Couple of diversions

http://www.simplygo.com/news/wallsend-fe...4-5th-july

http://www.simplygo.com/news/seaham-carn...4-6th-july

On VOSA today

PB0002400/477 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between CHESTER-LE-STREET, FRONT STREET and HOUGHTON LE-SPRING THE BROADWAY given service number 71/884/885/886/888 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/389 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between East Stanley and Lanchester St. Bedes RC School given service number 825/828 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/429 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Chopwell Bus Stand and Lanchester, St Bede's RC School given service number 819/820/827/829 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/431 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Shotley Bridge, Elm Park and Lanchester, St, Bede's RC School given service number 821/826 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/432 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Byermoor/Tanfield Lea and Lanchester, St. Bede's RC School given service number 823/830 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/433 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Castleside Church and Lanchester, St. Bede's RC School given service number 824 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/599 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: MEDOMSLEY FINES ROAD
Finish Point: LANCASTER ST BEDE'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 829
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday ( School days only )

PB0003954/600 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TANTOBIE, WOODSIDE GROVE
Finish Point: LANCHESTER, ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 823
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

PB0003954/601 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: FLINT HILL, ROBSON TERRACE
Finish Point: LANCHESTER , ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 825
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

PB0003954/602 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: ROWLANDS GILL, DIPWOOD ROAD
Finish Point: LANCHESTER ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 819
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

(02 Jul 2014, 3:29 pm)Michael wrote On VOSA today

PB0002400/477 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between CHESTER-LE-STREET, FRONT STREET and HOUGHTON LE-SPRING THE BROADWAY given service number 71/884/885/886/888 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/389 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between East Stanley and Lanchester St. Bedes RC School given service number 825/828 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/429 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Chopwell Bus Stand and Lanchester, St Bede's RC School given service number 819/820/827/829 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/431 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Shotley Bridge, Elm Park and Lanchester, St, Bede's RC School given service number 821/826 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/432 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Byermoor/Tanfield Lea and Lanchester, St. Bede's RC School given service number 823/830 effective from 31-Aug-2014.

PB0003954/433 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Castleside Church and Lanchester, St. Bede's RC School given service number 824 effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/599 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: MEDOMSLEY FINES ROAD
Finish Point: LANCASTER ST BEDE'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 829
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: Monday to Friday ( School days only )

PB0003954/600 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: TANTOBIE, WOODSIDE GROVE
Finish Point: LANCHESTER, ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 823
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

PB0003954/601 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: FLINT HILL, ROBSON TERRACE
Finish Point: LANCHESTER , ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 825
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

PB0003954/602 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: ROWLANDS GILL, DIPWOOD ROAD
Finish Point: LANCHESTER ST BEDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL & COLLEGE
Via:
Service Number: 819
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-AUG-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY (SCHOOL DAYS ONLY)

Uh oh... Riots on Front Street?

(02 Jul 2014, 4:02 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Uh oh... Riots on Front Street?

I have a feeling it'll be related to the scholars given the nature of the other VOSA registrations - the 71 will just be registered alongside those scholar services, similar to the 20 and RM1/RM2 in Sunderland which we see each Christmas.

Though if GNE had any sense, they would change the 71... I travelled on service 71 the other day, at about 15:00, and across the entire route in one direction there was only the equivalent to 3 1/3 passengers - on the approximation that a Concessionary Bus Pass holder equates to 1/3 of a passenger and a Get Around Day Ticket holder equates to 1/2 of a passenger. The driver took no cash on that journey. I'd be amazed if GNE actually made a profit from the service in general, as it's always carried similar loadings each time I've used it.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:02 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Uh oh... Riots on Front Street?

Uh oh :p

Wonder what the changes are now, how busy is the 71, i never see it now as it doesnt travel in to Sunderland

(02 Jul 2014, 4:10 pm)Michael wrote Uh oh :p

Wonder what the changes are now, how busy is the 71, i never see it now as it doesnt travel in to Sunderland

I use the 71 regularly - it gets pretty decent loadings.

