Just had my daily exercise/essential shopping. Be kinda good if everyone observed this practice, still people out who don't need to be!
Whilst out though I took a check on the buses that are running and it is, frankly, a waste of resources, sadly though, a needed waste, if that makes sense.
One thing I did notice though was a service 8, service 9 and little doubt, not far behind, a service 5/5a operating together. Surely given the areas and routes covered couldn't these be combined/worked together to maximise resources.
The emergency timetable gives us 3 buses an hour on the 8, 2 on the 9, likewise on the 5/5a. Not hard to work out that that level of service against usage is not good.
OK so it would take a bit of planning to combine the 3 routes and there is probably legislation to comply with but these are tough, unprecedented times.
It's exactly the same in Hartlepool. I went to collect my car from the garage after its service and get some shopping in as I still have to go into work at the moment, and counting 5 buses, including the one I was on, grand total of 10 passengers. I think at this point even a Sunday service is still going to be wasted
(26 Mar 2020, 3:06 pm)beefcake It's exactly the same in Hartlepool. I went to collect my car from the garage after its service and get some shopping in as I still have to go into work at the moment, and counting 5 buses, including the one I was on, grand total of 10 passengers. I think at this point even a Sunday service is still going to be wasted
(26 Mar 2020, 3:06 pm)beefcake It's exactly the same in Hartlepool. I went to collect my car from the garage after its service and get some shopping in as I still have to go into work at the moment, and counting 5 buses, including the one I was on, grand total of 10 passengers. I think at this point even a Sunday service is still going to be wasted
That's an interesting thought. Afraid though I'm not familiar with the services in Hartlepool and what the PVR would be. Service 1 could easily be operated out of Stockton, and service 36 is already a Stockton operation, that just leaves the town requirement. Any thoughts?
(26 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)James101
I passed Hartlepool depot on Monday and only saw a single MAN missing a front panel and Bristol 93 in the yard. Whilst I was observing 2 buses were driven away by supervisors. Does Hartlepool regularly run on so little spares now or is the operation being scaled back to potentially run out of Stockton during the emergency timetable?
(26 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)James101
I passed Hartlepool depot on Monday and only saw a single MAN missing a front panel and Bristol 93 in the yard. Whilst I was observing 2 buses were driven away by supervisors. Does Hartlepool regularly run on so little spares now or is the operation being scaled back to potentially run out of Stockton during the emergency timetable?
(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.
(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.
(26 Mar 2020, 11:52 am)scanialover Just had my daily exercise/essential shopping. Be kinda good if everyone observed this practice, still people out who don't need to be!
Whilst out though I took a check on the buses that are running and it is, frankly, a waste of resources, sadly though, a needed waste, if that makes sense.
One thing I did notice though was a service 8, service 9 and little doubt, not far behind, a service 5/5a operating together. Surely given the areas and routes covered couldn't these be combined/worked together to maximise resources.
The emergency timetable gives us 3 buses an hour on the 8, 2 on the 9, likewise on the 5/5a. Not hard to work out that that level of service against usage is not good.
OK so it would take a bit of planning to combine the 3 routes and there is probably legislation to comply with but these are tough, unprecedented times.
**Just realised. Posted that against the wrong operator. Should be Arriva NE.**
(26 Mar 2020, 11:52 am)scanialover Just had my daily exercise/essential shopping. Be kinda good if everyone observed this practice, still people out who don't need to be!
Whilst out though I took a check on the buses that are running and it is, frankly, a waste of resources, sadly though, a needed waste, if that makes sense.
One thing I did notice though was a service 8, service 9 and little doubt, not far behind, a service 5/5a operating together. Surely given the areas and routes covered couldn't these be combined/worked together to maximise resources.
The emergency timetable gives us 3 buses an hour on the 8, 2 on the 9, likewise on the 5/5a. Not hard to work out that that level of service against usage is not good.
OK so it would take a bit of planning to combine the 3 routes and there is probably legislation to comply with but these are tough, unprecedented times.
**Just realised. Posted that against the wrong operator. Should be Arriva NE.**
(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.
(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.
(26 Mar 2020, 9:54 pm)AIG20 According to Bus Times 36086, 39657, 39662 and 39668 are all off road, and 39709 is currently on loan from Sunderland.
Once the Sunday timetables come into effect it would make sense for more reliable and efficient ADL E300s to be temporarily used on Hartlepool's routes which will also help with social distancing on board the bus. I assume the risk of breakdowns and mechanical maintenance will also need to be kept at a minimum due to possible significant staffing shortages over the next few weeks.
I have also seen x2 Sunderland ADL E300s today with the seats that back onto the windows at the front of the bus taped off.
Also, South Shields MAN E200 39707 has returned to service according to Bus Times.
(26 Mar 2020, 9:54 pm)AIG20 According to Bus Times 36086, 39657, 39662 and 39668 are all off road, and 39709 is currently on loan from Sunderland.
Once the Sunday timetables come into effect it would make sense for more reliable and efficient ADL E300s to be temporarily used on Hartlepool's routes which will also help with social distancing on board the bus. I assume the risk of breakdowns and mechanical maintenance will also need to be kept at a minimum due to possible significant staffing shortages over the next few weeks.
I have also seen x2 Sunderland ADL E300s today with the seats that back onto the windows at the front of the bus taped off.
Also, South Shields MAN E200 39707 has returned to service according to Bus Times.
(27 Mar 2020, 12:02 am)Robin57 Cock Robin. Thanks for letting me now about 39707 back in service at Shields depot, have not seen it yet by the way do you like the colours on 37315 I wonder which is next to get done. Robin
(27 Mar 2020, 12:02 am)Robin57 Cock Robin. Thanks for letting me now about 39707 back in service at Shields depot, have not seen it yet by the way do you like the colours on 37315 I wonder which is next to get done. Robin
(27 Mar 2020, 12:14 pm)Robin57 Dan. Do you have any other news for me so I can keep up to date with you. Mate Robin
(27 Mar 2020, 12:14 pm)Robin57 Dan. Do you have any other news for me so I can keep up to date with you. Mate Robin
Wonder if all of the Sunderland fleet is all mainly gas/newer E200's buses from Monday - leaving the MAN's as back up or withdrawn for the time-being.
Service 3: 4 PVR
Service 4: 5 PVR
Service 8: 2 PVR
Service 10/11: 4 PVR
Service 12/13: 9 PVR
Service 16: 5 PVR
Service 18: 2 PVR
Service 20: 2 PVR
Service 23: 3 PVR
Service 30/X20 - 2 PVR
Service E1/E2/E6: 9 PVR
X1 - Would imagine it'll be using buses from other routes?
X24: 3 PVR
X34: 3 PVR
= 53
Could we see Stagecoach shutting one of its Newcastle depots?
