When i've seen the 34/34A there certainly weren't many people on it at all, the 71 is the same going to Houghton, I don't think for the amount of passengers it seems to get during the day it would require such a size bus, so think it would be logical to do what I said in previous post.
Re the 71. GNE told me a few years back, demand for the service meant that the smaller MPD's were no longer suitable and that is why the SPD's were introduced. To be honest I thought it was more along the lines of vehicle availability or certain timed services which were busy opposed to all services.
Since then, fares have increased, the service was curtailed on an evening and Sunday to Houghton and eventually curtailed to Houghton and cancelled on an evening altogether.
Locally in the Houghton area, it competed with the hourly X94 (which was replaced by the half hourly X3). Now, you have the M1, 35a and 20a and to be honest, the fare of almost £2.00 for a short journey, cant compare with the walk into Houghton.
Towards Chester, you are stung with a cross county fare or buzzfare boundary so it isn't very attractive that way for passengers in the Houghton area.
For passengers on the Co Durham side of Fencehouses or in Woodstone Village and Lumley, there may be the Chester Town fare, but you also have the 78 running in the same direction, diluting demand.
When the 21a ran, a Tyne & Wear Day Ticket was valid, providing you continued on into Birtley or beyond, so passenger numbers were quite high.
You just need to look at the amount of seats available between Houghton and Chester pre-2006 changes to now, to see there is obviously an issue that GNE dont seem keen on resolving.
Pre 2006.
2x Double Deckers ph.
* 21a Houghton - Newcastle (Mon - Sun. Early until late)
* 177 Optare Mini bus Hall Lane Est - Chester (Mon - Sat. Early until early evening)
Post 2006 (following changes).
2x MPD ph.
* 71 Chester - Sunderland (Mon - Sun. Early until late)
Current
2x SPD ph.
* 71 Chester - Houghton (Mon - Sat. Early until early Evening). Nexus funding 79a locally between Houghton and Fencehouses.
Yes, the DCC cuts stopped evening and Sunday services, but if GNE really wanted to make the route attractive to passengers, they would have done something about it. Instead, they increase fares and for longer journey passengers introduce additional boundaries in the form of the buzzfare and Chester Town ticket.
re the 34/34a. Not sure about Waggonway vehicles operating all the time on Sundays. Havent noticed them either way.
Big incident at Park Lane. Gradually showing signs of improvement after 45 minutes of chaos (if not longer). Someone is said to have walked out in front of Laser 5301. Glass is cracked on front screen and the accident occurred at the exit of Park Lane so all buses inside couldn't get out as a result.
All buses cramming into Stands A-F and it's generally hell!
Should be cleared up by 5pm at the latest, I'd say. Bus has already been taken away, with police still investigating the scene.
Yours truly has photos of buses diverting as a result and of the vehicle in question.
If anyone would like a photo of 628 actually working the 700/701 for a change (usually all Hybrids), today is the day to do so.
That's sound good, hope whoever it was is ok.
After a trip down to Fatfield the following have been added to the Buses via Branded.
5325/26/27 have been added to Silver Arrows...Photos Below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
4957/59/64 have been added to Metrolink...Photo Below
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
4944 was on the Lime 8..Added to Northern Set as a Duplicate as I have like 8 photos or something of this now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
and Finally 8233 on the 2C, also added to the Northern Set
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
Just looking through old photos of the GNE citaro artics - does anyone know why the x66 allocations put in citylink's base gold?
And now it sadly looks like the citylink artics may be replaced next year by rigid vehicles due to realiability issues, do you guys think GNE will still bring up the other batch of merc artics that were apparently being kept down south until the new depot was finished up here.
Just curious
Cheers
(29 Apr 2013, 5:52 pm)ne14ne1 Just looking through old photos of the GNE citaro artics - does anyone know why the x66 allocations put in citylink's base gold?
And now it sadly looks like the citylink artics may be replaced next year by rigid vehicles due to realiability issues, do you guys think GNE will still bring up the other batch of merc artics that were apparently being kept down south until the new depot was finished up here.
Just curious
Cheers
(29 Apr 2013, 5:52 pm)ne14ne1 Just looking through old photos of the GNE citaro artics - does anyone know why the x66 allocations put in citylink's base gold?
And now it sadly looks like the citylink artics may be replaced next year by rigid vehicles due to realiability issues, do you guys think GNE will still bring up the other batch of merc artics that were apparently being kept down south until the new depot was finished up here.
Just curious
Cheers
Registrations on VOSA today -
PB0002400/405 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Doxford, International, Admiral Way and Pennywell, Prestbury Road given service number 39 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/481 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway given service number 238 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route.
PB0002400/482 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 259/260 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.
