether cust svc is going to be a priority in that period of the day.
Front line staff missing + crowded or delayed buses = potential carnage.
A customer service offer would play a part in helping mitigate some of the issues.

Hmm, not sure I agree with that mind.

In addition to any external influences, there's internal factors at play and operators need to take some responsibity for the shortage of staff and high attrition rate.

(19 Dec 2021, 4:59 pm)Adrian wrote Seems to happen regular at the weekends. Perhaps a knowledge gap with whoever is responsible for updating those lists over the weekend.

I agree though. Most will check the Saturday listing at the top only and think Sunday is not published yet.


It may not be solely the fault of bus companies, but they are a long-standing factor in the problem. 

If bus companies cannot retain and recruit staff, that is down to them and them alone. The industry has spent decades driving down costs, keeping pay rises to a minimum and destroying terms and conditions. What may have been an attractive role back then is not the same role now, and if you haven't got the T&Cs or working conditions in your favour, then it solely comes down to money. Cannot blame drivers one bit for taking up a HGV job, working similarly awful shifts in similar conditions, minus working with the general public, for a lot more money.

As Andreos1 pointed out earlier, operators must be spending fortunes on recruitment and the associated costs, and have done for years. Brexit has of course added to it, but it's not a new problem. It's one that hasn't been addressed for decades.

Agree with the comments re: deckers, but I hope when committing to an early run-off this year, there's a sufficient contingency plan in place to ensure that none of the last runs are cancelled. 


I can't see Boxing Day being that busy to be honest, especially with no home games and the Government's recent change in messaging. 

I agree a customer service offering could be a help, but I don't think any of the operators will be providing any for the four days 25th - 29th. I can't see any posts to say what the opening hours are though.

(19 Dec 2021, 11:55 am)Train8261 wrote Same here. I have a feeling gne are gonna be flooding with complaints if some last service buses get cancelled om Christmas Eve/Boxing day & New Year's Eve

(22 Dec 2021, 5:22 pm)Keeiajs wrote The X1's tomorrow are horrendous. 

There isn't a service to Peterlee for over 5 HOURS

(19 Dec 2021, 4:58 pm)Train8261 wrote I'm quite surprised arriva decided to not run any this year

(22 Dec 2021, 9:27 pm)RobinHood wrote Arriva purposely decided not to operate, to give drivers a clear period of rest after the last year.

(22 Dec 2021, 9:52 pm)Dan wrote Arriva are in by far the worst situation out of the big three for coverage and it is understandable that they would not want to risk plucking up volunteers to work Boxing Day.


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(22 Dec 2021, 10:52 pm)mb134 wrote Not sure this is the case in the Northumbria depots which are where staff are sourced from to operate their usual Boxing Day services. As far as I was last told, both Ashington and Blyth are managing to cover everything fine (vehicle shortages at Ashington causing far more issues than drivers), though I've not heard anything of Jesmond.

(22 Dec 2021, 5:22 pm)Keeiajs wrote The X1's tomorrow are horrendous. 

There isn't a service to Peterlee for over 5 HOURS

(22 Dec 2021, 9:52 pm)Dan wrote Hogwash. That might be the public reasoning (retail are also dining out on it - have heard a few adverts now saying that shops are giving their staff an extra day off this Boxing Day to spend with loved ones to thank them for their hard work this year) but in reality for the bus industry it’s down to coverage issues and we’re all smart enough on this forum to know that. In retail it’s more likely to be down to the limited trade on a Sunday.

Arriva are in by far the worst situation out of the big three for coverage and it is understandable that they would not want to risk plucking up volunteers to work Boxing Day.

(23 Dec 2021, 9:36 am)Adrian wrote Sainsburys have been milking this extra day as a thank you to staff, but they either have to use holiday (as they get their bank holidays rolled up into leave) or take it as unpaid. So about as much a thank you as a kick where it hurts. 

The suggestion that Arriva have done likewise for the benefit of the workers made me chuckle though...   one eye on the balance sheet and not wanting to take the gamble sounds more likely.

(22 Dec 2021, 9:52 pm)Dan wrote Hogwash. That might be the public reasoning (retail are also dining out on it - have heard a few adverts now saying that shops are giving their staff an extra day off this Boxing Day to spend with loved ones to thank them for their hard work this year) but in reality for the bus industry it’s down to coverage issues and we’re all smart enough on this forum to know that. In retail it’s more likely to be down to the limited trade on a Sunday.

