(03 Aug 2015, 8:22 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Are you on about the 'Tyneside Toughened' glass?

If so, it is used in vehicles all over the world - buses included.

http://www.tynesidesafetyglass.com/indus...sport.html

The large photo of an Optare vehicle proves I was incorrect previously..!

I've never noticed the logo on Optare buses, if I'm honest.

(03 Aug 2015, 8:22 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Are you on about the 'Tyneside Toughened' glass?

If so, it is used in vehicles all over the world - buses included.

http://www.tynesidesafetyglass.com/indus...sport.html

Thanks - that's it - I was avoiding naming the company (as I had forgotten!).

I'm sure I've either watched a documentary or read an article extolling the virtues of Tyneside Toughened Glass at some point in my life. I think that's the only reason I knew they supplied glass to companies all over the world.

(03 Aug 2015, 8:22 pm)Dan wrote I think it's funny how the glass for the windows goes to Ballymena from Gateshead, and then a month or two later, the completed bus is then delivered to Gateshead.

You would think they could drive them without the glass (like they used to drive the bare chassis back in the 1950s and 60s).

(03 Aug 2015, 8:17 pm)Dan wrote The new Streetlites delivered this year and the new Solos for Peterlee have the blue LED lighting (under the seats on the former, and on the edge of the seat leg on the latter). All with e-leather seats - so half way there..!

The luxurious Lazerini seating isn't used, admittedly. Perhaps Go North East could look into adding tables on commuter routes such as the Tyne Tees Xpress, when new vehicles are ordered for these routes. I guess it would be a case of toying up whether it would be worth losing the seats for?

I have a feeling I'm going to be pestered to make a Sunday journey when the IndiGo is launched. Can I stand 3 hours at the Arnison centre? Probably not.

(03 Aug 2015, 4:40 pm)G-CPTN wrote The Tynedale changes aren't pleasing everybody.

(03 Aug 2015, 4:45 pm)Dan wrote Suppose those who aren't pleased by the changes don't actually realise that the bus they've got now is better than no bus at all..?

(03 Aug 2015, 4:47 pm)Tom wrote Only the frequency has changed on the 687 really. The 680 was always every 2 hours or so, an in fact I'd say Acomb has an improved service.

Why aren't the changes pleasing everyone, I personally think it seems quite good and I think it would be good to see further improvement in the Tyne Valley areas.

What are people not happy about?

As Tom has mentioned the 687 frequency has been reduced which may cause concern, baring this in mind will the 687 last much longer before GNE cease the service or combine it with another.

Does anyone know the reason why Tyne Valley Coaches, dropped their service runs? obviously it is to GNE favour !

I see from the photo on here, that the new Tynedale Links service 680 was operated by a corporate liveried Scania L95UB Wright Solar - 5229, is this to be the usual allocation or is an actual Tynedale Links liveried bus to be used?

Also noticed that existing Tynedale Links service 688 was also operated by a corporate liveried Scania L94UB Wright Solar - 4966.

Are Hexham short of Tynedale Links liveried vehicles for these services or are these to be re-painted? I just thought on the day of a launch of a new service that GNE would have a correct liveried vehicle for the service.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:03 pm)thetravelman wrote I see from the photo on here, that the new Tynedale Links service 680 was operated by a corporate liveried Scania L95UB Wright Solar - 5229, is this to be the usual allocation or is an actual Tynedale Links liveried bus to be used?

Also noticed that existing Tynedale Links service 688 was also operated by a corporate liveried Scania L94UB Wright Solar - 4966.

Are Hexham short of Tynedale Links liveried vehicles for these services or are these to be re-painted? I just thought on the day of a launch of a new service that GNE would have a correct liveried vehicle for the service.

I think 5210 should have been allocated, but that was on the X84/X85, 5231 replaced a late running 8273 on the 74/687, and as you said 4966 was on the 688.

All over at Hexham today from a depot who is normally pretty good with allocations.

(03 Aug 2015, 8:36 pm)thetravelman wrote Why aren't the changes pleasing everyone, I personally think it seems quite good and I think it would be good to see further improvement in the Tyne Valley areas.

What are people not happy about?

