North East Buses

(05 Dec 2018, 2:29 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]You sound like a Corbynite.

That's a bit personal, Ian. Or is that your level of debate? 

(05 Dec 2018, 3:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]A number of them have gone out of business or taken over though. 
The perils of capitalism and the resultant monopolies!

Here Here!

(03 Dec 2018, 9:22 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Obviously not...

I would hope that Arriva would cover the routes which have no competition with other operators first before considering a route like the X12 between Durham and Newcastle?!

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So would I, or else vast swathes of East Durham would end up cut off, leaving people with no means of getting to school, work or college.

(04 Dec 2018, 9:36 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Maybe, in theory, people could just support the strike? Most of us won't be able to remember the last one, and I don't think it is a great line of discussion to be talking about how another operator could help with strike breaking.. they're a unionised workforce too!

I don't think GNE would intend to break a strike if one ever happened in the Northumbria area. GNE would however put it's own and it's regular passengers interests first by ensuring there was enough capacity to cope with the extra loads and that services were running as close to time as possible. Wouldn't be very fair that somebody who travels to lets say Cobalt for work on a day in day out basis, couldn't get a seat or even get on for that matter due to GNE needing to take Arriva's own passengers from Blyth all the way to Newcastle and working that out, GNE would need seats for at least around an extra 80-120 passengers per hour during peak times based on 20-25% of the X10/X11 capacity being taken up by those who live in Blyth. And not only that, GNE would also need extra capacity to take passengers who would normally use the 308 too!

(04 Dec 2018, 10:03 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I also imagine GNE customers would have something to say if their buses were all taken away and replaced with single deckers!

It would only be a handful of boards across a few double deck routes where the extra capacity is handy but is not needed. Boards where 30-40 passengers would normally comfortably be seated on a double decker but would be ok on a typical Merc / Omnicity (although a bit tight).

Arriva's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/arrivanortheast...=3&theater

(06 Dec 2018, 8:13 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]I don't think GNE would intend to break a strike if one ever happened in the Northumbria area. GNE would however put it's own and it's regular passengers interests first by ensuring there was enough capacity to cope with the extra loads and that services were running as close to time as possible. Wouldn't be very fair that somebody who travels to lets say Cobalt for work on a day in day out basis, couldn't get a seat or even get on for that matter due to GNE needing to take Arriva's own passengers from Blyth all the way to Newcastle and working that out, GNE would need seats for at least around an extra 80-120 passengers per hour during peak times based on 20-25% of the X10/X11 capacity being taken up by those who live in Blyth. And not only that, GNE would also need extra capacity to take passengers who would normally use the 308 too!

This happens anyway? Every time there is an unplanned Metro closure... so every other week!

(07 Dec 2018, 6:53 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]This happens anyway? Every time there is an unplanned Metro closure... so every other week!

Yes, but bearing in mind, most will use the 308 due to it being a more known route and 'cos it does up the Motorway' in passenger speak.

(08 Dec 2018, 11:17 am)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]Yes, but bearing in mind, most will use the 308 due to it being a more known route and 'cos it does up the Motorway' in passenger speak.

I disagree. For ENCTS holders, there is absolutely no brand loyalty. For paying customers, they'll tend to go for the cheapest option. Hence why fares are more competitive in areas like North Tyneside, compared to say, Gateshead.

Does anybody know how many drivers Arriva Durham County employs? Just trying to do the maths on the pay demands.

(08 Dec 2018, 4:00 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Does anybody know how many drivers Arriva Durham County employs? Just trying to do the maths on the pay demands.

Around 650 accoding to the newspapers.

Anyone know which services will be running next week?, haven't seen anymore information on this.

(10 Dec 2018, 8:53 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Anyone know which services will be running next week?, haven't seen anymore information on this.

Their Facebook page is claiming Arriva are working on publishing the timetables and a update will be available no later than Wednesday morning

(10 Dec 2018, 8:57 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Their Facebook page is claiming to be working on publishing the timetables and a update will be available no later than Wednesday morning

Ah that's good, its not like i use Arriva, was just interested to see what they're running.

What are Arriva's reasons for having a lower rate of pay for the southern part of the north east, than the northern depots?

(12 Dec 2018, 7:25 pm)tvd wrote [ -> ]What are Arriva's reasons for having a lower rate of pay for the southern part of the north east, than the northern depots?

