North East Buses

(17 Mar 2022, 8:34 am)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Was hit with an extended stay at Heworth the other night, after opting for Metro/Bus instead of the X1. Whilst waiting for one of the xx.53 short runs on the 4, I had noticed it wasn't tracking nor listed on the website as a cancellation. Someone else who was waiting had mentioned these short runs are cancelled 'almost every night' recently.

Looking at bustimes.org journey history, it certainly backs up what he said. Since the start of last week, the 19.53, 20.53, 21.53 and 22.53 runs (they're all done by the same bus) failed to run on 07/03, 08/03, 12/03, 14/03, 15/03, 16/03. They're also listed as cancelled this evening.

Just waiting for those shorts to be cancelled in the next round of cuts due to low use now...!

Washington appear to be having problems with the 50 as well. The 13:20 from Durham this afternoon only ran as far as The Galleries then the 15:22 failed to appear in Durham. The cancellation of the 15:22 resulted in the 21 at 15:33 being rammed full to the point it had to drive past intending passengers in Pity Me with the bus arriving in Chester le Street 18 mins late.

(17 Mar 2022, 5:33 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Washington appear to be having problems with the 50 as well. The 13:20 from Durham this afternoon only ran as far as The Galleries then the 15:22 failed to appear in Durham. The cancellation of the 15:22 resulted in the 21 at 15:33 being rammed full to the point it had to drive past intending passengers in Pity Me with the bus arriving in Chester le Street 18 mins late.

Washington itself is getting worse  and worser over the past week, yet the X1 are returning to Normal Timetables.

Today there wasn't a 26 or a 50 for 90 mins.

(17 Mar 2022, 7:28 pm)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]Washington itself is getting worse  and worser over the past week, yet the X1 are returning to Normal Timetables.

Today there wasn't a 26 or a 50 for 90 mins.

I hadn't expected the X1 to return to "normal" - seems to work quite well now fitting with the 56 times between Springwell Village, Washington, Gateshead & Newcastle.
I'm surprised that the Dalton Park extension still runs, I saw a couple of journeys arrive and depart with only a couple of passengers last week.

(17 Mar 2022, 7:28 pm)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]Washington itself is getting worse  and worser over the past week, yet the X1 are returning to Normal Timetables.

Today there wasn't a 26 or a 50 for 90 mins.

I headed over to Jarrow yesterday around 3.50pm. There was only two 26 tracking yet six 50 were tracking as well

(18 Mar 2022, 9:46 am)busmanT wrote [ -> ]I hadn't expected the X1 to return to "normal" - seems to work quite well now fitting with the 56 times between Springwell Village, Washington, Gateshead & Newcastle.
I'm surprised that the Dalton Park extension still runs, I saw a couple of journeys arrive and depart with only a couple of passengers last week.

Maybe if they advertised it, it might get more traction, especially when its only a extra 10 mins journey if you are waiting for the X10 when the X1 pulls up

(17 Mar 2022, 5:33 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Washington appear to be having problems with the 50 as well. The 13:20 from Durham this afternoon only ran as far as The Galleries then the 15:22 failed to appear in Durham. The cancellation of the 15:22 resulted in the 21 at 15:33 being rammed full to the point it had to drive past intending passengers in Pity Me with the bus arriving in Chester le Street 18 mins late.

Can't have helped that the x20 had a lot of disruptions, yesterday. The 13:20 50 was listed on the cancellations page, mind.

One step forward, two steps back...

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(18 Mar 2022, 6:46 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]One step forward, two steps back...

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Can't wait for the X1's to go back to Every 12 Mins, can't wait to see how many cancellations are then.

I thought they had a really successful recruitment drive to help eliminate the list of short notice cancellations that is still massive?

(18 Mar 2022, 8:55 pm)F114TML wrote [ -> ]I thought they had a really successful recruitment drive to help eliminate the list of short notice cancellations that is still massive?