Arriva are in by far the worst situation out of the big three for coverage and it is understandable that they would not want to risk plucking up volunteers to work Boxing Day.


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(23 Dec 2021, 2:54 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Well, if shops are closed and buses aren't running, they mustn't be that essential then. I demand a refund on all the claps!

(23 Dec 2021, 9:36 am)Adrian wrote It looks like there'll have to be some light running to achieve what's listed on the disruptions page, unless it's incorrect.

From what I can see, the 12.04 from Newcastle becomes the 13.30 out of Peterlee, but that 12.04 terminates at Washington Galleries and doesn't reach Peterlee. 
Same for the 13.04 from Newcastle. That should be the 14.30 out of Peterlee (which isn't a listed disruption), but the bus terminates at Washington Galleries southbound and doesn't reach Peterlee. 

There's also a 45 minute gap in the morning and a 55 minute gap around 6pm, on an already reduced/temporary timetable.

(23 Dec 2021, 2:21 pm)RobinHood wrote Dan, whether you like it or not, it was the decision of the Area MD to not operate Boxing Day to give drivers some well deserved time off. Simple as that.

The Northumbria area is not suffering with driver shortages (in comparison with Durham County), and plenty of volunteers would work for the pay/extra days off if asked.

It was purely a gesture from the business to not even offer it.

(23 Dec 2021, 4:07 pm)Adrian wrote The 12.04 and 13.04 from Newcastle were changed to full cancellations on the disruptions page, and according to bustimes, the 13.30 and 14.30 from Peterlee didn't run after all, with neither appearing on the disruptions page. Neither have been tweeted as cancellations nor have appeared in the app.

The list looks more extensive since the morning now. You have two fairly big gaps at key times from Newcastle.
- 15.49 and 16.04 are missing, so a 45 minute gap until the 16.34 service, then the 16.46 is missing.
- The 17.50, 18.05, 18.25 and 18.40 are missing in a row, so no full X1 from 17.30 (but 17.40 X1A) until 19.00! 90 minute gap.

(17 Jan 2022, 1:54 pm)Adrian wrote Thought I'd share this thread: https://twitter.com/arrivanortheast/status/1483053258256101380

Despite the original post being "Darlington & Durham - Short Notice Cancellations. Due to staff shortages some journeys are not expected to operate today. For services effected please check the app for real time cancellations.", it appears that there's no actual publication of the list. Instead, the onus is completely on the customer to work out if their journey is cancelled or not.

Having spent a good 20 minutes looking at various journeys in the app, it doesn't appear to be as simple as they make out.

I wonder what the difficulty is in publishing a list (on your website) and maintaining it throughout the day? It's still not ideal, but it's far better than having to work it out for yourself.

(17 Jan 2022, 3:14 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I do wonder why we can't have both. GNE publishes a list of cancelled service, but they just disappear off the app. Arriva don't publish a list, but the app tells you if buses are delayed or cancelled.

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(17 Jan 2022, 3:50 pm)Adrian wrote Allegedly. I've just checked services again on the corridors I looked at earlier, and I can see a cancellation on each now. Leaving under 2 hours notice. 

It seems to be two completely different strategies from two operators; one gives you a list in advance as a worst-case scenario, which is regularly updated throughout the day with journeys being reinstated. Others are reinstated with no notice. The other gives you a vague warning that some journeys will be disrupted, but publishes the cancellation with minimal notice. 

I don't think there's anything wrong with either strategy to be honest, but it'd be nice to have some consistency in approach and not be forced down unhelpful operator specific routes. For example, the two journeys I've referenced as cancelled in the Arriva app are still showing as options on Google Maps - why isn't that filtered through with open data?

Screenshot_20220203-144823_Maps.jpg (Size 346.41 KB | Downloads 41)

(03 Feb 2022, 2:52 pm)idiot wrote 56s not doing that well with delays this afternoon.

All tracking buses running late. I just want to get home Lol

It was great to welcome @NEEChamberJohn to @gonortheast this morning to discuss our continuing partnership with @NEEChamber, playing our role in connecting the region with low carbon, accessible and affordable public transport - an important part of our regional economy! ??‍?‍?‍??? https://t.co/PZV1qUGENM

(16 Feb 2022, 8:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/1493920256535969793?t=jfDHtupCZ2zmCQ7b5XJZYQ&s=19

It's not just me is it?

Whilst standing in front of a bus, branded for a route that is currently suspended and is unable to connect the region to the metrocentre or other places on that it passes.
An important part of our regional economy indeed!