From Monday 15th February until further notice, Go North East will be operating a handful of journeys on service 46 (Newcastle to Featherstone Grove), 51 (Newcastle to Whitley Bay) and 51a (Newcastle to Holystone Park) on behalf of Arriva Northumberland's Jesmond depot who are currently undergoing a staff shortage due to a number of Positive Covid tests.

Changes to services 46 and 51/51A in Newcastle | Arriva Bus UK[url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/changes-to-services-46-and-51/51a-in-newcastle?fbclid=IwAR0ytlAUQTxW9pY8tVhbiiCH9gjuF9VqPsOthmFV_SlELA-v_mmwpShg9hY][/url]

Is this up to now or could more services by Arriva be taken over for the time being

(12 Feb 2021, 1:12 pm)MichealAaron wrote Is this up to now or could more services by Arriva be taken over for the time being

I'd imagine that would be all. 

Find it absolutely bizarre that they didn't simply give the 306 to Blyth, or the X16 to Ashington, given that it only seems to be a couple of boards.

Wonder what buses they'll be using to cover them

I have a feeling it will be spare solos from Percy Main. More than likely the 41 11 42 42A and 19 might have rare/odd allocation

(12 Feb 2021, 1:35 pm)MichealAaron wrote I have a feeling it will be spare solos from Percy Main. More than likely the 41 11 42 42A and 19 might have rare/odd allocation

At least 2/3 of the 19 boards have been ran my Omnicities for the past week now, not sure if it's linked but very possible.

It's possible as percy main has the spare solo capacity

(12 Feb 2021, 1:25 pm)mb134 wrote I'd imagine that would be all. 

Find it absolutely bizarre that they didn't simply give the 306 to Blyth, or the X16 to Ashington, given that it only seems to be a couple of boards.

Probably because it simply takes too long to reschedule all of that across three depots, and this is a much faster option in the current climate, given another operator has the capacity immediately.

It also looks great under the 'partnership' discussions too.

There are no winners here, as bus operators still aren't carrying passengers and can't make a profit. The government will effectively be funding this via CBSSG.

So on Ticketer, will drivers get options for Arriva tickets etc

(12 Feb 2021, 4:12 pm)L469 YVK wrote So on Ticketer, will drivers get options for Arriva tickets etc

Can't imagine that would be hard to programme in, we have them for Metro and Ferry Replacements already.

Since it's just drivers that Arriva don't have, would it not be possible for GNE to operate the services using Arriva's fleet?

(12 Feb 2021, 4:29 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Since it's just drivers that Arriva don't have, would it not be possible for GNE to operate the services using Arriva's fleet?

What would be the point of that?
Either GNE drivers would need to go to Jesmond to pick the buses up or Arriva buses have to move to GNE when GNE have got some parked up anyway, and then what happens with the maintenance of the Arriva vehicles if they are getting used at GNE.

(12 Feb 2021, 4:29 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Since it's just drivers that Arriva don't have, would it not be possible for GNE to operate the services using Arriva's fleet?

Highly doubt it, the last thing GNE would want is to walk into Jesmond's depot to get the buses then go back to Riverside and/or Percy Main and get someone in close contact from Covid at Jesmond and infect one of their depots.

It just shows how easy it is to spread covid, and what a fantastic job the drivers are doing, they need a helluva lot more praise than they presently get

(12 Feb 2021, 4:49 pm)Storx wrote Highly doubt it, the last thing GNE would want is to walk into Jesmond's depot to get the buses then go back to Riverside and/or Percy Main and get someone in close contact from Covid at Jesmond and infect one of their depots.

Not to mention that the buses will also have been used by Jesmond drivers, so there'd likely be some apprehension from GNE drivers about using them. To be honest this is probably why services weren't shifted between ANE depots.

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(12 Feb 2021, 6:09 pm)makem1 wrote It just shows how easy it is to spread covid, and what a fantastic job the drivers are doing, they need a helluva lot more praise than they presently get

Indeed. I'm not any sort of key worker myself, but it always annoyed me when certain roles got far more praise/attention than others. Those working in public transport barely seem to get a mention, when often they're the ones getting the nurses/supermarket workers etc to work in the first place.

