North East Buses

7578 is currently tracking as SPRR on the x93

(19 Mar 2024, 5:23 pm)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]7578 is currently tracking as SPRR on the x93

I believe 7532 is tracking as 7578 North of the Tyne.

(19 Mar 2024, 5:55 pm)Shrek wrote [ -> ]I believe 7532 is tracking as 7578 North of the Tyne.

7579 80 have transferred to Redcar whitby this evening  and 1462 97 have transferred to Ashington in their place

(21 Mar 2024, 9:29 pm)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]7579 80 have transferred to Redcar whitby this evening  and 1462 97 have transferred to Ashington in their place

Having seen the amount of people standing on a Streetlite X21 leaving Haymarket earlier, I'm sure the passengers from Ashington will be thrilled with this exchange.

(21 Mar 2024, 9:32 pm)Shrek wrote [ -> ]Having seen the amount of people standing on a Streetlite X21 leaving Haymarket earlier, I'm sure the passengers from Ashington will be thrilled with this exchange.

Good thing there's a railway line coming so people don't have to bother anymore. 

If they had any business sense they'd be doing everything they can to promote how good they are, not doing everything to promote why people should use the trains instead with an absymal service. The cancellations on the X21/X22 were both shocking today aswell.

I know I'll be voting with my feet and frankly, if I had to be honest, if Arriva went bust - I really couldn't care less and by the general comments on the local facebook groups around here, nor could anyone else.

(21 Mar 2024, 10:32 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Good thing there's a railway line coming so people don't have to bother anymore. 

If they had any business sense they'd be doing everything they can to promote how good they are, not doing everything to promote why people should use the trains instead with an absymal service. The cancellations on the X21/X22 were both shocking today aswell.

I know I'll be voting with my feet and frankly, if I had to be honest, if Arriva went bust - I really couldn't care less.

Not just the x21 with the cancellations, several cancellations across the 43/44/45 during rush hour. 

The one hope is that when the takeover happens, they bring in people with business sense and a strategy to improve and grow. I'm not holding my breath though.

(21 Mar 2024, 10:36 pm)Shrek wrote [ -> ]Not just the x21 with the cancellations, several cancellations across the 43/44/45 during rush hour. 

The one hope is that when the takeover happens, they bring in people with business sense and a strategy to improve and grow. I'm not holding my breath though.

Didn't see the 43/44/45 ones, I know it's been an absolute shambles from Blyth across the board trying to get into Newcastle tonight though.

Yeah same to be honest, but I don't see much either. Arriva Northumbria could be a car crash if they don't get a grip of things and people do move across - as they'll never return imo. 

I have a feeling franchising will be in soon enough though, and that'll be a mess aswell as it'll be ran by Gannon who is as incompetent as anyone else.

(21 Mar 2024, 10:51 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Didn't see the 43/44/45 ones, I know it's been an absolute shambles from Blyth across the board trying to get into Newcastle tonight though.

Yeah same to be honest, but I don't see
much either. Arriva Northumbria could be a car crash if they don't get a grip of things and people do move across - as they'll never return imo. 

I have a feeling franchising will be in soon enough though, and that'll be a mess aswell as it'll be ran by Gannon who is as incompetent as anyone else.

It's not all about northrumbria  its about time we got some decent buses down here  loads of people have been left behind on the x93 route that makes more money than the x22

(22 Mar 2024, 8:06 am)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]It's not all about northrumbria  its about time we got some decent buses down here  loads of people have been left behind on the x93 route that makes more money than the x22

Just because Redcar can't look after it's buses it shouldn't be the job of us up here to bail it out. 

Also I'd be surprised if the X93 makes more money than the X22. 

I'd argue the X21/X22 is the flagship route across the whole of Arriva North East rather than a Summer seasonal route.

(22 Mar 2024, 8:06 am)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]It's not all about northrumbria  its about time we got some decent buses down here  loads of people have been left behind on the x93 route that makes more money than the x22

Maybe if Redcar looked after their vehicles then people wouldn't be left behind? Hasn't 7401 been VOR on and off for nearly a year now with the same axle issue? 

On the money part, do you have any figures to support that? I see X22s daily, and use the route semi-frequently and they're always reasonably busy and have ran at 3 buses per hour for years compared to an hourly service which is only really busy for at most half of the year?

(21 Mar 2024, 10:51 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Didn't see the 43/44/45 ones, I know it's been an absolute shambles from Blyth across the board trying to get into Newcastle tonight though.