I travelled on the 12:10 682 to Colwell via Barrasford.
The sole passenger that joined at Barrasford remarked that they had lost the '10 o'clock' bus to Hexham (09:44 arriving 10:09), which had been very popular, returning after a couple of hours in Hexham (12:25), whereas now the bus arrived in Hexham @ 1 o'clock (13:09) then left after just an hour (14:10) leaving insufficient time for shopping. The alternative was leaving Hexham @ 16:49 or an early morning (07:40 - 08:15) leaving Hexham @ 12:10.

The Snaith service fitted in with leaving and collecting children at school, whereas she now had only one hour in Hexham (less allowance for getting from and to the bus station - soon to be further away from the shops).
I understand that the GNE 882 is only on a trial for a month (see below) - with those timings it seems certain to fail to attract sufficient pax.

Snaith 882

GNE revised Tynedale services

Edited to add (from the Hexham Courant):- 

However, the 882 Hexham to Colwell service, which currently operates six days a week, has been “thinned out” because it exceeds an acceptable level of subsidy.
Travel manager Kirsten Francis said to bring the service within the allowed funding levels, the small numbers of users would have to be diverted on to fewer buses.
The five journeys per day serving Barrasford, Gunnerton and Colwell would be reduce to two inward journeys to Hexham and two return journeys, allowing a three hour stay in Hexham.
This contract would be piloted by Go North East as service 682 until October 10, to enable officers to assess whether it offered good value for money, or whether it should be scrapped.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:14 pm)G-CPTN wrote I travelled on the 12:10 682 to Colwell via Barrasford.
The sole passenger that joined at Barrasford remarked that they had lost the '10 o'clock' bus to Hexham (09:44 arriving 10:09), which had been very popular, returning after a couple of hours in Hexham (12:25), whereas now the bus arrived in Hexham @ 1 o'clock (13:09) then left after just an hour (14:10) leaving insufficient time for shopping. The alternative was leaving Hexham @ 16:49 or an early morning (07:40 - 08:15) leaving Hexham @ 12:10.

The Snaith service fitted in with leaving and collecting children at school, whereas she now had only one hour in Hexham (less allowance for getting from and to the bus station - soon to be further away from the shops).
I understand that the GNE 882 is only on a trial for a month - with those timings it seems certain to fail to attract sufficient pax.

Snaith 882

GNE revised Tynedale services

I can do Durham in half an hour (though sometimes risk breaking part of me on the cobbles), so would have no problem getting Hexham over and done with in an hour!

I agree that sounds pretty crap if you do need to hang around and gossip longer, mind.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:18 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I can do Durham in half an hour (though sometimes risk breaking part of me on the cobbles), so would have no problem getting Hexham over and done with in an hour!

I agree that sounds pretty crap if you do need to hang around and gossip longer, mind.

Hexham has Tesco (and ALDI) down near the railway station, with a ten minute walk up a steep hill to the town centre shops.

I have been regularly doing ALDI from the railway station and back in half an hour, but cannot include town centre shops without taking more time (or not doing ALDI/Tesco).

The passenger that I spoke to has a toddler as well as two in school - dragging a toddler around Hexham takes longer, even with a pushchair.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:31 pm)G-CPTN wrote Hexham has Tesco (and ALDI) down near the railway station, with a ten minute walk up a steep hill to the town centre shops.

I have been regularly doing ALDI from the railway station and back in half an hour, but cannot include town centre shops without taking more time (or not doing ALDI/Tesco).

The passenger that I spoke to has a toddler as well as two in school - dragging a toddler around Hexham takes longer, even with a pushchair.

True, that - and the pavements are quite narrow with a lot of obstructions, which is a PITA with a buggy. It's hard enough with an 11yo with no sense of direction!

I tend to do my main supermarket shop online. Cuts out the stress. (only supermarket in walking distance is a small smelly coop in the next village)

(03 Aug 2015, 9:03 pm)thetravelman wrote I see from the photo on here, that the new Tynedale Links service 680 was operated by a corporate liveried Scania L95UB Wright Solar - 5229, is this to be the usual allocation or is an actual Tynedale Links liveried bus to be used?

Also noticed that existing Tynedale Links service 688 was also operated by a corporate liveried Scania L94UB Wright Solar - 4966.

