i dont know anything about the Company but i would say they must have tours and contract work to keep them going and have seen some quite new Coaches so i guess they must some decent work and this is just my view but i would think losing the school runs maybe a good thing as that type of work is hard on the Coach/Bus due to vandalism i bet a lot of firms would love just to do private tours and if possible OAPs as no bother at all any way thats just my view
(30 Jun 2015, 12:39 pm)BUSFAN wrote [ -> ]i dont know anything about the Company but i would say they must have tours and contract work to keep them going and have seen some quite new Coaches so i guess they must some decent work and this is just my view but i would think losing the school runs maybe a good thing as that type of work is hard on the Coach/Bus due to vandalism i bet a lot of firms would love just to do private tours and if possible OAPs as no bother at all any way thats just my view
I believe that the vehicles used for the school contracts are not the luxury coaches used for private hire.
There may have been some overlap between school runs and scheduled services - which are 'infrequent' throughout the day.
AFAIK they still have their scheduled services from Hexham to Colwell, Whittonstall, Bellingham and Kielder and Otterburn to Bellingham, Ponteland and Newcastle:-
http://www.howardsnaith.co.uk/timetables.html
Given they have recently used a Ford Transit, and today an Optare StarRider;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27974644@N...ed-public/
I'd guess they won't be operating services much longer. I can't recall the last time I saw their normal service buses NK09FKR and YX60DXV
(30 Jun 2015, 6:08 pm)Texten wrote [ -> ]Given they have recently used a Ford Transit, and today an Optare StarRider;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27974644@N...ed-public/
I'd guess they won't be operating services much longer. I can't recall the last time I saw their normal service buses NK09FKR and YX60DXV
I wonder if we see Go North East expand its operations in Hexham, eh? [emoji14]
Doesn't look over healthy that bus, mind..!
(30 Jun 2015, 6:08 pm)Text wrote [ -> ]Given they have recently used a Ford Transit, and today an Optare StarRider;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27974644@N...ed-public/
I'd guess they won't be operating services much longer. I can't recall the last time I saw their normal service buses NK09FKR and YX60DXV
Imagine waiting for a bus in 2015, and the predecessor to a Metrorider turning up.... it's enough to give you nightmares that!
(30 Jun 2015, 6:15 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I wonder if we see Go North East expand its operations in Hexham, eh? [emoji14]
Doesn't look over healthy that bus, mind..!
Could brand it... "North Tyne Links"
(30 Jun 2015, 6:32 pm)Text wrote [ -> ]Could brand it... "North Tyne Links"
I think Tynedale Links would be more appropriate?
Or Weardale could take on the work as they seem to be getting bigger and bigger
(30 Jun 2015, 7:26 pm)BUSFAN wrote [ -> ]Or Weardale could take on the work as they seem to be getting bigger and bigger
Highly unlikely as Bellingham's a canny hike from their territory.
(30 Jun 2015, 7:41 pm)Text wrote [ -> ]Highly unlikely as Bellingham's a canny hike from their territory.
I think Bellingham is a canny hike from anyone else's territory
(30 Jun 2015, 7:13 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]I think Tynedale Links would be more appropriate?
880/2 serves The NORTH TYNE valley. I'm being ironic given the existence of North Tyne Links in Wallsend.
(30 Jun 2015, 7:41 pm)Text wrote [ -> ]Highly unlikely as Bellingham's a canny hike from their territory.
But they have Vehicles stored at the Hanover Dairies Depot in Blaydon though, so really it wouldnt be that much of a hike, but to be honest it would be easier and more cost effective if Go North East took over all of Snaiths Operations.
(30 Jun 2015, 7:52 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]But they have Vehicles stored at the Hanover Dairies Depot in Blaydon though, so really it wouldnt be that much of a hike, but to be honest it would be easier and more cost effective if Go North East took over all of Snaiths Operations.
Neither you nor I know that though, do we? That's why good commercial folk and consultants are worth their weight in gold.
(30 Jun 2015, 6:15 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I wonder if we see Go North East expand its operations in Hexham, eh? [emoji14]
Doesn't look over healthy that bus, mind..!
if Snaiths are stopping doing these services at the end of the month, the County Councl will have to get a move on and award replacement contracts.
(30 Jun 2015, 7:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]I think Bellingham is a canny hike from anyone else's territory
Service 808 operates from Otterburn to Newcastle (via Ponteland Schools - at present), returning to Otterburn via Ponteland Schools.
Service 880 currently runs off a school run (leaving Hexham at 09:30 after dropping pupils and leaving Hexham at 15:45 after collecting pupils).
Service 882 currently interacts with the school service from Colwell to and from Hexham schools.
