Saw the stand at Park Lane last week, containing very few leaflets (presumably already ransacked).  Was no sign of the stand when I passed through there today - possibly awaiting a refill I guess?  Not sure whether it's Nexus, GNE or a third party supposed to do the restocking.  Let's hope it's not the former.

Good stuff

Is Park Lane still work in progress as I couldn’t see any yesterday (although I’m not sure where they’d put them, with the bus station being outdoor)

they are outisde of the old Nexus centre.

Saw the stand at Park Lane last week, containing very few leaflets (presumably already ransacked).  Was no sign of the stand when I passed through there today - possibly awaiting a refill I guess?  Not sure whether it's Nexus, GNE or a third party supposed to do the restocking.  Let's hope it's not the former.

It probably wouldn't have been put out if the supervisor wasn't in Park Lane today. It had plenty left yesterday when I was in.

It probably wouldn't have been put out if the supervisor wasn't in Park Lane today. It had plenty left yesterday when I was in.

Probably right.  Rack was out today, virtually empty, only had leaflets for a handful of services - hopefully they will get into the swing of restocking (Gateshead's was not much better stocked the last couple of times I passed) as the reintroduction of printed literature at interchanges is a really positive move.

I don’t think availability of the timetables is that great to be fair

I had a trip around Washington today and there were no timetables on the X1 that I caught, and none on the 4 either, and from observing the Little Pinks, service 8 and the 50 at the Galleries, I don’t think there were many timetables on board those either.

I’m surprised there is no timetable rack at Washington Galleries, as don’t GNE run it for Nexus, they used to have a Travel Shop there not too long ago

I don’t think availability of the timetables is that great to be fair

I had a trip around Washington today and there were no timetables on the X1 that I caught, and none on the 4 either, and from observing the Little Pinks, service 8 and the 50 at the Galleries, I don’t think there were many timetables on board those either.

I’m surprised there is no timetable rack at Washington Galleries, as don’t GNE run it for Nexus, they used to have a Travel Shop there not too long ago

If you're struggling to obtain timetables on-board buses, report it to the driver and Customer Services. They'll ensure the buses are re-stocked. These leaflets have been produced, are printed, and are available. Stock on buses may be limited at the moment due to the current staff shortages resulting in leading drivers covering mileage on the road rather than office duties, but it'll still get done at some point if the point is made that a bus doesn't have a sufficient number of leaflets available.

One step at a time for providing racks in bus stations! After much lobbying to Nexus, Go North East have succeeded in restoring printed literature racks at Eldon Square and Haymarket, which are managed by Nexus. They were already available at the Metrocentre, and they have now taken it upon themselves to provide printed literature at Park Lane and Gateshead themselves (procuring the rack and arranging for it to be re-stocked of their own accord). Providing this space and ensuring there is sufficient stock available is usually the responsibility of the local authority, not the bus operator, so Go North East are already doing way more than most operators would, in these circumstances. They have committed to allowing other operators to use this space too, despite no other operator providing the funds for this.

Can confirm a full timetable rack at Eldon Square, this Wednesday.

Not even a noticeable place for timetables on either of the X21s I caught, though.

Can confirm a full timetable rack at Eldon Square, this Wednesday.

Not even a noticeable place for timetables on either of the X21s I caught, though.

Eldon Square does seem to be well replenished as it never looks too empty.  The racks in Haymarket last time I passed were all still empty and in the control room thing on the end of the concourse so not sure they are actually in use.  Sunderland and Gateshead just seem to get emptier and emptier so not sure anyone is actually replenishing them.

Sunderland today, by way of example: https://ibb.co/DKPCvZm

Eldon Square does seem to be well replenished as it never looks too empty.  The racks in Haymarket last time I passed were all still empty and in the control room thing on the end of the concourse so not sure they are actually in use.  Sunderland and Gateshead just seem to get emptier and emptier so not sure anyone is actually replenishing them.

