North East Buses

I might be living under a rock but bar 1 service a day none of them stop in Newcastle anyway so don't really see the point in changing it personally, assuming this was because it was boxing day where they were running short.

Go North East have now implemented 'Full Bus' displays, I first saw this today, earlier on the 20 coming in Park Lane from Durham. 


It had 20 South Shields etc then flashed to 20 Bus Full. 

Tbh This should have been brought in a few months ago.

They've been a thing for almost two years though?

(17 Jan 2022, 7:40 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]They've been a thing for almost two years though?

It used to be for social distancing, I have seen some immensely busy buses and it was the first time i have seen it used. 

It wasn't even used for the 3 packed X1's I saw.

(17 Jan 2022, 8:55 pm)Omega54 wrote [ -> ]It used to be for social distancing, I have seen some immensely busy buses and it was the first time i have seen it used. 

It wasn't even used for the 3 packed X1's I saw.

It was never removed, it's just driver's who have forgotten it's there or can't be bothered to use it.

What's the score with them being used? I thought it removed the service number and destination from the display to replace it with a bus full message, so if for example the DVSA were out doing spot checks, how would they know that the service has operated?

(18 Jan 2022, 5:38 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]What's the score with them being used? I thought it removed the service number and destination from the display to replace it with a bus full message, so if for example the DVSA were out doing spot checks, how would they know that the service has operated?

Still displays the route number all the time, and flips back and forth between the destination and "Bus Full".

(19 Jan 2022, 3:02 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Still displays the route number all the time, and flips back and forth between the destination and "Bus Full".

When the bus is full do you use them?

The hydrogen demo Stagecoach is trilling is fitted with a HD LED screen making the text look like it’s printed on a blind rather than dots of light:

https://twitter.com/hanoverdisplays/stat...62723?s=21

Metro M logo on GNE destination:

https://twitter.com/bowes96callum/status...54976?s=21

(10 Mar 2022, 8:05 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Metro M logo on GNE destination:

https://twitter.com/bowes96callum/status...54976?s=21

Passengers won't be able to see the M though.
What with it being on that side of the blind and the whole argument about not being able to see the number when it's positioned there and the operator ignoring best practice guidance...

(10 Mar 2022, 8:24 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Passengers won't be able to see the M though.
What with it being on that side of the blind and the whole argument about not being able to see the number when it's positioned there and the operator ignoring best practice guidance...

At least it's an attempt to promote some sort of integration with other modes of transport across the region.

Perhaps GNE could include the Amazon Logo on the destination once it arrives at The Galleries and when it departs Heworth.

(10 Mar 2022, 9:07 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]At least it's an attempt to promote some sort of integration with other modes of transport across the region.

Perhaps GNE could include the Amazon Logo on the destination once it arrives at The Galleries and when it departs Heworth.

Only happens at Heworth for the Amazon 4 runs. It would confuse passengers to much

(10 Mar 2022, 9:07 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ] At least it's an attempt to promote some sort of integration with other modes of transport across the region. 

Perhaps GNE could include the Amazon Logo on the destination once it arrives at The Galleries and when it departs Heworth.

It is. It's a huge start. Just a shame nobody would be able to see it.

(obviously they can see it and can probably see it clearly, but yer kna - there's this obsession that people can't. Or actually, maybe they can see the M when it is positioned there, but not a number when it's there. )

It's an improvement, but I think the real problem is that some don't read the destinations at all. Not sure how you can confuse Houghton-le-Spring and Heworth, Metro logo or not.

Perhaps it's one of these cases where it's actually the infrastructure that needs to be improved? Such as having two bus stops, preferably one at each side of the road, with the Houghton-bound journeys taking an anti-clockwise route.

your also relying on the driver changing the destination screen. Many a time i was on the arriva 44 to Dinnington but it still had 44 to newcastle on by the time it reached regent centre M

(10 Mar 2022, 12:01 pm)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]your also relying on the driver changing the destination screen. Many a time i was on the arriva 44 to Dinnington but it still had 44 to newcastle on by the time it reached regent centre M

It does it automatically at Amazon

was coming out of gateshead one day last week and a 54 " voltra" was pulling in the display stated on the bottom " leaving in 5 minutes". Found this strange but a good idea at the same time !

(01 May 2022, 6:53 am)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]was coming out of gateshead one day last week and a 54 " voltra" was pulling in the display stated on the bottom " leaving in 5 minutes".  Found this strange but a good idea at the same time !

Transdev do the same with their 36 (and maybe others):


Transdev Harrogate & District: 3625 / BL65YYZ by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(01 May 2022, 3:20 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Transdev do the same with their 36 (and maybe others):


Transdev Harrogate & District: 3625 / BL65YYZ by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

IIRC, it's a pretty standard feature on Mobitec displays, which is what the Voltras use. I think it was mentioned GNE are working with Hanover to get it on the rest of the fleet

Will the new yutong buses what are supposed to be coming this year also have Mobitec displays?

(01 May 2022, 6:53 am)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]was coming out of gateshead one day last week and a 54 " voltra" was pulling in the display stated on the bottom " leaving in 5 minutes".  Found this strange but a good idea at the same time !

Saw it for the first time on Blackpool Transport about a month ago. Would be pretty handy if it said how late the bus is when Mavis or whoever asks the bus to wait 10 years for her mate Ethel slowly coming up the road on her zimmer frame. Not that anyone actually reads the destination board.

