Driver of the X55 has just said that this service is stopping for good on the 23rd of December

(02 Dec 2017, 5:15 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Driver of the X55 has just said that this service is stopping for good on the 23rd of December

yeah was mentioned on here a few weeks ago now.

did he say what was going to happen to the coach?

(02 Dec 2017, 5:45 pm)ifm001 wrote yeah was mentioned on here a few weeks ago now.

did he say what was going to happen to the coach?

No he didn’t I’ll see if I can find out, but to be honest can see why it’s getting withdrawn, there’s only me and 2 others on it

Update: no idea what’s happening with the coach asked the driver, he said it will probably go to Sunderland and he said Stagecoach were in talks of doing a Service to York

(02 Dec 2017, 5:57 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote No he didn’t I’ll see if I can find out, but to be honest can see why it’s getting withdrawn, there’s only me and 2 others on it

Update: no idea what’s happening with the coach asked the driver, he said it will probably go to Sunderland and he said Stagecoach were in talks of doing a Service to York

Darlington did a service to York twice and look what happened to tht though the second time round seemed to be doing better as there was always a decent load

36972 has lost its rear SUNderland advert however retains branding above the windows.

34605 driving around the streets of Biddick Hall and Whiteleas 1030 this morning. Any ideas?

I noted it on two occasions last week around South Shields seafront and heading into the Town Centre via the car parks near amusements (leading onto the 12 route into town).

Looked like a driver plus mentor at the wheel on both occasions.

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(11 Dec 2017, 11:01 am)Dan wrote I noted it on two occasions last week around South Shields seafront and heading into the Town Centre via the car parks near amusements (leading onto the 12 route into town).

Looked like a driver plus mentor at the wheel on both occasions.

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yeah think there was a mentor on today also as it got round the estates far too quick to be on service.

To be fair I haven't seen 34611 parked in its usual place In the depot for quite a while so might be VOR, with 34605 taking its place on route learning duties

36969 has also gained a rear advert for the Bradley Lowery campaign 
34611 is currently parked up over the pits at Sunderland but has gained a Christmas livery

34605 has been our and about past 2 mornings around 7.15 am. Yesterday entered Biddick hall as if it was on 3 and this morning at same time but from opposite direction like the 11. Both times with blank destination boards and a mentor accompanying the driver

(14 Dec 2017, 8:57 am)Youngymmv wrote 34605 has been our and about past 2 mornings around 7.15 am. Yesterday entered Biddick hall as if it was on 3 and this morning at same time but from opposite direction like the 11. Both times with blank destination boards and a mentor accompanying the driver

Sunderland depot aren't by any chance operating the few South Shields routes on Boxing day are they and is that why we keep seeing this vehicle. Apart from E2 and E6 the only other shields routes on Boxing day are 3,4,10 and 11. Its a possibility

It’s a canny shout that like. I’m sure Sunderland has ran services in shields on Boxing Day previously. It all fits together based on this logic

(14 Dec 2017, 9:53 am)ifm001 wrote Sunderland depot aren't by any chance operating the few South Shields routes on Boxing day are they and is that why we keep seeing this vehicle. Apart from E2 and E6 the only other shields routes on Boxing day are 3,4,10 and 11. Its a possibility

(15 Dec 2017, 9:34 am)Youngymmv wrote It’s a canny shout that like. I’m sure Sunderland has ran services in shields on Boxing Day previously. It all fits together based on this logic

Slatyford is the only depot closed on boxing day, the rest are open.

PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

BUSWAYS: 19204 has returned to Walkergate with 22343 going the other way to Slatyford - one of the 18 boards is now decker operated Monday-Friday.
Another bus has been added to the Slatyford express services cycle to hopefully sort reliability out, the boards don't interwork as much now with greater layover at either ends which will probably see more stand fighting at Eldon..! X47 best part of the day doesn't interwork.

TRANSIT: 22020 is back on fleet at Stockton with PVR increase on the 12. 22017 was sold for scrap to Alpha Recovery, although was being stored up at Slatyford as the engine has ultimately gone into 22031.

To add, 19435 is also gaining the Megabus allover ad that 19432 has.

(15 Dec 2017, 9:34 am)Youngymmv wrote It’s a canny shout that like. I’m sure Sunderland has ran services in shields on Boxing Day previously. It all fits together based on this logic

Shame its not Sunderland depot, could have been some good rare and odd opportunities.

Sunderland did run the E2 and E6 on boxing day a few years back but Shields depot have always opened and operated the remainder including the 'Other Operators Serices' when GNE had their boxing day shutdowns. Never happens now though.

(15 Dec 2017, 10:23 am)RBZ 5459 wrote PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

TRANSIT: 22020 is back on fleet at Stockton with PVR increase on the 12. 

At least they've finally realised the 12 needed extra resources rather than cut the frequency and the resources at the same time. Also means Stockton is the only depot in the region to end the year with an increased PVR compared to the start of the year

(15 Dec 2017, 9:53 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Slatyford is the only depot closed on boxing day, the rest are open.

Nothing open down here as usual.