I don't know the situation at GNE but I do know of operators with near full driver establishment where they have been completely decimated with cancelled trips this week due to one thing, COVID. Not only drivers, but shunters, engineers and control staff. 

So if thats a sitatuon at a well off location, it would be a lot worse where driver numbers are a problem

(18 Mar 2022, 9:00 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]I don't know the situation at GNE but I do know of operators with near full driver establishment where they have been completely decimated with cancelled trips this week due to one thing, COVID. Not only drivers, but shunters, engineers and control staff. 

So if thats a sitatuon at a well off location, it would be a lot worse where driver numbers are a problem

Makes you wonder why public transport is so adversely affected? Transpennine Express have posted a load of cancellations too.

It doesn't fit well with the message that public transport is safe to use.

(18 Mar 2022, 6:46 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]One step forward, two steps back...

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Noticed that they've had a play about with the settings and removed the ability to comment or reply to that particular post. 

Appreciate there's inevitably gonna be the 'what about this bus' type of posts, but there's also going to be plenty of passengers worried and have genuine comments/questions.

(18 Mar 2022, 9:00 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]I don't know the situation at GNE but I do know of operators with near full driver establishment where they have been completely decimated with cancelled trips this week due to one thing, COVID. Not only drivers, but shunters, engineers and control staff. 

So if thats a sitatuon at a well off location, it would be a lot worse where driver numbers are a problem

I was more having a jib at the fact they put this at the top of the cancellations page:
"Thanks to our ongoing recruitment efforts, we're no longer expecting as many on-the-day short notice cancellations."

There's plenty of times I've checked that page and I'm sure there's more listed than before they started using that sentence.

The X1 to every 12 mins shouldn't go ahead, from Washington Depot they might aswell just publish which service on the 4/50/26/X1 will run instead of what won't. There wasn't a 26 for over 2 1/2 hours the other night from South Sheilds

(18 Mar 2022, 9:27 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Makes you wonder why public transport is so adversely affected? Transpennine Express have posted a load of cancellations too.

It doesn't fit well with the message that public transport is safe to use.

Probably more to do with the profile of the role. 

You don't notice if a shelf stacker in ASDA is sick or if the postman doesn't turn up for a few days. But you do notice if your bus or train has been cancelled due staff sickness

(18 Mar 2022, 10:30 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]Probably more to do with the profile of the role. 

You don't notice if a shelf stacker in ASDA is sick or if the postman doesn't turn up for a few days. But you do notice if your bus or train has been cancelled due staff sickness

Agree, Covid cases are really taking off again though with everything else happening in the world and the government deciding Covid is over with, it’s barely mentioned in the news.  Not sure what the policy is at GNE with regard to isolation for staff who test positive but assuming they are doing the right thing and supporting those staff to isolate regardless of symptoms, that may explain the high rates of absence.  And it looks set to worsen as looks like we are still on the steep incline in case numbers.

(18 Mar 2022, 10:30 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]Probably more to do with the profile of the role. 

You don't notice if a shelf stacker in ASDA is sick or if the postman doesn't turn up for a few days. But you do notice if your bus or train has been cancelled due staff sickness

Probably also the fact that supermarkets have a largely part time work force to call on and, even for full timers, there is no equivalent of the driving time directive - no one is likely to die of a stray pile of courgettes in the cucumber slot, unlike if a tired driver misses a turn and drives a double Decker under a low bridge.

(18 Mar 2022, 10:30 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]Probably more to do with the profile of the role. 

You don't notice if a shelf stacker in ASDA is sick or if the postman doesn't turn up for a few days. But you do notice if your bus or train has been cancelled due staff sickness

Maybe that is to do with resourcing too? Bus operators schedule for the exact scenario, so outside of leading drivers covering some mileage, there isn't really a fall-back plan. Supermarkets dynamically resource, so not only do they ensure that their staffing matches the peak checkout times, they have the flexibility of borrowing from other duties (such as shelf stacking) to cover what will most adversely affect customers - queuing at checkouts. 

