I thought seeing as it has come up in many threads, that it is an important discussion that I feel deserves it own thread.

The main SNE problems imo have arisen from the 'Stagecoach Expansion' and big PVR increase since covid with the 317, 685, 62 (extension), 38 (extension), 37 and soon to be 63 (extension which needs extra resource too). As well as having the same frequencies of routes (mostly). This has meant that increasingly the double decker routes which get allocated singles can get away with a single throughout the day but definitely not at peaks on any of em.

I have had some bad experiences as a passenger with overcrowding on buses the 62/63 being the worst.... Can anyone think of any ways this can be rectified without reducing the needed PVRs? I'm guessing more deckers acquired from elsewhere is the sensible option financially.

I'm interested to know you're thoughts and any experiences. 

I have an ongoing issue in that the thread read facility is not operational.

Thanking you.

X66 has a change registered on bustimes.org as timetable changes

What is the earliest depature of a service in Newcastle/Gateshead on a M-F morning that isn't a night bus?

Is anyone doing this anymore? I luckily don't need to use buses today but it seems there's some thick job doing it today.

X7 Newcastle Departures: 17:15
X8 Newcastle Departures: 17:30, 18:05 (+20), 18:45
X9 Newcastle Departures: 17:53

I'm not an expert at this stuff but it's not rocket science to divert the 18:05 X8 onto the X7 and there's absolute no excuse using driving hours etc.

Absolute appalling service again. Unless things improve fast the X7/X8/X9 are doomed when the new railway comes along as they're unusable.

Least we have Gateshead Central Taxis who can actually run a reliable bus service with modern buses which is about as ironic as it can get I'm saying that.

Sunderland Council may be going bankrupt soon so what will this effect the 700/1, 18/35A, I know they get their money from Nexus but surely SCC give them funds

(name is Council Bankruptcy as DCC and Gateshead etc may go bankrupt too nothing on them yet, but just so it can all go into 1 thread)

You are the person solely in charge of franchising in the region.  You love to micro manage.  

What one or two things would you prioritise?

Try not to repeat what’s already been suggested !

I’ll start with:

1: renumber all the routes ensuring there are no duplicates. 

2: standardise liveries getting rid of route branding (perhaps a nice yellow for Tyne & Wear and a red for the rest of the region!)

Yes I know I’m just reverting back to the pre deregulation era!

Arriva Redcar have had 1534 transferred perm  been comfom

Four new Yutong saloons noted on Riverside this evening - three in silver/pink, one in silver/red. Assuming they are for GNE as there are no registrations or branding on them. X66 plus one spare ?

There's one for GNE but not Arriva but Jesus I haven't been on the Geminis in the rain for awhile at Blyth. 7611 I'd a complete mess with numerous seats down stairs currently out of use including the whole back row because of water pouring in from places I don't even know where it's coming from. 

Took pics in the attachments, shocking. Bring me a Class 156 or even Class 142 than this crap. 

Ps . There was no-one else on at the time so I don't look a nutter haha.