Menu
 
North East Buses Local Bus Scene Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - December 2017

Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - December 2017

Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - December 2017

 
  • 1 Vote(s) - 4 Average
 
Pages (3): Previous 1 2 3 Next
Cock Robin



2,778
17 Dec 2017, 1:13 pm #21
(15 Dec 2017, 9:59 pm)RBZ 5459 Not alot on the face of it 22017, believe it was in pretty good nick underneath, plus the powerpack was obviously in good running order to go in 22011. Must have just been one of the more ropey ones. All are on UK Bus disposals, simple reason is no one has a use for them, so, good enough to store for now for moments like this. A few have been transferred to the likes of Western on loans etc.

22031
Cock Robin
17 Dec 2017, 1:13 pm #21

(15 Dec 2017, 9:59 pm)RBZ 5459 Not alot on the face of it 22017, believe it was in pretty good nick underneath, plus the powerpack was obviously in good running order to go in 22011. Must have just been one of the more ropey ones. All are on UK Bus disposals, simple reason is no one has a use for them, so, good enough to store for now for moments like this. A few have been transferred to the likes of Western on loans etc.

22031

Michael



19,141
17 Dec 2017, 1:28 pm #22
Does anyone know how the X24/X24A are doing since the changes?

Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
Michael
17 Dec 2017, 1:28 pm #22

Does anyone know how the X24/X24A are doing since the changes?


Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.

Dan

Site Administrator

18,099
17 Dec 2017, 2:27 pm #23
I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Dan
17 Dec 2017, 2:27 pm #23

I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Michael



19,141
17 Dec 2017, 2:45 pm #24
(17 Dec 2017, 2:27 pm)Dan I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.

Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
Michael
17 Dec 2017, 2:45 pm #24

(17 Dec 2017, 2:27 pm)Dan I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.


Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.

big mac



430
17 Dec 2017, 6:42 pm #25
(17 Dec 2017, 2:45 pm)Michael I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.

I've been on the x24a a few times since it's introduction, and I think the most I've seen board or alight at Doxford is three people.  It has also caused confusion for passengers. I can recall more than one occasion where passengers have got a surprise when it has turned left to go to Doxford instead of Hastings hill and they've had to be let off the bus, not releasing it didn't serve Hastings Hill.  It also is vulnerable to traffic congestion and the afternoon journeys have arrived late into Newcastle quite often.
big mac
17 Dec 2017, 6:42 pm #25

(17 Dec 2017, 2:45 pm)Michael I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.

I've been on the x24a a few times since it's introduction, and I think the most I've seen board or alight at Doxford is three people.  It has also caused confusion for passengers. I can recall more than one occasion where passengers have got a surprise when it has turned left to go to Doxford instead of Hastings hill and they've had to be let off the bus, not releasing it didn't serve Hastings Hill.  It also is vulnerable to traffic congestion and the afternoon journeys have arrived late into Newcastle quite often.

LiamD55



145
17 Dec 2017, 10:01 pm #26
(15 Dec 2017, 10:23 am)RBZ 5459 PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

BUSWAYS: 19204 has returned to Walkergate with 22343 going the other way to Slatyford - one of the 18 boards is now decker operated Monday-Friday.
Another bus has been added to the Slatyford express services cycle to hopefully sort reliability out, the boards don't interwork as much now with greater layover at either ends which will probably see more stand fighting at Eldon..! X47 best part of the day doesnt interwork.

I wish none of them would interwork ever since it started the reliability of the X87 X88 has become non existant. Most of the E400s should be on there most of the day its by far the busiest of all the express services which is why its changed to x4 E400 all day on a Saturday.
Edited 17 Dec 2017, 10:03 pm by LiamD55.
LiamD55
17 Dec 2017, 10:01 pm #26

(15 Dec 2017, 10:23 am)RBZ 5459 PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

BUSWAYS: 19204 has returned to Walkergate with 22343 going the other way to Slatyford - one of the 18 boards is now decker operated Monday-Friday.
Another bus has been added to the Slatyford express services cycle to hopefully sort reliability out, the boards don't interwork as much now with greater layover at either ends which will probably see more stand fighting at Eldon..! X47 best part of the day doesnt interwork.

I wish none of them would interwork ever since it started the reliability of the X87 X88 has become non existant. Most of the E400s should be on there most of the day its by far the busiest of all the express services which is why its changed to x4 E400 all day on a Saturday.

markydh



258
18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am #27
The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.
Edited 18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am by markydh.
markydh
18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am #27

The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.

Cock Robin



2,778
18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm #28
23 for Newcastle on the second X55 on Saturday. No-one for Doxford.
Cock Robin
18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm #28

23 for Newcastle on the second X55 on Saturday. No-one for Doxford.

18 Dec 2017, 3:23 pm #29
(18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm)Cock Robin No-one for Doxford.
Do you mean Dalton Park?
HarryCowans4041
18 Dec 2017, 3:23 pm #29

(18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm)Cock Robin No-one for Doxford.
Do you mean Dalton Park?

