North East Buses

(15 Sep 2021, 7:21 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Didn't Percy Main used to be a massive depot?

I can't comment on saying that as I was Dudley area where GNE were very small apart from the X42/X43

(15 Sep 2021, 7:13 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]The Stagecoach 22 extension to Cobalt killed the network like. However instead of trying to fight they sent the newer buses elsewhere and it's been going downhill ever since.

But yet it took them 5 years to say 'due to low passenger numbers',the same thin excuse to kill a service,maybe if they hadnt of removed the buses with all the advertised features,then it would of stayed appealing,but no,they put on tat,surely that has to be part of the reason why the services were axed

(15 Sep 2021, 7:21 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Didn't Percy Main used to be a massive depot?

Not sure Percy Main has got any smaller, but I remember there being buses stabled just off Hadrian Road, in the Willington Quay area.
That was donkeys years ago though.

(15 Sep 2021, 7:18 pm)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]The only thing keeping Go North East running in North Tyneside is the 309/310/311 & 1. Without them 4 service. Go North East in NT is nothing but a blip on the radar

You could push it and say the NT network is mostly due to these (open to opinion)

The 19 is there any point in it going any further than Northumberland Park to Ashington

42A is there any point sending it any further than Dinnington or Four Lane Ends

42 is there any point in sending further than from Killingworth to Cramlington

309/310/311 & 1 - 3 services tbh.

The 19 and 42A are both subsidised routes in fairness so they won't be loosing GNE any money. It's been a struggling area for a while though as there's too much competition especially with the Metro and Stagecoach taking the opportunity to wipe out Howdon but the 1 also creeps in for the 19 / 42 / 42A partially aswell. Not sure what you really could do other than selling up and letting the area consolidate with less operators.

In fairness though there's similar problems in Peterlee, South Tyneside and Hartlepool to an extent aswell.

Percy Mains allocation flunctuates between 60 - 80 buses. A key element of Percy Main is it does do a lot of school work, plus an ideal location for the DFDS work. It also seems to be one of the few depots not having driver issues.

(15 Sep 2021, 9:57 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]Percy Mains allocation flunctuates between 60 - 80 buses. A key element of Percy Main is it does do a lot of school work, plus an ideal location for the DFDS work. It also seems to be one of the few depots not having driver issues.

washington is being hit the worst.

it seems Percy Main, Peterlee, Hexham have little to none.

Here's a stab in the dark. I'll put my reasons on the next post. PVRs only reflect the services affected

Consett (PVR = 38)
- 6043-48 = 47/47A
- 6049 = Spare
- 6056-63 = 16/16A
- 6064 = Spare
- 6065-68 = X5/X15
- 6069 = Spare
- 6308-14 = X45/X46
- 6336 = Spare
- 6338 = Spare
- 6339-40 = X45/X46
- 6341-51 = X30's/X70's

Chester Le Street (PVR = 30)
- 6301-06 = 25
- 6307 = Spare
- 6315-30 = 21
- 6331-32 = Spare
- 6356-63 = X21

Washington (PVR = 13)
- 6333 = Spare
- 6364-76 = X1

Riverside incl Hexham 10's  (PVR = 44)
- 6001 = Spare
- 6002-07 = 27
- 6050 = Spare
- 6051-55 = 27
- 6071-85 = 10/10A/10B
- 6086 = Spare
- 6099 = Spare
- 6149-54 = 58
- 6155-59 = 93/94
- 6160 = Spare
- 6161 = 93/94
- 6377 = Spare
- 7149-55 = X9/X10

Percy Main (PVR = 18)
- 6100-01 = Spare
- 6102-17 = 309/310/311/X39
- 6334-35 = DFDS

Deptford (PVR = 11)
- 6087 = Spare
- 6088-98 = 56

Hexham (PVR = 4)
- 6337 = Spare
- 6352-55 = X84/X85

Here's my thoughts

- X45/X46 main PVR only operates Monday to Saturday daytimes due to the evening & Sunday interworking patterns with the X30/X72. It would make more sense to allocate vehicles that are suited to lower mileages. The StreetLites performed okay on the 45/46/47 so no reason why the B5TLs couldn't handle the X45/X46 only 6 days per week with no evenings & Sundays. Similar spec to 6331-33.

- 6065-68 only a temporary measure until EVs if bid is successful.

- Flexibility with 2x low height deckers at Consett as spares.

- Fleet commonality & common batches/groups of vehicles particularly for Washington & CLS.

- Improved reliability on X21 & BSOG mileage (no doubt StreetDeckFan would be over the moon haha).

- 2x oddballs (6334-35) would serve a useful purpose for DFDS work as they're Euro 6. Any extras filled by either 6100/01 if available.

