(17 Mar 2024, 5:57 am)Dan wrote It sounds like an absolutely terrible plan having 6336 and 6337 as spares for the X10 and X21 when they can barely manage to run the Consett express services (the latter having spent most of its time at GNE off the road than on!)


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E400MMC:
- 6336-37 - Consett - Spare
- 6338-45 - Consett - X30/X31/X45
- 6346-55 - Riverside - X10/X21

Wasn't part of the syggestion. They'd remain at Consett as backup for the X30/X31/X45 plus other routes if not needed.

For the X10/X21, 6362-63 would fill in and in the case of the X10 if there was a VOR, 6362-63 would step in on the X21 with one of the E400MMC's or 6102/6377 then released stepping in place on the X21.

Would effectively be how Arriva Northumbria manage the 17 & 72 plate E400MMCs at Ashington with both batches doing the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22.

(17 Mar 2024, 8:21 am)L469 YVK wrote E400MMC:
- 6336-37 - Consett - Spare
- 6338-45 - Consett - X30/X31/X45
- 6346-55 - Riverside - X10/X21

Wasn't part of the syggestion. They'd remain at Consett as backup for the X30/X31/X45 plus other routes if not needed.

For the X10/X21, 6362-63 would fill in and in the case of the X10 if there was a VOR, 6362-63 would step in on the X21 with one of the E400MMC's or 6102/6377 then released stepping in place on the X21.

Would effectively be how Arriva Northumbria manage the 17 & 72 plate E400MMCs at Ashington with both batches doing the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22.

It honestly feels like a pointless swap. As I have said before, the solution to any alleged reliability issues of StreetDecks at Riverside is to fix them. Not to give up and move the problem elsewhere.

I know you are sold on the idea (you’ve mentioned it several times now) but GNE clearly wants to keep all the E400s (barring the ones that need to be on the X10) at Consett, and all the StreetDecks at Riverside.

The interworking pattern of the Consett express routes is more complex than you realise (mornings, evenings and Sundays), and Consett already struggle for low-height double-decks at times, without this suggestion which would further hinder them.


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(17 Mar 2024, 8:34 am)Dan wrote It honestly feels like a pointless swap. As I have said before, the solution to any alleged reliability issues of StreetDecks at Riverside is to fix them. Not to give up and move the problem elsewhere.

I know you are sold on the idea (you’ve mentioned it several times now) but GNE clearly wants to keep all the E400s (barring the ones that need to be on the X10) at Consett, and all the StreetDecks at Riverside.

The interworking pattern of the Consett express routes is more complex than you realise (mornings, evenings and Sundays), and Consett already struggle for low-height double-decks at times, without this suggestion which would further hinder them.


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So which journeys end up straying onto low height boards (X30/X31/X45) then? Aren't Sundays just X45 > X72 > X45 and 12 > 6 > X30 > X30 > 6 > 12?

I might be an advocate of a stronger batch of E400MMC covering the X10/X21, but after spending a few days in Northumberland, can appreciate why Arriva use them on their A1/A189 express routes.

(17 Mar 2024, 8:47 am)L469 YVK wrote So which journeys end up straying onto low height boards (X30/X31/X45) then? Aren't Sundays just X45 > X72 > X45 and 12 > 6 > X30 > X30 > 6 > 12?

I might be an advocate of a stronger batch of E400MMC covering the X10/X21, but after spending a few days in Northumberland, can appreciate why Arriva use them on their A1/A189 express routes.

I’m not sure, but the majority of the boards cover an X30 or X31 at some point.


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(17 Mar 2024, 8:59 am)Dan wrote I’m not sure, but the majority of the boards cover an X30 or X31 at some point.


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But the cost of re-jigging them accordingly wouldn't be a large job. Fair enough running the X30/X31 standalone with remote reliefs at Stanley would be a no-no from a cost perspective, but the X30/X31/X45 would largely remain the same with a small number of changes to such boards that might run onto the X30/X31 off a 6, 47, X71, X72 etc.

Not forgetting the reputational cost of an express service that effectively mirror's GNE's 'flagship' service being at stake.

(17 Mar 2024, 8:34 am)Dan wrote It honestly feels like a pointless swap. As I have said before, the solution to any alleged reliability issues of StreetDecks at Riverside is to fix them. Not to give up and move the problem elsewhere.

'Alleged' reliability. Oh Dan, spoken like a true company man still!

(18 Mar 2024, 11:33 am)Ambassador wrote 'Alleged' reliability. Oh Dan, spoken like a true company man still!

Could be wing mirror issues.


