North East Buses

(14 Sep 2020, 8:52 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]To be fair to the timetable department of almost 40 years ago, they didn't have the bus priority measures that their modern day equivalents have now. 

That extra 7 mins between Shiney Row and Easington Lane is a shocker though. Appreciate some of that will be down to Hetton Interchange, but if you equate that Shiney Row - Easington Lane - Shiney Row as one section, drivers and vehicles are almost 15mins down on where they were almost 40 years ago.
Forgetting about passenger experience for a moment and think about drivers hours, PVR's etc that 15min difference alone will make a massive difference over the course of an operational week in any depot, nevermind a smaller one like Washington. It's scary as to the difference and savings there could potentially be - which looks like it is being ignored.

I mentioned Continuous Improvement over the weekend and how adding 35 seconds to the car manufacturing process could add up. Similarly, reducing the process by 35 seconds, can make huge savings.
For a PVR of 12, you're talking of potentially massive savings just by working on those 15mins with each vehicle and driver.

And the massive increase in traffic

(14 Sep 2020, 8:53 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]And the massive increase in traffic

I'd argue that any increase in traffic is partially to do with bus operators.
Not adapting to changes to travel/work habits, fares or frequency changes could be 3 reasons why car use is higher than it was almost 40 years ago. I'm sure there are many more relating to public transport - regardless of any other factors which could exist. 
The X1 is 7 mins slower on the southern section of its route than its predecessor was almost 40 years ago. That's despite the vehicles being more powerful, having Newbottle St dedicated to buses only and the removal of significant traffic associated with the pits at Philidelphia, Houghton, Eppleton and Easington Lane.

(14 Sep 2020, 9:01 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I'd argue that any increase in traffic is partially to do with bus operators.
Not adapting to changes to travel/work habits, fares or frequency changes could be 3 reasons why car use is higher than it was almost 40 years ago. I'm sure there are many more relating to public transport - regardless of any other factors which could exist. 
The X1 is 7 mins slower on the southern section of its route than its predecessor was almost 40 years ago. That's despite the vehicles being more powerful, having Newbottle St dedicated to buses only and the removal of significant traffic associated with the pits at Philidelphia, Houghton, Eppleton and Easington Lane.

Sorry haven't got much to add to your X1/X5 discussion but that I'm not too sure on that. Be interesting to see if an 80's bus would beat a new Streetdeck on a basic bus route length to length as the 80's buses certainly had a more powerful engine but techs improved with turbos etc so the less power could be better used now. Be an interesting one and wouldn't surprise me if it's very close or the 80's bus actually won.

(14 Sep 2020, 9:26 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]Sorry haven't got much to add to your X1/X5 discussion but that I'm not too sure on that. Be interesting to see if an 80's bus would beat a new Streetdeck on a basic bus route length to length as the 80's buses certainly had a more powerful engine but techs improved with turbos etc so the less power could be better used now. Be an interesting one and wouldn't surprise me if it's very close or the 80's bus actually won.

I can't remember what was operating on the X5 back in 83 (VR perhaps?). Here's the engine spec according to Mike Humble - https://www.aronline.co.uk/the-bus-secti...el-engine/

It would be interesting to compare with what we have now.
Assuming it was a VR, I can't ever remember them being that powerful or having much pull. That's not to say they didn't, but I remember there were vehicles around the same time and since which seemed to handle the express routes with much less stress. 
Obviously there's more to it than just engine size. Gearing, vehicle weight etc will all have some impact.

(14 Sep 2020, 10:14 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I can't remember what was operating on the X5 back in 83 (VR perhaps?). Here's the engine spec according to Mike Humble - https://www.aronline.co.uk/the-bus-secti...el-engine/

It would be interesting to compare with what we have now.
Assuming it was a VR, I can't ever remember them being that powerful or having much pull. That's not to say they didn't, but I remember there were vehicles around the same time and since which seemed to handle the express routes with much less stress. 
Obviously there's more to it than just engine size. Gearing, vehicle weight etc will all have some impact.

It certainly would be an interesting one, in service though I'd kinda want to say the Streetdeck would win - for one big reason and that's the low floor. Even if the 80's bus was quicker you'd soon lose it fast with pensioners struggling to get on. Without passengers though I'm not too sure, I'm guessing it'll be very close but no doubt one of them will win comfortably and it'll probably depend on the bus at the same time.

Go North East X-lines 6376 / NK70 BYU by kieron mathews, on Flickr

6376 has entered service today for its first full day (it did briefly on Saturday but broke down not long afterwards)


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Have anymore E400's/Streetdecks arrived?

(17 Sep 2020, 7:34 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Have anymore E400's/Streetdecks arrived?

6361, 6362, 6366 and 6370

(17 Sep 2020, 7:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]6361, 6362, 6366 and 6370

Thanks Citaro

Dan, the new font shown here for ‘Easington Lane’ looks so much clearer and more modern than the usual bold font on GNE destinations.
https://flic.kr/p/2jHuthi

You guys should roll it out across all vehicles & destinations!

(17 Sep 2020, 9:14 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Dan, the new font shown here for ‘Easington Lane’ looks so much clearer and more modern than the usual bold font on GNE destinations.
https://flic.kr/p/2jHuthi

You guys should roll it out across all vehicles & destinations!

That display is very confusing for someone who's never used a bus before or don't know the routes. Anyone reading that display would expect that bus to go to the QE and Gateshead when it doesn't. Very bad design imo it's all good having via points but if it's not clear that's its from the start of the route which could be anywhere it's a bit pointless imo and only benefits someone boarding in Newcastle. Some people in Washington probably wouldn't have a clue where Easington Lane is and would just see Gateshead.

