North East Buses

Service suspended between South Gosforth and Haymarket due to overhead line issues.

No trains due at Park Lane for half an hour. Think I will go for the bus!

(22 Oct 2014, 3:10 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Service suspended between South Gosforth and Haymarket due to overhead line issues.

No trains due at Park Lane for half an hour. Think I will go for the bus!

It's getting beyond a joke now - Do you get all of these problems on the London Underground? I don't think so.

(22 Oct 2014, 3:26 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]It's getting beyond a joke now - Do you get all of these problems on the London Underground? I don't think so.

Cannot, The Tube does not operate using overhead wires, but I do get what you mean, it does seem frequently that there is some sort of issues.

(22 Oct 2014, 4:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Cannot, The Tube does not operate using overhead wires, but I do get what you mean, it does seem frequently that there is some sort of issues.

Oh right cheers
I thought they were, but you learn something new everyday.

I can guarantee you I won't be using the Metro any more. 

@Dan
Tell you what Dan, for someone who does nowt but complain about the metro, you are seemingly never off it (when you can get a train)!

Good job there is 'some' integration left. Roll on full integration

(22 Oct 2014, 6:19 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]@Dan
Tell you what Dan, for someone who does nowt but complain about the metro, you are seemingly never off it (when you can get a train)!

Good job there is 'some' integration left. Roll on full integration

For nothing more than the convenience the Tyne & Wear Metro can allow. If time permits, I'll always favour the bus, simply due to the fact it's a lot more reliable (even those blasted Economic services are more reliable than the Metro system). Thankfully, I live in an area with a very good bus service, with over 50 buses per hour at peak times.

Today I happened to be walking through Park Lane, and I considered using the Metro given that I wasn't with friends who can only use services E1/E2/E6 to get home. Obviously I continued walking through when the departure boards had something like "Airport 28m, Airport 33m"...

Unfortunately, I don't think Quality Contracts will assist the reliability of the Tyne & Wear Metro service.

(22 Oct 2014, 3:26 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]It's getting beyond a joke now - Do you get all of these problems on the London Underground? I don't think so.

It's really hard to compare the two, as the Metro is massively reliant on the backbone between Pelaw and South Gosforth. If there's a single issue between those two points, the entire system seems to collapse. With the Tube, you may have severe delays on one line, but the rest of the lines are providing a good service.

(22 Oct 2014, 6:55 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]It's really hard to compare the two, as the Metro is massively reliant on the backbone between Pelaw and South Gosforth. If there's a single issue between those two points, the entire system seems to collapse. With the Tube, you may have severe delays on one line, but the rest of the lines are providing a good service.

Yeah I suppose...
It's every day though, was it like that a couple of years ago?

(22 Oct 2014, 7:00 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Yeah I suppose...
It's every day though, was it like that a couple of years ago?

An interesting question. I often wonder whether it's because we now have delay information at our finger tips, or whether it's a case that problems have massively increased. It'd be interesting to see some historical performance data to compare with the current data.

(22 Oct 2014, 7:02 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]An interesting question. I often wonder whether it's because we now have delay information at our finger tips, or whether it's a case that problems have massively increased. It'd be interesting to see some historical performance data to compare with the current data.

The Nexus Annual Reports and Accounts offer Performance and Development data for the past three financial years, which I have attached for the convenience of everyone.

During 2011/12:

• Metro patronage also declined by almost 2.4 million in 2011/12 and fell just below 38 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
• Metro Charter punctuality was 88.4% during 2011/12, an improvement on the 86.5% in the previous year.
  

During 2012/13:

•  Metro patronage declined by around 500,000 in 2012/13 to 37 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 86.0% during 2012/13, a decline on the 88.4% in the previous year.
  

During 2013/14:

•  Metro patronage declined by 1.3 million in 2013/14 to 35.7 million journeys, half of which is attributed to Major Line Closures, a necessary feature of our Metro: all change modernisation programme. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus‟ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 82.6% during 2013/14, a decrease on the 88.0% in the previous year.
  

