Gold Standard
Gold Standard
(25 Oct 2013, 11:12 am)BJ10VUS I thought the "95% of journeys run on time" was a VOSA target anyway?
(25 Oct 2013, 11:12 am)BJ10VUS I thought the "95% of journeys run on time" was a VOSA target anyway?
(25 Oct 2013, 12:51 pm)Andreos1 My personal thoughts to branding are explained in the branding thread.
(25 Oct 2013, 12:51 pm)Andreos1 My personal thoughts to branding are explained in the branding thread.
For me as much as I love Branding I do think now that it has past it time as I feel it is starting to lack creativity and thought, Look at the New Drifter Brand, apparently it's going to be pretty much the same as the Coaster Brand.
I will give GNE credit where credit is due as they have tried to change the style of Branding to a Simplistic but Effective one on the Tynedale Xpress for example which similar to Trent Bartons Liveries. I think GNE should go for change now and make the "Gold Standard" a Corporate Livery, the Infrastructure is already in place and they have the Buses/Routes under Gold Standard but without the Identity as it is Covered up.
I think it could be a Major Benefit if GNE were to Capitalize on it more, plus they could make Major Saving in the long run on Repaints, Yeah at First they'd have to Repaint the Fleet which would take time and cost a lot of Money and would take a Year or 2 maybe more to fully Implement. But after that they'd be Saving Money. Lothian Buses are a excellent Example when it comes to a Repainting Program as they've been doing there's for a good few years now.
Also by Capitalizing on the Gold Standard more I think it would also allow for GNE to Branch out more in areas such as Bishop Auckland/Darlington where they were Unsuccessful with the OK1, If they were offer Passengers in that Area a better Deal and Buses and also Services to that of what Arriva are offering with Sapphire which starts this Sunday on Service 7 Durham - Darlington, would the OK1 if GNE had did what I am proposing over a Year ago been more Successful than what it was?
So if GNE were to Implement "Gold Standard" as a Corporate Livery from 2014, The following Services would fall under "Gold Standard".
Angel 21
Blaydon Racers 49/49A/49B/49C
Citylink 58
Coaster 1
Cobalt Clipper 309/310
Cobalt Connect 19
Connections 4
Crusader 27
Drifter 60
Diamond 43/44
FAB 56
Laser 35/35A/35B/35C
Lambton Worm 34/34A
Pronto X21
Quaylink Q1/Q2
Red Arrows X1
Red Kite 45/46
Saltwell Park 53/54
Silver Arrows 2A/2C
Simplicity 39 TBC/42
South Tyne 88/88A
Sunderland Connect 700
Ten
Tyne Tees Xpress X9/X10
Whey Aye 50
X66
Now here is where we have Major Probelm, There is way too many Routes that fall under "Gold Standard", and what GNE would need is an Equal Balance between this and the Northern Brand. A few of the Brands on the list above as already discussed would be taken off as they'd be the Select few Brands we as Enthusiasts would keep.
(25 Oct 2013, 12:51 pm)Andreos1 and then you get the regulated journies... Fare enough if a service is frequent, less so when people are left standing for 30mins+ with no alternative.
(25 Oct 2013, 12:51 pm)Andreos1 and then you get the regulated journies... Fare enough if a service is frequent, less so when people are left standing for 30mins+ with no alternative.
(25 Oct 2013, 1:01 pm)Chris Good point, think I've probably posted this in the wrong thread.
I don't use buses as much as I would like to these days, is regulation a big thing up here? I know in London it is. I guess if you regulate or don't regulate, there will always be winners and losers. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
(25 Oct 2013, 1:01 pm)Chris Good point, think I've probably posted this in the wrong thread.
I don't use buses as much as I would like to these days, is regulation a big thing up here? I know in London it is. I guess if you regulate or don't regulate, there will always be winners and losers. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
(25 Oct 2013, 3:28 pm)Andreos1 A bus I was on the other day was late, supposed to be regulated and switched to NIS towards the last couple of miles of the journey according to the radio - the driver apparently refused, because 'there was no sign of the following bus'.
