Yes it does stop at Vine Place (Stop No. 24S28, Stop Code: twrgtadp). I often get on there (when I very rarely get the 56) to avoid the short walk to Park Lane, though I often seem to be the only one who does when I'm there..!

The timetable can be viewed here.

(06 Apr 2013, 11:47 am)Daniel wrote Yes it does stop at Vine Place (Stop No. 24S28, Stop Code: twrgtadp). I often get on there (when I very rarely get the 56) to avoid the short walk to Park Lane, though I often seem to be the only one who does when I'm there..!

The timetable can be viewed here.

How do u get the timetables up like that?

(06 Apr 2013, 11:49 am)Michael wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 11:47 am)Daniel wrote Yes it does stop at Vine Place (Stop No. 24S28, Stop Code: twrgtadp). I often get on there (when I very rarely get the 56) to avoid the short walk to Park Lane, though I often seem to be the only one who does when I'm there..!

The timetable can be viewed here.

How do u get the timetables up like that?

On Nexus' website. Type in the post code, street name, or search on the map. See here.

Thanks =D

Not sure if any of you use it on your phones, but nextbuses.mobi/ is a great website for bus stops, schedules etc

(06 Apr 2013, 12:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote Not sure if any of you use it on your phones, but nextbuses.mobi/ is a great website for bus stops, schedules etc

I use Nexus' "myJourney" on my phone. It also detects my location and tells me all of the stops near my area, and their timetables too.
Guess it's limited to Tyne & Wear and possibly a few on the outskirts too, but nevertheless, still incredibly useful.

I've come up with ideas for the X9 and the X10.

X9 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 60 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE BUS STATION - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - NORTON RED LION - STOCKTON BUS STATION -MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION

X10 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION

X10 (EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE BUS STATION - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - NORTON RED LION - STOCKTON BUS STATION -MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION

X11 (MONDAY - SATURDAY EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION - LEEDS CITY BUS STATION

Oof, those Geminis struggle with journeys up and down the A19 between Newcastle and Middlesbrough all day nevermind Newcastle to York and Leeds!
Stretching out of the "North East" network there a bit too :L

Would be nice if it could happen but don't think so!

(06 Apr 2013, 2:37 pm)Daniel wrote Oof, those Geminis struggle with journeys up and down the A19 between Newcastle and Middlesbrough all day nevermind Newcastle to York and Leeds!
Stretching out of the "North East" network there a bit too :L

Would be nice if it could happen but don't think so!

If Arriva can send E400's all the way up to Berwick on the X18, then I don't see how the Gemini's would struggle making York and Leeds.

(06 Apr 2013, 2:39 pm)dave2906 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 2:37 pm)Daniel wrote Oof, those Geminis struggle with journeys up and down the A19 between Newcastle and Middlesbrough all day nevermind Newcastle to York and Leeds!
Stretching out of the "North East" network there a bit too :L

Would be nice if it could happen but don't think so!

If Arriva can send E400's all the way up to Berwick on the X18, then I don't see how the Gemini's would struggle making York and Leeds.

If theres a delay in service either at Newcastle,York or Leeds then there going to be a knock on effect during the whole service. Isnt there a National Express does these long services. GNE wont put newer buses on the X7 until there see a success to the service, maybe if the service runs then it might make money, those buses shouldnt of been allowed on the X7 and l can see the service getting withdrawn before the year is out unless there put better buses on.

(06 Apr 2013, 2:39 pm)dave2906 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 2:37 pm)Daniel wrote Oof, those Geminis struggle with journeys up and down the A19 between Newcastle and Middlesbrough all day nevermind Newcastle to York and Leeds!
Stretching out of the "North East" network there a bit too :L

Would be nice if it could happen but don't think so!

If Arriva can send E400's all the way up to Berwick on the X18, then I don't see how the Gemini's would struggle making York and Leeds.

The fact that GNE's TTX Geminis are suffering already on the X9/X10 services... How many times have you witnessed one be off-road whilst being repaired or something similar?

