After yet another regular Waggonway breakdown I stuck my concerns into GNE about the reliability of the service whilst DAF's remain in service.

Received a very nice reply, usual customer service schtick but added on

'We are monitoring this service as we have incurred an above average number of correspondence from passengers using this service. There are plans to update the vehicles on this service but I cannot confirm vehicle type or dates for this change. We do realise there is an issue and we are working hard to resolve this'

Added was a voucher for £2 off a Buzzfare...jeez, all out generosity

Looks like the East Durham Bus does 202 Peterlee-Seaham then 265 Seaham-Durham then 259 Durham-Pittington-Durham then 260 Durham-Peterlee.

(28 Feb 2013, 7:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Fatfield bridge isn't the only problem, there is also the road bridge at the bottom of Barnwell that 2A/2C/M1 go under after Fatfield Bridge.

GNE could quite easily re-route the M1 so that it goes down the Motorway like the X1 and have it come off at it current diversion and have it go along the riverside and back onto its normal route at the opposite end of the bridge.

Plus there wouldn't be major loss with re-route as the 2A/2C can cover the Bottom of Barnwell and the 3 stops leading to Fatfield Bridge, Plus the service operates every 10 minutes. On top of that No-one really gets on or off at those stops mentioned anyways.

So with that being said Buying double deckers for the M1 would be welcomed by myself as a regular user of the service. I remember about 2 years ago there was talk of putting bendies on the service but that was scrapped due road layouts in Houghton le Spring and Concord.

The M1 seems to be growing in popularity at certain points of the route, but I can't see it justifying deckers.
I still think the M1 and X1 should operate some sort of circular route between Houghton and Shiney Row though. It has been suggested a few times in the past and would reinstate the lost link between Newbottle and the schools in Washington. It would also reinstate a direct link from Fencehouses and Bournmoor to Newcastle.
The timings would work, journeys wouldnt be any longer - but if deckers were used, as you say Station Road from the railway bridge at Penshaw to the bridge at Fatfield would be missed out.

As ever the cynic in me suggests GNE make too much money by forcing people into buying more expensive, multi-journey day tickets over a single.

(01 Mar 2013, 1:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote As ever the cynic in me suggests GNE make too much money by forcing people into buying more expensive, multi-journey day tickets over a single.

That's the business plan!

(01 Mar 2013, 4:10 pm)Rob wrote Surely regular commuters should be given benefits? After all, they are the individual’s paying for the network. These are the people making multiple journeys, who will usually buy day/week/month/year zone tickets or route tickets. They do not want the hassle of finding the correct change each day to buy single tickets. These regular commuters benefit greatly from such ticketing, opposed to those of who travel more occasional. Regular travel should be encouraged; lower fares for those who travel frequently is principally a reward.

Regular commuters are given benefits in the sense that the weekly, monthly and annual passes they buy are discounted on buying single tickets.

For example Birtley to Newcastle.
£2.50 single or £4.20 return.
£16 Angel Weekly Saver is saving £13.40 buying return tickets.

Or a 1 zone BUZZFARE £60 a month saving £4 on your route saver.

Annual £600 saving £120 on buying a monthly Buzzfare.

After all, GNE is not a local friendly go happy bus company but part of a massive international PLC. The aim is to make as much money as possible

[/quote]After all, GNE is not a local friendly go happy bus company but part of a massive international PLC. The aim is to make as much money as possible[quote]

Exactly! - Go North East are good at marketing (branded routes etc...) but recently these have been messed about with (with exception of few flagships Angel, Ten....) High Fares when compared to other regions, Lack of integration with other operators, Metro & local trains. Confusing to visitors to have branded buses on incorrect route! Maybe we should hear what benefits Nexus Quality contracts would bring to passengers. Thoughts?!

After all, GNE is not a local friendly go happy bus company but part of a massive international PLC. The aim is to make as much money as possible

Exactly! - Go North East are good at marketing (branded routes etc...) but recently these have been messed about with (with exception of few flagships Angel, Ten....) High Fares when compared to other regions, Lack of integration with other operators, Metro & local trains. Confusing to visitors to have branded buses on incorrect route! Maybe we should hear what benefits Nexus Quality contracts would bring to passengers. Thoughts?!