I think it must go back to when Durham & Teesside was United and Northumbria was Northumbria. Quote me if I'm wrong though, just a general guess.

(12 Dec 2018, 7:25 pm)tvd wrote [ -> ]What are Arriva's reasons for having a lower rate of pay for the southern part of the north east, than the northern depots?

Historically different companies with different T&C.

Northumbria drivers don't have paid meal breaks, so their basic hourly rate is higher too.

Durham County still have a significant number of drivers who do get paid meal breaks, although since around 2016 new drivers to that part of the company don't get them.

A few days ago a GNE bus pulled up at Wheatley hill outside a newsagent and driver went inside and somebody asked the driver why the bus was outside and the driver said that he was route learning the 22 due to the upcoming strike, I wouldn’t of thought gne would step in.


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(13 Dec 2018, 2:48 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]A few days ago a GNE bus pulled up at Wheatley hill outside a newsagent and driver went inside and somebody asked the driver why the bus was outside and the driver said that he was route learning the 22 due to the upcoming strike, I wouldn’t of thought gne would step in.


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I don't think this will happen - how could Go North East operate (and presumably take fares on) a service which they have not registered with the traffic commissioner?

Duplicating existing services which compete, and/or upgrading capacity on some routes, maybe.

(13 Dec 2018, 2:50 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I don't think this will happen - how could Go North East operate (and presumably take fares on) a service which they have not registered with the traffic commissioner?

Duplicating existing services which compete, and/or upgrading capacity on some routes, maybe.

I wasn’t there, I was told by someone else, otherwise I would of asked a few questions, I thought it was a it weird as well , I know in the past that services can be registered after the commencing date under certain circumstances. Just have to wait and see if the strike goes ahead, just I thought I might put it here just I case anybody else has heard anything.


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(13 Dec 2018, 6:28 am)RobinHood wrote [ -> ]Historically different companies with different T&C.

Northumbria drivers don't have paid meal breaks, so their basic hourly rate is higher too.

Durham County still have a significant number of drivers who do get paid meal breaks, although since around 2016 new drivers to that part of the company don't get them.

Historically they were the same company!

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(13 Dec 2018, 2:54 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I wasn’t there, I was told by someone else, otherwise I would of asked a few questions, I thought it was a it weird as well , I know in the past that services can be registered after the commencing date under certain circumstances. Just have to wait and see if the strike goes ahead, just I thought I might put it here just I case anybody else has heard anything.


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I'm sure anyone who wanted to cover missing Arriva services during the strike would be granted short notice registrations? Would obviously depend on the skeleton service proposed though?

Still no information on which services will be running.......

(13 Dec 2018, 5:58 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Still no information on which services will be running.......

They probably wont know themselves till they see how many drivers turn up for work. Im pretty sure when workers are planning on going on strike they dont need to inform their employer that they are going on strike or not.

(13 Dec 2018, 5:58 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Still no information on which services will be running.......

Supposedly getting some info today but then again we were promised information about what would be running by no later than yesterday morning, so take that with a pinch of salt and this "information" will no doubt just end up being another post saying more talks will be taking place tomorrow (assuming the matter hasn't been resolved, which so far appears to be the case although who knows really?!)

No official update yet but a lot of people on Facebook saying this strike has been cancelled. Does anybody know if this is correct?

Received this information from the college:

https://www.eastdurham.ac.uk/arriva-update


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(14 Dec 2018, 6:09 pm)Pulsar wrote [ -> ]No official update yet but a lot of people on Facebook saying this strike has been cancelled. Does anybody know if this is correct?

Supposedly true, driver on my 7 has just announced its off as of 5 minutes ago. Hearing other drivers confirming the news

Supposedly it has been postponed until the new year

(14 Dec 2018, 6:28 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Supposedly true, driver on my 7 has just announced its off as of 5 minutes ago. Hearing other drivers confirming the news

Supposedly it has been postponed until the new year

Thanks for the update. Good news for passengers involved, will just have to see what happens in January now.

(14 Dec 2018, 6:28 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Supposedly true, driver on my 7 has just announced its off as of 5 minutes ago. Hearing other drivers confirming the news

Supposedly it has been postponed until the new year

Confirmed, normal service next week.

https://twitter.com/arrivanortheast/stat...93248?s=19

Yeah, officially off.

Anyone got a spare bottle... Unite just lost their's..