(04 Dec 2015, 4:29 pm)V334LGC wrote Looks rather smart
Go North East have updated their website:   https://www.simplygo.com/our-services/

Also to note:



The CityLink Day and Weekly saver tickets will be available on CityLink 57 from Monday 7 December.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:50 pm)Michael wrote Also to note:



The CityLink Day and Weekly saver tickets will be available on CityLink 57 from Monday 7 December.

So; in addition to being able to travel on buses which are 8 years younger and much more reliable, customers on service 57 will now be entitled to discounted travel using a day saver which is currently only valid on services 58 and 309...

Can't believe bus enthusiasts have been taking to Social Media to criticise the new look for service 57, when it's such a huge improvement to customers on this route.

It appeared that 3875 broke down in Gateshead about 8:15 (Ish) this morning

(04 Dec 2015, 4:53 pm)Dan wrote So in addition to being able to travel on buses which are 8 years younger and much more reliable, customers on service 57 will now be entitled to discounted travel...

Can't believe bus enthusiasts have been taking to Social Media to criticise the new look for service 57, when it's such a huge improvement to customers on this route.

Just read the said post - disgusting really! Just glad a few actual customers got involved giving positive feedback as opposed to leaving it and letting GNE just get bruised all over.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just read the said post - disgusting really! Just glad a few actual customers got involved giving positive feedback as opposed to leaving it and letting GNE just get bruised all over.

The "that's why it's not called CITIESlink" comment made me laugh...

It obtained more "likes" than any of the negative comments from bus enthusiasts - says it all!

(04 Dec 2015, 4:53 pm)Dan wrote So; in addition to being able to travel on buses which are 8 years younger and much more reliable, customers on service 57 will now be entitled to discounted travel using a day saver which is currently only valid on services 58 and 309...

Can't believe bus enthusiasts have been taking to Social Media to criticise the new look for service 57, when it's such a huge improvement to customers on this route.

Honestly don't see the problem, younger buses and cheaper fares, what's not to like? Not seen the enthusiasts negative comments but is there really any need for it, I dare bet the ones whinging as ever will rarely use the service in question.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:24 pm)S813 FVK wrote The attitude of the driver on the 825 this morning was disgusting.

The bus didn't come at 8:09, as scheduled and it is quite common for it to be slightly late to which I don't have a problem with. However, as it got later and later, I started to question what had happened to it (ie. had it broken down or gone down early) as it was very unusual for it to be 15 minutes late. When it did finally come down the bank, I recognised the driver instantly - one that I had a previous encounter with in the past. Rather than asking us where we are going - he just stared at us and it eventually came clear that it had incurred this 15 minute delay because nobody had a clue what he was staring at us for (bearing in mind that we all had our school uniforms on and it was a school bus) as he wasn't asking us where we are going. Its fine if he wants to know where we were going but for him to stare at us and make the service late is, in my opinion, pretty disgusting.

I am not going to complain to Go North East - mainly because we did the last time and, regardless of whether the depot spoke to him or not, he hasn't changed his ways. On the other hand though, if i dont report it, they wont know anything to be able to do anything about it.

Put a complaint it.

I have to laugh at half of the comments on that post. I got involved to express my opinions on the matter, and how Arriva have used the Sapphire brand in Durham.

The same goes for enthusiasts complaining and whinging about Wright StreetLites, never actually heard or seen anyone other than enthusiasts complaining about them...!

(04 Dec 2015, 5:12 pm)Jimmi wrote Honestly don't see the problem, younger buses and cheaper fares, what's not to like? Not seen the enthusiasts negative comments but is there really any need for it, I dare bet the ones whinging as ever will rarely use the service in question.

Both the people are "anti-GNE", either works for a bus company beginning and ending with 'A' or is friends with someone who works at a bus company beginning and ending with 'A'.

(04 Dec 2015, 4:24 pm)S813 FVK wrote The attitude of the driver on the 825 this morning was disgusting.

The bus didn't come at 8:09, as scheduled and it is quite common for it to be slightly late to which I don't have a problem with. However, as it got later and later, I started to question what had happened to it (ie. had it broken down or gone down early) as it was very unusual for it to be 15 minutes late. When it did finally come down the bank, I recognised the driver instantly - one that I had a previous encounter with in the past. Rather than asking us where we are going - he just stared at us and it eventually came clear that it had incurred this 15 minute delay because nobody had a clue what he was staring at us for (bearing in mind that we all had our school uniforms on and it was a school bus) as he wasn't asking us where we are going. Its fine if he wants to know where we were going but for him to stare at us and make the service late is, in my opinion, pretty disgusting.

