(18 Apr 2017, 11:08 am)Jimmi wrote When I saw the 808 the other Saturday it was the LDV Convoy and I think the two services interwork or they certainly used to.

Ah right I thought the MPD was allocated on there. In that case they should put that on the T1 T1A etc.

It's great to see the expansion taking shape, and improving the fleet steadily as the company grows. Steady improvement and expansion is the way to go. Anybody got any sightings etc to say how well their commercial network is doing passenger numbers wise?

(18 Apr 2017, 12:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's great to see the expansion taking shape, and improving the fleet steadily as the company grows. Steady improvement and expansion is the way to go. Anybody got any sightings etc to say how well their commercial network is doing passenger numbers wise?

Well the T1 (now T1A) service that goes to Lancaster Park seems to do very well - most people prefer it over the Arriva 33 it seems as it goes all around the estate. Not sure about the T1/T1B/T1C though. M1 doesn't seem to be doing as well though.

New in at PCL Travel (ex Ladies Only Travel).
PCL Travel: R222LOT by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(24 May 2017, 7:10 pm)Jimmi wrote New in at PCL Travel (ex Ladies Only Travel).
PCL Travel: R222LOT by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

And I thought PCL couldn't get any worse...

(24 May 2017, 9:13 pm)Pulsar wrote And I thought PCL couldn't get any worse...

Haha just what I was thinking!!

(24 May 2017, 9:13 pm)Pulsar wrote And I thought PCL couldn't get any worse...

(24 May 2017, 9:55 pm)Tom wrote Haha just what I was thinking!!

At least this bus is low floor unlike the LDV Convoy that they have been using for quite a while now, just a shame it doesn't have proper destination equipment (had to walk right up to it to gather it was on the 808 and saw the poorly displayed paper destination) and hopefully it will get a repaint or something to improve its appearance.

(25 May 2017, 12:12 pm)Jimmi wrote At least this bus is low floor unlike the LDV Convoy that they have been using for quite a while now, just a shame it doesn't have proper destination equipment (had to walk right up to it to gather it was on the 808 and saw the poorly displayed paper destination) and hopefully it will get a repaint or something to improve its appearance.

No change of keeper registered yet. Vehicle is about 12 years old. Bet it's not fitted with a ticket machine either

Charles

PCL are extending their M1 service to Newcastle and Metrocentre, and starting a Sunday service. Also saw they have a new 58 reg primo, so signs are they are improving! Starts the 4th of June.

(29 May 2017, 10:09 pm)Tom wrote PCL are extending their M1 service to Newcastle and Metrocentre, and starting a Sunday service. Also saw they have a new 58 reg primo, so signs are they are improving! Starts the 4th of June.

Where did you find this out? I only ask out of curiosity as I am rather intrigued by these service changes. Saw a photo of a Primo in Morpeth Bus Station the other day but couldn't see the registration for it.

(29 May 2017, 10:32 pm)Jimmi wrote Where did you find this out? I only ask out of curiosity as I am rather intrigued by these service changes. Saw a photo of a Primo in Morpeth Bus Station the other day but couldn't see the registration for it.

I had forgot to mention this and the Primo from Saturday (forgot reg but it was a 58 plate, seems to be allocated to the S1 now instead of a dart) - was trying out the new T1 services in Morpeth and the two drivers were talking about asking if they have heard about it so not sure on any details other than what I've said

(29 May 2017, 11:10 pm)Tom wrote I had forgot to mention this and the Primo from Saturday (forgot reg but it was a 58 plate, seems to be allocated to the S1 now instead of a dart) - was trying out the new T1 services in Morpeth and the two drivers were talking about asking if they have heard about it so not sure on any details other than what I've said

Okay, thanks. Surprised that the M1 looks like it will be extended, especially as when I've seen the M1 it has carried pretty low loadings. Will keep an eye out for the new timetables.

(29 May 2017, 11:24 pm)Jimmi wrote Okay, thanks. Surprised that the M1 looks like it will be extended, especially as when I've seen the M1 it has carried pretty low loadings. Will keep an eye out for the new timetables.