Putting resourcing aside though, I do think that both examples you gave (and in fact most other industries) have working conditions on their side. If, and we're assuming, the absence is COVID related, then I think operators need to look to do more to improve those conditions. 

It's been law for a long time that employers must make sure there's an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace, yet until the pandemic hit, it was very rarely followed up on. Most supermarkets for example are a huge open space and have mechanical ventilation systems, whereas most bus drivers are squashed into something the size of a postage stamp with 50+ other people and rarely a window open. It creates a high risk environment for the spread of COVID and whatever else, which was evidenced ages ago: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3223

I'm actually surprised that operators and safety representatives haven't done more about this, such as ensuring all windows on all buses are wedged open to prevent them being shut. That in itself is a really small step, but would massively increase ventilation on packed buses and would do more to reduce transmission to those working in these conditions. 

(19 Mar 2022, 1:06 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Probably also the fact that supermarkets have a largely part time work force to call on and, even for full timers, there is no equivalent of the driving time directive - no one is likely to die of a stray pile of courgettes in the cucumber slot, unlike if a tired driver misses a turn and drives a double Decker under a low bridge.

There is - Working Time Directive. Rest time/breaks can't be opted out of, unlike the maximum working week, and is actually greater for those outside of transport than it is within... no idea why that is, but it always struck me as a bit odd! https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

(19 Mar 2022, 1:59 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Maybe that is to do with resourcing too? Bus operators schedule for the exact scenario, so outside of leading drivers covering some mileage, there isn't really a fall-back plan. Supermarkets dynamically resource, so not only do they ensure that their staffing matches the peak checkout times, they have the flexibility of borrowing from other duties (such as shelf stacking) to cover what will most adversely affect customers - queuing at checkouts. 

Putting resourcing aside though, I do think that both examples you gave (and in fact most other industries) have working conditions on their side. If, and we're assuming, the absence is COVID related, then I think operators need to look to do more to improve those conditions. 

It's been law for a long time that employers must make sure there's an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace, yet until the pandemic hit, it was very rarely followed up on. Most supermarkets for example are a huge open space and have mechanical ventilation systems, whereas most bus drivers are squashed into something the size of a postage stamp with 50+ other people and rarely a window open. It creates a high risk environment for the spread of COVID and whatever else, which was evidenced ages ago: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3223

I'm actually surprised that operators and safety representatives haven't done more about this, such as ensuring all windows on all buses are wedged open to prevent them being shut. That in itself is a really small step, but would massively increase ventilation on packed buses and would do more to reduce transmission to those working in these conditions. 


There is - Working Time Directive. Rest time/breaks can't be opted out of, unlike the maximum working week, and is actually greater for those outside of transport than it is within... no idea why that is, but it always struck me as a bit odd! https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

Thats not quite right. Operators tend to need between 10 and 20 % spare resource to cover holidays and "normal" levels of sickness.

Rotas therefore have either spare lines on main rotas or a dedicated spare rota. These usually deal with planned absence such as holidays or long term sick. Operators will also only allow a certain number of drivers holiday on the same day for this very reason. Most operators then have a smaller team of "on the day" spare drivers to cover on the day sickness or a breakdown. Leading drivers and such like tend to only get involved when something exceptional occurs.

So, normally there are quite a few layers before the $hit hits the fan. 

Regards the buses themselves. Personally, I think mess rooms and garage facilites are a bigger risk.

Just spotted this on twitter

[attachment=9994]

Your next options are a four-hour wait until 21.20 as far as Maften or a six-hour wait 23.20 beyond there. No alternative options provided, so that is some wait for those who aren't travelling direct to Hexham.

(19 Mar 2022, 6:14 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Just spotted this on twitter



Your next options are a four-hour wait until 21.20 as far as Maften or a six-hour wait 23.20 beyond there. No alternative options provided, so that is some wait for those who aren't travelling direct to Hexham.

