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+--- Thread: Disruptions and driver shortages (/showthread.php?tid=3532)
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Thomas12 - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 8:05 pm)Storx They should just cancel the 352 and 354 outright imo.
They're just duplicates of the 37 (SNE) and 359 anyway for the unique sections anyway.
Anyone using the 352 must have an issue with Stagecoach as there's absolutely no other reason to use it and the 354 has been a basket case for years. Would free up 4 boards immediately.
It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - DeltaMan - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 7:24 pm)Ambassador It appears the X39 afternoon runs didn’t run again
Sure all this new contract and commercial work is worth pissing off your existing customer base?
Yet more proof the management aren’t up to the task and are making poor decisions
Surely it's just proof that somebody at Go Ahead Group values saving face with high profile franchises in Manchester rather than standard commercial work elsewhere.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Storx - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 8:27 pm)Thomas12 It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.
Can't disagree to be honest like, could even split it so one runs the 354 route from Killingworth to Shiremoor and the other does the 353 route.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Ambassador - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 8:45 pm)DeltaMan Surely it's just proof that somebody at Go Ahead Group values saving face with high profile franchises in Manchester rather than standard commercial work elsewhere.
It’s been poor since MGs days.
it’s clear the operation is now run on the cheap and the wrong people, inexperienced and floundering are now doing their best, but they just aren’t very good. Featham is just a caretaker but the supply teachers at GNE are a disaster
Disruptions and driver shortages - j986986 - 13 Sep 2023
There’s 88 journeys cancelled tommorow. I wonder what the record is?
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - mb134 - 13 Sep 2023
Given the posts, I thought I'd have a very unscientific look to see how Arriva Blyth and GNE Percy Main got on today service delivery wise since they seem to be the depots currently struggling the most. Pinch of salt, as it's taken from Bustimes, but I believe Arriva Blyth had the following cancelled today (as of 22:00ish when I checked):
X7:
To Newcastle - 10:42, 11:42, 13:42
None cancelled NB.
X8:
To Newcastle - 18:44
From Newcastle - 11:50, 12:50, 14:50
X9:
To Newcastle - 07:54, 13:29, 13:59, 16:34
From Newcastle - 09:13, 14:43 (started from Cramlington), 17:53
X10:
To Newcastle - 13:01, 15:31, 16:36
To Blyth - 13:15, 15:15
X11:
To Newcastle - 12:14, 14:14
To Blyth - 14:00, 17:40
306:
To Newcastle - 10:46, 16:01, 17:26
To Whitley Bay/Tynemouth - 09:30, 14:50, 16:15, 17:00
308:
To Newcastle - 08:06, 13:36, 14:56
To Blyth - 12:00, 15:20, 17:10, 18:35
43:
To Newcastle - 15:09, 16:42, 18:14, 19:28, 21:28
To Cramlington - 17:20, 18:45, 20:05, 22:05
44:
To Newcastle - 18:11
To Dinnington - 15:53, 17:28
45:
To Newcastle - 16:40
To Dinnington - 18:55
While Percy Main look to have missed the following (with the usual Bustimes caveats, as there's simply no way what PM have added to the website short notice cancellations list is accurate!):
307:
To Newcastle - 09:55, 11:55, 14:55, 17:05, 17:30, 18:38, 19:38
To North Shields - 10:55, 15:55, 16:20, 18:30, 21:00
309:
To Newcastle - 06:31, 07:11, 09:06, 09:26, 11:06, 11:46, 12:06, 14:06, 14:46, 16:51, 19:50, 20:50, 21:50
To Blyth - 07:55, 09:45, 10:25, 10:45, 13:05, 13:25, 15:25, 18:20, 19:30, 20:30
352:
To Newcastle - 15:30
To Cramlington - 07:55, 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:10
353:
To North Shields - 09:00, 10:00, 15:00
To Cramlington - 14:17
354:
To Newcastle - 06:42, 09:47, 15:47
To North Shields - 17:40
355:
To Forest Hall - 06:50, 07:55, 11:02, 13:02, 16:35, 17:05
To Newcastle - 06:12, 07:12, 08:17, 11:24, 12:24, 13:24, 17:00, 17:30
41:
To Wallsend - 09:56, 11:26
To Hadrian Park - 10:19, 11:49
41A:
To Wallsend - 10:38, 17:54, 18:43, 19:38
To Hadrian Park - 09:34, 11:04, 18:24, 19:19
1:
To MetroCentre - 11:44, 13:24, 20:12
To Whitley Bay - 13:59, 16:45, 18:08
Obviously aware of the usual issues with Bustimes, however in lots of instances here buses which later appeared on these boards had been tracking on other things previously, or in the case of the 309 evidently got put on/taken off at New York (and there aren't that many dodgy ticket machines in the NE!). Some of these will undoubtedly be as a result of vehicle failure too, and some that are not on here will only have operated part trips (I couldn't be bothered checking where they all started, if I saw it listed then I excluded it).
