(07 Apr 2019, 7:32 pm)Stanleyone wrote Omnicities are terrible for rattles, hopefully these Mercs won’t be as bad.

I've driven 5481, 5486 and 5487 of that batch, plus one of the others previously based at Saltmeadows.

They seem a bit of a mixed bag, but largely rattle-free, quite quick off the mark, and all very warm (so I'd be happy as a driver!) They're all limited to 50mph but shouldn't ever need to exceed that speed on the X30 anyway.

(07 Apr 2019, 7:31 pm)Dan wrote Confirms nothing - I'm just commenting on the lack of any major changes for quite some time now. There's been a pretty stable network over the last year or two, changes few and far between.

Arriva and Stagecoach in the meantime have had quite a few major changes (some admittedly have been improvements) - just look at the 12 in Sunderland being re-routed to compete with the Go North East 56, then reverted back to its original route some three to six months later...

Ye the 8 and 36 both seem to be working, its the only two Go North East services near my work

So hopefully if they're changing, it won't be major...


Edit:

Who has the last say in changes to services?, how much imput does the MD have in it?

(07 Apr 2019, 7:00 pm)N1cholas wrote time for the guessing to start 

We had email atvwork regarding the Prince Bishops

20 reduced to every 12mins
20A scrapped
X20 every 30mins between Sunderland and Durham.

Dont know if these changes are confirmed but that was the changes proposed. Also 35 to run via Rainton every 30mins during the day

(07 Apr 2019, 8:00 pm)JP6004 wrote We had email atvwork regarding the Prince Bishops

20 reduced to every 12mins
20A scrapped
X20 every 30mins between Sunderland and Durham.

Dont know if these changes are confirmed but that was the changes proposed. Also 35 to run via Rainton every 30mins during the day

20 PVR would be 16
X20 PVR would be 4

So PVR i think would be the same.


I would imagine the PVR for the 35 would go up by one

(07 Apr 2019, 7:21 pm)Dan wrote They've seen an increasing amount of use at Riverside and Washington on normal service work anyway.

They aren't too shabby inside, and are actually better from a passenger point of view than the OmniCitys they're replacing (fitted with USB sockets, bit more legroom, 2+1 seating, etc).

Didn't realise they had USB sockets! Bonus eh!

I'm assuming with the Toonlink branding being diluted that going forward these will either be repainted or the brand is being dropped for something else. Hopefully get to ride on one of these if they ever stray onto the Consett services.

(07 Apr 2019, 8:00 pm)JP6004 wrote We had email atvwork regarding the Prince Bishops

20 reduced to every 12mins
20A scrapped
X20 every 30mins between Sunderland and Durham.

Dont know if these changes are confirmed but that was the changes proposed. Also 35 to run via Rainton every 30mins during the day

Im glad it missed the rest of the changes off 

(07 Apr 2019, 8:39 pm)N1cholas wrote Im glad it missed the rest of the changes off 

Any hints then, since you keep going on about how you know the changes?

(07 Apr 2019, 8:57 pm)Michael wrote Any hints then, since you keep going on about how you know the changes?

no you will have to wait.........




but if your really interested this one will go that way, this one will change to that one, the other one will be scrapped, another two will run onto another one  

(07 Apr 2019, 7:17 pm)Dan wrote When were the last major changes in North Sunderland..? Go North East have had a pretty stable network for quite some time now, especially when compared to Stagecoach in the same area... 

I'm sure you'll be a fan of what's to come! 


Do they really need five life-expired Volvo B7RLEs?

Just perception (hence 'seemingly').
Lost track of all the changes and revisions over the years and I have very little to do with the area. 
It would be interesting to think what people living in the area, actually perceive the service to be. 

(07 Apr 2019, 8:00 pm)JP6004 wrote We had email atvwork regarding the Prince Bishops

20 reduced to every 12mins
20A scrapped
X20 every 30mins between Sunderland and Durham.

