(20 Jun 2014, 7:37 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Are GNE removing the Key Readers and instead just having Key Cards and passes scanned on the top?

No.

No but I've noticed that 6101 and 6106 no longer have the readers installed.

(20 Jun 2014, 7:39 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote No but I've noticed that 6101 and 6106 no longer have the readers installed.

I'd imagine they're broken and are undergoing repair/replacement with whichever company GNE bought them off.

A number of Percy Main's vehicles are all the same.

(20 Jun 2014, 7:37 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Are GNE removing the Key Readers and instead just having Key Cards and passes scanned on the top?

External readers are slowly being removed but it'll take time, the engineers need to adjust the hole in the assault screen to give easy access for passengers.

6087 seems to have a problem with rear and side destination screens. Front is working OK.

(20 Jun 2014, 8:28 pm)jeffman wrote External readers are slowly being removed but it'll take time, the engineers need to adjust the hole in the assault screen to give easy access for passengers.

Can't understand why external readers are being removed. They're much easier to use and speed up boarding on GNE buses compared with Arriva's. And issuing tickets for concession passes is just illogical - the only good thing about the weird and pretty useless ticket machines Weardale & Scarlet Band use (designed by some idiot who knew absolutely nowt about bus operation) is that they don't issue tickets for passes.

Did a bit working out and if the Gemini 3 sticks to the same run board M-F next week it should be doing this.

31
Parkhead Estate - 0642
Winlaton Bus Station - 0648

32
Winlaton Bus Station - 0652
Blaydon Bus Station - 0700
Newcastle Bus. Park - 0707
Newcastle Eldon Square - 0719

31
Newcastle Eldon Square - 0730
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 0748
Swalwell - 0754
Winlaton Bus Station - 0808

32
Winlaton Bus Station - 0811
Blaydon Bus Station - 0820
Newcastle Bus. Park - 0837
Newcastle Eldon Square - 0841

47
Newcastle Eldon Square - 0845
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 0905
Winlaton Mill - 0914
Rowlands Gill - 0920
High Spen - 0929
Chopwell - 0906
Blackhall Mill - 0911

47
Blackhall Mill - 0914
Chopwell - 0919
High Spen - 0927
Rowlands Gill - 0936
Winlaton Mill - 0942
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 0953
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1011

32
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1015
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1027
Blaydon Bus Station - 1034
Winlaton Bus Station - 1041

31
Winlaton Bus Station - 1046
Swalwell - 1101
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1108
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1124

11
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1128
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1140
Blaydon Bus Station - 1147
Ryton - 1154
Crawcrook - 1158
Greenside - 1208
High Spen - 1213
Chopwell - 1219
Blackhall Mill - 1224

11
Blackhall Mill - 1227
Chopwell - 1232
High Spen - 1239
Greenside - 1244
Crawcrook - 1254
Ryton - 1259
Blaydon Bus Station - 1307
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1314
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1326

31
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1330
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1348
Swalwell - 1354
Winlaton Bus Station - 1408

32
Winlaton Bus Station - 1413
Blaydon Bus Station - 1422
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1429
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1441

47
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1445
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1505
Winlaton Mill - 1514
Rowlands Gill - 1520
High Spen - 1529
Chopwell - 1536
Blackhall Mill - 1541

47
Blackhall Mill - 1544
Chopwell - 1549
High Spen - 1557
Rowlands Gill - 1606
Winlaton Mill - 1612
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1623
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1641

32
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1645
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1657
Blaydon Bus Station - 1706
Winlaton Bus Station - 1713

31
Winlaton Bus Station - 1716
Swalwell - 1731
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1738
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1754

11
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1805
Newcastle Bus. Park - 1817
Blaydon Bus Station - 1824
Ryton - 1831
Crawcrook - 1835
Greenside - 1845
High Spen - 1850
Chopwell - 1856
Blackhall Mill - 1901

47
Blackhall Mill - 1903
Chopwell - 1908
High Spen - 1914 via Bus Stand rtn 1918
Rowlands Gill - 1927
Winlaton Mill - 1932
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 1940
Newcastle Eldon Square - 1955

32
Newcastle Eldon Square - 2000
Newcastle Bus. Park - 2011
Blaydon Bus Station - 2018
Winlaton Bus Station - 2025

31
Winlaton Bus Station - 2028
Swalwell - 2041
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 2047
Newcastle Eldon Square - 2100

47
Newcastle Eldon Square - 2105
Metrocentre Bus Sta - 2124
Winlaton Mill - 2133
Rowlands Gill - 2138
High Spen - 2146 via Bus Stand rtn 2149
Chopwell - 2156
Blackhall Mill - 2200

Return light to Depot

Gazz, that board does the 09.00 31 ex Newcastle, not the 08.45 47.