Disruptions and driver shortages - j986986 - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 9:09 pm)mb134 Given the posts, I thought I'd have a very unscientific look to see how Arriva Blyth and GNE Percy Main got on today service delivery wise since they seem to be the depots currently struggling the most. Pinch of salt, as it's taken from Bustimes, but I believe Arriva Blyth had the following cancelled today (as of 22:00ish when I checked):
X7:
To Newcastle - 10:42, 11:42, 13:42
None cancelled NB.
X8:
To Newcastle - 18:44
From Newcastle - 11:50, 12:50, 14:50
X9:
To Newcastle - 07:54, 13:29, 13:59, 16:34
From Newcastle - 09:13, 14:43 (started from Cramlington), 17:53
X10:
To Newcastle - 13:01, 15:31, 16:36
To Blyth - 13:15, 15:15
X11:
To Newcastle - 12:14, 14:14
To Blyth - 14:00, 17:40
306:
To Newcastle - 10:46, 16:01, 17:26
To Whitley Bay/Tynemouth - 09:30, 14:50, 16:15, 17:00
308:
To Newcastle - 08:06, 13:36, 14:56
To Blyth - 12:00, 15:20, 17:10, 18:35
43:
To Newcastle - 15:09, 16:42, 18:14, 19:28, 21:28
To Cramlington - 17:20, 18:45, 20:05, 22:05
44:
To Newcastle - 18:11
To Dinnington - 15:53, 17:28
45:
To Newcastle - 16:40
To Dinnington - 18:55
While Percy Main look to have missed the following (with the usual Bustimes caveats, as there's simply no way what PM have added to the website short notice cancellations list is accurate!):
307:
To Newcastle - 09:55, 11:55, 14:55, 17:05, 17:30, 18:38, 19:38
To North Shields - 10:55, 15:55, 16:20, 18:30, 21:00
309:
To Newcastle - 06:31, 07:11, 09:06, 09:26, 11:06, 11:46, 12:06, 14:06, 14:46, 16:51, 19:50, 20:50, 21:50
To Blyth - 07:55, 09:45, 10:25, 10:45, 13:05, 13:25, 15:25, 18:20, 19:30, 20:30
352:
To Newcastle - 15:30
To Cramlington - 07:55, 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:10
353:
To North Shields - 09:00, 10:00, 15:00
To Cramlington - 14:17
354:
To Newcastle - 06:42, 09:47, 15:47
To North Shields - 17:40
355:
To Forest Hall - 06:50, 07:55, 11:02, 13:02, 16:35, 17:05
To Newcastle - 06:12, 07:12, 08:17, 11:24, 12:24, 13:24, 17:00, 17:30
41:
To Wallsend - 09:56, 11:26
To Hadrian Park - 10:19, 11:49
41A:
To Wallsend - 10:38, 17:54, 18:43, 19:38
To Hadrian Park - 09:34, 11:04, 18:24, 19:19
1:
To MetroCentre - 11:44, 13:24, 20:12
To Whitley Bay - 13:59, 16:45, 18:08
Obviously aware of the usual issues with Bustimes, however in lots of instances here buses which later appeared on these boards had been tracking on other things previously, or in the case of the 309 evidently got put on/taken off at New York (and there aren't that many dodgy ticket machines in the NE!). Some of these will undoubtedly be as a result of vehicle failure too, and some that are not on here will only have operated part trips (I couldn't be bothered checking where they all started, if I saw it listed then I excluded it).
Jesus. Looks like Percy Main is now much worse than Blyth, which is definitely something that only changed recently. You would think the 307/309 would be priority being higher profile and far busier routes. There definitely needs to be a rethink into whether they can actually cope with all the new services, because at the moment they clearly can’t.
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Ambassador - 13 Sep 2023
The unannounced cancellations are the worst and arguably most impactful. You can’t plan for those and the app can be so buggy at times that you can’t track.
It’s an irk I have with Stagecoach but they have such high frequency compact areas it’s not as impactful
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - mb134 - 13 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 9:22 pm)j986986 Jesus. Looks like Percy Main is now much worse than Blyth, which is definitely something that only changed recently. You would think the 307/309 would be priority being higher profile and far busier routes. There definitely needs to be a rethink into whether they can actually cope with all the new services, because at the moment they clearly can’t.
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I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Bazza - 14 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?
It’s only an alternative if it runs. I can’t see the two depots liaising!
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - L469 YVK - 14 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?
And something needs to give as Champions League nights and the League Cup tie will soon be around rhe corner.
