(06 Jul 2014, 6:55 pm)Acky81 wrote Defo back at sunderland

(06 Jul 2014, 5:55 pm)Acky81 wrote Has anyone got any ex busways Daimler fleetliners? In both Sunderland busways colours and white in stagecoach colours. I remember I remember seeing busways service 2 at farringdon in white stagecoach Darlington colours before leaving Wearside. Think it was 801 and 817

As far as I recall 803/07/14/15/17/31 were the only ones to return to Sunderland – 803/17 in plain white and the others in full stripes.

Photos ( I don’t own the copyright for any of these: )
803 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/pityarder/4783056015
804 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/10651736@N02/6285415988
807 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8411754472
807 in Sunderland https://www.flickr.com/photos/98464140@N06/10050330973
814 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8411755134
815 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/je1791/7522595170
817 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8410660335
817 in Sunderland https://www.flickr.com/photos/98464140@N06/10050109604
831 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/mals_uk_buses/5099110884/

(06 Jul 2014, 7:35 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote As far as I recall 803/07/14/15/17/31 were the only ones to return to Sunderland – 803/17 in plain white and the others in full stripes.

Photos ( I don’t own the copyright for any of these: )
803 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/pityarder/4783056015
804 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/10651736@N02/6285415988
807 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8411754472
807 in Sunderland https://www.flickr.com/photos/98464140@N06/10050330973
814 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8411755134
815 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/je1791/7522595170
817 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbrian/8410660335
817 in Sunderland https://www.flickr.com/photos/98464140@N06/10050109604
831 in Darlington https://www.flickr.com/photos/mals_uk_buses/5099110884/

Thanks total blast from the past. Was horrible seeing Sunderland busways in it's yellow and green strips repainted that horrible white

(06 Jul 2014, 10:57 pm)Acky81 wrote Thanks total blast from the past. Was horrible seeing Sunderland busways in it's yellow and green strips repainted that horrible white

Everyone remembers the iconic yellow buses of Tyne and Wear, yet no one outside the enthusiast scene remembers the Stagecoach stripes.

(06 Jul 2014, 10:57 pm)Acky81 wrote Thanks total blast from the past. Was horrible seeing Sunderland busways in it's yellow and green strips repainted that horrible white

Why did they return to Sunderland

(07 Jul 2014, 11:59 am)Acky81 wrote Why did they return to Sunderland

because in early 1995 the operations of stagecoach darlington transferred from Busways to Cleveland Transit hence why Transit Fleetlines started to appear in Service in Darlington

(05 Jul 2014, 9:43 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Dicky used to personally change the timetables on the streets of Teesside during the night/early hours apparently!

And a good job he did too!

(05 Jul 2014, 9:45 am)Dan wrote I think the last day for my school is next Thursday, and other schools usually have their last day on the following Friday - so roughly around the 18th?

Thanks.

Probably relevant to GNE too, but more so Stagecoach. There's going to be a march and rally through Newcastle City Centre on the 10th July, which if anything like previous TUC supported marches, it'll affect services using John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street West especially. This time is a bit different, as it's almost all public sector unions out at the same time, so I'd assume it'd be a lot busier.

The details I've been sent are for an 1100 assembly outside Northumberland Road/City Hall, then an assembly point at the Blue Carpet for 1130. Rally to commence at 1200, which could go on for up to two hours.

(07 Jul 2014, 9:30 pm)AIG20 wrote Information from the Stagecoach website:
March through Newcastle City Centre during Thursday 10 July 2014.

Hadn't seen that - cheers. It's been confirmed now anyway, and the times are slightly different.

(07 Jul 2014, 9:34 pm)AIG20 wrote This strike is going to be a big one, as teaching staff and council workers are going on strike; which in South Tyneside will cause many schools to close and will prevent bins from being emptied, grass from being cut, council buildings from opening and so on.

Yeah. They reckon in excess of 2 million out in total. All public sector workers from Unite, Unison, and PCS. Then there's the teachers who are in NUT (NASWUT and ATL aren't included), Fire Brigade Union and the RMT Underground workers also taking part.

(07 Jul 2014, 9:43 pm)AIG20 wrote There were rumours that the Fire Brigade could end up striking for two weeks if all these issues with pensions and so on are not solved.

Yeah that's been confirmed. Not full days though, but targetted stoppages (I assume that's when they get the most 999 calls through?) - http://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2014/07/firef...n-attacks/

Stagecoach training bus just passing monkwearmouth hospital towards the depot

Sunderland Airshow details!

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/tis-service...px?id=2389

Timetables now online

On Sunday 27 July 2014, to accommodate the anticipated number of visitors to the Airshow, Services E1, E2 and E6 will all run every 20 minutes. - Wonder if they would loan some E400's from Newcastle?

Not sure why Stagecoach won't run the 18/19 on the Sunday of the airshow weekend, i bet it can make a decent amount of money (for once)!

(08 Jul 2014, 2:57 pm)Michael wrote Not sure why Stagecoach won't run the 18/19 on the Sunday of the airshow weekend, i bet it can make a decent amount of money (for once)!