Agree completely. I was stunned to find Arriva is cheaper to use from Chester - Newcastle and they have an awful reputation.

GNE are fantastic at marketing. All knickers and no fur coat as they say. Scratch behind the Angel, the Red Arrows, TTX and the Ten and it's not pretty. Wi-Fi, destination screens, leather headrests...it means sod all to passengers (especially when yellow deckers turn up)

Whilst I live on the Durham/Tyne Border and would be wary of changes that Nexus bring in that result in increased cost (bearing in mind Nexus would increase fares and annoyingly use it to support the Metro...great use to the people of Low Fell, Lobley Hill, Birtley, Whickham etc) to me.

It's unrealistic in the current climate to expect the high frequency routes everywhere with cost effective fares but its not unrealistic to expect something that is cheaper than car/taxi journey and reliable. As a taxpayer I don't want to be forking out for buses that no-one ever uses but I equally see the importance of the bus as a social service/need in areas with an elderly/less mobile/economically poor population

But some people will defend them to the hilt, that Ian Hignett fella on Facebook for example he doesn't even work for GNE but spends his entire time defending them no matter what the issue is on Facebook. It's a bit odd and kinda part of the problem.

I'll be taking a trip to Newcastle tomorrow. Amongst other things, I'll be taking a trip on one of the new B9's on the TEN between Eldon Square and MetroCentre, not sure on direction yet but it will include a connection with X88 either to/from Southwick - probably for the last time before this month's changes!

I'm just wondering if anyone knows what the typical X88 allocation is on a Saturday at the moment? Are Saturday trips still operated by Washington? I think I've seen a photo of a B7 on one of the Saturday workings but I'm not sure if this is the norm. Cheers!

(01 Mar 2013, 10:21 pm)Brandon wrote I'll be taking a trip to Newcastle tomorrow. Amongst other things, I'll be taking a trip on one of the new B9's on the TEN between Eldon Square and MetroCentre, not sure on direction yet but it will include a connection with X88 either to/from Southwick - probably for the last time before this month's changes!

I'm just wondering if anyone knows what the typical X88 allocation is on a Saturday at the moment? Are Saturday trips still operated by Washington? I think I've seen a photo of a B7 on one of the Saturday workings but I'm not sure if this is the norm. Cheers!

Saturdays are operated by Washington. Typical vehicle used is a Northern President.
Sundays are operated by Deptford. Typical vehicle used is a Silver Arrows Citaro.

(01 Mar 2013, 10:24 pm)Daniel wrote

(01 Mar 2013, 10:21 pm)Brandon wrote I'll be taking a trip to Newcastle tomorrow. Amongst other things, I'll be taking a trip on one of the new B9's on the TEN between Eldon Square and MetroCentre, not sure on direction yet but it will include a connection with X88 either to/from Southwick - probably for the last time before this month's changes!

I'm just wondering if anyone knows what the typical X88 allocation is on a Saturday at the moment? Are Saturday trips still operated by Washington? I think I've seen a photo of a B7 on one of the Saturday workings but I'm not sure if this is the norm. Cheers!

Saturdays are operated by Washington. Typical vehicle used is a Northern President.
Sundays are operated by Deptford. Typical vehicle used is a Silver Arrows Citaro.

Cheers Dan! Just curious about what to expect. I may have to do a Sunday trip on X88 as well sometime with it being a pair of Citaros. But there's only 3 Sundays left now before Deptford lose it. I'm expecting my weekend work to pick up literally any week now - time is running out!

Sunderland Bus Briefing leaflets out on Deptford-based vehicles now. The back of the leaflet is dedicated to the X7, definitely want to raise awareness of the service! £23 seems quite cheap for a weekly ticket too.

I'll scan it properly this evening providing I get a GNE bus home and the vehicle has the leaflets.

shame it doesn't say if it will be branded or not, any more info on what buses it will use and which depot, it seems like Peterlee will run it but nothing has being confirmed.

Well quite a successful trip for me today.

X88 was on time at Southwick at 11:30. I couldn't believe my luck when Red Arrows 3943 turned up! I've never been on one of the former Tyne Tees vehicles so I was over the moon! 3943 seemed in good shape operating on normal roads, but did struggle climbing up the A1231 towards the A1 from Washington. A1 was mighty packed with traffic, and got to MetroCentre almost 10 minutes late. Dan suggested I get a photo of 3943 once I arrived, but sadly my phone battery died on the route

As my bus was arriving into MetroCentre, another bus enthusiast did manage to get a photo though!