Whilst there are discrepancies in the reported figures of Metro punctuality (see italics above - reported as 86% in 2012/13, though 88% in 2013/14), it is evident that Metro Charter punctuality has decreased year on year, which I'd argue could in part contribute to the decline in Metro patronage too (amongst other factors).

[attachment=6030]
[attachment=6031]
[attachment=6033]

(22 Oct 2014, 7:23 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The Nexus Annual Reports and Accounts offer Performance and Development for the past three financial years, which I have attached for the convenience of everyone.

During 2011/12:

• Metro patronage also declined by almost 2.4 million in 2011/12 and fell just below 38 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
• Metro Charter punctuality was 88.4% during 2011/12, an improvement on the 86.5% in the previous year.
  

During 2012/13:

•  Metro patronage declined by around 500,000 in 2012/13 to 37 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 86.0% during 2012/13, a decline on the 88.4% in the previous year.
  

During 2013/14:

•  Metro patronage declined by 1.3 million in 2013/14 to 35.7 million journeys, half of which is attributed to Major Line Closures, a necessary feature of our Metro: all change modernisation programme. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus‟ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 82.6% during 2013/14, a decrease on the 88.0% in the previous year.
  

Whilst there are discrepancies in the reported figures of Metro punctuality (see italics above - reported as 86% in 2012/13, though 88% in 2013/14), it is evident that Metro Charter punctuality has decreased year on year, which I'd argue could in part contribute to the decline in Metro patronage too (amongst other factors).

I was thinking more pre vs post privatisation, so something for a few years before Apr 2010. I don't think the annual reports really paint a picture at all, as to me, it's another case of an organisation more than happy to hide behind a percentage. I'm assuming there'll be a record held somewhere of monthly/quarterly performance reporting, which would include the incidents during that period.

On a related note, has anyone else found that the Metro performance posters appear to have disappeared from the website?

(22 Oct 2014, 7:23 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]During 2011/12:

• Metro patronage also declined by almost 2.4 million in 2011/12 and fell just below 38 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
• Metro Charter punctuality was 88.4% during 2011/12, an improvement on the 86.5% in the previous year.
  

During 2012/13:

•  Metro patronage declined by around 500,000 in 2012/13 to 37 million journeys. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus’ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 86.0% during 2012/13, a decline on the 88.4% in the previous year.
  

During 2013/14:

•  Metro patronage declined by 1.3 million in 2013/14 to 35.7 million journeys, half of which is attributed to Major Line Closures, a necessary feature of our Metro: all change modernisation programme. The impact that this loss of patronage has on Nexus‟ financial performance is kept under constant review.
  
•  Metro Charter punctuality was 82.6% during 2013/14, a decrease on the 88.0% in the previous year.
  

Further to this, please see screenshot attached from Go North East's original Quality Contracts Scheme response (November 2013):

[attachment=6034]

This provides data from 2007/08 onwards, though from a quick search on my computer, I cannot find anything which dates back earlier than this.

(22 Oct 2014, 8:22 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Further to this, please see screenshot attached from Go North East's original Quality Contracts Scheme response (November 2013):



This provides data from 2007/08 onwards, though from a quick search on my computer, I cannot find anything which dates back earlier than this.

Interesting figures. Growth through a recession under public management, then shrinkage each year post privatisation. Another example of where PPP has failed us?

Metro off between St James and North Shields due to a police incident.

Metro tweeting that Arriva are accepting tickets on the 1/1A... Confusing...

(22 Oct 2014, 7:02 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]An interesting question. I often wonder whether it's because we now have delay information at our finger tips, or whether it's a case that problems have massively increased. It'd be interesting to see some historical performance data to compare with the current data.

I often think the same with buses. Social media, in particular, has highlighted some the problems all modes of public transport face in recent years. In the past, it was unlikely that we would have heard about buses breaking down or metros not operating unless we were directly affected. Nowadays, we get to know everything more or less as and when it happens. So, I often wonder, whether public transport has always been as unreliable as is often portrayed today, or whether our perceptions of unreliability has changed based upon advances in personal communications.