Newcastle to Berwick is about 40 miles less than Newcastle to Leeds... 80 miles in each direction is massive, and in fact, is the same equivalent as a round trip of the X9/X10.

(06 Apr 2013, 3:12 pm)cbma06 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 2:39 pm)dave2906 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 2:37 pm)Daniel wrote Oof, those Geminis struggle with journeys up and down the A19 between Newcastle and Middlesbrough all day nevermind Newcastle to York and Leeds!
Stretching out of the "North East" network there a bit too :L

Would be nice if it could happen but don't think so!

If Arriva can send E400's all the way up to Berwick on the X18, then I don't see how the Gemini's would struggle making York and Leeds.

If theres a delay in service either at Newcastle,York or Leeds then there going to be a knock on effect during the whole service. Isnt there a National Express does these long services. GNE wont put newer buses on the X7 until there see a success to the service, maybe if the service runs then it might make money, those buses shouldnt of been allowed on the X7 and l can see the service getting withdrawn before the year is out unless there put better buses on.

I made this point on yet another post on GNE's Facebook wall last night.
'The vehicles on this service are ludicrous, it's a joke. How can a service be successful if the vehicles don't turn up due to breakdowns?'

(06 Apr 2013, 3:14 pm)Daniel wrote The fact that GNE's TTX Geminis are suffering already on the X9/X10 services... How many times have you witnessed one be off-road whilst being repaired or something similar?

What proof do you have they are suffering already? There has been an issue with the screen wash not working which Volvo have put right on certain vehicles, hence why they did not go on the A19 for obvious reasons but other than that, they are operating fine and we did not loose any mileage on the X10 route all of last month.

The vehicles are normally off at least 1 day per month for a service, hence why 3963 was painted up to act as a spare.

(06 Apr 2013, 3:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 3:14 pm)Daniel wrote The fact that GNE's TTX Geminis are suffering already on the X9/X10 services... How many times have you witnessed one be off-road whilst being repaired or something similar?

What proof do you have they are suffering already? There has been an issue with the screen wash not working which Volvo have put right on certain vehicles, hence why they did not go on the A19 for obvious reasons but other than that, they are operating fine and we did not loose any mileage on the X10 route all of last month.

The vehicles are normally off at least 1 day per month for a service, hence why 3963 was painted up to act as a spare.

If that's the case, they must just be receiving an extensive wash every time I pass Sunderland Road depot...which is quite frequently. In future, I'll take a photo every time I see one in there and I'll put it on here for discussion.

Nevertheless, buses aren't designed to do that kind of mileage anyway... Do you realistically think they'll realistically have a long life if they're being exhausted like that on a daily basis? Hmm.

(06 Apr 2013, 4:12 pm)Daniel wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 3:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 3:14 pm)Daniel wrote The fact that GNE's TTX Geminis are suffering already on the X9/X10 services... How many times have you witnessed one be off-road whilst being repaired or something similar?

What proof do you have they are suffering already? There has been an issue with the screen wash not working which Volvo have put right on certain vehicles, hence why they did not go on the A19 for obvious reasons but other than that, they are operating fine and we did not loose any mileage on the X10 route all of last month.

The vehicles are normally off at least 1 day per month for a service, hence why 3963 was painted up to act as a spare.

If that's the case, they must just be receiving an extensive wash every time I pass Sunderland Road depot...which is quite frequently. In future, I'll take a photo every time I see one in there and I'll put it on here for discussion.

Nevertheless, buses aren't designed to do that kind of mileage anyway... Do you realistically think they'll realistically have a long life if they're being exhausted like that on a daily basis? Hmm.

I did not say extensive wash. I will refrain from posting on here in future as it seems if you disagree with comments made from certain member(s), a reply comes back which is sometimes sarcastic and uncalled for. All I asked was what proof you had. Some members of this site need to grow up!

(06 Apr 2013, 4:21 pm)citaro5284 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 4:12 pm)Daniel wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 3:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 3:14 pm)Daniel wrote The fact that GNE's TTX Geminis are suffering already on the X9/X10 services... How many times have you witnessed one be off-road whilst being repaired or something similar?