I can sort of see why GNE are curtailing the X88 at Concord - it was quite quiet on the Sunderland end of the route, but a load got on at Concord and Galleries and it was full by the time we left Washington. What I would have liked is for the X88 timetable to include connections with 56 at Concord to/from Southwick and Sunderland. Although not ideal changing buses, I'd still be prepared to do it and I think having the connecting times laid out would be grand.

I ended up waiting from 12:30 until 12:50 for a TEN B9 to Eldon Square - plenty of Red Kites and Diamonds came swinging by! It was 6082 that turned up, on a 10 from Hexham. I love the smell that new buses have - and 6082 certainly didn't disappoint - marvellous vehicle!

Trip was quite good too, but I don't think I've ever sat at traffic lights for longer than I ever had when we were waiting to turn right off Redheugh Bridge! Managed to get some errands done around Newcastle, and got the 15:03 metro back to Sunderland. I was thinking of getting off at Seaburn because I would have been able to connect on to the 99, but I decided to stop on till Park Lane to get the 36.

On the 36 back home, there was a customer notice entitled "Service Changes Consultation".

When it was my stop to get off, I tried to read what it said. Go North East would like their views on proposed changes to 26, 36, 99 - I think 9 and X3 were mentioned too but it was a lot to take in. There will be questionnaires handed out to households on the routes. It said if you haven't received one by 22 March, then get in touch with Customer Services. There was a driver who was sitting in the side-ways seats opposite the driver - and it was the first that he had heard of any proposals, so I think they're being kept under wraps for now.

I'm not sure if there are any site members who live on these routes - but I do and when I get mine I'll scan it in and post up here like Liam did with the Prudhoe and West Wylam changes. I can sort of see why GNE don't seem to do the online questionnaires anymore. They must get a lot of time-wasters on there who will just muck them around. There has been online consultations in the past where they've asked the opinion about putting larger or new buses on a route to increase capacity - but you'll get the daft percent of people putting "strongly disagree" - just to be awkward!

Intersting, i wonder what these changes will include, i may have to try and get a leaflet sent as i sometimes use the 26 and 99.

Definitely! If you use the services then get in touch because you have as much right to a consultation as someone who lives on the route. I'll post it straight up here anyway as soon as I get mine

I'm intrigued too. I was actually talking to another member on here last week passing back and forth possible ideas for these services, and I was wondering about the possibility of diverting X3 through Downhill, Red House and Southwick replacing the 36, and increase the 9 to every 20 minutes through East Boldon to sort of compensate for re-routing of X3. The X3 diversion would only add two minutes in each direction but would definitely give the route a massive boost and saves on five Versas, six including the spare one! Most likely an outlandish idea, but I'm really interested to see the consultation anyway and see what's proposed

I dont live on the route but i would like to see the changes as i use the services.

Be intresting to see the 99 changes.

Would like to see more people using the X3

(02 Mar 2013, 6:02 pm)Brandon wrote Definitely! If you use the services then get in touch because you have as much right to a consultation as someone who lives on the route. I'll post it straight up here anyway as soon as I get mine

I'm intrigued too. I was actually talking to another member on here last week passing back and forth possible ideas for these services, and I was wondering about the possibility of diverting X3 through Downhill, Red House and Southwick replacing the 36, and increase the 9 to every 20 minutes through East Boldon to sort of compensate for re-routing of X3. The X3 diversion would only add two minutes in each direction but would definitely give the route a massive boost and saves on five Versas, six including the spare one! Most likely an outlandish idea, but I'm really interested to see the consultation anyway and see what's proposed

That young man sounds good. As long as it goes through Marley Pots and not Witherwack. Although would it not be to much competition on the 56?

That was me taking the photo, Brandon! ;-)
Had some nasty swing on it too, as it sped around the roundabout having arrived approximately 15 minutes late...

Regarding the changes - yes, I saw that poster on the Renown I was on en-route to Newcastle this morning, when I also took a picture of the leaflet. I wanted to get a photo of that too, but the X3 very surprisingly filled up and even had a few standees!

