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+--- Forum: Go North East (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=54)
+--- Thread: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - August 2013 (/showthread.php?tid=1246)
RE: Go North East - gtom - 09 Aug 2013
(09 Aug 2013, 4:29 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Thing is aswell the both take the exact same amount of time to go from Newcastle to Hexham, I'd pick a comfy WiFi Gemini over an MPD any day if I was a passenger, thing is now will the X84/X85 be quicker than the 10/74 and the Stagecoach/Arriva 685
They are 2 totally different sets of passengers though. The Ten serves larger towns and settlements whereas the 74 and 684 serve more off the beaten track places like Whittington, Matfen, Dalton Heddon on the Wall and Wylam.
The 74 and 684 are more local services for local people as opposed to the brashness of the Ten, you can't really compare the 2 services
RE: Go North East - BJ10VUS - 09 Aug 2013
In regards to the new Hexham services, did GNE not come up with a rule that if the service was < PVR 5 it wasn't going to be branded any more? Then again, there are quite a few services which don't follow this rule.
RE: Go North East - BJ10VUS - 09 Aug 2013
4967 was on the X9 this afternoon, as well as 4949 this morning. Not sure if 4967 replaced 4967 during the day?
RE: Go North East - Kuyoyo - 09 Aug 2013
(09 Aug 2013, 6:37 pm)BJ10VUS wrote 4967 was on the X9 this afternoon, as well as 4949 this morning. Not sure if 4967 replaced 4967 during the day?
Reported both earlier, both had been on there since this morning. 3963 was also on the X10, so that's 3 missing B9s today.
3864 was on the OK1 on the penultimate day of operation.
RE: Go North East - markydh - 09 Aug 2013
The 684 is actually pretty well used from my experience. However, much of the customer base are concessionary pass holders so I'm not convinced it'll actually be making much money. Whether the new incarnations survive beyond trial phase is very uncertain - my guess is they will be remerged into one route and will fall back to hourly between Newcastle and Hexham. I certainly don't see how there will be enough passengers to make an express service only calling at Horsley and Heddon en route viable!
RE: Go North East - BJ10VUS - 09 Aug 2013
(09 Aug 2013, 6:54 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Reported both earlier, both had been on there since this morning. 3963 was also on the X10, so that's 3 missing B9s today.
Oh sorry, didn't check far back enough. Thanks for clearing up that they were both on
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
Today's cricket shuttle workings are as follows (post updated periodically throughout the day):
500:
6027
3983
3821
6028
3982
3888
501:
3885
3974
3828
3980
3865
502:
572
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
If anyone else is heading to Chester to catch the shuttles later, feel free to add to the list above.
4944 is being used on the Lime cycle today, and has arrived at Chester now, en-route to Consett on the 78.
3886 and a SPD (think it was 8289?) are on the 71 today.
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
Indeed it was 8289.
8238 is covering for a Worm on the 34 today, while 8237 is covering for a Waggonway on the 28.
Waggonways R971/2 are both VOR today.
RE: Go North East - gtom - 10 Aug 2013
Come see 1st class cricket with a ride on our 3rd class buses
RE: Go North East - Andreos1 - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 9:32 am)gtomlinson wrote Come see 1st class cricket with a ride on our 3rd class buses
Wonder if visitors to the region think GNE are one of these small independants that pick up 2nd hand tat from London?
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
5229 remains at Saltmeadows until due to transfer to Hexham.
5230 has departed Crook to go to Meadows.
5231/2 should be out in service (one being the final run from Boro today, while the other being the final run from Darlo)
5233 is VOR today.
A few loans from Chester to cover for the above plus 571 which is at Chester for the cricket shuttle. 6038 is 571's replacement.
RE: Go North East - BJ10VUS - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 9:50 am)Andreos1 wrote(10 Aug 2013, 9:32 am)gtomlinson wrote Come see 1st class cricket with a ride on our 3rd class buses
Wonder if visitors to the region think GNE are one of these small independants that pick up 2nd hand tat from London?
I suppose it depends on how they're entering Chester-le-Street. If they're getting the 21, maybe not. If they're using the 28/A, 34/A or X21, they might
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
6021 has been replaced by 3873 on the X21 that has just departed Bishop.
RE: Go North East - GuyParkRoyal - 10 Aug 2013
(09 Aug 2013, 3:20 pm)gtomlinson wrote Looking at Angel the first bus to Newcastle out of Durham is now 06.10 instead of 05.40 which means there isn't an Angel that arrives in Newcastle before 7am from Durham
Sunday the 23.40 ex Durham to CLS short is dropped so the last one is 23.10 (22.10 to NCL)
More service reductions and GNE have the cheek to say (on simplygo.com) that changes to the 21 are “minor changes”.
GNE seem to be coming up with so called minor changes every couple of months which are really reductions in early morning, evening and weekend services. I was against quality contracts but this sort of behaviour from GNE has convinced me that quality contracts are needed to stop this erosion of services. No doubt the other GNE services that are included in the list of minor changes will see a reduction in the number of runs. My interpretation of minor changes is timing changes to improve performance measures or inter-workings.
The withdrawal of the early 21 from Durham should be seen by Arriva as an opportunity to continue to build business on the X2 by introducing an earlier first run from Durham to Newcastle. GNE have timed this very badly just when Arriva have brought in weekly tickets on the X2 offering a saving of 10% compared to the Angel Saver.
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
Passenger numbers are immensely low on the OK1 today. It would seem a number of people have already switched to Arriva!