Will GNE subcontract any evening runs to the likes of A-Line & Stanley to make sure fans can get home on key routes?
Disruptions and driver shortages - Dan - 14 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?
Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 14 Sep 2023
(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.
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Right, but the 307/309 go places the 308/306 don't go, especially last few buses it is very crucial they run.
Disruptions and driver shortages - Adrian - 14 Sep 2023
You're also relying on another operator, who are struggling themselves lately, to get your customers home.
It feels a bit of a hit and hope approach. Sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't.
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Busu284 - 14 Sep 2023
An absolute pi££ take again
The Following X39 journey will be cancelled
From Newcastle 7.28
From Cobalt 16.08/17.08/18.08
They have cancelled every single Cobalt journey to Newcastle tomorrow evening. This is an absolute joke by them now
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - L469 YVK - 14 Sep 2023
(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.
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No good after 11pm though! Think there'll be plenty of Blueline, Nearby and Uber reciepts coming into Customer Services the days after Champions League home fixtures if people can't get the last 307 or 309 home!
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - L469 YVK - 14 Sep 2023
(13 Sep 2023, 8:27 pm)Thomas12 It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.
The 353 would hemorrhage cash if ran on a half hourly frequency standalone because with remote reliefs, there's no way drivers could do 5 hours behind the wheel (would be 2.5hr round trip)
Best outcome in March would be
Stagecoach
- X63 - Does Killingworth loop then as per 354/54 to Newcastle but via West Farm Avenue....maybe serving Stoneleigh Avenue to maintain close by BT links. Hourly evening & Sunday service introduced.
Go North East
- 352, 354, 355 withdrawn - covered by 37, 38, 353, 359, X63
- 353 half hourly
- Awarded 19 tender and interworks with 353 in North Shields to maintain driving hours
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Storx - 14 Sep 2023
(14 Sep 2023, 8:19 pm)L469 YVK The 353 would hemorrhage cash if ran on a half hourly frequency standalone because with remote reliefs, there's no way drivers could do 5 hours behind the wheel (would be 2.5hr round trip)
Best outcome in March would be
Stagecoach
- X63 - Does Killingworth loop then as per 354/54 to Newcastle but via West Farm Avenue....maybe serving Stoneleigh Avenue to maintain close by BT links. Hourly evening & Sunday service introduced.
Go North East
- 352, 354, 355 withdrawn - covered by 37, 38, 353, 359, X63
- 353 half hourly
- Awarded 19 tender and interworks with 353 in North Shields to maintain driving hours
You've totally missed the point of the X63 which is an express bus from Killingworth to Newcastle, it's not express on a detour around Gosforth, this is X4 levels of stupidity which was quickly reversed.
I know this is the wrong thread but the best thing to have would be and I'm not sure how possibly it would be timetable wise (I haven't checked):
340: Wallsend to Hadrian Park (3 BPH)
341: Killingworth to Wallsend (Hourly)
342: Cramlington to Wallsend (Hourly)
343: Cramlington to North Shields (Hourly)
344: Kingston Park to North Shields (Hourly)
340: Current 41
341: Current 335 from Killingworth to Wiltshire Drive, 342 route into Wallsend
342: Old 42 additionally serving Wiltshire Drive
343: Current 353
344: Current 354, North Shields to Killingworth, current 342 from Killingworth to Kingston Park
342/343: Combined Killingworth to Wallsend
341/342: Combined Wiltshire Drive to Wallsend
343/344: Combined Northumberland Park to North Shields
There's only really the Hadrian Park section lost but you could keep it to Hadrian Park instead of Wallsend but there's currently no bus service between Wallsend and Quorum - 2 major points and is more worthwhile imo. The other half of the 354 wouldn't be replaced. The 342 currently is a mess of a bus route imo.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Ambassador - 14 Sep 2023
(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.
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Are the office staff in any sort of reality? On the cancellations tomorrow for the X39 it says, don’t forget you can use your ticket on Arriva services
None of which serve Cobalt.
I know of two employers at Cobalt that have opened back up fully remote working to mitigate the feedback from colleagues around Go Ahead issues. we actually used the X39 as a promo piece to get colleagues back, now we’re using it to let them stay at home
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 14 Sep 2023
(14 Sep 2023, 9:01 pm)Ambassador Are the office staff in any sort of reality? On the cancellations tomorrow for the X39 it says, don’t forget you can use your ticket on Arriva services
None of which serve Cobalt.
I know of two employers at Cobalt that have opened back up fully remote working to mitigate the feedback from colleagues around Go Ahead issues. we actually used the X39 as a promo piece to get colleagues back, now we’re using it to let them stay at home
Tbf X39 should be cancelled as you can get the 309, not ideal I appreciate that but atleast you will have a bus.