(10 Sep 2015, 8:05 pm)aureolin It's clearly been done as a cheap alternative to running a staff shuttle, like Deptford have for example. From what I understand, the Deptford staff shuttle is part of a rota, so they're having to pay a driver to drive it back and forth all day. From that perspective alone, they're probably saving about 40k-50k a year just from not running a Gateshead-Riverside shuttle.
I do agree that X66 festive loadings has the potential to cause problems for drivers trying to travel back to the depot, though I think it'll be something reviewed reactively, with a better solution put in place in the event of problems. I don't think I'd be too far out if I was to suggest that there'll be some sort of collective agreement in place for changeovers, and travel to/from Riverside anyway. It also works both ways remember, and a driver shouldn't be expected to eat into their break to allow for extra time to get back to Gateshead.
(10 Sep 2015, 8:05 pm)aureolin It's clearly been done as a cheap alternative to running a staff shuttle, like Deptford have for example. From what I understand, the Deptford staff shuttle is part of a rota, so they're having to pay a driver to drive it back and forth all day. From that perspective alone, they're probably saving about 40k-50k a year just from not running a Gateshead-Riverside shuttle.
I do agree that X66 festive loadings has the potential to cause problems for drivers trying to travel back to the depot, though I think it'll be something reviewed reactively, with a better solution put in place in the event of problems. I don't think I'd be too far out if I was to suggest that there'll be some sort of collective agreement in place for changeovers, and travel to/from Riverside anyway. It also works both ways remember, and a driver shouldn't be expected to eat into their break to allow for extra time to get back to Gateshead.