(06 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm)Ianthegoon wrote Does the passenger not count as a "Rare and Odd Working"?  

Nice one

(06 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm)Ianthegoon wrote Does the passenger not count as a "Rare and Odd Working"?  

It's probably the one who used to catch the 216.

4937 should be withdrawn soon, the road at Hylton Retail Park is opening again from tomorrow afternoon.


Edit: Road should be open from 3pm today

Never been so happy to see a road reopen haha

(03 Feb 2018, 9:52 pm)Wybus wrote All ex-South Tyne Versas back in service

8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

(07 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote 8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

I'm surprised that 8294 hasn't gone to Crook so it would be numerically order.


Edit: Just noticed when 3974/75 and 4937 leave Deptford, all the buses allocated there, will be Euro 5 and 6.

Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

The current live tracking for the 36 from my stop at Hylton Retail Park.

5235 and 5442 had a coming together at Stanley this afternoon

Couple of questions...

On the Fab56 I was on this morning I noticed on approach to the last stop it said the usual "Next stop, New Bridge St" but also added "where this bus terminates". I really approve of this and have noticed it on other services but not the Fab56 before. Is this a recent tweak or have I just never noticed it on Fab56s?

On the way home on an Angel21 this afternoon the NSAs were announcing the bus stops we'd just left as the next stop. It did this as we left Newgate St Wilkinsons, & High Level Bridge North.
A week or two ago I noticed a Citylink57 making announcements much later on than usual. (The next stop was being announced as we were pulling up at it).
How does this delay develop sometimes? I could understand if its a drop in signal at a certain point/time, but to then carry on with the following announcements being delayed too seems odd - I'd have thought it'd catch up after the next stop?

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

I would assume that was 8323 you saw on the A1, which operated the 1630 28A from Gateshead

(08 Feb 2018, 5:25 pm)Michael wrote The current live tracking for the 36 from my stop at Hylton Retail Park.

I'm not familiar with the app unfortunately. Is it saying one is approx 45 mins late and there's another a few mins behind it?

(08 Feb 2018, 6:57 pm)LeeCalder wrote I would assume that was 8323 you saw on the A1, which operated the 1630 28A from Gateshead

Quite possibly that one. It's lane positioning at the services indicated it was staying on the A1, rather than taking the A194.
I was heading in the opposite direction at the time.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'm not familiar with the app unfortunately. Is it saying one is approx 45 mins late and there's another a few mins behind it?

Ye, so 2 running together.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:26 pm)Michael wrote Ye, so 2 running together.

Think I worded the post badly.

One 30mins late and another just behind it? Not that it makes it much better like

Any idea what was operating them? One branded vehicle on the 28A. Another possibly still stranded in Fencehouses...

Completely off-topic, but does anyone know how reliable the Tynedale Links 74 is to and from Eldon Square? I believe the service is still operated by Optare Solo buses? I have only been on the 74 once, it was a bit late and the driver couldn't find the Network 1 Day Rover option. I don't know why it only runs 4 times a day?

I am considering using it more regularly but I am not sure.

Thank you.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:50 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Completely off-topic, but does anyone know how reliable the Tynedale Links 74 is to and from Eldon Square? I believe the service is still operated by Optare Solo buses? I have only been on the 74 once, it was a bit late and the driver couldn't find the Network 1 Day Rover option. I don't know why it only runs 4 times a day?

I am considering using it more regularly but I am not sure.

Thank you.

Like any other route the service is susceptible to breakdowns and weather issues, although these are fairly rare on the whole.  The service can be delayed at time with traffic or accidents around the Cowgate and RVI hospital area, moreso in peak time.  It is normally allocated a Solo, but can occasionally have a Dart or rarely a full size saloon.

This is a council contracted/subsidised service and the timetable reflects this - the round trip from Hexham to Newcastle taking in all the villages in-between is roughly a 3 hour round trip.

A Day Rover would only be valid on a relatively short part of the route from Newcastle to Callerton Bridge, you would need an Explorer or the appropriate Ticket/Buzzfare Zones for destinations further than that.

(08 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mysterious goings on with Chester's blue Versa's! I havent long seen a blue Versa heading north on the A1 at Washington services. It was blinded up for Castletown 36, but was obviously not on route.

Picking up a works service perhaps? Dunno.

Anyway, the shenanigans continued with 8322 parked up in Fencehouses (on a Castletown run) but showing NIS, hazards on, driver and passengers chatting by the side of the road. Strange considering the weather/time of day.
Not sure whether it was expired* or not.

Just when Versa's and displays are being mentioned. I saw the loaned Versa showing the 'facebook' display last night. Not keen.
It may just be the bulbs not translating colours correctly, but Not in Service may be more appropriate. Particularly when it was driving along Prince Consort Road and passengers often see Versa's operating along there in service.

(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

Yes, 8323. Replaced 4959 on the 28/28A which expired*
(*insert another descriptive word that applies).

re 8322 at Fencehouses - it had not incurred a mechanical defect, rather a passenger had been sick on the bus, so it could not continue.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:26 pm)Michael wrote Ye, so 2 running together.

(08 Feb 2018, 8:35 pm)Andreos1 wrote Think I worded the post badly.
One 30mins late and another just behind it? Not that it makes it much better like

Any idea what was operating them? One branded vehicle on the 28A. Another possibly still stranded in Fencehouses...

Doesn't appear to have been two running together.

Possibly an odd quirk with the app, or may be related to the bus Andreos saw in Fencehouses (if the driver did not sign off the ticket machine on his journey, this would have caused issues with the real-time information).

