North East Buses
Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Printable Version

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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - LVK 404L - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 2:47 pm)citaro5284 All this talk about terminal points only.  First York have used terminal points for years, as have Transdev.  If you look on Coastliner for example they only show York, Leeds or Whitby as an example.  If you have a look at Lothian, they have now moved to terminal points only since they have moved to Hanover Displays from Mobitec and as we all know, there is not many tourists in Edinburgh!

Lets roll back some years to 'roller blinds', and they use to show terminal points only, so it is nothing new.

I fully agree with this. For years it was only ever a destination on display and everyone managed then so we will now. Also a lot of buses have NSAs on them so that helps. Sometimes it is a bit much having too many via points and whn they are both in same font ie SNE its nice for those with sight problems such as myself to be able to see the larger clearer destination in plenty time. And if we go further back into the dark ages, you could always try asking the driver which via points he will be going via. They do speak sometimes.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Malarkey - 12 Nov 2017

When will the Venture Solo SR's and Hexham's Mercs be branded?


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Andreos1 - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 4:25 pm)ifm001 I fully agree with this. For years it was only ever a destination on display and everyone managed then so we will now. Also a lot of buses have NSAs on them so that helps. Sometimes it is a bit much having too many via points and whn they are both in same font ie SNE its nice for those with sight problems such as myself to be able to see the larger clearer destination in plenty time. And if we go further back into the dark ages, you could always try asking the driver which via points he will be going via. They do speak sometimes.

People managed with steps on a bus then, but adaptations were made so that everyone found public transport accessible. Not just a proportion of the population.
Just because it was ok 30 years ago, doesn't make it ok now.
There was obviously a reason via points were added...

I can't believe in this day and age, when society is adapting, becoming more aware and generally more tolerant of the issues the population face, we are saying we 'managed then, so we will now'.

It is all fine and well me and you asking the driver (assuming he/she isn't running on a tight schedule and has the time to clarify via points), but can everyone do that?
Those who are hard of hearing or are deaf? Those who are poor speakers of English? People with social anxiety issues? Those on the spectrum? Those who struggle reading and understanding timetables?
Or those who use GNE services in North Sunderland or Vigo and have lost track of the route a bus is taking after yet another round of service revisions.

Public transport and the information we rely on to use it, needs to be made freely available - to everyone.
It's the only way to ensure public transport is accessible to all.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Rapidsnap - 12 Nov 2017

Go North East used to just use ultimate destinations on electronic blinds about 10 years ago at least, here are some examples.

Newcastle Pilgrim Street - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26413891503/in/album-72157625825671096/

Whitley Bay Holiday Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26411981244/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend M - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33418439210/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend Metro - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33646530262/in/album-72157625825671096/ (this should confuse some people)

Hadrian Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/32989716013/in/album-72157625825671096/ (Didn't say which way it went)

The well served town of Not in Service Tongue - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26605188365/in/album-72157643772835603/


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - TyneWearTeesGNE - 12 Nov 2017

(05 Nov 2017, 6:46 pm)Dan Deptford - undergoing preparation for PSV test, so likely in the workshop.

At least one of them should be done and out in service next Thursday, the other subject to completion of pre-PSV defect repairs.

I know it is in Deptford, I mean which routes?


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - LeeCalder - 12 Nov 2017

Not too sure how I feel about the new destination style - Two operators who predominantly use it are Transdev and trenbarton, but they but have very very strong brand identities, to the point where services don't have route numbers.

I would imagine it will just result in more "Do you go to...." questions for drivers.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - park5354 - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 7:09 pm)Rapidsnap Go North East used to just use ultimate destinations on electronic blinds about 10 years ago at least, here are some examples.

Newcastle Pilgrim Street - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26413891503/in/album-72157625825671096/

Whitley Bay Holiday Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26411981244/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend M - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33418439210/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend Metro - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33646530262/in/album-72157625825671096/ (this should confuse some people)

Hadrian Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/32989716013/in/album-72157625825671096/ (Didn't say which way it went)

The well served town of Not in Service Tongue - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26605188365/in/album-72157643772835603/
Secured trips Wallsend-Throckley, weekends in the morning.  Also did 40 Chapel House-Wallsend and X82 Throckley-Eldon Square, 43 Dudley-Haymarket, and, my favourite, 356 Newcastle-North Shields.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - park5354 - 12 Nov 2017

Destination Displays

Simple, one or two via points would be better on front destination display, with side and rear only showing the final destination.:_

