North East Buses

Is the hospital shuttles still running? Just with sprinters being relocated

the hospital shuttle at rvi was operate by a single decker last week

(28 Mar 2020, 2:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]I thought a Sprinter and Solo were a similar capacity. Maybe it will get more passengers being a rare and odd working?

Nobody should be using a bus just because they fancy riding on a particular bus, right now.

Well, when I was out walking the dog close to my home, I seen a pool van wating for a driver changeover on the 309 in New York.

I think I then seen the same van heading through Cobalt whereas normally the driver coming off the 309 would normally head back down Norham Rd.

Is Percy Main depot definitely closed with drivers driving from Riverside Depot to New York (or Verne Road for 310) to change drivers or is Percy Main still open for the timebeing but the driver was taking the back route via High Flatworh or Silverlink & A19 to maybe avoid any Tesco traffic on Norham Road?

Would it not make sense to change drivers at Haymarket?

With all of Washington's routes transferring to Deptford, has all of Percy Main's and Chester's routes transferred to Riverside? With the exception of the 8/78

(28 Mar 2020, 5:16 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Nobody should be using a bus just because they fancy riding on a particular bus, right now.

I know, but people might do because right now just might be the only chance. If a passenger doesn't use many services they will likely only use a small number of vehicle types , and never experience a particular type. I'm usually on a Solo or a Citaro for the most part, only when venturing a bit further I get a number of different vehicle types. Occasionally I travel on a Versa or Enviro200 MMC. It would be great if Go North East could do this in better circumstances!

(28 Mar 2020, 5:26 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]I know, but people might do because right now just might be the only chance. If a passenger doesn't use many services they will likely only use a small number of vehicle types , and never experience a particular type. I'm usually on a Solo or a Citaro for the most part, only when venturing a bit further I get a number of different vehicle types. Occasionally I travel on a Versa or Enviro200 MMC. It would be great if Go North East could do this in better circumstances!

I think the only bus type in the fleet I haven't been on is the MetroDecker, and that's only because it's always bloody broken when I'm out and about!

On an average (pre-corona) day I'd usually travel on a StreetDeck, Streetlite, E400 and an E200. While the journey could easily be completed on only a StreetDeck and E400, or StreetDeck and Streetlite (depending on what route I take), I usually take the 'scenic' route. 

Maybe I'm lucky in that when I'm staying up in Gateshead, within a few minutes travel I can catch a Streetlite, StreetDeck, E200MMC, E400MMC, B5, B5H, B9, Omnicity, Citaro, Versa, and an L94. The only things for me that are 'difficult' to get to are Solos and OmniDekkas and B7s, but even then it's not that hard. IIRC, the Sprinters only run on services us 'normal' people can catch on weekends, so they're particularly difficult.

Down in Bishop however, it seems my only choice is a StreetDeck, or whatever else they use when one is inevitably broken!

(28 Mar 2020, 5:24 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote [ -> ]With all of Washington's routes transferring to Deptford, has all of Percy Main's and Chester's routes transferred to Riverside? With the exception of the 8/78

Believe so yes, 8/78 being operated out of Deptford.

(28 Mar 2020, 2:41 pm)Jordan2104 wrote [ -> ]Is the hospital shuttles still running? Just with sprinters being relocated

Yes, but with 49 branded Streetlites (increased number of passengers now using the hospital staff shuttles, for obvious reasons, and we’re keen to allow them to social distance!)


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(28 Mar 2020, 7:40 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Believe so yes, 8/78 being operated out of Deptford.

Wonder if we will see any odd workings on the 8 and 78.

(28 Mar 2020, 1:02 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Dan has kindly shared this on Twitter:

Dan Graham
@Dan3942
422 buses are in the process of being parked up, delicensed and put into temporary 'hibernation' - only the most fuel-efficient and reliable buses have been selected to run the reduced #COVID19 schedules. Huge logistical exercise:  colleagues are undertaking final movements today

Have 705, 709, 5219 & 5223 already been withdrawn before this?

(28 Mar 2020, 11:50 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Wonder if we will see any odd workings on the 8 and 78.

Possibly, but there's a load of Coast & Country Streetlites at Deptford.

It's a fact. There will be lots of rare and unusual workings right across all areas. But then are these not to be normal workings in line with the operators requirements? And then, unless it's by way of complying with the guidelines, should we be there to see them?:Tough times, we all gotta fight this together.

(29 Mar 2020, 12:14 am)Wybus wrote [ -> ]Have 705, 709, 5219 & 5223 already been withdrawn before this?

Yes, last Sunday.


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(29 Mar 2020, 6:28 am)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]Possibly, but there's a load of Coast & Country Streetlites at Deptford.

The 28 & 34 seemed to be Coast and Country streetlites as well at least yesterday (from bustimes.org)

The 26/27 looks to be Angels as is the 14, the 1A cobalt and coasts, the 12 is also green arrows, the 10/10A is X9/X10 streetdecks including Hexham journeys, the 50 looks to be indigo solos.

(29 Mar 2020, 11:03 am)Wybus wrote [ -> ]The 28 & 34 seemed to be Coast and Country streetlites as well at least yesterday (from bustimes.org)

The 26/27 looks to be Angels as is the 14, the 1A cobalt and coasts, the 12 is also green arrows, the 10/10A is X9/X10 streetdecks including Hexham journeys, the 50 looks to be indigo solos.

50 should be Prince Bishop Streetlite.

All 10 being operated from Riverside.


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I thought they were only using reliable buses, going from the Twitter feed there seems to be just as many breakdowns as normal!

(29 Mar 2020, 1:00 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I thought they were only using reliable buses, going from the Twitter feed there seems to be just as many breakdowns as normal!

Give things time to settle down...


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(28 Mar 2020, 11:50 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Wonder if we will see any odd workings on the 8 and 78.

Highly likely. There was a PB streetlite on the 50, yesterday.

(29 Mar 2020, 2:16 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Highly likely. There was a PB streetlite on the 50, yesterday.

Solo's allocated to 50 and 5 today, however 6049 appears to be running on one of the 5 boards according to the app