I am not going to complain to Go North East - mainly because we did the last time and, regardless of whether the depot spoke to him or not, he hasn't changed his ways. On the other hand though, if i dont report it, they wont know anything to be able to do anything about it.

I think you should submit a complaint, if the driver is not disciplined and his attitude fails to change, despite this, then it would appear that either something isn't right with the system used to discipline staff, or he is just a bit of a prat. If you are still unsatisfied, contact Bus Users.

(04 Dec 2015, 5:18 pm)GX03 SVC wrote I have to laugh at half of the comments on that post. I got involved to express my opinions on the matter, and how Arriva have used the Sapphire brand in Durham.

The same goes for enthusiasts complaining and whinging about Wright StreetLites, never actually heard or seen anyone other than enthusiasts complaining about them...!

(04 Dec 2015, 5:21 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Both the people are "anti-GNE", either works for a bus company beginning and ending with 'A' or is friends with someone who works at a bus company beginning and ending with 'A'.

This may make me unpopular with some people...

Think some enthusiasts have nothing better to do with their time than whinge on the Go North East Facebook page, I only tend to pass comments on the services I regularly use (Arriva 5/5A and 7) I don't even comment on service 8 which runs through my town as I almost never use it, I have nothing really to say about the Citylink 57 as it's highly unlikely I am ever going to use the service. The comments about the 57 are just pointless, the buses may be old but newer than the B10's and there will be some discount fares and yet that's not good enough for them. Pretty sure some enthusiasts think some normal passengers are as thick as pig muck, do we really think people are going to get that confused about the 57 now having the same brand name as the 58 but in a different colour.

The only bad point I have about the CityLink 57 is the tab on the all services page. I know that their different colours, but it was a nail-biting experience before.

(04 Dec 2015, 5:44 pm)Jimmi wrote This may make me unpopular with some people...

Think some enthusiasts have nothing better to do with their time than whinge on the Go North East Facebook page, I only tend to pass comments on the services I regularly use (Arriva 5/5A and 7) I don't even comment on service 8 which runs through my town as I almost never use it, I have nothing really to say about the Citylink 57 as it's highly unlikely I am ever going to use the service. The comments about the 57 are just pointless, the buses may be old but newer than the B10's and there will be some discount fares and yet that's not good enough for them. Pretty sure some enthusiasts think some normal passengers are as thick as pig muck, do we really think people are going to get that confused about the 57 now having the same brand name as the 58 but in a different colour.

The only thing likely to be confusing is the tab, for the small minority of customers who are colourblind.

Without wanting to have too much revealed, are Go North East any closer to actually branding the silver Mercs at Deptford?

(04 Dec 2015, 7:59 pm)S813 FVK wrote Without wanting to have too much revealed, are Go North East any closer to actually branding the silver Mercs at Deptford?

Probables not, we've been waiting long enough.... i hope it gets done after the Citylink 57 Citaro's. 

I have a feeling the "Black Cats" has being dropped for the 33/33A/39 to.... unless they're waiting for the routes to get new buses.......... 

(04 Dec 2015, 8:05 pm)Michael wrote Probables not, we've been waiting long enough.... i hope it gets done after the Citylink 57 Citaro's. 

I have a feeling the "Black Cats" has being dropped for the 33/33A/39 to.... unless they're waiting for the routes to get new buses.......... 

Didn't someone say a while back the Black Cats was getting dropped as the Cadets won't be in service fir the forseeable future, or am I getting confused?

It is pretty bad planning to have timetables printed with the Black Cats branded buses on then not actually introduce it. But then its also bad planning re-painting OmniCitys as Toonlink to put them on 11/31/32 then change their minds a few months later and have to move the brand to a different route. However, we should be used to the fact that consistency (and even medium term planning, let alone long term) is not one of the strengths of GNE.

(04 Dec 2015, 8:52 pm)Davie wrote Didn't someone say a while back the Black Cats was getting dropped as the Cadets won't be in service fir the forseeable future, or am I getting confused?

I think you're right... i forgot about that.

If the 33/33A and the 39 got new/newer buses i would like to see the brand introduced.

