(25 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)Drifter60 wrote It's hardly strenuous task for the customer services to look at their service times, if people are needing a bus quick and are on there phones downloading timetables isn't always easy. Often people don't know which service too.
And if I'm wanting a bus between Sunderland & Monkwearmouth or Newcastle to Gateshead there's a whole host of service go between those locations downloading each service timetable isn't practically when Customer Services can do it and help the customer.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)Drifter60 wrote It's hardly strenuous task for the customer services to look at their service times, if people are needing a bus quick and are on there phones downloading timetables isn't always easy. Often people don't know which service too.
And if I'm wanting a bus between Sunderland & Monkwearmouth or Newcastle to Gateshead there's a whole host of service go between those locations downloading each service timetable isn't practically when Customer Services can do it and help the customer.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:21 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps you've identified room for improvement then? A mobile site where a user can enter a 'From' and 'To', and a list of services, times, and fares are displayed? I guess it'd sort the issue of times out, downloading a full timetable on a phone, and people not knowing single/return fares in advance?

I do agree it's hardly a strenuous task, but it's perhaps one that should be automated. It would certainly provide cost benefits in the long run.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote Although it's not great and acts like more of a search facility, Go North East do have a basic version of what you've said here, though it hasn't really been promoted.

I suspect it hasn't really been promoted because they're working on replacing it with something better, once they have real time technology up and running (which I hope will come with an improved app to allow journey planning?)

(25 Aug 2014, 9:30 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The problem with that facility (which has been mentioned before), is that it is linked to the timetables and the 'entry' needs to match the GNE spellings in order to get the times they need.

A new recruit to the FPF, will have no joy if they type Houghton in the from box and Fencehouses in the to box.
Similarly, if you are travelling between two points which involves a change of bus, the search will be unsuccessful in that case too.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:21 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps you've identified room for improvement then? A mobile site where a user can enter a 'From' and 'To', and a list of services, times, and fares are displayed? I guess it'd sort the issue of times out, downloading a full timetable on a phone, and people not knowing single/return fares in advance?

I do agree it's hardly a strenuous task, but it's perhaps one that should be automated. It would certainly provide cost benefits in the long run.

(25 Aug 2014, 9:36 pm)Dan wrote Like I said, basic and probably more of a temporary workaround whilst better features are in development.

I typed in 'Sunderland' to 'Monkwearmouth' to try it out, and instead of being faced with services 9, 29, 35, 56, X36 and god knows whatever else, I was only faced with service X36.

Moreover, to get back to the original discussion and to add my own opinions, I think the fair majority of people who are able to go on Facebook and add a wallpost to a Facebook page should be capable of opening a PDF document, or should be capable of downloading the "thekeymobile" app, which can be quite useful for seeing an individual run's timetable clearly.

(25 Aug 2014, 9:35 pm)Acky81 wrote Absolutely shocking what I saw today on ryhope road just past sandcastle pub. The silver arrows bus used already was displaying 2C instead of 61 heading for Sunderland then I saw a simplicity with 60 destinations but no number then a drifter on the 42. Yes I know the 42 is always drifter on Sundays but looks silly using this then a simplicity on 60. I know they interwork but how confusing for passengers using these four routes

(25 Aug 2014, 9:45 pm)aureolin wrote Was this mid morning/noon?

(25 Aug 2014, 9:35 pm)Acky81 wrote Absolutely shocking what I saw today on ryhope road just past sandcastle pub. The silver arrows bus used already was displaying 2C instead of 61 heading for Sunderland then I saw a simplicity with 60 destinations but no number then a drifter on the 42. Yes I know the 42 is always drifter on Sundays but looks silly using this then a simplicity on 60. I know they interwork but how confusing for passengers using these four routes

(25 Aug 2014, 9:37 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Lets hope you don't need the times from Newcastle Road to Sunderland!

How temporary is it going to be?
It must be almost two years since they first introduced it when the site was relaunched.

(25 Aug 2014, 10:10 pm)Dan wrote Thankfully, I have a smartphone and I have downloaded Go North East's "thekeymobile" application. If, for whatever reason, I cannot access all of the bus timetables which I have saved to my phone in .PDF file format (I even keep some of the older ones, such as the X3, in there for the memories!), I can always use my phone's GPS location to see the times when buses are scheduled to depart from my nearest bus stop.

I'd imagine once Go North East has this real time technology sorted (citaro5284 is your man for that one - not me), they will release a new phone application which builds upon the basic features they've already got.

(25 Aug 2014, 10:03 pm)Dan wrote I'm inclined to suggest 8326 may have replaced a Streetlite mid-day on services 42/60 today. As you know, both of these services should be allocated Streetlites on Sundays. These vehicles are selected above red spares as they have better fuel economy, making the operation of these Sunday services (which often run at a loss or breakeven) more justifiable.

I cannot excuse drivers changing the destination display that early, though, and this is something I have complained about myself in the past.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:48 am)Michael wrote Fleet changes...

Optare Solo 632: NK61 FEV has been transferred from Saltmeadows to Percy Main.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:57 am)Dan wrote This will provide Percy Main with an additional Euro 5 vehicle for the contracts they gained from Saltmeadows. It has been VOR so has been unable to be transferred.

(26 Aug 2014, 12:55 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Most likely to have been route learning.

(26 Aug 2014, 2:04 pm)Dan wrote Though I'd be worried if they were on the 19 route from Percy Main to North Shields in a double decker!

(26 Aug 2014, 3:02 pm)G-CPTN wrote Maybe a 'test' to see if the driver was aware . . .

(26 Aug 2014, 3:27 pm)Robert wrote Doubt it...

(26 Aug 2014, 9:46 am)aureolin wrote I notice the login screen of the Go North East WiFI has rightfully had the icomera logo replaced with a GNE one. Looks smart.

(26 Aug 2014, 5:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote Things are moving along with the wifi. You should see an improvement as icomera have nearly completed their audit and most vehicles are now working. There is still some issues to sort, but hopefully will be completed in the next couple of weeks.