May 2024 changes
May 2024 changes
(31 Mar 2024, 2:08 pm)Adrian
Is it the people that are bad, or is it the direction that they're under?
I've no doubt that Nexus, TNE and all the operators have some excellent people working for them, but look at the direction they're under. Nexus and Transport North East both dance to the tune played by the JTC, and there's just no direction from the membership of that. Looking at the membership, I don't believe any of them even use public transport.
With the main operators, to me, it's more that they've all lost sight of the primary objective of what they exist for. I follow Go North East more than I do anyone else, and it's bloody evident that the Featham era of cost-cutting from Arriva has transitioned to them. I've used buses more in the past couple of days than I've used in the last 6 months, and if I was leading that business, I'd be embarrassed at the state of it. I'm sure there's people there that want to do good things and make things better, but they'd be better off talking to a brick wall.
Without trying to get into a completely different debate, I think the BSIP had a lot of potential. Sure, it's delivered a decent range of day tickets at a decent price, but there's been very little else on the face of it. Of course, most of the problem with that is the lack of public engagement (which was always typical of Nexus, and has translated into TNE). If you can't take people with you, then you're often onto a hiding to nothing.
If we do go down the franchising route, as almost certainly we will, then the best decision the new combined authority could take is to get a proper bus person on board to lead it.
I agree with you about the comparisons to Manchester. I don't think there's another network similar to what ours would cover, servicing three Cities, within five Metropolitan boroughs and two rural counties. It's not going to be easy, but doing nothing is a non-starter. The majority of the commercial networks are on life support right now, and if we do nothing, there will be nothing.
A completely public network would be my preference, and hopefully that'll be something that can be aspired to, if Labour keep their promise of scrapping the ban on municipal operators, but I don't think it's impossible for a public-private partnership to work in the interim. It does need almost a blank canvas approach though.
The funding comes from the devolution deal, and depending which candidate you talk to, there's various ideas about drawing in additional funding.
(31 Mar 2024, 2:08 pm)Adrian
Is it the people that are bad, or is it the direction that they're under?
I've no doubt that Nexus, TNE and all the operators have some excellent people working for them, but look at the direction they're under. Nexus and Transport North East both dance to the tune played by the JTC, and there's just no direction from the membership of that. Looking at the membership, I don't believe any of them even use public transport.
With the main operators, to me, it's more that they've all lost sight of the primary objective of what they exist for. I follow Go North East more than I do anyone else, and it's bloody evident that the Featham era of cost-cutting from Arriva has transitioned to them. I've used buses more in the past couple of days than I've used in the last 6 months, and if I was leading that business, I'd be embarrassed at the state of it. I'm sure there's people there that want to do good things and make things better, but they'd be better off talking to a brick wall.
Without trying to get into a completely different debate, I think the BSIP had a lot of potential. Sure, it's delivered a decent range of day tickets at a decent price, but there's been very little else on the face of it. Of course, most of the problem with that is the lack of public engagement (which was always typical of Nexus, and has translated into TNE). If you can't take people with you, then you're often onto a hiding to nothing.
If we do go down the franchising route, as almost certainly we will, then the best decision the new combined authority could take is to get a proper bus person on board to lead it.
I agree with you about the comparisons to Manchester. I don't think there's another network similar to what ours would cover, servicing three Cities, within five Metropolitan boroughs and two rural counties. It's not going to be easy, but doing nothing is a non-starter. The majority of the commercial networks are on life support right now, and if we do nothing, there will be nothing.
A completely public network would be my preference, and hopefully that'll be something that can be aspired to, if Labour keep their promise of scrapping the ban on municipal operators, but I don't think it's impossible for a public-private partnership to work in the interim. It does need almost a blank canvas approach though.
The funding comes from the devolution deal, and depending which candidate you talk to, there's various ideas about drawing in additional funding.
(31 Mar 2024, 2:54 pm)Andreos1 Cheers Daniel!I'm a bit disappointed that you're submitting an application to be the lead in whatever form franchising takes in the region.
Typing it out as we speak.
(31 Mar 2024, 2:54 pm)Andreos1 Cheers Daniel!I'm a bit disappointed that you're submitting an application to be the lead in whatever form franchising takes in the region.
Typing it out as we speak.
(31 Mar 2024, 3:26 pm)MurdnunoC I'm a bit disappointed that you're submitting an application to be the lead in whatever form franchising takes in the region.
I was sure you'd be headhunted by 'Our Vety Own Dan' to design the fledgling network for Northstar, given the desire you've created for the position through your many observations and your penchant for ensuring correct survey sizes are sampled.
Sent from my SM-A526B using Tapatalk
(31 Mar 2024, 3:26 pm)MurdnunoC I'm a bit disappointed that you're submitting an application to be the lead in whatever form franchising takes in the region.
I was sure you'd be headhunted by 'Our Vety Own Dan' to design the fledgling network for Northstar, given the desire you've created for the position through your many observations and your penchant for ensuring correct survey sizes are sampled.
