(08 Mar 2014, 11:28 am)cbma06 wrote On GNE facebook page about an hour ago:
"The 202 was supposed to be at crawford avenue at 12 mins past and it still isnt here is it running?
Like · · about an hour ago via Mobile
Go North East I'm sorry this bus has broken down and is unable to operate.
Like · Reply · about an hour ago".
If this broken down bus was a East Durham Mpd, then its about time GNE decided to get rid of these MPDS, and buy some decent small buses (Solos) as usually anything bigger than a MPD will be no good for the East Durham services, time after time ive seen the MPDS broken down roughly 2 per week that ive seen, passengers are wondering if their going to get to their destination or waiting in the cold for the bus to never turn up.
I'd disagree with solos been the only option I think cascaded Versas could work, especially the 265/208/202. Only one maybe not justifying is the 201, but can carry far more at peak times, 265/202 can often pick up over summer too I've noticed, 209/210 work better in the current circular service just wondering if a Versa will manage the 209/210 route? I'm not sure wether new vehicles will be justified as a priority when non-DDA vehicles need to be withdrawn.
However as for the breakdown, this is becoming a joke with breakdowns. At :12 it was going towards Seaham, was this getting replaced at Seaham for something to go onto 265's? Or was that not running either? Was a whole board of journeys missing for the rest of the day now?!
4991 broke down on 20's on Tuesday, the 11:32 departure from Sunderland-Durham, it failed on it way up to Durham and wasn't replaced (passengers presumably transferred onto the next service) however 4991 was put onto X36's at 1:38 whilst the 1:32 20 departure (from Sunderland) didn't run as the vehicle wasn't replaced. The 1:32 journey is same bus as the 11:32.