Yeah same, and if I heard correctly about a Sunday service that is even more surprising considering Spirit Buses services failed. Hopefully they don't have crap buses on the service and don't mess it up. Guessing it will be an irregular service though. (As in frequency)

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/503468/

Service number. M1
Service type Normal Stopping
Start point Newcastle
Finish point Thropton
Date received 30 May 2017
Effective date 04 Jun 2017
Supported by subsidies? No

(01 Jun 2017, 10:06 am)Tom wrote https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/503468/

Service number. M1
Service type Normal Stopping
Start point Newcastle
Finish point Thropton
Date received 30 May 2017
Effective date 04 Jun 2017
Supported by subsidies? No

Looks like they are going to compete with Arriva's X14

(01 Jun 2017, 10:06 am)Tom wrote https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/503468/

Service number. M1
Service type Normal Stopping
Start point Newcastle
Finish point Thropton
Date received 30 May 2017
Effective date 04 Jun 2017
Supported by subsidies? No

Is it not a short notice registration though?

Seems to be very last minute.

(01 Jun 2017, 12:33 pm)ifm001 wrote Is it not a short notice registration though?

Seems to be very last minute.

Downside to this is, seemingly nowhere currently has the new timetable, so chances are we won't see one until after its extended to Newcastle, unless its posted on Nexus' website or somewhere else online within about the next 24 hours.

Service from Thropton to Metrocentre if the rumours are true.

(01 Jun 2017, 12:33 pm)ifm001 wrote Is it not a short notice registration though?

Seems to be very last minute.

(01 Jun 2017, 12:54 pm)Jimmi wrote Downside to this is, seemingly nowhere currently has the new timetable, so chances are we won't see one until after its extended to Newcastle, unless its posted on Nexus' website or somewhere else online within about the next 24 hours.

Looking through there old registrations all of them seem to be short notice (i.e all less than a month before the services starting). Not sure how they can get away with it.


And yeah, not sure why the PCL website seems to have gone.

Can anyone else see a timetable for the new M1... not one anywhere as far as I can see and the new route is starting on Sunday!

(02 Jun 2017, 9:26 pm)Tom wrote Can anyone else see a timetable for the new M1 ... not one anywhere as far as I can see and the new route is starting on Sunday!

Nope! Believe me, I have been trying to find one as well.

Going to head up to Morpeth tomorrow to see what's what.

(02 Jun 2017, 9:36 pm)Jimmi wrote Nope! Believe me, I have been trying to find one as well.

Going to head up to Morpeth tomorrow to see what's what.

You could ask one of the drivers I guess. They all seem quite friendly

(02 Jun 2017, 10:26 pm)Tom wrote You could ask one of the drivers I guess. They all seem quite friendly

I'll try and see if I can see anything relating to the changes although I can't promise that I will come back with any info especially as I will probably be too shy to ask for any info.

(02 Jun 2017, 10:30 pm)Jimmi wrote I'll try and see if I can see anything relating to the changes although I can't promise that I will come back with any info especially as I will probably be too shy to ask for any info.

Yeah if there is nothing there I can't see it lasting long with no timetable or advertising!

The Primo is registered KX58LJA. Came accross it by accident when I found it parked in Stannington Service Station (Outstation?). It had paper desintation displays and numbers for the T1.

Here is a photo of said vehicle - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...ateposted/

By the looks of things, the M1 will only extend to Newcastle and the Metrocentre (plus operate via Stannington) on Sundays judging by this which I've just seen on the branded Solo on the S1 (not 100% on that like!)

(03 Jun 2017, 1:30 pm)Jimmi wrote By the looks of things, the M1 will only extend to Newcastle and the Metrocentre (plus operate via Stannington) on Sundays judging by this which I've just seen on the branded Solo on the S1 (not 100% on that like!)

Ah right it's a shame it wasnt operating all the time that route as no one seems to use the M1 at the minute - thanks for getting that.

That route would be handy if you fancied walking in the simonside hills on a Sunday. Might give a try sometime.

Charles

(03 Jun 2017, 6:15 pm)Charles41 wrote That route would be handy if you fancied walking in the simonside hills on a Sunday. Might give a try sometime.

Charles

I was thinking the same but for different reasons.

Always in two minds about risking that last bus...

(03 Jun 2017, 6:15 pm)Charles41 wrote That route would be handy if you fancied walking in the simonside hills on a Sunday. Might give a try sometime.

Charles

But not so handy if you want to go shopping at the Metrocentre from Thropton or anywhere else, you only get 90 minutes to look round, I can just about get round 90 minutes but that's only if I don't have a sit down meal whilst I'm there, to most that's nowhere near long enough.

In regards to numbers, this afternoon M1 picked up a few in Rothbury heading back towards Morpeth as being a Saturday it was about a minute or so in front of the X14 but it was just me heading up to Rothbury. R222LOT was on it this afternoon: