North East Buses

(23 Mar 2020, 9:28 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]MG mentioned on Twitter that some depots wouldn't be able to start with the emergency timetable immediately. 

"The headline message is it’s a Sunday service PLUS a number of extra early and late journeys over and above a normal Sunday, or something similar to a Saturday service for routes that don’t normally run on Sundays. That’s what’s advertised. Duties for two depots taking a... 1/2 
2/2... bit longer to switch over which means they may still start with Sat/weekday schedules tomorrow morning, but we don’t need to confuse customers with that detail as the minimum advertised service will still operate (and more). Full public details are on our website"

https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/12...7987506177

Ohh makes sense, cheers!

From Martijn Gilbert on Twitter'


We’re continuing to step up COVID-19 measures across our company. Overnight new social distancing and health advice posters are going up + work starting to add new ‘stand behind’ lines and block off front seats. Half of our central control room has moved into my Riverside office! https://t.co/mxSPsygIQq

Washington has all services minus X1 and 4 running on Solo's. B9s and Mercs still allocated to X1 and 4 respectively

(24 Mar 2020, 12:15 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ]Washington has all services minus X1 and 4 running on Solo's. B9s and Mercs still allocated to X1 and 4 respectively

Seems like Washington are running the X20

8310 - 8318 are heading to consett for storage , i heard that deptford are to delicence citaros too

(24 Mar 2020, 1:09 pm)Ds1197 wrote [ -> ]Seems like Washington are running the X20

Yes every half hour, X20 only running between Houghton and Rainton. Similar to normal evening X20 runs

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(24 Mar 2020, 1:14 pm)Citaro5326 wrote [ -> ]8310 - 8318 are heading to consett for storage , i heard that deptford are to delicence citaros too

Probs the ex bluestar which I think were going to be withdrawn this year anyway

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(24 Mar 2020, 1:14 pm)Citaro5326 wrote [ -> ]8310 - 8318 are heading to consett for storage , i heard that deptford are to delicence citaros too

Probs the ex bluestar which I think were going to be withdrawn this year anyway

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Does anyone know if Wright and ADL factories open? I'd imagine soon as lockdown over, there'll be a wave of new vehicles arriving

(24 Mar 2020, 12:15 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ]Washington has all services minus X1 and 4 running on Solo's. B9s and Mercs still allocated to X1 and 4 respectively

There's a connections 4 merc on the 50.

(24 Mar 2020, 1:17 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know if Wright and ADL factories open? I'd imagine soon as lockdown over, there'll be a wave of new vehicles arriving

Would they not be allowed to stay open as they're suppliers to the transport industry, and therefore employees are key workers?

(24 Mar 2020, 1:53 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Would they not be allowed to stay open as they're suppliers to the transport industry, and therefore employees are key workers?

Possibly...

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(24 Mar 2020, 1:54 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Possibly...

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I suppose though if that were the case they'd probably only keep the staff they need to be able to provide spares rather than keep the entire production line running

(24 Mar 2020, 1:14 pm)Citaro5326 wrote [ -> ]8310 - 8318 are heading to consett for storage , i heard that deptford are to delicence citaros too

Some buses headed in the other direction as far as I’m aware. Not sure which ones though.

(24 Mar 2020, 2:22 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]Some buses headed in the other direction as far as I’m aware. Not sure which ones though.

Wouldn't be surprised if Deptford's Scania's are taking out of service too, we might not see them back in service...

hopefully Dan will be kind enough and put the list of transfers on here

(24 Mar 2020, 1:09 pm)Ds1197 wrote [ -> ]Seems like Washington are running the X20

Yeah, running them off the back of the Sunday service Houghton runs which normally get roughly 20mins sit.

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(24 Mar 2020, 1:23 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]There's a connections 4 merc on the 50.

Mercs currently operating as reserve for the 50 and 5. Solo's are to be allocated where available.

(24 Mar 2020, 3:14 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ] Yeah, running them off the back of the Sunday service Houghton runs which normally get roughly 20mins sit. 

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Mercs currently operating as reserve for the 50 and 5. Solo's are to be allocated where available.