(02 Mar 2013, 6:58 pm)idiot wrote

(02 Mar 2013, 6:02 pm)Brandon wrote Definitely! If you use the services then get in touch because you have as much right to a consultation as someone who lives on the route. I'll post it straight up here anyway as soon as I get mine

I'm intrigued too. I was actually talking to another member on here last week passing back and forth possible ideas for these services, and I was wondering about the possibility of diverting X3 through Downhill, Red House and Southwick replacing the 36, and increase the 9 to every 20 minutes through East Boldon to sort of compensate for re-routing of X3. The X3 diversion would only add two minutes in each direction but would definitely give the route a massive boost and saves on five Versas, six including the spare one! Most likely an outlandish idea, but I'm really interested to see the consultation anyway and see what's proposed

That young man sounds good. As long as it goes through Marley Pots and not Witherwack. Although would it not be to much competition on the 56?

I would hope so, because I'd hate to see the Ramsgate Road area lose its only bus service for a second time (after pulling of Stagecoach 16 in May 2011). Although the 36 is given the same timings on its new route through Marley Pots as its old route through Witherwack, the Marley Pots route is slightly shorter and I think this has already massively improved reliability of the 36 since its launch in July 2011.

I think the 36 route needs to offer something different to what Stagecoach are already providing - I don't think it's working at the moment, and Town End Farm is way over-served at the moment.

(02 Mar 2013, 7:15 pm)Daniel wrote That was me taking the photo, Brandon! ;-)
Had some nasty swing on it too, as it sped around the roundabout having arrived approximately 15 minutes late...

Regarding the changes - yes, I saw that poster on the Renown I was on en-route to Newcastle this morning, when I also took a picture of the leaflet. I wanted to get a photo of that too, but the X3 very surprisingly filled up and even had a few standees!

Ah right! I didn't think for one minute it would be you Didn't really get a proper look anyway because we were approaching at speed! I was on the top deck just behind the stairs. I ended up hurrying around to see if a TEN B9 was in but I needn't have bothered because I ended up waiting 20 minutes anyway

I'm glad the X3 is included in the consultation. I thought I did see the X3 number on the poster but I wasn't 100% sure because it was a lot to take in.

(02 Mar 2013, 7:24 pm)Brandon wrote

(02 Mar 2013, 7:15 pm)Daniel wrote That was me taking the photo, Brandon! ;-)
Had some nasty swing on it too, as it sped around the roundabout having arrived approximately 15 minutes late...

Regarding the changes - yes, I saw that poster on the Renown I was on en-route to Newcastle this morning, when I also took a picture of the leaflet. I wanted to get a photo of that too, but the X3 very surprisingly filled up and even had a few standees!

Ah right! I didn't think for one minute it would be you Didn't really get a proper look anyway because we were approaching at speed! I was on the top deck just behind the stairs. I ended up hurrying around to see if a TEN B9 was in but I needn't have bothered because I ended up waiting 20 minutes anyway

I'm glad the X3 is included in the consultation. I thought I did see the X3 number on the poster but I wasn't 100% sure because it was a lot to take in.

Didn't see any other enthusiasts there at the same time as me so must have been me, haha.

Today's DD will most likely have to come tomorrow morning - don't think I'm gonna finish my photos tonight so I'm gonna wait.

Nobody else has uploaded all of the materials I require, so I can't just substitute my own images for others', otherwise I would.

(03 Mar 2013, 10:56 am)Rob wrote Online consultations really do not work. They are often completed by individuals whom not only do not live near the area of change, but those who do not actually use the particular routes subject to change. Why should those not using the services get details regarding the changes? They shouldn’t. Recent consultations having invoked: distributing leaflets to those living in affected areas, adverts on concerned routes explaining the distribution of leaflets to local households and businesses, staff of routes explaining changes and noting customer feedback. Directly reducing ‘rouge’ customer feedback otherwise associated with online consultations. Such consultation arrangements have been employed throughout consultation regarding changes to routes 10/10A, 11, 27, 49/49A/49B/49C and 69/69A. Results (available on the website) prove that respondent reaction was far less negative.