What proof do you have they are suffering already? There has been an issue with the screen wash not working which Volvo have put right on certain vehicles, hence why they did not go on the A19 for obvious reasons but other than that, they are operating fine and we did not loose any mileage on the X10 route all of last month.

The vehicles are normally off at least 1 day per month for a service, hence why 3963 was painted up to act as a spare.

If that's the case, they must just be receiving an extensive wash every time I pass Sunderland Road depot...which is quite frequently. In future, I'll take a photo every time I see one in there and I'll put it on here for discussion.

Nevertheless, buses aren't designed to do that kind of mileage anyway... Do you realistically think they'll realistically have a long life if they're being exhausted like that on a daily basis? Hmm.

I did not say extensive wash

I know you didn't. I did. Re-read what I said.

In addition to what I said before, consider how many times the B9s are off-road. I know the original Gemini is the designated branded spare and has to be used every now and again, but it shouldn't be out every few days covering for the actual vehicle which should be used.

There is nothing wrong with the TTX Geminis, I used the service to Middlesbrough a few weeks back, Went there and back from Heworth no bother at all, and those buses work perfectly on that service as that is what they are built for.

(06 Apr 2013, 4:39 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote There is nothing wrong with the TTX Geminis, I used the service to Middlesbrough a few weeks back, Went there and back from Heworth no bother at all, and those buses work perfectly on that service as that is what they are built for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam's GNE Update

After another Bike Ride to Chester le Street today I opted to take my camera with me so I could photos of the Angel Geminis I needed in which I did, I also spotted a few odd workings also.

3962/3965/6056/6057/6058/6059/6060/6061/6062/6065/6068 and 6069 Have all been added to the Angel Set, which results in me having the complete lot of Green Angel Branded Buses. Only took an Hour and a Half of standing at Chester le Street to do so. All photos can be seen on the Link below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...051443119/

For other Brands via set visit this Link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...152097312/

Odd Allocations

WheyAye50 4928 on the Lime 8/78
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Northern Solar 4944 usually on the 50 was also on the Lime 8/78
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Not a rare working but still a wonderful site to see was 8289 on the 71 to Houghton le Spring.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Does anybody know if service 71 does another service when it arrives at Chester-le-Street?. I think it would be better if GNE extended service 238 from Houghton to Chester-le-street replacing service 71.

In my eyes, it seems that B9s are off the road quite regularly. Whether it's a B7, Poppy Bus or an Olympian covering for a B9, there seems to be something out quite frequently!

Why other than a repair would these vehicles be off-road? Why would they be seen receiving attention in the depot regularly? An 'extensive wash' as I jokingly suggested above..?

Don't get me wrong, the B9s are great to ride on when they are out in service... But how much longer will that be for? No bus is designed to cover such an extensive mileage, surely... Wrightbus state that 'this high capacity vehicle is well equipped to meet the urban passenger transport challenges of any operation', but it seems unlikely in my eyes that when stating that, they did not mean such a high profile route like Go North East's prestigious X9/X10?

Coaches that were once used on the service seem more appropriate to me - but perhaps the thing that's off-putting is their lower seating capacity in comparison to the B9? The coaches in Go North East's current fleet aren't specially adapted to serve long distance either, to my knowledge, but coaches can be adapted in such a way to cover the needs of an extensive operation - why else would coach companies have coaches rather than double deck buses? :p
I don't know why the coaches were removed from the "Tyne Tees Xpress" operation - it's before my time as an avid enthusiast. Perhaps it was due to reliability issues, I really do not know... But are you saying if Go North East could afford coaches that were specially adapted to meet the requirements of the services (i.e. wheelchair access, the ability to cover an extensive mileage on a day-to-day basis for years to come, etc...), they'd choose a B9 instead?

