I do sometimes feel bad, on streetlites and E200s, in particular, when I have my bags on the floor so there's no choice but to have my legs projecting a little. I do try to shuffle over to let people off.

I think the E200s aren't really suitable tor the Belmont 64 because, by their very nature, they fill up at one end with lots of people with several full bags and there's nowhere to put them other than on the seat, on the floor between your feet, or, as it ends up by the time it's filled up completely at Framwellgate Moor, precariously stacked all the way up to your chin, being clung onto so it doesn't end up landing on the ehad of the person in front.

Managed to get 3814 on the X21 today, But by the time I was at Chester-Le-Street I had been attacked by the resident Moth and Daddy Long Legs ( Whatever its called )
Probably the two worst animals around for me, They just love to fly around Violently and land on you. There not even nice to look at.

(15 Aug 2016, 8:34 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Managed to get 3814 on the X21 today, But by the time I was at Chester-Le-Street I had been attacked by the resident Moth and Daddy Long Legs ( Whatever its called )  
Probably the two worst animals around for me, They just love to fly around Violently and land on you. There not even nice to look at.

Should have thrown some pokeballs at them (Daddy long legs are crane flies, btw )

There's was a gigantic moth on the window next to us on 6046, this afternoon, but that was pretty well behaved (and smelt a lot nicer than the guy sat two rows in front, who needed introducing to the idea of anti-perspirant)

(15 Aug 2016, 8:22 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I do sometimes feel bad, on streetlites and E200s, in particular, when I have my bags on the floor so there's no choice but to have my legs projecting a little. I do try to shuffle over to let people off.

I think the E200s aren't really suitable tor the Belmont 64 because, by their very nature, they fill up at one end with lots of people with several full bags and there's nowhere to put them other than on the seat, on the floor between your feet, or, as it ends up by the time it's filled up completely at Framwellgate Moor, precariously stacked all the way up to your chin, being clung onto so it doesn't end up landing on the ehad of the person in front.

I feel the 64 should have bigger buses full stop. Used to hate early finishes at college when it was Dart operated, used to love having buses fly past full of Framwellgate school kids unable to pick up us New College students and I bet the passengers at the other stops between Aykley Heads and Durham North Road feel the same because it flies past full of New College students.

(15 Aug 2016, 8:40 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Should have thrown some pokeballs at them (Daddy long legs are crane flies, btw )

There's was a gigantic moth on the window next to us on 6046, this afternoon, but that was pretty well behaved (and smelt a lot nicer than the guy sat two rows in front, who needed introducing to the idea of anti-perspirant)

Had two behind me on the 5A that smelt like something dodgy, particularly their breaths to make matters worse they coughed and burped into my hair, ended up wetting my hair in the Dolphin Centre toilets to rid the germs and stench. Then had some smelly bloke brush past me.

(15 Aug 2016, 8:22 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I do sometimes feel bad, on streetlites and E200s, in particular, when I have my bags on the floor so there's no choice but to have my legs projecting a little. I do try to shuffle over to let people off.

I think the E200s aren't really suitable tor the Belmont 64 because, by their very nature, they fill up at one end with lots of people with several full bags and there's nowhere to put them other than on the seat, on the floor between your feet, or, as it ends up by the time it's filled up completely at Framwellgate Moor, precariously stacked all the way up to your chin, being clung onto so it doesn't end up landing on the ehad of the person in front.

I think it goes back to the storage vs seats vs accessibility conversation on another part of the forum a few weeks back.

Squeezing seats in to small, midi-buses that are used by a variety of the population, will inevitably lead to the situation you describe.
It is obviously repeated on other routes and vehicle types too.

I can't think of a modern vehicle, that has a decent amount of storage.

(15 Aug 2016, 8:59 pm)Andreos1 wrote I think it goes back to the storage vs seats vs accessibility conversation on another part of the forum a few weeks back.

Squeezing seats in to small, midi-buses that are used by a variety of the population, will inevitably lead to the situation you describe.
It is obviously repeated on other routes and vehicle types too.

I can't think of a modern vehicle, that has a decent amount of storage.

The narrow aisles compound the problem, though. You end up with the problem Jimmi struggles with pretty much all the way along the bus because the aisle is just a sea of feet and bag straps. I quite like the layout of the Belmont 63 reg pulsars with a few rows only 3 seats across - creates room for big bags, shopping trolleys etc without sacrificing too much seat space. Even the wider double seats on the left are more comfortable if you're heavily laden because you simply have more room to tuck everything out of the way. They're also more accessible for people using large walking aids such as crutches and rollators - the very people who really need better seats than the foldy outy ones around the buggy and wheelchair bays!

