North East Buses

DAILY DIGEST: 01/03/13 - Insufficient material to cover. Cancelled.


DAILY DIGEST: 02/03/13
- "Sunderland Bus Briefing" leaflets distributed on vehicles throughout Sunderland. This leaflet contains the same information already given on Go North East's website here.

- Posters regarding upcoming Customer Consultations concerning services 9, 26, 36, 99 and X3 have been placed on Deptford-based vehicles that are allocated to the services in question.

- Despite what had previously been said in a "Daily Digest", 4944 has been transferred to Chester-le-Street from Percy Main. The rumour that 4944 will be transferred to Gateshead for the upcoming changes still exists, but another rumour (which admittedly seems more likely) has been given to us. Ultimately, 4944 has been set to see the disposal of 4895. The transfer of 4944 to Chester-le-Street was in the same batch of transfers as follows:
4844 to Stanley
5274 to Percy Main
4944 to Chester-le-Street
And finally, 4895's disposal

We are still yet to see 4844's transfer from Gateshead, but 5274 and 4944 have seen the planned transfer that was given to us.

The most recent photos of all of the vehicle's mentioned above can be seen below:
4844 (danielgrahamm)
5274 (transferred) (Bazza90 Bus Photos)
4944 (transferred) (danielgrahamm)
4895 (danielgrahamm)

- As ever, a few more things have been added to the Go North East: "Buses By Brand" collection. The recent changes following my upload from 02/03/13 are listed below:
[ADD] "Northern" 4944
[REP] "Route 19" 8240
[ADD] "Route 19" 8239
[ADD] "Blaydon Racers" 5275
[ADD] "Blaydon Racers" 5281
[ADD] "TEN" 6074
[ADD] "TEN" 6078
[ADD] "TEN" 6079
[REP] "TEN" 6076
[ADD] "Saltwell Park" 8300
[ADD] "Angel" 3962
[ADD] "Angel" 6067
[ADD] "Highwayman" 4932
[ADD] "Laser" 5308

The "Route 19" set is now complete. As you can see above, a replacement did take place as a new photo had been taken of the vehicle in question on the correct route (19). I'm still yet to replace 8241, as the photo I have of it is on the 9.

- Odd workings:
- "The Highwayman" 4941 on "Crusader" service 27. (danielgrahamm)
- "Soccerbus" 4910 on "TEN" service 10. (danielgrahamm)
- "Saltwell Park" 8300 on service 96. (danielgrahamm)
- "Poppy Bus" 4949 on "X66 Metrocentre" service X66. (danielgrahamm)
- "The Highwayman" 4932 on "Crusader" service 27. (danielgrahamm)
- "The Highwayman" 4940 on "Loop" service 94. (mdw9121)
- "Loop" 8224 on "CityLink" service 58. (mdw9121)
- "Cobalt" 4911 on "Coaster" service 1. (S.Blair250)
- "Tyne Tees Xpress" 3963 on "Saltwell Park" service 54. (peter_b2008)


DAILY DIGEST: 03/03/13
- Go North East's Mercedes Citaro Artic 5357 BX54UCO was spotted in a yard on the Brunswick Park Industrial Estate, Newcastle Upon Tyne. This particular Citaro was acquired at the start of November 2012, and by the end of November 2012, was put in service at Gateshead for usage on services 58/X66. It retained its London General livery while in service but was withdrawn from service mid-December because the internal layout was unsuitable for Go North East use without modification.
Photos can be seen below of 5357:
5357 (frontal) (emdjt42)
5357 (side) (emdjt42)


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Many thanks to everyone who contributed any information and/or photos for the "Daily Digest" above. As always, we politely request that you contact us (preferably me!) in the easiest way for you with any information you have that could be included - be it using the PM system, on Facebook, e-mailing me etc. That way, things will always be included in the DD and won't be missed.

The 78 which has just left park lane a few mins ago is making a right noise

Following yesterday's Daily Dosage, I'd just like to attach some files to this post. As promised, higher quality images of the bus briefing leaflets.

Having come home from school ill about an hour and a half ago, I had the time to scan in the Sunderland Bus Briefing leaflet I picked up on the way home.

With thanks to David Mista Fozz Forster on Facebook who shared the Peterlee Bus Briefing one. Links to the original photo are also given below.
Middle (David Mista Fozz Forster)
Back (David Mista Fozz Forster)

[attachment=4359][attachment=4363][attachment=4360]
[attachment=4361][attachment=4362]
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Might also be worth noting that all brands affected by the upcoming price increase now display posters on their respective vehicles regarding the price increases, and what the price increases are. Not all brands are affected by these price changes, but a significant proportion. The price for the "Get Around" ticket(s) is still under consideration at the moment.

