North East Buses

Does anyone know if today's 808 ran into newcastle this morning. Went to get a photo with it being the last day operated by PCL. Despite waiting twenty minutes it never arrived.

Charles

PCL Travel have aquired MAN 14.240 / Plaxton Centro - YX58BHN. It carries 'Rural Link' branding for service S2 between Morpeth and Stannington.
https://www.facebook.com/DIAGTESTlimited...1863604610

Registration has now been updated on VOSA, Holiday Inn will likely be the school time journeys which have existed up until now on the 44. Sadly, there doesn't appear to be any info about times or anything about the S1/S2 from Monday anywhere online.

(17 Mar 2018, 5:54 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]PCL Travel have aquired MAN 14.240 / Plaxton Centro - YX58BHN. It carries 'Rural Link' branding for service S2 between Morpeth and Stannington.
https://www.facebook.com/DIAGTESTlimited...1863604610

Registration has now been updated on VOSA, Holiday Inn will likely be the school time journeys which have existed up until now on the 44. Sadly, there doesn't appear to be any info about times or anything about the S1/S2 from Monday anywhere online.

Registration number PB1069957/23
Licence Number PB1069957
Variation number 0
Status New
Service number. S2
Service type Normal Stopping
Start point Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn
Finish point Stannington Village
Via
Date received 13 Mar 2018
Effective date 19 Mar 2018
End date
Supported by subsidies? Yes
Local authorities covered by route Northumberland County Council
TAOs covered by route North East of England

There seems to be another destination after Stannington, but can't make out what it is. Maybe Dinnington as Blagdon would be left without a bus if it terminated at Stannington.

Services S1 & S2 are circular services now via Stannington. That's as much about the route as I can tell you due to a lack of information publicly available (couldn't bring myself to ask drivers). Seems to be the S1 one hour then the S2 the next hour, departing Morpeth Bus Station on the hour. Solo YM52TSU was on the S1 and the Centro was on the S2.

I can confirm the repaint of MH06WCU, it's on M1/A1 today.

(19 Mar 2018, 2:20 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Services S1 & S2 are circular services now via Stannington. That's as much about the route as I can tell you due to a lack of information publicly available (couldn't bring myself to ask drivers). Seems to be the S1 one hour then the S2 the next hour, departing Morpeth Bus Station on the hour. Solo YM52TSU was on the S1 and the Centro was on the S2.

I can confirm the repaint of MH06WCU, it's on M1/A1 today.

You wonder how they expect people to use the services, if you can't find a timetable anywhere.

(19 Mar 2018, 2:37 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]You wonder how they expect people to use the services, if you can't find a timetable anywhere.

This is the downside to registering services only a few days before they are due to start, every timetable outlet (Nexus website, bus stop timetables, BusTimes etc) still has the old S1 times and nothing at all for the S2.

Can only tell you that they are circular services as the destination blinds say 'Stannington Circular' or 'Morpeth Circular'

Was hoping PCL had whacked a timetable up in Morpeth Bus Station created using WordArt like they have in the past, but sadly no.

(19 Mar 2018, 2:20 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Services S1 & S2 are circular services now via Stannington. That's as much about the route as I can tell you due to a lack of information publicly available (couldn't bring myself to ask drivers). Seems to be the S1 one hour then the S2 the next hour, departing Morpeth Bus Station on the hour. Solo YM52TSU was on the S1 and the Centro was on the S2.

Some photos here (YM52TSU was operating on the S1 but drops onto the Morpeth Town Services for a few runs at around 10am).
PCL Travel: KX58BHN by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr


PCL Travel: YM52TSU by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

S1/S2 Timetable - https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...190318.pdf

Passengers annoyed at Morpeth at how the SN56EMK came in on the S1 and went back out on T1s with the primo on layover and Centro leaving on S2 with the driver having his dog on the bus.
Then the M1 at 10:00 did NOT show up.

(31 Mar 2018, 9:24 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Passengers annoyed at Morpeth at how the SN56EMK came in on the S1 and went back out on T1s with the primo on layover and Centro leaving on S2 with the driver having his dog on the bus.
Then the M1 at 10:00 did NOT show up.

? Passengers?

(31 Mar 2018, 9:54 am)coldav wrote [ -> ]? Passengers?