Yeah same to be honest, but I don't see much either. Arriva Northumbria could be a car crash if they don't get a grip of things and people do move across - as they'll never return imo. 

I have a feeling franchising will be in soon enough though, and that'll be a mess aswell as it'll be ran by Gannon who is as incompetent as anyone else.

I'm not sure about that as he's managing to fleece me for a few hundred quid in council tax and I can even remember the last time the roads were swept or graffiti removed !

Problem with the train is not everybody on the X21/22 corridor lives near a station.

(22 Mar 2024, 10:17 am)RMF1254 wrote [ -> ]Problem with the train is not everybody on the X21/22 corridor lives near a station.

Plus not everyone is going to Newcastle, to the continued shock of people on here.

(22 Mar 2024, 8:55 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Maybe if Redcar looked after their vehicles then people wouldn't be left behind? Hasn't 7401 been VOR on and off for nearly a year now with the same axle issue? 

On the money part, do you have any figures to support that? I see X22s daily, and use the route semi-frequently and they're always reasonably busy and have ran at 3 buses per hour for years compared to an hourly service which is only really busy for at most half of the year?

Excuse  me there replacement the ALX400 that are 18 years old  ex London  !!!!

(22 Mar 2024, 1:52 pm)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]Excuse  me there replacement the ALX400 that are 18 years old  ex London  !!!!

What does that have to do with it? 

I pointed out that they have a recurring issue with vehicles being VOR for long periods of time and returned to service to fail again with the exact same problem. It's incompetence, plain and simple. 

The fact they're getting 4 new buses to replace 3 seasonal vehicles highlights how poor their ability to maintain vehicles is, and yet again other areas (Darlington and Ashington) are being made to suffer because of it.

(22 Mar 2024, 4:04 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What does that have to do with it? 

I pointed out that they have a recurring issue with vehicles being VOR for long periods of time and returned to service to fail again with the exact same problem. It's incompetence, plain and simple. 

The fact they're getting 4 new buses to replace 3 seasonal vehicles highlights how poor their ability to maintain vehicles is, and yet again other areas (Darlington and Ashington) are being made to suffer because of it.

Yep, Redcar have 4 B9's out of Service right now also. Currently there using a DB300 and a Temsa on the X93 today.

(22 Mar 2024, 11:02 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Plus not everyone is going to Newcastle, to the continued shock of people on here.

I'd be very surprised if the vast majority of people on the X21/X22 aren't going to either Ashington or Newcastle which both have stations.

Some are underestimating the more across on here, Arriva is a complete shambles and borderline unusable.

I'd be arguing that they'll be taking people from their cars who have abandoned the bus completely as the X22, in particular, is unusable the past week and if the strikes go ahead, won't be getting better either.

If Arriva Strikes go ahead it will be a great week for GNE Services, but it would leave Ashington bar one service a day busless with no other means of transport

(22 Mar 2024, 4:04 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What does that have to do with it? 

I pointed out that they have a recurring issue with vehicles being VOR for long periods of time and returned to service to fail again with the exact same problem. It's incompetence, plain and simple. 

The fact they're getting 4 new buses to replace 3 seasonal vehicles highlights how poor their ability to maintain vehicles is, and yet again other areas (Darlington and Ashington) are being made to suffer because of it.

Don't know why u moaning  Ashington are getting pulsars  so end of  Ashington aren't suffering

---

(22 Mar 2024, 4:04 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What does that have to do with it? 

I pointed out that they have a recurring issue with vehicles being VOR for long periods of time and returned to service to fail again with the exact same problem. It's incompetence, plain and simple. 

The fact they're getting 4 new buses to replace 3 seasonal vehicles highlights how poor their ability to maintain vehicles is, and yet again other areas (Darlington and Ashington) are being made to suffer because of it.

 Another question for you  have u been on the ex London spares for the x93 x94 u would be understanding  that there  were completely failure nothing to do with maintenance or Redcar  so cut out blaming Redcar  just because u lost 4 h
Newish buses  I think it's fair why should northrumbria get all the decent  and the rest of the North East put up with ex London knackered ALX400  !!!!!

(22 Mar 2024, 7:55 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]I'd be very surprised if the vast majority of people on the X21/X22 aren't going to either Ashington or Newcastle which both have stations.

Some are underestimating the more across on here, Arriva is a complete shambles and borderline unusable.