Sent from my SM-A526B using Tapatalk
(28 Mar 2024, 7:59 pm)Michael 4th May 2024:
PB0003954/1433
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X75 (X75) Newcastle Wallington Hall
12th May 2024:
PB0003954/1383
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 82 (82) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Waterview Park
PB0003954/1219
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X1 (X1A) Newcastle Peterlee
PB0003954/1280
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 81 (81) Sunderland Gateshead
(28 Mar 2024, 7:59 pm)Michael 4th May 2024:
PB0003954/1433
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X75 (X75) Newcastle Wallington Hall
12th May 2024:
PB0003954/1383
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 82 (82) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Waterview Park
PB0003954/1219
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X1 (X1A) Newcastle Peterlee
PB0003954/1280
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 81 (81) Sunderland Gateshead
(24 Apr 2024, 4:56 am)Michael The Belsay and Wallington Express X75 bus is back for 2024, providing free and sustainable travel for all visitors to Belsay Hall and Wallington, supported by English Heritage and National Trust.
Go North East's X75 connects Newcastle City Centre with Belsay Hall, Bolam Lake and Wallington. The service will run every Saturday from 4 May until 7 September 2024, starting at Haymarket bus station in Newcastle city centre.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/X75-returns-summer
(24 Apr 2024, 4:56 am)Michael The Belsay and Wallington Express X75 bus is back for 2024, providing free and sustainable travel for all visitors to Belsay Hall and Wallington, supported by English Heritage and National Trust.
Go North East's X75 connects Newcastle City Centre with Belsay Hall, Bolam Lake and Wallington. The service will run every Saturday from 4 May until 7 September 2024, starting at Haymarket bus station in Newcastle city centre.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/X75-returns-summer
(24 Apr 2024, 6:21 am)Retro Nero Hang on!! X75 .....FREE TRAVEL
(24 Apr 2024, 6:21 am)Retro Nero Hang on!! X75 .....FREE TRAVEL
(24 Apr 2024, 6:29 am)Ianthegoon Ah, but do you need an entry ticket for one of the attractions to qualify for your free bus travel?
(24 Apr 2024, 6:29 am)Ianthegoon Ah, but do you need an entry ticket for one of the attractions to qualify for your free bus travel?
Probably not the right group but I've put in many complains to Nexus regarding the 317 and for some reason as of today, they've turned around and said they cannot help and that GNE is the one to complain to? So is the 317 no longer a Nexus service or are they just hiring lazy people who can't be arsed to help? Terrible customer service now.
From Sunday 12 May 2024, there will be some minor timetable changes to Little Pinks services 81/82 and Xlines X1. Unfortunately, from this date, we will no longer be the operator of service 520 between Houghton-le-Spring and Fence Houses.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/minor-serv...ges-12-may
(24 Apr 2024, 5:01 pm)Michael From Sunday 12 May 2024, there will be some minor timetable changes to Little Pinks services 81/82 and Xlines X1. Unfortunately, from this date, we will no longer be the operator of service 520 between Houghton-le-Spring and Fence Houses.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/minor-serv...ges-12-may
(24 Apr 2024, 5:01 pm)Michael From Sunday 12 May 2024, there will be some minor timetable changes to Little Pinks services 81/82 and Xlines X1. Unfortunately, from this date, we will no longer be the operator of service 520 between Houghton-le-Spring and Fence Houses.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/minor-serv...ges-12-may
(24 Apr 2024, 6:29 am)Ianthegoon Ah, but do you need an entry ticket for one of the attractions to qualify for your free bus travel?
(24 Apr 2024, 6:29 am)Ianthegoon Ah, but do you need an entry ticket for one of the attractions to qualify for your free bus travel?
(24 Apr 2024, 9:09 pm)Ambassador No, as arriving on the bus gets you 20% off your ticket when you arrive
Fully funded gratis free ride away to your hearts content bus
(24 Apr 2024, 9:09 pm)Ambassador No, as arriving on the bus gets you 20% off your ticket when you arrive
Fully funded gratis free ride away to your hearts content bus
(Yesterday, 6:16 am)Ianthegoon Hmmmmm. If you don't have a bus ticket, how do you prove you arrived by bus.....?
(Yesterday, 6:16 am)Ianthegoon Hmmmmm. If you don't have a bus ticket, how do you prove you arrived by bus.....?
(Yesterday, 7:53 am)Retro Nero If you've arrived by bus you will either have a paper ticket issue on the bus or an App. Ticket on your phone!!
(Yesterday, 7:53 am)Retro Nero If you've arrived by bus you will either have a paper ticket issue on the bus or an App. Ticket on your phone!!
(2 hours ago)Ianthegoon But, if it's a free bus, why would you have, or need, a ticket?!
I think Rapidsnap has the answer, though .....
(2 hours ago)Ianthegoon But, if it's a free bus, why would you have, or need, a ticket?!
I think Rapidsnap has the answer, though .....