It seems like people get on in Houghton and get off in Fencehouses, then it runs empty to Lumley then a bunch of people get on and get off in Chester.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:20 pm)Marcus wrote I use the 71 regularly - it gets pretty decent loadings.

It seems like people get on in Houghton and get off in Fencehouses, then it runs empty to Lumley then a bunch of people get on and get off in Chester.

How many actually give the driver some money when they get on though?

Referring back to my post above again: there were two Get Around day tickets that boarded at Chester and then 7 pensioners who boarded at various parts of the route.
You may think 9 passengers is good, but when none of them actually hand any cash over...

(02 Jul 2014, 4:22 pm)Dan wrote How many actually give the driver some money when they get on though?

Referring back to my post above again: there were two Get Around day tickets that boarded at Chester and then 7 pensioners who boarded at various parts of the route.
You may think 9 passengers is good, but when none of them actually hand any cash over...

I always pay my 90 pence Get Around fare

From what I've been told by a lot of Chester's drivers, and from personal experience - it's at it's busiest in the morning from when it starts up until about the 10:40 arrival in Chester. Throughout the rest of the afternoon it seems like the former 65.

A lot of passengers on mornings appear to people going to college or school, a lot of whom seem to buy day tickets or day savers.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:26 pm)Marcus wrote I always pay my 90 pence Get Around fare

From what I've been told by a lot of Chester's drivers, and from personal experience - it's at it's busiest in the morning from when it starts up until about the 10:40 arrival in Chester. Throughout the rest of the afternoon it seems like the former 65.

A lot of passengers on mornings appear to people going to college or school, a lot of whom seem to buy day tickets or day savers.

Yes, so I'd assume that those morning runs do indeed make a profit - how substantial that is, I'm not sure.

I think local councillors must have had their two-penneth in regards to the frequency remaining at 30 minutes though. I'd imagine it would be alright at a 60 minute frequency (assuming passenger numbers remain the same as at present and no passengers find alternative means of travel), but they must have to self-subsidise the majority of the rest of the day to keep it going in its present form.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote Yes, so I'd assume that those morning runs do indeed make a profit - how substantial that is, I'm not sure.

I think local councillors must have had their two-penneth in regards to the frequency remaining at 30 minutes though. I'd imagine it would be alright at a 60 minute frequency, but they must have to self-subsidise the majority of the rest of the day to keep it going in its present form.

Possibly an extension to Seaham via the 238 route, and allow the 38 to have a more consistent frequency between Tunstall Bank and City Centre?

(02 Jul 2014, 4:32 pm)Tom wrote Possibly an extension to Seaham via the 238 route, and allow the 38 to have a more consistent frequency between Tunstall Bank and City Centre?

Interesting you mention the 238.

Liam will be able to remind me if I've not got my figures right, but four pensioners departed Houghton on the same 71 which I referred to above (equating to roughly 1 1/3 passengers) - yet I believe the 238 which departed soon after left with about six passengers by the same approximation.

There's definitely potential there with the 238 if you ask me, and it'd be good to see a service change which could possibly involve that and the 71.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:10 pm)Dan wrote I have a feeling it'll be related to the scholars given the nature of the other VOSA registrations - the 71 will just be registered alongside those scholar services, similar to the 20 and RM1/RM2 in Sunderland which we see each Christmas.

Though if GNE had any sense, they would change the 71... I travelled on service 71 the other day, at about 15:00, and across the entire route in one direction there was only the equivalent to 3 1/3 passengers - on the approximation that a Concessionary Bus Pass holder equates to 1/3 of a passenger and a Get Around Day Ticket holder equates to 1/2 of a passenger. The driver took no cash on that journey. I'd be amazed if GNE actually made a profit from the service in general, as it's always carried similar loadings each time I've used it.

