Gold Standard
Gold Standard
Equally, the opposite could be argued: customers are more likely to notice a bus missing if the frequency is every 30 minutes, rather than a frequently scheduled service every few minutes?
(28 Oct 2013, 6:37 pm)JakeSavage Equally, the opposite could be argued: customers are more likely to notice a bus missing if the frequency is every 30 minutes, rather than a frequently scheduled service every few minutes?
(28 Oct 2013, 6:37 pm)JakeSavage Equally, the opposite could be argued: customers are more likely to notice a bus missing if the frequency is every 30 minutes, rather than a frequently scheduled service every few minutes?
(26 Oct 2013, 8:03 pm)Andreos1 How late are these buses when they are stopped short and regulated?
Three services I have been on this week (two of which were gold standard) were at least 10mins late - which is obviously a small percentage.
I have also seen Red Kites, Angels, Prince Bishops and Laser services running in pairs.
Going by the frequency of these services alone, one of them is more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early.
I have seen various services run short or depart NIS when running late.
Others have problems with their local services.
Staff have complained openly on the fb page of running times.
Granted not all are Gold Standard, but if these services are used as a representative proportion, I struggle to see how this 95% is maintained.
When these buses are regulated, then a service is missed - whether it is a proportion or the entire route
Passengers are left standing - whether the driver gets their break or not.
Making an unrealistic promise about the '95%' and appeasing VOSA by whichever means, doesn't assist the passenger...
(26 Oct 2013, 8:03 pm)Andreos1 How late are these buses when they are stopped short and regulated?
Three services I have been on this week (two of which were gold standard) were at least 10mins late - which is obviously a small percentage.
I have also seen Red Kites, Angels, Prince Bishops and Laser services running in pairs.
Going by the frequency of these services alone, one of them is more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early.
I have seen various services run short or depart NIS when running late.
Others have problems with their local services.
Staff have complained openly on the fb page of running times.
Granted not all are Gold Standard, but if these services are used as a representative proportion, I struggle to see how this 95% is maintained.
When these buses are regulated, then a service is missed - whether it is a proportion or the entire route
Passengers are left standing - whether the driver gets their break or not.
Making an unrealistic promise about the '95%' and appeasing VOSA by whichever means, doesn't assist the passenger...
(29 Oct 2013, 10:44 am)fozzovmurton Talking about services running in pairs, the 60 and 42 is shocking at times, they often run in pairs, on the 60 I have seen it run in 3's at points with pairs holding up the rear a single number of minutes behind
(29 Oct 2013, 10:44 am)fozzovmurton Talking about services running in pairs, the 60 and 42 is shocking at times, they often run in pairs, on the 60 I have seen it run in 3's at points with pairs holding up the rear a single number of minutes behind
(29 Oct 2013, 11:18 am)CatsFast101 The 42 I would argue is worse than the 60. The 60 gets 5 minutes layover at Sunderland & just 1 minute at Parkside, but also gets 1 minute stand-by at Seaham Interchange which can help in lateness. The 42 however only gets 2 minutes stand-by at Sunderland Interchange and then 1 minute at Vicarage Estate. The 42 is one of those services where reliability is really bad I've noticed buses running in pairs much more frequently than the 60/20/56 etc. The 42 runs an every 11 minute timetable after 2:30pm, I assume this is to improve the terrible reliability.
I don't get how GNE can promise this 'Gold Standard' promise of 'Buses can run up to 5 minutes late' when there services don't have that time to make up at interchanges? The X35 is this included in 'Gold Standard'? X35 gets 3 Mins layover at Hartlepool & 4 minutes at Sunderland, but if this service runs exactly 5 minutes late (as is just within 'Gold Standard On Time') it's getting into Sunderland 1 minute after departure and then the four minutes is needed to load passengers on it never leaves on time so an extra two minutes, it's running out 6 Minutes and then there's not much chance to recover. So how is this service ever ment to recover any lateness? Its not.
(29 Oct 2013, 11:18 am)CatsFast101 The 42 I would argue is worse than the 60. The 60 gets 5 minutes layover at Sunderland & just 1 minute at Parkside, but also gets 1 minute stand-by at Seaham Interchange which can help in lateness. The 42 however only gets 2 minutes stand-by at Sunderland Interchange and then 1 minute at Vicarage Estate. The 42 is one of those services where reliability is really bad I've noticed buses running in pairs much more frequently than the 60/20/56 etc. The 42 runs an every 11 minute timetable after 2:30pm, I assume this is to improve the terrible reliability.
I don't get how GNE can promise this 'Gold Standard' promise of 'Buses can run up to 5 minutes late' when there services don't have that time to make up at interchanges? The X35 is this included in 'Gold Standard'? X35 gets 3 Mins layover at Hartlepool & 4 minutes at Sunderland, but if this service runs exactly 5 minutes late (as is just within 'Gold Standard On Time') it's getting into Sunderland 1 minute after departure and then the four minutes is needed to load passengers on it never leaves on time so an extra two minutes, it's running out 6 Minutes and then there's not much chance to recover. So how is this service ever ment to recover any lateness? Its not.
Yesterday I seen one 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland NIS, and seen another coming from Gateshead Interchange towards Sunderland NIS. Both around 18.00.