I've often wondered that but presume it would require a registration with the traffic commissioner to operate on a Sunday... though a pretty weak reason as they register plenty of other one offs for other stuff.

Even more bizarre though is that they keep the usual tiny vehicles on the 18/19 on a Saturday, despite knowing fine well that they will be packed. Nothing would be stopping them, for example, borrowing deckers or even using bigger single decks/duplicates. I've got photos somewhere from a few years ago of high floor Darts crammed full on the 18/19 on Sea Road on airshow weekend!

(08 Jul 2014, 5:38 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote I've often wondered that but presume it would require a registration with the traffic commissioner to operate on a Sunday... though a pretty weak reason as they register plenty of other one offs for other stuff.

Even more bizarre though is that they keep the usual tiny vehicles on the 18/19 on a Saturday, despite knowing fine well that they will be packed. Nothing would be stopping them, for example, borrowing deckers or even using bigger single decks/duplicates. I've got photos somewhere from a few years ago of high floor Darts crammed full on the 18/19 on Sea Road on airshow weekend!

I remember when the 18/19 always ran as deckers

34563 took out of service in Hartlepool due to a snapped fan belt

Update: an engineer has turned up with a replacement belt so bus should be back in service

FTAO Anyone who uses the Economic services after 4pm on weekdays:

Are they always terribly unreliable after this time? I've had to experience late running Es two days in a row now and it's really starting to annoy me. A hard day is made even worse - and it's due to the length of time I'm waiting for buses.

Instead of 15 minutes, it took me 45 to get home tonight - from Seaburn beach to Stadium of Light Metro.

I finished at 1650 and saw an E2 and E6 together - so the E2 must have been late and the E6 must have been just about on time.

The E1 due at 1701 turned up at 1710, the E2 due 1706 didn't turn up, and the E6 (due soon after) turned up at about 1718.

It was quicker for me to get the 19 and then change to a 35 at The Grange. Appalling. It should be noted that both the 18/19 and 35 were all on time, so it can't just be related to the works on the bridge.

(09 Jul 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote FTAO Anyone who uses the Economic services after 4pm on weekdays:

Are they always terribly unreliable after this time? I've had to experience late running Es two days in a row now and it's really starting to annoy me. A hard day is made even worse - and it's due to the length of time I'm waiting for buses.

Instead of 15 minutes, it took me 45 to get home tonight - from Seaburn beach to Stadium of Light Metro.

I finished at 1650 and saw an E2 and E6 together - so the E2 must have been late and the E6 must have been just about on time.

The E1 due at 1701 turned up at 1710, the E2 due 1706 didn't turn up, and the E6 (due soon after) turned up at about 1718.

It was quicker for me to get the 19 and then change to a 35 at The Grange. Appalling. It should be noted that both the 18/19 and 35 were all on time, so it can't just be related to the works on the bridge.

They are usually back on time by around 5/6PM.

The delays are made worse due to the roadworks at Whitburn Village (affecting all of the E services) and on Lizard Lane (affecting service E6).

(09 Jul 2014, 4:57 pm)Simmy wrote They are usually back on time by around 5/6PM.

The delays are made worse due to the roadworks at Whitburn Village (affecting all of the E services) and on Lizard Lane (affecting service E6).

I've always known they've been pretty bad between about half 3 and half 4, but only now have I realised that it seems to carry on until about half 5.

Ugh, not good at all. For the remainder of the week I'm just going to ditch the E2 and get the first one that comes along and get a 9 or 35 back from the Wheatsheaf (no chance I'm walking... ) - likely to get back a lot quicker.

(09 Jul 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote FTAO Anyone who uses the Economic services after 4pm on weekdays:

Are they always terribly unreliable after this time? I've had to experience late running Es two days in a row now and it's really starting to annoy me. A hard day is made even worse - and it's due to the length of time I'm waiting for buses.

Instead of 15 minutes, it took me 45 to get home tonight - from Seaburn beach to Stadium of Light Metro.

I finished at 1650 and saw an E2 and E6 together - so the E2 must have been late and the E6 must have been just about on time.

The E1 due at 1701 turned up at 1710, the E2 due 1706 didn't turn up, and the E6 (due soon after) turned up at about 1718.

It was quicker for me to get the 19 and then change to a 35 at The Grange. Appalling. It should be noted that both the 18/19 and 35 were all on time, so it can't just be related to the works on the bridge.

Each Economic route will obviously be more affected by the roadworks in Sunderland than the 35 as they are shorter routes so each vehicle will have to pass through them more often thus exacerbating the delays Also are the roadworks at Whitburn still there? They won't affect the 35. The other day it was taking 10+ minutes to get through them.

(09 Jul 2014, 5:06 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Each Economic route will obviously be more affected by the roadworks in Sunderland than the 35 as they are shorter routes so each vehicle will have to pass through them more often thus exacerbating the delays Also are the roadworks at Whitburn still there? They won't affect the 35. The other day it was taking 10+ minutes to get through them.

