(15 Jun 2016, 8:33 pm)park5354 wrote Could put green branding onto 8316/17/18, and get 8325/26/27 from Deptford into purple Quaylink, along with 8328 back as a spare.

Service 61 could then get 4978-82 from Percy Main, with 5377-80 for 19 at Percy Main (with a red scania as backup)

Can't see 5377 moving from Riverside - handy to have any tachograph fitted vehicle remain at Riverside for the X9/X10

Might it not make more sense to send the spare long Versas to Deptford for the 61 and have 8306-9 move to Riverside for the Q3?

Few unhappy people posting on Facebook again about the changes.

Sent from my Xperia Z5 Premium

(16 Jun 2016, 12:47 pm)MVK 500R wrote Few unhappy people posting on Facebook again about the changes.

Sent from my Xperia Z5 Premium

Just noticed a query from someone who is travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon on a Sunday. The response from the FB bod, suggest they travel via Newcastle to complete the journey. That can't be right - surely?

(16 Jun 2016, 1:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Just noticed a query from someone who is travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon on a Sunday. The response from the FB bod, suggest they travel via Newcastle to complete the journey. That can't be right - surely?

Aye, saw that too.

Sent from my Xperia Z5 Premium

The changes confirm that the 42 will be Indigo alongside the 40/41

Under the 17/17A changes:


View timetables for...

NEW service 11
indiGo 40/41
indiGo 42

(16 Jun 2016, 12:28 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Can't see 5377 moving from Riverside - handy to have any tachograph fitted vehicle remain at Riverside for the X9/X10

Might it not make more sense to send the spare long Versas to Deptford for the 61 and have 8306-9 move to Riverside for the Q3?

No, it wouldn't.

At the moment; every single board on the Quaylink Q3 has at least one journey (early morning/late evening) which is secured by Nexus, stipulating the use of a Euro 5 vehicle (with a minimum capacity of 44). As 8306 - 8309 are Euro 4, these would not fulfil the contractual requirements.

Not forgetting that the Citylink branded Optare Versas also have Next Stop Announcements - why go to the unnecessary cost of fitting this equipment to 8306 - 8309 when it could be avoided?

(16 Jun 2016, 1:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Just noticed a query from someone who is travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon on a Sunday. The response from the FB bod, suggest they travel via Newcastle to complete the journey. That can't be right - surely?

Irrespective of the upcoming service revisions, someone travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon (using a GNE ticket) would need to catch the 47 to either Swalwell Roundabout or Metrocentre and catch a 49/49A (from Swalwell) or 10/10A/10B from Metrocentre to Blaydon. Alternatively, if they have a Network One pass, it's possible to catch a bus the 47 to High Spen and transfer onto either the R3/R4 to Blaydon.

The FB bod is incorrect on this occasion.

(16 Jun 2016, 1:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Just noticed a query from someone who is travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon on a Sunday. The response from the FB bod, suggest they travel via Newcastle to complete the journey. That can't be right - surely?

It doesn't surprise me. To get from Washington to Chester early on a Sunday, you'd have to get the 4 to Heworth, 27 to Gateshead and 21 to Chester.

But on the same token, if there were plenty people wanting to make that journey, there'd be a bus route there. Not great, but it's the system we have.

(16 Jun 2016, 3:45 pm)Adrian wrote It doesn't surprise me. To get from Washington to Chester early on a Sunday, you'd have to get the 4 to Heworth, 27 to Gateshead and 21 to Chester.

But on the same token, if there were plenty people wanting to make that journey, there'd be a bus route there. Not great, but it's the system we have.

Probably be quicker to walk from most areas of Washington to Chester early on a Sunday, than get on the 4 followed by the 27 and then the 21.

(16 Jun 2016, 8:04 am)BJ10VUS wrote Could they brand one of the 'Citylink' Versas as 'South Tyne' to replace the Solar, or are the longer Versas still too small to meet the requirements of the contract?

