North East Buses

I'm gonna be loaded with flu!

I've been on the 306 back to Newcastle for 20 minutes and my hands are still freezing.

I just sneezed and some women is giving me evil looks, I just sneezed I ain't got Ebola.

(14 Oct 2014, 4:55 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Wheelchair user to make bus complaint after being denied a seat.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11...ed_a_seat/

Disgraceful, but not surprising. 

Disgraceful, but not surprising.

This also happened a lot in Darlington and Arriva were taken to court but I think the case was dropped.

Will 1574-81 receive branding for the 23/35, like Jesmond's have for the 306, or will they receive standard branding like the Ecocities?

(14 Oct 2014, 4:51 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I'm gonna be loaded with flu!

It's alright.... i already have it

If its not hayfever.. its the bloody flu

Highlights from today's publicity launch...

Arriva North East: 1582 / NK64EEV by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 306 Launch by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 306 Launch by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 1582 / NK64EEV by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

The second MAN Ecocity ex-demonstrator arrived at Faverdale today, I believe it is WX61HSL, same colour scheme as FXO, no branding as yet. Didn't see the inside to confirm whether it has been refurbished

(14 Oct 2014, 8:27 pm)MrPottski wrote [ -> ]The second MAN Ecocity ex-demonstrator arrived at Faverdale today, I believe it is WX61HSL, same colour scheme as FXO, no branding as yet. Didn't see the inside to confirm whether it has been refurbished

To add further information - that's the one which was on demonstration to Go North East at Deptford Depot on services X3 and 35. The interior spec used to be the same as FXO.

I have read (probably on Arriva), that wheelchair spaces are a 'legal' requirement, whereas pushchair spaces are a 'convenience', and passengers should expect to give up the pushchair space if required for a wheelchair.


What happens if a second wheelchair passenger wants to board?

I can understand the driver not wanting to get involved in aggro (and subsequent delays), and I have always believed that the bus operator has an obligation to provide alternative transport (taxi?) if the wheelchair user cannot be accommodated (this might be company policy rather than legislation).

Any facts?

See:- Arriva case 2013.

It seems that if someone is already in the space and refuses to move, then they cannot be made to move - even if a wheelchair user cannot board the bus.

Go North East:- Easy Access Guarantee

Solo being used for driver shuttles in Sunderland today - usually a van of some sort... Came in from Durham Rd.

(14 Oct 2014, 9:23 pm)G-CPTN wrote [ -> ]I have read (probably on Arriva), that wheelchair spaces are a 'legal' requirement, whereas pushchair spaces are a 'convenience', and passengers should expect to give up the pushchair space if required for a wheelchair.


What happens if a second wheelchair passenger wants to board?

I can understand the driver not wanting to get involved in aggro (and subsequent delays), and I have always believed that the bus operator has an obligation to provide alternative transport (taxi?) if the wheelchair user cannot be accommodated (this might be company policy rather than legislation).

Any facts?

See:- Arriva case 2013.


Go North East:- Easy Access Guarantee

On a related note, Go North East is currently in the process of distributing "Buggy Guides" on its buses.
Will try and pick up one today at some point.

(14 Oct 2014, 8:33 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]To add further information - that's the one which was on demonstration to Go North East at Deptford Depot on services X3 and 35. The interior spec used to be the same as FXO.

It has the same "bubble" interior as FXO. Certainly is different!

Redcar engineering at its best - 1440 what a disappointment. 

Sapphire is supposed to be a premium brand. Granted it's the spare bus but it still is branded as a Sapphire bus. Visually 1440 is stunning as are most the Sapphire pulsars. Mechanically it's shocking reminds me of the old boneshaking darts when it's sat still it sounds like the panels are going to fall on your head.  I'd prefer a Temsa as a Sapphire replacement truth be told 

Photos of the new Coastliner 306 Wright Streetlite DF / Micro-Hybrids in service can be seen on my Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@N02/

The X1 was packed to the rafters at 1630 this evening. Every single seat taken and several standees by the time it had left Durham bus station, and then it had a total of 34! standees that I counted by the time it'd reached the uni science site. 5 or 6 of which were stood level with the driver cab and in the doorway, obstructing his view to the left.

(13 Oct 2014, 7:15 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Any reason why all three 14 reg Enviros I've seen this morning are all only displaying "X21" or "X22" on their rear display, whereas the 57 reg ones are displaying the full destination? 

When the destination screens have been updated it appears that the setting on the rear display is set to '2' which is the setting for the number only display, and not '3' which is the full rear destination setting on the programming software.

1103 & 1104 have arrived at Stockton with Cadets 1914 & 1922 going the other way to Redcar

Nice to see two cadets returning to Redcar, is this a permanent move and also are more due to move?

Just loans until Sunday to help us cover the 7s and 17 shuttle with mini Darts for Yarm Fair

Probs the 1st time I've seen it but a hybrid streetlite is off route on 55 to Forest Hall

1587 parked up in Eldon Square earlier with X85 on display presumed to have worked the 17:20.

(16 Oct 2014, 7:58 pm)alibill_36 wrote [ -> ]1587 parked up in Eldon Square earlier with X85 on display presumed to have worked the 17:20.

I'm sure it works of the 306.

Does anyone know if jesmonds prestige  shave been withdrawn with the new vehicles starting the 306

1103 and 1104 both worked service 7 today at Stockton, unsurprisingly! Boards 7A and 7C respectively. 1914 was on 64H (22/64s) and 1922 on 63L (all 63s) at Redcar

4515 has now arrived at Redcar, with 7490 transferred to Jesmond

Wheels in motion for launch of Darlington park and ride.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11..._and_ride/

Does an X9 run off service 306? This is based off 2 things - The below image and the photo of a Pulsar on the service which was taken by Dan on Monday:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/15365234909/

(16 Oct 2014, 9:33 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]Does an X9 run off service 306? This is based off 2 things - The below image and the photo of a Pulsar on the service which was taken by Dan on Monday:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/15365234909/

All of the X9s run on and off 306s as far as I'm aware, for example the evening ones run out as 306s to Whitley Bay, light back to Cobalt then an X9 into Newcastle to pick up it's next run on the 306.

I've seen everything ranging from Pulsars, OmniCitys, ALX400s and Volvo B10BLEs on the X9s, though most commonly Pulsars.

1103/4 today are on xx08 and xx28 7s (until lunchtime, when they drop back to end up on xx38/xx58).

1575 and 1578 are now branded for service 23.

1575 is parked in Durham Bus Station and 1578 is on the U1 again.