North East Buses

(29 Mar 2014, 9:59 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Thats a bit of false economy isn't it

Haha yes but it's not my money. I alternate between car and bus. I accidentally managed to travel to Durham with it the other day (thanks Pronto driver)

We just swapped from buzz fare to Network and it slipped my mind

(29 Mar 2014, 7:39 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]I am wondering if you would be able to help me using your more experienced enthusiast knowledge. All I want to know is what MONTH the following sets of buses entered service for the first time with Go North East and in most which depot they entered service at:

Olympians
Renowns (not ex Arriva or Oxford)
Solars + Solar Fusions (up until 4967)
Solars 4989-4990
SPD 8228

Thank you in advance if you can be help me with any of these.

3811 - 3833 entered in service at South Shields depot between September 1998 and January 1999. In 2000 however, four transferred to Percy Main for the 308 and a further two transferred for the DFDS contract.

When I'm going to chester monday will I say return to chester are return from chester sorry all I ever get on buses is singles and day tickets

4837, 4838, 4844 & 1 other (probs 4839) parked nose in at cls depot. Think they're now probably withdrawn.

(29 Mar 2014, 7:39 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]I am wondering if you would be able to help me using your more experienced enthusiast knowledge. All I want to know is what MONTH the following sets of buses entered service for the first time with Go North East and in most which depot they entered service at:

Olympians
Renowns (not ex Arriva or Oxford)
Solars + Solar Fusions (up until 4967)
Solars 4989-4990
SPD 8228

Thank you in advance if you can be help me with any of these.

Have you tried the bus lists website?
Wont give you all the info, but will be a start.

(29 Mar 2014, 9:52 pm)gtom wrote [ -> ]Anyone know how much more us incredibly satisfied passengers will be paying when the bus fares rise next week? (2nd and 9th are fare rise dates)

Can't remember which service I was on now, but I guess that it will be universal - there was a poster stating that most £x.x5 fares were going to go up by 5p to bring them up to £x.x0.
I'd imagine that this will assist with driver's finding it difficult to provide change for 5p fares too.

(30 Mar 2014, 2:12 am)nk55 wrote [ -> ]4837, 4838, 4844 & 1 other (probs 4839) parked nose in at cls depot. Think they're now probably withdrawn.

I would imagine so.

Wonder if GNE will update the enthusiast area this week.

Also would of though 8228 would of gone by now!

(30 Mar 2014, 8:36 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Can't remember which service I was on now, but I guess that it will be universal - there was a poster stating that most £x.x5 fares were going to go up by 5p to bring them up to £x.x0.
I'd imagine that this will assist with driver's finding it difficult to provide change for 5p fares too.

£7.60 - 3 zone - not sure if that's to much or worth it..

How are the citaro's doing on the X7?

(30 Mar 2014, 8:38 am)Michael wrote [ -> ] £7.60 - 3 zone - not sure if that's to much or worth it..

How are the citaro's doing on the X7?

Certainly puts me off purchasing a 3 zone ticket. Will stick to the Day Rover going forward.
Imagine others will too.

Do you or anyone else know the reasons for the increase?
Has there been an increase in fuel, wages or insurance costs?

(30 Mar 2014, 8:36 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Can't remember which service I was on now, but I guess that it will be universal - there was a poster stating that most £x.x5 fares were going to go up by 5p to bring them up to £x.x0.
I'd imagine that this will assist with driver's finding it difficult to provide change for 5p fares too.

So we're at £1.40 minimum fares now.

Still 40p behind the Metro

(30 Mar 2014, 9:02 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Certainly puts me off purchasing a 3 zone ticket. Will stick to the Day Rover going forward.
Imagine others will too.

Do you or anyone else know the reasons for the increase?
Has there been an increase in fuel, wages or insurance costs?

Same with me, was gonna go to beamish this year but think i'll pass

(30 Mar 2014, 9:10 am)gtom wrote [ -> ]So we're at £1.40 minimum fares now.

Still 40p behind the Metro

I do believe there are adult single fares as low as £1.00, though I can't remember where this applies (possibly the "QuayLink"?).
Looking at Go North East's website, I can see that a single fare in Stanley will be £1.30 now, previously £1.25. Admittedly, this is still more expensive than the Metro, but provides evidence of fares closer to the minimum Metro fare.

Quite notably, the standard Teen Card fare from Arriva rose from 90p to £1.00 last Sunday. Go North East's 90p fare has been frozen at this price - and has done for over a year now.

It is also cheaper to purchase "Transfare" tickets on a Go North East bus than Metro.

Metro:
- 1 zone Transfare - T1 £2.70.
- 2 zone Transfare - T2 £3.50.
- 3 zone Transfare - T3 £4.20.