Fleet commonality would be

Consett - Volvo & ADL
B5LH/B5TL/B9TL/E400MMC
- X45/X46 = B5TL (+2 E400MMC)
- X5/X15 & 16/16A Volvo B5LH
- X30's & X70's = E400MMC
- 47/47A = B9TL

Hexham - ADL (excl TVT ops)
E400MMC
- X84/X85 = E400MMC

Chester Le Street & Washington - WrightBus
OM934 StreetDeck
- 21 = StreetDeck MH2
- 25 = StreetDeck MH1
- X1 = StreetDeck MH3
- X21 = StreetDeck MH3

Riverside - Volvo
B9TL/B11R
- 27 = B9TL
- 58 = b9TL
- 93/94 = B9TL
- 10/10A/10B = B9TL

Deptford - Volvo
B9TL
- 56 = B9TL

Percy Main - Volvo
B5TL/B9TL
- DFDS = B5TL
- 309/310/311/X39 = B9TL

(15 Sep 2021, 9:57 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]Percy Mains allocation flunctuates between 60 - 80 buses. A key element of Percy Main is it does do a lot of school work, plus an ideal location for the DFDS work. It also seems to be one of the few depots not having driver issues.

Lots of old-timers there as well.

(19 Sep 2021, 4:04 am)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]Lots of old-timers there as well.

Do you mean old-timers as in legacy T&C's etc?

(19 Sep 2021, 8:56 am)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]Do you mean old-timers as in legacy T&C's etc?

Could explain why sickness or resignation levels aren't as reportedly high there, as elsewhere.

If I remember correctly, there were huge salary and benefit changes after the strikes in the early 90's.
If they're still on those contracts (or at least better than other more recent recruits) and are managed in an effective manner, then attrition may be lower than depots with newer staff and poorer managers.

Actually when the strikes happened in the 1990s, the North Tyneside depots were the only ones not to go on strike.

So what is happening with 6301-07 after Consett?

Working out potential movements / reallocations for StreetDecks and anything associated:
- 6301 = CLS Spare
- 6331 = CLS Spare
- 6332-33 = X45/X46
- 6334 or 6335 (1x part of X21 PVR) = CLS Spare
- 6336 = Consett Spare (Low Height)
- 6338-40 = Consett Spares (Low Height)
- 6356-62 = X45
- 6363-75 = X1
- 6376 = Washington Spare
- 6377 = Float

This means that there are 6x StreetDecks available. X5/X15 are strongly rumored to be getting 6065-68. 6064 & 6069-70 will also be spare so Consett should have enough spares. The X1 only needs 1x spare and CLS will have enough spares. The 25 apparently doesn't need deckers.

The only routes (does it require deckers?) I could perhaps think of unless GNE actually do have plans for 6301-07 would either be the 12/12A if deckers are perhaps needed (don't know what would happen with the 6) or the 58 (only just recently been refreshed).

(19 Sep 2021, 9:24 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]So what is happening with 6301-07 after Consett?

Working out potential movements / reallocations for StreetDecks and anything associated:
- 6301 = CLS Spare
- 6331 = CLS Spare
- 6332-33 = X45/X46
- 6334 or 6335 (1x part of X21 PVR) = CLS Spare
- 6336 = Consett Spare (Low Height)
- 6338-40 = Consett Spares (Low Height)
- 6356-62 = X45
- 6363-75 = X1
- 6376 = Washington Spare
- 6377 = Float

This means that there are 6x StreetDecks available. X5/X15 are strongly rumored to be getting 6065-68. 6064 & 6069-70 will also be spare so Consett should have enough spares. The X1 only needs 1x spare and CLS will have enough spares. The 25 apparently doesn't need deckers.

The only routes (does it require deckers?) I could perhaps think of unless GNE actually do have plans for 6301-07 would either be the 12/12A if deckers are perhaps needed (don't know what would happen with the 6) or the 58 (only just recently been refreshed).

Maybe deptford 6301-6303 are at Washington iirc. 6304-5 Deptford 6306-7 CLS

(19 Sep 2021, 10:04 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Maybe deptford 6301-6303 are at Washington iirc. 6304-5 Deptford 6306-7 CLS

Maybe 6303 might be just passing through Washington and its final destination might be CLS, doubt Deptford will get any streetdecks but who knows. I can see 6304-07 going to Washington for the X1 with just a rear end repaint.

(19 Sep 2021, 9:24 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]So what is happening with 6301-07 after Consett?

