Arriva / Stagecoach 685
Arriva / Stagecoach 685
Article in the Hexham Courant today -
http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news...rPath=home
The 685 is a jointly-operated service so thought best to mention it here rather than in the operator threads.
Is it just me who doesn't understand where some of this moaning comes from? For such a long distance route, I don't think the occasional 10 minute delay is anything to shout about at all. I've found myself regularly waiting much longer than this for a local bus service on a far shorter route!
For a route that is in competition with the train and other buses between Hexham and Newcastle, it might just not be economical to insert an extra bus into the timetable.
Going from the article, a problem journey appears to be the 0745 from Newcastle. This trip is operated by Arriva and I think they run the 685 from their Jesmond depot, and this journey will have come straight from there. Pleasing to see that Arriva are aware and working to resolve this though.
I've never travelled on the route myself, but I think it would be too much of an ask to expect every bus to operate to timetable when you take into consideration the mileage these coaches are put up to.
As a brand new member, I haven't had time to read in (guests cannot read threads), but I am interested to see the progress of the 685 service (and whether it will survive the onslaught from GoNorthEast with their X84/X85 services).
The Arriva 685 service is frequently delayed or occasionally no-show and tickets are not transferable to the Stagecoach-run services, so it seems preferable for passengers to use the GoNorthEast service (which is more frequent).
How long will Arriva persist, I wonder?
I was in the Hexham area today, and just by standing in the bus station for ten minutes around the time both one of Go North East's services and the 685 service were due, it was quite fascinating to hear how much discussion was actually going on in regards to the two different services.
A group of middle-aged women (I imagine they were actually fare paying customers, rather than pensioners with bus passes) were discussing which bus they were going to get, and one said, "That one has an X in front of the number, that means it is an express service", which gained a positive response from the other women at the bus stop. Another chimed in with, "Yes, but it's quite similar to the 685 and gets into Eldon Square in about the same time". The woman who originally mentioned the 'X' in the number responded, "Yeah, well... That's if it turns up."
A man who was lurking around came over and joined them and said, "The Go North East one has newer buses with Wi-Fi, that one always turns up on time".
I left the bus station before I could see which service they did indeed get on, but their conversation was rather intriguing indeed. It's not a conversation I'd expect of general members of the public, and for me - whose favourite bus operator out of "the big three" is Go North East - it was great to hear how much positive feedback the "Tynedalexpress" was receiving. It also fascinated me to hear that members of the public thought Go North East's buses were newer, when in fact both Arriva and Stagecoach are both allocating newer vehicles.
I haven't seen much of the daytime loadings, but the first few journeys of the day (both on weekdays and Saturdays) have been very good indeed, as well as a few evening services which I've seen. I have not noticed a significant decrease in the passenger numbers on the "TEN" either, which is great.
I do wonder how much custom has been taken away from the 685 though. With the re-numbering of the service, the ever-changing allocation of buses (be it Pulsars or OmniCitys with Arriva, or indeed the Stagecoach liveried Enviros now allocated), I'd love to know if their passenger numbers have decreased.
I have never been to Hexham in my life, but if I was a Passenger living in that area I know who I would travel with, and the would be Go North East, I don't see how the 685 can even compete with the 10/X84/X85 when Go North East are offering the following Ticket Options with the Bonus of Free Wifi and a Bus Service which turns up on Time, and clearly as Dan Mentioned that Passengers in Hexham are Praising which Go North East are giving them.
Ten Weekly Saver - £14.60
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 buses between Greenside, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Ten Weekly Saver Plus - £21.80
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 between Hexham, Corbridge, Branch End, Prudhoe, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle.
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Valid on Tynedalexpress X84 / X85
whereas Arriva are offering - Info from 685 Timetable
Day Ticket: Adult £7.30 - Child £5.00 - Concessions £5.50 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £13.00
Regionwide Weekly Saver £26.00 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £21.50
No doubt prices are same for Stagecoach as it's a Joint Operation, Overall from a Passenger Perspective, I would say you get better Value for Money using Go North East.
I cannot find the details of the Stagecoach fares between Newcastle and Hexham for comparison, but I believe that they are different to those charged by Arriva (I've heard mutterings from those passengers who have to pay) and tickets are not transferable between Arriva and Stagecoach.
Arriva tickets are definitely not negotiable on GNE services (and likewise).
Stagecoach have always required passengers with free passes to state their destination whereas Arriva (and GNE) 'ticket through to the end of the route'.
Stagecoach have for some considerable time now split the route into sections (though with through-ticketing and no change of vehicle) and operate without tachographs, something that Arriva have just recently started to adopt.
Passenger unrest seems to be centred on Haydon Bridge (which also gets an infrequent service from Northern Rail) as well as residents of Gilsland who have now been disenfranchised I believe.
Relevant to the current discussion, so I thought I'd share a photograph I took earlier today with both 685s together. Haven't seen one like it before, and was quite a good photo opportunity.
With thanks to @eezypeazy who assisted in the photo's caption, as seen on the original photo here.
Two 685s at the same terminus?
I wouldn't have thought that there would be an overlap?
Edited to add:-
I've just looked at the timetable, and, indeed they depart ten minutes apart and run in tandem to Hexham. How many passengers want to travel from Newcastle to Hexham on a Saturday, leaving before 9am and arriving around 9:30?
(11 Jan 2014, 8:57 pm)G-CPTN Two 685s at the same terminus?
I wouldn't have thought that there would be an overlap?
(11 Jan 2014, 8:57 pm)G-CPTN Two 685s at the same terminus?
I wouldn't have thought that there would be an overlap?