Dreadful.

They really ought to remove that thanks to our recruitment efforts there’ll be much less disruption line that leads into a list of what must be 3 figures of cancellations.

Unavoidable but it’s not ideal for a business that is desperately trying to attract leisure passengers and those priced out of using their car at the moment. Just further knocks confidence as when your bus does turn up it’s likely to be rammed.

(19 Mar 2022, 6:14 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Just spotted this on twitter



Your next options are a four-hour wait until 21.20 as far as Maften or a six-hour wait 23.20 beyond there. No alternative options provided, so that is some wait for those who aren't travelling direct to Hexham.

I'd imagine a fair part of the route struggles for a decent phone signal as well.
Pity anyone standing waiting somewhere remote and in the middle of nowhere.

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(19 Mar 2022, 7:01 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]They really ought to remove that thanks to our recruitment efforts there’ll be much less disruption line that leads into a list of what must be 3 figures of cancellations.

Unavoidable but it’s not ideal for a  business that is desperately trying to attract leisure passengers and those priced out of using their car at the moment. Just further knocks confidence as when your bus does turn up it’s likely to be rammed.

I'd thought similar with the Ouseburn stuff. Prime leisure area and they're cutting off a potential source of revenue for those travelling from beyond St Peters Basin.

(19 Mar 2022, 6:14 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Just spotted this on twitter



Your next options are a four-hour wait until 21.20 as far as Maften or a six-hour wait 23.20 beyond there. No alternative options provided, so that is some wait for those who aren't travelling direct to Hexham.

So let's say you work in Newcastle and live in Matfen. How are you supposed to get home? Absolutely disgusting. Is it any suprise that private hire companies are taking so much business.

Charles

(19 Mar 2022, 7:41 pm)Charles41 wrote [ -> ]So let's say you work in Newcastle and live in Matfen. How are you supposed to get home? Absolutely disgusting. Is it any suprise that private hire companies are taking so much business.

Charles

Maften would be a good £30-£35 in a taxi from Newcastle, so an expensive journey home or long wait for someone making that trip.

I'm really surprised that nothing has been put in place for a service that is so infrequent, such as diverting resource from the 10 or 684. There's not even any way for those who may be stuck waiting or somewhere to make contact with the operator.

The 74 had a run cancelled last week, i think, too. Definitely saw the announcement in twitter. I would have thought that everything possible would be done to not touch infrequent and remote routes like this.

"operational reasons" is not an excuse, either. it adds nothing more to the update than "it's cancelled because it's cancelled"

it's a phrase that needs to be banished from public transport...Metro use it frequently too.

(20 Mar 2022, 12:25 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]"operational reasons" is not an excuse, either. it adds nothing more to the update than "it's cancelled because it's cancelled"

it's a phrase that needs to be banished from public transport...Metro use it frequently too.

It's as if they don't realise passengers would be more understanding of cancellations if they knew the reason for the cancellation.

To me, 'operational reasons' sounds like the cancellation was a choice for the benefit of the company rather than a necessity, as in they chose to cancel that service as they can make more money using that bus/driver on another route, rather than they had to cancel it because of a breakdown.

Felt sorry for anyone who wanted the 12.50 X1 to any further than Washington Galleries as it displayed on the board that the bus would go to Peterlee yet came in as a X1 to The Galleries yet noticed was mention on the website. What's the point in putting short notice cancelled buses out to the public when half of them aren't even listed

Stand was really full and I just knew the next X1 would come in saying the Galleries

To me, GNE are quickly becoming an absolute sh*tshow of a bus company. Took my daughter to Beamish yesterday. Had a brilliant day until it came to getting home as the 14:30 28 back to Newcastle never showed, and there was nothing on Twitter or Facebook about it being cancelled. It's getting to the point where I'm now actively trying to avoid using GNE because of how unreliable they are.

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