There's hundreds of reasons why vehicles may be off the road other than requiring repair! Exams have to be done (by law) every 28 days which means everything has to be checked similar to an MOT test, this would take a full day if not more (for prep) so this is why 3963 was painted up as a branded spare.
I'm not denying there are issues with B9s (had one that cut out on the A19 a few weeks ago with steam coming out of the back...) but they're infinitely more reliable than the old B7s were... I'm sure they'll continue to be more reliable when they reach the same age too, albeit obviously not as reliable as they are when brand new.

The coaches were removed from the X9 because of extensive complaints from passengers over the steps, plus of course they weren't wheelchair accessible.
I was one who wanted to see something better than a standard bus on the X9/X10 but there aren't many coaches that meet the same capacity. If you were to use a standard size coach you would have to operate double the mileage by increasing the frequencies to match capacity, which of course involves double the investment not to mention other increased costs (drivers etc).

(06 Apr 2013, 5:05 pm)tyresmoke wrote There's hundreds of reasons why vehicles may be off the road other than requiring repair! Exams have to be done (by law) every 28 days which means everything has to be checked similar to an MOT test, this would take a full day if not more (for prep) so this is why 3963 was painted up as a branded spare.
I'm not denying there are issues with B9s (had one that cut out on the A19 a few weeks ago with steam coming out of the back...) but they're infinitely more reliable than the old B7s were... I'm sure they'll continue to be more reliable when they reach the same age too, albeit obviously not as reliable as they are when brand new.

The coaches were removed from the X9 because of extensive complaints from passengers over the steps, plus of course they weren't wheelchair accessible.
I was one who wanted to see something better than a standard bus on the X9/X10 but there aren't many coaches that meet the same capacity. If you were to use a standard size coach you would have to operate double the mileage by increasing the frequencies to match capacity, which of course involves double the investment not to mention other increased costs (drivers etc).

Undeniable, yes - but this happens so much more than every 28 days. Obviously one day per vehicle, but it happens more than that too!

The B7s were bad, yeah. Still are. I agree with you completely when you say that the B9 will always be much more reliable than the B7 - no matter how old they get, but it goes without saying that they do face regular issues, and this shouldn't happen.

It's not so much the seating capacity Go North East have to worry about though. As one of many examples, on the first day (and the forthcoming days afterwards) of the X7 service, passenger numbers were higher on the X7 than on the X9/X10 on every example I was on. It definitely is wheelchair access, as I said. Reliability is also something which should be an utmost concern of GNE's. Cost-effectiveness too.

The X10 had about 5 passengers on between Stockton and Middlesbrough, having had 2 people depart on one occasion on a Saturday afternoon... A coach definitely wouldn't struggle with that.

Further investment into the "Tyne Tees Xpress" brand is incredibly unlikely, I know that - despite GNE's ability to use them on another service if investment was made... But I think that a coach (which was wheelchair accessible) would be more suitable.

The sole reason why GNE don't use Coaches is because they have to cater to those with Pushchairs and Wheelchairs hence why GNE Bought B9's. I personally think there is nothing wrong with them and cope very well with the service compared to the old B7's.

I haven't heard of any problems with these buses at all since arrival in 2012, only time i've heard of any complaints is regarding lateness due to a crash or a minor brakedown on the A19. If you look at it since they started on the service there has barely been any brakedowns.

Plus you can't expect for a this sort of bus to be powering up/down the A19 on a Daily Basis, plus there not out all day as they are sometimes taken out of service to go back to depot to be refuelled unless there are some jerrycans kept in the bus station or an engineer brings them out from the depot etc. Happened today with the 50, CLS Station Manager went into the Travel Shop and got the Jerricans and then refuelled the bus as it was on empty. After about 2mins the bus was off continuing onto Durham.

I think it's great idea by GNE using that strategy to keep buses on the road all day for those types of services which have a high number in Miles to do on each journey.

Also if GNE were to use Coaches the only one to really meet the requirements is that coach Megabus use which is the Plaxton Elite i
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...3159521784

Not clue on how much they cost each, but I would think it be between £250,000 and £600,000, I can't see it being anymore than that tbh and I can't see GNE ever going back to using coaches on the X9/X10, unless it was for National Express Work.