Each Economic route has roughly 10 minutes layover at South Shields though, don't they? I know I've certainly seen that as one E arrives into Shields, the one before it has pulled into the stand and is loading. The same applies at Sunderland too.

Without looking at the timetables, I'm inclined to suggest that the Laser has a lot less layover (off memory it gets less than five minutes at Shields), and with a larger route, is more likely to incur delays due to varying traffic levels, more passengers (presumably - due to the longer route), and of course the works on the bridge too.

I'd have certainly assumed that the Laser would incur worse delays than the Economic services, but hey ho, maybe I'm wrong.


Simmy has just mentioned above about the works at Whitburn. Due to their reasonably high layover time, they should make up any delays as a result of the works in Sunderland by the time they get back to Seaburn, Sunderland-bound. I really don't think the works at Whitburn can account for delays of up to 20 minutes...

(09 Jul 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote FTAO Anyone who uses the Economic services after 4pm on weekdays:

Are they always terribly unreliable after this time? I've had to experience late running Es two days in a row now and it's really starting to annoy me. A hard day is made even worse - and it's due to the length of time I'm waiting for buses.

Instead of 15 minutes, it took me 45 to get home tonight - from Seaburn beach to Stadium of Light Metro.

I finished at 1650 and saw an E2 and E6 together - so the E2 must have been late and the E6 must have been just about on time.

The E1 due at 1701 turned up at 1710, the E2 due 1706 didn't turn up, and the E6 (due soon after) turned up at about 1718.

It was quicker for me to get the 19 and then change to a 35 at The Grange. Appalling. It should be noted that both the 18/19 and 35 were all on time, so it can't just be related to the works on the bridge.

Welcome to the world some of us have experienced on a daily basis for years

Great isn't it?

(09 Jul 2014, 5:39 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Welcome to the world some of us have experienced on a daily basis for years

Great isn't it?

I've decided I'm not getting a job which involves standing all day. 100% certain on that. It'd be alright if I was getting paid for it I guess - would provide a tad bit of motivation...

(09 Jul 2014, 5:49 pm)Dan wrote I've decided I'm not getting a job which involves standing all day. 100% certain on that. It'd be alright if I was getting paid for it I guess - would provide a tad bit of motivation...

Urghhhhh couldn't sit in a office all day to, hence why i work with children.

Hands and Knee's all day and playing with the play-do, sand etc =D

(09 Jul 2014, 5:51 pm)Michael wrote Urghhhhh couldn't sit in a office all day to, hence why i work with children.

Hands and Knee's all day and playing with the play-do, sand etc =D

There's another lass on Work Experience from my year, and she said that hers (working with kids) sounds so much better than mine, as she's actually managed to bond with most of the kids.

Although we probably did the same amount of work (if not more, given that they were short staffed this morning - only one guy plus two of us on work experience covering the whole produce department), today seemed to be easier than yesterday.

Like I said before, I think it would be alright if you were getting paid - as a summer job. Wouldn't like to do it full time (or for 20-odd years, like some of the older people in there), and would much prefer something where you could sit down if I was working full time...

(09 Jul 2014, 5:49 pm)Dan wrote I've decided I'm not getting a job which involves standing all day. 100% certain on that. It'd be alright if I was getting paid for it I guess - would provide a tad bit of motivation...

What about the trials and tribulations of public transport in rush hour?

(10 Jul 2014, 12:05 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote What about the trials and tribulations of public transport in rush hour?

It's nee bother if you have a day ticket and have frequent 10-minute services which allow you to connect easily and get 'ome before the late one arrives!
They let me go at 16:30 today, and I've just got home. A late E6 followed by a 35 which also appeared to be about 2m down.

Also somewhat noteworthy is that at least three Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander Pointer 2s with flipdot displays were at Sunderland receiving maintenance today, i.e. they were in the middle shed being seen to.

An Alexander Dennis van was also at the Wheatsheaf as I passed about ten minutes ago, and there was at least five gas buses situated at various parts of the depot. I didn't walk past the back, so there could have been even more.

What was he main reason for Stagecoach exiting Darlington? Surely just being bought out by arriva can't be the answer, Darlington is a huge profit area as Arriva know and I though they would have held their ground

(04 Jul 2014, 10:03 pm)AIG20 wrote In Stockton, the Macmillan School Bus Services will be revised from the beginning of the 2014/2015 academic year (September).

Apparently only 6 decker's will be needed, where ironically there are a total of six Dennis Tridents, meaning the four remaining Volvo Olympians may be withdrawn as they may no longer be needed.

Given you appear to have copied what I put on another forum, it is certainly a PVR of 6. Likely see 1 or 2 Olympians hang on until at least 1 spare Trident can be sourced (although given their initial reliability - 2 would be a better option).

(05 Jul 2014, 9:18 am)Roland Pratt wrote How many do they need at the moment, not all 10

Current Macmillan PVR is 8. In addition, the 0657 35 from Wolviston Court, the 0814 and 0826 58s from Stockton to Hardwick and the 0824 52 from Owington Farm to Stockton are included in school boards. Wednesday to Friday also include the Asda free bus with the Wednesday one also working a PM Macmillan run.