Well I don't know the timings but I just used that as an example.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:16 pm)Dan wrote Have to admit I use the TEN every time - for the power sockets, if nothing else.

I'm the opposite - usually use the 11/32 for the quicker journey times. (and because I like the B7RLE's).

(09 Jan 2015, 7:16 pm)Dan wrote Have to admit I use the TEN every time - for the power sockets, if nothing else.

That's why i think the Toonlink will be invested in this year, so they can have more than 1 service to the metrocenter with sockets etc. 

(09 Jan 2015, 7:16 pm)Dan wrote Have to admit I use the TEN every time - for the power sockets, if nothing else.

You see I wouldn't. I'd rather be home (or where I needed to be) six minutes faster. Unless, of course, I needed to charge my phone or some other appliance. WiFi holds no appeal to me as I have unlimited internet on my phone and a dongle for my laptop and Macbook (not that I'd be in a hurry to get either out on a crowded bus).

I personally use whichever one will get me to where I want to be quicker, it's quite rare I plan a part of a day out where I can be carefree and experiment.

Can't recall the last time I rode the 11, but if I'm hopping from Eldon Square to the MetroCentre - I'll look up to the TENs, then look down to the Diamonds and Red Kites, etc.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:08 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Service X21s PVR is 7.

I'm unsure on the PVR of the X30/X31, I think it might be 5.

But if you work out the length (in time) of the route from Newcastle to Lanchester, and back, you can divide the total time up by 30 (the frequency) to find out how many vehicles are required.

Stanley to Newcastle is roughly 40 minutes, and I think it's something like 30 to Lanchester, so a full run from A to B may be around 70 minutes...70+70 comes to 140. Round it up to include turn-around times, you get 150. 150 divided by 30 = 5.

It is (3885-3889)  Well worked out

(09 Jan 2015, 7:23 pm)Robert wrote It is (3885-3889)  Well worked out

Why thank you, Robert.

#clapclapclap
#marcusworkedsomethingout
#marcusandcitaro5284banter
#hashtagsonNEB

(09 Jan 2015, 6:55 pm)Malarkey wrote Even if the Red Arrows did gain Investment this year, I would much rather see 6001-6007 go on the X21 and 3943/6049 to 6055 being utilised on the X30/X31 depending on the PVRs of these Services, I think the X21 is 7 iirc.

Yeah, I'd much sooner the X21 would get an improved allocation rather than shove them on a trial service which may only last about 18 months before being withdrawn like the OK1 was.

I think the PVR for the X21 is 6, although buses are often swapped over during the day, especially if it looks like it will arrive back in Bishop late.

I do hope the X21 gets some modern buses soon. The X30/X31, X70/X71 could do with more modern stock too.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:28 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah, I'd much sooner the X21 would get an improved allocation rather than shove them on a trial service which may only last about 18 months before being withdrawn like the OK1 was.

I think the PVR for the X21 is 6, although buses are often swapped over during the day, especially if it looks like it will arrive back in Bishop late.

I do hope the X21 gets some modern buses soon. The X30/X31, X70/X71 could do with more modern stock too.

I think it's likely that the X21 will this year or next, whether that's new buses or cascaded is clearly another matter mind. The V reg Presidents will be pushing 16 years on the road by the time of next years order, which is hardly ideal for a bus in a front line role..

I'd personally like to see them scrap the Pronto brand and brand the X21 something OK related!

Whether that be...OK Travel, OK Motor Services, OK Expressway, etc, I'd just rather have something with such a rich heritage (for such a route!) see more than just...'Pronto'...

(09 Jan 2015, 7:21 pm)MurdnunoC wrote You see I wouldn't. I'd rather be home (or where I needed to be) six minutes faster. Unless, of course, I needed to charge my phone or some other appliance. WiFi holds no appeal to me as I have unlimited internet on my phone and a dongle for my laptop and Macbook (not that I'd be in a hurry to get either out on a crowded bus).

Power sockets and Wi-Fi have been proven up and down the country to stimulate market growth.

Whilst Wi-Fi has no appeal to me (I also have an unlimited data package), it certainly appeals to a lot of people who have a limited amount of data each month. Some of my friends refuse to get any other service besides "Drifter" service 60 to school, on the basis that, if they opt for another service, they won't be able to access the Internet whilst travelling to school.

As a heavy mobile phone user, power sockets certainly do appeal to me though. In instances where I do not travel with my portable external power bank battery charger, I usually find myself running out of battery by the end of the day. For me, the thought of a bus journey without music is unbearable in most cases...  

(09 Jan 2015, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote As a heavy mobile phone user, power sockets certainly do appeal to me though. In instances where I do not travel with my portable external power bank battery charger, I usually find myself running out of battery by the end of the day. For me, the thought of a bus journey without music is unbearable in most cases...  

I'm guilty of doing Crawcrook and back on the TEN, just to charge my phone, mind.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:31 pm)aureolin wrote I think it's likely that the X21 will this year or next, whether that's new buses or cascaded is clearly another matter mind. The V reg Presidents will be pushing 16 years on the road by the time of next years order, which is hardly ideal for a bus in a front line role..

Yeah hopefully it will get something more modern this year (or next) as I'm not a big fan of the Pronto Presidents and more often opt for the X2 (although it depends what time I get to the stop). Hopefully whatever the X21 gets it will have a few more seats as the Newcastle journey that leaves Durham at 0936 is always rammed.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:37 pm)aureolin wrote I'm guilty of doing Crawcrook and back on the TEN, just to charge my phone, mind.

Taking advantage of it...I don't know how you live with yourself.

