(06 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm)Ianthegoon wrote Does the passenger not count as a "Rare and Odd Working"?  

(06 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm)Ianthegoon wrote Does the passenger not count as a "Rare and Odd Working"?  

(03 Feb 2018, 9:52 pm)Wybus wrote All ex-South Tyne Versas back in service

(07 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote 8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

(08 Feb 2018, 5:25 pm)Michael wrote The current live tracking for the 36 from my stop at Hylton Retail Park.

(08 Feb 2018, 6:57 pm)LeeCalder wrote I would assume that was 8323 you saw on the A1, which operated the 1630 28A from Gateshead

(08 Feb 2018, 8:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'm not familiar with the app unfortunately. Is it saying one is approx 45 mins late and there's another a few mins behind it?

(08 Feb 2018, 8:26 pm)Michael wrote Ye, so 2 running together.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:50 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Completely off-topic, but does anyone know how reliable the Tynedale Links 74 is to and from Eldon Square? I believe the service is still operated by Optare Solo buses? I have only been on the 74 once, it was a bit late and the driver couldn't find the Network 1 Day Rover option. I don't know why it only runs 4 times a day?

I am considering using it more regularly but I am not sure.

Thank you.

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

(08 Feb 2018, 8:26 pm)Michael wrote Ye, so 2 running together.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:35 pm)Andreos1 wrote Think I worded the post badly.
One 30mins late and another just behind it? Not that it makes it much better like

Any idea what was operating them? One branded vehicle on the 28A. Another possibly still stranded in Fencehouses...

(08 Feb 2018, 10:21 pm)xpm wrote Like any other route the service is susceptible to breakdowns and weather issues, although these are fairly rare on the whole.  The service can be delayed at time with traffic or accidents around the Cowgate and RVI hospital area, moreso in peak time.  It is normally allocated a Solo, but can occasionally have a Dart or rarely a full size saloon.

This is a council contracted/subsidised service and the timetable reflects this - the round trip from Hexham to Newcastle taking in all the villages in-between is roughly a 3 hour round trip.

A Day Rover would only be valid on a relatively short part of the route from Newcastle to Callerton Bridge, you would need an Explorer or the appropriate Ticket/Buzzfare Zones for destinations further than that.

(09 Feb 2018, 7:35 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I wouldn't want to rely on such an infrequent long distance mostly rural service for such short journeys on a daily basis. It's bad enough when a hourly or even half hourly service on such a long route is delayed or doesn't run (and this forum has some of my rants, as a result!)

(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Yeah, breakdowns and weather issues are to be expected sometimes. Yeah, one time recently it didn't have the Tynedale Links Solo allocated, but it usually does whenever I see it. 

I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74. 

I was only going to Newcastle Eldon Square from a short distance away. She just couldn't find the Day Rover option and had no idea what I was talking about, constantly saying it was only valid on Stagecoach buses and not GNE. Stagecoach is a Day Rider, a Day Rover is valid on all the operators. I don't know if Buzzfare is valid on the Nexus 32A, but if so how many Buzzfare zones are required to South Shields from Cowgate? 

For the 74, I was looking at getting a return ticket between Newcastle Eldon Square and Cowgate, with a return ticket costing £3, whereas a Stagecoach Day Rider is £4. Far less trips running, and more of a walk, but saving £1 each time. What do you think?

Thanks.

(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74.

(07 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote 8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder wrote I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder wrote I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote Go North East 6319 NK67GMX by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr
No mention of Contactless (unless it varies from vehicle to vehicle) which would be the better option as opposed to WiFi which is mentioned. That alone appears to question the effectiveness of the feature symbols, given they're on either side of the destination display already.

(10 Feb 2018, 10:25 am)Michael wrote Have any of 8296 - 8300 been painted yet, and have 8302 and 8326 gone back to Chester yet??