When will 9083 enter service?

(08 Feb 2018, 10:21 pm)xpm wrote Like any other route the service is susceptible to breakdowns and weather issues, although these are fairly rare on the whole.  The service can be delayed at time with traffic or accidents around the Cowgate and RVI hospital area, moreso in peak time.  It is normally allocated a Solo, but can occasionally have a Dart or rarely a full size saloon.

This is a council contracted/subsidised service and the timetable reflects this - the round trip from Hexham to Newcastle taking in all the villages in-between is roughly a 3 hour round trip.

A Day Rover would only be valid on a relatively short part of the route from Newcastle to Callerton Bridge, you would need an Explorer or the appropriate Ticket/Buzzfare Zones for destinations further than that.

Yeah, breakdowns and weather issues are to be expected sometimes. Yeah, one time recently it didn't have the Tynedale Links Solo allocated, but it usually does whenever I see it. 

I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74. 

I was only going to Newcastle Eldon Square from a short distance away. She just couldn't find the Day Rover option and had no idea what I was talking about, constantly saying it was only valid on Stagecoach buses and not GNE. Stagecoach is a Day Rider, a Day Rover is valid on all the operators. I don't know if Buzzfare is valid on the Nexus 32A, but if so how many Buzzfare zones are required to South Shields from Cowgate? 

For the 74, I was looking at getting a return ticket between Newcastle Eldon Square and Cowgate, with a return ticket costing £3, whereas a Stagecoach Day Rider is £4. Far less trips running, and more of a walk, but saving £1 each time. What do you think?

Thanks.

I wouldn't want to rely on such an infrequent long distance mostly rural service for such short journeys on a daily basis. It's bad enough when a hourly or even half hourly service on such a long route is delayed or doesn't run (and this forum has some of my rants, as a result!)

(09 Feb 2018, 7:35 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I wouldn't want to rely on such an infrequent long distance mostly rural service for such short journeys on a daily basis. It's bad enough when a hourly or even half hourly service on such a long route is delayed or doesn't run (and this forum has some of my rants, as a result!)

Well, I wouldn't rely on it exactly, any more than any other bus service, but I would save £1 each time it turned up, but it would cost more every time it didn't.

(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Yeah, breakdowns and weather issues are to be expected sometimes. Yeah, one time recently it didn't have the Tynedale Links Solo allocated, but it usually does whenever I see it. 

I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74. 

I was only going to Newcastle Eldon Square from a short distance away. She just couldn't find the Day Rover option and had no idea what I was talking about, constantly saying it was only valid on Stagecoach buses and not GNE. Stagecoach is a Day Rider, a Day Rover is valid on all the operators. I don't know if Buzzfare is valid on the Nexus 32A, but if so how many Buzzfare zones are required to South Shields from Cowgate? 

For the 74, I was looking at getting a return ticket between Newcastle Eldon Square and Cowgate, with a return ticket costing £3, whereas a Stagecoach Day Rider is £4. Far less trips running, and more of a walk, but saving £1 each time. What do you think?

Thanks.

Cowgate to South Shields Buzzfare would be all zones as it is Blue, Purple and Red required. Better off getting stagecoach day rider if you want to avoid metro and get any Express into town. X34 to Whiteleaa Bridge and service 4 into South Shields. With perfect timings could be done in around an hour.

(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74.

I don't believe that the 74 has any Nexus involvement.
It might be Northumberland County Council, although I believe some support contribution came from Stamfordham, Matfen and Ponteland Parish Councils at one stage.
I happened to be in Newcastle Eldon Square bus station today when the 74 was leaving at 17:35 and there were several passengers waiting who boarded - looking as if they were regulars.

(07 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote 8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

Have any of 8296 - 8300 been painted yet, and have 8302 and 8326 gone back to Chester yet??

I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder wrote I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

Go North East 6319 NK67GMX by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr

No mention of Contactless (unless it varies from vehicle to vehicle) which would be the better option as opposed to WiFi which is mentioned. That alone appears to question the effectiveness of the feature symbols, given they're on either side of the destination display already.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder wrote I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote Go North East 6319 NK67GMX by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr
No mention of Contactless (unless it varies from vehicle to vehicle) which would be the better option as opposed to WiFi which is mentioned. That alone appears to question the effectiveness of the feature symbols, given they're on either side of the destination display already.

Yes, a couple of buses were fitted as a trial last Sunday. You really can't get a feel for the colours and what something will actually look like on paper, until it's done in reality, so it's long since been established that the green colour doesn't work on the black glass (the original idea being to have the wording the same colour as the brand), so due to be changed for a more generic white. The Castles Express buses probably the first to have the white messaging, early next week along with the other internal and external branding amendments due to be made.

For now the message does vary from bus to bus - 6330 is the one which has a message about contactless payments being available.

The idea is to compare the effectiveness of direct wording on the front of the bus opposed to feature symbols - feedback has been received that wording is clearer, especially for older people.

(10 Feb 2018, 10:25 am)Michael wrote Have any of 8296 - 8300 been painted yet, and have 8302 and 8326 gone back to Chester yet??

8298 and at least one other (I think 8299) haven't been painted yet, still sitting in the yard at Riverside in South Tyne livery

8302 went back to Chester from Crook ages ago.

8326 was still at Crook yesterday covering for 8295 which was undergoing repairs at Chester

Just seen a connections 4 in Sunderland City Centre, wasn't in service.

Ex-GNE 27598 SN04EGF is now part of the Stagecoach Heritage fleet at East Scotland.