(09 May 2020, 6:40 pm)Dan wrote Just picking up on this comment - the Streetlites actually have more seats than the Citaros. Aside from the fuel economy and low carbon certification, this was another reason for them being allocated.

I think the perception is often that they have fewer seats but they actually don't. The Citaros in particular have quite an unusual seating layout (especially the older ones that aren't used on the 4) which results in the number of seats being fewer. 


Yes, I'd agree with this comment too. In the last fortnight or so I've taken up cycling in a bid to try and get a bit healthier and lose a bit of weight. In my experience of observing the buses I've seen whilst on my bike rides, I've often seen people sat together at the front of the bus leaving the back of the bus empty.

As far as I know there have been no reported 'overcrowding' issues on service 4 other than the one that Andreos1 reported. I do wonder whether it was a similar story where outside looking in, it appeared to be full, but when you actually see the bus stationary you can see that there are still plenty of seats closer to the back of the bus.

There are vinyls on the floors of the buses, there are posters around the cab area, in the poster holders, and the 'Next Stop' audio-visual TFT monitors (where buses are equipped with them) also show imagery around social distancing. You can lead a horse to water...

(09 May 2020, 8:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote Think you misunderstood. I was referring to the combined Merc and Omni capacity vs the Streetlite. 

However, the point you make about the misconception between the capacities is interesting. 
The streetlites may have a larger capacity, but they're also shorter and not as wide as the Mercs. 
Social distancing on a Merc may be easier than on a Streetlite. Even with the fewer seats. Perhaps?

(09 May 2020, 8:14 pm)Dan wrote One bus would need to be some size to be the same capacity of seven single-decks... hence my assumption your point was about capacity differences between the vehicle types, not overall.

Clearly you think otherwise based on your observation, but recorded passenger loadings would suggest there is no demand at present for more than what is currently being provided. If there was, it'd be running (timetables are very slack at the moment due to the reduced traffic on the roads, and if there is a large amount of layover that could be put to greater use, it'd be used). This of course may change dependent on the content of the UK Government announcement tomorrow, but as Go North East are providing dedicated "hot spares" at key bus stations over the morning and evening peak from Monday, with buses reinstated specifically for this purpose, there's nothing to stop duplicates being operated using these buses (where required) off-peak too. There have been instances of this for other services in the Gateshead area, utilising scholars buses.

I'd disagree that on the point of social distancing being easier in a Citaro. Appreciate the point about width, but there is only 0.2m difference in length between the two vehicles, and the unusual seating layout on the Mercedes Citaros means that there's not much choice for seats! I'm sure you're well acquainted but for the benefit of others who might not be so familiar, see photo below:

Interior shot of Go North East's 5368, Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The two 'quadrant' seats towards the back of the bus, which ordinarily provide eight seats, would reduce to just two under social distancing guidelines. Similarly the back row only has four seats on these Citaros, whereas most buses have five seats at the back (so you'd be more likely to get three people on the back row instead of just two).

The benefit of the Streetlites is that all of the seats are front-facing. In theory passengers are able to alternate between aisle-side and window-side on each row of seats to conform with the Department for Transport's guidance on social distancing on buses, so more passengers can travel. In reality, as streetdeckfan has already mentioned, most passengers aren't doing this (but bus operators can't be expected to police this).

(10 May 2020, 8:43 pm)streetdeckfan wrote With the announcement from Boris today, I'm going to take a guess and say operators are going to see a surge in passenger numbers on Wednesday, in particular on more rural services and city centres with passengers travelling out in to the countryside for 'exercise'. Then, I'd say by the end of the week it'll go back down to the current rates once people realise there's sod all to do

(12 May 2020, 2:54 pm)markydh wrote Which a comparatively high number of people in the North East don’t. Tyne and Wear has the fourth highest number of bus journeys per head in England. Car ownership is lower here than in much of the rest of the country.

(12 May 2020, 10:28 pm)L469 YVK wrote Little suggestion (any GNE workers on forum fancy relaying this back in?).

If such announcement hasn't been recorded or implemented, could something down the lines of the following not be added after the announcement of every stop or even every few stops (or on approach if long distance route such as X9/X10).

"When alighting, please stand behind the 2 metre floor tile marking until the bus stops and the driver opens the doors"

(14 May 2020, 12:24 pm)Tom wrote Seen a Streetlite on the 41 today, not sure if it's a deliberate change but there looked to be quite a few people on so would make sense.

(22 May 2020, 10:32 pm)Michael wrote Are the 135/136 no longer operating during the day now?

They're still down on the GNE Coronavirus page but no timetable to view... if they aren't shouldn't they be removed.

Latest changes said

Services 135 & 136

All evening and Sunday journeys on these services will now be run by Gateshead Central. The early morning journeys on Mondays to Saturdays will continue to be run by Go North East.

Go North East still got a link to a timetable for both of them on the changes page but not one bit of info that the 135/136 were getting dropped throughout the day.

(23 May 2020, 5:31 am)Stanleyone wrote Still operating the emergency timetables, so I would say these services will still be operating.

(23 May 2020, 9:34 am)Michael wrote Nexus and GNE have removed the services from their timetables though?

(23 May 2020, 10:48 am)Michael wrote Lack of communication then on GNE's part? - not one bit of information on the site to say that.

(23 May 2020, 7:46 pm)Acky81 wrote Is it true the 38 will
No longer serve tunstall bank estate just hollycarrside then the docks? 39A to serve esdale

(23 May 2020, 8:11 pm)Michael wrote Haven't heard anything for the 38 or a new 39A services.

(23 May 2020, 8:13 pm)Acky81 wrote Saw it on fb not sure how true

27688895-17FD-457F-AD25-D75F998B87A5.png (Size 343.69 KB | Downloads 44)

(23 May 2020, 8:13 pm)Acky81 wrote Saw it on fb not sure how true

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(23 May 2020, 10:49 am)citaro5284 wrote Transport Secretary announces new measures to “keep passengers safe now and level up for the future”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-announces-new-measures-to-keep-passengers-safe-now-and-level-up-for-the-future

(23 May 2020, 7:46 pm)Acky81 wrote Is it true the 38 will
No longer serve tunstall bank estate just hollycarrside then the docks? 39A to serve esdale