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GNE have updated their website to mention the closure but haven't mentioned the 28 or X21

Buses on service 21 towards Newcastle will be unable to serve stops between Newcastle Bank and Harlow Green Footbridge 20.00 and 06:00 the following morning on the evenings of Monday 18th to Thursday 21st March. Please catch your bus from Windsor Road or Harlow Green/Allerdene

(19 Mar 2024, 9:33 am)Ambassador wrote GNE have updated their website to mention the closure but haven't mentioned the 28 or X21

Buses on service 21 towards Newcastle will be unable to serve stops between Newcastle Bank and Harlow Green Footbridge 20.00 and 06:00 the following morning on the evenings of Monday 18th to Thursday 21st March.  Please catch your bus from Windsor Road or Harlow Green/Allerdene

Different closure that isn't it? There's no 28's during that time and assuming the X21 will still be serving all stops so doesn't really need a mention.

Appears to be the North side of the roundabout that.

(19 Mar 2024, 9:42 am)Storx wrote Different closure that isn't it? There's no 28's during that time and assuming the X21 will still be serving all stops so doesn't really need a mention.

Appears to be the North side of the roundabout that.

Oh of course, well spotted Storx! More coffee required

Yeah, that's evenings, starting last night. It's not going to matter how the X21 gets from Chester to the Cannon, anyhow, as long as it does it in reasonable time.

National Highways have clarified the closure this weekend.

It's the Southbound side of the roundabout that is closed. So there is no access to the A1 or Birtley from the direction of Low Fell.

In which case the 21 will serve its evening diversion, the X21 could follow the same diversion and go through Birtley from Lamesley and the 28 will likely go down Easedale and Lamesley as well

GNE have updated the site but no reference to the 28

X12 and 28 are taking an arguably more sensible diversion than the 21

Joining A1 at Eighton Lodge then traversing back from mill house roundabout to serve Birtley, no stops misses

Sunday service on a Good Friday, at least on core routes is horrendous.

Headed to Durham today. The 10.40ish am 21 was full and standing towards Durham (previous 21 and x21 didn’t turn up)

It looked like the Durham 21s were running up to 25 minutes late, the X21s worse.

I ended up getting a train back to Newcastle and doubling back to low fell. Still got home quicker. Driver of my 21 said CLS 21 runs were pretty light all day but Durham runs were really struggling, he knew if 2 X21s that had been regulated.

Riverside are utterly useless

not just bank holidays on 21. I dropped the fun police (ex) on low fell so she could get the 21 to work as the 28/29 have been rubbish for turning up and she waited a while then 3 turned up at once..... two were even the correct allocation!!!!

Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.

Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.

Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.

Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.

(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.

Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.

Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.

Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.

See. I would of turned round and said ere think he needs some help  it's much more embarrassing for a customer to tell them to do their job then a member of staff asking for help

(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.

Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.

Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.

Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.

Typical of how Go are deteriorating. Sick and tired of cancelled services and ignorant mentors. Nexus made aware of the 317 fiasco daily but doing sod all about it.

(02 Jun 2024, 10:13 am)54APhotography wrote Typical of how Go are deteriorating. Sick and tired of cancelled services and ignorant mentors. Nexus made aware of the 317 fiasco daily but doing sod all about it.

Hardly a fiasco, most buses operate fine.

There are delays yes, but a lot of this is due to congestion. It took half an hour to get from Howdon Lane to Ridley Avenue twice last week due to increased traffic going via the Tyne Tunnel I’m assuming. Not much Nexus, or Go North East can do about that.

Sunday services are often delayed but they were with Stagecoach too- probably because the timetable is far too tight, which is Nexus’ fault.

(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.

Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.

Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.

Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.

I must say the 28b seems to be a training bus these days and the " mentors" always been fine with the driver when i've seen it. Maybe Washington depot run differently to the service you were on?

Likewise with routes from Consett depot, the mentor has always been supportive of the driver whenever I've seen

(02 Jun 2024, 10:13 am)54APhotography wrote Typical of how Go are deteriorating. Sick and tired of cancelled services and ignorant mentors. Nexus made aware of the 317 fiasco daily but doing sod all about it.

It wasn't a Go North East service

(02 Jun 2024, 12:04 pm)Iamtheone8483748 wrote Likewise with routes from Consett depot, the mentor has always been supportive of the driver whenever I've seen

And Percy Main

(02 Jun 2024, 11:06 am)Thomas12 wrote Hardly a fiasco, most buses operate fine.