(20 Jun 2014, 8:28 pm)jeffman wrote External readers are slowly being removed but it'll take time, the engineers need to adjust the hole in the assault screen to give easy access for passengers.

I can't see that being the case. if I was a driver, I wouldn't want everyone's dirty mitts all over a ticket machine I have to use.

(21 Jun 2014, 6:38 am)aureolin wrote I can't see that being the case. if I was a driver, I wouldn't want everyone's dirty mitts all over a ticket machine I have to use.

I think it is still up for discussion between management at the moment, but I'm definitely on the "I don't think it will happen" side - primarily because Customer Services were advising passengers on the B5TL photo on Facebook that external readers aren't being phased out.

It will be down to the fact there's quite a few of the external readers which don't work, and if there is only one place to scan passes, I don't think as many issues will arise.

If they all are removed, GNE have paid for 700 of these external readers only for them to be removed later - especially after a whole campaign was launched around the external readers too. Seems unlikely to me.

(21 Jun 2014, 6:20 am)westy3738 wrote Gazz, that board does the 09.00 31 ex Newcastle, not the 08.45 47.

Westy which parts did I get right and what does it do in the am peak.

(21 Jun 2014, 8:01 am)GMitchelhill wrote Westy which parts did I get right and what does it do in the am peak.

I'm lazy so won't do it in the format you did it, but in short...

First run of the day is from Blackhall Mill, and that's the 0704 departure arriving into Newcastle at 0806.

Departures from Newcastle are then as follows:

0815 (Service 47), return on a 47.
1015 (Service 32), return on a 31.
1128 (Service 11), return on an 11.
1330 (Service 31), return on a 32.
1445 (Service 47), return on a 47.
1700 (Service 31), return on a 32.
1820 (Service 47), return on a 47.
2030 (Service 31), return on a 32.
2145 (Service 47), return to Winlaton Mill on a 47 and then light to depot.

Westy is probably the guy to ask if it stays out all night though, as I've only seen it up to the 1700 departure.

(21 Jun 2014, 8:27 am)Dan wrote I'm lazy so won't do it in the format you did it, but in short...

First run of the day is from Blackhall Mill, and that's the 0704 departure arriving into Newcastle at 0806.

Departures from Newcastle are then as follows:

0815 (Service 47), return on a 47.
1015 (Service 32), return on a 31.
1128 (Service 11), return on an 11.
1330 (Service 31), return on a 32.
1445 (Service 47), return on a 47.
1700 (Service 31), return on a 32.
1820 (Service 47), return on a 47.
2030 (Service 31), return on a 32.
2145 (Service 47), return to Winlaton Mill on a 47 and then light to depot.

Westy is probably the guy to ask if it stays out all night though, as I've only seen it up to the 1700 departure.

Is this the same for today too?

(21 Jun 2014, 8:29 am)Tom wrote Is this the same for today too?

I'd imagine so, but double check the timetable with those departures from Newcastle first.
No blaming me if Riverside decide to allocate it to a different board though! They've managed to do it for two days fine, so hopefully today will be fine too.

Will let you know in a few minutes!

It's on 1045 service 32 from Newcastle

In all honestly with you all, GNE should allocate it to the long TEN or as many as possible and do a performance rating against the B9TL. The real challenge will be a fully laden B5 between Prudhoe and Hexham. In fact, the only B9TL route that I would deem the B5 to be capable of handling would be the 310 so practically, none taking into account that it interworks with the 309. What they could do however is this:

- 6101 to Riverside for the TTX making it upto 7 B9TL'S.

- 6102 to 6111 at Percy Main plus 6116 (spare) for the 309 with a PVR of 10 and running every 15 minutes including between Whitley Bay and Blyth. Services 309 and 310 would no longer interwork.