If push comes to the shove, GNE could even take some 306 and 52/53/54 boards on. 306 could be changed at Formica like when GNE used to jointly run the 308.

52/53/54 could either be changed in Chirton near the Quadrant on Billy Mill Avenue or New York.

Wow GNE operation the 52/53/54 now that would be nice to see but hard at the same time as they interwoven with each other

(12 Feb 2021, 7:58 pm)mb134 wrote Not to mention that the buses will also have been used by Jesmond drivers, so there'd likely be some apprehension from GNE drivers about using them. To be honest this is probably why services weren't shifted between ANE depots.

Totally agreed, I'm sure that's what happened down in Darlington where they weren't allowed to have Stockton drivers across because of the risks.

(12 Feb 2021, 8:04 pm)L469 YVK wrote If push comes to the shove, GNE could even take some 306 and 52/53/54 boards on. 306 could be changed at Formica like when GNE used to jointly run the 308.

52/53/54 could either be changed in Chirton near the Quadrant on Billy Mill Avenue or New York.

Not a chance would Arriva sub contract the 306 out to GNE that would be just stupid. The 44 or 45 would be the next routes they'd do imo as there's no competition so once it's over it's either Arriva or no-one.

All those services have either GNE / Stagecoach competing on large chunks of the route who could potentially take the custom after.

Also I'm guessing the services are being done as they're expecting more passengers on the 52, 54 and 55 because of the Metro closure and they're the realistic alternatives so can't afford any cancellations without problems (probably the same reason they didn't go to Sunday service like most other services).

I remember when this was happening at Darlington a Jesmond driver came to cover a weekend duty, had to loan a bus from Stockton to use for the full shift then return it to Stockton, just to be on the safe side so nothing got spread

(12 Feb 2021, 8:50 pm)MichealAaron wrote Wow GNE operation the 52/53/54 now that would be nice to see but hard at the same time as they interwoven with each other

Actually, 52/53/54 wouldn't make sense as 1x 54 per hour terminates in Killingworth.

(12 Feb 2021, 6:09 pm)makem1 wrote It just shows how easy it is to spread covid, and what a fantastic job the drivers are doing, they need a helluva lot more praise than they presently get

I may get flack for this but supermarket workers are low down in my opinion of key workers. They could easily be replaced imo.

I'm a courier driver and don't class myself as too important either. Anyone with a drivers licence can drive a white van.

(13 Feb 2021, 9:01 am)idiot wrote I may get flack for this but supermarket workers are low down in my opinion of key workers. They could easily be replaced imo.

I'm a courier driver and don't class myself as too important either. Anyone with a drivers licence can drive a white van.

I see where you're coming from, but equally to me supermarket workers are some of the most vulnerable out of all the 'key workers'.

They come into contact with more people than just about any other worker, without the proper PPE you get working for the NHS, or without sitting behind the screen like a bus driver (believe it or not, not everyone works on a checkout behind a screen like some people like to think).

Then you've got the issue of having to touch all the stock that the public have touched (no doubt while fiddling with their mask)

If you've been to a supermarket recently, you'll see how little social distancing there is, customers literally climb over each other to get a block of cheese, especially around the reduced section when the workers are trying to put it out!


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They come into contact with more people than just about any other worker, without the proper PPE you get working for the NHS, or without sitting behind the screen like a bus driver (believe it or not, not everyone works on a checkout behind a screen like some people like to think).


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The buses I drive have no screens at all nor roped off seats or hand sanitiser strategically positioned

(13 Feb 2021, 10:54 am)RM2186 wrote They come into contact with more people than just about any other worker, without the proper PPE you get working for the NHS, or without sitting behind the screen like a bus driver (believe it or not, not everyone works on a checkout behind a screen like some people like to think).


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The buses I drive have no screens at all nor roped off seats or hand sanitiser strategically positioned

Well I’d suggest speaking to your employer? The point being made is that staff at Asda Byker are coming into more close contact than the driver of the Coaster 1A route. Not an exact science, but Go North East drivers don’t even need to wear masks because of the screen in place which offers them adequate protection. Although having said this, I do think putting various key workers above each other in risk levels is a little toxic, all workers should be appreciated right now - including those working from home too - wether you’re a police officer, a bus driver, or a McDonald’s worker having to physically attend work or a call centre worker trying to ‘Work from Home’ with the dog barking in the background or someone trying to do accounting while home schooling. 