There are delays yes, but a lot of this is due to congestion. It took half an hour to get from Howdon Lane to Ridley Avenue twice last week due to increased traffic going via the Tyne Tunnel I’m assuming. Not much Nexus, or Go North East can do about that.

Sunday services are often delayed but they were with Stagecoach too- probably because the timetable is far too tight, which is Nexus’ fault.

Every day Ferry connections are missed, much worse than when Stagecoach had the route. Defend the service as much as you like, the regular users of the Ferry are sick and tired of the service since Percy Main took over.

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(02 Jun 2024, 12:13 pm)DeltaMan wrote It wasn't a Go North East service

Go North East are the providers to Nexus. It's not Nexus' fault other than awarding the contract to them.

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(02 Jun 2024, 1:58 pm)54APhotography wrote Every day Ferry connections are missed, much worse than when Stagecoach had the route. Defend the service as much as you like, the regular users of the Ferry are sick and tired of the service since Percy Main took over.

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Go North East are the providers to Nexus. It's not Nexus' fault other than awarding the contract to them.

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Nothing you can do about traffic though, Nexus set the timetable so they can add an extra bus if they so wish. 

And if you’re looking at bus times it’s not fully accurate - as I’ve mentioned in the past, some buses don’t track properly so would appear they’re not running when they are.

(02 Jun 2024, 2:47 pm)Thomas12 wrote Nothing you can do about traffic though, Nexus set the timetable so they can add an extra bus if they so wish. 

And if you’re looking at bus times it’s not fully accurate - as I’ve mentioned in the past, some buses don’t track properly so would appear they’re not running when they are.

I'm talking about the ferries I use, or see whilst on my boat. Typically both 317s miss with increasing regularity. Worse one example of a journey I made was the driver decided to have a cigarette at North Shields bus station when already 5 late. The ferry had gone by the time we arrived as expected. Drivers at that depot seem most the most unhappy across the region, so no surprise some don't care about the connection.

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(02 Jun 2024, 2:50 pm)54APhotography wrote I'm talking about the ferries I use, or see whilst on my boat. Typically both 317s miss with increasing regularity. Worse one example of a journey I made was the driver decided to have a cigarette at North Shields bus station when already 5 late. The ferry had gone by the time we arrived as expected. Drivers at that depot seem most the most unhappy across the region, so no surprise some don't care about the connection.

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They seem fine to me when I use the services - never had any issues with them. Especially when compared to those from Riverside.

(02 Jun 2024, 2:58 pm)Thomas12 wrote They seem fine to me when I use the services - never had any issues with them. Especially when compared to those from Riverside.

There is still considerable distance after the strike vote. When numbers are that close the discontent never goes.

You might find the service OK when you use it, but regulars don't. And the number of cancelled services is poor. Remember not everyone uses bustimes and many don't even know what the 19 is for so people end up stood half and hour....

It's all very well and good for 'enthusiasts' to make everything seem fine, but the reality of that particular service is far from ideal or even acceptable.

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(02 Jun 2024, 3:03 pm)54APhotography wrote There is still considerable distance after the strike vote. When numbers are that close the discontent never goes.

You might find the service OK when you use it, but regulars don't. And the number of cancelled services is poor. Remember not everyone uses bustimes and many don't even know what the 19 is for so people end up stood half and hour....

It's all very well and good for 'enthusiasts' to make everything seem fine, but the reality of that particular service is far from ideal or even acceptable.

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I'm not giving a view as an enthusiast, I'm just giving balance to the argument by using facts (for example, what are Go North East supposed to do when a bus is stuck every peak time for 30 minutes on Tynemouth Road at peak times). And there are barely any cancelled services, there might be more than an ideal numbers of delays, but like I said buses don't track so appear to be cancelled when looking at tracking when they aren't. The only time services are cancelled is when they are running considerably late so run light to North Shields for example to get back on time.

(02 Jun 2024, 3:16 pm)Thomas12 wrote I'm not giving a view as an enthusiast, I'm just giving balance to the argument by using facts (for example, what are Go North East supposed to do when a bus is stuck every peak time for 30 minutes on Tynemouth Road at peak times). And there are barely any cancelled services, there might be more than an ideal numbers of delays, but like I said buses don't track so appear to be cancelled when looking at tracking when they aren't. The only time services are cancelled is when they are running considerably late so run light to North Shields for example to get back on time.

Tell a customer when no bus appears in 60 minutes that it's bustimes not tracking...

And that comes from experience. Which now results in a much more reliable method of getting to Royal Quays.

9 to Jarrow for a 10. They seem to be the best option.

Not all have the option, or indeed the nous to be able to adapt.

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