I'd be arguing that they'll be taking people from their cars who have abandoned the bus completely as the X22, in particular, is unusable the past week and if the strikes go ahead, won't be getting better either.

Can I shock you with the information that people get on the bus outside of Ashington and Newcastle? Guide Post, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Cramlington, Gosforth, Stakeford, Choppington, and Wansbeck Hospital aren't going to suddenly disappear. 

While the service has been incredibly poor the past few weeks and people are rightly annoyed, the Conservatives have wrecked the country to the point that people who use the bus to commute likely have no other option financially - they aren't suddenly going to be able to get cars essentially.

---

(22 Mar 2024, 8:36 pm)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]Don't know why u moaning  Ashington are getting pulsars  so end of  Ashington aren't suffering

---

 Another question for you  have u been on the ex London spares for the x93 x94 u would be understanding  that there  were completely failure nothing to do with maintenance or Redcar  so cut out blaming Redcar  just because u lost 4 h
Newish buses  I think it's fair why should northrumbria get all the decent  and the rest of the North East put up with ex London knackered ALX400  !!!!!

Pulsars have a lower capacity than the vehicles they're replacing, and also aren't capable of any of the X14/15/18 duties that 7578-81 have been used on. It doesn't take a genius to work out that Ashington are getting the short end of the stick here. 

I have been on all of 7424-6 on the X93, and they performed okay. I do think they should be replaced. I don't think they should use buses which are needed in a separate part of the operation on demanding routes which are busy all year. Comprende? 

You've told me that the failure of the vehicles is nothing to do with maintenance, yet have constantly ignored the fact that 7401 has been VOR for around a year with the same issue, and that buses were constantly sent out last year with recurring issues only to fail again in service.

(22 Mar 2024, 10:50 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Can I shock you with the information that people get on the bus outside of Ashington and Newcastle? Guide Post, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Cramlington, Gosforth, Stakeford, Choppington, and Wansbeck Hospital aren't going to suddenly disappear. 

While the service has been incredibly poor the past few weeks and people are rightly annoyed, the Conservatives have wrecked the country to the point that people who use the bus to commute likely have no other option financially - they aren't suddenly going to be able to get cars essentially.

Those places alone won't be sustainable for the frequencies currently though. 

I'm unsure on the second part. I'd imagine there's plenty people who will be using the buses for convenience reasons as much as anything else, ie don't want to drive to Newcastle, in particular, because of the traffic or the cost of parking etc. I know a few people who choose transport like that. 

Personally I think they'll be the customers who'll go aswell as they'll drive to a station instead and jump on the train instead especially from the likes of Newbiggin where the X21 is long, as an understatement. 

How many of them there are, who knows vs those who can't drive for economic reasons.

(22 Mar 2024, 11:43 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Those places alone won't be sustainable for the frequencies currently though. 

Morpeth, a place with a population roughly half of Ashington, sustains a 15 minute express bus (journey time 33 mins) frequency to Newcastle while having a train service which takes just 14 minutes. I assume those services are simply full of passengers from economic hubs such as Felton, Longhorsley, Ulgham, Shilbottle, and Thropton?

(23 Mar 2024, 12:00 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Morpeth, a place with a population roughly half of Ashington, sustains a 15 minute express bus (journey time 33 mins) frequency to Newcastle while having a train service which takes just 14 minutes. I assume those services are simply full of passengers from economic hubs such as Felton, Longhorsley, Ulgham, Shilbottle, and Thropton?

I'm not sure Morpeth is comparable. 

Considering the X14/X15 and X18 (not counting the X16 as it's not commercial) take 30 minutes or so in comparison to nearer an hour from Ashington and also go places well beyond it such as Alnwick, Amble, Seahouses etc so have some flows going in the opposite direction against the peaks. No-one is travelling to Ashington from Newcastle etc unless you really need to.

Also there's no buses that serve any of the housing ie. Stobhill towards Newcastle which are near the train station.

(22 Mar 2024, 10:50 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Can I shock you with the information that people get on the bus outside of Ashington and Newcastle? Guide Post, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Cramlington, Gosforth, Stakeford, Choppington, and Wansbeck Hospital aren't going to suddenly disappear. 

While the service has been incredibly poor the past few weeks and people are rightly annoyed, the Conservatives have wrecked the country to the point that people who use the bus to commute likely have no other option financially - they aren't suddenly going to be able to get cars essentially.