I couldn't get a photo, but an example (with a small but very annoying typo) is given below, which I copied while travelling home from school today.

Doxford Clipper
New Fares from 6 March

In and around Sunderland City, single journeys will costs £1.35, £1.70 and £2.

Sunderland Savers:
Day - £3.40
Week - £11.40

How irritating that Go North East pluralised 'cost'.

I passed at speed but it looked like 4984 expired in Lamesley today

Fleet changes.

6071 6072 6073 6074 6081 6082 new vehicles in service at Winlaton
6075 6076 6077 6078 6079 6080 new vehicles in service at Hexham
5318 5319 5328 5329 5330 5332 Hexham to Gateshead
5310 5311 5314 5315 5316 5317 Winlaton to Gateshead
4837 4838 4839 4840 4841 Gateshead to Winlaton
4906 4907 4908 4909 awaiting transfer
4844 Gateshead to Stanley
5274 Stanley to Percy Main
4944 Percy Main to Chester le Street
7087 Driver Training to Chester le Street

Just a note that the info above was given on a Facebook group - didn't originate from GNE's Enthusiast Area.

I'm not questioning its accuracy as it looks correct to me, but just thought it'd be worth pointing out nevertheless.

While we're on that matter, GNE's Enthusiast Area is now blank - the thing about 3922 has been removed.

I got it from their site under Fleet Allocation, im part of no GNE FB pages, expect for the official GNE one, i find them groups annoying and full of know it all's.

Wonder where 4906 4907 4908 4909 will end up.

Another thing to point out as well regarding the fleet movements is that 4895 still remains in service, even though we were all speculating that it would have been displaced by 4944. On the other hand, the person who updates the fleet lists may have forgot to include 4895 as "withdrawn".

(04 Mar 2013, 7:43 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]Another thing to point out as well regarding the fleet movements is that 4895 still remains in service, even though we were all speculating that it would have been displaced by 4944. On the other hand, the person who updates the fleet lists may have forgot to include 4895 as "withdrawn".

Not sure but 506/512 is also out of service, anyone know y?

(04 Mar 2013, 7:43 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]Another thing to point out as well regarding the fleet movements is that 4895 still remains in service, even though we were all speculating that it would have been displaced by 4944. On the other hand, the person who updates the fleet lists may have forgot to include 4895 as "withdrawn".

According to a spreadsheet I received, 4944 is to replace 4895. Similarly, all the Prestiges at Winlaton haven't been withdrawn yet.

4906-09 are due to be Peterlee based for the X7.

Cheers, do you know what the 265 will be run by, will it still be ran Chester?

(04 Mar 2013, 10:25 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Cheers, do you know what the 265 will be run by, will it still be ran Chester?

No, the 265 will be operated by Peterlee depot - interworked with the 202/259/261 (pattern will be 202/265/259/261

Thanks, look like MPD's will be used.

Oh right, my bad. I assumed as the information wasn't given on the homepage as it usually is, it wasn't official GNE material. I'd also looked at the Archive where it tends to be updated too, but wasn't there either.

Looked like it had been copied from Bazza's group on Facebook, where a discussion on the movements has already started (as it has on here too).
Nevertheless, checked the Allocations and Fleet List publications and they have been updated accordingly.

(05 Mar 2013, 8:41 am)Daniel wrote [ -> ]Oh right, my bad. I assumed as the information wasn't given on the homepage as it usually is, it wasn't official GNE material. I'd also looked at the Archive where it tends to be updated too, but wasn't there either.

Looked like it had been copied from Bazza's group on Facebook, where a discussion on the movements has already started (as it has on here too).

Don't worry, im not part of Bazza's group, i was until i got kicked out for saying what i thought haha

(05 Mar 2013, 8:43 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Don't worry, im not part of Bazza's group, i was until i got kicked out for saying what i thought haha

Fleet movements are very fluid things anyway.

Ah yes, Bazza's group. All those Assistant's and Ambassadors (or Ambassidors as he calls them) really does take any enjoyment out of things

DAILY DIGEST: 04/03/13 - Insufficient material to cover. Cancelled.