(15 Dec 2017, 10:23 am)RBZ 5459 wrote PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

BUSWAYS: 19204 has returned to Walkergate with 22343 going the other way to Slatyford - one of the 18 boards is now decker operated Monday-Friday.
Another bus has been added to the Slatyford express services cycle to hopefully sort reliability out, the boards don't interwork as much now with greater layover at either ends which will probably see more stand fighting at Eldon..! X47 best part of the day doesn't interwork.

TRANSIT: 22020 is back on fleet at Stockton with PVR increase on the 12. 22017 was sold for scrap to Alpha Recovery, although was being stored up at Slatyford as the engine has ultimately gone into 22031.

To add, 19435 is also gaining the Megabus allover ad that 19432 has.

It would make sense to strip down the ALX300s in the worst condition to repair the ones that are in a better condition to try to get more value out of them. Its hard to believe that most of the 03/53 batch of ALX300s have been withdrawn for a year and haven't been sold/moved on yet.

What was wrong with 22017 that made it be the first 03-plate ALX300 to be scrapped? Is 22011 still sat at Walkergate without an engine?

(15 Dec 2017, 5:26 pm)AIG20 wrote It would make sense to strip down the ALX300s in the worst condition to repair the ones that are in a better condition to try to get more value out of them. Its hard to believe that most of the 03/53 batch of ALX300s have been withdrawn for a year and haven't been sold/moved on yet.

What was wrong with 22017 that made it be the first 03-plate ALX300 to be scrapped? Is 22011 still sat at Walkergate without an engine?

Not alot on the face of it 22017, believe it was in pretty good nick underneath, plus the powerpack was obviously in good running order to go in 22011. Must have just been one of the more ropey ones. All are on UK Bus disposals, simple reason is no one has a use for them, so, good enough to store for now for moments like this. A few have been transferred to the likes of Western on loans etc.

(15 Dec 2017, 9:59 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Not alot on the face of it 22017, believe it was in pretty good nick underneath, plus the powerpack was obviously in good running order to go in 22011. Must have just been one of the more ropey ones. All are on UK Bus disposals, simple reason is no one has a use for them, so, good enough to store for now for moments like this. A few have been transferred to the likes of Western on loans etc.

22031

Does anyone know how the X24/X24A are doing since the changes?

I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

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(17 Dec 2017, 2:27 pm)Dan wrote I've seen the X24 a good few times recently off-peak, and with the regular allocation of gas buses, I've been able to see how many passengers were on-board (the numbers have been pretty woeful).

There is a clear peak flow (Sunderland to Newcastle in the morning, and Newcastle to Sunderland in the afternoon/evening).

I remain sceptical at the alleged success of the X24 - I've travelled on the service many times and even on the busy peak-time runs, 95% of the passengers appear to be concessionary pass holders or using Network One tickets (so Stagecoach aren't getting the full amount of revenue). It can't be making a lot of money, and the amount of money the Engineering Dept at Sunderland must be spending on maintaining and keeping the Omnilinks running, must be eliminating any sort of profit it might have otherwise made.

My main gripe is that the seemingly poor reliability of the Omnilinks is having a detrimental impact on services which ought to be allocated gas buses. The 20 is usually the one which ends up getting E200s and Darts, while the gas buses are otherwise engaged on the X24...

I intend on using the X24A service next week and will report back then. Here's hoping it's an Omnilink!

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I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.

(17 Dec 2017, 2:45 pm)Michael wrote I think the Omnilinks were rumoured to be replaced next year... I think offerig better buses could help it in getting more passengers.. Adding features like USB ports etc.

I think the changes to the service haven't helped either... 3 hour gap at the Hastings Hill on a morning and afternoon because it runs as the X24A.... Which to me, is daft.

I've been on the x24a a few times since it's introduction, and I think the most I've seen board or alight at Doxford is three people.  It has also caused confusion for passengers. I can recall more than one occasion where passengers have got a surprise when it has turned left to go to Doxford instead of Hastings hill and they've had to be let off the bus, not releasing it didn't serve Hastings Hill.  It also is vulnerable to traffic congestion and the afternoon journeys have arrived late into Newcastle quite often.

(15 Dec 2017, 10:23 am)RBZ 5459 wrote PERIOD 8 (wk commencing 10th December 2017)
Not much movement over the last period, summed up...

BUSWAYS: 19204 has returned to Walkergate with 22343 going the other way to Slatyford - one of the 18 boards is now decker operated Monday-Friday.
Another bus has been added to the Slatyford express services cycle to hopefully sort reliability out, the boards don't interwork as much now with greater layover at either ends which will probably see more stand fighting at Eldon..! X47 best part of the day doesnt interwork.

I wish none of them would interwork ever since it started the reliability of the X87 X88 has become non existant. Most of the E400s should be on there most of the day its by far the busiest of all the express services which is why its changed to x4 E400 all day on a Saturday.

The X87/88 don’t interwork with anything else and haven’t since the changes in April. Until very recently, the X47 interworked with the X77/78/79 and X82. This has now changed, with the X47 being self-contained for most of the day. There are a couple of boards on the X77/78/79 that need to be E400 operated due to school and college numbers.

23 for Newcastle on the second X55 on Saturday. No-one for Doxford.

(18 Dec 2017, 3:06 pm)Cock Robin wrote No-one for Doxford.

Do you mean Dalton Park?

(18 Dec 2017, 3:23 pm)HarryCowans4041 wrote Do you mean Dalton Park?

Yes!