Today I seen two 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland within 5 mins of each other, at around 17.00. Both NIS.
All four buses looked like they had a handful of passengers on, so I can only assume they were being "regulated".
Does all use of 'Not in Service' get reported on?
(01 Nov 2013, 5:55 pm)aureolin Yesterday I seen one 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland NIS, and seen another coming from Gateshead Interchange towards Sunderland NIS. Both around 18.00.
Today I seen two 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland within 5 mins of each other, at around 17.00. Both NIS.
All four buses looked like they had a handful of passengers on, so I can only assume they were being "regulated".
Does all use of 'Not in Service' get reported on?
(01 Nov 2013, 5:55 pm)aureolin Yesterday I seen one 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland NIS, and seen another coming from Gateshead Interchange towards Sunderland NIS. Both around 18.00.
Today I seen two 56 going towards Gateshead Interchange from Sunderland within 5 mins of each other, at around 17.00. Both NIS.
All four buses looked like they had a handful of passengers on, so I can only assume they were being "regulated".
Does all use of 'Not in Service' get reported on?
(01 Nov 2013, 6:02 pm)Andreos1 I'm on my phone, so it is a faff downloading documents from the internet, to then upload back on here.
Just googled 'vosa procedures for reporting pcv punctuality' and there are some interesting documents available to view.
(01 Nov 2013, 6:02 pm)Andreos1 I'm on my phone, so it is a faff downloading documents from the internet, to then upload back on here.
Just googled 'vosa procedures for reporting pcv punctuality' and there are some interesting documents available to view.
(01 Nov 2013, 6:10 pm)Dan For those wanting a direct download link (it's a massive document and you can't attach it as an attachment on here as a result), click here.
(01 Nov 2013, 6:10 pm)Dan For those wanting a direct download link (it's a massive document and you can't attach it as an attachment on here as a result), click here.
(05 Dec 2013, 11:14 am)andreos1 Can anyone confirm or provide a list of the GNE Gold Standard routes please?
(05 Dec 2013, 11:14 am)andreos1 Can anyone confirm or provide a list of the GNE Gold Standard routes please?
(05 Dec 2013, 11:59 am)Dan I think it's a redundant scheme nowadays. The advantages of the Gold Standard scheme that still exist on services are now available on most services (owing to large fleet investment, subsequently allowing for a large amount of cascades/withdrawals).
(05 Dec 2013, 11:59 am)Dan I think it's a redundant scheme nowadays. The advantages of the Gold Standard scheme that still exist on services are now available on most services (owing to large fleet investment, subsequently allowing for a large amount of cascades/withdrawals).
(05 Dec 2013, 12:23 pm)andreos1 They're still advertising it...
(05 Dec 2013, 12:23 pm)andreos1 They're still advertising it...
(05 Dec 2013, 12:29 pm)Dan Where have they advertised it as of late?
They have it on their website still, but I haven't seen the page referenced/updated for quite a while now...
The website isn't exactly great... full of outdated information and I find it isn't exactly great to look at too.
Gold Standard
At least 95 % of our journeys will run ‘on time’ – that’s no more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early
Open reporting of our punctuality and
reliability performance to customers
We will do our utmost to communicate
to customers when disruption to service
occurs
If events within our control lead to a
journey being delayed by 20 minutes or
more we will refund the fare via voucher
of BuzzFare ticket
If events within our control mean no
journey is provided within 30 minutes of
schedule time we would refund the cost
of a taxi
The Gold Standard in safe, clean comfortable buses
State of the art buses professionally
maintained to the highest standards
Full cctv coverage and recording
Information screens (not X9 or X10)
Comfortable seats for all and priority
seating and a wheelchair bay for elderly
and disabled customers Regular cleaning every night and during
the day.
The Gold Standard working with you Comprehensive guides with full timetable and route map, delivered door to door at key areas along the route, at least 14 days ahead of any changes.
Service updates and news of special offers
Regular ‘Open Line’ sessions every Wednesday
(05 Dec 2013, 12:29 pm)Dan Where have they advertised it as of late?
They have it on their website still, but I haven't seen the page referenced/updated for quite a while now...
The website isn't exactly great... full of outdated information and I find it isn't exactly great to look at too.
Gold Standard
At least 95 % of our journeys will run ‘on time’ – that’s no more than 5 minutes late or 1 minute early
Open reporting of our punctuality and
reliability performance to customers
We will do our utmost to communicate
to customers when disruption to service
occurs
If events within our control lead to a
journey being delayed by 20 minutes or
more we will refund the fare via voucher
of BuzzFare ticket
If events within our control mean no
journey is provided within 30 minutes of
schedule time we would refund the cost
of a taxi
The Gold Standard in safe, clean comfortable buses
State of the art buses professionally
maintained to the highest standards
Full cctv coverage and recording
Information screens (not X9 or X10)
Comfortable seats for all and priority
seating and a wheelchair bay for elderly
and disabled customers Regular cleaning every night and during
the day.
The Gold Standard working with you Comprehensive guides with full timetable and route map, delivered door to door at key areas along the route, at least 14 days ahead of any changes.
Service updates and news of special offers
Regular ‘Open Line’ sessions every Wednesday