DAILY DIGEST: 05/03/13 - Doing it now as I'm still ill, fell asleep before 8pm yesterday so want to make sure I get it done while I remember the things that ought to be covered.
- Fairly old news now, but I keep forgetting to mention it in these DD's... "TEN" Spare 3942 has been put into the new branding. Photos can be seen below:
3942 (frontal/side) (mdw9121)
3942 (rear/side) (North East And Regional Bus Photos)

- As already noted in a previous post, ex-"Crusader" 4844 has been transferred to Stanley. On 5th March 2013, 4844 was spotted working "Diamond" service 43, en-route to Durham. This can be seen in the photograph below:
4844 (mdw9121)

- Ex-"Crusader" 4838 has been re-painted into the "Northern" livery. Though previously disregarded by myself, the first photo of 4838 in her new outfit was released on 2nd March 2013. My apologies for this, and thanks to Matt for his photo bringing this to my attention. Both photos can be seen below, working different services (49B and 10A respectively):
4838 on 49B (Dan's Bus Photos)
4838 on 10A (mdw9121)

- Versa Demo 9133 is stillllll with Go North East. Her 7th week now - trial must be coming to an end shortly... Most recent photo can be seen below:
9133 (ADAM'S NORTHEAST BUSPHOTOS)

- Odd workings:
"Nexus" 634 on "South Tyne" service 5. (matt56120)


*Should any extra material I can comment on be uploaded to Flickr before I fall asleep, I'll edit this post.*

Few changes on VOSA today for April.

PB0002400/458 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bishop Auckland Bus Station and Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station given service number X21 effective from 28-Apr-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/365 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Consett Bus Station and Durham Bus Station given service number 15/15a, 815, 822 effective from 28-Apr-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/366 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Newcastle Eldon Metrocentre given service number 43/43b/44/836/843/844 effective from 28-Apr-2013. To amend Timetable.

Following Go North East’s withdrawal of Diamond 43/44 from the turning circle at Sacriston in March 2012, they have stated that there have been noticeable improvements in the reliability of the service. Together with other changes on the route, there has also been a reduction in the number of services ‘bunching’ and a decrease in the lost mileage (parts of the service that are not run at all) on the route.

Go North East cited four reasons for the withdrawal of Diamond from the turning circle -

1. The delays caused by vehicles parked in and around the turning circle.
2. The delays caused by buses waiting to exit the junction from the bus stop on to Durham Road.
3. Diverting from a main route to serve a bus stop like this is not the most natural of bus operations.
4. They consider the turning circle to be an uninviting environment to wait for a bus.

There is currently no replacement stop and there is significant distance and incline between the nearest two stops. A new bus stop is proposed to serve as a replacement to the stop not currently used in the turning circle.

83 reasons for objections were raised by local residents. A fair amount of comments are valid in my view, but a couple I found quite comical

31. How will I clean my windows particularly the upstairs windows safely and how will I cut the bungalow hedge safely when waiting passengers will be there for over 16 hours per day?
Given that it is unlikely that passengers will be waiting directly outside your house, it is anticipated that you would clean your windows in the same manneras you do at present. It is not anticipated there will be a constant queue of waiting passengers at the bus stop for 16 hours a day. As such, it is anticipated that you would carry out this work with the same regard to the general public currently using the footpath.

78. Are you infringing on my human rights by subjecting me to excessive CO2 emissions?
Go North East state they have one of the cleanest bus fleets of its size in the country. The Diamond Service 43/44 is operated with Euro5 Standard for emissions.


In December 2012, the Committee were recommended to set aside the objections and endorse the proposal to proceed with construction of the bus stop and associated highway works.
Full Report - http://democracy.durham.gov.uk/documents...riston.pdf

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I haven't received a Sunderland consultation through the door yet - but I'm expecting one very soon! I have heard "bus-stop" talk about what is happening, but I don't think it's a good idea to share these because I don't know if they are just rumours, or people relaying what they've read in their recieved consultations. I don't want to spread ideas that may not be true. And also - it is just a consultation and plans can change; they certainly did about the proposed merging of 38 and 61 last year - Best to be sure and wait for official channels!

Adam's GNE Update

Odd Workings

4994 Volvo B10BLE/ALX300 on the 50
8289 Dennis Dart SLF on the 50, Note this is an extremely rare working
4944 Northern Wright Solar on the 50 http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
Poppy Wright Solar was on the Highwayman 96
SayYesNow President was on the 21
Ex Crusader Renown on the 43/44 and also X66

In other news 9133 is still with GNE and is still working the Diamond 43/44 seen today at the Metrocentre, according to Sean Blair it's supposed to be going to Brighton and Hove next before returning to GNE, note this was supposed to happen 2 weeks ago now and still hasn't happened.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Also whilst on 4944 on the 50 this morning I seen Anthony Armitage and he told me that Friday gone there was an Angel Hybrid on the 50, I highly doubt this is true as he has reputation of telling lies about GNE services.