Of course, any seating/baggage arrangement relying on floor space goes completely to pot when some pillock leaves a not quite empty drinks can on the floor. Blech!

(15 Aug 2016, 9:51 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The narrow aisles compound the problem, though. You end up with the problem Jimmi struggles with pretty much all the way along the bus because the aisle is just a sea of feet and bag straps. I quite like the layout of the Belmont 63 reg pulsars with a few rows only 3 seats across - creates room for big bags, shopping trolleys etc without sacrificing too much seat space. Even the wider double seats on the left are more comfortable if you're heavily laden because you simply have more room to tuck everything out of the way. They're also more accessible for people using large walking aids such as crutches and rollators - the very people who really need better seats than the foldy outy ones around the buggy and wheelchair bays!

Of course, any seating/baggage arrangement relying on floor space goes completely to pot when some pillock leaves a not quite empty drinks can on the floor. Blech!

To be honest, I haven't noticed the issue with the narrow aisle - only legs sticking out in to them (I find trains the worst for this).

I am curious to see how density and pitch has changed over the years. Might need to get to the Sesburn Rally now *I will be the one with the tape measure*.

I am in Mallorca and it is cold and rainy

(16 Aug 2016, 10:39 am)NK53 TKT wrote I am in Mallorca and it is cold and rainy

I'm in Wallsend... It's nice and sunny 

(16 Aug 2016, 11:42 am)GMitchelhill wrote I'm in Wallsend... It's nice and sunny 

I'm in the lakes and it's nice today, had no rain so far BUT i'm camping tonight so no doubt it'll rain...

(16 Aug 2016, 11:44 am)Michael wrote I'm in the lakes and it's nice today, had no rain so far BUT i'm camping tonight so no doubt it'll rain...

I'm thinking of doing the Lakes again tomorrow. Going to try and catch the open top Volvo Olympian on the 508 from Patterdale to Penrith and possibly a round trip on the 77.

If I go away to Blackpool for a weeks holiday again next year I'm going to do a whole day there again, but this time I may go straight from Blackpool to Windermere on the train rather than get the 42 from Blackpool to Lancaster then the 555 although I was pleased I did that especially as I bagged a Volvo Olympian on the 42 but next time I will start earlier to fit more within the Lakes in a day as it's tricky doing a decent outing there from Newton Aycliffe due to travel restraints. May do Lancaster on a separate day, getting the 42 to/from Blackpool.

(16 Aug 2016, 11:42 am)GMitchelhill wrote I'm in Wallsend... It's nice and sunny 

 Why?

(16 Aug 2016, 11:55 am)Jimmi wrote I'm thinking of doing the Lakes again tomorrow. Going to try and catch the open top Volvo Olympian on the 508 from Patterdale to Penrith and possibly a round trip on the 77.

If I go away to Blackpool for a weeks holiday again next year I'm going to do a whole day there again, but this time I may go straight from Blackpool to Windermere on the train rather than get the 42 from Blackpool to Lancaster then the 555 although I was pleased I did that especially as I bagged a Volvo Olympian on the 42 but next time I will start earlier to fit more within the Lakes in a day as it's tricky doing a decent outing there from Newton Aycliffe due to travel restraints. May do Lancaster on a separate day, getting the 42 to/from Blackpool.

Will definitely be going sometime this week too though as I've been planning on going for a while and I keep on setting it back. No idea where I'm going to go yet but hoping to get a train to Carlisle around 8:00 haven't made a plan yet though.

(16 Aug 2016, 7:12 pm)Tom wrote Will definitely be going sometime this week too though as I've been planning on going for a while and I keep on setting it back. No idea where I'm going to go yet but hoping to get a train to Carlisle around 8:00 haven't made a plan yet though.

My plan for tomorrow:
0632 7 Durham Bus Station (0713)
0743 Northern - Newcastle (0803)
0824 Northern - Carlisle (0957)
1100 554 Keswick Bus Station (1211)
1230 77 Keswick Bus Station (1416)
1430 206 Patterdale Hotel (1509)
1520 506 Penrith Bus Station (1609)
1630 104 Carlisle, English Street (1706)
1728 Northern - Newcastle (1907)
1935 CrossCountry - Durham (1949)
2015 7 Newton Aycliffe

I'm hoping the open top Volvo Olympian is on the open top run on the 506, was on Monday. Knowing my luck they'll stick it somewhere else. Be very annoyed especially as just about everyone I know has caught it this year.