Yes there was about 5 waiting for the M1 to Thropton and it didn't show up

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The Red Enviro 200 is on the 470

(31 Mar 2018, 10:57 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Yes there was about 5 waiting for the M1 to Thropton and it didn't show up

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The Red Enviro 200 is on the 470

This isn't the first time this bus has been reported missing on this website. The M1 was introduced to fill a gap when Arriva's X14 was cut from hourly, therby maintaining a link from Morpeth to the Upper Coquet Valley on service 16, so when it is missing, that connection is lost. When Spirit Buses had the 16 route, it depended very much on inward connections, but it seems tht this isn't a priority for PCL.
Additionally the compay's website hasn't been updated for some time. The A1 service hasn't appeared, neither has the update to services S1 and S2. The 808 is still shown, despite PCL having abandoned it and Phoenix Coaches taking over. When clicking on the 808 on PCL's website, it links to their former timetable via Nexus, even though it isn't shown on the Nexus website any more, and isn't quite accurate.

For a company which has expanded rapidly throughout Northumberland lately, this is nothing short of a shambles. I can't see them surviving unless they sharpen up their practices.

I wonder if the Sunday runs on service M1 will survive, once Arriva introduces its 2-hourly service to Rothbury and Thropton on Sundays.

(31 Mar 2018, 12:36 pm)Ex-conductor wrote [ -> ]This isn't the first time this bus has been reported missing on this website. The M1 was introduced to fill a gap when Arriva's X14 was cut from hourly, therby maintaining a link from Morpeth to the Upper Coquet Valley on service 16, so when it is missing, that connection is lost. When Spirit Buses had the 16 route, it depended very much on inward connections, but it seems tht this isn't a priority for PCL.
Additionally the compay's website hasn't been updated for some time. The A1 service hasn't appeared, neither has the update to services S1 and S2. The 808 is still shown, despite PCL having abandoned it and Phoenix Coaches taking over. When clicking on the 808 on PCL's website, it links to their former timetable via Nexus, even though it isn't shown on the Nexus website any more, and isn't quite accurate.

For a company which has expanded rapidly throughout Northumberland lately, this is nothing short of a shambles. I can't see them surviving unless they sharpen up their practices.

I wonder if the Sunday runs on service M1 will survive, once Arriva introduces its 2-hourly service to Rothbury and Thropton on Sundays.

Well I hope they are reliable in 1 hours time on the 470 as I need that to ALNWICK.

(31 Mar 2018, 10:57 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Yes there was about 5 waiting for the M1 to Thropton and it didn't show up

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The Red Enviro 200 is on the 470

I Wonder why they couldn’t allocate a Versa?

(31 Mar 2018, 6:42 pm)Cobalt271 wrote [ -> ]I Wonder why they couldn’t allocate a Versa?

Wonder if the Versa's could be getting looked over as there is less need for them to be on the 470/473 at the moment  with it being the school holidays.

E200 was on S1 on Monday with YM52TSU being allocated to the T1's.

(31 Mar 2018, 6:42 pm)Cobalt271 wrote [ -> ]I Wonder why they couldn’t allocate a Versa?

The versas are off for maintenance over the holidays, the Ex Johnson's solo and the E200 are covering at the moment. The Excel is still on the premises but it apparantly wouldn't start so it's off road at the moment.
The Transit van has went back, R222LOT, SN56EMK and MH06WCU all still allocated.
The 06 plate Solo has left with a exchange for the 06 plate primo, also another Centro is expected to arrive. 
From what I'm told the allocations should now be.
15/16: Primo 06 plate 
A1/M1: LDV Convoy 
T1s: 58 Plate Primo
S1s: 2x Centros
613/815: Volkswagen
885: Any Spare Bus
470/473: Versas, but have loan buses at the moment.

Anyone know why there’s a rural link branded pcl biz in godofrth?

From NCC on Facebook no service 15 Alnwick - Rothbury this morning due to vehicle failure.

(09 Apr 2018, 8:11 am)Tyne_Traveller wrote [ -> ]From NCC on Facebook no service 15 Alnwick - Rothbury this morning due to vehicle failure.

Another example of this company not caring about its customers. A far cry from the days of Spirit Buses.

PCL have a Iveco Daily Blue Sunshine bus in store in the form of GN06 UEK was on the 15 today. 
How is this correct?
Spirit would never off let this happen!

PMSL!