- 7 plus one spare (6118 - 6125) Volvo B5TL's delivered to Percy Main for service 310 .

- 2 plus two spare (6126 - 6129) Volvo B5LH's delivered
to CLS to make up the PVR and spares for service 21.

- Therefore, 5 Volvo B9TL's (6112- 6115 & 6117), and 3 Volvo B7TL's (3962 - 3963 & 3965 have been released).

- 3962 would swap with 6116 with it only acting as a spare and 6099 and 6100 would swap with 3963 and 3965.

The above would mean the following:

- 8 Volvo B9TL's (6099, 6100, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116 and 6117) would be for the Pronto X21.

- 10 Volvo B9TL's (6102 - 6111) plus one Volvo B7TL (3962) would be for Cobalt Clipper 309.

- 7 Volvo B5TL's plus one spare (6118 - 6125) would be for Cobalt Clipper 310.

- 2 Volvo B5LH's plus two spare (6126 - 6129) would join Angel service 21.

- 1 Volvo B9TL (6101) would join the TTX and the bugfy bay would be removed with extra seats.

- 2 Volvo B7TL's (3963 and 3965) would now act as spares for the Fab 56.

(21 Jun 2014, 9:52 am)DaveyBowyer wrote In all honestly with you all, GNE should allocate it to the long TEN or as many as possible and do a performance rating against the B9TL.

Why, as if they buy any, it will not be doing any of those routes, it has to be tested on the routes they are going to work on?

Can't remember what I have and have not noted now, so...

Fast Cats:

4974 has now been repainted a plain black base livery at Saltmeadows, and has now returned to service.

4954 is the next example to arrive at Saltmeadows for repaint.


Lime:

4897 likewise has now returned to Stanley following repaint into corporate livery at Saltmeadows.

4898 is the next example to arrive at Saltmeadows for repaint.

(21 Jun 2014, 10:17 am)citaro5284 wrote Why, as if they buy any, it will not be doing any of those routes, it has to be tested on the routes they are going to work on?

But what happens when the B5TL replaces the B9TL, Shirley?

What will the TEN do then, poor thing?

Will Volvo fit the 8 litre engine?

http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/en-gb/n...mId=133552&News.Language=en-gb

(21 Jun 2014, 10:56 am)G-CPTN wrote But what happens when the B5TL replaces the B9TL, Shirley?

What will the TEN do then, poor thing?

Will Volvo fit the 8 litre engine?

http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/en-gb/n...mId=133552&News.Language=en-gb

But that is a while away yet, let GNE get the vehicles for this year's deliveries sorted as this will be their priority.

9131 is on 1158 11 to Blackhall Mill 12 min late

(21 Jun 2014, 10:56 am)G-CPTN wrote But what happens when the B5TL replaces the B9TL, Shirley?

What will the TEN do then, poor thing?

Will Volvo fit the 8 litre engine?

http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/en-gb/n...mId=133552&News.Language=en-gb

The Guardian readers will be praising Volvo's green thinking at the moment but they'd soon be annoyed if they were stuck in the Tyne Valley waiting for a replacement bus first thing on a cold December morning shouting out for Quality Contracts to come into force!!

(21 Jun 2014, 11:12 am)Greg in Weardale wrote 9131 is on 1158 11 to Blackhall Mill 12 min late

I definitely don't think GNE will buy the B5TL. Lets hope with the exception of 6043 to 6048 that the B9TL's will last as long as the 1998 Palatine 2's did.

(20 Jun 2014, 4:22 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Was it you I was speaking to whilst taking photos at the Bottom of Eldon Square This Afternoon before 9131 it got took of Out of Service?, if so it was nice to meet you.

Going be brutally honest here, I had a F**cking Mare of a Day with 9131, It at 10:20am as literally just missed it on the 47 as I came into Eldon Square on the X1, I then got the 10 which pulled out 2 Minutes Later to Blaydon in hope that i'd beat there, Stood in Blaydon for 35 Minutes before deciding to get on the 32 back over to Newcastle.

