(10 Jan 2014, 8:20 pm)andreos1 wrote Im sure there was, but there's nowt as queer as folk who say one thing and do another.
To rely on their say so and not have a back up plan in wondering what passengers a few mile down the road want, the fact Tesco on Tyne was about to open or not having it pick up at the same points in Newcastle as the 27 is a funny one too.

By the time Betty and Fred have got off the 27x, had a wander around the town, popped into the Grainger Market for their Sunday Chicken, his knee will have gone and her bad ankles will be playing up.
They will cross over the road and get the 27, before changing onto an 88 or something after a cup of tea in Morrisons.

Angela will have just finished a 12 hour shift at the hospital and is running late for the kids, rather than run the risk of missing the 27x, she nips down for a 27, knowing there will be one soon.

If it is being funded, surely the aim is to make it work, get rid of the shackles of Nexus and make it a commercial success?

And if it works I'm sure GNE would take it on commercially - but if there had of been a large demand in the first place I don't think GNE would have removed the 27A (which was a number of years ago now)

But as you've just suggested in this hypothetical example - they could use the 27 and 88 to get home instead of the 27X, not that difficult a journey really. Does this not prove the 27X isn't really necessary? It was put on because people from these areas "were isolated" and "couldn't get to newcastle" but actually they can travel by using the 27 and 88, they just prefer a direct bus. There are plenty of people who don't have a direct bus to Newcastle but Nexus haven't put on a direct service for them - why are two streets in Hebburn so special?

(10 Jan 2014, 8:20 pm)andreos1 wrote Im sure there was, but there's nowt as queer as folk who say one thing and do another.
To rely on their say so and not have a back up plan in wondering what passengers a few mile down the road want, the fact Tesco on Tyne was about to open or not having it pick up at the same points in Newcastle as the 27 is a funny one too.

By the time Betty and Fred have got off the 27x, had a wander around the town, popped into the Grainger Market for their Sunday Chicken, his knee will have gone and her bad ankles will be playing up.
They will cross over the road and get the 27, before changing onto an 88 or something after a cup of tea in Morrisons.

Angela will have just finished a 12 hour shift at the hospital and is running late for the kids, rather than run the risk of missing the 27x, she nips down for a 27, knowing there will be one soon.

If it is being funded, surely the aim is to make it work, get rid of the shackles of Nexus and make it a commercial success?

An interesting point that as the consultation exercise pretty much followed what would happen under a QCS - so the people have said what they wanted and there's enough money for 1 bus & they want an hourly bus service. They had the option of less frequent and serving more places, but this is what they chose, but there where other plans. Doing anything different will add a lot more cost in - would you take the risk with more public money and still probably not generate that much more trade ?

The Tesco at Gateshead isn't exactly very busy at the best of times, so not convinced that would generate much more trade for the 27X.

It would have been great if it had worked and carried enough people, but it suggests the usage from that part of Hebburn unfortunately was low which is why the 27a came off.

In response to Andreos on Odd rare workings - Copied here for relevance!

(10 Jan 2014, 9:50 pm)Venturego wrote Sorry!! - Wrong response! - Branding, if adopted should be applied correctly as per Marketing Department instructions. Dilution of Brand in any market results in a negative effect on the Company & Brand. Brands should reflect Core Values, Image, Personality but most importantly Unique Selling Proposition. - How is that achieved by Garages sending out any available bus regardless of application?! - Weak Management since Huntley's demise?! Let Go North East (NORTHERN) get back to Core Values. Adopt a more Corporate Branding with identifiable "Sub-Brands" but linked by either Typeface or positioning to the "Northern" brand - Reduce number of brands!!, - Have a meaningful EXPRESS brand - If we continue with current miss-managed & meaningless disjointed brand approach we may as well move to a Nexus (L7) system where customer will become the focus of public service transport and adopt effective marketing to promote a truly service orientated transport system in thr region![/b]

Refer to Odd Workings tab to see thread - Can't copy full history my comments refer to!

(10 Jan 2014, 8:21 pm)speedwheels22 wrote Why are they still running the X3

Am I the only person who doesn't work for Go North East that actually thinks the new X3 isn't that bad.

I don't see why there is such negativity surrounding the timetable and route as from what I can ascertain its only really there to provide people from East and West Boldon with a direct link to Newcastle. GNE have obviously looked at travel patterns and acted accordingly and who is to say that these will be not be viable. Just because there is a small number of journeys per day does not mean its pointless. You don't get this criticism with the other services like the X22 or 307.

can they not Extend the X3 to Terminate at metrocentre be new links fr people going to metrocenre shopping centre aw maybe divert it threw marsden and the nook whitless to boldon every hour just an idea

I've always thought the X3 should run Sunderland Fulwell Grange Seaburn Whitburn Cleadon and back onto existing route at East Boldon, thus giving Whitburn and Cleadon a direct service to Newcastle. Thus it could replace 558 between Seaburn and Boldon Colliery more or less.

6091 has now entered service.
Still Solars kicking about today, I have the joy and wonder that is 5201.

(11 Jan 2014, 12:39 am)speedwheels22 wrote can they not Extend the X3 to Terminate at metrocentre be new links fr people going to metrocenre shopping centre aw maybe divert it threw marsden and the nook whitless to boldon every hour just an idea

There's already a direct link between Sunderland and the Metro Centre - Northern Rail run it.

(11 Jan 2014, 7:46 am)Dan wrote 6091 has now entered service.
Still Solars kicking about today, I have the joy and wonder that is 5201.

Think that's about 6 now?

Any more news on the Cobalt B9's.. have they all arrived?