Personally, I haven't encountered many problems when using public transport. but maybe I don't use it often enough for any issues to affect greatly. 

Go North East · Just now
In relation to our earlier update, we are no longer accepting Metro tickets on our services.

(24 Oct 2014, 8:05 am)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Metro off between St James and North Shields due to a police incident.

Metro tweeting that Arriva are accepting tickets on the 1/1A...  Confusing...

There was a fire on the train at Howdon. The trains are back on now, but there was 30m wait at Wallsend earlier.

Absolute joke...
''We are running a frequent service with trains running to all destinations but not to the usual timetable. This is due to low rail adhesion.''

(24 Oct 2014, 3:31 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Absolute joke...
''We are running a frequent service with trains running to all destinations but not to the usual timetable. This is due to low rail adhesion.''

Ha'way, that's been the daily announcement for a good week or so now!

(24 Oct 2014, 3:33 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Ha'way, that's been the daily announcement for a good week or so now!

They need to sort the metro system out big time.

Going back, this week, these have been the delays, from last Friday:

17th October, 09:00 - Service affected by a signalling problem in the South Gosforth area, delays of up to 15 mins.
17th October, 16:00 - Minor delays between St James and South Shields due to a technical problem.
17th October, 17:00 - Trains unable to serve Hebburn P2.
17th October, 18:00 -  Delays of 15 mins between Airport and South Hylton Delays of up to 15 mins between St James and South Shields Delays of up to 15 mins between South Gosforth and Pelaw but to a technical fault.

18th October, 07:00 - 30 minutes delays between Bede and St James due to a technical fault.
18th October, 12:00 - No trains running between South Gosforth and Four Lane Ends in both directions, due to signalling problems.
18th October, 15:00 - No trains between Monument and Heworth due to a problem with the overhead lines.

20th October, 19:00 - Trains unable to run to timetable due to low rail adhesion. 

21st October, 16:00 - Trains unable to run to timetable due to low rail adhesion.

22nd October, 13:00 - No trains in either direction between South Gosforth and Haymarket, to allow for emergency repair work to the overhead line.
22nd October, 18:00 - Trains unable to run to timetable due to low rail adhesion.

23rd October, 08:00 - No trains from North Shields to St. James due to a police incident. 
23rd October, 16:00 - Trains unable to run to timetable due to low rail adhesion.

Absolutely pathetic.

My issue earlier was that Metro advised that Arriva would be accepting tickets on the 1/1A services. Nice of them, considering they don't run it.

(24 Oct 2014, 5:46 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]My issue earlier was that Metro advised that Arriva would be accepting tickets on the 1/1A services. Nice of them, considering they don't run it.

Yeah - they edited their Facebook post once someone pulled them on it.

(24 Oct 2014, 5:47 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Yeah - they edited their Facebook post once someone pulled them on it.

I'd tweeted them about it, and they put the same message out about half an hour later. I don't really follow Facebook.

(24 Oct 2014, 5:46 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]My issue earlier was that Metro advised that Arriva would be accepting tickets on the 1/1A services. Nice of them, considering they don't run it.

They also said they were accepting tickets on the 2 - what is the 2?

A service operated by GNE quite some time ago!

GNE said they were accepting tickets on serv 310 too and Nexus didn't.

Sounds like a case of too many chefs...

(24 Oct 2014, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]A service operated by GNE quite some time ago!

GNE said they were accepting tickets on serv 310 too and Nexus didn't.

Jesus yes of course! Was the Coaster!

Also, they think that Bus services 12.18,40,22 operate between St James and North Shields.

Delays on the metro, due to a incident at Gateshead Stadium station

(25 Oct 2014, 6:08 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update...etro-fire/

Old news. 
What was the incident at Gateshead Stadium yesterday?