(13 Jul 2018, 1:45 am)Bus_User Proper destinations... I guess that is an LED type but unless an operator is operating school services with the destination board covered up(which I don't think any do) then why do you have to come across as a bit snobbish I'm afraid to say by saying GNE will have these proper destination blinds when a dot matrix or even a paper blind is more than suitable for services that are not exactly high on the priority list. OK, admittedly maybe a paper blind is not within the contract but don't come across as independents don't have the proper equipment but GNE will. It's all down to money at the end of the day Dan, GNE has bundles to spend on  LED blinds in comparison to an independent operator and that must be remembered and respected.

(12 Jul 2018, 6:08 am)Dan 6905 was taken out of service yesterday afternoon at around 3:30pm as it had an issue with the indicators, this has now been repaired so will be out and about again tomorrow.
6931 was out in service all day yesterday until around 8pm - P&R 4 and 5.
6940 wasn't put through MOT test in time at EYMS to make the journey north, which is why 790 (9093) has transferred north on loan this week.

All of these buses will be taken out of service after Tall Ships to allow work to be completed to them to bring them up to standard for September when they start new duties on their scholars services: fitment of LED destination displays, fitment of Go North East's standard CCTV/low bridge warning devices, any other mechanical work that needs to be undertaken, and potentially some going through repaint, to name a few things on the list.

(13 Jul 2018, 5:32 pm)makem1 In the interests of having a constructive debate as it's been brought up, I am kind of with Andreos on this one. Far too often with contracts, either those which are annually tendered or for bigger 'one-off' jobs like the Tall Ships, it's a race to the bottom as far as quality is concerned.

Again, as in Andreos' case, totally understandable that the council/LA base these contracts on which operator can provide the cheapest and best value solution, but putting that to one side and looking at the perception some passengers will have based on these buses (which is the company's own brand/image etc - it's not the council/LA who are operating these services)... Externally, the bodywork condition on these ex-London B7s which have been acquired by Go North East is in a shocking state... At some point in time I think more or less every panel has been dented, when you see them in the flesh. When you hear the buses before you see them, that also gives off somewhat of a poor perception to passers-by (folk who are normally non-bus users) and probably won't encourage them to jump on-board a bus in that company's commercial network of services, if they were sitting on the fence.

Really not sure what gives you the impression that GNE has bundles of money to spend on LED destinations either? If this is a cost that GNE would incur as a result of taking the work on, you'd think it'd either be included within their tender model as a cost which would have to be covered, or it comes directly out of the profits made on these contracts. Going back to the previous discussion, this is why they won't be fitted with any additional features, such as Wi-Fi or USB sockets (it would have added too much cost which probably would have meant that GNE wouldn't have been awarded the contracts!)

One way or the other, it's what should be done by all of the operators operating these contracts, and in no way am I saying that it's every single one of the independents who seemingly aren't doing it. I saw a Henry Cooper Volvo B7RLE operating a scholars service a couple of weeks ago - it was absolutely spotless, the alloys were gleaming, the driver was in a shirt so looked fairly smart, and it was spot on-time in the morning rush hour... I'd doubt even Go North East could commit to this level of quality on all of the contracts they'll operate from September.

Henry Cooper Coaches: OBR297 by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(13 Jul 2018, 9:20 pm)G-CPTN The GNE X85 runs through Hexham to Newbrough - which apparently replaced a Tyne Valley Coaches route?

(12 Jul 2018, 1:19 pm)Dan Yes - as discussed elsewhere on the board, Go North East has been awarded the contracts to operate over 70 Nexus Miscellaneous Works boards from September. The PVR won't increase by 70 as a number of these contracts can be 'tagged' onto services in the main commercial network, and some of these contracts are already operated by Go North East.

So what's here out of the 69xx fleet will stay, and there'll need to be a few more "new" additions to help cover everything...

(14 Jul 2018, 6:19 pm)Malarkey Thought I would share this with everyone.

Coach & Bus Week Magazine have in the last week sat down with Commercial Director Stephen King to discuss how he made a name for himself in marketing, in the 4 page article photograph's from Myself and Daniel Graham feature, attached below is the article.

(12 Jul 2018, 6:08 am)Dan 6905 was taken out of service yesterday afternoon at around 3:30pm as it had an issue with the indicators, this has now been repaired so will be out and about again tomorrow.
6931 was out in service all day yesterday until around 8pm - P&R 4 and 5.
6940 wasn't put through MOT test in time at EYMS to make the journey north, which is why 790 (9093) has transferred north on loan this week.

All of these buses will be taken out of service after Tall Ships to allow work to be completed to them to bring them up to standard for September when they start new duties on their scholars services: fitment of LED destination displays, fitment of Go North East's standard CCTV/low bridge warning devices, any other mechanical work that needs to be undertaken, and potentially some going through repaint, to name a few things on the list.

(14 Jul 2018, 6:19 pm)Malarkey Thought I would share this with everyone.

Coach & Bus Week Magazine have in the last week sat down with Commercial Director Stephen King to discuss how he made a name for himself in marketing, in the 4 page article photograph's from Myself and Daniel Graham feature, attached below is the article.

(15 Jul 2018, 8:24 am)Tyne_Traveller All very well and good, but try finding a timetable leaflet. You wouldn't go in to a top restaurant or even a zero rated greasy spoon without seeing a menu. 

Not everyone has access to a PC nor are they willing to pick up a phone (if you can find the number) and ask. 

Perhaps marketing should look at this.

(15 Jul 2018, 1:42 pm)Andreos1 An interesting article.
Some fame for you too!


I think the new MD said something about having a look at the issue.

One of my big gripes about this new digital age, where everything is online or an app - is that everyone can get online or use an app.
The Rail Delivery Group are proposing discounts for those who use e-ticketing of sorts. 
What about those who can't get e-ticketing? Why should they be penalised?

(15 Jul 2018, 1:53 pm)Michael When does he take over again?

(15 Jul 2018, 5:24 pm)Dan Hopefully a one-off. There's been a few incidents with double-deck vehicles on the Red Kite this week, so the decision was made to take the 'deckers off the 45/46/47 this weekend pending review next week.

The branded B9s were on other services yesterday - one on the 16 - which also helped to lift the crowds with the Miners Gala in Durham.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

(15 Jul 2018, 5:24 pm)Dan The branded B9s were on other services yesterday - one on the 16 - which also helped to lift the crowds with the Miners Gala in Durham.

(15 Jul 2018, 1:42 pm)Andreos1 An interesting article.
Some fame for you too!