(11 Jan 2014, 8:22 am)Michael wrote Think that's about 6 now?

Any more news on the Cobalt B9's.. have they all arrived?

About eight, if not ten.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:28 am)Dan wrote About eight, if not ten.

So nearly their hopefully all out next week, wonder which service the 2 spares will be out on?

(11 Jan 2014, 8:38 am)Michael wrote So nearly their hopefully all out next week, wonder which service the 2 spares will be out on?

Any service that needs them lol - More than likely the 35 or something if not the 56.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:39 am)Tom wrote Any service that needs them lol - More than likely the 35 or something if not the 56.

I'm going for the 20/20A.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:40 am)Michael wrote I'm going for the 20/20A.

If the 20 needs it, then it'll be on there. If the X36 needs a spare, then it'll be used on there.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:43 am)Tom wrote If the 20 needs it, then it'll be on there. If the X36 needs a spare, then it'll be used on there.

never know it might even end up on the 700/701

I have to say, i'm not keen on the B9', not sure why

(11 Jan 2014, 8:45 am)Michael wrote never know it might even end up on the 700/701

I have to say, i'm not keen on the B9', not sure why

I like them on the comfort and ride quality, but the engine sound is very boring if you compare it to something like a Olympian or a Lolyne.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:45 am)Michael wrote never know it might even end up on the 700/701

I have to say, i'm not keen on the B9', not sure why

And no doubt Percy Main's branded ones will be anywhere! - ''North Tyne Links'', ''Centurion'' you name it...

(11 Jan 2014, 8:48 am)Tom wrote And no doubt Percy Main's branded ones will be anywhere! - ''North Tyne Links'', ''Centurion'' you name it...

Percy Main is worse then a Deptford for that, they might as well give the 9 the Centurion brand.

Hopefully by Monday, a few more SPD's have being withdrawn

(11 Jan 2014, 8:53 am)Michael wrote Percy Main is worse then a Deptford for that, they might as well give the 9 the Centurion brand.

Hopefully by Monday, a few more SPD's have being withdrawn

They sure are! - They had barely no Centurion's on the 17 yesterday, it was all Lolynes nearly! And the Centurion B10BLE's stack the 9 timetables now lol.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:55 am)Tom wrote They sure are! - They had barely no Centurion's on the 17 yesterday, it was all Lolynes nearly! And the Centurion B10BLE's stack the 9 timetables now lol.

Just thinking when the Riverside Depot opens, how many spares will be needed?

I can't work out the current % of spares at each depot.

I would assume it gets rid of the Oly's at Gateshead.

With the Depot opening will we see the last the Oly's withdrawn - with only Stanley having the remaining few?

(11 Jan 2014, 8:45 am)Michael wrote I have to say, i'm not keen on the B9', not sure why

You should have said earlier, then GNE would have not bought the recent 34

(11 Jan 2014, 9:01 am)citaro5284 wrote You should have said earlier, then GNE would have not bought the recent 34

It was my ride on the B9, itself, maybe after a few runs, it might get better, the brakes seem to worse than the Enviro's.

(11 Jan 2014, 9:00 am)Michael wrote Just thinking when the Riverside Depot opens, how many spares will be needed?

I can't work out the current % of spares at each depot.

I would assume it gets rid of the Oly's at Gateshead.

With the Depot opening will we see the last the Oly's withdrawn - with only Stanley having the remaining few?

Sadly, I think so. Olympians are fantastic buses, and will always beat the President or the pathetic Vykings. When I was on a Vyking on the X36 it could barely climb the hill from Downhill to West Boldon!

(11 Jan 2014, 9:03 am)Tom wrote Sadly, I think so. Olympians are fantastic buses, and will always beat the President or the pathetic Vykings. When I was on a Vyking on the X36 it could barely climb the hill from Downhill to West Boldon!

They should be the next buses to go after the Olympian's!

(11 Jan 2014, 9:06 am)Michael wrote They should be the next buses to go after the Olympian's!

They're awful I think. When they were at Percy Main and I rode one on the 80, it was pathetic trying to get up Rosehill Bank :L

(11 Jan 2014, 9:00 am)Michael wrote Just thinking when the Riverside Depot opens, how many spares will be needed?

Currently Winlaton have 47 for a PVR of 40 (17.5%) and Gateshead have 109 for a PVR of 95 (14.7%). So if you add them together total fleet will be 156 for a PVR of 135, giving a spare capacity of around 15.6%.

Of course, there is an extra Blaydon Racer going in so you can add one to both PVR and fleet.

(11 Jan 2014, 9:07 am)Tom wrote They're awful I think. When they were at Percy Main and I rode one on the 80, it was pathetic trying to get up Rosehill Bank :L

They were built for London and that's it, why on earth GNE decided to get them i have no idea.
I hope once changes happen, i don't see one of them on a Sunderland route again haha

(11 Jan 2014, 9:09 am)Michael wrote They were built for London and that's it, why on earth GNE decided to get them i have no idea.
I hope once changes happen, i don't see one of them on a Sunderland route again haha

Yeah, bet you they'll be sent to Percy Main to replace the Lolynes (Lolynes of which are 100 times better)

(11 Jan 2014, 9:09 am)citaro5284 wrote Currently Winlaton have 47 for a PVR of 40 (17.5%) and Gateshead have 109 for a PVR of 95 (14.7%). So if you add them together total fleet will be 156 for a PVR of 135, giving a spare capacity of around 15.6%.

Of course, there is an extra Blaydon Racer going in so you can add one to both PVR and fleet.

Thank's Citaro - i'm rubbish at maths and wasn't sure what ran from what (like unbranded routes).

Will they still need that many spares though?