There are the examples given above by BJ10VUS, someone (possibly Fozz) mentioned about the x1 running short to Hetton, the 78 has been stopped more than once or misses out Chester South Burns.
The old 21a on a Sunday when it ran to Peterlee was always missing in action.
(25 Oct 2013, 3:28 pm)Andreos1 A bus I was on the other day was late, supposed to be regulated and switched to NIS towards the last couple of miles of the journey according to the radio - the driver apparently refused, because 'there was no sign of the following bus'.
There are the examples given above by BJ10VUS, someone (possibly Fozz) mentioned about the x1 running short to Hetton, the 78 has been stopped more than once or misses out Chester South Burns.
The old 21a on a Sunday when it ran to Peterlee was always missing in action.
(25 Oct 2013, 3:54 pm)Adam Malarkey FAB56 is another example, Everytime I in Gateshead there is one or 2 terminating in the Interchange, proves the reliability of the service is poor
(25 Oct 2013, 3:54 pm)Adam Malarkey FAB56 is another example, Everytime I in Gateshead there is one or 2 terminating in the Interchange, proves the reliability of the service is poor
(25 Oct 2013, 4:12 pm)citaro5284 Everytime - Are you sure?
(25 Oct 2013, 4:12 pm)citaro5284 Everytime - Are you sure?
(25 Oct 2013, 4:27 pm)Adam Malarkey Everytime i'm Gateshead which is like every few weeks, but must happen daily due to lateness
December 18th 2012 - On Layover in Gateshead Interchange Due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...6048699315
May 30th 2013 - On Layover in Gateshead Interchange due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/8893987593/
August 7th 2013 - Coming off the Layover on the Wrong side of the of the Bus Station due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...3040126278
So there is 3 Occasions I have accounted for due to lateness in the Past Year.
(25 Oct 2013, 4:27 pm)Adam Malarkey Everytime i'm Gateshead which is like every few weeks, but must happen daily due to lateness
December 18th 2012 - On Layover in Gateshead Interchange Due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...6048699315
May 30th 2013 - On Layover in Gateshead Interchange due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/8893987593/
August 7th 2013 - Coming off the Layover on the Wrong side of the of the Bus Station due to lateness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...3040126278
So there is 3 Occasions I have accounted for due to lateness in the Past Year.
(25 Oct 2013, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 So, 3 times since 18 December 2012, and then you say it is a daily occurrence. The service operates 7 days a week, so since the 18th Dec, it will have operated 310 days and everyone of the other 307 days there would have been a journey terminated at Gateshead purely down to late operation. Somehow, I do not think so, but I will take a look at the lost mileage and let you know.
(25 Oct 2013, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 So, 3 times since 18 December 2012, and then you say it is a daily occurrence. The service operates 7 days a week, so since the 18th Dec, it will have operated 310 days and everyone of the other 307 days there would have been a journey terminated at Gateshead purely down to late operation. Somehow, I do not think so, but I will take a look at the lost mileage and let you know.
(25 Oct 2013, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 So, 3 times since 18 December 2012, and then you say it is a daily occurrence. The service operates 7 days a week, so since the 18th Dec, it will have operated 310 days and everyone of the other 307 days there would have been a journey terminated at Gateshead purely down to late operation. Somehow, I do not think so, but I will take a look at the lost mileage and let you know.
(25 Oct 2013, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 So, 3 times since 18 December 2012, and then you say it is a daily occurrence. The service operates 7 days a week, so since the 18th Dec, it will have operated 310 days and everyone of the other 307 days there would have been a journey terminated at Gateshead purely down to late operation. Somehow, I do not think so, but I will take a look at the lost mileage and let you know.
(25 Oct 2013, 6:04 pm)aureolin He's not saying that. He said every time HE is in Gateshead, not every operating day of the year.
(25 Oct 2013, 6:04 pm)aureolin He's not saying that. He said every time HE is in Gateshead, not every operating day of the year.
(26 Oct 2013, 5:44 pm)citaro5284 Yes, HE is.....and I quote
'but must happen daily due to lateness' on post 28, hence my reply on post 29.