Dont know if these changes are confirmed but that was the changes proposed. Also 35 to run via Rainton every 30mins during the day

Assuming the 35 picks up the route of the 20A between Houghton and Rainton Bridge and works in tandem with the X20, then the frequency on that stretch will be better than it is at the moment. 

Hoping my change in circumstances and not paying all those £4 odd fares like I used to, hasn't damaged the 20A too much!

.

(07 Apr 2019, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote I've driven 5481, 5486 and 5487 of that batch, plus one of the others previously based at Saltmeadows.

They seem a bit of a mixed bag, but largely rattle-free, quite quick off the mark, and all very warm (so I'd be happy as a driver!) They're all limited to 50mph but shouldn't ever need to exceed that speed on the X30 anyway.

Think the X doesn’t really belong on the X30 as there are no express parts on the route, only part that we can in theory get the foot down is between kip hill and sunnisde, something which some of the Omnicities were only to glad to do. However most of Consett drivers are pleased to see the back of the Omnicities

Heard X1 on fire today at Sheriff Hill.....anyone confirm?

Seems the X30 not been operated by Toonlink branded buses confuses some people

(08 Apr 2019, 6:05 pm)Ds1197 wrote Seems the X30 not been operated by Toonlink branded buses confuses some people

It takes some getting used to when you become familiar with a certain brand.

For the buses with destination controllers which can update the screens at a set location, I don't get why you'd sacrifice a full screen final destination point, e.g 'Market Street' or 'Haymarket', just to make room for 'up to every 10 mins'. Is that really more helpful to passengers than being able to easily read the destination as the bus approaches?

(08 Apr 2019, 8:21 pm)ne14ne1 wrote For the buses with destination controllers which can update the screens at a set location, I don't get why you'd sacrifice a full screen final destination point, e.g 'Market Street' or 'Haymarket', just to make room for 'up to every 10 mins'. Is that really more helpful to passengers than being able to easily read the destination as the bus approaches?

I know you feel quite strongly about this, as has been proven by your recent posts, but it makes perfect sense: to promote the services to people who aren't currently bus users. If these promotional messages appeal to said non bus users, it could get these people travelling by bus. Is that not a good thing? Low fares, high frequency services, convenience (contactless payments etc) are all great things to promote.

The terminal point on the new displays is just four LEDs smaller in terms of height, compared to the previous. There's not a lot in it actually. The perception is that it's much smaller just because of the via point being present, but this is essentially just using the space which was otherwise blank. It's really not vastly different in terms of clarity.

The majority of feedback received thus far is positive - the removal of via points originally was much more of a controversial move.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

(08 Apr 2019, 9:19 pm)Dan wrote I know you feel quite strongly about this, as has been proven by your recent posts, but it makes perfect sense: to promote the services to people who aren't currently bus users. If these promotional messages appeal to said non bus users, it could get these people travelling by bus. Is that not a good thing? Low fares, high frequency services, convenience (contactless payments etc) are all great things to promote.

The terminal point on the new displays is just four LEDs smaller in terms of height, compared to the previous. There's not a lot in it actually. The perception is that it's much smaller just because of the via point being present, but this is essentially just using the space which was otherwise blank. It's really not vastly different in terms of clarity.

The majority of feedback received thus far is positive - the removal of via points originally was much more of a controversial move.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

I absolutely love the new displays. As much as I liked them with only the terminal point, they did become confusing at various places i.e. Dalton Park which only has one stop in a turning circle. The static displays that include the via points are so much better. I'm over the moon you've brought them back and they are so much better now than the previous ones that had the awful scrolling via points. I also love the modern, bold font for the terminating point and I can't wait for this to be rolled out onto the remaining services. GNE, you've upped your game once again 

Also Dan, I have some feedback about the displays whilst you're in the process of changing them: you should have a go at displaying the route numbers in the font associated with each brand in the same way you have already done with the X1, X9|X10 and the 4. For instance with The Crusader 27 (just something I made quickly) 

...that WOULD be something to see if it was possible! Keep Arial as the standard route number for Go North East services, though.