(06 Apr 2013, 5:18 pm)Daniel wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 5:05 pm)tyresmoke wrote There's hundreds of reasons why vehicles may be off the road other than requiring repair! Exams have to be done (by law) every 28 days which means everything has to be checked similar to an MOT test, this would take a full day if not more (for prep) so this is why 3963 was painted up as a branded spare.
I'm not denying there are issues with B9s (had one that cut out on the A19 a few weeks ago with steam coming out of the back...) but they're infinitely more reliable than the old B7s were... I'm sure they'll continue to be more reliable when they reach the same age too, albeit obviously not as reliable as they are when brand new.

The coaches were removed from the X9 because of extensive complaints from passengers over the steps, plus of course they weren't wheelchair accessible.
I was one who wanted to see something better than a standard bus on the X9/X10 but there aren't many coaches that meet the same capacity. If you were to use a standard size coach you would have to operate double the mileage by increasing the frequencies to match capacity, which of course involves double the investment not to mention other increased costs (drivers etc).

Undeniable, yes - but this happens so much more than every 28 days. Obviously one day per vehicle, but it happens more than that too!

The B7s were bad, yeah. Still are. I agree with you completely when you say that the B9 will always be much more reliable than the B7 - no matter how old they get, but it goes without saying that they do face regular issues, and this shouldn't happen.

It's not so much the seating capacity Go North East have to worry about though. As one of many examples, on the first day (and the forthcoming days afterwards) of the X7 service, passenger numbers were higher on the X7 than on the X9/X10 on every example I was on. It definitely is wheelchair access, as I said. Reliability is also something which should be an utmost concern of GNE's. Cost-effectiveness too.

The X10 had about 5 passengers on between Stockton and Middlesbrough, having had 2 people depart on one occasion on a Saturday afternoon... A coach definitely wouldn't struggle with that.

I was told by the late Peter Huntley on OpenLine that the coaches were removed from X9 because it was "unacceptable to regularly have standing passengers on the A19". Apparently at this time, there had been a plan for a cascade of low floor deckers to Deptford, but these had to be utilised on X9 instead.

I think as with a lot of services, there'll be drops in passenger numbers at certain times of the day on certain trips etc.

I've yet to travel on the X7, so I can't comment on vehicle reliability personally but I have seen one or two posts on Facebook about buses not showing up because they've broken down. I've always had an appreciation of Volvo, but these buses have seen some fair mileage during their time with GNE, most recently being branded for the Diamond and Crusader routes. I don't think it would be worthwhile allocating different buses to X7 at this early stage. I'm sure GNE would want to see good patronage growth before any significant investment. As often as the breakdowns allegedly occur, I don't think it would cause potential passengers to want to make permanent alternative arrangements with another operator "just in case the bus doesn't turn up". I don't think people could be that pessimistic - so I don't think it will have a negative impact on prospective growth. Having mercs on the brand new X3 didn't seem to have the effect that was hoped, so by starting "low" and attracting growth by the number of unique new links that X7 provides - a plan can hopefully be put in place to introduce better buses at some point in the future.

There are several alternatives to the Elitei for wheelchair accessibility - much cheaper than Elitei's too, with a staggering estimated cost of £780,000 per vehicle.

RE: Coaches and A19 standees...
I thought coaches weren't allowed to have any standees at all? I mean, I have very little knowledge of coaches, but I've always been positive standees are prohibited on any coach, nevermind on the A19.

(06 Apr 2013, 6:06 pm)Daniel wrote There are several alternatives to the Elitei for wheelchair accessibility - much cheaper than Elitei's too, with a staggering estimated cost of £780,000 per vehicle.

RE: Coaches and A19 standees...
I thought coaches weren't allowed to have any standees at all? I mean, I have very little knowledge of coaches, but I've always been positive standees are prohibited on any coach, nevermind on the A19.

I've been on coaches on the continent, and people just sit in the aisle

Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to travel on the X9 when it was first introduced with the coaches, but I get the impression it was more to do with people actually being turned away so not to result in having standing passengers on a regular basis. I'm pretty sure I'll have a screen print of that openline session somewhere but I can't find it as usual That aside, capacity on X9 was deemed great enough to require double deckers.

