X85 Farewell Event

[TEN 6083]

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/x85-farewe...GTI0CjD7XM


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[Omega54]

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/x85-farewe...MkB5CTIkD4


Anyone have any timings for when the Solar will be operating?

[ne14ne1]

Is it just me that thinks this is a little… odd?

[Michael]

Is it just me that thinks this is a little… odd?

I feel like its odd too, just seems really random and out of the blue..feels like its more for the ethusiasts than the actual passengers....

[Dan]

I feel like its odd too, just seems really random and out of the blue..feels like its more for the ethusiasts than the actual passengers....

That’s because it is - the event doesn’t really have any affiliation with Go North East, it’s just promoted as something to do on the company’s website. An event by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.

It isn’t being promoted on GNE’s social media channels as it’s not a customer event, nor something that could be described as a family event.


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[MurdnunoC]

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/x85-farewe...MkB5CTIkD4


Anyone have any timings for when the Solar will be operating?

Didn't someone post the exact same thread before you?


https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showt...p?tid=3770


Why don't you check before posting?

[streetdeckfan]

Great idea to celebrate the downgrading of a service!

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[MurdnunoC]

Great idea to celebrate the downgrading of a service!

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The next time I lose something, I might celebrate that too.

[Omega54]

Didn't someone post the exact same thread before you?


https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showt...p?tid=3770


Why don't you check before posting?

It was a accident, i am so sorry/s

[OrangeArrow49]

Are the vintage buses going to be free to ride on then?

[MurdnunoC]

Are the vintage buses going to be free to ride on then?

Presumably so as the drivers are volunteers and the vehicles are not to be used for profit or reward.

[OrangeArrow49]

Presumably so as the drivers are volunteers and the vehicles are not to be used for profit or reward.

I'm confused how this is going to work. This makes no sense, providing free travel on the X85.

[Bazza]

I'm confused how this is going to work. This makes no sense, providing free travel on the X85.

That’s why it’s not being promoted as such to the general public.

[MurdnunoC]

I'm confused how this is going to work. This makes no sense, providing free travel on the X85.

I agree that the event makes no sense as it is essentially celebrating the loss of a service - whether it was well used or not. For me, it's like going for a score of 101 or more at the end of Bullseye, then failing, and Jim Bowen coming out and showing you what you could have won. 

It's not that confusing how the event is going to work:

Gilbert and his preservationist pals are providing buses to operate on the route at the times stated on the website. Presumably there will be something stated in the insurance policy of each vehicle that prohibits the vehicle being used for purposes of 'hire or reward' which means money can not be taken otherwise the insurance will be invalidated if proven to be the case. 

It does actually make a little bit of sense. If you're not going to be making money on the service after Saturday anyway, then losing a few quid here and there on a few journeys isn't going to significantly affect the bottom line.

[Storx]

That’s why it’s not being promoted as such to the general public.

In fairness I'm not sure that's why. I could imagine it's more of the why am I standing at a bus stop for 60 minutes when my bus is cancelled and your running old buses to Hexham issue which for someone with little interest in buses isn't exactly an outrageous view.

[Andreos1]

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/x85-farewe...MkB5CTIkD4


Anyone have any timings for when the Solar will be operating?

I am hoping that's so you can avoid it?

---

Is it just me that thinks this is a little… odd?

I mean. It's nice and that, but it's hardly an historic route.
Starting to wonder if this sort of idea (and subsequent publicity) could have helped sustain it longer term and ensure that they didn't have to rely on tables, WiFi and paint jobs (titivating) to make it sustainable.

Unless the tables, WiFi and titivating did work - but it was just the fall guy with the X9/10 debacle.

[streetdeckfan]

I am hoping that's so you can avoid it?

---

I mean. It's nice and that, but it's hardly an historic route.
Starting to wonder if this sort of idea (and subsequent publicity) could have helped sustain it longer term and ensure that they didn't have to rely on tables, WiFi and paint jobs (titivating) to make it sustainable.

Unless the tables, WiFi and titivating did work - but it was just the fall guy with the X9/10 debacle.

I'm guessing that is the case, but they didn't even give it a chance to work, barely a full year.

[Andreos1]

I'm guessing that is the case, but they didn't even give it a chance to work, barely a full year.

Short termism innit?

[streetdeckfan]

Short termism innit?

I guess the amount they'll lose from downgrading the X84 and killing the X85 is less than the amount they would lose keeping the coaches around.

[Storx]

I guess the amount they'll lose from downgrading the X84 and killing the X85 is less than the amount they would lose keeping the coaches around.

It's alright my taxes will be keeping it running instead. I'm not sure why there's so many buses running around Hexham as it is when every other town in Northumberland has nothing of the sort.

It's a place that badly needs a DRT system (or a few taxis) running to all the random routes like the 683, 686, 687 and soon to be 684 since they'd be able to use Ovingham Bridge. It would arguably be a better service anyway (connecting to the train stations for onward travel to Newcastle).