(11 Jan 2014, 8:57 pm)G-CPTN Edited to add:-
I've just looked at the timetable, and, indeed they depart ten minutes apart and run in tandem to Hexham. How many passengers want to travel from Newcastle to Hexham on a Saturday, leaving before 9am and arriving around 9:30?
(11 Jan 2014, 8:57 pm)G-CPTN Edited to add:-
I've just looked at the timetable, and, indeed they depart ten minutes apart and run in tandem to Hexham. How many passengers want to travel from Newcastle to Hexham on a Saturday, leaving before 9am and arriving around 9:30?
(11 Jan 2014, 9:16 pm)G-CPTN I see that the short service is to position a vehicle at Hexham for the return to Newcastle @9:27 (there being no 8am service from Carlisle)
What kind of a service is that? (and do they regret losing the Hexham depot?)
(11 Jan 2014, 9:16 pm)G-CPTN I see that the short service is to position a vehicle at Hexham for the return to Newcastle @9:27 (there being no 8am service from Carlisle)
What kind of a service is that? (and do they regret losing the Hexham depot?)
(11 Jan 2014, 9:27 pm)Dan I do wonder how long ANE/SNW will keep up the 685 before it starts making a loss...It probably already is. It's not subsidised and by the way things are going, Arriva aren't acting as if they want to keep it.
(11 Jan 2014, 9:27 pm)Dan I do wonder how long ANE/SNW will keep up the 685 before it starts making a loss...It probably already is. It's not subsidised and by the way things are going, Arriva aren't acting as if they want to keep it.
(11 Jan 2014, 7:44 pm)Adam Malarkey I have never been to Hexham in my life, but if I was a Passenger living in that area I know who I would travel with, and the would be Go North East, I don't see how the 685 can even compete with the 10/X84/X85 when Go North East are offering the following Ticket Options with the Bonus of Free Wifi and a Bus Service which turns up on Time, and clearly as Dan Mentioned that Passengers in Hexham are Praising which Go North East are giving them.Arriva have recently increased some fares with the Regionwide day ticket now priced at £7.50. Although the two zone triple day ticket still looks good value at £5.70 for an adult compared with the GNE 3 zone buzzfare.
Ten Weekly Saver - £14.60
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 buses between Greenside, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Ten Weekly Saver Plus - £21.80
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 between Hexham, Corbridge, Branch End, Prudhoe, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle.
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Valid on Tynedalexpress X84 / X85
whereas Arriva are offering - Info from 685 Timetable
Day Ticket: Adult £7.30 - Child £5.00 - Concessions £5.50 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £13.00
Regionwide Weekly Saver £26.00 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £21.50
No doubt prices are same for Stagecoach as it's a Joint Operation, Overall from a Passenger Perspective, I would say you get better Value for Money using Go North East.
(11 Jan 2014, 7:44 pm)Adam Malarkey I have never been to Hexham in my life, but if I was a Passenger living in that area I know who I would travel with, and the would be Go North East, I don't see how the 685 can even compete with the 10/X84/X85 when Go North East are offering the following Ticket Options with the Bonus of Free Wifi and a Bus Service which turns up on Time, and clearly as Dan Mentioned that Passengers in Hexham are Praising which Go North East are giving them.Arriva have recently increased some fares with the Regionwide day ticket now priced at £7.50. Although the two zone triple day ticket still looks good value at £5.70 for an adult compared with the GNE 3 zone buzzfare.
Ten Weekly Saver - £14.60
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 buses between Greenside, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Ten Weekly Saver Plus - £21.80
7 days unlimited travel on the TEN and Toon Link 11 between Hexham, Corbridge, Branch End, Prudhoe, Ryton, Blaydon and Newcastle.
Toon Link 32 buses between Blaydon Bus Station and Newcastle
Valid on Tynedalexpress X84 / X85
whereas Arriva are offering - Info from 685 Timetable
Day Ticket: Adult £7.30 - Child £5.00 - Concessions £5.50 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £13.00
Regionwide Weekly Saver £26.00 - Family Two Zone Triple Ticket valid Newcastle to Hexham £21.50
No doubt prices are same for Stagecoach as it's a Joint Operation, Overall from a Passenger Perspective, I would say you get better Value for Money using Go North East.
(11 Jan 2014, 9:14 pm)Dan Well they're certainly spoilt for choice!
GNE 10 at 0830, ANE 85 at 0835, GNE X84 at 0840, SNW 685 at 0845, GNE 10 at 0900 and GNE X85 at 0910!
Does show just how silly the competition is getting...
(11 Jan 2014, 9:14 pm)Dan Well they're certainly spoilt for choice!
GNE 10 at 0830, ANE 85 at 0835, GNE X84 at 0840, SNW 685 at 0845, GNE 10 at 0900 and GNE X85 at 0910!
Does show just how silly the competition is getting...
I was in Hexham today, and returned on the Ten (as it was the first one to arrive) which is not serving central Corbridge due to gas main replacement works (road closed for up to two weeks).
As the 685 was scheduled 5 minutes behind the Ten (which was itself about 5 minutes behind schedule) I waited to catch the 685 to take me across the river.
The Stagecoach service arrived 20 minutes behind schedule and the driver explained that this was due to leaving Carlisle late having had to find a replacement vehicle (problems with the 'lift' - I presume he meant the kneeling).
The half-past ten Arriva 685 towards Newcastle was 25 minutes late at Corbridge (it arrived behind the X85).
Passengers waiting reported 'not unusual' for the 685 to be late.
There are roadworks with traffic lights at Dilston Bridge but the delays there are just a couple of minutes.
The half-past eleven Arriva 685 was 'on time'.