North East Buses

The fleet lists page is down, if you click on the link it comes up with page not found.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:03 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote [ -> ]Personally I wouldn't really care what bus I got, all I want out of a bus is where it gets me from A to B without any problems. I always thought the Hybrids were a bad idea. They should of settled with ordinary B9s I think. Its very rare I see the Branded Spares out actually on the route covering for a B9, not like im at the places they operate very often like but still...B9s cope a lot better than B5s.

Thinking logically, the technology on the b5 hybrids is brand new, compared to the engine within a b9, that has been tweaked, adapted and improved since Volvo entered the market way back when.
There were bound to be problems of one type or another.

Hopefully, the reliability can be improved, particularly with the b5 engine becoming standard on the Volvo powered citybuses.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:06 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]The fleet lists page is down, if you click on the link it comes up with page not found.

Liam is making a few "behind the scenes" fixes which require the page to be down - news was the same earlier, but is now back up again.
When they're back up, I will edit the ANE fleet lists with the things you e-mailed me with.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:04 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Must say, these changes are the most interesting yet

Oh ye, they might finally get North Sunderland right haha

(01 Jan 2014, 3:12 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Oh ye, they might finally get North Sunderland right haha

Doesn't take a genius to work out that if you keep changing routes, your passengers get confused and won't use them!

(01 Jan 2014, 3:16 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Doesn't take a genius to work out that if you keep changing routes, your passengers get confused and won't use them!

Think the services were changed twice last year and they didn't work.. hopefully these ones do..

(01 Jan 2014, 3:08 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Liam is making a few "behind the scenes" fixes which require the page to be down - news was the same earlier, but is now back up again.
When they're back up, I will edit the ANE fleet lists with the things you e-mailed me with.

Ok, just making sure you knew in case you didn't.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:16 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Doesn't take a genius to work out that if you keep changing routes, your passengers get confused and won't use them!

So what would you suggest if a service is not performing.....you cannot just keep running and running it. Just look at quite a few service in Arriva Northumbria area (eh Scott ). Look how they had to revert back when the X4 and X5 were a disaster and how many times they have mucked around with the 57/57A.....that many complaints from Councillors regarding the X4/X5, I am lead to believe Mr De Santis had to ensure the services were corrected.

---

(01 Jan 2014, 3:16 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Doesn't take a genius to work out that if you keep changing routes, your passengers get confused and won't use them!

Bit like Whitby town services eh?

---

(01 Jan 2014, 2:54 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Lets not forget the lack of foresight in ordering 13 hybrids and then upping the PVR to 15 a matters of weeks after them entering service! No surprise then that red buses feature daily.

At least the GNE Hybrids are kept on the route they were bought for...unlike another operator......How many Hybrids are on routes other than the 308

---

(31 Dec 2013, 8:44 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Another thing that sticks out to me, is the way they link all of their brands together. You see one of Trent Barton's brands, you know who operates it. Go North East don't have the same link, and I reckon its something that they could do with implementing... TB don't emblazon their name all over the buses, but they all still shout "Trent Barton" at you.

How do they link the brands? If you look at their competitor, to a normal man in the street, how would you know it was either Trent Barton or Yourbus?

(01 Jan 2014, 3:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]So what would you suggest if a service is not performing.....you cannot just keep running and running it. Just look at quite a few service in Arriva Northumbria area (eh Scott ). Look how they had to revert back when the X4 and X5 were a disaster and how many times they have mucked around with the 57/57A.....that many complaints from Councillors regarding the X4/X5, I am lead to believe Mr De Santis had to ensure the services were corrected.

---

Bit like Whitby town services eh?

---

At least the GNE Hybrids are kept on the route they were bought for...unlike another operator......How many Hybrids are on routes other than the 308

---

How do they link the brands? If you look at their competitor, to a normal man in the street, how would you know it was either Trent Barton or Yourbus?

Because Yourbus and NCT have their names displayed in vinyls on the front perhaps?

5210 is now back at Deptford freshly repainted yellow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dansnorthea...689181436/

(01 Jan 2014, 4:24 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote [ -> ]5210 is now back at Deptford freshly repainted yellow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dansnorthea...689181436/

That's striking!, i have to say, i was wrong and look's quite smart

(01 Jan 2014, 4:26 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]That's striking!, i have to say, i was wrong and look's quite smart

It sure does - Doesn't look like I'll be able to photo 8228 then sadly

Does anyone know what the approximate seating capacity of the MPD's is?

(01 Jan 2014, 4:32 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]It sure does - Doesn't look like I'll be able to photo 8228 then sadly

Not sure when the B9's will be out in service, i would imagine from the 6th, maybe u can get it in the next couple of days

(01 Jan 2014, 4:32 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know what the approximate seating capacity of the MPD's is?

I think it's around 28/29?

(01 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]I think it's around 28/29?

The Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer examples (535-548) have 25 seats, and allow for 17 standees.
The Transbus MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer and Dennis MPD/Alexander Mini Pointer examples (549 upwards) have 29 seats, and also allow for 17 standees.

[quote='Dan' pid='24488' dateline='1388562397']

Now wouldn't that be sensible?! Rob has certainly hinted at that a few times, and didn't I mention something about greater reliablity post network changes, in regards to both the vehicles being allocated and indeed the services themselves?
"Fast Cats" is certainly appropriate for the X36, as it primarily serves Sunderland but does continue to go elsewhere too - the service is supposedly an express (Fast) and it's a service within the City of Sunderland (Cats).

Maybe Malarkey hasn't lost his touch in his old age after all - I think he's on the ball.

---

Complete opposite Daniel, I think i'm getting wiser as the Years pass me by, I just looked back over the previous posts last night when I came across Robs Post, and it just clicked into place perfectly.