(26 Oct 2013, 5:52 pm)aureolin He mentioned every time he is in Gateshead twice, and the quote you took once. I suppose taking selective quotes is easier though, so I'll give you that one.
(26 Oct 2013, 5:52 pm)aureolin He mentioned every time he is in Gateshead twice, and the quote you took once. I suppose taking selective quotes is easier though, so I'll give you that one.
(26 Oct 2013, 7:08 pm)Liam I would happily but £20 on at least one 56 daily being late. Adam has made an association between the frequent delays the service suffers and terminating early at Gateshead. I see no problem with that association.
(26 Oct 2013, 7:08 pm)Liam I would happily but £20 on at least one 56 daily being late. Adam has made an association between the frequent delays the service suffers and terminating early at Gateshead. I see no problem with that association.
(26 Oct 2013, 7:08 pm)Liam I would happily but £20 on at least one 56 daily being late. Adam has made an association between the frequent delays the service suffers and terminating early at Gateshead. I see no problem with that association.
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(26 Oct 2013, 7:08 pm)Liam I would happily but £20 on at least one 56 daily being late. Adam has made an association between the frequent delays the service suffers and terminating early at Gateshead. I see no problem with that association.
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(26 Oct 2013, 7:44 pm)tyresmoke To be fair I was in Gateshead on Monday and a 56 was turned short then too (a Northern Cadet as it were... Passengers shot on the one behind etc). It happens every day and I'd have to argue its better than missing a whole service due to driver losing break etc.
At least 95 % of our journeys will run ‘on time’ – that’s no more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early
(26 Oct 2013, 7:44 pm)tyresmoke To be fair I was in Gateshead on Monday and a 56 was turned short then too (a Northern Cadet as it were... Passengers shot on the one behind etc). It happens every day and I'd have to argue its better than missing a whole service due to driver losing break etc.
At least 95 % of our journeys will run ‘on time’ – that’s no more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early
In one Journey on the 56 from Sunderland to Newcastle back it takes 2Hours and 8 Minutes and stops a Total of 85 Times. So as Result of Stopping this many times and the impact of the School Run/Rush Hour Traffic at Various Points of the Service is it no wonder the odd journey ends up Terminating at Gateshead due to being over 10 Minutes late, Not really worth heading into Newcastle and becoming even later as a Result.
(26 Oct 2013, 8:58 pm)Adam Malarkey In one Journey on the 56 from Sunderland to Newcastle back it takes 2Hours and 8 Minutes and stops a Total of 85 Times. So as Result of Stopping this many times and the impact of the School Run/Rush Hour Traffic at Various Points of the Service is it no wonder the odd journey ends up Terminating at Gateshead due to being over 10 Minutes late, Not really worth heading into Newcastle and becoming even later as a Result.
(26 Oct 2013, 8:58 pm)Adam Malarkey In one Journey on the 56 from Sunderland to Newcastle back it takes 2Hours and 8 Minutes and stops a Total of 85 Times. So as Result of Stopping this many times and the impact of the School Run/Rush Hour Traffic at Various Points of the Service is it no wonder the odd journey ends up Terminating at Gateshead due to being over 10 Minutes late, Not really worth heading into Newcastle and becoming even later as a Result.
i have mentioned it before, but how much do the core routes contribute to these problems?
Say there are roadworks in pity me. This will cause chaos to anyone wanting to get a bus on a bus at any point between durham and newcastle.
If there was a reliable alternative (like in the past such as the 21a and 21b) between chester and newcastle, then not only would these services offer relief for passengers, it would also assist with the perception of the 21 being unreliable.
If 21's are getting held up going into durham and again on the way out, services will be run short, regulated and passengers will complain.
Obviously you can't have a bus to all destinations or in all directions, just incase there are roadworks in pity me, but by concentrating a core route, down a particular avenue, whilst axing other services, it doesn't take much for delays or regulated services to start taking hold.
This will be true for other services, formed as an amalgimation of other routes such as the 56, x1 etc.
What it will also lead to is the sudden vanishing of open reporting on punctuality and wishy washy gold standard promises.
Ps the shift button is still giving me gyp.