In did the full route the other week and it was quite busy.
Standing room only at one point between the Black Horse and Riverside - a stack of pass holders going to cricket.

The rest all dispersed around Lumley, with a few more getting on around Fencehouses towards Houghton.

It is one of those routes that has ups and downs during the day - if it gets in before a 4, then loads are boosted.
The same happens in Chester, with a late running 78.

I won't go into detail about what I have said before - but fares, terminating points, frequent services and the zones don't help it at all.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:20 pm)Marcus wrote I use the 71 regularly - it gets pretty decent loadings.

It seems like people get on in Houghton and get off in Fencehouses, then it runs empty to Lumley then a bunch of people get on and get off in Chester.

Have to agree with that point - a few do get on from the railway crossing onwards heading towards Chester.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:35 pm)Dan wrote Interesting you mention the 238.

Liam will be able to remind me if I've not got my figures right, but four pensioners departed Houghton on the same 71 which I referred to above (equating to roughly 1 1/3 passengers) - yet I believe the 238 which departed soon after left with about six passengers by the same approximation.

There's definitely potential there with the 238 if you ask me, and it'd be good to see a service change which could possibly involve that and the 71.

I agree - possibly amalgamate the two routes to create a bigger profit?

Possibly 2 operated by Chester as there is now and the rest by Peterlee?

(02 Jul 2014, 4:37 pm)Marcus wrote I agree - possibly amalgamate the two routes to create a bigger profit?

Possibly 2 operated by Chester as there is now and the rest by Peterlee?

The 238 is currently Deptford-based. Either way, an MPD seems a more appropriate vehicle from what I've seen - and I think that operating it from Peterlee would mean they could do it cheaper too (from a driver's wages perspective). One of the GNE insiders may be able to confirm this or say it's complete rubbish though!

Perhaps Fozz will be able to provide a better insight in regards to what passenger numbers are like on that service and if there are any trends - as he lives closer to the route than me.
I never see too many passengers on it at the Sunderland end of the route, and the passengers that I do see could just be for the section which is shared with the 38 - so I'm not sure.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:37 pm)Marcus wrote I agree - possibly amalgamate the two routes to create a bigger profit?

Possibly 2 operated by Chester as there is now and the rest by Peterlee?

They could even interwork with the 265 to provide bigger buses, but all operated by Chester I'd imagine.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:41 pm)Dan wrote The 238 is currently Deptford-based. Either way, an MPD seems a more appropriate vehicle from what I've seen - and I think that operating it from Peterlee would mean they could do it cheaper too (from a driver's wages perspective). One of the GNE insiders may be able to confirm this or say it's complete rubbish though!

Perhaps Fozz will be able to provide a better insight in regards to what passenger numbers are like on that service and if there are any trends - as he lives closer to the route than me.
I never see too many passengers on it at the Sunderland end of the route, and the passengers that I do see could just be for the section which is shared with the 38 - so I'm not sure.

Here's me thinking it was by Peterlee - am I right when I say it used to be?

(02 Jul 2014, 4:42 pm)Tom wrote They could even interwork with the 265 to provide bigger buses, but all operated by Chester I'd imagine.

That would be even better - seeing as due to the route learning, all CLS drivers learnt the 265 along with the 887.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:45 pm)Marcus wrote Here's me thinking it was by Peterlee - am I right when I say it used to be?

No it never has been operated by Peterlee.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:45 pm)Marcus wrote Here's me thinking it was by Peterlee - am I right when I say it used to be?

Think it's always been Deptford - it's still only a fairly recently implemented service really.
Brought about after the letter variation on the 38 services wasn't particularly successful, if I remember rightly?

I think an MPD was transferred across from Peterlee to Deptford when the service first came about - this might be what you're thinking of.

Since service 71 is every 30 minutes.