Speaking of the safety measures on buses, does make me wonder how these recent outbreaks have spread within bus operators. GNE seem to handling it well but Arriva are struggling it seems? I’ve never been on buses since before the pandemic, but is there a sufficient cleaning between driver change overs inside the cab and is social distancing achievable during meal/rest breaks?

(13 Feb 2021, 12:42 pm)Drifter60 wrote Well I’d suggest speaking to your employer? The point being made is that staff at Asda Byker are coming into more close contact than the driver of the Coaster 1A route. Not an exact science, but Go North East drivers don’t even need to wear masks because of the screen in place which offers them adequate protection. Although having said this, I do think putting various key workers above each other in risk levels is a little toxic, all workers should be appreciated right now - including those working from home too - wether you’re a police officer, a bus driver, or a McDonald’s worker having to physically attend work or a call centre worker trying to ‘Work from Home’ with the dog barking in the background or someone trying to do accounting while home schooling. 

Speaking of the safety measures on buses, does make me wonder how these recent outbreaks have spread within bus operators. GNE seem to handling it well but Arriva are struggling it seems? I’ve never been on buses since before the pandemic, but is there a sufficient cleaning between driver change overs inside the cab and is social distancing achievable during meal/rest breaks?

The number of drivers probably makes a big help when it comes to GNE, there's some school contracts plus the National Express work which has all been cancelled atm so even if half the staff did catch the virus then it wouldn't cause as much as an impact compared to Arriva who's only work is their service work so if you lose half the staff then your going to be short.

Can't really comment on Stagecoach but the movement of services around at Sunderland/South Shields could very well be linked to issues at South Shields.

Several times throughout last year when walking through Haymarket I kept seeing multiple Arriva staff stood chatting within 2m of each other, several without masks, either at the door to the Arriva staff room/office or smoking in the seating area just outside the bus station.
I haven’t walked through there since Christmas, but hopefully they’re acting more appropriately now since their recent internal scares/losses.

Has it been confirmed what buses will be allocated to the 46 and 51/51A?

(13 Feb 2021, 12:42 pm)Drifter60 wrote Well I’d suggest speaking to your employer? The point being made is that staff at Asda Byker are coming into more close contact than the driver of the Coaster 1A route. Not an exact science, but Go North East drivers don’t even need to wear masks because of the screen in place which offers them adequate protection. Although having said this, I do think putting various key workers above each other in risk levels is a little toxic, all workers should be appreciated right now - including those working from home too - wether you’re a police officer, a bus driver, or a McDonald’s worker having to physically attend work or a call centre worker trying to ‘Work from Home’ with the dog barking in the background or someone trying to do accounting while home schooling. 

Speaking of the safety measures on buses, does make me wonder how these recent outbreaks have spread within bus operators. GNE seem to handling it well but Arriva are struggling it seems? I’ve never been on buses since before the pandemic, but is there a sufficient cleaning between driver change overs inside the cab and is social distancing achievable during meal/rest breaks?

If they're going to vaccinate people in the future based on their risk, then to me bus drivers that are protected by a screen should be fairly far down the 'priority list' due to their relatively little amount of exposure to people. Same with people working in banks, and even GP receptionist.

As for the cleaning, in Durham from what I've seen Arriva have actually been quite good at driver change overs. Last time I was there (which, granted was a few weeks ago now) they were wiping down the entire cabs with some cleaning spray.
But then they all hang around together opposite the bus station with no social distancing, so...

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(13 Feb 2021, 6:28 pm)Michael wrote Has it been confirmed what buses will be allocated to the 46 and 51/51A?

I have a feeling it will be spare solos possibly Percy mains one I guess

(13 Feb 2021, 6:28 pm)Michael wrote Has it been confirmed what buses will be allocated to the 46 and 51/51A?

Service 46 is being operated by Stanley Travel, not Go North East.

Go North East will allocate 3x Scania Omnicity to services 51/51A. Though Arriva normally allocate Optare Solos, the allocation of full-size single-decks should ensure adequate social distancing.