(17 Sep 2020, 9:23 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]That display is very confusing for someone who's never used a bus before or don't know the routes. Anyone reading that display would expect that bus to go to the QE and Gateshead when it doesn't. Very bad design imo it's all good having via points but if it's not clear that's its from the start of the route which could be anywhere it's a bit pointless imo and only benefits someone boarding in Newcastle. Some people in Washington probably wouldn't have a clue where Easington Lane is and would just see Gateshead.

I think I prefer the Oxford layout:



Oxford Bus Company: 902 / NK20EKW by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(17 Sep 2020, 9:23 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]That display is very confusing for someone who's never used a bus before or don't know the routes. Anyone reading that display would expect that bus to go to the QE and Gateshead when it doesn't. Very bad design imo it's all good having via points but if it's not clear that's its from the start of the route which could be anywhere it's a bit pointless imo and only benefits someone boarding in Newcastle. Some people in Washington probably wouldn't have a clue where Easington Lane is and would just see Gateshead.

I don’t really know what the arrows are about or how you’d read out that destination screen in a sentence, but I was purely referring to the font used on the lower screen, it’s a much clearer modern typeface.

(17 Sep 2020, 9:41 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]I think I prefer the Oxford layout:



Oxford Bus Company: 902 / NK20EKW by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

I have to agree tbh, much easier to understand, destination next to the number and the number at the right side for PVR aswell.

(17 Sep 2020, 9:44 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]I don’t really know what the arrows are about or how you’d read out that destination screen in a sentence, but I was purely referring to the font used on the lower screen, it’s a much clearer modern typeface.

Isn't it the one they've been using for ages now when it's been full text, sure I've seen it before in the past somewhere. I was just quoting the image you posted though, to me it's read like this though:
X1 to Gateshead to QE Hospital, Easington Lane.

I'd assume most people would read it like that. We've been having a massive discussion about it in the other thread and someone mentioned about numbers are irrelevant and you should read the destination over what should be an X and not, sorry for the confusion.

To me the arrows indicate fast to >>> Wrekenton for example, personally not a fan of them if I am being honest and much prefer the Oxford layout or the layout which Lothian Buses uses which maximises the usage of such destination displays.

Do any of the 68?s journeys interwork with x84/x85.

(19 Sep 2020, 5:01 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]Do any of the 68?s journeys interwork with x84/x85.

The 05:40 to Bellingham and 06:25 return on the 680

One thing I noticed while looking this up is that there are no longer any journeys on the 680 which run off service 10, not sure how long this has been the case.

(19 Sep 2020, 5:56 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]The 05:40 to Bellingham and 06:25 return on the 680

One thing I noticed while looking this up is that there are no longer any journeys on the 680 which run off service 10, not sure how long this has been the case.

Will they be operated by xlines deckers when they arrive

When the eventual Consett interworking patterns come into effect, will only the X30/X70/X71 be the 'designated' bike routes with the X31 making use of 6338-40 + 1x new vehicle?

Obviously this will save retrofitting costs I take it unless 6336-40 all get done too.

Some Streetdecks have rear light surrounds in black, and some don't? 
https://flic.kr/p/2jJStJ8

(22 Sep 2020, 10:00 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Some Streetdecks have rear light surrounds in black, and some don't? 
https://flic.kr/p/2jJStJ8

They're E400MMCs, but yeah, I hadn't noticed that!

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(22 Sep 2020, 10:00 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Some Streetdecks have rear light surrounds in black, and some don't? 
https://flic.kr/p/2jJStJ8

Those are E400 

Seems like just design change between 2019 and 2020 versions

(22 Sep 2020, 10:02 am)Adrian wrote [ -> ]They're E400MMCs, but yeah, I hadn't noticed that!

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(22 Sep 2020, 10:14 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Those are E400 

Seems like just design change between 2019 and 2020 versions

Just testing you

(22 Sep 2020, 10:14 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Those are E400 

Seems like just design change between 2019 and 2020 versions

Wouldn't say a design change, more like they decided to paint the surrounds on the new ones. Looks much better IMO, still not as good as the StreetDecks, but better

(22 Sep 2020, 10:00 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Some Streetdecks have rear light surrounds in black, and some don't? 
https://flic.kr/p/2jJStJ8

I prefer the black surround

(22 Sep 2020, 1:59 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Wouldn't say a design change, more like they decided to paint the surrounds on the new ones. Looks much better IMO, still not as good as the StreetDecks, but better

Meant design change by GNE to have them black. Like they chose to have the black light clusters on the front of the B5s and Angel streetdecks as opposed to the original X21 batch

(22 Sep 2020, 2:53 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]I prefer the black surround

 Me too. 
Great minds! 

Go North East X-lines 6361 / NK70 BYJ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6374 / NK70 BYR by kieron mathews, on Flickr

6361 & 6374 have both entered service.


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(22 Sep 2020, 4:14 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]Go North East X-lines 6361 / NK70 BYJ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6374 / NK70 BYR by kieron mathews, on Flickr

6361 & 6374 have both entered service today.


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6374 was yesterday Monday not today.

(22 Sep 2020, 1:59 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Wouldn't say a design change, more like they decided to paint the surrounds on the new ones. Looks much better IMO, still not as good as the StreetDecks, but better

They've changed the side branding aswell it's now Stanley or Consett rather than them seperate which is better imo, kinda want to say the light green text is lighter but not sure on that.