(31 Dec 2017, 9:24 am)Dans_bus_photos wrote The 35 has been a bit of a joke service with all the service changes it has had over the years, although it does seem to have been left alone lately. How comes 5214-17 were allowed to leave Sunderland but were upgraded to euro 5 under the same contract?

(31 Dec 2017, 9:24 am)Dans_bus_photos wrote The 35 has been a bit of a joke service with all the service changes it has had over the years, although it does seem to have been left alone lately. How comes 5214-17 were allowed to leave Sunderland but were upgraded to euro 5 under the same contract?

(31 Dec 2017, 11:25 pm)Adrian wrote The 20 doesn't seem to be too bad Durham end, reliability wise. Its got a huge layover, and has become common sight to see one go on the back wall layover at Durham, as soon as the previous one pulls onto the stand. The only issue you tend to see is around the 1600-1800 peak. 

In my opinion, the new lights and Leazes Bowl works in Durham have made a big difference, but there is absolutely nothing you can do beyond that to cope with the peak time volume of traffic. Durham has for a long time, and will continue to bottleneck, until both North AND South bypasses are designed, funded and built... I can't see that happening anytime soon, but lets see what the County plan brings...

(01 Jan 2018, 10:53 am)Citaro5326 wrote When will the black cats solars be allocated to the 35 ? I am quite excited to have them espically them 51/02 plates are amazing for the age! Also happy new year

(01 Jan 2018, 11:05 am)S813 FVK wrote Moving topic re The 49 Streetlites gaining advert boards...are these intended to be filled or have they been requested to remain empty?

(01 Jan 2018, 11:18 am)Dan wrote Filled - was always intended for the frames to be fitted at some point, which was why the branding was designed to accommodate them.

(01 Jan 2018, 11:21 am)Michael wrote Not surprised they've gained them, i would imagine the Citaro's for the 9 will gain them at a future date?, but that of course depends on the style of the branding?

(01 Jan 2018, 10:53 am)Citaro5326 wrote When will the black cats solars be allocated to the 35 ? I am quite excited to have them espically them 51/02 plates are amazing for the age! Also happy new year

(01 Jan 2018, 12:07 pm)Adrian wrote Seriously? I'd have had them 15 years ago, but its nothing more than a huge downgrade for customers on that route, getting them on their way to Alpha.

There is often plenty of talk about new buses, new features, etc, attracting new passengers and growing services... I wonder how such a downgrade could ever be justified, when the shoe is on the other foot? 

The 35 itself has become a bit of a joke service. It has been chopped and changed so many times, that it has completely lost its identity. Without getting into the what, why and how of the changes; I just wish we'd get a new route number when routes are changed so drastically. If its no longer the 35, then why call it the 35? 

(31 Dec 2017, 6:55 pm)V514DFT wrote all due respect thats not North Tyneside

(01 Jan 2018, 12:18 pm)Michael wrote The council have said they don't want the Scania's to leave Sunderland until middle of 2019, due to the funding they provided to upgrade them to Euro 5, they could of just put them in a spare role at Sunderland and have something else go on the 35, however i would imagine, they have to be on a route on a daily bases.

It's a massive downgrade for a service which has had Citaro's since 2008 (like the from the  Wheatsheaf to Houghton etc section).............................

(01 Jan 2018, 12:22 pm)Adrian wrote But how do you justify that to your customers Michael?

I would imagine 99% of them could not care less what agreements Go North East have entered into, in terms of gaining funding for modifications or what not... they will simply look at what turns up for them?

(01 Jan 2018, 12:07 pm)Adrian wrote Seriously? I'd have had them 15 years ago, but its nothing more than a huge downgrade for customers on that route, getting them on their way to Alpha.

There is often plenty of talk about new buses, new features, etc, attracting new passengers and growing services... I wonder how such a downgrade could ever be justified, when the shoe is on the other foot? 

The 35 itself has become a bit of a joke service. It has been chopped and changed so many times, that it has completely lost its identity. Without getting into the what, why and how of the changes; I just wish we'd get a new route number when routes are changed so drastically. If its no longer the 35, then why call it the 35? 

(01 Jan 2018, 5:35 pm)Andreos1 wrote I have kept quiet on the whole Solar, council funded upgrades schebang since it was revealed the 35 was being downgraded.
My thoughts on the Solars and the mods are well documented. So I won't go there.

However, if passenger numbers on the 35 are negatively affected as a consequence of the Solar allocation, then GNE only have themselves to blame.
The took the cash, agreed to the t&c's put in front of them and are now stuck in a situation where new vehicles may only be purchased for the service, if growth is demonstrated.
It could be argued that the change from Shields to North Sunderland has affected financial figures negatively. Ditto the diversion and subsequent involvement in the Silksworth 'bus war'.
I can't see how revenues can be greater on the current route compared to its previous incarnation.

I would suggest the extension of the 20, assisted in the business case when purchasing new vehicles for that route.
How long will it be before we see changes again?
I need Fozz to give me a price on the 35 being extended to Shields and also the 35 being merged/amalgamated on to another service from Boldon. 
I can't see new vehicles appearing on it otherwise.

(01 Jan 2018, 12:18 pm)Michael wrote The council have said they don't want the Scania's to leave Sunderland until middle of 2019, due to the funding they provided to upgrade them to Euro 5, they could of just put them in a spare role at Sunderland and have something else go on the 35, however i would imagine, they have to be on a route on a daily bases.


It's a massive downgrade for a service which has had Citaro's since 2008 (like the from the  Wheatsheaf to Houghton etc section).............................

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Sorry i miss read your post :p

(01 Jan 2018, 6:23 pm)Michael wrote End of the month. (timing changes for the 35 and 36, although can't see them downgrading the route from every 30 minutes, runs maybe cut instead)

(01 Jan 2018, 9:09 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Surely when the funding was granted for upgrading there Scania's, Go North East should have been aware that they needed to operate these buses on the specific route till 2019. Rather than upgrading the 20 and passing them about onto any service that fits in with the PVR that is operated from Deptford depot, surely in the contract it would specify which service the council was paying to improve the emissions rather than just 8 buses within the Sunderland area?

(02 Jan 2018, 12:39 am)V514DFT wrote ,i cant really comment on the servive because i live in Howdon (O not E by the way )

(02 Jan 2018, 2:43 pm)Swiny1 wrote When will the timetables for the changes be online?

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(02 Jan 2018, 3:51 pm)V514DFT wrote i would imagine either this week if not probs next week,usually on by mid month

(02 Jan 2018, 7:23 pm)Citaro5326 wrote when will all the Merc be back ? also will the ex London B9TLS be coming in between citaros or after ? also
this year we are to see the following to be repainted :
Drifters  ( 5369-5376)
Saltwell Park ( 8339-8346)
Citylink ( 5377-5384)
Connections 4 ( 5358-5368)
Fabs ( 6085-6098)
Cobalt clippers ( 6101-6117 )

(02 Jan 2018, 3:57 pm)S813 FVK wrote I would say they should be on by the end of this week. Any time after that will be leaving it quite late by their standards in the past.

(03 Jan 2018, 3:52 pm)Northern4555 wrote I see ane has changes on same weekend,but they have been on the ball with their publication of new time tables over a week ago. can GNE be more forthcoming with our south Tyneside ones.