Cock Robin



2,778
18 Dec 2017, 5:12 pm #30
(18 Dec 2017, 3:23 pm)HarryCowans4041 Do you mean Dalton Park?

Yes!
Cock Robin
18 Dec 2017, 5:12 pm #30

(18 Dec 2017, 3:23 pm)HarryCowans4041 Do you mean Dalton Park?

Yes!

LiamD55



145
18 Dec 2017, 8:55 pm #31
(18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am)markydh The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.


Hopefully it improves i have noticed less interworking lately it became a nightmare when all Xs were interworking.
LiamD55
18 Dec 2017, 8:55 pm #31

(18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am)markydh The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.


Hopefully it improves i have noticed less interworking lately it became a nightmare when all Xs were interworking.

James101



649
19 Dec 2017, 1:17 am #32
(18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm)Cock Robin 23 for Newcastle on the second X55 on Saturday. No-one for Doxford.

I'd imagine 23 passengers would still only generate about £100 in fares, considering the mix of concessions. Unfortunately not worth Stagecoach's time.
James101
19 Dec 2017, 1:17 am #32

(18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm)Cock Robin 23 for Newcastle on the second X55 on Saturday. No-one for Doxford.

I'd imagine 23 passengers would still only generate about £100 in fares, considering the mix of concessions. Unfortunately not worth Stagecoach's time.

Cock Robin



2,778
19 Dec 2017, 4:25 pm #33
Especially not for a coach sat about six days a week.
Cock Robin
19 Dec 2017, 4:25 pm #33

Especially not for a coach sat about six days a week.

22 Dec 2017, 4:50 pm #34
22014 has been collected by Alpha Recovery today.


RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

RBZ 5459
22 Dec 2017, 4:50 pm #34

22014 has been collected by Alpha Recovery today.



RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

Charles41



474
23 Dec 2017, 9:24 am #35
34611 at newcastle monument in use as Santa's grotto. Smart Christmas livery side and rear.

Charles
Charles41
23 Dec 2017, 9:24 am #35

34611 at newcastle monument in use as Santa's grotto. Smart Christmas livery side and rear.

Charles

23 Dec 2017, 9:47 am #36
(23 Dec 2017, 9:24 am)Charles41 34611 at newcastle monument in use as Santa's grotto. Smart Christmas livery side and rear.

Charles

Yeah been there most of this week, last day today. Grotto is raising money for the Toma Fund which is a charity dedicated to the memory of Jordan David Thompson and Sophie Ela Atay, who were cousins that tragically died from childhood cancers. Top marks to Busways again this year, many Walkergate drivers also dressed festive raising money for Tiny Lives Trust and Children North East.

[Image: 39220550941_8c939e4ceb.jpg]34611 NK04NPX Newcastle by Matt Williamson, on Flickr
Edited 23 Dec 2017, 9:48 am by RBZ 5459.


RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

RBZ 5459
23 Dec 2017, 9:47 am #36

(23 Dec 2017, 9:24 am)Charles41 34611 at newcastle monument in use as Santa's grotto. Smart Christmas livery side and rear.

Charles

Yeah been there most of this week, last day today. Grotto is raising money for the Toma Fund which is a charity dedicated to the memory of Jordan David Thompson and Sophie Ela Atay, who were cousins that tragically died from childhood cancers. Top marks to Busways again this year, many Walkergate drivers also dressed festive raising money for Tiny Lives Trust and Children North East.

[Image: 39220550941_8c939e4ceb.jpg]34611 NK04NPX Newcastle by Matt Williamson, on Flickr



RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

Cock Robin



2,778
23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am #37
Anyone see the last X55 today?
Cock Robin
23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am #37

Anyone see the last X55 today?

23 Dec 2017, 10:57 pm #38
(23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am)Cock Robin Anyone see the last X55 today?

I gather the last southbound carried 6 in total, with 1 remaining into Stockton from Billingham.


RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

RBZ 5459
23 Dec 2017, 10:57 pm #38

(23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am)Cock Robin Anyone see the last X55 today?

I gather the last southbound carried 6 in total, with 1 remaining into Stockton from Billingham.



RBZ5459 | flickr | THV

Tezza040301

Unregistered

 
23 Dec 2017, 11:30 pm #39
(23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am)Cock Robin Anyone see the last X55 today?

With the last journeys operating on at 07:16 from Stockton, 10:12 & 15:46 from Greatham and 09:00, 14:30 & 17:15, this results in no direct service between Greatham, and Hartlepool to Newcastle... Oh well, better luck next time. Still got the X10 though
Tezza040301
23 Dec 2017, 11:30 pm #39

(23 Dec 2017, 10:15 am)Cock Robin Anyone see the last X55 today?

