Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
(03 Jan 2022, 10:49 pm)Jimmi I'm proposing GNE run multiple long distance services to/from Newton Aycliffe to the likes of York, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester etc seem as we're suggesting stuff that offers little benefit to anyone and be commercial suicide
Seriously though, think 684 is at least partially funded (unsure if the Newcastle end is) and unsure why on earth the 74 would justify Versas when it doesn't even fill a Solo.
Is there anything with an X prefix that's actually an express these days in fairness?
(03 Jan 2022, 10:49 pm)Jimmi I'm proposing GNE run multiple long distance services to/from Newton Aycliffe to the likes of York, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester etc seem as we're suggesting stuff that offers little benefit to anyone and be commercial suicide
Seriously though, think 684 is at least partially funded (unsure if the Newcastle end is) and unsure why on earth the 74 would justify Versas when it doesn't even fill a Solo.
Is there anything with an X prefix that's actually an express these days in fairness?
(05 Jan 2022, 6:17 pm)OrangeArrow49 There were 3 passengers on at Kingston Park, including myself. 25 passengers on arrival into Wallsend Town Centre. 40 passengers or so in total across the journey. From Kingston Park the other passenger alighted in Killingworth. Passengers boarded in Benton, Seaton Burn and Wideopen. A passenger also got off at Quorum Business Park.
I've used the 42A a small number of times, but only ever from Wallsend or Killingworth to Kingston Park and it's usually been empty for most of the route. Killingworth from Wallsend gets a small number of passengers.
(05 Jan 2022, 6:17 pm)OrangeArrow49 There were 3 passengers on at Kingston Park, including myself. 25 passengers on arrival into Wallsend Town Centre. 40 passengers or so in total across the journey. From Kingston Park the other passenger alighted in Killingworth. Passengers boarded in Benton, Seaton Burn and Wideopen. A passenger also got off at Quorum Business Park.
I've used the 42A a small number of times, but only ever from Wallsend or Killingworth to Kingston Park and it's usually been empty for most of the route. Killingworth from Wallsend gets a small number of passengers.
(05 Jan 2022, 7:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 Versa 5379 on the final trip each way on the 74 this afternoon. An Orbit StreetLite based at Hexham. Solos days numbered?
(05 Jan 2022, 7:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 Versa 5379 on the final trip each way on the 74 this afternoon. An Orbit StreetLite based at Hexham. Solos days numbered?
(05 Jan 2022, 8:56 pm)peter I'd imagine, this will allow some of the older SR's to be withdrawn or move into the driver training fleet (it's mentioned on the GNE Fleet Archive that Solo's are to become the main training vehicle).
(05 Jan 2022, 8:56 pm)peter I'd imagine, this will allow some of the older SR's to be withdrawn or move into the driver training fleet (it's mentioned on the GNE Fleet Archive that Solo's are to become the main training vehicle).
(05 Jan 2022, 7:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 Versa 5379 on the final trip each way on the 74 this afternoon. An Orbit StreetLite based at Hexham. Solos days numbered?Seemingly down to operational issues, 670 was sat just outside of Maften (Hexham bound) for nearly an hour and likely was all that was avaliable to go on the 74 after 635 replaced 5379 on the X84/X85 at around 14:30 with 668 also being on X84/X85 for most of the day.
(05 Jan 2022, 7:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 Versa 5379 on the final trip each way on the 74 this afternoon. An Orbit StreetLite based at Hexham. Solos days numbered?Seemingly down to operational issues, 670 was sat just outside of Maften (Hexham bound) for nearly an hour and likely was all that was avaliable to go on the 74 after 635 replaced 5379 on the X84/X85 at around 14:30 with 668 also being on X84/X85 for most of the day.
(05 Jan 2022, 8:56 pm)peter You'd assume the Orbit Streetlite is on loan rather than a permanent allocation (perhaps covering for 5508 which hasn't been in service for a while according to BusTimes).