(16 Aug 2016, 7:20 pm)Jimmi wrote My plan for tomorrow:
0632 7 Durham Bus Station (0713)
0743 Northern - Newcastle (0803)
0824 Northern - Carlisle (0957)
1100 554 Keswick Bus Station (1211)
1230 77 Keswick Bus Station (1416)
1430 206 Patterdale Hotel (1509)
1520 506 Penrith Bus Station (1609)
1630 104 Carlisle, English Street (1706)
1728 Northern - Newcastle (1907)
1935 CrossCountry - Durham (1949)
2015 7 Newton Aycliffe

I'm hoping the open top Volvo Olympian is on the open top run on the 506, was on Monday. Knowing my luck they'll stick it somewhere else. Be very annoyed especially as just about everyone I know has caught it this year.

Sounds good, is that P534EFL? Was on that last year it was great! If you get off the 77 at Seatoller and the 78 is due you might be get it on there too. 

0824 is probably the one I get on Friday or Saturday, is that the closest one to 8 there is?

(16 Aug 2016, 7:32 pm)Tom wrote Sounds good, is that P534EFL? Was on that last year it was great! If you get off the 77 at Seatoller and the 78 is due you might be get it on there too. 

0824 is probably the one I get on Friday or Saturday, is that the closest one to 8 there is?

Yeah, that one. Could jump off the 77 in Seatoller but if it isn't running to time I could miss the 206 to Penrith although the last time I was there the 77A was late. Here's hoping I stick to time.

Yeah, for during the week at least it certainly is the 0824 as I think the one before it leaves at something like 06:50 which I can't get to Newcastle in time for. Not sure what time the first one is on Saturday's

(16 Aug 2016, 7:39 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah, that one. Could jump off the 77 in Seatoller but if it isn't running to time I could miss the 206 to Penrith although the last time I was there the 77A was late. Here's hoping I stick to time.

Yeah, for during the week at least it certainly is the 0824 as I think the one before it leaves at something like 06:50 which I can't get to Newcastle in time for. Not sure what time the first one is on Saturday's

Will do that one then as 06:50 is too early. Unsure what part to go to though, Keswick or Central Lakes.

(16 Aug 2016, 7:45 pm)Tom wrote Will do that one then as 06:50 is too early. Unsure what part to go to though, Keswick or Central Lakes.

Its the 6:46, Not 6:50. I used it when I went to the lakes last Monday.

(16 Aug 2016, 8:58 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Its the 6:46, Not 6:50. I used it when I went to the lakes last Monday.

Ah right cheers I can't see me being up for that time anyway

Actually the 77 and 206 tend to share vehicles. It did when I was in the Lakes the other week.

Also the Volvo Olympian always seems to be used on the 508.

(16 Aug 2016, 10:25 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Actually the 77 and 206 tend to share vehicles. It did when I was in the Lakes the other week.

Also the Volvo Olympian always seems to be used on the 508.

It wasn't today! Open Top ALX400 appeared instead.

Also got sausage and chips in Carlisle and I dropped the sausage. Would you believe that I did the same the last time I visited Carlisle. Chips weren't great either which made the whole thing even worse.

Being sent to work in Durham from North Shields. £2.80 on the 306 to town then another £1.70 to go 2 stops on the Metro. At least Dick Turpin wore a mask.

Sent from my Xperia Z5 Premium

To unwell to go swimming today

Posted this photo: https://flic.kr/p/LhPJJv in a Facebook yesterday evening, it has attracted many likes but unfortunately it has sparked a huge debate regarding the fact that this was allocated to this service with arguments thrown in regarding DDA and PSVAR, the argument is that some are claiming that it doesn't meet PSVAR regulations and it shouldn't be used on public service work etc. as the usual buses are low floor easy access buses, my understanding is that coaches are fine to be used on normal service work until January 2020, so really there is nothing to stop Stagecoach allocating this or a similar coach that doesn't meet PSVAR regulations until January 2020 comes but this isn't good for them and continued the argument stating that it's a coach and not a bus and thereby shouldn't be used on the service and it's just gone on and on, the simple fact is they are wrong and continue to argument their statement which is incorrect, comical moment was them sending a link that included a statement stating that he's wrong and the other people in this debate are correct, I got red up by this point and quoted the statement that states their case on the matter is wrong and I felt the need to include the fact that I regretted uploading the photo there as a result of this argument and apologised to the people who've had to see this argument constantly popping up over the last 23 hours.

