(06 Dec 2015, 3:07 pm)Michael wrote Another tale of GNE not known their services on a Sunday:


Any ideas why the 8 from Pelton is 14mins late and counting?

Go North East: Apologies for the delays Martin. Have you since been able to travel?

Waited half an hour and decided it was too cold for my son to be standing at bus stops waiting for your busses so went home.

Go North East Apologies for this Martin.

(06 Dec 2015, 3:18 pm)R852 PRG wrote You'd expect the customer to know that the 8 doesn't run on a Sunday, if they can tell that the service in question is 14 minutes late... Not sure how this is an example of Go North East not knowing their services though?

(06 Dec 2015, 3:23 pm)Adrian wrote Surely at the point of the first enquiry, you'd point out that the 8 doesn't run, and try and establish which service the customer is actually intending to use? 

Apologising for the delays, on a service that isn't even scheduled to operate, is pretty poor.

(06 Dec 2015, 3:18 pm)R852 PRG wrote You'd expect the customer to know that the 8 doesn't run on a Sunday, if they can tell that the service in question is 14 minutes late... Not sure how this is an example of Go North East not knowing their services though?

(06 Dec 2015, 6:47 pm)Jimmi wrote StreetDeck 9119 seems to have been on the TEN's for at least the last two days.

(06 Dec 2015, 8:07 pm)jaimzm wrote Dose anyone know when X35 will get new buses

(06 Dec 2015, 8:12 pm)Adrian wrote Not sure whether it's even in the thought process yet, but I'd think it would be come a time that the Crusader gets an upgrade. That'll displace 13x Mercs, and Fast Cats would require 10x.

(06 Dec 2015, 8:07 pm)jaimzm wrote Dose anyone know when X35 will get new buses

(06 Dec 2015, 8:07 pm)jaimzm wrote Dose anyone know when X35 will get new buses

(06 Dec 2015, 10:44 pm)Andreos1 wrote Hopefully after the 20's have got something decent.

(06 Dec 2015, 11:13 pm)Diamond One wrote 20s will Probs end up getting streetdecks the scanias could replace older vehicles in the fleet but I quiet like the eclipse 3 version lovely bus trailed on 20 not too long ago wouldn't mind seeing them and some on 27 in fact 27 does suit these but I can see an upgrade to 97/97A sometime soon

(07 Dec 2015, 12:24 am)Michael wrote If the 20/20A got deckers, it won't be this year...

I don't think they'll get deckers at all, i think they'll get Streetlites, if they ever got new buses.

Have to remember double deckers are more expensive, they'll need at least 20 and then a couple of spares for the route.

But the 20/20A is a busy route so you never know.

(07 Dec 2015, 1:02 am)Jimmi wrote I also think the 20/20A would not get double deckers anytime soon as I don't think it is busy enough to justify double deckers most of the time, usually when I have used the 20/20A you will leave Park Lane you can have a few standees but usually only as far as Barnes Park or Sunderland College, I think it can be fairly busy at peak times although I haven't used it much at these times. There is also the amount buying around 20 double deckers would cost, especially if you kit it out with WiFi, next stop announcements and stuff. I think if the 20/20A was going to get double deckers, GNE would have maybe trialled the StreetDeck on there but considering a single decker (Volvo B8RLE) Was trialled, I would assume if the 20/20A is upgraded soon, it would most likely be single deckers.

(07 Dec 2015, 1:22 am)Michael wrote Another point is: 



I don't think they'll want to drop the frequancy of the 20/20A either if it became double decker (just suggesting it, might no happen), if they do it means each service could become every 30 minutes on certain parts of the route (every 15 minutes on parts of it). It might work because it will be double decker ran but i don't think GNE will do that.



I'll say Streetlites for it.



At least the 20 scania's can replace rest of the Cadets and some of the B10's.

(07 Dec 2015, 1:02 am)Jimmi wrote I also think the 20/20A would not get double deckers anytime soon as I don't think it is busy enough to justify double deckers most of the time, usually when I have used the 20/20A you will leave Park Lane you can have a few standees but usually only as far as Barnes Park or Sunderland College, I think it can be fairly busy at peak times although I haven't used it much at these times. There is also the amount buying around 20 double deckers would cost, especially if you kit it out with WiFi, next stop announcements and stuff. I think if the 20/20A was going to get double deckers, GNE would have maybe trialled the StreetDeck on there but considering a single decker (Volvo B8RLE) Was trialled, I would assume if the 20/20A is upgraded soon, it would most likely be single deckers.

(07 Dec 2015, 1:22 am)Michael wrote Another point is: 

I don't think they'll want to drop the frequancy of the 20/20A either if it became double decker (just suggesting it, might no happen), if they do it means each service could become every 30 minutes on certain parts of the route (every 15 minutes on parts of it). It might work because it will be double decker ran but i don't think GNE will do that.

I'll say Streetlites for it.

At least the 20 scania's can replace rest of the Cadets and some of the B10's.

(07 Dec 2015, 7:29 am)Andreos1 wrote To be fair, there must only be a handful of services across the region that can justify deckers at all points of the day.

Some prime routes like the X1 or 56 could possibly get away with Solo's at certain times, due to the low numbers using those quieter runs.

I saw an X1 Newcastle bound the other day, carrying fresh air.


Please don't say that.
Imagine the rattles on the fast sections of the route?

But to join in with the game of vehicle suggestions for the 20's, I propose the Van Hool Astromega TDX21.
With WiFi, plug sockets, at seat entertainment and a complementary trolley service, served by scantily clad staff.
Hey, I want value for money for my £4.10 fare!

On a route like the 27 or 56, the frequency can be dropped by a minute or two, due to route being a 'whole'. It doesn't split like the 20's do.
So out of a PVR of 12, 6 will be on a 20, with the balance on a 20a.
This maintains the 10min headway on common sections.
I think there may be another floating somewhere due to the way the timetable is set up.

I am not sure a combined 15 min frequency would work as efficiently, if it did get deckers.
If you have a larger vehicle, then it is going to take longer to load/unload at key destinations too. Particularly if you are merging the equivalent of two bus loads on to the larger bus (4 hourly deps vs 6).

(07 Dec 2015, 7:36 am)Michael wrote It won't work, they're better off sticking with single deckers wether that is streetlites or the B8RLE.... or the current scania's.

(07 Dec 2015, 7:56 am)Andreos1 wrote The suggestions are getting worse!

(07 Dec 2015, 7:56 am)Andreos1 wrote The suggestions are getting worse!

(07 Dec 2015, 8:37 am)jaimzm wrote from what i have been told gne getting 20 streetlites for service 20 wether its true or not am not 100% but i would of thought deckers be better

(07 Dec 2015, 8:37 am)jaimzm wrote from what i have been told gne getting 20 streetlites for service 20 wether its true or not am not 100% but i would of thought deckers be better

(07 Dec 2015, 9:18 am)Andreos1 wrote Sounds like the stuff of nightmares that like.
Definitely think my suggestion would be more popular.