I do hope this will then lead to a "Fast Cats" Rebrand though, even if it means the Current Vehicles on the X35 simply get a good old clean like the Artics on the X66 have had, before receiving New Vynals. I would like to think that GNE would do this and have the X35 Route Vynals on one side of the Bus and the X36 on the other, So that both sets of Vehicles can operate on both the X35/X36. The Citylink Branding comes to mind on the point I have just made, plus as you said Dan it would improve the reliability of both Services.

(01 Jan 2014, 4:58 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Complete opposite Daniel, I think i'm getting wiser as the Years pass me by, I just looked back over the previous posts last night when I came across Robs Post, and it just clicked into place perfectly.

See, I told you reading over all of the posts at once helps! :p

(01 Jan 2014, 4:57 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer examples (535-548) have 25 seats, and allow for 17 standees.
The Transbus MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer and Dennis MPD/Alexander Mini Pointer examples (549 upwards) have 29 seats, and also allow for 17 standees.

Well at least I got one right...

I'm glad we know where everything is going now.
-----------------
Remember ages ago when GNE first proposed the X36 to go in to the Fast Cats brand? (this was way before the current X36) - but it was then split up in to the X36-X37 when changes was announced - here is the results for that - It was off the Houghton-le-Spring Results (February 2011)

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/archive/GoNo...ry2011.pdf

Houghton-le-Spring Consultation (February 2011) - the page doesn't seem to work

Does anyone know when the Cobalt Clipper B9's come in to service?

(01 Jan 2014, 3:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]So what would you suggest if a service is not performing.....you cannot just keep running and running it. Just look at quite a few service in Arriva Northumbria area (eh Scott ). Look how they had to revert back when the X4 and X5 were a disaster and how many times they have mucked around with the 57/57A.....that many complaints from Councillors regarding the X4/X5, I am lead to believe Mr De Santis had to ensure the services were corrected.

Oh yeah I can't defend them on Northumbria! That has been messed around with way too many times recently... Bit like GNE's Sunderland network
My point is surely you can't see whether changes work inside a month or two, and need to leave the service to bed in before seeing whether it is growing or failing. Making changes 3 months in can't be good for continuity for staff and passengers.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Bit like Whitby town services eh?

The Whitby town services have run to the same timetable since July 2012 until January 2014.

(01 Jan 2014, 3:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]At least the GNE Hybrids are kept on the route they were bought for...unlike another operator......How many Hybrids are on routes other than the 308

The 308 needs more time adding in (judging by comments made by mates who drive them...) so hopefully this will happen next time they tinker with Northumbria?!

(01 Jan 2014, 3:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]How do they link the brands? If you look at their competitor, to a normal man in the street, how would you know it was either Trent Barton or Yourbus?

All of Trent Barton's brands include the same "wave" logo (or in the case of the newer brands the coloured circles) - not to mention everything uses the same font across all customer facing platforms, be it on the buses themselves, brand names, timetables, website, everything.

(01 Jan 2014, 5:13 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]I'm glad we know where everything is going now.
-----------------
Remember ages ago when GNE first proposed the X36 to go in to the Fast Cats brand? (this was way before the current X36) - but it was then split up in to the X36-X37 when changes was announced - here is the results for that - It was off the Houghton-le-Spring Results (February 2011)

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/archive/GoNo...ry2011.pdf

Houghton-le-Spring Consultation (February 2011) - the page doesn't seem to work

Does anyone know when the Cobalt Clipper B9's come in to service?

Eventually, hey? - At least it has brought lots of discussion to the forum though, and I've enjoyed reading other people's views.

(01 Jan 2014, 5:24 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Eventually, hey? - At least it has brought lots of discussion to the forum though, and I've enjoyed reading other people's views.

Like pulling teeth!!

(01 Jan 2014, 5:24 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Eventually, hey? - At least it has brought lots of discussion to the forum though, and I've enjoyed reading other people's views.

Ye after so much debate and changes, looks like everything is confirmed

Question is now - Will the 39 be finally be branded Simplicity - with 8319 going purple to haha - any idea when that will be

(01 Jan 2014, 5:29 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Question is now - Will the 39 be finally be branded Simplicity - with 8319 going purple to haha - any idea when that will be

Eventually, just give it time. Other repaints seem to be taking priority, it seems.
Like I said before, should be branded once the service changes go through.

(01 Jan 2014, 11:31 am)CatsFast101 wrote [ -> ]Peterlee depot is secure it's more than just buses left on a field overnight hahaha!
I believe Citaros will certainly boost the X7 especially if GNE do some small publicity about new buses for the service.

The Peterlee buses are stored with East Durham Community transport compound. down the road from where the old Arriva depot is.

(01 Jan 2014, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Eventually, just give it time. Other repaints seem to be taking priority, it seems.
Like I said before, should be branded once the service changes go through.

Can see everything done by end of January, that includes re-paints and the brands being applied to the buses.

(01 Jan 2014, 5:00 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]See, I told you reading over all of the posts at once helps! :p

Indeed it does, Here is my Attempt at the Cats Fast Rebrand, Admittedly more can be done with the "Cat"

[attachment=5114]

(01 Jan 2014, 5:54 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Indeed it does, Here is my Attempt at the Cats Fast Rebrand, Admittedly more can be done with the "Cat"

Looks good =D
Just a shame the X35 one won't be changing =(

(01 Jan 2014, 5:58 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Looks good =D
Just a shame the X35 one won't be changing =(

The quote below from Rob..

(31 Dec 2013, 7:51 pm)Rob wrote [ -> ]Just to add. The vehicles currently branded Fast Cats are not changing.

..could just relate to the main branding rather than the branding at the top of the vehicle for the destinations. I'd imagine it would be quite easy to replace one set of destinations on the side of a bus.