(19 Aug 2016, 5:54 pm)Jimmi wrote Posted this photo: https://flic.kr/p/LhPJJv in a Facebook yesterday evening,  it has attracted many likes but unfortunately it has sparked a huge debate regarding the fact that this was allocated to this service with arguments thrown in regarding DDA and PSVAR, the argument is that some are claiming that it doesn't meet PSVAR regulations and it shouldn't be used on public service work etc. as the usual buses are low floor easy access buses, my understanding is that coaches are fine to be used on normal service work until January 2020, so really there is nothing to stop Stagecoach allocating this or a similar coach that doesn't meet PSVAR regulations until January 2020 comes but this isn't good for them and continued the argument stating that it's a coach and not a bus and thereby shouldn't be used on the service and it's just gone on and on, the simple fact is they are wrong and continue to argument their statement which is incorrect, comical moment was them sending a link that included a statement stating that he's wrong and the other people in this debate are correct, I got red up by this point and quoted the statement that states their case on the matter is wrong and I felt the need to include the fact that I regretted uploading the photo there as a result of this argument and apologised to the people who've had to see this argument constantly popping up over the last 23 hours.

IIRC, if it's a registered service, it needs to be DDA compliant, to the relevant spec.

I wouldn't take it personally. It's a rather lovely vehicle, aesthetically, so well worth a photo. Some people just like arguing the toss about stuff.

Thing is, that the vehicle concerned is taxed and licensed as a coach, and legally can be used on normal stagecarriage services regardless until the deadline in 2020. For Example, Arriva could as well continued using the DAF SB3000 coaches on the 685 until 2020, it would have been an unwise move, but nothing would have stopped them. Loads of companies still use coaches, for example Wright Brothers still use one on the 888. So it's all legal and above board until 2020.

(19 Aug 2016, 5:54 pm)Jimmi wrote Posted this photo: https://flic.kr/p/LhPJJv in a Facebook yesterday evening, it has attracted many likes but unfortunately it has sparked a huge debate regarding the fact that this was allocated to this service with arguments thrown in regarding DDA and PSVAR, the argument is that some are claiming that it doesn't meet PSVAR regulations and it shouldn't be used on public service work etc. as the usual buses are low floor easy access buses, my understanding is that coaches are fine to be used on normal service work until January 2020, so really there is nothing to stop Stagecoach allocating this or a similar coach that doesn't meet PSVAR regulations until January 2020 comes but this isn't good for them and continued the argument stating that it's a coach and not a bus and thereby shouldn't be used on the service and it's just gone on and on, the simple fact is they are wrong and continue to argument their statement which is incorrect, comical moment was them sending a link that included a statement stating that he's wrong and the other people in this debate are correct, I got red up by this point and quoted the statement that states their case on the matter is wrong and I felt the need to include the fact that I regretted uploading the photo there as a result of this argument and apologised to the people who've had to see this argument constantly popping up over the last 23 hours.

Just an argument for argument sake, it is like people will say 'I aint caused an argument today, I think I will start one just for the pure hell of it'

Obviously if it is normally allocated a low floor bus then whereever possible it should be a low floor bus, but if theres none spare, then it is a case of tough tits.

Just think of uproar if the service was not run because Stagecoach cancelled the service because of lack of low floor vehicles, there would be an even bigger argument.

Can you disable comments on Flickr Pics or delete posts when an argument starts?

For some reason since Tapatalk updated this morning, I am now getting notifications for every post made. Anyone know how to stop it doing this whilst still keeping notifications on for things I have subscribed to and not turning notifications off completely?

Also when you open a thread, it now opens on the last read post.

(20 Aug 2016, 11:36 am)Jimmi wrote For some reason since Tapatalk updated this morning, I am now getting notifications for every post made. Anyone know how to stop it doing this whilst still keeping notifications on for things I have subscribed to and not turning notifications off completely?

Also when you open a thread, it now opens on the last read post.

Tapatalk has become really poor nowadays. I've uninstalled, and I prefer to use the forum's mobile view instead.

Every bloody time I get the X66 to Darlington where there is a possibility of catching the 5/5A home from Harrowgate Hill, we get to Harrowgate Hill Roundabout and I get treated to the sight of the 5/5A going round it.

Everytime...