(19 Apr 2018, 3:32 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]PCL have a Iveco Daily Blue Sunshine bus in store in the form of GN06 UEK was on the 15 today. 
How is this correct?
Spirit would never off let this happen!

There’s a reason he’s nicknamed “Cowboy Cowell” you know!

(31 Mar 2018, 7:47 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]The 06 plate Solo has left with a exchange for the 06 plate primo, also another Centro is expected to arrive.

KX06LYJ is still in the fleet, was on the S1 today.

(19 Apr 2018, 3:32 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]PCL have a Iveco Daily Blue Sunshine bus in store in the form of GN06 UEK was on the 15 today. 
How is this correct?
Spirit would never off let this happen!

Seemingly another loan from L&B Mini Coaches (they recently loaned a Ford Transit from them as well), still operating on the 15 today.
L&B Mini Coaches: GN06UEK by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

I always thought that when Spirit were unable to operate the services anymore, NCC should have asked Arriva to step in - even if they had to be funded. I'm not overly sure how easy that would be, but surely with some financial incentive Arriva would have done so?

(25 Apr 2018, 7:19 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I always thought that when Spirit were unable to operate the services anymore, NCC should have asked Arriva to step in - even if they had to be funded. I'm not overly sure how easy that would be, but surely with some financial incentive Arriva would have done so?

Anyone but PCL would suffice. 

The services have loads of potential, marketed and delivered correctly, they could become the best routes in the North East, like what they used to be.

(25 Apr 2018, 7:19 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I always thought that when Spirit were unable to operate the services anymore, NCC should have asked Arriva to step in - even if they had to be funded. I'm not overly sure how easy that would be, but surely with some financial incentive Arriva would have done so?

Can't imagine the numbers and limited frequency would have matched up for Arriva, could have maybe spaced out the X14's a bit differently and interworked it at Thropton possibly just on the section between Thropton and Alnwick Bus Station. Travelsure would have probably been a better option to have taken over the 15 or Glen Valley Tours.

The route seems has lost a lot of custom, no tourists seem to be aware of the service anymore like in the Spirit days and some of the locals have been left unimpressed with the no shows and breakdowns by the sounds of things.

Unfortunately I never managed to ride the 15 under Spirit but I really wish I had. I have used it 3 times under PCL and had problems each time. First time it was over 20 minutes late and the dart had missing panels at the back. Second time was the LDV convoy which I found cramped and poor quality. Most worrying is the 3rd (and probably last) time when I was on the 06 plate white solo which broke down outside of Alnwick and passengers were expected to walk the rest of the way. I managed this fine but im sure many would have struggled.

From my experiences I can understand why less people ars using the service, not prepared to give them another chance after the amount of problems. Hopefully another operator eventually gets the service but probably with the council it would just be lowest bidder. I hope travelsure get it though as I find all their drivers friendly and their service good.

(25 Apr 2018, 7:26 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Anyone but PCL would suffice. 

The services have loads of potential, marketed and delivered correctly, they could become the best routes in the North East, like what they used to be.

(25 Apr 2018, 7:30 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Can't imagine the numbers and limited frequency would have matched up for Arriva, could have maybe spaced out the X14's a bit differently and interworked it at Thropton possibly just on the section between Thropton and Alnwick Bus Station. Travelsure would have probably been a better option to have taken over the 15 or Glen Valley Tours.

The route seems has lost a lot of custom, no tourists seem to be aware of the service anymore like in the Spirit days and some of the locals have been left unimpressed with the no shows and breakdowns by the sounds of things.

I firmly believe that the routes could be very profitable in the summer months with tourism etc. A big company has far more financial ability to market the routes for the summer, and provide buses with larger capacity. In the winter months they would be better equipped to deal with breakdowns. 

It would take an initial leap of faith, and would probably be best to begin service in Spring to build up reputation and a business case, but as always you need to balance risk with reward. I imagine it would also massively increase the public perception of the bigger companies.

The service offered by PCL looks like it has massively improved...

(25 Apr 2018, 10:19 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]The service offered by PCL looks like it has massively improved...

Well the use of a tiny iveco minibus on the 15 with paper displaying the number is not a real improvement. The only services they run that seem to be a improvement opposed to the previous operator is the 470/473. They have much newer buses allocated and have a range of ticket types availble for them, can't say much for the rest of the services they operate.