310   Newcastle
        Haymarket

310  North Shields
      via Hadrian Park

58    Heworth Metro
        via Leam Lane

58      Newcastle
      via Gateshead

57                  Wardley
      via Old Durham Rd & Heworth


Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Jamie M - 12 Nov 2017

The ultimate route displays back then at least qualified in which part of the place they were going. Wallsend metro is clearer than Wallsend, Newcastle Eldon Square is clearer than Newcastle. Since half stop on Market Street/Pilgrim, half in Eldon and 3 in Haymarket - it's nothing shorter than confusing to just say Newcastle on displays.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - ne14ne1 - 12 Nov 2017

Don't get me wrong, I like the new simple displays, my point simply was when I'm catching one of the many different numbered buses that serve my stop in Gateshead, the destination 'Newcastle' isn't very helpful. Is it going to take me all the way to Eldon Sq, or just dump me at Central Station?

Like the examples given from years ago, 'Newcastle Pilgrim St' / 'Newcastle Eldon Sq' / 'Newcastle Market St' / 'Newcastle Haymarket' / 'Newcastle Central Station' would be a-lot more informative & useful.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Crusader - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 8:34 pm)Ine14ne1 Don't get me wrong, I like the new simple displays, my point simply was when I'm catching one of the many different numbered buses that serve my stop in Gateshead, the destination 'Newcastle' isn't very helpful. Is it going to take me all the way to Eldon Sq, or just dump me at Central Station?

Like the examples given from years ago, 'Newcastle Pilgrim St' / 'Newcastle Eldon Sq' / 'Newcastle Market St' / 'Newcastle Haymarket' / 'Newcastle Central Station' would be a-lot more informative & useful.

Don't necessarily disagree but with the current system "Eldon Square" or "Market Street" appears at the beginning of the list of via points. If it's a long route and you've just missed it on the scrolling portion the bus might have left your stop before it's come round again on the screen. So with the current blinds with via points all you've seen of where it goes is Newcastle anyway with no further details. 

It would be interesting to know rather than guess do passengers actually read the via points now? (Which they might not even be able to do on a long route) or do they use other sources of information? If current passengers use the via points they should be kept. If they don't then might as well get rid of them.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - ne14ne1 - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 9:24 pm)Crusader Don't necessarily disagree but with the current system "Eldon Square" or "Market Street" appears at the beginning of the list of via points. If it's a long route and you've just missed it on the scrolling portion the bus might have left your stop before it's come round again on the screen. So with the current blinds with via points all you've seen of where it goes is Newcastle anyway with no further details. 

Yeah I don't like how the scrolling style destinations simply say 'Newcastle' either.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Andreos1 - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 7:09 pm)Rapidsnap Go North East used to just use ultimate destinations on electronic blinds about 10 years ago at least, here are some examples.

Newcastle Pilgrim Street - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26413891503/in/album-72157625825671096/

Whitley Bay Holiday Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26411981244/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend M - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33418439210/in/album-72157625825671096/

Wallsend Metro - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/33646530262/in/album-72157625825671096/ (this should confuse some people)

Hadrian Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/32989716013/in/album-72157625825671096/ (Didn't say which way it went)

The well served town of Not in Service Tongue - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/26605188365/in/album-72157643772835603/

With this roller blind being used prior to then and ironically serving what is now part of the route followed by the 2.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/56682873@N06/34167411461/

More information on one blind back in 1992, than used now.

Even OK had more detail back in 1982!


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - BusLoverMum - 12 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 12:00 pm)ne14ne1 I've noticed a few and it is much clearer and easier to read, but having the destination simply as 'Newcastle' or 'Gateshead' isn't that helpful, especially further along the routes for people then boarding at stops within Newcastle or Gateshead.
Okay for Gateshead or South Shields I suppose, GNE are presuming passengers will presume the final stop is the town centre, but in my opinion 'Newcastle' isn't quite informative enough.
Its okay if you already know the local bus numbers/routes, but imagine you are visiting Edinburgh or London - an approaching bus with the destination simply as 'Edinburgh', or 'London' wouldn't be of any use. (Granted it may be the case for non stop buses/coaches coming from outside of the areas?).
Anyway, my point is maybe a New York flip style destination would be more helpful, so for example on the Crusader the destination screen would either display 'Newcastle' for 2 seconds, then 'Market St W' for 2 seconds in a cycle, OR display 'Newcastle Market St' for 2 seconds, then 'via Gateshead Interchange' or 'Gateshead Town' for 2 seconds.

