(24 May 2015, 7:21 pm)Robert wrote The second point contradicts the first. OAPs having to stand suggests there are no seats available (they're all taken) but the second point says that they hardly any taken?

(24 May 2015, 7:37 pm)Davie wrote They'd moan if no bus turned up at all. As long as passengers get from A to B safely they should be happy

(24 May 2015, 8:26 pm)leestransportphotos wrote They're point is that during the midday the buses run empty - but at peak times they can't sit becuase they can't get upstairs. 

I know people will go on the defensive straight away but try going on the 82 at 9:30!!

(24 May 2015, 8:25 pm)leestransportphotos wrote No they seriously can't make it up Fell Bank.

(24 May 2015, 8:30 pm)Jimmi wrote Do they literally brake down or roll down the hill when going up the hill as that would mean they can't make it up. Going up slowly does not mean it can't make it up it just means it struggles but can make it up albeit very slowly.

(24 May 2015, 8:27 pm)leestransportphotos wrote How the hell are passangers meant to get from A to B safley if they're 60/70/80 years old and are standing for over 20 mins

(24 May 2015, 8:30 pm)Jimmi wrote Do they literally brake down or roll down the hill when going up the hill as that would mean they can't make it up. Going up slowly does not mean it can't make it up it just means it struggles but can make it up albeit very slowly.

(24 May 2015, 8:34 pm)leestransportphotos wrote If someone else had made this point I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have got this kind of reaction

(24 May 2015, 8:31 pm)leestransportphotos wrote They stuggle to do anymore than 5mph!!!!!!

(24 May 2015, 8:34 pm)leestransportphotos wrote If someone else had made this point I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have got this kind of reaction :p

(24 May 2015, 8:42 pm)Malarkey wrote In all fairness the Ex London B7TLs struggle on any form of hill e.g. Sheriffs Hill upto Q.E. Hospital or that hill up Consett on the 15/15A Route, sure there will be plenty of other examples and not just Fell Bank, Obviously these vehicles have lost quite a few Horses over there Years of Public Service.

(24 May 2015, 8:15 pm)benambro wrote Yet they love to steal the front seats upstairs on the X9/X10!

(24 May 2015, 8:51 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote And even probably the 10 along the Tyne Valley for a trip to Hexham or elsewhere en route.

(24 May 2015, 6:24 pm)Dan wrote They don't form part of the main allocation, though? They are reserve vehicles.

Why are double deckers such an issue on the 82/82A routes? Might just be me, but I would prefer a double decker to turn up than no bus at all.

(24 May 2015, 7:15 pm)leestransportphotos wrote It was an elderly person that knocked on our door. These are the main points

- Less seats downstairs meaning elderly people have to stand
- Buses running around empty all day - environment
- Lack of power meaning buses struggle up Fell Bank and Northside.

I can see where they're coming from and for that reason I signed it.

(24 May 2015, 7:34 pm)Sidthebusbabe wrote I presume they mean that although there is a large amount of seats available, most of them are inaccessible to elderly passengers because they are upstairs, and the seats which are occupied will presumably be on the lower deck, meaning at peak times pensioners may have to stand or face the challenge of climbing the stairs. Considering a double decker will have around 23 seats downstairs and 50+ seats upstairs (which are inaccessible) buses will usually appear to be running almost empty, even at peak times because a large amount of passengers will be seated downstairs, hence the desire for single deckers.

Personally, I would rather have too much capacity than too little capacity on a service but from the viewpoint of a 90 year old pensioner I can understand why they don't appreciate double deckers. Poor accessibility is one the main disadvantages of double deckers.

(24 May 2015, 9:15 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote For those who want a real test, have yourself a ride on the 34/34A up South Pelaw Bank next time you see a double decker on it!

(24 May 2015, 9:18 pm)aureolin wrote I remember the DAFs on the 50. Used to take them an age to get up the bank towards Waldridge from Chester. Some of our CLS drivers on here will have fond memories no doubt.   

(24 May 2015, 7:47 pm)John_R wrote Still worth getting a photo - as it could be a very long time before another NX coach heads to Wembley from the North East

(25 May 2015, 12:29 am)GMitchelhill wrote Since we are talking about buses struggling up steep banks. Shibdon Bank in Blaydon is a pretty nasty one, though nearby Birch Road is even worse.

Mind speaking of Fell Bank (My Auntie and Uncle actually live near the top of it in one of the bungerlows.), I remember going up it in Leyland Olympians (before the bypass was built) on the 551. One thing that could be said about the Cummins L10 / Voith combo is that they loved climbing hills, which is why the type was focused on Winlaton depot. (Though Metrobuses were based there (along with High Spen) when they were new)

Mind saying that, I believe Percy Main (and Wallsend) depot was never allocated Metrobuses either, but not sure if this was to do with the double bank between Wallsend (Church Bank) and Rosehill (Rosehill Bank), or just for the face that North Tyne depots didn't want them. Mind some have escaped onto the 301 (covering a breakdown), and Deptford examples used to escape onto their workings on the 310/319 (particularly Mk1 Metrobus 3516).

(24 May 2015, 6:42 pm)Michael wrote I can see where they are coming from, with less seats etc.

What they should do is, take the decker's off and put MPD's on the routes... they'll sharp change the mind back 

(25 May 2015, 12:20 pm)aureolin wrote No idea why, but Nexus are diverting buses down Jackson Street, and not allowing access to the Interchange at Gateshead...

(25 May 2015, 12:22 pm)citaro5284 wrote Probably to stop people taking photographs in the bus station.....