Go North East (old price)/new price:
- 1 zone Transfare - T1 (£2.50)/£2.60
- 2 zone Transfare - T2 (£3.30)/£3.40
- 3 zone Transfare - T3 (£4.00)/£4.10

(30 Mar 2014, 9:24 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]I do believe there are adult single fares as low as £1.00, though I can't remember where this applies.
Looking at Go North East's website, I can see that a single fare in Stanley will be £1.30 now, previously £1.25. Admittedly, this is still more expensive than the Metro, but provides evidence of fares closer to the minimum Metro fare.

Quite notably, the standard Teen Card fare from Arriva rose from 90p to £1.00 last Sunday. Go North East's 90p fare has been frozen at this price - and has done for over a year now.

It is also cheaper to purchase "Transfare" tickets on a Go North East bus than Metro.

Metro:
- 1 zone Transfare - T1 £2.70.
- 2 zone Transfare - T2 £3.50.
- 3 zone Transfare - T3 £4.20.

Go North East (old price)/new price:
- 1 zone Transfare - T1 (£2.50)/£2.60
- 2 zone Transfare - T2 (£3.30)/£3.40
- 3 zone Transfare - T3 (£4.00)/£4.10

Why can't both companies just have the same price, that's just stupid, having it at different prices

(30 Mar 2014, 9:25 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Why can't both companies just have the same price, that's just stupid, having it at different prices

I'm not too sure why they aren't the same price, but it does show that - despite the fare increases - Go North East's fares are still good value for money and are still highly competitive.

Durham, new inn to bus station and bus station to hospital £1.00 these fares are also frozen.

At chester we've had our leading drivers holding £5 bags of 5ps for a while, so no shortage for us

One thing that puzzles me is why change fares on a wednesday?

(29 Mar 2014, 11:36 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote [ -> ]3811 - 3833 entered in service at South Shields depot between September 1998 and January 1999. In 2000 however, four transferred to Percy Main for the 308 and a further two transferred for the DFDS contract.

Thanks. Do you know which 4 transferred for the 308. I know that it was 3832 and 3833 that transferred for the DFDS hence their slight modifications internally compared to the others.

(30 Mar 2014, 9:02 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Certainly puts me off purchasing a 3 zone ticket. Will stick to the Day Rover going forward.
Imagine others will too.

Do you or anyone else know the reasons for the increase?
Has there been an increase in fuel, wages or insurance costs?

No wage increase, but no doubt the amount of claims or false claims will be the reason.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but if you're travelling in an area where you can buy a day rover, then there's no need for a 3 zone buzzfare!, so in reality a 2 zone at £6.20 (from 09/04) is cheaper than a day rover.

And if you travel between Northumberland and North Tyneside, it's £8.30 per week and £33.30 per month cheaper to travel on the Cobalt Clipper if you'd normally travel only on the 308 and anywhere that the 309 serves nearby. Also, if you're travelling to the Metro Centre, it's once again also cheaper because if you were doing it on the 308 from anywhere in North Tyneside or Newcastle, it would cost you £7.80 (£6.80 for Network One) if you were to use the TEN but it would be upto £3.20 cheaper to make the same journey using the 309.

(30 Mar 2014, 9:53 am)nk55 wrote [ -> ]No wage increase, but no doubt the amount of claims or false claims will be the reason.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but if you're travelling in an area where you can buy a day rover, then there's no need for a 3 zone buzzfare!, so in reality a 2 zone at £6.20 (from 09/04) is cheaper than a day rover.

Somewhere like South Shields to Byker would be red, purple, blue.

(30 Mar 2014, 9:46 am)nk55 wrote [ -> ]Durham, new inn to bus station and bus station to hospital £1.00 these fares are also frozen.

At chester we've had our leading drivers holding £5 bags of 5ps for a while, so no shortage for us

One thing that puzzles me is why change fares on a wednesday?

Does there happen to be competition in that part of Durham

Initially I thought the dates must have been to do with the financial/fiscal year - but with the bank holiday being later than last year, I am not 100% sure.

(30 Mar 2014, 9:53 am)nk55 wrote [ -> ]No wage increase, but no doubt the amount of claims or false claims will be the reason.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but if you're travelling in an area where you can buy a day rover, then there's no need for a 3 zone buzzfare!, so in reality a 2 zone at £6.20 (from 09/04) is cheaper than a day rover.

Often pop to the coast for a day out with the kids. Shields would be a red ticket, but if I go to Whitley Bay or Cullercoats and the fish quay, a GNE ticket would be purchased (red, ferry and 333 or a 3zone ticket and a 333).

Often buy a day rover when heading to Newcastle over a 2zone ticket, just for flexibility, espec if traffic is bad.

(30 Mar 2014, 9:58 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Does there happen to be competition in that part of Durham

Initially I thought the dates must have been to do with the financial/fiscal year - but with the bank holiday being later than last year, I am not 100% sure.