Thats just my tuppence worth for today.    Wink

(12 Nov 2017, 2:18 pm)Andreos1 In total agreement.
Granted there's not likely to be many tourists who use the 2 (the example I drew on last week), but an irregular passenger boarding in Penshaw, could be quite concerned to see the bus taking quite a journey via Chester Road, Sunderland City Centre and various other areas of Sunderland. As opposed to the trip in the car that would take them through the Herringtons and take it mere minutes.

I was under the impression the blinds were in place to assist passengers. Not cause confusion.

Yes, the same point hit me. Buses from Durham to Sunderland spring to mind, here. Pretty much every day i catch the Arriva 22, at Durham, someone catches it wanting Sunderland. Because the destination says Sunderland and the timetable is headlined with Sunderland, so people who don't catch many buses think that's the bus they need. They're generally alarmed when they hear it takes 90 minutes (or so, now). Even most of the drivers will signpost them to the 20/20A - a bus that runs ever 10 minutes to South Shields. No one who doesn't know their routes notices that it would get them into the centre of Sunderland in under an hour.

On a similar note, few buses in Durham are just local buses, as Durham is so small. Consequently, there's often someone looking confused, waning a bus to Gilesgate or Dragonville and not knowing what to catch. There are 2 papr maps (out of date, mind) and the interactive screen at the entrance of the bus station which help to work our what you need, but a lot of people find these confusing and walk up and down the bus station reading timetables - missing out the 64 in the process!

Actuall,y on the X21, a via point saying no, we don't stop on Blackett street and this bus has never stopped on Blackett Street so just bog off now and take your attitude with you. While you're here, if you want Chowdene, then get the 21 and save yourself the embarrassment, eh?

Though all of that was usurped by a couple who sat upstairs on the X70, yesterday, got as far as Sunniside, the turned round and asked us if the bus stopped at Team Valley.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Dan - 13 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 6:26 pm)Malarkey When will the Venture Solo SR's and Hexham's Mercs be branded?

The Venture Solos were due to be fitted yesterday.

Red Arrows fleet due to be fitted with a modified version of the branding today, too.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Michael - 13 Nov 2017

Just seen a connections 4 Citaro heading down to Deptford.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Andreos1 - 13 Nov 2017

(12 Nov 2017, 10:22 pm)BusLoverMum Yes, the same point hit me. Buses from Durham to Sunderland spring to mind, here. Pretty much every day i catch the Arriva 22, at Durham, someone catches it wanting Sunderland. Because the destination says Sunderland and the timetable is headlined with Sunderland, so people who don't catch many buses think that's the bus they need. They're generally alarmed when they hear it takes 90 minutes (or so, now). Even most of the drivers will signpost them to the 20/20A - a bus that runs ever 10 minutes to South Shields. No one who doesn't know their routes notices that it would get them into the centre of Sunderland in under an hour.

On a similar note, few buses in Durham are just local buses, as Durham is so small. Consequently, there's often someone looking confused, waning a bus to Gilesgate or Dragonville and not knowing what to catch. There are 2 papr maps (out of date, mind) and the interactive screen at the entrance of the bus station which help to work our what you need, but a lot of people find these confusing and walk up and down the bus station reading timetables - missing out the 64 in the process!

Actuall,y on the X21, a via point saying no, we don't stop on Blackett street and this bus has never stopped on Blackett Street so just bog off now and take your attitude with you. While you're here, if you want Chowdene, then get the 21 and save yourself the embarrassment, eh?

Though all of that was usurped by a couple who sat upstairs on the X70, yesterday, got as far as Sunniside, the turned round and asked us if the bus stopped at Team Valley.

Imagine needing to be somewhere on the route of the 50, but boarding a 20?!
'But it said South Shields on the front bruv'


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - Dan - 13 Nov 2017

(13 Nov 2017, 7:50 am)Michael Just seen a connections 4 Citaro heading down to Deptford.

5366 - on loan to Deptford today due to a high VOR.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - BusLoverMum - 13 Nov 2017

(13 Nov 2017, 8:06 am)Andreos1 Imagine needing to be somewhere on the route of the 50, but boarding a 20?!
'But it said South Shields on the front bruv'

They even leave Durham at opposite ends!


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017 - grandad - 13 Nov 2017

All the bus needs to show is the route number and the final destination.  It's just about impossible to read all the via points as the bus approaches anyway.  The route details are easily displayed along with the timetable at the bus stop.  Intending passengers will usually have plenty of time to study this information before the bus arrives.  The final destination confirms that the bus is heading in the required direction.  Simples!