(04 Dec 2015, 9:35 pm)Michael wrote I think you're right... i forgot about that.

If the 33/33A and the 39 got new/newer buses i would like to see the brand introduced.

GNE should purchase 20 Enviro 200MMCs for the 33/33A/39/82 & 82A, but then again we all know that GNE will order more Streetlites.

Wonder if a Citylink branded Citaro is out today?

(04 Dec 2015, 10:12 pm)Malarkey wrote GNE should purchase 20 Enviro 200MMCs for the 33/33A/39/82 & 82A, but then again we all know that GNE will order more Streetlites.

Ye, they'll stick to Streetlites,

2 ways it could be done:

1.They'll replace the Cadets and some of the B10's in a straight swap.


2. Scania routes are replaced first that means the scania's will move on the less profitable routes replacing the Cadets/Merits and some of the B10's.

(05 Dec 2015, 10:44 am)Diamond One wrote Wonder if a Citylink branded Citaro is out today?

Yes, 5293 is out in service.

Go North East
9 mins ·
Service 10, x84, x85 Omitting Corbridge due to the Bridge being closed due to high winds

(05 Dec 2015, 11:03 am)Dan wrote Yes, 5293 is out in service.

It's now on Flickr if you head over there now it's on my photostream

(04 Dec 2015, 5:44 pm)Jimmi wrote This may make me unpopular with some people...

Think some enthusiasts have nothing better to do with their time than whinge on the Go North East Facebook page, I only tend to pass comments on the services I regularly use (Arriva 5/5A and 7) I don't even comment on service 8 which runs through my town as I almost never use it, I have nothing really to say about the Citylink 57 as it's highly unlikely I am ever going to use the service. The comments about the 57 are just pointless, the buses may be old but newer than the B10's and there will be some discount fares and yet that's not good enough for them. Pretty sure some enthusiasts think some normal passengers are as thick as pig muck, do we really think people are going to get that confused about the 57 now having the same brand name as the 58 but in a different colour.

GX03 SVC is correct in saying that I work for Arriva, (that's right, it's okay to say the name - it's not like 'He who shall not be named') but that doesn't influence my decisions on a company's operations.  I can see the way Stagecoach operate and they seem to do a fine job but as for Go North East - they don't seem to understand the concept of route branding.

No-one said that the Citylink would be confusing having two colours, but if the 57 is to be blue, why not change the circles to be blue rather than orange?  At least that way the branding wouldn't look so out of place - they've changed the 'Link' to blue, so why not the circles too?

Corbridge is still closed due to the river bursting its banks. Service 10 cannot serve Corbridge Station, X84 & X85 will divert via the A69.

Hadn't realised that GNE were providing PR4 for the Christmas Festival, today.

(05 Dec 2015, 4:46 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Hadn't realised that GNE were providing PR4 for the Christmas Festival, today.

Shuttle service between County Hall and City Centre, providing travel for those who came in coaches.

(04 Dec 2015, 5:18 pm)GX03 SVC wrote I have to laugh at half of the comments on that post. I got involved to express my opinions on the matter, and how Arriva have used the Sapphire brand in Durham.

The same goes for enthusiasts complaining and whinging about Wright StreetLites, never actually heard or seen anyone other than enthusiasts complaining about them...!

I've heard passengers twisting about them too, but mainly because of the lack of leg room. I don't think they're too bad in appearance, but I think they'll be lucky to last 5 years on the routes they're on. Time will tell.

(05 Dec 2015, 2:48 pm)palatine3833 wrote GX03 SVC is correct in saying that I work for Arriva, (that's right, it's okay to say the name - it's not like 'He who shall not be named') but that doesn't influence my decisions on a company's operations.  I can see the way Stagecoach operate and they seem to do a fine job but as for Go North East - they don't seem to understand the concept of route branding.

No-one said that the Citylink would be confusing having two colours, but if the 57 is to be blue, why not change the circles to be blue rather than orange?  At least that way the branding wouldn't look so out of place - they've changed the 'Link' to blue, so why not the circles too?

Why do you think that they don't understand the concept of route branding? From a marketing perspective, why does orange on blue look out of place? 

It's all good and well coming out with both statements, but at least elaborate on why you think it.

(05 Dec 2015, 4:52 pm)Dan wrote Shuttle service between County Hall and City Centre, providing travel for those who came in coaches.

It was definitely busy with people leaving around 4-ish - and that was before the lantern parade started.