(06 Apr 2013, 2:15 pm)dave2906 wrote X11 (MONDAY - SATURDAY EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION - LEEDS CITY BUS STATION

Just put that route in to Google Maps - 131mi / 3 hours 17 mins. So it would still require at least 5 buses to run I reckon?

I don't think it'd serve much purpose having a route like that, as south of Middlesbrough bus station, it's going to be the only GNE service you will see, so I doubt they'd sell anything other than single/return fares. I think what they would need to charge for a single or return fare any way, you might as well jump on the train - 1 hour to York, or 1.5 to Leeds.

There's the logistical side of things too. At the rate GNE's buses seem to break down these days, it'd not be cheap to recover potentially 131 miles down the road. How would they get a replacement out too?

(06 Apr 2013, 5:18 pm)Daniel wrote Further investment into the "Tyne Tees Xpress" brand is incredibly unlikely, I know that - despite GNE's ability to use them on another service if investment was made... But I think that a coach (which was wheelchair accessible) would be more suitable.

I agree. It'd be a bigger money spinner for them to use coaches too. They could just run it as a coach service rather than a 'local' bus service, and wouldn't have to accept concessionary passes - similar to the X23/X90 'Commuter' services that they used to run. Without trying to sound like I'm alienating CT pass holders (because I certainly don't mean to!), I think it would eliminate the capacity issues too..

(06 Apr 2013, 2:15 pm)dave2906 wrote I've come up with ideas for the X9 and the X10.

X9 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 60 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE BUS STATION - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - NORTON RED LION - STOCKTON BUS STATION -MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION

X10 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION

X10 (EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE BUS STATION - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - NORTON RED LION - STOCKTON BUS STATION -MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION

X11 (MONDAY - SATURDAY EVERY 2 HOURS) SERVING: NEWCASTLE - GATESHEAD - HEWORTH - TESTO'S ROUNDABOUT - PETERLEE SLIP ROAD - MIDDLESBROUGH BUS STATION - NORTHALLERTON POST OFFICE -THIRSK KIRKGATE - EASINGWOLD THREE HORSE SHOE - SKELTON BLACKSMITHS ARMS - CLIFTON PARK - YORK RAILWAY STATION - LEEDS CITY BUS STATION

Great Idea, but it would never happen.

I mean who would want to sit on a Bus from Newcastle to York/Leeds plus there's the timing of the journey which would be around 3 Hours, 6 Hours there and back.

Legally 1 driver wouldn't be able to do that as they have to have a break, so it would only work if there was 2 Drivers on the Bus, its the same with Arriva going from Newcastle to Berwick/Alnwick. I believe National Express already operates services from Newcastle to York/Leeds anyways plus you have Megabus also. Then you have the ultra fast option of the Train which commuters would rather use and pay more money at the same time.

(06 Apr 2013, 6:04 pm)Brandon wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 5:18 pm)Daniel wrote

(06 Apr 2013, 5:05 pm)tyresmoke wrote There's hundreds of reasons why vehicles may be off the road other than requiring repair! Exams have to be done (by law) every 28 days which means everything has to be checked similar to an MOT test, this would take a full day if not more (for prep) so this is why 3963 was painted up as a branded spare.
I'm not denying there are issues with B9s (had one that cut out on the A19 a few weeks ago with steam coming out of the back...) but they're infinitely more reliable than the old B7s were... I'm sure they'll continue to be more reliable when they reach the same age too, albeit obviously not as reliable as they are when brand new.

The coaches were removed from the X9 because of extensive complaints from passengers over the steps, plus of course they weren't wheelchair accessible.
I was one who wanted to see something better than a standard bus on the X9/X10 but there aren't many coaches that meet the same capacity. If you were to use a standard size coach you would have to operate double the mileage by increasing the frequencies to match capacity, which of course involves double the investment not to mention other increased costs (drivers etc).