Working out potential movements / reallocations for StreetDecks and anything associated:
- 6301 = CLS Spare
- 6331 = CLS Spare
- 6332-33 = X45/X46
- 6334 or 6335 (1x part of X21 PVR) = CLS Spare
- 6336 = Consett Spare (Low Height)
- 6338-40 = Consett Spares (Low Height)
- 6356-62 = X45
- 6363-75 = X1
- 6376 = Washington Spare
- 6377 = Float

This means that there are 6x StreetDecks available. X5/X15 are strongly rumored to be getting 6065-68. 6064 & 6069-70 will also be spare so Consett should have enough spares. The X1 only needs 1x spare and CLS will have enough spares. The 25 apparently doesn't need deckers.

The only routes (does it require deckers?) I could perhaps think of unless GNE actually do have plans for 6301-07 would either be the 12/12A if deckers are perhaps needed (don't know what would happen with the 6) or the 58 (only just recently been refreshed).

Could the mercs not be upgraded to euro 6 as GNW did, surely they're better than streetdecks or streetlites.

(19 Sep 2021, 11:51 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]Maybe 6303 might be just passing through Washington and its final destination might be CLS, doubt Deptford will get any streetdecks but who knows. I can see 6304-07 going to Washington for the X1 with just a rear end repaint.

But they only need 1x extra StreetDeck which would be 6363 to keep with numbers as well as 6376 as spare.

(20 Sep 2021, 8:56 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]But they only need 1x extra StreetDeck which would be 6363 to keep with numbers as well as 6376 as spare.

Washington Streetdecks have been less than reliably, with 3-4 off sometimes.

(20 Sep 2021, 8:56 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]But they only need 1x extra StreetDeck which would be 6363 to keep with numbers as well as 6376 as spare.

Washington will be up shit creek without a paddle, running just one spare Euro 6 StreetDeck against a PVR of 13, when the Newcastle CAZ commences.


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(21 Sep 2021, 5:23 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Washington will be up shit creek without a paddle, running just one spare Euro 6 StreetDeck against a PVR of 13, when the Newcastle CAZ commences.


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So basically 6301-07 will be spares for CLS & Washington to cover should a Euro 6 decker be needed?

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(20 Sep 2021, 9:14 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Washington Streetdecks have been less than reliably, with 3-4 off sometimes.

If only there wasn't a low bridge Dunston .

I do think the E400MMC would've been the better fit although the StreetDecks haven't been too bad. Hopefully the issues aren't too serious.

Customer wondering ‘where have the posh buses gone’.

https://twitter.com/soult/status/1440593...07200?s=21

(22 Sep 2021, 8:53 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Customer wondering ‘where have the posh buses gone’.

https://twitter.com/soult/status/1440593...07200?s=21

They clearly aren't a regular on the X21, using its always been a game of dodge the Omnidekka!

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(22 Sep 2021, 8:53 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Customer wondering ‘where have the posh buses gone’.

https://twitter.com/soult/status/1440593...07200?s=21

Vaguely high profile one with lots of influential (in NE circles at least) followers.

Lovely guy is Graham

(22 Sep 2021, 8:53 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Customer wondering ‘where have the posh buses gone’.

https://twitter.com/soult/status/1440593...07200?s=21

Ray Stenning was all over Arriva a week or two back because he saw a photo of one of their vehicles which had an issue with their door.

Wonder if he does the same here?

(22 Sep 2021, 10:25 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Ray Stenning was all over Arriva a week or two back because he saw a photo of one of their vehicles which had an issue with their door.

Wonder if he does the same here?

I noticed he was also complaining about A-Line as one of their Versas had seatbelts. I'm assuming he didn't know at the time they were covering for/helping out Go North East.

Looking at the 'Best Impressions' twitter feed, it certainly doesn't give the best impression - and they aren't a company I'd want to associate with based on their Twitter.

(22 Sep 2021, 10:34 am)Thomas12 wrote [ -> ]I noticed he was also complaining about A-Line as one of their Versas had seatbelts. I'm assuming he didn't know at the time they were covering for/helping out Go North East.

Looking at the 'Best Impressions' twitter feed, it certainly doesn't give the best impression - and they aren't a company I'd want to associate with based on their Twitter.

I never saw that one. 
Often go on for a chuckle when I'm bored. Some of the content staggers me at times.

(22 Sep 2021, 10:44 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I never saw that one. 
Often go on for a chuckle when I'm bored. Some of the content staggers me at times.

Here they are - I didn't realise they were from over a month ago!

https://twitter.com/creatingdesire/statu...9911635977
https://twitter.com/creatingdesire/statu...4057089037

And I agree, it's always good for a laugh if anything.

(22 Sep 2021, 9:04 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]They clearly aren't a regular on the X21, using its always been a game of dodge the Omnidekka!

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21 is the same.

(22 Sep 2021, 2:00 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]21 is the same.

Good job work is going into providing more high quality spare buses, then, isn’t it?


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