North East Buses

PB1099280/29 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between ST JOSEPH'S COMP SCHOOL MILL LANE, HEBBURN and HOWARD STREET, JARROW given service number 824 effective from 01-Dec-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

(23 Nov 2014, 5:44 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Gateshead Central Taxis have been giving their fleet a good wash and brush up today so hopefully no dirty buses in the morning. Although it will be difficult to keep the buses clean all day due to the roadworks around Fellgate Estate.

Although I saw a Solo which was sparkling on Monday, I saw another rather scruffy looking example tonight.

In GCT's defence, it is difficult to keep the outside of buses clean at this time of year, I have also seen filthy Scarlet Band, Arriva and Go North East buses - the MPD I had on the 265 this afternoon had I Johnny written down the side of the bus.

(27 Nov 2014, 4:28 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]In GCT's defence, it is difficult to keep the outside of buses clean at this time of year, I have also seen filthy Scarlet Band, Arriva and Go North East buses - the MPD I had on the 265 this afternoon had I Johnny written down the side of the bus.

There's a limit, like..!
Buses need washing more than once per week (assuming that's how frequently GCT's are done).

There's a limit, like..!

 Buses need washing more than once per week (assuming that's how frequently GCT's are done).

Sunday must be wash day for GCT.

It is bad when you can't even see the reg.

The key is that the vehicle should remain presentable at all times. It's upto the operation to decide whether that's achieved by daily or weekly washes. The presentability should control the wash frequency, and nothing else.

I don't know how often GCT wash the exterior of the Solo's and I agree that they do look dirty at times. However I will give them credit for their Tridents which appear to get washed everyday. When I have passed their depot during the day the Tridents are usually still wet from being washed. Both Tridents that turned up at St Josephs School today showed evidence of being washed recently.
I guess they have time to wash the Tridents as they sit in the yard for most of the day.
I will try to catch one of the Solo's first thing on a morning to see if they are being washed before going out in service.

The Blurbird I saw on the 643 at the MetroCentre today looked clean when I saw it today.

I imagine GCT will be getting a fine from Nexus though as the display on this Bluebird wasn't working and just had 643 printed on a piece of paper in the window.

GCT is not alone...

Go North East: 536 / NA52AWY by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 1421 / NK09EJV by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Makes you wonder how clean they are when entering service in the morning? There was a red B10 on the 8 early this morning, and it looked like it had taken a detour through a farmer's field.

Whilst stood in Gateshead Interchange yesterday, I'd noticed that Gateshead's buses were looking a far sight cleaner than Chester's, when I was stood there around 1700.

(06 Dec 2014, 8:34 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Makes you wonder how clean they are when entering service in the morning? There was a red B10 on the 8 early this morning, and it looked like it had taken a detour through a farmer's field.

At some locations, when the temperature falls, you have to wash the bus wash off as the water freezes.  Riverside is different with it been new.

has GCT Still got the Enviro 200 and Streetlite

There's a Streetlite out and about on the Team Valley Sainsbury's shuttle today

(06 Jan 2015, 2:48 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]There's a Streetlite out and about on the Team Valley Sainsbury's shuttle today

that's rare thing to see like they still using the Enviro 200 or has it gone

(06 Jan 2015, 3:20 pm)jaimz13 wrote [ -> ]that's rare thing to see like they still using the Enviro 200 or has it gone

I don't know in all honesty. The Sainsbury's bus is usually operated by the blue Bluebird, but yesterday it was operated by a Nexus Bluebird, and today the Streetlite

(06 Jan 2015, 3:40 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]I don't know in all honesty. The Sainsbury's bus is usually operated by the blue Bluebird, but yesterday it was operated by a Nexus Bluebird, and today the Streetlite

hopefully they see sense get rid of all bluebird get streetlites wonder why they done that tho

There was a 60 plated Streetlite on the 71A (Kingston Park - Throckley) this evening. Last time I saw the service it was ran by a Bluebird.