Just another thought to make your brand stand out even more than the others. Arriva's are rubbish; Stagecoach's are rubbish. Yours are fantastic and would be even more incredible with this feature!

[quote="N1cholas" pid='227724' dateline='1554670719']

no you will have to wait.........


Changes released internally, we know the Consett depot changes will only be timing, not to those services already changed on Sunday...would imagine these changes for Chester le Street, Deptford and Percy Main depots will be released online sooner than the 7th April as there’s some big changes.

(09 Apr 2019, 4:28 am)Stanleyone wrote [quote="N1cholas" pid='227724' dateline='1554670719']

no you will have to wait.........


Changes released internally, we know the Consett depot changes will only be timing, not to those services already changed on Sunday...would imagine these changes for Chester le Street, Deptford and Percy Main depots will be released online sooner than the 7th April as there’s some big changes.

9th April now though

(09 Apr 2019, 12:01 am)BeachBoy99 wrote I absolutely love the new displays. As much as I liked them with only the terminal point, they did become confusing at various places i.e. Dalton Park which only has one stop in a turning circle. The static displays that include the via points are so much better. I'm over the moon you've brought them back and they are so much better now than the previous ones that had the awful scrolling via points. I also love the modern, bold font for the terminating point and I can't wait for this to be rolled out onto the remaining services. GNE, you've upped your game once again 

Also Dan, I have some feedback about the displays whilst you're in the process of changing them: you should have a go at displaying the route numbers in the font associated with each brand in the same way you have already done with the X1, X9|X10 and the 4. For instance with The Crusader 27 (just something I made quickly) 

...that WOULD be something to see if it was possible! Keep Arial as the standard route number for Go North East services, though.

Just another thought to make your brand stand out even more than the others. Arriva's are rubbish; Stagecoach's are rubbish. Yours are fantastic and would be even more incredible with this feature!

Good stuff!

It's been a team effort with a lot of discussion internally to use the displays as effectively as possible - there's no right or wrong way of doing them and I don't think the Arriva or Stagecoach displays are bad really. Certainly the latter have also worked on trying to create a solution like Go North East whereby they increase the font size for the terminal point whilst having static via points which aren't as difficult to read as scrolling via points.

We know the Arial route numbers look great and really stand out as the bus approaches you, the rest was just getting the right balance of the terminal point being large enough to still be legible from a distance, but also have enough space for a small via point or two.

The route numbers are something we can look at into in the future. 

My only slight criticism of the displays is that I think the via points could be padded out a bit more. I think some of them are very limited at the moment.

As an example, service 8 appears to just show a static 'via Chester-le-Street' in both directions. To aid with the route number in distinguishing the route between the 8 and 78, I think the addition of the likes of Beamish and Washington wouldn't go amiss.

Could also suggest alternating screens between the via points and the exact location that the bus terminates at, much like was done with the old scrolling format ('Eldon Square via... etc').

(07 Mar 2019, 7:56 pm)Jamie M wrote 3975 was on 137/93/X21 today due to 6010 being VOR due to defects.


Go North East 3975 (PJ02PZB) by Bus Enthusiast, on Flickr

Someone caught me.. obviously with a smile and wave!

(09 Apr 2019, 9:31 am)S813 FVK wrote My only slight criticism of the displays is that I think the via points could be padded out a bit more. I think some of them are very limited at the moment.

As an example, service 8 appears to just show a static 'via Chester-le-Street' in both directions. To aid with the route number in distinguishing the route between the 8 and 78, I think the addition of the likes of Beamish and Washington wouldn't go amiss.

Could also suggest alternating screens between the via points and the exact location that the bus terminates at, much like was done with the old scrolling format ('Eldon Square via... etc').

I think it was the 46 or 45 yesterday I passed that flipped between metrocentre and some other place. I couldn't read it beause 5416's display is far too bright to read small text from distance, but definitely happening with more info. Hopefully on a wider scale though.

