(08 May 2023, 10:47 am)Dan wrote Sounds like someone is a fan of Go North East...

NEBPT didn't drop Go North East as support for this rally - Go North East have dropped NEBPT from the organisations which they sponsor (and as such, NEBPT have removed them from publicity).

The four buses in attendance were a Voltra Yutong E12 (to promote the new electric buses), a Connections4 Mercedes Citaro (decorated for the King's Coronation), a Driver Training Scania L94 (which are being phased out, the last two to be withdrawn imminently) and a fleet livery Scania OmniDekka (also being phased out, most of this type to be withdrawn over the next few weeks). The two Scanias were there for enthusiast appeal, more than anything else.

The same comments are made every year with regards to this (and many other) NEBPT rally. The fact GNE didn't support the event with shuttle buses this year isn't the thing which resulted in the perception that the event was poor.

The funny thing with that is, for years many bemoaned that the event essentially became the "GNE Show" and yet now they bring a limited turnout, people still ain't pleased... not to mention that GNE, like the preservationists aren't obligated to provide the shuttles for the event (this is a whole other problem as by the sounds of things, it's whoever wants to do it on the day and hope someone actually wants to do so).

As harsh as it is to say, the fact there seemed to be so many issues with even just providing an hourly shuttle shows a lack of well thought out planning, I've been to various events across the country (often with more of an emphasis on running) and many seem to manage fine with providing a much more regular service often to various locations, even on day of the event they often still manage without incidents for the most part even when buses have had to pull out last minute or a breakdown occurs over the course of the day, at one event in Cornwall recently, I got off a bus in the middle of nowhere with no rally alternatives and felt fairly confident that a bus would stop to take me back into Penzance, I could not say the say for the stop at Tanfield and sure enough that's apparently what happened (I didn't attend yesterday).