(25 Apr 2020, 4:14 pm)Rob44 wrote I didn't even know they had set that up. It will be interesting to see where the excess money goes ( if any)? Im sure there was a massive story about a company ( could have been lothian) making over a million per years for not giving change.

The information has just be released today, hence why you never knew!

There’s a few bus companies over the 20+ years only take exact fares only with no change given


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(25 Apr 2020, 4:29 pm)cbma06 wrote There’s a few bus companies over the 20+ years only take exact fares only with no change given


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Would it be achievable in the NE given that fare calculators can be implemented on apps, websites etc?

The biggest gripe when I was a regular user of buses back in the day (ANE 308 & GNE 309/310) was when people often legged it last minute for the bus and ended up holding the bus up by paying a £1.50 fare with notes. And by the time they were processed and onboard, the next person would then come legging it and repeating the same process again. 

That then made the bus later and later.

Could work in the NE if bus companies take it forward and do some research on there fare structure, it will stop loopy passengers getting on with a £20 note for a small paying fare, plus with contactless being around for awhile now plus bus companies own day and week tickets.
Also less time staying idle at bus stops.

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(25 Apr 2020, 4:14 pm)Rob44 wrote I didn't even know they had set that up. It will be interesting to see where the excess money goes ( if any)? Im sure there was a massive story about a company ( could have been lothian) making over a million per years for not giving change.

Any excess money is being donated to charity, but this isn’t something being widely publicised during the crisis as we don’t want to encourage payment with notes as these have to be handled by colleagues when cashing in (gloves are being provided).


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Respect to gne for donating.

(25 Apr 2020, 4:29 pm)cbma06 wrote There’s a few bus companies over the 20+ years only take exact fares only with no change given


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Hull corporation buses used to have the machines that you dropped your cash into and they gave no change. This was back in my childhood, so significantly more than 20 years ago!

I'm surprised they aren't promoting PAYG Pop cards at the minute, seems like it would be a great time, especially for those without a contactless card but can make payments online

Cheers Dan for the reply. Great gesture

(25 Apr 2020, 11:07 am)Michael wrote From Martjin Gilbert's latest update: https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...9920923911&epa=SEARCH_BOX


Few fleet changes:

58 - now deckers


Fleet changes between Consett/Riverside and Deptford/Peterlee this weekend, with routes changing fleet:

16A will become Deckers

X71 will become Streetlites

1A more deckers on the route

33A (Newcastle)/Q3 will be Solo

Does anyone know if there was any fleet movements due to these changes?

(26 Apr 2020, 2:56 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know if there was any fleet movements due to these changes?

Should be able to work out the main ones from Bustimes with the usual caveats applying. 

6331-6333 to Consett for 16A
5442-5444 (presumably 5445 too) back to Consett for X30/X71
679-683 to Riverside

Few others may have slipped through the net, but would fit the constraints of the reallocations above.

(26 Apr 2020, 3:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Should be able to work out the main ones from Bustimes with the usual caveats applying. 

6331-6333 to Consett for 16A
5442-5444 (presumably 5445 too) back to Consett for X30/X71
679-683 to Riverside

Few others may have slipped through the net, but would fit the constraints of the reallocations above.

Thanks, i tried to look at bustimes but i'm useless finding the fleet movements.

(25 Apr 2020, 4:29 pm)cbma06 wrote There’s a few bus companies over the 20+ years only take exact fares only with no change given


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(25 Apr 2020, 10:20 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Hull corporation buses used to have the machines that you dropped your cash into and they gave no change. This was back in my childhood, so significantly more than 20 years ago!

NXWM & Lothian are the two exact fare operations that stick in my mind. NXWM is probably more comparable to GNE’s operation. Exact fare works well due to the incredibly simple fare structure with only ‘short hop’ and ‘any distance’ single fares. No zonal system for day savers either.

Not sure if it has been mentioned but noted the destination blinds (at least on the 1A) have been updated to switch between via points and Essential Journeys Only.

(26 Apr 2020, 3:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Should be able to work out the main ones from Bustimes with the usual caveats applying. 

6331-6333 to Consett for 16A
5442-5444 (presumably 5445 too) back to Consett for X30/X71
679-683 to Riverside

Few others may have slipped through the net, but would fit the constraints of the reallocations above.