(06 Jan 2015, 10:31 pm)GMitchelhill wrote [ -> ]There was a 60 plated Streetlite on the 71A (Kingston Park - Throckley) this evening. Last time I saw the service it was ran by a Bluebird.

That is likely the same one I spotted on the Tesco Free Bus at Regent Centre yesterday afternoon - MX60BXD.

The Streetlite's out on the Sainsbury's shuttle again today if anyone's after it

Yeah that was the Streetlite I saw Tony.

However tonights 71A was the more usual Bluebird.

(07 Jan 2015, 10:36 pm)GMitchelhill wrote [ -> ]Yeah that was the Streetlite I saw Tony.

However tonights 71A was the more usual Bluebird.

I wonder why they putting streetlite on then wired

Public Enquiry for Gateshead Central Taxis.

(21 Jan 2015, 3:20 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Public Enquiry for Gateshead Central Taxis.

Quick glance at the legislation, and it would appear to be with respect of not declaring convictions or serious offences? May be miles off like...

(21 Jan 2015, 3:20 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Public Enquiry for Gateshead Central Taxis.

Their Transport Manager will appear on the same date and time in relation to Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009. N&P 2191 section 5.3 refers.
I hope that Nexus have a contingency plan in case there is an adverse outcome.

(22 Jan 2015, 7:49 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]I hope that Nexus have a contingency plan in case there is an adverse outcome.

I think there's more chance of Andreos1 and eezypeazy going out for dinner together.

Do they report the outcomes in full does anyone know?

(22 Jan 2015, 8:02 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]I think there's more chance of Andreos1 and eezypeazy going out for dinner together.

Do they report the outcomes in full does anyone know?

I know in Notice and Proceedings, it tells you the outcome.  Near the back, page 16(ish) on the attachment below gives you an idea of what you can get - even a transcript of the taped proceeding.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...r-2014.pdf

(21 Jan 2015, 10:41 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Quick glance at the legislation, and it would appear to be with respect of not declaring convictions or serious offences? May be miles off like...

Could this be related to the fact that Gateshead Central Taxis are allowed to operate using 20 vehicles out of their two depots but have at least 24 vehicles in the normal public service fleet?

(22 Jan 2015, 8:11 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Could this be related to the fact that Gateshead Central Taxis are allowed to operate using 20 vehicles out of their two depots but have at least 24 vehicles in the normal public service fleet?

That's what I was thinking. There seems to be more and more buses at Felling every time I pass, and that's not taking into account the ones out in service. I keep meaning to make a night time detour past there.

(22 Jan 2015, 8:16 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]That's what I was thinking. There seems to be more and more buses at Felling every time I pass, and that's not taking into account the ones out in service. I keep meaning to make a night time detour past there.

Well according to their Operators Licence they have a licence for 20 vehicles as shown below spread over 2 sites.

(22 Jan 2015, 8:11 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Could this be related to the fact that Gateshead Central Taxis are allowed to operate using 20 vehicles out of their two depots but have at least 24 vehicles in the normal public service fleet?

(22 Jan 2015, 8:16 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]That's what I was thinking. There seems to be more and more buses at Felling every time I pass, and that's not taking into account the ones out in service. I keep meaning to make a night time detour past there.

(22 Jan 2015, 8:24 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Well according to their Operators Licence they have a licence for 20 vehicles as shown below spread over 2 sites.

I've updated our fleet lists to remove all of the loanees and add the Solos and Presidents - I make it 26!
This is before you start including their various Renault minibuses, which have in the past appeared on normal public service work as a last resort.

When searching for all of the new buses, I found these photos:
https://flic.kr/p/pzgovw - 5 buses
https://flic.kr/p/pzgnrh - 2 further buses
https://flic.kr/p/pz265g - 2 further Renault minibuses

Providing my maths is up to scratch, 5+2+2=9. This is a bigger number than 6!