(02 May 2022, 12:49 pm)tcts24 wrote [ -> ]Saw it for the first time on Blackpool Transport about a month ago. Would be pretty handy if it said how late the bus is when Mavis or whoever asks the bus to wait 10 years for her mate Ethel slowly coming up the road on her zimmer frame. Not that anyone actually reads the destination board.

i can imagine it would be handy at say gateshead metro if you choose to bus it to Newcastle.  I'm sure most of us have jumped on the first bus with Newcastle on only to find the driver is.... changing over/ wanting to ring someone on his mobile, wanting a tab or a vap or just to stretch his legs and 3 buses fly passed as you wait there for 5 minutes!

(02 May 2022, 1:13 pm)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]i can imagine it would be handy at say gateshead metro if you choose to bus it to Newcastle.  I'm sure most of us have jumped on the first bus with Newcastle on only to find the driver is.... changing over/ wanting to ring someone on his mobile, wanting a tab or a vap or just to stretch his legs and 3 buses fly passed as you wait there for 5 minutes!

That scenario is understandable. But it's a bit different when people stick their hand out for a bus with "Not in Service" on the front of it. A far more common occurance than you probably think! Or services with multiple destinations where a customer gets on and asks for a fare to somewhere the bus doesn't go. Customers don't care what it says on the front, they see a bus and expect it to take them to where they want. I drove in service yesterday with not just the wrong destination, but also the wrong number! I'd done about 80% of the route before anyone pointed it out.

(02 May 2022, 1:33 pm)tcts24 wrote [ -> ]That scenario is understandable. But it's a bit different when people stick their hand out for a bus with "Not in Service" on the front of it. A far more common occurance than you probably think! Or services with multiple destinations where a customer gets on and asks for a fare to somewhere the bus doesn't go. Customers don't care what it says on the front, they see a bus and expect it to take them to where they want. I drove in service yesterday with not just the wrong destination, but also the wrong number! I'd done about 80% of the route before anyone pointed it out.

that's not just buses though.......... i could tell you where i work it doesn't matter how many, how big or how illuminated they are someone will still ask how do i get too.............

(02 May 2022, 1:33 pm)tcts24 wrote [ -> ]That scenario is understandable. But it's a bit different when people stick their hand out for a bus with "Not in Service" on the front of it. A far more common occurance than you probably think! Or services with multiple destinations where a customer gets on and asks for a fare to somewhere the bus doesn't go. Customers don't care what it says on the front, they see a bus and expect it to take them to where they want. I drove in service yesterday with not just the wrong destination, but also the wrong number! I'd done about 80% of the route before anyone pointed it out.

I was on a 56 towards Sunderland that had 'Newcastle' on the front the whole way (which of course knocked off the announcements) a couple weeks ago. Would've told the driver when i got off but my stop was like 4 or 5 before it arrived at Park Lane. Honestly, don't think anyone getting on noticed (and ironically I could've sworn it said 'Sunderland' when I got on!).

While we're here, I think many routes could just get away with this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N07/30675961784

(not the 61 though, because Dalton Park)

I presume some of these suggestions are being made in jest.

Although regulars will fairly confidently board their bus if heading in the right direction despite the driving having failed to change the destination from the previous journey, it would be stupid to suggest we do away with destinations completely, or route numbers in favour of route names as others have done.

The bus network must be simple to understand and easy to use at the end of the day, not just for the regulars but for the infrequent and new users too. 

People unfamiliar with the area/direction of travel should be able to quickly board an approaching bus with a suitable destination displayed without having to study the literature displayed at the stop first. 

Likewise a reason for keeping route numbers, colour blind or partially sighted people may not rely on route branding, and people with little/no English or who cannot read at all would find it more difficult to identify a route name over a route number.

(03 May 2022, 1:58 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]I presume some of these suggestions are being made in jest.

Although regulars will fairly confidently board their bus if heading in the right direction despite the driving having failed to change the destination from the previous journey, it would be stupid to suggest we do away with destinations completely, or route numbers in favour of route names as others have done.

The bus network must be simple to understand and easy to use at the end of the day, not just for the regulars but for the infrequent and new users too. 

People unfamiliar with the area/direction of travel should be able to quickly board an approaching bus with a suitable destination displayed without having to study the literature displayed at the stop first. 

Likewise a reason for keeping route numbers, colour blind or partially sighted people may not rely on route branding, and people with little/no English or who cannot read at all would find it more difficult to identify a route name over a route number.

DIFFERENT BUS ROUTES BUT WITH THE SAME NUMBER ARE THE BAIN OF MY LIFE. THERE ARE 999 PLUS DIFFENT PERMUTATION BUS COMPANIES COULD USE BUT THEY ALL SEEM HELL BENT ON JUST USING 1-100 WITH A FEW LETTERS THROWN IN.... EXCEPT FOT THE ODD EXCEPTIONS

(03 May 2022, 2:25 pm)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]DIFFERENT BUS ROUTES BUT WITH THE SAME NUMBER ARE THE BAIN OF MY LIFE. THERE ARE 999 PLUS DIFFENT PERMUTATION BUS COMPANIES COULD USE BUT THEY ALL SEEM HELL BENT ON JUST USING 1-100 WITH A FEW LETTERS THROWN IN.... EXCEPT FOT THE ODD EXCEPTIONS

Agreed. It’s ridiculous. 
At one point in Central Newcastle we had services
1, 1, N1, Q1, X1 & X1A.

As I'm sure many of you are aware, Holmeside in Sunderland has 2 route 20s serving it, going to different places and operated by different companies. Wouldn't surprise me if someone's got on the GNE 20 wanting to go to Pennywell.

Also my suggestion of ditching destinations altogether was a bit tongue-in-cheek.