Are Hexham short of Tynedale Links liveried vehicles for these services or are these to be re-painted? I just thought on the day of a launch of a new service that GNE would have a correct liveried vehicle for the service.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:07 pm)Tom wrote I think 5210 should have been allocated, but that was on the X84/X85, 5231 replaced a late running 8273 on the 74/687, and as you said 4966 was on the 688.

All over at Hexham today from a depot who is normally pretty good with allocations.

Oh Right, I see - Thanks Tom.

Hopefully Hexham will get themselves sorted again soon.

(03 Aug 2015, 8:36 pm)thetravelman wrote Why aren't the changes pleasing everyone, I personally think it seems quite good and I think it would be good to see further improvement in the Tyne Valley areas.

What are people not happy about?

As Tom has mentioned the 687 frequency has been reduced which may cause concern, baring this in mind will the 687 last much longer before GNE cease the service or combine it with another.

Does anyone know the reason why Tyne Valley Coaches, dropped their service runs? obviously it is to GNE favour !

(03 Aug 2015, 9:14 pm)G-CPTN wrote I travelled on the 12:10 682 to Colwell via Barrasford.
The sole passenger that joined at Barrasford remarked that they had lost the '10 o'clock' bus to Hexham (09:44 arriving 10:09), which had been very popular, returning after a couple of hours in Hexham (12:25), whereas now the bus arrived in Hexham @ 1 o'clock (13:09) then left after just an hour (14:10) leaving insufficient time for shopping. The alternative was leaving Hexham @ 16:49 or an early morning (07:40 - 08:15) leaving Hexham @ 12:10.

The Snaith service fitted in with leaving and collecting children at school, whereas she now had only one hour in Hexham (less allowance for getting from and to the bus station - soon to be further away from the shops).
I understand that the GNE 882 is only on a trial for a month - with those timings it seems certain to fail to attract sufficient pax.

Snaith 882

GNE revised Tynedale services

Ah right, that does seem to be a bit strange and I can understand peoples concerns with the new timetable.

I wonder if GNE will be able to revise this, if the previous service worked well for the locals.

It would be a shame if GNE ceased this service due to low passenger numbers after a short time, if tweaking the timetable would sort the issue.

Another Cadet in the training school appears to be 8247.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:51 pm)thetravelman wrote Ah right, that does seem to be a bit strange and I can understand peoples concerns with the new timetable.

I wonder if GNE will be able to revise this, if the previous service worked well for the locals.

It would be a shame if GNE ceased this service due to low passenger numbers after a short time, if tweaking the timetable would sort the issue.

Trouble is I guess trying to fit everyone's requirements around the limited resources available. Not everyone can have a bus into town at 10 and back at 12 when you're using 3 or 4 buses to cover 6 or 7 routes.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:52 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Another Cadet in the training school appears to be 8247.

It has been since mid-July: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/127739730@...991401614/ (although there are no Driver Training stickers like the other examples, the modified seats can be seen and the bus was parked amongst other training vehicles at the time).

(03 Aug 2015, 10:34 pm)R852 PRG wrote It has been since mid-July: https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/127739730@...991401614/ (although there are no Driver Training stickers like the other examples, the modified seats can be seen and the bus was parked amongst other training vehicles at the time).

It has been in for longer than that. It's entry into the Training fleet was first noted in the Go North East website in the update for 15th June.

(03 Aug 2015, 9:58 pm)tyresmoke wrote Trouble is I guess trying to fit everyone's requirements around the limited resources available. Not everyone can have a bus into town at 10 and back at 12 when you're using 3 or 4 buses to cover 6 or 7 routes.

I presume that GNE might not have had pax usage figures for Snaith (and Tyne Valley) services (though maybe NCC should have been able to provide 'expectations'?)
I cannot imagine that any operator would introduce a service without figures to support the expected demand.
There had, apparently, been a 'meeting' where said passenger had expressed her concerns which had now become reality.

My personal inconveniences are restricted to needing to walk further in Hexham (currently from the Hospital to ALDI/Tesco 'soon' to be from the new bus station at Loosing Hill) and back 'up' to the bus station - currently on Priestpopple, later Loosing Hill - which will almost certainly mean that I will no longer visit the town centre shops in Fore Street and adjacent to the bus station (fruit shop and bakers).