If you use affected services and have not received a consultation email customer services and they will be able to provide a copy of the consultation. Alternatively, consultations are being stocked in some local amenities including libraries and post offices.

You must also consider that people who do not live in the directly affected areas do use the services too. I understand why Go North East have decided to change their method of distributing customer consultations, but there are downsides to it too.
I for one, do not live in any of the directly affected areas of the services that are proposed to change, but I do use most if not all of the services on a regular basis. I'm not receiving the chance to fill out one of these forms because of that very reason.

While I'm not debating the truth of the claim as I do believe it happens, I've not once seen a member of staff out asking questions on the services that could be affected following customer consultations. Perhaps I don't use the services enough to see someone, and the likelihood of me seeing someone is reduced because of that, but I haven't seen it happen.

Admittedly, you have shown us two workarounds for this, but I don't often visit the library, and I'd like to say I'm positive that the majority of people these days don't either (hence the downfall of libraries etc). If I read the text on the poster correctly, it said that you could pick up a copy of the consultation on board the vehicle in which I was travelling... This, however, was not so.

I will e-mail customer services in hope of getting a copy of the consultation though. I'll also pass on the suggestion to them that they should be distributing the leaflets on board vehicles too, if they already do not.

4944 is now at Chester le Street, its not known yet whether its a permenant move or not

(03 Mar 2013, 1:40 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote 4944 is now at Chester le Street, its not known yet whether its a permenant move or not

Permenant move - replacing 4895.

Wooo, there's 1 DAF down.. many more to go.


I seen the new TEN decker's yesterday when i was at the Metrocentre, they look great.

What other changes has happened so far?

How many of the ex TEN Citaros are at Gateshead now and how many of the ex Crusader buses have left Gateshead?

(03 Mar 2013, 1:40 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote 4944 is now at Chester le Street, its not known yet whether its a permenant move or not

Cheers! I forgot I saw this vehicle yesterday, seen turning into Eldon Square on the 28.

I agree online consultations can get out of hand. Consultations need to be worded very carefully or people just get the wrong end of the stick and rumour mill goes into overdrive. It seems to be the case that when services are proposed to be withdrawn, word spreads around very quickly, and people become oblivious to the positives that can come from revised/new services.

When GNE were doing their Boldon consultation for changes in July 2011, it was proposed to extend the 26 from Heworth to Gateshead and Newcastle, or have the service to Newcastle running through East Boldon instead. This implied that if the East Boldon route was chosen instead of through Castletown, then the route through Castletown would be lost, but this was never to be the case. It still ended up kicking up a raucous though with local residents in Castletown who were fearing the worst -

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/community/..._1_3296943

About the public libraries, I believe Sunderland City Library on Fawcett Street stocks some bus timetable leaflets on one of the upper floors by the escalators, but it's been years since I've been there. The Post Office would also be a good bet too.

It's ironic that we're moving away from online consultations to more conventional leaflet-based consultations. I never really liked the idea of someone filling out an online form for services they never use and putting strong disagree to everything just for kicks. For someone who genuinely uses a route but doesn't actually live on the route, they should be able to pick up a leaflet on the bus or request one from Customer Services.

I do like the idea of having Go North East representatives talking to passengers on buses to clear up any concerns or answer questions. But when you consider how many buses are running per hour, the chances of covering even a small percent of journeys are very slim, hence why a lot of bus users complain they've never seen anyone on their buses. I think the better option would be to station someone at key boarding points like at bus stations/interchanges. You can see in this photo a representative handing out new timetable leaflets for changes in July 2011 which saw the withdrawal of the Black Cats services. I'm sure something similar could be done with consultations too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/5966832063/ (Bazza Houston)

Im looking forward to seen what the changes are.

Wonder if the 26 would work being spilt, 1 per hour to Heworth and 1 per hour to Jarrow. The Heworth link was good, Southwick,Castletown etc this when it was changed to serve Jarrow.

Wonder what is planned for the 99.

If the X3 and 9 is included, wonder what changes they are planning, same as the 36.

(03 Mar 2013, 2:53 pm)Michael wrote If the X3 and 9 is included, wonder what changes they are planning, same as the 36.

They are included.

One of many things that I believe is coming up is the removal of the X3 > 26 connection. That, or they're going to try and improve it so it actually works.