Where the same occurrence happened again as I was coming into Eldon Square, I then hung around Eldon Square/Haymarket for 2 Hours waiting for it to come back from Blackhall Mill on the 11, Managed a few Photos at the Top and Bottom of Eldon Square before it was taken out of service, which I was guttered about as I really wanted to have a Ride on it, about an Hour Later it reappeared when I was over The MetroCentre heading to Blackhall Mill on the 47, where Myself, Steven Hodgson and 4 other Older Enthusiasts stood and took Photos as 9131 was coming out, I had previously seen them in Newcastle in there usual spot, so I assume they came over on 9131.

This isn't first time I have had problems with this Vehicle, as when I went to Edinburgh back in April, it had Broke Down on the Morning on Service 27, I then seen it at around 3pm heading up The Mound towards Hunters Tryst so as I really wanted a few Photos, I opted to stay at The Mound and wait just over an Hour for it to come back, Overall despite having not been on 9131 I think I have already developed a Hatred for it as it has caused me nothing but Problems.

No it wasn't me. I got off 9131 and went straight to Stand H for the X25 home.

(21 Jun 2014, 11:13 am)DaveyBowyer wrote The Guardian readers will be praising Volvo's green thinking at the moment but they'd soon be annoyed if they were stuck in the Tyne Valley waiting for a replacement bus first thing on a cold December morning shouting out for Quality Contracts to come into force!!

I often read The Guardian and I am already shouting out in favour of QCS, but don't think the b5 engine is suitable.

Where does that leave me?

#DaveyBowyerRants
#love'em
#hashtagsonNEB

(21 Jun 2014, 1:10 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I often read The Guardian and I am already shouting out in favour of QCS, but don't think the b5 engine is suitable.

Where does that leave me?

#DaveyBowyerRants
#love'em
#hashtagsonNEB

OK, firstly I didn't mean all Guardian readers. Whatever my political views are, I often read the Guardian when a certain paper keeps going on about the Kardashiansand despite what the Guardian thinks, I simply read it due to how informative it is. I even listen to Radio 2 and particularly Jeremy Vine whatever his views are due to how interesting it is. What I meant was the small minority of them. The small minority who constantly moan about all these Environmental issues and when people still do things about them, they're still not happy! And also, I'm 50/50 on Quality Contracts and also the better buses idea put together by the big three.


EDIT by Dan: Fixed your post as you replied within the body of the quote.

(21 Jun 2014, 2:42 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote OK, firstly I didn't mean all Guardian readers. Whatever my political views are, I often read the Guardian when a certain paper keeps going on about the Kardashiansand despite what the Guardian thinks, I simply read it due to how informative it is. I even listen to Radio 2 and particularly Jeremy Vine whatever his views are due to how interesting it is. What I meant was the small minority of them. The small minority who constantly moan about all these Environmental issues and when people still do things about them, they're still not happy! And also, I'm 50/50 on Quality Contracts and also the better buses idea put together by the big three.


EDIT by Dan: Fixed your post as you replied within the body of the quote.

I honestly think the issue is that no where else is like the LA7 area. Three cities in such close proximity of each other, with a hell of a lot of interurban services. The B5TL is ideal to drive slowly around the streets of central London or Greater Manchester, but it's never going to cut the mustard up here.

I think Davey is right in wanting something better, but dismissing environmental concerns is the wrong way to go about it. I think it's going to be trial and error for the foreseeable. I'm keen to see the new Enviro400 in action and I feel it could be a contender given what has gone into it.

Oh, and I also read the Guardian.

(21 Jun 2014, 3:06 pm)aureolin wrote I honestly think the issue is that no where else is like the LA7 area. Three cities in such close proximity of each other, with a hell of a lot of interurban services. The B5TL is ideal to drive slowly around the streets of central London or Greater Manchester, but it's never going to cut the mustard up here.

I think Davey is right in wanting something better, but dismissing environmental concerns is the wrong way to go about it. I think it's going to be trial and error for the foreseeable. I'm keen to see the new Enviro400 in action and I feel it could be a contender given what has gone into it.

Oh, and I also read the Guardian.

I like the new E400 and for urban and suburban work, it's a canny bus but what them routes in the North East alone that I mentioned a few weeks back?

(21 Jun 2014, 3:06 pm)aureolin wrote The B5TL is ideal to drive slowly around the streets of central London or Greater Manchester, but it's never going to cut the mustard up here.

What do they use in Sheffield?

(are there no hills in London?)

What about Muswell Hill?