Makes sense to utilise those Mercs on the 4.
I saw one in Houghton blinded up for the X20 and thought my eyes were deceiving me.

I've said in the past that on a normal Evening/Sunday they would be better utilised offering some sort of extension, than sit there for 20mins or so.

(24 Mar 2020, 3:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Makes sense to utilise those Mercs on the 4.
I saw one in Houghton blinded up for the X20 and thought my eyes were deceiving me.

I've said in the past that on a normal Evening/Sunday they would be better utilised offering some sort of extension, than sit there for 20mins or so.

They during normal weekday service. Believe it's the last 2 or 3 which are ran off the 4

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(24 Mar 2020, 3:48 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]They during normal weekday service. Believe it's the last 2 or 3 which are ran off the 4

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One runs in between a run on the 4, the other off the back of an X1 finishing at the Lane.

(24 Mar 2020, 4:07 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ]One runs in between a run on the 4, the other off the back of an X1 finishing at the Lane.

That must of changed, I thought they only used the 4s

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(24 Mar 2020, 2:36 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Wouldn't be surprised if Deptford's Scania's are taking out of service too, we might not see them back in service...

hopefully Dan will be kind enough and put the list of transfers on here

The position is changing daily - lots of buses are now out of service (too many to list as it's essentially half of the fleet!) and some buses have gone to different depots for storage, such as the aforementioned Quaylinks.

The Saltmeadows Road scholars services are now being operated out of Riverside, with Saltmeadows becoming storage for the surplus National Express coaches (plus five of the ex-East Yorkshire Volvo B7s).

Surplus double-decks have transferred from a number of depots to ensure newer, more reliable and more fuel efficient buses are allocated to scholars:
- 6001 to 6005 Washington to Riverside
- 3941/42/62/63/65, 6043/44 and 6162-66 Chester-le-Street to Riverside
- 6132/33/34/35 Percy Main to Riverside
- 6047/75/76 Hexham to Riverside
- 6084 Deptford to Riverside

(this has led to the temporarily withdrawal of all dual-door Volvo B7s, and ex-East Yorkshire Volvo B7s, ordinarily used on scholars).

Other transfers of note:
- Sprinter 730 Riverside to Consett, for service 30.
- Cathedral Bus Solos 715 & 716 to Washington, for service 23 (706 and 707 then temporarily delicensed).
- Streetlites 5420/40/41/51 Consett to Deptford, for single-deck services.
- Streetlite 5452 Riverside to Deptford, for single-deck services.
- OmniCity 5249/50/51/52/64/66/67/68/70/71 Chester-le-Street to Percy Main, for service 1 (6056-70 temporarily delicensed).

(24 Mar 2020, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The position is changing daily - lots of buses are now out of service (too many to list as it's essentially half of the fleet!) and some buses have gone to different depots for storage, such as the aforementioned Quaylinks.

The Saltmeadows Road scholars services are now being operated out of Riverside, with Saltmeadows becoming storage for the surplus National Express coaches (plus five of the ex-East Yorkshire Volvo B7s).

Surplus double-decks have transferred from a number of depots to ensure newer, more reliable and more fuel efficient buses are allocated to scholars:
- 6001 to 6005 Washington to Riverside
- 3941/42/62/63/65, 6043/44 and 6162-66 Chester-le-Street to Riverside
- 6132/33/34/35 Percy Main to Riverside
- 6047/75/76 Hexham to Riverside
- 6084 Deptford to Riverside

(this has led to the temporarily withdrawal of all dual-door Volvo B7s, and ex-East Yorkshire Volvo B7s, ordinarily used on scholars).

Other transfers of note:
- Sprinter 730 Riverside to Consett, for service 30.
- Cathedral Bus Solos 715 & 716 to Washington, for service 23 (706 and 707 then temporarily delicensed).
- Streetlites 5420/40/41/51 Consett to Deptford, for single-deck services.
- Streetlite 5452 Riverside to Deptford, for single-deck services.
- OmniCity 5249/50/51/52/64/66/67/68/70/71 Chester-le-Street to Percy Main, for service 1 (6056-70 temporarily delicensed).

Thanks for the info.