Undeniable, yes - but this happens so much more than every 28 days. Obviously one day per vehicle, but it happens more than that too!

The B7s were bad, yeah. Still are. I agree with you completely when you say that the B9 will always be much more reliable than the B7 - no matter how old they get, but it goes without saying that they do face regular issues, and this shouldn't happen.

It's not so much the seating capacity Go North East have to worry about though. As one of many examples, on the first day (and the forthcoming days afterwards) of the X7 service, passenger numbers were higher on the X7 than on the X9/X10 on every example I was on. It definitely is wheelchair access, as I said. Reliability is also something which should be an utmost concern of GNE's. Cost-effectiveness too.

The X10 had about 5 passengers on between Stockton and Middlesbrough, having had 2 people depart on one occasion on a Saturday afternoon... A coach definitely wouldn't struggle with that.

I was told by the late Peter Huntley on OpenLine that the coaches were removed from X9 because it was "unacceptable to regularly have standing passengers on the A19". Apparently at this time, there had been a plan for a cascade of low floor deckers to Deptford, but these had to be utilised on X9 instead.

I think as with a lot of services, there'll be drops in passenger numbers at certain times of the day on certain trips etc.

I've yet to travel on the X7, so I can't comment on vehicle reliability personally but I have seen one or two posts on Facebook about buses not showing up because they've broken down. I've always had an appreciation of Volvo, but these buses have seen some fair mileage during their time with GNE, most recently being branded for the Diamond and Crusader routes. I don't think it would be worthwhile allocating different buses to X7 at this early stage. I'm sure GNE would want to see good patronage growth before any significant investment. As often as the breakdowns allegedly occur, I don't think it would cause potential passengers to want to make permanent alternative arrangements with another operator "just in case the bus doesn't turn up". I don't think people could be that pessimistic - so I don't think it will have a negative impact on prospective growth. Having mercs on the brand new X3 didn't seem to have the effect that was hoped, so by starting "low" and attracting growth by the number of unique new links that X7 provides - a plan can hopefully be put in place to introduce better buses at some point in the future.

Trent Barton operated B10M/Premieres on Red Arrow (initially) then Transpeak which were certified to carry standing passengers. You are right in saying that coaches generally are unable to carry standing passengers though, which indeed was one of the reasons they had to be taken off the X9, I don't think GNE expected it to take off as quick as it did but I think it gained a fair few passengers off the X10 (memories of people stood from front to back, and sat on the stairs...) which aren't quite as busy as they were before the X9 (from someone who uses it regularly on days out).

As for the X7, my visit to Peterlee yesterday proved there is no brand loyalty to the X7 yet as I took all the cash fares and passes for Wingate and Station Town because the X7 was 5 mins late and got there after me on the 21A

I've been looking into the route of the 40A in the Featherstone Grove area. I recall there being a bus turning circle half way down this road at one point, as seen on Google Earth. But on Bing Maps which is more up-to-date, there is no turning circle. Going from the Arriva timetable, I can't figure out where their buses currently turn around. All the other roads in the area look very narrow to me; anyone know if the X40 branded Scanias are due to run the 40A's as well as the X40, or is a smaller vehicle planned for use on 40A?

(06 Apr 2013, 9:26 pm)Brandon wrote I've been looking into the route of the 40A in the Featherstone Grove area. I recall there being a bus turning circle half way down this road at one point, as seen on Google Earth. But on Bing Maps which is more up-to-date, there is no turning circle. Going from the Arriva timetable, I can't figure out where their buses currently turn around. All the other roads in the area look very narrow to me; anyone know if the X40 branded Scanias are due to run the 40A's as well as the X40, or is a smaller vehicle planned for use on 40A?

Looking at the timetable, it'd suggest a vehicle swap is taking place. It's not as evident on the Mon-Fri timetable, but looking at Saturday, the 19.01 X40 from Great Park Village is due to get in to John Dobson Street at 19.31, then Blackett Street at 19.34. Yet a timetabled 40A is due to start at John Dobson Street at 19.32, then Blackett Stret at 19.35.