Long Versa's should be considered as a Full Size Single Deck replacement as there only 0.3m smaller than a full size vehicle ( Example, A Solar )
Though as the service offering is pretty basic on here, With no Wifi or NSAs, It wouldn't put them to good use on here.

(16 Jun 2016, 3:54 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Long Versa's should be considered as a Full Size Single Deck replacement as there only 0.3m smaller than a full size vehicle ( Example, A Solar )
Though as the service offering is pretty basic on here, With no Wifi or NSAs, It wouldn't put them to good use on here.

The 11.7m Versas should also be considered as full sized single deckers because they are in the 53xx series of fleet numbers.

(16 Jun 2016, 2:37 pm)Dan wrote No, it wouldn't.

At the moment; every single board on the Quaylink Q3 has at least one journey (early morning/late evening) which is secured by Nexus, stipulating the use of a Euro 5 vehicle (with a minimum capacity of 44). As 8306 - 8309 are Euro 4, these would not fulfil the contractual requirements.

Not forgetting that the Citylink branded Optare Versas also have Next Stop Announcements - why go to the unnecessary cost of fitting this equipment to 8306 - 8309 when it could be avoided?

So does that confirm the Q3 will use 2 of the Versa's from CityLink 58?

What about the other 2, where will they go?

(16 Jun 2016, 4:46 pm)Michael wrote So does that confirm the Q3 will use 2 of the Versa's from CityLink 58?

What about the other 2, where will they go?

The Q3 needs three I think as the PVR is 9 and it looks there's only 6 Quaylink buses

(16 Jun 2016, 4:49 pm)Tom wrote The Q3 needs three I think as the PVR is 9 and it looks there's only 6 Quaylink buses

It could be, wonder where the last one will go, thats if it moves depots...

(16 Jun 2016, 4:50 pm)Michael wrote It could be, wonder where the last one will go, thats if it moves depots...

Would it not be best to keep it at Riverside? Could just make it an extra spare and get another Renown withdrawn.

Did the Q3 PVR not recently increase meaning that a Citaro needed to be allocated??? If this is still the case, all 4 Citylink Versa's may be repainted for the Q3 - though it seems most likely that at least one will become a Red 'spare'

Three of the Silver Citaro's will most likely be repainted for the 57 leaving the remaining two as 'Red' spares.

Two of the Nexus solo's will most likely be repainted Indigo for the 40/41/42.

And lastly of course, eight Solar's end up blue for the 11.

(16 Jun 2016, 4:49 pm)Tom wrote The Q3 needs three I think as the PVR is 9 and it looks there's only 6 Quaylink buses

Still think that 8316/17/18  should go Quaylink green, so that 8310-18 are all for Q3 (all same batch and standard)

5388 Quaylink Purple
5387 Quaylink Purple
5386 Quaylink Purple


5377 Red (Swop with 8328) to give Quaylink a dedicated spare of similar spec, and Drifter a spare of similar spec (NSA)

(16 Jun 2016, 5:24 pm)peter wrote Did the Q3 PVR not recently increase meaning that a Citaro needed to be allocated??? If this is still the case, all 4 Citylink Versa's may be repainted for the Q3 - though it seems most likely that at least one will become a Red 'spare'

Three of the Silver Citaro's will most likely be repainted for the 57 leaving the remaining two as 'Red' spares.

Two of the Nexus solo's will most likely be repainted Indigo for the 40/41/42.

And lastly of course, eight Solar's end up blue for the 11.

The Nexus Solos would need to be refurbished to indiGo spec I'd imagine?

(16 Jun 2016, 5:33 pm)Tom wrote The Nexus Solos would need to be refurbished to indiGo spec I'd imagine?

Could repaint 2 Venture solos for Indigo (N Tyne), and repaint 625/626 into Venture colours.

