North East Buses
Disruptions and driver shortages - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Disruptions and driver shortages (/showthread.php?tid=3532)



RE: Disruptions. - Keeiajs - 08 Sep 2021

(08 Sep 2021, 5:51 pm)Dan It amazes me that comments like this are still being made, or that it comes as a shock to people?

Pair Covid with brexit, and there’s a huge supply issue which is affecting the whole industry. If operators can’t get parts for buses, the buses can’t get fixed.

Arguably Covid is hitting industries worse now than it did twelve months ago…


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Yeah, yeah I agree, it is going to get worse, before it gets better.


RE: Disruptions. - 54APhotography - 09 Sep 2021

As it stands there is a situation on the Prince Bishops, buses standing without drivers.


RE: Disruptions. - Rob44 - 10 Sep 2021

i see the ANE x12 is diverting this morning. Going up by team vally sainsburys and right at the gold medal round a bout - i assume to get back on Durham Road as the road at the angle must be closed already?


RE: Disruptions. - Ambassador - 10 Sep 2021

(10 Sep 2021, 7:08 am)Rob44 i see the ANE x12 is diverting this morning. Going up by team vally sainsburys and right at the gold medal round a bout - i assume to get back on  Durham Road as the road at the angle must be closed already?

Yeah there's closures in both directions. Be interested to see its diversion coming Southbound 

https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=3531


Disruptions. - Dan - 14 Sep 2021

An improved method of communication to highlight all journeys not expected to run today:

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/service-updates

Appropriate services tagged so that this flows through to the app too.

Posts on social media now linking here.


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RE: Disruptions. - Michael - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 5:27 am)Dan An improved method of communication to highlight all journeys not expected to run today:

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/service-updates

Appropriate services tagged so that this flows through to the app too.

Posts on social media now linking here.


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That's much better, least its all in one area now.... Washington has been hit badly.


RE: Disruptions. - idiot - 14 Sep 2021

Shame it looks like last runs are cancelled


RE: Disruptions. - missedbus - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 6:11 am)Michael That's much better, least its all in one area now.... Washington has been hit badly.

Gateshead probably appears less affected due to A-Line helping out in between school times and into the evening. It would probably be much worse there otherwise. 
If things continue as they are, might we see emergency timetables introduced on some routes?


RE: Disruptions. - Adrian - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 6:11 am)Michael That's much better, least its all in one area now.... Washington has been hit badly.

Yep, and a few last runs too.

The 23.33 4 from Heworth is the last one of the evening that runs through to Houghton.
The 22.30 4 from Houghton is the last one through to Heworth, until the 02.06... so potentially a 3.5 hour wait.

The Houghton journey to Heworth is still possible either using the 22.29 or 22.59 X1 to the Galleries, then picking up the 23.33 4 to Heworth (or 23.39 4 to Fallowfield Way), but is the communication going to be there to those who don't have the app or have seen the social media post? I'd hope the drivers of those X1s could be asked to look out for passengers at Houghton specifically to ensure no one is left behind.  There's no option for those waiting for the last 4 at Heworth however, other than a cold night in the bus shelter.

Lots of talk about a national driver shortage in the industry, but there seems to be very little done about reversing the trend of people leaving. Bus drivers generally have really low pay, a long and inflexible working week, the bare minimum of breaks and gaps between shifts and poor access to things like sick pay.


RE: Disruptions. - Rapidsnap - 14 Sep 2021

Doesn't help with the DVLA taking ages to sort the licenses out for new drivers.


RE: Disruptions. - Drifter60 - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 5:27 am)Dan An improved method of communication to highlight all journeys not expected to run today:

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/service-updates

Appropriate services tagged so that this flows through to the app too.

Posts on social media now linking here.


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Well I will say kudos to GNE, for listening to feedback - lots of comments on social media seem to be obviously annoyed about the inconvenience but also thankful to the company for some prior warning. And I do think it looks much better than all those cancellation posts. Point being raised about those not on social media and this is where I think bus stop infrastructure needs vast improvement. Is there any system of letting passengers know about cancelled services at the main interchanges? Eldon Square, Park Lane, Haymarket, Gateshead, Durham? And what about even the smaller interchanges? Peterlee, Seaham, Houghton Church, Hetton, Stanley?


RE: Disruptions. - Rob44 - 14 Sep 2021

It seems like there were loads of problems with the GNE appt this morning.... customers having to pay for there journy with something called CASH? alot complaining this method was more expensive too


RE: Disruptions. - Adrian - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 10:03 am)Rapidsnap Doesn't help with the DVLA taking ages to sort the licenses out for new drivers.

No, it doesn't, but the hospitality and construction industries are also facing massive shortages of workers.

I wonder what happened to "standing on our own two feet" after Brexit? EU nationals have left after Brexit, not helped by many being inadequately furloughed for so long, and by large the UK has failed to use the 4 years to prepare for what was inevitably going to happen.


RE: Disruptions. - Adrian - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 10:19 am)Rob44 It seems like there were loads of problems with the GNE appt this morning.... customers having to pay for there journy with something called CASH?  alot complaining this method was more expensive too

Yep, kids being refused transport too, which is supposedly a big no-no.


RE: Disruptions. - Michael - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 5:27 am)Dan An improved method of communication to highlight all journeys not expected to run today:

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/service-updates

Appropriate services tagged so that this flows through to the app too.

Posts on social media now linking here.


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Looks like the disruption will continue in to tomorrow - best to check your route(s), as more services have been added - its a separate post.


Disruptions. - Dan - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 5:03 pm)Michael Looks like the disruption will continue in to tomorrow - best to check your route(s), as more services have been added - its a separate post.


Disruption is likely to be industry-wide until the new year - if I was a betting man!


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RE: Disruptions. - Michael - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 6:41 pm)Dan Disruption is likely to be industry-wide until the new year - if I was a betting man!


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Hopefully not but does look it like!


RE: Disruptions. - Andreos1 - 14 Sep 2021

(14 Sep 2021, 10:30 am)Adrian No, it doesn't, but the hospitality and construction industries are also facing massive shortages of workers.

I wonder what happened to "standing on our own two feet" after Brexit? EU nationals have left after Brexit, not helped by many being inadequately furloughed for so long, and by large the UK has failed to use the 4 years to prepare for what was inevitably going to happen.

I think you make some interesting points here and whether Brexit or Covid are factors, I also think we've got the issues seen in the 'wages/strike' thread.
Sure I read there that a GNE driver is on pennies over £9 - despite the massive responsibilities that driver has. I was shocked to see that sort of hourly rate and it doesn't surprise me to see the industry face staffing issues.

We spoke privately about an issue at one of the GNE depots and the behaviour shown by management towards a member of staff. I'd hazard a guess that's not the only example of that sort of behaviour...


Disruptions. - Dan - 14 Sep 2021

First Cymru facing issues:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58545428


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RE: Disruptions. - Rob44 - 16 Sep 2021

Just checking to bus cancellation for tonight. The way I've read it the 2020 28b from Newcastle is not running... fine apart from the fact there is no 28b leaving at that time???