---

(09 Jan 2015, 7:38 pm)Jimmi wrote Yeah hopefully it will get something more modern this year (or next) as I'm not a big fan of the Pronto Presidents and more often opt for the X2 (although it depends what time I get to the stop). Hopefully whatever the X21 gets it will have a few more seats as the Newcastle journey that leaves Durham at 0936 is always rammed.

OAPs.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:31 pm)aureolin wrote I think it's likely that the X21 will this year or next, whether that's new buses or cascaded is clearly another matter mind. The V reg Presidents will be pushing 16 years on the road by the time of next years order, which is hardly ideal for a bus in a front line role..

X21 is going to need something before long - the Spackle is on its way after all 

(09 Jan 2015, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote As a heavy mobile phone user, power sockets certainly do appeal to me though. In instances where I do not travel with my portable external power bank battery charger, I usually find myself running out of battery by the end of the day. For me, the thought of a bus journey without music is unbearable in most cases...  

And here's me thinking you enjoyed riding on buses because you were a hardcore enthusiast. I didn't realise that you needed a distraction to make travelling by bus more bearable. I'm almost prepared to buy you a driving lesson for your seventeenth birthday (presuming it hasn't passed) in an attempt to ease your burden of travelling by public transport 

(09 Jan 2015, 7:37 pm)aureolin wrote I'm guilty of doing Crawcrook and back on the TEN, just to charge my phone, mind.

I made use of the charging points on the 7 to charge my camera the other morning.

On a recent Teesside trip I jumped on the 5/5A from Middlesbrough Bus Station to North Ormesby to charge my camera.

I have limited internet data so I like to use WiFi when it is available and always use it on the Sapphire 7.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:43 pm)MurdnunoC wrote And here's me thinking you enjoyed riding on buses because you were a hardcore enthusiast. I didn't realise that you needed a distraction to make travelling by bus more bearable. I'm almost prepared to buy you a driving lesson for your seventeenth birthday (presuming it hasn't passed) in an attempt to ease your burden of travelling by public transport 

That's very kind Michael, perhaps we should all pitch in and help Dan...he is the saviour after all!

(09 Jan 2015, 7:44 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote That's very kind Michael, perhaps we should all pitch in and help Dan...he is the saviour after all!

We have 2 Michael's on the forum, we can't have that!  

(09 Jan 2015, 7:43 pm)MurdnunoC wrote And here's me thinking you enjoyed riding on buses because you were a hardcore enthusiast. I didn't realise that you needed a distraction to make travelling by bus more bearable. I'm almost prepared to buy you a driving lesson for your seventeenth birthday (presuming it hasn't passed) in an attempt to ease your burden of travelling by public transport 

Well...  

You're a few months too late, I'm afraid! 

(09 Jan 2015, 7:45 pm)Michael wrote We have 2 Michael's on the forum, we can't have that!  

Still haven't gotten used to all the new names lol, I think AdamY was you!

Sorry ADAM.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:46 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Still haven't gotten used to all the new names lol, I think AdamY was you!

Sorry ADAM.

Just confuse everyone, we should change our names to each other lmao! 

(09 Jan 2015, 7:47 pm)Michael wrote Just confuse everyone, we should change our names to each other lmao! 

Haha, I can imagine the guests just sitting there like; 'WTF is going on?!'

#guestsbelike

(09 Jan 2015, 7:47 pm)Michael wrote Just confuse everyone, we should change our names to each other lmao! 

My name is not even Jimmi.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:48 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Haha, I can imagine the guests just sitting there like; 'WTF is going on?!'

#guestsbelike

That is everytime they read one of your posts Marcus!

(09 Jan 2015, 7:49 pm)Jimmi wrote My name is not even Jimmi.

(gasps)...WUUUTTT??!!

I'm really confused now. I should never have brought this up.

(09 Jan 2015, 5:54 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If the 14 Red Arrows B9TLs became free (11 needed Mon to Sat and 5 eve and Sun) and GNE did the following:

- X51 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving X21 route to Bedlington Front St from Seacrest Rd then X22 route to Newcastle but only calling at Regent Centre after A1068 / Seaton Burn.

- X52 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving same route as above but North Seaton instead of Wansbeck Hosp then same route as X51 from Ashington.

They could oust the X21 and all the X22 would have is the punters between Ashington and Bedlington and here's why:
- Powerful engines for reliability and punctuality.
- No fancy detours via Nedderton.
- Free Wi-Fi and High Back seats.
- Simple 15 min (30 eve and Sun) combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle throughout.
- Radio control in event of emergency, breakdown or delay.
- Many connections available in Newcastle including Metrocentre, Tyne Valley, Gateshead, Durham and Teesside.
- Better passenger trust.
- All buses wheelchair and buggy friendly unlike 7501 - 09.

Shoudnt the above post be in suggestions?.
Didn't GNE and Arriva swap depots and areas between Ashington and Hexham, GNE are not going to go back on their deal of running services in those areas of Arriva, otherwise Arriva will go on GNE routes again, anyway I don't think it would come into fruitation since their fighting against the QCS.  Its like Arriva going back on their deal with Stagecoach and start running bus services between Hartlepool and Stockton/Middlesbrough.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:49 pm)citaro5284 wrote That is everytime they read one of your posts Marcus!

Oh, stop it!

My mixture of randomness, weirdness, unnecessary hashtags and general irrelevance must provide them with a good show!

(09 Jan 2015, 7:46 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Still haven't gotten used to all the new names lol, I think AdamY was you!

Sorry ADAM.

There are far too many Adam's on the forum too.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:47 pm)Michael wrote Just confuse everyone, we should change our names to each other lmao! 

I was actually going to suggest something like that as a new years thing. For anyone who's up for it, usernames for the year will be determined by the person who draws yours from the hat. Sort of like a Secret Santa.

I don't even like Arriva. Me sitting in 1581 (see avatar) is completely made up!