Would like to see 5320/21/22/23/24 given Crusader branding, allowing 5310/11/12/13/14 to get a much needed repaint. 5312/13/14 Blue for Citylink 57. 5310 red spare, and 5311 silver as the extra bus for TEN.

(16 Jun 2016, 5:24 pm)peter wrote Did the Q3 PVR not recently increase meaning that a Citaro needed to be allocated??? If this is still the case, all 4 Citylink Versa's may be repainted for the Q3 - though it seems most likely that at least one will become a Red 'spare'

Three of the Silver Citaro's will most likely be repainted for the 57 leaving the remaining two as 'Red' spares.

Two of the Nexus solo's will most likely be repainted Indigo for the 40/41/42.

And lastly of course, eight Solar's end up blue for the 11.

Alternatively the 4 Citylink Versa's and 1 spare Versa move to Hexham for the X84/5 displacing the better L94s for the 61 or even just the Versa's move direct to the 61 with 8324-8328 moving to Riverside for the Q3/Spare role.

(16 Jun 2016, 5:46 pm)park5354 wrote Would like to see 5320/21/22/23/24 given Crusader branding, allowing 5310/11/12/13/14 to get a much needed repaint.  5312/13/14 Blue for Citylink 57.  5310 red spare, and 5311 silver as the extra bus for TEN.

Or even two Silver Citaro's could be branded for the 10 to operate the short 10As

PB0003954/682 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Newcastle Haymarket and Quorum Business Park, Benton Lane given service number 554 effective from 24-Jul-2016. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

GNE have uploaded the new 700/701 timetable for the summer season which is from 25 June to 16 September 2016.


Remains every 20 minutes - Monday -Friday daytime - only runs until around 8pm 

Saturdays - every 30 minutes

Sunday service returns - half hourly - runs between 10:40am till 17:10pm 


701 is withdrawn


http://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/79207.44

I know the 554 is fairly limited but the runs from Newcastle are fairly disappointing. Nothing to drag anyone away from Arriva or Network One

One 7.15am service and considerably slower than the alternatives

(16 Jun 2016, 3:21 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Irrespective of the upcoming service revisions, someone travelling from Chopwell to Blaydon (using a GNE ticket) would need to catch the 47 to either Swalwell Roundabout or Metrocentre and catch a 49/49A (from Swalwell) or 10/10A/10B from Metrocentre to Blaydon. Alternatively, if they have a Network One pass, it's possible to catch a bus the 47 to High Spen and transfer onto either the R3/R4 to Blaydon.

The FB bod is incorrect on this occasion.

Thought as much (whether before or after the changes).
I couldn't see why a change of buses couldn't happen prior to Newcastle, at the places like you mention.

(16 Jun 2016, 8:06 pm)Ambassador wrote I know the 554 is fairly limited but the runs from Newcastle are fairly disappointing. Nothing to drag anyone away from Arriva or Network One

One 7.15am service and considerably slower than the alternatives

I agree. The Newcastle extension seems to exist as a way of reducing dead mileage (much like Hexham's X81) if the service is operated from Riverside.

But who knows, if people either use the service or state a preference for a GNE service to Quorum, then perhaps the service could be improved or a new service introduced.

(16 Jun 2016, 6:51 pm)Michael wrote GNE have uploaded the new 700/701 timetable for the summer season which is from 25 June to 16 September 2016.


Remains every 20 minutes - Monday -Friday daytime - only runs until around 8pm 

Saturdays - every 30 minutes

Sunday service returns - half hourly - runs between 10:40am till 17:10pm 


701 is withdrawn


http://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/79207.44

Full details here:

http://www.simplygo.com/news/sunderland-connect

PB0003954/690 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Great Park Village, Waggonway Drive and Wallsend Metro given service number Q3 effective from 04-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

(21 Jun 2016, 8:45 am)Michael wrote PB0003954/690 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Great Park Village, Waggonway Drive and Wallsend Metro given service number Q3 effective from 04-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

This will be for when the turning circle shuts and the service will operate the full length of Rosedon Way