I have an adequate choice of buses (TEN, 685 and X84/X85) - though the timings today meant that I transferred from GNE to Stagecoach/Arriva (both ways scheduled before the GNE services). 

I don't suppose that the loss of my custom will break GNE . . .

Re: NEXT STOP ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Used a couple of Quaylinks today. I'm all for NSAs but the Q3 I was on had slightly too loud NSAs and as previously mentioned each stop name is read out twice.
On the Q2 I was on it would say for example "Next stop, Gateshead Interchange", then on approach/arrival it would simply say "Gateshead Interchange". Seemed ok I guess but the Q3 I was on didn't say "Next stop". So it felt very repetitive, e.g "Regent Centre", them 1 minute later: "Regent Centre". I actually noticed 2 other passengers rolling their eyes at this.

Have to say I personally prefer the more professional Arriva Saphire NSAs, compared to GNE's overly local/yocal ones. (I like the Cobalt Clipper ones though). Wasn't impressed with Alan Robson's Quaylink NSAs despite not minding him on Night Owls.

Also when on a Citylink58 I couldn't tell what had changed with their NSAs? Anyone know?

Volunteering with Guide Dogs a little when not at work, I've learnt that hearing the destination of the bus is also important, as well as the approaching stop name. I can't see a London iBus style approach being popular here where they read the route number and destination EVERY time the doors close after a stop, but maybe after every 3rd stop it'd be okay? E.g, "58 to Hadrian Park. Next stop Civic Centre/University of Northumbria".
Thoughts, GNE officials?

(03 Aug 2015, 8:22 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Are you on about the 'Tyneside Toughened' glass?

If so, it is used in vehicles all over the world - buses included.

http://www.tynesidesafetyglass.com/indus...sport.html

Tyneside Toughened Glass is used quite a lot, though sometimes the windows aren't always branded. Apparently they have a factory in Germany.

Whilst we're on about it, I was actually suprised to find glass with the Tyneside Toughened logo on buses and trains in Belgium.

(03 Aug 2015, 11:18 pm)ne1eng wrote Re: NEXT STOP ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Used a couple of Quaylinks today. I'm all for NSAs but the Q3 I was on had slightly too loud NSAs and as previously mentioned each stop name is read out twice.
On the Q2 I was on it would say for example "Next stop, Gateshead Interchange", then on approach/arrival it would simply say "Gateshead Interchange". Seemed ok I guess but the Q3 I was on didn't say "Next stop". So it felt very repetitive, e.g "Regent Centre", them 1 minute later: "Regent Centre". I actually noticed 2 other passengers rolling their eyes at this.

Have to say I personally prefer the more professional Arriva Saphire NSAs, compared to GNE's overly local/yocal ones. (I like the Cobalt Clipper ones though). Wasn't impressed with Alan Robson's Quaylink NSAs despite not minding him on Night Owls.

Also when on a Citylink58 I couldn't tell what had changed with their NSAs? Anyone know?

Volunteering with Guide Dogs a little when not at work, I've learnt that hearing the destination of the bus is also important, as well as the approaching stop name. I can't see a London iBus style approach being popular here where they read the route number and destination EVERY time the doors close after a stop, but maybe after every 3rd stop it'd be okay? E.g, "58 to Hadrian Park. Next stop Civic Centre/University of Northumbria".
Thoughts, GNE officials?

On older vehicles, the controllers have a volume setting between 0 (off) and 10 (extremely loud). The "Quaylink" branded vehicles are all set to 5, so they shouldn't be too loud nor too quiet (and in my opinion, the volume is perfect when there are some passengers on the vehicle which adds to the background noise, having tested them out while in service). I believe there are six speakers on an Optare Versa, so if you happen to sit underneath a speaker, it may sound louder to you than it would had you sat a seat or two behind. We receive a lot more complaints about the announcements being too quiet or not working at all, so I doubt we'll be going any quieter than 5, but we can certainly check to ensure that all vehicles are actually set to 5.

The "at stop" announcement does not include "This is" and merely states the stop name. Admittedly, this does irritate me too. It isn't included at all on the Red Kite 45/46 or Coast & Country 8/78 (but is shown on the screen). It's finding a happy medium between informative and obtrusive to those passengers who don't rely on Next Stop Announcements (not forgetting our drivers, who have to spend a hell of a lot longer on the bus than the passengers!)