Service 915 operates from Otterburn to Bellingham, returning to Otterburn
This is the crux of the matter, with services operating from Kielder (even further than Bellingham) to Hexham (bringing passengers TO Hexham) there would be dead mileage without a local base such as Otterburn.
can't see GNE being at all interested in running buses in such a sparse area... sounds more like a job for the likes of Spirit Buses to me...
If Snaiths withdraw from the service routes it would be a good idea for anyone taking on the routes to approach Snaiths and enter into an out Station agreement. Snaiths would benefit by getting payment for vacant space on their site and the other operator saves on dead mileage.
(01 Jul 2015, 7:32 am)eezypeazy wrote [ -> ]can't see GNE being at all interested in running buses in such a sparse area... sounds more like a job for the likes of Spirit Buses to me...
You could argue that GNE already do operate in such areas .... 688 Hexham - Allenheads for example.
(01 Jul 2015, 8:02 am)Text wrote [ -> ]You could argue that GNE already do operate in such areas .... 688 Hexham - Allenheads for example.
The Hexham to Allenheads is a legacy route that was operated by United Automobile Services way back when I was a youngster in the 1940s.
There was a United outstation at Allenheads.
There were two routes IIRC, one operating to Allendale via Haydon Bridge (37?) and the other (38?) direct from Hexham.
The Haydon Bridge/Allendale route was established by Robert Emmerson in the late 1920s (it ran to Newcastle) - leading to closure of the passenger railway services to Allendale in 1930. The goods only line closed in 1950. Emmerson was a subsidiary of United
United morphed into Arriva NorthEast via Northumbria Motor Services (and British Bus) and then Hexham-based operations were taken over by GoNorthEast.
So far I have not seen evidence of Snaiths losing their operating licence (other than withdrawal of schools by Northumberland County Council and North Tyneside Council).
The situation WRT North Tyne scheduled services (which are, presumably, subsidised by NCC) could reduce Snaiths to a private hire operator (though, even that would be subject to the Traffic Commissioners decision).
Opportunity for someone to establish a business using Snaith's vehicles, depots and drivers . . .
NK09 FKR has been in service this week
Given they have recently used a Ford Transit, and today an Optare StarRider;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/27974644@N...ed-public/
I'd guess they won't be operating services much longer. I can't recall the last time I saw their normal service buses NK09FKR and YX60DXV
Service #800 was operated by a minibus today after being operated by a coach all week!
(10 Jul 2015, 10:54 pm)busmanT wrote [ -> ]And it is confirmed that it is Go North East who are taking over the Hexham services
http://www.simplygo.com/news/welcoming-t...ugust-2015
I'll have to try and use these services when they commence. Excellent day out in North Tynedale.
Does anyone know what's happening with the journeys on the Hexham-Bellingham route operated by Tyne Valley Coaches? Is GNE taking these over also? Tyne Valley has operated the Hexham-Bellingham service for decades.
Charles
(12 Jul 2015, 11:27 am)Charles41 wrote [ -> ]I'll have to try and use these services when they commence. Excellent day out in North Tynedale.
Does anyone know what's happening with the journeys on the Hexham-Bellingham route operated by Tyne Valley Coaches? Is GNE taking these over also? Tyne Valley has operated the Hexham-Bellingham service for decades.
Charles
Still registers as operating on VOSA - indeed has been Tyne Valley or its predecessors since at least 1931.
Was Cecil Moffit until 1958, Then Charlton's/Mid Tyne Transport to 1967, Tyne Valley ever since.
(12 Jul 2015, 11:27 am)Charles41 wrote [ -> ]I'll have to try and use these services when they commence. Excellent day out in North Tynedale.
Does anyone know what's happening with the journeys on the Hexham-Bellingham route operated by Tyne Valley Coaches? Is GNE taking these over also? Tyne Valley has operated the Hexham-Bellingham service for decades.
Charles
I was talking to the Tyne Valley driver a couple of weeks ago. They are pulling out of service work when GNE commences Bellingham and Colwell. I also understand that a couple of journeys 1 x 682 and 1 x 687 will be provided by Stanley depot utilising the Solo that stands at Hexham for 3 hours.
I reckon some will interwork with the 74 on the 687 too.
(12 Jul 2015, 2:24 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]I reckon some will interwork with the 74 on the 687 too.
680 will be stand alone except the first and last journeys which will be operated by a Tynedale Express bus.
(12 Jul 2015, 2:47 pm)busmanT wrote [ -> ]680 will be stand alone except the first and last journeys which will be operated by a Tynedale Express bus.
Will they be the ones that extend to Newcastle?
(12 Jul 2015, 2:49 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Will they be the ones that extend to Newcastle?
Seeing as those vehicles operate a service that goes to Newcastle, I'd say it's fair to assume so.