Extend service 238 from Houghton to Chester still hourly, and then at peak times extend the 923 journeys from rainton bridge up the sliproad to Houghton church then down to chester via 71 route.

theres plenty of buses between fence houses and Houghton with service 4, theres plenty of buses between Lumley and chester with service 78.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:47 pm)Dan wrote Think it's always been Deptford - it's still only a fairly recently implemented service really.
Brought about after the letter variation on the 38 services wasn't particularly successful, if I remember rightly?

I think an MPD was transferred across from Peterlee to Deptford when the service first came about - this might be what you're thinking of.

Yeah - got confused. I assume all yellow MPDs in the Durham-Sunderland area are East Durham because there are so many different East Durham routes, and as I've never really had much of a chance to ride them, I sort of get confused

(02 Jul 2014, 4:50 pm)Marcus wrote Yeah - got confused. I assume all yellow MPDs in the Durham-Sunderland area are East Durham because there are so many different East Durham routes, and as I've never really had much of a chance to ride them, I sort of get confused

Of the ones based at Deptford (including the two out on loan to other depots for shuttle service work):

- 541/543 are "East Durham" branded.
- 542 is plain yellow.
- 544 retains the taglines from its days when "Venture" branded, but other than that is plain yellow.

541/543 should be allocated to service 238 and 542/544 should be allocated to service 99, but the allocation is pretty fluid really.

Here is something that could work:


Service 71:
Chester-le-Street…. 15
Fence Houses………. 33
Houghton le Spring. 45
New Seaham………… 57
Seaham………………… 08

Service 265:
Seaham……………….. 15
Dalton Park…………. 30
Hetton le Hole…….. 48
Durham………………. 11

Durham………………. 15
Hetton le Hole…….. 39
Dalton Park…………. 57
Seaham………………. 11

Service 71:
Seham………………… 17
New Seaham………. 26
Houghton-le-Spring.. 40
Fence Houses………… 49
Chester-le-Street….. 07

Doesn't the 265 interwork with the 202 at present to allow all driver changeovers to occur in Peterlee?
What will come of that - would the 202 move to Deptford to cover for the loss of PVR provided by the 238, and the 202 fill the gap by following the same route as the 238 or what..?

(02 Jul 2014, 5:00 pm)Dan wrote Doesn't the 265 interwork with the 202 at present to allow all driver changeovers to occur in Peterlee?
What will come of that?

Hang on, I'll see if I can come up with anything.

The bus does the 208 Peterlee to Durham then 204 Durham to Durham then 265 Durham to seaham then 202 seaham to Peterlee

Something like this possibly?

Service 202
Peterlee, Bus Station….. 07
Easington Village………… 17
Easington Lane Clock…. 28
Seaham Brydon Place… 55

Service 202
Seaham Brydon Place…. 00
Easington Lane Clock….. 27
Easington Village………… 38
Peterlee Bus Station…… 48

Service 208

Peterlee Bus Station….. 54
Easington Village……….. 21
South Hetton…………….. 29
Dragon Lane Tesco……. 56
Durham Bus Station….. 08

Service 204

Durham Bus Station….. 12
Belmont……………………. 28
Sherburn Village……….. 43
Belmont……………………. 02
Durham Bus Station…. 18

Service 208

Durham Bus Station….. 25
Dragon Lane Tesco……. 37
South Hetton……………..04
Easington Village………. 12
Peterlee Bus Station…. 40

PB0003954/555 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between BLAKELAW BINSWOOD AVENUD and WEST DENTON ALL SAINTS COLLEGE given service number 128 effective from 01-Jul-2014.

(02 Jul 2014, 4:53 pm)Dan wrote Of the ones based at Deptford (including the two out on loan to other depots for shuttle service work):

- 541/543 are "East Durham" branded.
- 542 is plain yellow.
- 544 retains the taglines from its days when "Venture" branded, but other than that is plain yellow.

541/543 should be allocated to service 238 and 542/544 should be allocated to service 99, but the allocation is pretty fluid really.

Don't forget 561 at deptford

Something i noticed yesterday
Minor changes to services
15/15A
43/44/44A