(22 Mar 2015, 2:41 pm)palatine3833 wrote I think people go into the job and get put off by the public.  Whilst most of the time the public are friendly, you only have to look at the GNE/ANE Facebook pages to see how quickly they can turn on you.  I personally think people can only take so much of getting abuse off people and that is why some don't last long in the industry.  If you're nice to the public, they're generally nice back, but it's hard to put on a smile when you're getting blamed for something which isn't your fault (running late, breakdowns etc.)

(22 Mar 2015, 3:56 pm)Davie wrote Probably as soon as possible 

(22 Mar 2015, 11:11 am)MurdnunoC wrote Anyone going to the recruitment day at the Metrocentre?

Been here twp minutes and I've already witnessed a near miss.

Bazza is in attendance along with someone else taking photos.

(22 Mar 2015, 11:23 am)MurdnunoC wrote 644, 5388, 6115, 6070, 8344, 7090, 6094, 638 and another Blaydon Racers bus.

(22 Mar 2015, 11:46 am)Dan wrote Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid 5391 (NK15 EMV) is still yet to be delivered, but I've updated our fleet lists to reflect the arrival of the four new X66 vehicles as it should arrive early next week amongst the examples for the 8/78.

(22 Mar 2015, 3:54 pm)Michael wrote Dan do you know when the X66 Streetlites will get branded?

(22 Mar 2015, 3:27 pm)Malarkey wrote While these threats havent been confirmed by a representative of Stagecoach, why would they confirm that they are true, if they did then that put the entire companies North East Operations into Disrepute which of course they would want to avoid, because of potential implications that it would have on the Company.

But whats to say The Go-Ahead Group and Stagecoach havent already held discussions regarding a potential takeover of Stagecoachs North East Service Operations though if QCS was to be implemented in the near future, we have seen First takeover Western Greyhounds Operations, and Stagecoach/Stagecarriage takeover Leven Valleys Operation in the past month so what is to say the above cant happen.

We dont know what is going on behind closed doors now do we, I would imagine if an agreement is in place between both operators then that wouldnt be announced until after QCS is confirmed, with the final report which was expected to be published in May, now expected to be published by 31/10/15, This gives Go-Ahead plenty of time to prepare for a potential takeover, along with finding New Drivers etc.

With reference to comments about an expansion of operations into other areas for example Northumberland, which I would say is the most likely failing that I am completely wrong in what I think above, but would that not be a commercial risk in the long run, particularly if your planning on taking on upto 300 New Drivers to cover those operations.

(22 Mar 2015, 4:34 pm)Robert wrote The threat has been confirmed: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stagecoach-boss-threatens-axe-500-6314144

At the moment, is QCS definitely going ahead or is the a hearing in the future? We'd have to wait until the actual QCS verdict to see what SC does. At the moment, i wouldn't have thought anything has been decided yet. Plus, i'd imagine most of the SC drivers will be transferred over to the new Operating Company that takes them over (if they do withdraw) rather than brand new drivers being brought in.

(22 Mar 2015, 1:33 pm)aureolin wrote I honestly don't think it's got anything to do with QCS. I think it's more likely that the company are looking into their own plans for expansion...

(22 Mar 2015, 4:34 pm)Robert wrote The threat has been confirmed: http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/stagecoach-boss-threatens-axe-500-6314144

At the moment, is QCS definitely going ahead or is the a hearing in the future? We'd have to wait until the actual QCS verdict to see what SC does. At the moment, i wouldn't have thought anything has been decided yet. Plus, i'd imagine most of the SC drivers will be transferred over to the new Operating Company that takes them over (if they do withdraw) rather than brand new drivers being brought in.

But whats to say The Go-Ahead Group and Stagecoach havent already held discussions regarding a potential takeover of Stagecoachs North East Service Operations though if QCS was to be implemented in the near future, we have seen First takeover Western Greyhounds Operations, and Stagecoach/Stagecarriage takeover Leven Valleys Operation in the past month so what is to say the above cant happen.


We dont know what is going on behind closed doors now do we, I would imagine if an agreement is in place between both operators then that wouldnt be announced until after QCS is confirmed,

(22 Mar 2015, 4:10 pm)Racer_Experience wrote the person with me was leetransportphotos on NEB

(22 Mar 2015, 5:13 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I was at the event along with Bazza, Davie and another fellow enthusiast... It was a good day in total!

(22 Mar 2015, 5:07 pm)MurdnunoC wrote It's hardly confirmed though is it?

We won't get confirmation until we find out whether QCS goes ahead or if indeed Souter decides to pull out. As other councils across the country are seriously considering the QCS option, Souter's threat may become very unsustainable not to mention foolish in the long run if QCS is adopted elsewhere. I mean, how many towns and cities can he withdraw buses from before he starts to lose money? If I were a shareholder in his company, I'd be concerned about his threats.

(22 Mar 2015, 5:21 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I took a few yeah, so you may be in them! I had a red sports shirt on and a GNE cap

(22 Mar 2015, 5:44 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Yeah I was having a rant

(22 Mar 2015, 5:46 pm)Michael wrote What kind of reply did you get from him about that?

(22 Mar 2015, 5:49 pm)MurdnunoC wrote From where I was, the supervisor seemed to be rather disinterested in his opinion. I think he thought he was mad. 

(22 Mar 2015, 5:49 pm)leestransportphotos wrote He said that I'm not the only one to complain so far and they are expecting hundreds more but they've done their research.... He did say that he disagrees with Streetlites on the Red Kite though. He said he wasn't too sure about the Lime

(22 Mar 2015, 5:50 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Thanks... It means a lot

(22 Mar 2015, 5:49 pm)leestransportphotos wrote He said that I'm not the only one to complain so far and they are expecting hundreds more but they've done their research.... He did say that he disagrees with Streetlites on the Red Kite though. He said he wasn't too sure about the Lime

(22 Mar 2015, 6:05 pm)leestransportphotos wrote I wasn't saying I didn't think it would work. I was pointing out the fact that I was on a Citaro on the X66 this morning and there was at least 20 standees

(22 Mar 2015, 6:09 pm)citaro5284 wrote At least the Streetlite has 5 more seats compared to 5332.

(22 Mar 2015, 6:01 pm)Robert wrote Which is correct. They wouldn't have ordered streetlites if they didnt think they'd work...

(22 Mar 2015, 7:59 pm)Andreos1 wrote Omni's on the 21?
Marshall Darts on the 194?
Handybus on the 26, 721 and 777?
All replaced, older, bigger vehicles - the first two examples ended up having the originals back on route pretty soon.
The final example ended up with bigger vehicles too.

Granted technology is better now, but the reports relating to loadings won't be faultless.
The new vehicles may even stir additional custom, putting extra demand on the service - like the Mercs did on the X1.

You then have the build quality.
The Renowns have lasted on the 78/8 route since the late 90's, despite some of them looking worse for wear both internally and externally.
A short trial and the word of a sales-rep from Wrights isn't the best way to check suitability.
Council cutbacks may mean the road conditions deteriorate to a worse state than at present.

Like any purchase, it is a calculated gamble.
Only time will tell whether it was the correct one.