With the last journeys operating on at 07:16 from Stockton, 10:12 & 15:46 from Greatham and 09:00, 14:30 & 17:15, this results in no direct service between Greatham, and Hartlepool to Newcastle... Oh well, better luck next time. Still got the X10 though

Dan

Site Administrator

18,099
24 Dec 2017, 10:14 am #40
(23 Dec 2017, 10:57 pm)RBZ 5459 I gather the last southbound carried 6 in total, with 1 remaining into Stockton from Billingham.

The 14:30 trip southbound carried 5 people in total, myself included. It picked up nobody at Dalton Park (the Go North East X6 which followed immediately after the X55 picked up all intending passengers to Hartlepool).

I was the first to alight at ASDA in Hartlepool, so I'm unsure where the others got off (whether it was Victoria Road in Hartlepool, or they travelled onwards towards Greatham).

It's always a pity when services are withdrawn when they don't work out, but I still can't help but feel that this one was always destined to fail. It had a lot of potential, but a seemingly poor execution? A Saturday-only service, with just a few trips in either direction at odd times... A streamlined timetable with cheaper fares and faster journey times than the X10 between Stockton, Dalton Park and Newcastle, would have definitely been interesting...

Obviously stood no chance against the Go North East X10 when this was finally re-routed to serve Dalton Park - something which had been on the cards for a very long time - offering a streamlined timetable which was easy to understand.

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the coach now? Back to UK disposals?

(18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am)markydh The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.

So does the X47 now have 15 minutes layover in Eldon Square, on paper? Adding 1 PVR?

The X47 has always interested me in that whatever Stagecoach try and do to improve the reliability of the service, it never seems to work. You don't tend to see them bunching up and running in threes now, but there still is some obvious issues with the timekeeping. The traffic in Kingston Park is just so unpredictable, paired with the Metro level crossing (also running at unpredictable times!) causing chaos.

The allocations to the X47 still seem a bit manic too. Not sure if this will be resolved if they're getting an extra bus on paper? But over the last few weeks, it seems like pretty much anything has been thrown on... ADL E400s, E400MMCs, E200MMCs, rather than the ALX300s which should be on.

How do the X77/78/79/82 work now? Without interworking with the X47, are these services going to have an increased amount of layover now too, and will that result in a PVR increase? A guess looking at the timetable would suggest an inbound X78 during the day would have 20 minutes layover, then running an outbound X82 (that, or no layover at all on the X78 and 3 minutes layover on the X82). This would make this group of services quite inefficient too, though commendable if it does solve the reliability issues!
Dan
24 Dec 2017, 10:14 am #40

(23 Dec 2017, 10:57 pm)RBZ 5459 I gather the last southbound carried 6 in total, with 1 remaining into Stockton from Billingham.

The 14:30 trip southbound carried 5 people in total, myself included. It picked up nobody at Dalton Park (the Go North East X6 which followed immediately after the X55 picked up all intending passengers to Hartlepool).

I was the first to alight at ASDA in Hartlepool, so I'm unsure where the others got off (whether it was Victoria Road in Hartlepool, or they travelled onwards towards Greatham).

It's always a pity when services are withdrawn when they don't work out, but I still can't help but feel that this one was always destined to fail. It had a lot of potential, but a seemingly poor execution? A Saturday-only service, with just a few trips in either direction at odd times... A streamlined timetable with cheaper fares and faster journey times than the X10 between Stockton, Dalton Park and Newcastle, would have definitely been interesting...

Obviously stood no chance against the Go North East X10 when this was finally re-routed to serve Dalton Park - something which had been on the cards for a very long time - offering a streamlined timetable which was easy to understand.

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the coach now? Back to UK disposals?

(18 Dec 2017, 8:12 am)markydh The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.

So does the X47 now have 15 minutes layover in Eldon Square, on paper? Adding 1 PVR?

The X47 has always interested me in that whatever Stagecoach try and do to improve the reliability of the service, it never seems to work. You don't tend to see them bunching up and running in threes now, but there still is some obvious issues with the timekeeping. The traffic in Kingston Park is just so unpredictable, paired with the Metro level crossing (also running at unpredictable times!) causing chaos.

The allocations to the X47 still seem a bit manic too. Not sure if this will be resolved if they're getting an extra bus on paper? But over the last few weeks, it seems like pretty much anything has been thrown on... ADL E400s, E400MMCs, E200MMCs, rather than the ALX300s which should be on.

How do the X77/78/79/82 work now? Without interworking with the X47, are these services going to have an increased amount of layover now too, and will that result in a PVR increase? A guess looking at the timetable would suggest an inbound X78 during the day would have 20 minutes layover, then running an outbound X82 (that, or no layover at all on the X78 and 3 minutes layover on the X82). This would make this group of services quite inefficient too, though commendable if it does solve the reliability issues!

Pages (3): Previous 1 2 3 Next
 
  • 1 Vote(s) - 4 Average