Dan has updated the enthusiast area on the GNE site:


26 April 2020


Further service changes have taken place due to the reduced demand for bus services as a result of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The following vehicles have been reinstated:

Volvo B9TL 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112 at Riverside

The following transfers have taken place:

Optare Solo 663, 664, 665, 666 from Peterlee to Deptford
Optare Solo 679, 680, 681, 682, 683 from Consett to Riverside
Wright Streetlite 5442, 5443, 5444, 5445 from Riverside to Consett
Wright StreetDeck 6331, 6332, 6333 from Riverside to Consett

The following vehicles have been taken out of service:

Optare Solo 657 from Peterlee
Wright Streetlite 5373, 5374, 5376, 5414, 5470, 5475 from Deptford
Wright Streetlite 5445, 5447 from Consett

(27 Apr 2020, 2:20 pm)Michael wrote Dan has updated the enthusiast area on the GNE site:


26 April 2020


Further service changes have taken place due to the reduced demand for bus services as a result of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The following vehicles have been reinstated:

Volvo B9TL 6109, 6110, 6111, 6112 at Riverside

The following transfers have taken place:

Optare Solo 663, 664, 665, 666 from Peterlee to Deptford
Optare Solo 679, 680, 681, 682, 683 from Consett to Riverside
Wright Streetlite 5442, 5443, 5444, 5445 from Riverside to Consett
Wright StreetDeck 6331, 6332, 6333 from Riverside to Consett

The following vehicles have been taken out of service:

Optare Solo 657 from Peterlee
Wright Streetlite 5373, 5374, 5376, 5414, 5470, 5475 from Deptford
Wright Streetlite 5445, 5447 from Consett

Are you trying to take over from someone updating fleet news from website

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(27 Apr 2020, 2:26 pm)JP6004 wrote Are you trying to take over from someone updating fleet news from website

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No, , why do you say that?

(27 Apr 2020, 2:29 pm)Michael wrote No, , why do you say that?

Just thought u were taking over from a well known person that used to be on this forum. He like to be first updating fleet news from website too

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(27 Apr 2020, 2:34 pm)JP6004 wrote Just thought u were taking over from a well known person that used to be on this forum. He like to be first updating fleet news from website too

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Ohh no, haha, i was just sharing it because i know people would of wanted to know the latest fleet movements..... we probables won't see anymore cuts now.


I don't even know when it was updated, i only just checked it, when it was post on here.

Remember that well.

IIRC I think a bot was created to automatically post the updates in the end.

(27 Apr 2020, 2:40 pm)S813 FVK wrote Remember that well.

IIRC I think a bot was created to automatically post the updates in the end.

#Fleetgate


Ye, what ever happened to that bot?

(27 Apr 2020, 2:36 pm)Michael wrote Ohh no, haha, i was just sharing it because i know people would of wanted to know the latest fleet movements..... we probables won't see anymore cuts now.


I don't even know when it was updated, i only just checked it, when it was post on here.

Well hopefully those L94 wont make it back to service. With the first Streetdecks a matter of weeks off being ready, by the time normal operations resume, they might be no longer required

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Hopefully not, at this rate they will need another farewell event.

(27 Apr 2020, 2:43 pm)JP6004 wrote Well hopefully those L94 wont make it back to service. With the first Streetdecks a matter of weeks off being ready, by the time normal operations resume, they might be no longer required

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All depends on how we come out of lockdown... i would imagine:



Construction (some are still working but not all) /factories will go back first


Shops - maybe the likes of KFC (takeaway only) etc


Bars/Restaurants - will be last


As for educational settings - No idea, they might not end up going back at all or might end up going back part time.

(27 Apr 2020, 2:47 pm)Michael wrote All depends on how we come out of lockdown... i would imagine:



Construction (some are still working but not all) /factories will go back first


Shops - maybe the likes of KFC (takeaway only) etc


Bars/Restaurants - will be last


As for educational settings - No idea, they might not end up going back at all or might end up going back part time.

That's why I said hopefully

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Seen this morning as I was going to Herons on Churchill Street, is Streetdeck 6307 displaying the addition to the destination blind display. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...9826144693

And before people go on about social distancing, the location is 250 metres from where I live, and I kept my distance from everyone.

What's the deal with the 968 at the moment? 
Saw it today for the first time since all the problems started and it was operated by a 45/46 branded Streetlite.
Standalone at the moment or running off a scholar's still?

(29 Apr 2020, 5:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote What's the deal with the 968 at the moment? 
Saw it today for the first time since all the problems started and it was operated by a 45/46 branded Streetlite.
Standalone at the moment or running off a scholar's still?

The 968 is currently operated by Deptford depot.  The am journey then runs onto a 39 duplicate.  The pm journey is standalone.  The majority of the Red Kite Streetlites have been based out of Deptford for about 3 weeks now.  Mainly operating on the service 55X/8/78's.

Have all the buses which are in "Not In Service", been fully withdrawn yet? so the likes of 6049-6055 etc.

(02 May 2020, 11:00 am)Michael wrote Have all the buses which are in "Not In Service", been fully withdrawn yet? so the likes of 6049-6055 etc.

There's strong suggestion that businesses will start picking back up this month now that we've passed the peak of the pandemic - all of the buses which are 'not in service' have not been fully delicensed to enable the company to react to any increase in demand (i.e. minibus to single-deck, or single-deck to double-deck) at short notice.