---

Pulsars have a lower capacity than the vehicles they're replacing, and also aren't capable of any of the X14/15/18 duties that 7578-81 have been used on. It doesn't take a genius to work out that Ashington are getting the short end of the stick here. 

I have been on all of 7424-6 on the X93, and they performed okay. I do think they should be replaced. I don't think they should use buses which are needed in a separate part of the operation on demanding routes which are busy all year. Comprende? 

You've told me that the failure of the vehicles is nothing to do with maintenance, yet have constantly ignored the fact that 7401 has been VOR for around a year with the same issue, and that buses were constantly sent out last year with recurring issues only to fail again in service.

 It's got axle problems   nothing to do with maintenance I herd it's awaiting to get sent away to get sort it's spent it's hafe it's life on the x93 so u can expect ware and tare on the volvos

Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area. I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste.
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers. It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.

(23 Mar 2024, 12:35 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]No-one is travelling to Ashington from Newcastle etc unless you really need to.

Again, I don't think you understand the passenger flows on the services. You're ignoring the fact that there are multiple places between Newcastle and Ashington where people go, for example Cramlington Industrial Estate. Morning X21/22s often leave Newcastle with 20-30+ people on them, so evidently there are northbound passengers in the morning. 

Morning trips through to town also drop off hefty amounts there, and also at Regent Centre.

---

(23 Mar 2024, 9:29 am)tvd wrote [ -> ]Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area.  I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste. 
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers.  It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.

Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work. 

That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.

---

(23 Mar 2024, 9:29 am)tvd wrote [ -> ]Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area.  I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste. 
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers.  It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.

Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work. 

That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.

(23 Mar 2024, 9:29 am)tvd wrote [ -> ]Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area.  I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste. 
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers.  It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.

I tell you what though. It is a good job that the Temsa's have survived this long, otherwise Redcar would have been lost as a depot if they didn't hold the depot together. Seems to be Pulsars and Deckers always breaking down.

(23 Mar 2024, 11:11 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Again, I don't think you understand the passenger flows on the services. You're ignoring the fact that there are multiple places between Newcastle and Ashington where people go, for example Cramlington Industrial Estate. Morning X21/22s often leave Newcastle with 20-30+ people on them, so evidently there are northbound passengers in the morning. 

Morning trips through to town also drop off hefty amounts there, and also at Regent Centre.

---

Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work. 

That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.

Most these are covered by alternative services though for the local runs; 1, 2, 57, 57A etc. Admit not as frequent but surely you'd be better off trying to grow those routes.

I'd imagine the Regent Centre customers will be the first to move across considering you can get integrated tickets which would be substantially cheaper than having to get 2 products as now. 

We just have very different opinions on the train usage and I think, personally, it'll be much much greater than you predict and will impact the routes big time. Like personally I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Ashington buses started going via Cramlington and open more links as the Cramlington links are still poor from most parts of Bedlington etc.

(23 Mar 2024, 12:06 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Most these are covered by alternative services though for the local runs; 1, 2, 57, 57A etc. Admit not as frequent but surely you'd be better off trying to grow those routes.

I'd imagine the Regent Centre customers will be the first to move across considering you can get integrated tickets which would be substantially cheaper than having to get 2 products as now. 

We just have very different opinions on the train usage and I think, personally, it'll be much much greater than you predict and will impact the routes big time. Like personally I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Ashington buses started going via Cramlington and open more links as the Cramlington links are still poor from most parts of Bedlington etc.

As a few examples, none of the following flows are covered by the 1/2/57/57A:

• Newcastle to Cramlington Industrial Estate
  
• Newcastle to Guide Post/Bedlington
  
• Regent Centre to Cramlington Industrial Estate
  
• Regent Centre to Bedlington/Bedlington Station/Ashington/Guide Post/Stakeford/Newbiggin
  
• Cramlington Industrial Estate to Bedlington Station/Stakeford/Nedderton/Bedlington (west end/towards Rothesay Terrace)/Newbiggin/Ashington (bar the town centre)
  

Regent Centre to anywhere on the Northumberland Line would require either 2 changes (at South Gosforth and Northumberland Park) or a trip into town first to change at Central. If you've got a direct bus who is going to do that given it'll take longer? 

I think there'll be an impact on the bus in some areas, particularly because of the recent impacts of driver shortages and cancelled trips, but as someone who has had a lot of exposure to these services there are a large amount of passengers who won't be able to complete their trips on the Northumberland Line.

However in terms of the title of the chat. 3 have been sent to redcar/whitby and only 1 has been put into service