Sunderland today, by way of example: https://ibb.co/DKPCvZm

The Drifter 60 must be unpopular then!

I assume they are being replenished by a third party then due to the racks being ‘tourist’ racks that would usually have leaflets about attractions in them, rather than GNE/Nexus racks. Maybe they only drive around to fill them up once a week.

The Drifter 60 must be unpopular then!

I assume they are being replenished by a third party then due to the racks being ‘tourist’ racks that would usually have leaflets about attractions in them, rather than GNE/Nexus racks. Maybe they only drive around to fill them up once a week.

What about that poor X20?!

The Drifter 60 must be unpopular then!

I assume they are being replenished by a third party then due to the racks being ‘tourist’ racks that would usually have leaflets about attractions in them, rather than GNE/Nexus racks. Maybe they only drive around to fill them up once a week.

There was 8 racks of 60.

Eldon Square does seem to be well replenished as it never looks too empty.  The racks in Haymarket last time I passed were all still empty and in the control room thing on the end of the concourse so not sure they are actually in use.  Sunderland and Gateshead just seem to get emptier and emptier so not sure anyone is actually replenishing them.

Sunderland today, by way of example: https://ibb.co/DKPCvZm

Both have had some extra stock added this morning, see Park Lane as an example below (currently none for 8/78 and 56 but additional stock requested):

i was on the 28b last night.... slightly worse for ware but the duckets glued tot the back of the drivers cab had paper timetables in them.

Both have had some extra stock added this morning, see Park Lane as an example below (currently none for 8/78 and 56 but additional stock requested):

And for completeness, Gateshead...

Are there area bus guides for Gateshead, Sunderland, etc.. Like Washington Has?

Are there area bus guides for Gateshead, Sunderland, etc.. Like Washington Has?

How widely available are the Consett, North Tyneside and Washington bus guides, were they just available as a one off at the time, or are they still on buses now?

How widely available are the Consett, North Tyneside and Washington bus guides, were they just available as a one off at the time, or are they still on buses now?

Apart from the odd Connections 4 timetable. I've never seen an X1 timetable or anything on the Little Pinks. It doesn't help that the Solos don't have leaflet holders though. 

Washington buses generally have nothing on board. A situation that seems to be unique to Washington at the moment, as despite my previous postings on the matter, I find that most buses from other depots do have timetables nowadays.

If your looking for the NT booklet. Best chance is the Solos. I got mine of there. Haven't seen them on any of the Coaster StreetLite or the Cobalt & Coast Volvo B9

The Washington one I got of 6303 when it was on the 26 but since then. Haven't seen another one. Pretty sure someone on ebay will sell one for about £2 to £10

Apart from the odd Connections 4 timetable. I've never seen an X1 timetable or anything on the Little Pinks. It doesn't help that the Solos don't have leaflet holders though. 

Washington buses generally have nothing on board. A situation that seems to be unique to Washington at the moment, as despite my previous postings on the matter, I find that most buses from other depots do have timetables nowadays.

Is it not because they've reduced the timetable on the X1? The Solos on the 39 have leaflet holders in the corner of the wheelchair bay on the back of the cab, I don't think people notice them much though as when I put on the timetables for the 39s they were still stuffed full of X20 timetables that had clearly been there for over a year!

Is it not because they've reduced the timetable on the X1? The Solos on the 39 have leaflet holders in the corner of the wheelchair bay on the back of the cab, I don't think people notice them much though as when I put on the timetables for the 39s they were still stuffed full of X20 timetables that had clearly been there for over a year!

The X1 was just an example, but potentially the reason in that instance, now that you've mentioned it. Although I'd say having paper temporary timetables would be better than empty holders.

Is there or will there be any paper timetables for the Peterlee purples?


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The X1 was just an example, but potentially the reason in that instance, now that you've mentioned it. Although I'd say having paper temporary timetables would be better than empty holders.

There’s definitely printed temporary timetables for the X1 (kudos to GNE for that).  I don’t know that there were ever any printed X1s available to the general public earlier in Sept before they reduced frequency, though I think there was one included in a photo somewhere so they clearly existed.

