North East Buses

You have quoted me, but not actually said anything?

As both a bus enthusiast and bus user, I like to see changes to services. I don't think keeping everything completely the same is the best. Yes, keep established and well used services 22, 39/40, 62/63, but also create new services like a 64, 73 instead of 87 with some changes, run the 74. Day Riders are not always the best option, or even needed if only really using GNE, Day Rider Plus exploits some extra money for still using just Stagecoach. Buses just blend into the background when nothing about them changes, and the companies need to attract new passengers. After 26 years of so, I eventually gave up on Stagecoach and no matter what they do, they have lost my custom forever.

(20 Dec 2021, 2:14 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]You have quoted me, but not actually said anything?

As both a bus enthusiast and bus user, I like to see changes to services. I don't think keeping everything completely the same is the best. Yes, keep established and well used services 22, 39/40, 62/63, but also create new services like a 64, 73 instead of 87 with some changes, run the 74. Day Riders are not always the best option, or even needed if only really using GNE, Day Rider Plus exploits some extra money for still using just Stagecoach. Buses just blend into the background when nothing about them changes, and the companies need to attract new passengers. After 26 years of so, I eventually gave up on Stagecoach and no matter what they do, they have lost my custom forever.

What did Stagecoach do that was so dastardly and heinous that they lost your custom forever?

(21 Dec 2021, 6:05 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]What did Stagecoach do that was so dastardly and heinous that they lost your custom forever?

Must be something beyond scandalous considering they’d rather use services which run a few times a day or less!!

(21 Dec 2021, 6:15 pm)Thomas12 wrote [ -> ]Must be something beyond scandalous considering they’d rather use services which run a few times a day or less!!

 
Not to mention the distances involved in walking when they consider their local services to be the 33/33a, 42a, 74, Q3 and 'X84/85 as mentioned in a post elsewhere on tbe forum

(21 Dec 2021, 6:05 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]What did Stagecoach do that was so dastardly and heinous that they lost your custom forever?

They lost him jobs..(he mentioned it in another thread)

(20 Dec 2021, 2:14 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]You have quoted me, but not actually said anything?

As both a bus enthusiast and bus user, I like to see changes to services. I don't think keeping everything completely the same is the best. Yes, keep established and well used services 22, 39/40, 62/63, but also create new services like a 64, 73 instead of 87 with some changes, run the 74. Day Riders are not always the best option, or even needed if only really using GNE, Day Rider Plus exploits some extra money for still using just Stagecoach. Buses just blend into the background when nothing about them changes, and the companies need to attract new passengers. After 26 years of so, I eventually gave up on Stagecoach and no matter what they do, they have lost my custom forever.

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Apologies OrangeArrow. Browser trouble . I didn’t mean to quote you.

(21 Dec 2021, 6:39 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ] 
Not to mention the distances involved in walking when they consider their local services to be the 33/33a, 42a, 74, Q3 and 'X84/85 as mentioned in a post elsewhere on tbe forum

I'm fortunate to have so many local services. GNE 12/12A, 33/33A, 42A, 74, Q3, and X84/X85 (soon to be 684), GCT 84/84A, A-Line 792 and 941 and Phoenix Coaches 808. Better to walk and use reliable, pleasant buses imo.

Mercedes Sprinter on the 808 yesterday afternoon, swapped over with the M71.

Peugeot Boxer BD63EUW tracking as Mercedes Sprinter Cityline 932 was on the 808 yesterday. No sign of the 808 this morning, anyone know anything?

(22 Jan 2022, 12:30 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Peugeot Boxer BD63EUW tracking as Mercedes Sprinter Cityline 932 was on the 808 yesterday. No sign of the 808 this morning, anyone know anything?

The 808 hasn't tracked on a Saturday since the 8th, it may just be that they're using a minibus of some sort instead of a bus.

(22 Jan 2022, 1:03 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]The 808 hasn't tracked on a Saturday since the 8th, it may just be that they're using a minibus of some sort instead of a bus.

Good point, I hadn't realised. No word from Phoenix for why it didn't turn up (might have been early or broke down). So they put a different minibus on the 808 on Saturdays? Anyway to find out what bus/minibus was on?

Apparently the 808 did run yesterday and it must have been very early. No idea why it doesn't track on Saturdays, but it was BGZ/931 allocated yesterday afternoon to Bellingham.

M71 cancelled.

No tracking on the 808 this morning. Ticket machine tracking on different vehicles recently.

Could the 808 be extended to merge with the 185 Haltwhistle to Birdoswald Roman Fort service? This could reduce the cost for Northumberland Council and introduce new links.

(25 Feb 2022, 9:06 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Could the 808 be extended to merge with the 185 Haltwhistle to Birdoswald Roman Fort service? This could reduce the cost for Northumberland Council and introduce new links.

The 185? That's ridiculous - it's almost an hour journey from Otterburn to Haltwhistle/Birdoswald and they run at different times of day. No cost reduction there and hardly enough passengers to justify it.

(25 Feb 2022, 9:37 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]The 185? That's ridiculous - it's almost an hour journey from Otterburn to Haltwhistle/Birdoswald and they run at different times of day. No cost reduction there and hardly enough passengers to justify it.

If you were forced to legally merge it with another service maybe the GNE 680 as it also serves bellingham, otherwise just leave it.