(09 Apr 2019, 9:33 am)Jamie M wrote I think it was the 46 or 45 yesterday I passed that flipped between metrocentre and some other place. I couldn't read it beause 5416's display is far too bright to read small text from distance, but definitely happening with more info. Hopefully on a wider scale though.

Rowlands Gill.

According to 5407, we are at Queen Alexandrea bridge, and its 17.23pm... 25.8.1999

(10 Apr 2019, 4:24 pm)Michael wrote According to 5407, we are at Queen Alexandrea bridge, and its 17.23pm... 25.8.1999

It's because the Hanover system relies on GPS for time and location.

This 'bug' affects way more than the Next Stop Announcement units on buses, read more:
https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/06/gps-ro...ccounter=1

(10 Apr 2019, 5:48 pm)Dan wrote It's because the Hanover system relies on GPS for time and location.

This 'bug' affects way more than the Next Stop Announcement units on buses, read more:
https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/06/gps-ro...ccounter=1

ahh, never thought of that!

(08 Apr 2019, 9:19 pm)Dan wrote it makes perfect sense: to promote the services to people who aren't currently bus users. If these promotional messages appeal to said non bus users, it could get these people travelling by bus. Is that not a good thing? Low fares, high frequency services, convenience (contactless payments etc) are all great things to promote.

The terminal point on the new displays is just four LEDs smaller in terms of height, compared to the previous. There's not a lot in it actually. The perception is that it's much smaller just because of the via point being present, but this is essentially just using the space which was otherwise blank. It's really not vastly different in terms of clarity.

The majority of feedback received thus far is positive - the removal of via points originally was much more of a controversial move.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Completely appreciate everyone has their own taste and you can never please all of the public all of the time. 
Sure, promotional messages getting non bus users onto public transport is good, its just usually service frequency, features etc have been promoted on the bodywork or windows. 
Personally I'd keep destination screens purely for the destination/stopping points. Promote the frequency etc in the livery.

(09 Apr 2019, 6:23 am)Dan wrote there's no right or wrong way of doing them and I don't think the Arriva or Stagecoach displays are bad really. Certainly the latter have also worked on trying to create a solution like Go North East whereby they increase the font size for the terminal point whilst having static via points which aren't as difficult to read as scrolling via points.

I think Stagecoach have done it better to be honest.

The last few days when walking through the city streets to/from work I've been trying to pay attention to both GNE's & Stagecoach's new destination formatting, to try and work out why Stagecoach's appear easier to read.

I've cropped a few destinations from photos on the forum, (mainly RBZ5459's as he recently pointed out his great shots which include Stagecoach's new destinations: https://www.flickr.com/photos/williamsonm/), and comparing them to GNE's I think Stagecoach's are easier to read as the text isn't bold, and the characters have more shape to them. Lower case 'E's and 'O's for example are more rounded, whereas GNE's bold text is very condensed. The outline of their lower case 'E' and 'O' are squarer, and with the limited gap between each almost square letter makes it harder to distinguish the characters at first glance from a distance.



As said before just my opinion, and you can't please everyone, but I do really like Stagecoach's new format, including the static and sometimes alternating via points.   

I don’t like the new GNE top font

With everything going on, I think I've lost track of which demonstrator / loan vehicles Go North East is using at the moment!

The Forum fleet list appears to show six, 9079, 9080, 9083, 9084, 9087 and 9088, but I thought some of those had now been returned.

The list on the official GNE site shows just two, 9083 and 9084.

Any clarifications?

(11 Apr 2019, 7:52 am)Ianthegoon wrote With everything going on, I think I've lost track of which demonstrator / loan vehicles Go North East is using at the moment!

The Forum fleet list appears to show six, 9079, 9080, 9083, 9084, 9087 and 9088, but I thought some of those had now been returned.

The list on the official GNE site shows just two, 9083 and 9084.

Any clarifications?

Just them 2 and the Citaro Demo if that’s still up here.

Is 6074 at Washington? Heard its been loaned there