On a M'bro run now and I am the only fare paying passenger... If more journeys are like this on other services, I don't think GNE's 'minor changes' and/or service withdrawals are so irrational. We have already discussed that GNE determine whether a service is commercially viable or not by looking at each individual run rather than the service as a whole, and while this may not be great for passengers, it certainly enlarges profit levels massively. This subsequently allows for further new vehicles to be purchased for services that are making a nice amount of profit.
RE: Go North East - Michael - 10 Aug 2013
Sorry what does VOR mean again?
Yeh well that's what i ment the other day with the minor changes... tbh GNE should mention them also, not everyone can read a timetable or have the internet.
RE: Go North East - Andreos1 - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 11:02 am)Daniel wrote Passenger numbers are immensely low on the OK1 today. It would seem a number of people have already switched to Arriva!
On a M'bro run now and I am the only fare paying passenger... If more journeys are like this on other services, I don't think GNE's 'minor changes' and/or service withdrawals are so irrational. We have already discussed that GNE determine whether a service is commercially viable or not by looking at each individual run rather than the service as a whole, and while this may not be great for passengers, it certainly enlarges profit levels massively. This subsequently allows for further new vehicles to be purchased for services that are making a nice amount of profit.
If passengers are left will a feeling of apathy by their 'feeder 'services being cut, axed or reduced, then these fancy new buses operating the core routes, are going to run with smaller loadings.
It could be argued that the OK1 ran with low numbers for a number of reasons. One reason, will be the poor connections with services feeding into it at Bishop.
The 21 doesn't serve estates or villages, it doesn't need to - but if early morning runs on the 13s, 14's, 15's, 34's or the 71's are stopped, then what will happen to those commuters in Langley Park, Sacriston, Waldridge, Urpeth, Ouston or Lumley wanting to get onto a 21?
Granted some of these services may not make massive amounts of money, but it leads towards bigger profits overall.
If the passengers in these villages can't get into Durham or Chester to get a 21, then the early morning 21's are going to be reduced...
It is a vicious circle and if GNE are to look at individual runs to check viability, then maybe it is time they look at ammending the hub & spoke model they love so much.
RE: Go North East - Michael - 10 Aug 2013
GNE post on FB...
Unfortunately there has been a breakdown on our X7 service, so the 1238 bus from Sunderland Interchange won't be operating. Apologies.
Is it a Branded X7 bus?
Edit:
x7 service from sunderland is am absolute disgrace 9 38 and 10 38 not turned up apparently 'broken down' but not a single word to your 'customers' waiting for them. Firstily if you can't run the services, then withdraw it. If you think you can, then a) get your deptford depot to get replacement buses on as they are half a mile away! Or b) get some new, reliable vehicles on, a bit like the ones in newcastle. Still waiting for my callback as well. Absolute shamables.
I'm very sorry to hear that you've experienced problems with that service. Unfortunately, we didn't receive confirmation until a customer had asked and it was too late to pre-warn any potential passengers. Apologies for the disruption this has caused to your morning.
I can assure you that we're always looking at ways to improve our reliability. I'm afraid there isn't always a replacement vehicle available and buying new buses for every service sadly isn't feasible. In regards to informing passengers, we're in the process of testing real-time technology. This is expected to be rolled out later this year for customer use and should help provide info when there's a problem.
May I ask who you're waiting for a callback from?
RE: Go North East - Kuyoyo - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 11:27 am)Michael wrote GNE post on FB...
Unfortunately there has been a breakdown on our X7 service, so the 1238 bus from Sunderland Interchange won't be operating. Apologies.
Is it a Branded X7 bus?
No, it will be 4922. That did the 1110 from Middlesbrough.
RE: Go North East - BJ10VUS - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 11:06 am)Michael wrote Sorry what does VOR mean again?
Vehicle Off Road.
RE: Go North East - Michael - 10 Aug 2013
Thanks =)
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 11:27 am)Michael wrote I can assure you that we're always looking at ways to improve our reliability. I'm afraid there isn't always a replacement vehicle available and buying new buses for every service sadly isn't feasible.
Excuse me? Regardless of any apparent vehicle shortages, a WTX is always sat in Deptford... No excuse at all for completely cutting a service like that.
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
Still hasn't been replaced. Do I dare risk hoping it will have been replaced by the time it is due back again..? Was hoping to get the 1710 one back.
RE: Go North East - Michael - 10 Aug 2013
I wouldn't just incase haha
Quite a few buses off the road.. is the Waggonways off due to their tax running out?
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 1:39 pm)Michael wrote I wouldn't just incase haha
Quite a few buses off the road.. is the Waggonways off due to their tax running out?
Dropped them a message on Facebook but didn't receive a reply.
I thought they were all for the end of August but I spotted one the other day that was 31/10.
RE: Go North East - Kuyoyo - 10 Aug 2013
(10 Aug 2013, 1:39 pm)Michael wrote I wouldn't just incase haha
Quite a few buses off the road.. is the Waggonways off due to their tax running out?
It's not the tax date that affects when a bus is withdrawn, more its MOT date. Road tax can easily be refunded.
RE: Go North East - Michael - 10 Aug 2013
Ah right cheers
RE: Go North East - Dan - 10 Aug 2013
Let's see what the replacement is then, shall we?
RE: Go North East - ... - 10 Aug 2013
Quite a few odd workings today:
563 on the 27X
4865 on the 28
3826 on the 54
5268 on the 309
4934 on the 35A
4936 on the X35
3963,3964,4949,3833 on the X9/X10
5220,4843,4904,4918,4921 on the 58