EDIT: Ironically they're both due at 10:10 at Bellingham Parkside Place

(25 Feb 2022, 10:08 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]If you were forced to legally merge it with another service maybe the GNE 680 as it also serves bellingham, otherwise just leave it.

EDIT: Ironically they're both due at 10:10 at Bellingham Parkside Place

The 808 only serves Bellingham on Saturdays.

I do wonder if any improvements could be made to Northumberland services like the local and infrequent links. On some afternoons the 808 does get nearly full, and I do wonder if promoting the service could attract new passengers. Recently the Saturday morning trip gained a new passenger who previously had no clue the service existed.

(26 Feb 2022, 11:37 am)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]Bustimes.org

M71 Cancellation 27th March

As I said on 28th January, a few posts above. Read, then post. Forums work better with a read and respond approach rather than post, post, post of the same information. M71 is merging with the 42A to form the 342, as discussed already. The M71 was cancelled weeks ago, hence my post being 28th January.

(26 Feb 2022, 1:16 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]As I said on 28th January, a few posts above. Read, then post. Forums work better with a read and respond approach rather than post, post, post of the same information. M71 is merging with the 42A to form the 342, as discussed already. The M71 was cancelled weeks ago, hence my post being 28th January.

With respect though, your post just states "M71 cancelled"

The other member has confirmed the cancellation date, therefore, a legitimate post

(26 Feb 2022, 4:42 pm)ifm001 wrote [ -> ]With respect though, your post just states "M71 cancelled"

The other member has confirmed the cancellation date, therefore, a legitimate post

Because the cancellation date is the same for all services, and was received on 20th January so a post on the 26th February is rather late. The M71 is a local service anyway so probably doesn't get much attention from most people on here. We don't need to confirm the 342 replaces the M71 on 27th March as really its obvious, one service ends when the other starts, a gap in service would be inconvenient and stupid really. Good point though, I'll be sure to specify the vital details in future to avoid someone else having to repeat old information 4 weeks later.

Apparently phoenix is getting the 6 in Newcastle from the 27th March which is to become the M6

Phoenix have been operating the 808 with a minibus/van and unclear as being a service bus, let alone the 808 service. Unimpressed.

Phoenix have been using a number of different vehicles on the 808 which are not included on their fleet list on bustimes.org.

Phoenix Coaches RE22 ETR by kieron mathews, on Flickr

a new arrival in the fleet is Iveco Daily / Illesbus i-City Max RE22 ETR

(29 Jun 2022, 5:41 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]Phoenix Coaches RE22 ETR by kieron mathews, on Flickr

a new arrival in the fleet is Iveco Daily / Illesbus i-City Max RE22 ETR

Phoenix have quite a lot of buses which are not on the bustimes fleet list.

This seems to be seeing exclusive use on the 58 now. Could I find out how long Phoenix have their existing contracts for? Of course the 552 and M6 are until March 2023. I'm not sure if they will always have the 808, or indeed will the 808 continue to exist in the long term?

Phoenix have won the contract for service 434/448 from September.

Info from Cllr Alex Wallace - Sleekburn Ward's Facebook page:
A new timetable will come in from September 4th for the 434 service which will be run by Phoenix. There are no additional buses but following the withdrawal of Go North East I am pleased we have been able to attract another provider. There are some changes in times to fall in with the changes made by Bedlington Academy. There will be a small change to young persons fares ranging from 60p to £1.30 and OAP/Disabled concession will be valid even on those starting before 09.00 Monday-Friday. The buses will use Ashington bus station both ways. Hope that helps those who use the service.
A funding bid has been made to the North of Tyne Authority for a 1 hour service on this route to service the re-opening of the rail link. We are very hopeful of this being successful and I will keep everyone informed if we do get the funding.

Timetable (Saturday times are the same as M-F):

[attachment=10199]

(19 Aug 2022, 2:25 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Phoenix have won the contract for service 434/448 from September.

Info from Cllr Alex Wallace - Sleekburn Ward's Facebook page:
A new timetable will come in from September 4th for the 434 service which will be run by Phoenix. There are no additional buses but following the withdrawal of Go North East I am pleased we have been able to attract another provider. There are some changes in times to fall in with the changes made by Bedlington Academy. There will be a small change to young persons fares ranging from 60p to £1.30 and OAP/Disabled concession will be valid even on those starting before 09.00 Monday-Friday. The buses will use Ashington bus station both ways. Hope that helps those who use the service.
A funding bid has been made to the North of Tyne Authority for a 1 hour service on this route to service the re-opening of the rail link. We are very hopeful of this being successful and I will keep everyone informed if we do get the funding.

Timetable (Saturday times are the same as M-F):

No idea how accurate this quote is. But interesting nonetheless.
Sounds like they've sacked this one off.

(19 Aug 2022, 6:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]No idea how accurate this quote is. But interesting nonetheless.
Sounds like they've sacked this one off.

Go North East lost the contract, they did not sack it off.


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(19 Aug 2022, 7:43 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Go North East lost the contract, they did not sack it off.


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I had a feeling that would be the case.

Interesting that the councilor had that perception though. If he does, imagine the paying passengers? Where's the rurmour come from?

(19 Aug 2022, 9:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I had a feeling that would be the case.

Interesting that the councilor had that perception though. If he does, imagine the paying passengers? Where's the rurmour come from?

It's almost as if politicians twist things to make it sound like they solved a problem!