PB0002400/492 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SEABURN WHITBURN ROAD and SILKSWORTH CHURCH VIEW given service number 99 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/493 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE and SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE given service number 36 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0003954/566 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: JARROW BUS STATION
Finish Point: SOUTH SHIELDS KEPPEL STREET
Via: BEDE, SIMONSIDE,TYNE DOCK AND CHICHESTER
Service Number: 900
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 05-MAY-2013
Other Details: METRO REPLACEMENT TO RUN ON 5TH MAY 2013 ONLY
Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
[attachment=4409]
[attachment=4410]
(29 Apr 2013, 6:14 pm)Adam Malarkey I highly doubt they will, it would be a stupid move to get rid of the current batch on the 58, to then bring in another batch at a later date. I was told the current Citylink Artics are to be gone in October, Not at somepoint in 2014.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:14 pm)Adam Malarkey I highly doubt they will, it would be a stupid move to get rid of the current batch on the 58, to then bring in another batch at a later date. I was told the current Citylink Artics are to be gone in October, Not at somepoint in 2014.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Registrations on VOSA today -
PB0002400/405 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Doxford, International, Admiral Way and Pennywell, Prestbury Road given service number 39 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/481 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway given service number 238 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route.
PB0002400/482 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 259/260 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.
PB0002400/492 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SEABURN WHITBURN ROAD and SILKSWORTH CHURCH VIEW given service number 99 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/493 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE and SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE given service number 36 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0003954/566 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: JARROW BUS STATION
Finish Point: SOUTH SHIELDS KEPPEL STREET
Via: BEDE, SIMONSIDE,TYNE DOCK AND CHICHESTER
Service Number: 900
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 05-MAY-2013
Other Details: METRO REPLACEMENT TO RUN ON 5TH MAY 2013 ONLY
Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Registrations on VOSA today -
PB0002400/405 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Doxford, International, Admiral Way and Pennywell, Prestbury Road given service number 39 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/481 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway given service number 238 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route.
PB0002400/482 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 259/260 effective from 23-Jun-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.
PB0002400/492 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SEABURN WHITBURN ROAD and SILKSWORTH CHURCH VIEW given service number 99 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0002400/493 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE and SUNDERLAND PARK INTERCHANGE given service number 36 effective from 02-Jun-2013. To amend Timetable.
PB0003954/566 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: JARROW BUS STATION
Finish Point: SOUTH SHIELDS KEPPEL STREET
Via: BEDE, SIMONSIDE,TYNE DOCK AND CHICHESTER
Service Number: 900
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 05-MAY-2013
Other Details: METRO REPLACEMENT TO RUN ON 5TH MAY 2013 ONLY
Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:55 pm)aureolin(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
I personally think that 15 minutes between Newcastle and Heworth, via the Bypass, is asking for trouble. The X9/X10 have 18 minutes to do the same non-stop trip, yet from the experiences that I have using those services, they're always late in to Gateshead never mind as far as Heworth.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:55 pm)aureolin(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
I personally think that 15 minutes between Newcastle and Heworth, via the Bypass, is asking for trouble. The X9/X10 have 18 minutes to do the same non-stop trip, yet from the experiences that I have using those services, they're always late in to Gateshead never mind as far as Heworth.
(29 Apr 2013, 6:55 pm)aureolin(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
I personally think that 15 minutes between Newcastle and Heworth, via the Bypass, is asking for trouble. The X9/X10 have 18 minutes to do the same non-stop trip, yet from the experiences that I have using those services, they're always late in to Gateshead never mind as far as Heworth.
I agree that those timings to Heworth are tight, but it could be do-able if Gateshead Interchange is omitted? The only timings listed at Gateshead are on the High Street. The Stagecoach X34 doesn't serve the Interchange northbound but does on the return. 27X would provide a regular hourly service up and down Victoria Road East/West though, which I gather residents have been crying out for since the axing of the 27A. (29 Apr 2013, 6:55 pm)aureolin(29 Apr 2013, 6:21 pm)Brandon Service 27X will appear to operate every hour during the day from Newcastle and operate a circular route around Hebburn - see attached from Traveline. As before, this cannot be taken as gospel until official release from GNE, this is intended just for interest.
I personally think that 15 minutes between Newcastle and Heworth, via the Bypass, is asking for trouble. The X9/X10 have 18 minutes to do the same non-stop trip, yet from the experiences that I have using those services, they're always late in to Gateshead never mind as far as Heworth.
I agree that those timings to Heworth are tight, but it could be do-able if Gateshead Interchange is omitted? The only timings listed at Gateshead are on the High Street. The Stagecoach X34 doesn't serve the Interchange northbound but does on the return. 27X would provide a regular hourly service up and down Victoria Road East/West though, which I gather residents have been crying out for since the axing of the 27A.
(29 Apr 2013, 7:02 pm)BJ10VUS(29 Apr 2013, 7:00 pm)Adam Does anyone know if the 27X is joining the Crusader brand or is it just going to be a Northern service?
That would explain the new 'branded service' for Saltmeadows?
(29 Apr 2013, 7:02 pm)BJ10VUS(29 Apr 2013, 7:00 pm)Adam Does anyone know if the 27X is joining the Crusader brand or is it just going to be a Northern service?
That would explain the new 'branded service' for Saltmeadows?
(29 Apr 2013, 7:09 pm)Adam I was thinking that as well, because the 27X only requires two buses, and if two Versas are destined for a new brand when the StreetLites come, logic would suggest it would be this.
(29 Apr 2013, 7:09 pm)Adam I was thinking that as well, because the 27X only requires two buses, and if two Versas are destined for a new brand when the StreetLites come, logic would suggest it would be this.
