North East Buses

(26 Jan 2016, 4:59 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Do any of the GNE insiders know if there's any plans to assist running the 21.

They seem to he running in 3's. Every morning they seem to be regulating them at Newcastle (or Gateshead) and tonight I've waited 30 minutes then 3 turned up.

I'm guessing various Durham roadworks, congestion through Birtley and Low Fell are to blame but it's becoming a bit frustrating.

Hopefully the new bus lane through low fell will assist

To complete my moan (its been a long day at work) the hybrids are starting to look very shabby inside. Much prefer the ride on the Fab 56 examples, especially since arriva have upped their game with x12 stock

The Durham roadworks shouldn't affect them. They're on the other side of the city centre. Even if they were on the route, it would only affect half of the 21s, since half of them only do the NCL-CLS run.

It's largely simple physics and logistics, when it comes to very frequent services on busy roads. The bus in front will pick up more passengers and the bus behind will catch up.

It only takes the first bus to be 15 minutes late to observe what you're seeing. That can happen very easily to an hour long journey if traffic is heavy. If the same happened to the half hourly X12, all you would get is a bus that is 15 minutes late, with none of the clustering.

(25 Jan 2016, 5:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Can you not change the fonts to the standard for the front? 

Ever since you've mentioned it being the same type of display as the ones in the rear of the SRs, it looks stranger.

Further photos below - bit clearer than the one you posted originally:

Go North East: 5277 / NK07KPL by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5277 / NK07KPL by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5277 / NK07KPL by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I'm still not overly convinced by it in daylight, but I can't wait to see it in the flesh at night. It doesn't seem quite as bright as 5390's display, but this could be because the glass around the display is slightly darker on a Mercedes Citaro.

Do percy main destinations have the Northern badge or like riveside have go north east riverside depot?
Never seen anyone with them on but have seen depford and riverside buses with them.

(26 Jan 2016, 8:11 pm)dannygee wrote [ -> ]Do percy main destinations have the Northern badge or like riveside have go north east riverside depot?
Never seen anyone with them on but have seen depford and riverside buses with them.

The primary purpose for the 'NORTHERN' display was for the Beamish event 5419 attended in November 2015 (see below):

Go North East: 5419 / NK15EOL by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

It was added to all other depots' destination databases at the same time, but will only be on the bus if it's been updated since November.

Think it was roughly the same time that the 'xxx Depot' and brand name logo displays were added (though a couple were done at Riverside by September):

Go North East: 8337 / NK11HKP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The test of a destination 'blind' is whether it can be read at night in rain (as the bus approaches at speed).

I confess to having stuck my arm out for a snowplough (which had a row of lights along the top of the cab) when I was expecting an X84/X85.

He didn't stop . . .

(26 Jan 2016, 8:43 pm)G-CPTN wrote [ -> ]The test of a destination 'blind' is whether it can be read at night in rain (as the bus approaches at speed).

I confess to having stuck my arm out for a snowplough (which had a row of lights along the top of the cab) when I was expecting an X84/X85.

He didn't stop . . .

Hope you put a complaint in to NCC....

(26 Jan 2016, 8:23 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The primary purpose for the 'NORTHERN' display was for the Beamish event 5419 attended in November 2015 (see below):

Go North East: 5419 / NK15EOL by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

It was added to all other depots' destination databases at the same time, but will only be on the bus if it's been updated since November.

Think it was roughly the same time that the 'xxx Depot' and brand name logo displays were added (though a couple were done at Riverside by September):

Go North East: 8337 / NK11HKP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Yep ive seen buses in gateshead etc with the branding and th depots on the destinations but none down percy main so the drivers must not use them?

Very random question, but do any photos of the X81 exist? Would like to see what it looks like and what the allocation is.

(26 Jan 2016, 9:46 pm)Jackamcardle wrote [ -> ]Very random question, but do any photos of the X81 exist? Would like to see what it looks like and what the allocation is.

I think GuyParkRoyal photographed it I'll try and find it.

Edit : https://flic.kr/p/zG96NP

(26 Jan 2016, 9:51 pm)Davie wrote [ -> ]I think GuyParkRoyal photographed it I'll try and find it.

Edit : https://flic.kr/p/zG96NP

That's the 681.

(26 Jan 2016, 9:53 pm)Jackamcardle wrote [ -> ]That's the 681.

Never mind then.

The vehicle used on the X81 is the same vehicle that is used on the 681.

(26 Jan 2016, 11:14 pm)GMitchelhill wrote [ -> ]The vehicle used on the X81 is the same vehicle that is used on the 681.

That'll be fun in the snow.

(based on the tightness of the timetable alternating between the X81, 185 and 681)

https://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/74825.4

(26 Jan 2016, 11:43 pm)G-CPTN wrote [ -> ]That'll be fun in the snow.

(based on the tightness of the timetable alternating between the X81, 185 and 681)

https://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/74825.4

Looks like a really fun shift to be honest, I've been to Alston awhile ago and it's a lovely place, the village centre is built up a hill.

(25 Jan 2016, 5:32 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]It is the same type of display as in the rear of an indiGo branded Optare Solo, if you have seen one of those in the flesh.

If you think the route number is fat on that photo - wait until you see it on a 49A or 49C... Not keen myself!

Although the display is very clear, the ones on the indigo seem to be far brighter and stand out more in daylight

[attachment=7553]

[attachment=7553 wroteJackamcardle pid='147821' dateline='1453881713'][attachment=7553][attachment=7554]
Looks like a really fun shift to be honest, I've been to Alston awhile ago and it's a lovely place, the village centre is built up a hill.

It is a very good trip the scenery is great. pics not mine but i was there when they were taken

6077's front window is cracked

(27 Jan 2016, 11:15 am)Davie wrote [ -> ]6077's front window is cracked

(27 Jan 2016, 2:05 pm)Davie wrote [ -> ]

That looks rather unsafe.

(27 Jan 2016, 2:05 pm)Davie wrote [ -> ]

Did you report it?
Don't want you getting injured like the fella in Scotland, after the chimney attacked the window of a Lothian decker.