I think there are a few factors suggesting that the current Solo's won't be running out of Hexham for much longer. Firstly if GNE are successful in their ZEBRA bus fund bid then they will be replaced with electric vehicles. Secondly, service 74 at least will require a Euro 6 vehicle as it goes into Newcastle (and GNE don't seem to be upgrading any Solo's to Euro 6) and potentially (though I'm purely speculating) the contracts for the Hexham services may stipulate Euro 6 vehicles going forwards in which case the Solo's will almost certainly be replaced. I'd imagine, this will allow some of the older SR's to be withdrawn or move into the driver training fleet (it's mentioned on the GNE Fleet Archive that Solo's are to become the main training vehicle).
(05 Jan 2022, 8:56 pm)peter You'd assume the Orbit Streetlite is on loan rather than a permanent allocation (perhaps covering for 5508 which hasn't been in service for a while according to BusTimes).
I think there are a few factors suggesting that the current Solo's won't be running out of Hexham for much longer. Firstly if GNE are successful in their ZEBRA bus fund bid then they will be replaced with electric vehicles. Secondly, service 74 at least will require a Euro 6 vehicle as it goes into Newcastle (and GNE don't seem to be upgrading any Solo's to Euro 6) and potentially (though I'm purely speculating) the contracts for the Hexham services may stipulate Euro 6 vehicles going forwards in which case the Solo's will almost certainly be replaced. I'd imagine, this will allow some of the older SR's to be withdrawn or move into the driver training fleet (it's mentioned on the GNE Fleet Archive that Solo's are to become the main training vehicle).
(05 Jan 2022, 9:03 pm)S813 FVK I'd hope not.
Even if drivers start out typically driving minibus routes, learning and passing the test in a full size vehicle seems sensible longer term.
Fair enough use the Solos afterwards to allow the adjustment between the door forward and wheel forward configurations.
(05 Jan 2022, 9:03 pm)S813 FVK I'd hope not.
Even if drivers start out typically driving minibus routes, learning and passing the test in a full size vehicle seems sensible longer term.
Fair enough use the Solos afterwards to allow the adjustment between the door forward and wheel forward configurations.
(05 Jan 2022, 9:03 pm)S813 FVK I'd hope not.
Even if drivers start out typically driving minibus routes, learning and passing the test in a full size vehicle seems sensible longer term.
Fair enough use the Solos afterwards to allow the adjustment between the door forward and wheel forward configurations.
(05 Jan 2022, 9:03 pm)S813 FVK I'd hope not.
Even if drivers start out typically driving minibus routes, learning and passing the test in a full size vehicle seems sensible longer term.
Fair enough use the Solos afterwards to allow the adjustment between the door forward and wheel forward configurations.
(05 Jan 2022, 7:28 pm)Adrian I'd have thought those Solos would have been bursting at the seams in and out of Kingston Park, given all the 'potential' there is suggested on here.
(05 Jan 2022, 7:28 pm)Adrian I'd have thought those Solos would have been bursting at the seams in and out of Kingston Park, given all the 'potential' there is suggested on here.
(05 Jan 2022, 9:09 pm)OrangeArrow49 Yes, the Orbit Streetlite will be on loan to Hexham, but I think it might run on service 74, but I could be wrong and it could be covering for 5508, maybe on the X84/X85.
Interesting times ahead for Hexham depot, could GNE lose the Hexham contracts this year realistically?
(05 Jan 2022, 9:09 pm)OrangeArrow49 Yes, the Orbit Streetlite will be on loan to Hexham, but I think it might run on service 74, but I could be wrong and it could be covering for 5508, maybe on the X84/X85.
Interesting times ahead for Hexham depot, could GNE lose the Hexham contracts this year realistically?
(05 Jan 2022, 10:36 pm)Thomas12 I believe 5443 covered for a breakdown on the 10 at the Newcastle end, and therefore ended up at Hexham. Nothing much more to that.
I very much doubt GNE would lose the Hexham contracts. As much as you might think, I doubt anyone else is in a good position to bid for them.
