(05 Mar 2018, 8:43 pm)TEN 6083 Go North East 6149 (LJ62KBY) by Bus Enthusiast, on Flickr

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(05 Mar 2018, 8:43 pm)TEN 6083 Go North East 6149 (LJ62KBY) by Bus Enthusiast, on Flickr

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(05 Mar 2018, 9:42 pm)Andreos1 Haven't had need for a good rant recently. I think the last was about the fare structure on the purple Streetlites.
Previous rants have been about the purple Solar's.

Unfortunately, this one is also about the Purple Streetlites.

I recently had need to get from South Shields and the bus I needed to complete my journey was the 20A.
It's not a journey I enjoy and although the introduction of the 20A has opened up a lot of travel opportunities, quite a number of the trips on them have been expensive. Needless to say, they can be painful too.
Knackered Solar's replaced by painful Streetlites.

A return for the trip I wanted is £5.00. Unfortunately, I only needed a single (£4.40). Don't worry, I will try my best not touch on the frankly bizarre fare structure in place on the 20's anymore in this post.

Unfortunately, my adventure ended as soon as I looked at the timetable.
It isn't possible to use the 20A beyond Sunderland after 5pm.
Seeing as I needed to get beyond Sunderland and to a portion of route not served by the 20, it instantly meant that the only ticketing option available to me (other than a single and a walk), was a red zone day ticket and the prospect of hanging around in Houghton waiting for a connection.

Genuinely amazed that a service ran off in the peak, I re-read, re-checked and then shook my head in shock.
Buses from Durham run well beyond 5pm. But absolutely nothing starts off at the other end beyond 5pm.

Prior to discovering the flaw in the timetable, I had debated using a return ticket when the time was needed.
Unfortunately, this is no longer an option as the trip south will probably be beyond 5pm.
I investigated time vs cost on the 4/50, 4/Metro and a GNE red zone ticket.
Given the freedom and flexibility a Network Ticket allows me, then any required trips (which will be limited due to the duration of them), there is only one winner.

A frankly bizarre operating decision, that despite looking at, analysing and trying to understand, is one I struggle to get my head around.
Given the frequency of the 20 around Hall Lane during the early part of the evening, sending one around the other Houghton loop must be easy enough to resolve.
After all, there are passengers to provide a service for...

(05 Mar 2018, 9:42 pm)Andreos1 Haven't had need for a good rant recently. I think the last was about the fare structure on the purple Streetlites.
Previous rants have been about the purple Solar's.

Unfortunately, this one is also about the Purple Streetlites.

I recently had need to get from South Shields and the bus I needed to complete my journey was the 20A.
It's not a journey I enjoy and although the introduction of the 20A has opened up a lot of travel opportunities, quite a number of the trips on them have been expensive. Needless to say, they can be painful too.
Knackered Solar's replaced by painful Streetlites.

A return for the trip I wanted is £5.00. Unfortunately, I only needed a single (£4.40). Don't worry, I will try my best not touch on the frankly bizarre fare structure in place on the 20's anymore in this post.

Unfortunately, my adventure ended as soon as I looked at the timetable.
It isn't possible to use the 20A beyond Sunderland after 5pm.
Seeing as I needed to get beyond Sunderland and to a portion of route not served by the 20, it instantly meant that the only ticketing option available to me (other than a single and a walk), was a red zone day ticket and the prospect of hanging around in Houghton waiting for a connection.

Genuinely amazed that a service ran off in the peak, I re-read, re-checked and then shook my head in shock.
Buses from Durham run well beyond 5pm. But absolutely nothing starts off at the other end beyond 5pm.

Prior to discovering the flaw in the timetable, I had debated using a return ticket when the time was needed.
Unfortunately, this is no longer an option as the trip south will probably be beyond 5pm.
I investigated time vs cost on the 4/50, 4/Metro and a GNE red zone ticket.
Given the freedom and flexibility a Network Ticket allows me, then any required trips (which will be limited due to the duration of them), there is only one winner.

A frankly bizarre operating decision, that despite looking at, analysing and trying to understand, is one I struggle to get my head around.
Given the frequency of the 20 around Hall Lane during the early part of the evening, sending one around the other Houghton loop must be easy enough to resolve.
After all, there are passengers to provide a service for...

(06 Mar 2018, 8:20 am)GuyParkRoyal Just planning my return journey from Durham to South Shields with a choice of the 20 or 50 both taking 91 minutes and both costing £5.10 single fare. Now looking at a return ticket the 20 is £6.20 whereas the 50 is £7.20 a massive £1 difference on the same point to point journey with the same time duration. This lack of transparency in pricing is another example of Go North East being a supplier that is loosing the trust and respect of their customers.

(06 Mar 2018, 10:43 am)Jordan2104 It looks like 9083 isnt out again

(03 Mar 2018, 6:52 pm)Dans_bus_photos 5444 has been on the 45/46s today displaying the number plate off 5442!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16042610@N07/26725140958/in/dateposted/

(06 Mar 2018, 11:55 am)S813 FVK Still like that today, although I have now reported it to customer services so hopefully will be rectified ASAP.

(06 Mar 2018, 3:48 pm)Dan Was due to be changed back tonight anyway, once the depot had been made aware. Shouldn't ever happen, but it's an easy mistake really. Both buses off the road at the same time, with the same thing being worked on...

Isn't the first time it's happened (at GNE or other operators in the North East), and I'm sure it won't be the last!

(06 Mar 2018, 3:10 pm)Rapidsnap 9083 is currently heading to Blyth on the 309. Shoulf be around Cobalt at 1510.

Shame I missed it on the 40 and 41, but with weather being pants this morning I opted to stay in bed until lunchtime.

(07 Mar 2018, 9:54 am)Coppercap40 Can anyone please tell me if 9083 is out today and what times it is likely to be in Haymarket ?

(07 Mar 2018, 10:43 am)Jordan2104 Its on 309/310 today.
1212-haymarket-blyth
1321-blyth-haymarket
1434-haymarket-north shields