Never seen any current (Sept 21) editions for the Connections 4, Little Pinks, Peterlee Purples or Sunderland Connect.

The leaflet rack at Park Lane was missing in action again today, I’m sure they know when I’m visiting and don’t put it out!

X1 timetables are available at Eldon Square by the way, also there doesn’t seem to be a new 6 timetable showing the extension to Lanchester

The leaflet rack at Park Lane was missing in action again today, I’m sure they know when I’m visiting and don’t put it out!

X1 timetables are available at Eldon Square by the way, also there doesn’t seem to be a new 6 timetable showing the extension to Lanchester

Loads of timetable at Gateshead as well & Metrocentre

The leaflet rack at Park Lane was missing in action again today, I’m sure they know when I’m visiting and don’t put it out!

X1 timetables are available at Eldon Square by the way, also there doesn’t seem to be a new 6 timetable showing the extension to Lanchester

Did you notice if the X1s were the updated temprorary ones or ones from begining Sept?

Did you notice if the X1s were the updated temprorary ones or ones from begining Sept?

The X1 timetable shows the temporary timetable. I don’t know if there was ever one for the usual timetable.

There’s definitely printed temporary timetables for the X1 (kudos to GNE for that).  I don’t know that there were ever any printed X1s available to the general public earlier in Sept before they reduced frequency, though I think there was one included in a photo somewhere so they clearly existed.

Never seen any current (Sept 21) editions for the Connections 4, Little Pinks, Peterlee Purples or Sunderland Connect.

I've heard someone mention about the Little Pinks timetables, but never actually seen any with my own eyes. Out of the 6 buses I was on today, only one (the 71) had any printed timetables on board.

They can't have completely ran out already, so I wonder if the depots are bothering to fill the holders up?

The leaflet rack at Park Lane was missing in action again today, I’m sure they know when I’m visiting and don’t put it out!

X1 timetables are available at Eldon Square by the way, also there doesn’t seem to be a new 6 timetable showing the extension to Lanchester

The Eldon Square one was last Sat/Sun too. Staffed both days, but I noticed the timetable rack sitting empty inside the bus station office.

It’s all a bit annoyingly lacklustre overall really isn’t. Racks are either not available and if they are available they are often half empty, and leaflet holders on buses are more often empty than they are full.

Although to be fair Dan did say it was a small start and it’s better than most operators, and to be honest this is all caused ultimately by Nexus closing the travel centres so that’s where the blame should lie. Hopefully be next summer, the driver issues will be over, and GNE will do another marketing push with leaflets and full leaflet racks all over the place.

I did manage to pick up a leaflet for the 34 strangely on a 6 Versa though, which is probably one of the rarest ones, so that was nice

It’s all a bit annoyingly lacklustre overall really isn’t. Racks are either not available and if they are available they are often half empty, and leaflet holders on buses are more often empty than they are full.

Although to be fair Dan did say it was a small start and it’s better than most operators, and to be honest this is all caused ultimately by Nexus closing the travel centres so that’s where the blame should lie. Hopefully be next summer, the driver issues will be over, and GNE will do another marketing push with leaflets and full leaflet racks all over the place.

I did manage to pick up a leaflet for the 34 strangely on a 6 Versa though, which is probably one of the rarest ones, so that was nice

The rack was at Sunderland today about half full, but most of what was in it were tourism leaflets, with hardly any timetables (2 services I think).  Nexus absolutely deserve the criticism  utterly useless organisation.

Leaflets for 5 & 65 are others I am yet to see

The rack was at Sunderland today about half full, but most of what was in it were tourism leaflets, with hardly any timetables (2 services I think).  Nexus absolutely deserve the criticism  utterly useless organisation.

Leaflets for 5 & 65 are others I am yet to see

Those racks are simply emptying very quickly, as I know for a fact the one in Park Lane is replenished regularly.