The use of a more 'professional' voice is subject to opinion and has been debated many many times. I have no problem with the recent Go North East announcements, although I personally find the gimmicky announcements on the Red Arrows a bit annoying after a while (if I can guess the next stop is Herrington Burn, why bother telling me?!) There's no reason why these cannot be re-launched in time, allowing us to review the content of the screens and potentially look to including the line plan which we've used on the "Quaylink" services.

The content of the screens is all that has changed on the "Citylink" announcements - some of the stop names revised slightly, higher quality images added, and images re-positioned so that they are the same on every slide.

As ever, we are happy to take on all feedback. We can certainly look into the possibility of adding the terminus of the route as an announcement in future.

On the subject of the Next Stop Announcements, If you type in "Go North East" on Twitter, the amount of people complaining about them is crazy! Especially the QuayLink ones. I know a lot of drivers that hate them as well.

I'm not so bothered about the Next Stop's on the Red Arrows, Cobalt Clipper, Angel, Fab56. However, the Lime, Red Kite and QuayLink I am not a fan of at all.

(04 Aug 2015, 7:43 am)LeeCalder wrote On the subject of the Next Stop Announcements, If you type in "Go North East" on Twitter, the amount of people complaining about them is crazy! Especially the QuayLink ones. I know a lot of drivers that hate them as well.

I'm not so bothered about the Next Stop's on the Red Arrows, Cobalt Clipper, Angel, Fab56. However, the Lime, Red Kite and QuayLink I am not a fan of at all.

I take it none of those people complaining have disabilities, such as partial sight, though?

It's all about making the buses more accessible, and that's a great thing in my opinion

(04 Aug 2015, 7:50 am)aureolin wrote I take it none of those people complaining have disabilities, such as partial sight, though?

It's all about making the buses more accessible, and that's a great thing in my opinion

Agreed!
Putting the destination in might be best after major stops although I suppose less of an issue at major stops like Regent Centre where buses only go to one destination.
I'm not sure the drivers having to listen to them is a major issue, you tend to switch off anyway - I know I sometimes have to specifically listen for one to make sure they're working now as it all becomes background noise.

The trams in Sheffield also have an interesting set up by which each route has next stop announcements in a different voice - the theory behind it being regulars would know if they jump on the wrong tram by the voice being used!

(04 Aug 2015, 7:50 am)aureolin wrote I take it none of those people complaining have disabilities, such as partial sight, though?

It's all about making the buses more accessible, and that's a great thing in my opinion

Yeah, people who don't need the assistance of the announcements will always complain about them as they don't need to hear them so they won't be happy about having to listen to them when they don't need the assistance of them.

As much as the announcements on the Enviro 400s can be a little annoying on an early morning 7 sometimes, I have no issues with them as it is there for people who need the assistance and also it is nice when you are on a route you don't know, was great when I first did the Sapphire 5/5A down on Teesside when I picked a few spots for photos and the announcements meant I didn't miss any stops. I'm more annoyed by announcements not being loud enough recently, the ones on the Darlington 5/5A are nearly almost muted, what a waste of money they were!

(04 Aug 2015, 7:50 am)aureolin wrote I take it none of those people complaining have disabilities, such as partial sight, though?

It's all about making the buses more accessible, and that's a great thing in my opinion

I agree with your second point. However, next stop announcements do annoy me as well at times, especially when they are blaring.

I don't have a massive problem with them, but, they do get very tedious at times and I think that is what annoys some people.

I think if they just said "Next Stop Theatre Royal" instead of repeating it as you go past it would not annoy as many people.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/durham-coun...-16-august
Go North East will also be there with one of the Coast&Country branded Streetlites.

Don't suppose anyone has seen the Seeitdoit Merc today?

If anyone does let me know, preferably with time and location you saw it.

Go North East's Fleet News for this week:

The outstanding vehicles from the order for 14 Optare Solos have now been received. They are 661: NK15 GFJ and 666: NK15 EMJ. Volvo B10BLEs 4841: R841 PRG and 5164: T814 CBW have been withdrawn from Riverside depot and Trident 3804: V804 EBR has been withdrawn from Chester le Street.