(23 Jun 2014, 10:51 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]VOSA authorisation for GCT is 10 buses at Holly Hill in Felling and 4 buses at Albert Road in Jarrow. So it will be interesting to see what the PVR will be for the existing and new contracts.
Including the van-type minibuses GCT have which occasionally make an appearance on service work, GCT are already at their limit of 14 vehicles.
Further expansion required!
(23 Jun 2014, 10:51 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]VOSA authorisation for GCT is 10 buses at Holly Hill in Felling and 4 buses at Albert Road in Jarrow. So it will be interesting to see what the PVR will be for the existing and new contracts.
So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?
The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...
(23 Jun 2014, 11:35 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?
The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...
Same name appears in the Directors List for the van hire based at the Hebburn / Jarrow car wash and the Directors List of GCT so there does appear to be a link between them.
Noticed one of GCT's Bluebirds was on the Team Valley Sainsbury's shuttle earlier. It worked the 10:57 from Wrekenton. Don't know whether it's still out now.
SF08GLJ - new minibus in at GCT? Plain blue.
Came from Sunderland Rd and appeared to be heading towards their other depot.
(23 Jun 2014, 11:35 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?
The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...
A little bit off-topic but when you mention 'The Felling Mafia'....
I'm sure one of their sites was once used in an episode of The Bill.
(23 Jun 2014, 4:25 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Same name appears in the Directors List for the van hire based at the Hebburn / Jarrow car wash and the Directors List of GCT so there does appear to be a link between them.
Checked the companies out online and there is definitely a connection.
There was a parcel/courier firm who had a small plot of land not too far along from Holly Hill, who moved to the site in Hebburn too - this is going back 10/11 years mind.
(25 Jun 2014, 12:16 pm)AdamY wrote [ -> ]A little bit off-topic but when you mention 'The Felling Mafia'....
I'm sure one of their sites was once used in an episode of The Bill.
Not sure about anywhere in Felling, but the old Elf garage in Birtley (by the leisure centre) was used.
Admin note: Further discussion on The Bill was moved to start a new thread found here.
Earlier today I saw a Nexus-liveried vehicle working the Tesco Free Bus while driving from Lanchester towards Consett with the registration SF14 HAO.
This vehicle will presumably belong to GCT. Obviously its new but how long have GCT had the vehicle?
YX07DXE another new Bluebirdy type minibus in at GCT?
(27 Jun 2014, 12:27 pm)AdamY wrote [ -> ]Earlier today I saw a Nexus-liveried vehicle working the Tesco Free Bus while driving from Lanchester towards Consett with the registration SF14 HAO.
This vehicle will presumably belong to GCT. Obviously its new but how long have GCT had the vehicle?
It's on the Team Valley Sainsburys service today.
(01 Jul 2014, 11:02 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]It's on the Team Valley Sainsburys service today.
I take it GCT have taken that service off PCL Travel then?
(01 Jul 2014, 11:04 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I take it GCT have taken that service off PCL Travel then?
They must have, as our sightings of GCT vehicles on there has become rather frequent.
Pleasantly surprising experience on the M25.
The seats aren't amazingly cushioned on the Bluebird, but are high backed. The driver waited for all the old biddies to sit down before he pulled away from the stop. Was good to have a bit of music playing too.
Driver is a fair bit chattier than the old one, and tends to have a dig at the pensioners who stand there and talk to everyone on the bus before sitting down.
No ticket machine so I've still got reason to moan if it ends up on their recently gained contracts!
YX06CUO was used for the driver changeover.
(01 Jul 2014, 5:38 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]![[Image: 14365071969_57d8234dd6.jpg]](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14365071969_57d8234dd6.jpg)
Gateshead Central Taxis: SF14HAE by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
It's going to be fun when they start running all these new Nexus routes with these vans. Another week or so down and there's still no sign of new vehicles or anywhere to put them.
On VOSA today:
PB1099280/2 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sherburn Park Estate and Sherburn Park Estate given service number R5 effective from 01-Sep-2014. To amend Timetable.
PB1099280/22 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, SOUTH BUS STATION
Finish Point: ST JAMES BOULEVARD, NEWCASTLE
Via:
Service Number: 941
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
PB1099280/23 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, SOUTH BUS STATION
Finish Point: WINLATON BUS STATION
Via:
Service Number: 90
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
PB1103138/8 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LIMITED T/A CENTRAL TAXIS OF GATESHEAD, 53 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, FIRST AVENUE
Finish Point: CONCORD BUS STATION, WASHINGTON
Via:
Service Number: 939
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONCE PER DAY
(03 Jul 2014, 10:37 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]On VOSA today:
PB1099280/2 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sherburn Park Estate and Sherburn Park Estate given service number R5 effective from 01-Sep-2014. To amend Timetable.
PB1099280/22 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, SOUTH BUS STATION
Finish Point: ST JAMES BOULEVARD, NEWCASTLE
Via:
Service Number: 941
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
PB1099280/23 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, SOUTH BUS STATION
Finish Point: WINLATON BUS STATION
Via:
Service Number: 90
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY
PB1103138/8 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LIMITED T/A CENTRAL TAXIS OF GATESHEAD, 53 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, FIRST AVENUE
Finish Point: CONCORD BUS STATION, WASHINGTON
Via:
Service Number: 939
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONCE PER DAY
They are picking a lot of work, i hope they have the buses!
(03 Jul 2014, 10:43 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]They are picking a lot of work, i hope they have the buses!
They've just under 4 Weeks to pull there Finger out and get Vehicles in, Nottingham City Transport have 10+ Optare Versas up for Sale in the Route 1 Magazine -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/martin65/14373158948/
(03 Jul 2014, 10:50 am)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]They've just under 4 Weeks to pull there Finger out and get Vehicles in, Nottingham City Transport have 10+ Optare Versas up for Sale in the Route 1 Magazine - https://www.flickr.com/photos/martin65/14373158948/
Will they be able to afford them though, won't it take a few weeks for paper work etc to go through
Looks like GCT have purchased a few new 14-plated minibuses.
I saw SF14 HAO last week doing the Tesco Free Bus in Consett.
Dan spotted SF14 HAE the other day on the M25.
And today I saw SF14 HAA while driving through the Spen working the R4.
I wonder if there are any more?