(05 Jan 2022, 10:36 pm)Thomas12 I believe 5443 covered for a breakdown on the 10 at the Newcastle end, and therefore ended up at Hexham. Nothing much more to that.
I very much doubt GNE would lose the Hexham contracts. As much as you might think, I doubt anyone else is in a good position to bid for them.
(05 Jan 2022, 11:07 pm)Storx Didn't they lose a few last time they came around to PCL, Rural Link, whatever name it is this week. If anything they might gain some.
(05 Jan 2022, 11:07 pm)Storx Didn't they lose a few last time they came around to PCL, Rural Link, whatever name it is this week. If anything they might gain some.
(05 Jan 2022, 11:14 pm)peter I think it was the opposite, that they gained a few contracts in recent years, I recall the 680 used to be operated by an independent and then they gained the X81/681/185. PCL operate a handful of services which operate 1-day a week in the Hexham area - don't think any of these were previously with GNE.
(05 Jan 2022, 11:14 pm)peter I think it was the opposite, that they gained a few contracts in recent years, I recall the 680 used to be operated by an independent and then they gained the X81/681/185. PCL operate a handful of services which operate 1-day a week in the Hexham area - don't think any of these were previously with GNE.
(05 Jan 2022, 10:36 pm)Thomas12 I believe 5443 covered for a breakdown on the 10 at the Newcastle end, and therefore ended up at Hexham. Nothing much more to that.
I very much doubt GNE would lose the Hexham contracts. As much as you might think, I doubt anyone else is in a good position to bid for them.
(05 Jan 2022, 10:36 pm)Thomas12 I believe 5443 covered for a breakdown on the 10 at the Newcastle end, and therefore ended up at Hexham. Nothing much more to that.
I very much doubt GNE would lose the Hexham contracts. As much as you might think, I doubt anyone else is in a good position to bid for them.
(05 Jan 2022, 11:42 pm)OrangeArrow49 Ah, okay. I like the Orbit Streetlites.Bit impossible since they have 4 services "service " buses available
Hopefully GNE will keep them. No idea when they are going to be awarded. GNE is the best operator, but Stagecoach and Phoenix could pick up a few. Stagecoach 74, Phoenix the Hexham town services. Yesterday I was thinking Henry Cooper having their depot in Annitsford could operate the 42/42A?
(05 Jan 2022, 11:42 pm)OrangeArrow49 Ah, okay. I like the Orbit Streetlites.Bit impossible since they have 4 services "service " buses available
Hopefully GNE will keep them. No idea when they are going to be awarded. GNE is the best operator, but Stagecoach and Phoenix could pick up a few. Stagecoach 74, Phoenix the Hexham town services. Yesterday I was thinking Henry Cooper having their depot in Annitsford could operate the 42/42A?
(05 Jan 2022, 11:42 pm)OrangeArrow49 Ah, okay. I like the Orbit Streetlites.
Hopefully GNE will keep them. No idea when they are going to be awarded. GNE is the best operator, but Stagecoach and Phoenix could pick up a few. Stagecoach 74, Phoenix the Hexham town services. Yesterday I was thinking Henry Cooper having their depot in Annitsford could operate the 42/42A?
(05 Jan 2022, 11:42 pm)OrangeArrow49 Ah, okay. I like the Orbit Streetlites.
Hopefully GNE will keep them. No idea when they are going to be awarded. GNE is the best operator, but Stagecoach and Phoenix could pick up a few. Stagecoach 74, Phoenix the Hexham town services. Yesterday I was thinking Henry Cooper having their depot in Annitsford could operate the 42/42A?
(06 Jan 2022, 10:16 am)RMF1254 Isn’t the 42A commercial from Wallsend to Dinnington? The destinations used to show Dinnington for Kingston Park.
(06 Jan 2022, 10:16 am)RMF1254 Isn’t the 42A commercial from Wallsend to Dinnington? The destinations used to show Dinnington for Kingston Park.