(24 Feb 2022, 8:14 am)ne14ne1 wrote Huh? You listed reasons why it couldn’t be done and would make it worse (which I agree with), then end with ‘probably would be better though’????

For the reasons he gave it would make it better, if there wasn't the complications with it being physically impossible. Would mean there's less directions of traffic on the Eldon Square junction so more traffic flow.

Newcastle City Council own Haymarket though and let Nexus run it, see: https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/bus-station...us-station. and also Eldon Square, see: https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/bus-station...us-station

Sunderland CC own Park Lane aswell, see: https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus/bus-station...us-station for anyone interested in that stuff.

(23 Feb 2022, 3:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'd have thought there were more choices for passengers than just Northumberland St though.

Granted there's going to be some demand, but I'd hazard a guess that passengers are wanting to be at one of the two Universities (maybe even the College). The Civic Centre is a popular destination too as is SJP when there's a match on. You've then got those punters who are looking to change buses at either Haymarket or Eldon Square.

A message on the on board announcement even as it came along Sandyford Road would surely eliminate any confusion

Northumbria students use Civic Centre, Newcastle students use St Marys Place as it’s closer, the main entry being on Barras Bridge.

All these problems with congestion made me think how good it is if you have a well-designed bus station.

The one I use most in Middlesbrough, and it's horseshoe design with stands on the inner and outer give lots of space and usually no need for buses to reverse. Plenty of layover space in the middle. I don't know why other towns haven't copied this type of design, because it seems like pretty much a perfect bus station to me.

(26 Feb 2022, 9:27 am)tvd wrote All these problems with congestion made me think how good it is if you have a well-designed bus station.

The one I use most in Middlesbrough, and it's horseshoe design with stands on the inner and outer give lots of space and usually no need for buses to reverse.  Plenty of layover space in the middle.  I don't know why other towns haven't copied this type of design, because it seems like pretty much a perfect bus station to me.

I suppose its what space you have to work with.... you couldn't exactly use the design at boro at the haymarket as there just isnt the space.  Looking at it the haymarket was designed to keep pedestrians safe rather than any though of when 2 buses wish to use the same stand.
Speak of which i know some might think its a pain but if the 309 and 310 sometimes clash why not put them on different stands?  Not miles away from each other but may q and r for example... so separate but still close enough for passengers to react to the fist one that comes if they were travelling to the coast road for example?

(26 Feb 2022, 11:04 am)Rob44 wrote I suppose its what space you have to work with.... you couldn't exactly use the design at boro at the haymarket as there just isnt the space.  Looking at it the haymarket was designed to keep pedestrians safe rather than any though of when 2 buses wish to use the same stand.
Speak of which i know some might think its a pain but if the 309 and 310 sometimes clash why not put them on different stands?  Not miles away from each other but may q and r for example... so separate but still close enough for passengers to react to the fist one that comes if they were travelling to the coast road for example?

The problem is it's not unique to the GNE services.

Stand L (306/308)
Stand S (43/44/45)
Stand V (X7/X8/X9)

All have similar problems especially at peak times. The X7/X8/X9 quite often come in together when things play up around Gosforth Park and the 43/44/45 with the Great North Road.

If you gave the Coast Road services 3 stands then it's just more problems at the other end of the bus station (who block the entrance when they can't stop) and everything leaves at the same time heading North at around XX:30 / XX:45 / XX:00 / XX:15

(23 Feb 2022, 4:44 pm)Dan wrote This additional announcement was suggested by the driving team some time ago, mainly as a Covid-related concern so the driver didn’t have to leave their cab to advise any remaining customers of the potential wait, and is still on the list of things to be programmed.

A lot of work has been done recently on the next stop announcement systems, as posted elsewhere on the forum, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if this was due to be added shortly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bumping this out of curiosity to see if its still on the agenda - considering some recent NSA changes....

(there is a lovely micropub on St Mary's Place if that pushes this useful to passengers announcement up the agenda more)

(26 Feb 2022, 11:04 am)Rob44 wrote I suppose its what space you have to work with.... you couldn't exactly use the design at boro at the haymarket as there just isnt the space.  Looking at it the haymarket was designed to keep pedestrians safe rather than any though of when 2 buses wish to use the same stand.
Speak of which i know some might think its a pain but if the 309 and 310 sometimes clash why not put them on different stands?  Not miles away from each other but may q and r for example... so separate but still close enough for passengers to react to the fist one that comes if they were travelling to the coast road for example?

To be fair the 306/308/309/310/311 usually wait in St Mary’s Place until nearer the departure time. It sometimes does go wrong but I don’t see it that often.

(26 Feb 2022, 12:01 pm)Storx wrote The problem is it's not unique to the GNE services.

Stand L (306/308)
Stand S (43/44/45)
Stand V (X7/X8/X9)

All have similar problems especially at peak times. The X7/X8/X9 quite often come in together when things play up around Gosforth Park and the 43/44/45 with the Great North Road.

If you gave the Coast Road services 3 stands then it's just more problems at the other end of the bus station (who block the entrance when they can't stop) and everything leaves at the same time heading North at around XX:30 / XX:45 / XX:00 / XX:15

Stand P with the X21/22 can be equally bad - one of them arrives more than 7L then the one behind is going to have to sit on the back or pull onto stand N or Q. 

Another issue with that end of Haymarket is that it's the traffic light controlled exit. For example if a 311 pulls in when a 309 is on stand, it generally stays on the back. This means that it's tight for anyone in a conventional vehicle on stand P or Q to reverse out (particularly if there are buses on the stands immediately adjacent), and so causes further congestion. 

Haymarket in reality is a horrendously designed bus station (for passengers and drivers), and badly needs reconfigured.

(03 Aug 2022, 8:53 pm)mb134 wrote Stand P with the X21/22 can be equally bad - one of them arrives more than 7L then the one behind is going to have to sit on the back or pull onto stand N or Q. 

Another issue with that end of Haymarket is that it's the traffic light controlled exit. For example if a 311 pulls in when a 309 is on stand, it generally stays on the back. This means that it's tight for anyone in a conventional vehicle on stand P or Q to reverse out (particularly if there are buses on the stands immediately adjacent), and so causes further congestion. 

Haymarket in reality is a horrendously designed bus station (for passengers and drivers), and badly needs reconfigured.

This is the crux of the issue. The temporary Haymarket facility, on the same footprint was far better for drivers and customer. Couldn't do that now though due to the other bus station at Eldon Square

(03 Aug 2022, 8:53 pm)mb134 wrote Stand P with the X21/22 can be equally bad - one of them arrives more than 7L then the one behind is going to have to sit on the back or pull onto stand N or Q. 

Another issue with that end of Haymarket is that it's the traffic light controlled exit. For example if a 311 pulls in when a 309 is on stand, it generally stays on the back. This means that it's tight for anyone in a conventional vehicle on stand P or Q to reverse out (particularly if there are buses on the stands immediately adjacent), and so causes further congestion. 

Haymarket in reality is a horrendously designed bus station (for passengers and drivers), and badly needs reconfigured.

Can't disagree with that, it's just a shame there's nothing really you can do with it without moving it tbh or making the passenger waiting areas even worse - an island setup would be the best way imo but then you've got the problem with crossing buses. Eldon Square isn't particularly much better either mind while we're at it.