Wonder if this is the last time we will see the Scania's out in service for Deptford.

(24 Mar 2020, 4:12 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]That must of changed, I thought they only used the 4s

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They used to, since last summer the last one was done by the X1 running off.

(24 Mar 2020, 5:07 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ]They used to, since last summer the last one was done by the X1 running off.

Ah very good. Shows u how long it is since I've done overtime!

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(24 Mar 2020, 5:09 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Ah very good. Shows u how long it is since I've done overtime!

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Very hand run, as it's light back to Washington afterwards which positions you to make a pit stop at Grasswell Chippy ?

(24 Mar 2020, 6:42 pm)6049 wrote [ -> ]Very hand run, as it's light back to Washington afterwards which positions you to make a pit stop at Grasswell Chippy ?

I wouldn't be on it if it wasnt in service lmao

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Surprised the Sprinter is being used on the 30. You could only fit a single passenger on it, if to maintain the social distance of 2m.

No idea on what passenger numbers have been like, but the negative of using smaller vehicles is that people inevitably are positioned closer together. Many of which don't have a choice, as they've been labelled a key worker.

(24 Mar 2020, 8:07 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Surprised the Sprinter is being used on the 30. You could only fit a single passenger on it, if to maintain the social distance of 2m.

No idea on what passenger numbers have been like, but the negative of using smaller vehicles is that people inevitably are positioned closer together. Many of which don't have a choice, as they've been labelled a key worker.

Passenger numbers have been closely analysed before these decisions have been made - trust me when I say that (many hours of staring at computer screens later) - and you can maintain social distancing with more than one passenger on the Sprinters.

(24 Mar 2020, 8:07 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Surprised the Sprinter is being used on the 30. You could only fit a single passenger on it, if to maintain the social distance of 2m.

No idea on what passenger numbers have been like, but the negative of using smaller vehicles is that people inevitably are positioned closer together. Many of which don't have a choice, as they've been labelled a key worker.

As a driver operating in and around Stanley/Consett the number of passengers using our buses who are not key workers is staggering. Carried the same passenger twice heading to Stanley yesterday, carried oaps into Newcastle for a look out today. I understand being stuck indoors is frustrating but it needs to be done, not just for their safety. So really I do see the sense of allocating a smaller vehicle, might dissuade unnecessary usage.

(24 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]As a driver operating in and around Stanley/Consett the number of passengers using our buses who are not key workers is staggering. Carried the same passenger twice heading to Stanley yesterday, carried oaps into Newcastle for a look out today. I understand being stuck indoors is frustrating but it needs to be done, not just for their safety. So really I do see the sense of allocating a smaller vehicle, might dissuade unnecessary usage.

Same in Durham. I was surprised at the amount of people on the bus yesterday to and from the office. Especially OAPs.

I'm a key worker and have tried to remain in the office as long as possible, as I can only do about 90% of my job from home, but I decided to cut my losses from today. So I'll be staying put until further notice.

I just feel for all the workers that don't have the luxury and are needlessly putting others at risk because they're too stubborn.

(24 Mar 2020, 8:31 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Passenger numbers have been closely analysed before these decisions have been made - trust me when I say that (many hours of staring at computer screens later) - and you can maintain social distancing with more than one passenger on the Sprinters.

Plenty of room on the roof.

(24 Mar 2020, 3:48 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]They during normal weekday service. Believe it's the last 2 or 3 which are ran off the 4

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Yeah, plus running off the X1 as mentioned. 
There's still plenty that don't, in addition to the hanging around they do on a Sunday.

(24 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]As a driver operating in and around Stanley/Consett the number of passengers using our buses who are not key workers is staggering. Carried the same passenger twice heading to Stanley yesterday, carried oaps into Newcastle for a look out today. I understand being stuck indoors is frustrating but it needs to be done, not just for their safety. So really I do see the sense of allocating a smaller vehicle, might dissuade unnecessary usage.

I took littlun for walkies up front street, this afternoon, to burn off some wriggles, and an angel pulled up at the stop ahead of us. The guy waiting at the stop was getting on the bus before the passenger alighting even had both feet on the ground.

It's going to have to get tougher, isn't it?