There isn't competition in Stanley, yet that area has some of the cheapest town/city single fares...

(30 Mar 2014, 9:46 am)nk55 wrote [ -> ]One thing that puzzles me is why change fares on a wednesday?

As if there is an issue, ie fares not uploading correctly via the wifi, there is support staff in from GNE and ERG, whereby on a weekend, whilst GNE could ask their staff to work, they could not force ERG to work just in case.....

There was an issue at a sister company a couple of years back when they uploaded new fares on a weekend, but the machines would not accept the data, so it is better to be safe as sorry.

(30 Mar 2014, 10:03 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]There isn't competition in Stanley, yet that area has some of the cheapest town/city single fares...

haha, I know some of the independents up there aren't the biggest out there, but that's a bit harsh

(30 Mar 2014, 10:08 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]haha, I know some of the independents up there aren't the biggest out there, but that's a bit harsh

Can't say I've ever seen a fare paying customer on board one of the Stanley local services (such as the 713)... Hardly could be perceived as 'competition' when they're not even in the same league.

There's huge competition by Stagecoach North East in Sunderland, so why isn't there a £1.00 flat fare in Sunderland?

(30 Mar 2014, 10:21 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Can't say I've ever seen a fare paying customer on board one of the Stanley local services (such as the 713)... Hardly could be perceived as 'competition' when they're not even in the same league.

There's huge competition by Stagecoach North East in Sunderland, so why isn't there a £1.00 flat fare in Sunderland?

I'm fairly sure the Stanley independent services are both tendered anyway.

(30 Mar 2014, 10:21 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Can't say I've ever seen a fare paying customer on board one of the Stanley local services (such as the 713)... Hardly could be perceived as 'competition' when they're not even in the same league.

There's huge competition by Stagecoach North East in Sunderland, so why isn't there a £1.00 flat fare in Sunderland?

I know people up there who pay to use the Hunters service, but that's by the by.
As soon as GNE ramp their prices up, I have a fare idea that Stanley and/or TGM will see a gap in the market, due to their lower operating costs and overheads.

As for Sunderland, you know yourself how low some of the fares are and have been - just look at the Simplicity price promise or their tickets which can work out under £1 a trip from Vicarage Est.

(29 Mar 2014, 7:39 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]I am wondering if you would be able to help me using your more experienced enthusiast knowledge. All I want to know is what MONTH the following sets of buses entered service for the first time with Go North East and in most which depot they entered service at:

Olympians
Renowns (not ex Arriva or Oxford)
Solars + Solar Fusions (up until 4967)
Solars 4989-4990
SPD 8228

Thank you in advance if you can be help me with any of these.

Try this:

No Reg Date New Original Depot Notes
3813 S813FVK 9/1998 South Shields
3814 S814FVK 9/1998 South Shields
3815 S815FVK 9/1998 South Shields
3816 S816FVK 9/1998 South Shields
3817 S817FVK 9/1998 South Shields
3818 S818OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3819 S819OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3821 S821OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3822 S822OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3823 S823OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3824 S824OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3825 S825OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3826 S826OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3828 S828OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3829 S829OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3830 S830OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3831 S831OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3832 S832OFT 12/1998 South Shields
3833 S833OFT 12/1998 South Shields
4837 R837PRG 4/1998 Washington
4838 R838PRG 4/1998 Washington
4839 R839PRG 4/1998 Washington
4840 340GUP 4/1998 Washington
4841 R841PRG 4/1998 Washington
4842 R842PRG 4/1998 Washington
4843 R843PRG 4/1998 Washington
4844 R844PRG 4/1998 Washington
4845 R845PRG 4/1998 Washington
4846 R846PRG 4/1998 Washington
4847 R847PRG 4/1998 Washington
4848 R848PRG 4/1998 Chester-le-Street
4849 R849PRG 4/1998 Chester-le-Street
4850 R856PRG 5/1998 Chester-le-Street
4851 R851PRG 4/1998 Chester-le-Street
4852 R852PRG 4/1998 Chester-le-Street
4853 R853PRG 5/1998 Chester-le-Street
4854 R854PRG 5/1998 Chester-le-Street
4855 R855PRG 5/1998 Chester-le-Street
4896 V986ETN 1/2000 Stanley
4897 V987ETN 1/2000 Stanley
4898 V988ETN 1/2000 Stanley
4899 V989ETN 1/2000 Stanley
4900 V990ETN 2/2000 Stanley
4901 W901RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4902 W902RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4903 W903RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4904 W904RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4905 W905RBB 8/2000 Stanley
4906 W906RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4907 W907RBB 7/2000 Stanley
4908 W908RBB 8/2000 Stanley
4909 W909RBB 8/2000 Stanley
4910 W491SCU 8/2000 Stanley
4911 W411SCU 8/2000 Stanley
4912 X912WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4913 X913WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4914 X914WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4915 X915WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4916 X916WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4917 X917WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4918 X918WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4919 X919WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4920 X492WGR 9/2000 Gateshead
4921 X921WGR 10/2000 Gateshead
4922 X922WGR 10/2000 Gateshead
4923 X923WGR 10/2000 Gateshead
4924 X924WGR 10/2000 Washington (Loaned for 2 months before transfer to Gateshead 1/2001)
4925 X935WGR 10/2000 Washington (Loaned for 2 months before transfer to Gateshead 1/2001)
4926 Y926ERG 3/2001 Gateshead
4927 Y927ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4928 Y928ERG 3/2001 Gateshead
4929 Y929ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4930 Y493ETN 4/2001 Gateshead
4931 Y931ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4932 Y932ERG 5/2001 Gateshead
4933 Y933ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4934 Y934ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4935 Y935ERG 4/2001 Gateshead
4936 Y936ERG 5/2001 Gateshead
4937 NK51OKW 10/2001 Gateshead
4938 NK51OKX 10/2001 Gateshead
4940 NK51OLB 10/2001 Gateshead
4941 NK51OLC 10/2001 Gateshead
4942 NK51OLE 10/2001 Gateshead
4943 NK51OLG 10/2001 Gateshead
4944 NK51OLH 10/2001 Gateshead
4945 NK51OLJ 10/2001 Gateshead
4946 NK51OLM 10/2001 Gateshead
4947 NK51OLN 10/2001 Gateshead
4948 NK51OLO 10/2001 Gateshead
4949 NK51OLP 10/2001 Gateshead
4950 NK51OLR 12/2001 Gateshead
4951 NK51OLT 12/2001 Gateshead
4952 NK51OLU 12/2001 Gateshead
4953 NK51OLV 12/2001 Gateshead
4954 NL02ZRX 3/2002 Gateshead (Replacemnet for fire damaged 4939)
4955 NA02NVL 7/2002 Gateshead
4956 NL52WVM 10/2002 Washington
4957 NL52WVN 10/2002 Washington
4958 NL52WVO 9/2002 Washington
4959 NL52WVP 10/2002 Washington
4960 NL52WVR 10/2002 Washington
4961 NL52WVS 10/2002 Washington
4962 NL52WVT 10/2002 Washington
4963 NL52WVU 10/2002 Washington
4964 NL52WVV 10/2002 Washington
4965 NL52WVW 11/2002 Washington
4966 NL52WVX 10/2002 Washington
4967 NK53UNT 2/2004 South Shields
4968 NK53UNU 2/2004 South Shields
4969 NK53UNV 2/2004 South Shields
4970 NK53UNW 2/2004 South Shields
4971 NK53UNX 2/2004 South Shields
4972 NK53UNY 2/2004 Gateshead
4973 NK53UNZ 2/2004 Gateshead
4974 NK53UOA 2/2004 Gateshead
4975 NK53UOB 2/2004 Gateshead
4976 NK53UOC 2/2004 Gateshead
4989 YN51MKV 11/2001 Chester-le-Street (Acquired from Ludlow, Halesowen 1/2006)
4990 YN51MKX 11/2001 Chester-le-Street (Acquired from Ludlow, Halesowen 1/2006)
4991 YR02ZYK 4/2002 Chester-le-Street (Acquired from Anglian, Ellough 3/2006)
4992 YR02ZYM 4/2002 Chester-le-Street (Acquired from Anglian, Ellough 3/2006)
8228 X228FBB 1/2001 Chester-le-Street

(30 Mar 2014, 9:52 am)Robert wrote [ -> ]Thanks. Do you know which 4 transferred for the 308. I know that it was 3832 and 3833 that transferred for the DFDS hence their slight modifications internally compared to the others.

Is that the seat that seems to be missing at the front upstairs on both, you see whenever I get the X43 to Stanley from the Metro I always take advantage of it being relatively empty so I sit at the front, but on both it feels like there should be a seat in front. I don't recall 3825, 3821 or 3822 having them when they were at Chester, is it for suitcases and luggage when they were on DFDS duties?

Dan will you be posting the latest news today or like me... have alot of homework to do =(

(30 Mar 2014, 10:23 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I'm fairly sure the Stanley independent services are both tendered anyway.

I think the 706/707/708 might be but on the front of their timetable from September 2013 adverting the service changes it says the following:
"Due to the closure of Greencroft School, we were approached by Tanfield School and Durham County Council etc..."
Usually with a tendered service, Tanfield would have to go to Durham County Council rather than Stanley Travel direct but if they have been approached by DCC aswell it suggests otherwise...

The Hunters 713 I think is their own service and isn't secured by DCC. Both sets of services (Stanley Travel 706/707/708 for sure) just get filled up with the elderly going into Stanley for a look around (especially on market day) and aren't very popular with fare paying passengers.