Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - June 2018

[Michael]

Recruitment Open Day

Metrocentre Coach Park on Sunday 10 June from 10am - 2pm

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/jointheteam/


Edit:

1 year until all the euro 5 Scania L94's can be withdrawn.


Edit:

Are all these buses the ones on temporary allocations in the fleet 648, 654, 695, 696, 706-708, 4942, 4944, 4958, 4960?

[Andreos1]

5313 looking forlorn at Tyne Dock

[ne14ne1]

Now that the Coast Road's ex-Yorkshire Gemini 2s (that Arriva North East were short-changed with for their Max-spec Hybrids) are getting a fresh coat of paint and refurbishment, is there any plans/dates set for GNE's Cobalt Clippers to be given a brand refresh or fleet upgrade?

[Andreos1]

Reading the R&O working thread and the staff shuttle reminded me of an experience on the X66 recently.
Appreciate it is used by drivers and encouraged by management, but I'm still not convinced them using it to/from Riverside is actually a good thing as far as passengers are concerned.

A Metrocentre bound X66 was stopping at Dunston and a family sitting near the rear were ready to alight.
Pressing the bell not long after it cleared the lights near the old Garden Festival site, working through the already crowded saloon proved difficult.
Getting beyond the gaggle of drivers crowded around the front of the bus, even more so.

There must be a better way.
Appreciate it might not be as cost effective, but I am not sure this current method is working nor portraying the organisation in it's best light.

[Malarkey]

Reading the R&O working thread and the staff shuttle reminded me of an experience on the X66 recently.
Appreciate it is used by drivers and encouraged by management, but I'm still not convinced them using it to/from Riverside is actually a good thing as far as passengers are concerned.

A Metrocentre bound X66 was stopping at Dunston and a family sitting near the rear were ready to alight.
Pressing the bell not long after it cleared the lights near the old Garden Festival site, working through the already crowded saloon proved difficult.
Getting beyond the gaggle of drivers crowded around the front of the bus, even more so.

There must be a better way.
Appreciate it might not be as cost effective, but I am not sure this current method is working nor portraying the organisation in it's best light.

Should have a staff shuttle like Deptford Depot do

[Andreos1]

Should have a staff shuttle like Deptford Depot do

It's definitely an option for them.
Not sure how what the cost implications would be.

Actually, forgot to mention in that last post (but you reminded me).
Was on the 2 the other week and as it crossed from Wear in to Harraton disaster struck.
An 81 and a 2 were coming in the opposite direction and we had to reverse back over the bridge.
First time I've seen it happen since that convo about the Renown and its broken reverse function.

[Jamie M]

Should have a staff shuttle like Deptford Depot do

They do during the evenings. They also used to during the day.

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[L469 YVK]

Now that the Coast Road's ex-Yorkshire Gemini 2s (that Arriva North East were short-changed with for their Max-spec Hybrids) are getting a fresh coat of paint and refurbishment, is there any plans/dates set for GNE's Cobalt Clippers to be given a brand refresh or fleet upgrade?

I believe they're due a repaint including a new set of NSAs. 6116 will also most likely be painted and maybe even 6117 if the 309/310 go mostly standalone or extra running time is given to the 310 taking into account the extra running time that will be required for the new lights at Norham Road bridge.

Would be nice if some later journeys were added for the 309/310 too!

[MrBoyt]

Reading the R&O working thread and the staff shuttle reminded me of an experience on the X66 recently.
Appreciate it is used by drivers and encouraged by management, but I'm still not convinced them using it to/from Riverside is actually a good thing as far as passengers are concerned.

A Metrocentre bound X66 was stopping at Dunston and a family sitting near the rear were ready to alight.
Pressing the bell not long after it cleared the lights near the old Garden Festival site, working through the already crowded saloon proved difficult.
Getting beyond the gaggle of drivers crowded around the front of the bus, even more so.

There must be a better way.
Appreciate it might not be as cost effective, but I am not sure this current method is working nor portraying the organisation in it's best light.

Yeah, the better way would be for it not to stop in Dunston! Just Gateshead, Depot and Metrocentre.

[JM03]

I believe they're due a repaint including a new set of NSAs. 6116 will also most likely be painted and maybe even 6117 if the 309/310 go mostly standalone or extra running time is given to the 310 taking into account the extra running time that will be required for the new lights at Norham Road bridge.

Would be nice if some later journeys were added for the 309/310 too!

Night services are poor. I’d usually get the 309 home then walk as I prefer the cobalt clipper buses and they’re earlier but not frequent enough so I end up using the 51/A or the metro. Need a every half an hour at night or maybe terminate all late 309s at Whitley would be a good option so they wouldn’t have to increase the PVR.

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Also, will miss the chicken road chicken road nsa on the 310.

[ne14ne1]

Also, will miss the chicken road chicken road nsa on the 310.

The what? 

[Jamie M]

The what? 

There's a stop in west wallsend called "Chicken Road/Mullen Road. It shows on the next stop announcements (NSA).

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[ne14ne1]

There's a stop in west wallsend called "Chicken Road/Mullen Road. It shows on the next stop announcements (NSA).

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Oh right. I've never been that far down the route.

[Jamie M]

Oh right. I've never been that far down the route.

The 310s go that way when heading to North Shields just after coming off the coast road. Think a 42/42A also goes near-by.

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[Ds1197]

6049 earlier cracked windscreen

[Dan]

6049 now at Saltmeadows Rd for a replacement windscreen.

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[Michael]

Since 718/719 and 6168 are now in "Go North East", how long before they enter service?

[Dan]

6168 is being re-trimmed first (you can see the absence of seats on my photo), so that one is a while off yet. Also have to undergo some minor driver famil, until they're comfortable with driving the 12m variant of the OmniDekka.

Solos awaiting delivery of a new cab door, and might need some work doing for the Next Stop Announcement kit installed. Otherwise not long for them.

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[S813 FVK]

Also have to undergo some minor driver famil, until they're comfortable with driving the 12m variant of the OmniDekka.

That quoted sectiom immediately suggests to me that they will be going to a depot/s that currently has the 10.6m variant - doesn’t narrow it down much as only a couple of depots have never had the Omnidekka before, but its something that may help with speculation for those who have the time.

[Rapidsnap]

I'm sure drivers can easily adapted between the two lengths. It be like driving a M-B Citaro one day, then driving a Volvo B9TL the next day or even going a Solo in the case of some depots.