(03 Mar 2020, 8:19 pm)streetdeckfan wrote So is it a case of GCT just telling GNE how many passengers used a GNE ticket, then GNE paying GCT a certain amount per ticket, similar to the ENCTS? Or is GCT not receiving anything from GNE for those passengers?

Because if it's the former I guess they'd have no problem taking my word that I have a valid ticket on my Key, or if it's the latter I'd guess they'd be reluctant

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I don’t think you’ll ever be privy to the details of the ticket acceptance agreement between the operators and Nexus, sorry.


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(03 Mar 2020, 4:27 pm)Dan wrote These changes have now formally been announced by Go North East:
http://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/s...rch-395926

Note no confirmation on service 19 just yet.

Details of the 19 have now been confirmed:

• There will be some changes to peak time journeys.
  
  
• There will be additional weekday evening journeys to Cramlington.
  
  
• Evening and Sunday journeys will no longer be operated by Go North East, following a change in contract by Nexus, however pre-purchased Go North East tickets will be valid on Nexus buses at these times.
  
  
• View new timetable
  

AD122 has appeared on VOSA:

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/545103/

-------------

Metro replacement: St James Metro to Lonbenton Metro Via North Shields, Monkseaton

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/544685/

What has warranted the later 19 journeys to Cramlington? I thought GNE tried these back in 2014 / 15 unless there is data showing demand?

(10 Mar 2020, 9:53 pm)L469 YVK wrote What has warranted the later 19 journeys to Cramlington? I thought GNE tried these back in 2014 / 15 unless there is data showing demand?

A partnership between Go North East, Cobalt and Northumberland County Council. It’s a good thing!


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(11 Mar 2020, 6:11 am)Dan wrote A partnership between Go North East, Cobalt and Northumberland County Council. It’s a good thing!


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Absolutely, it's a very good thing indeed! 

Will Cobalt & Coast B9s be used like the last time or will it just be Solos?

I'm not usually one to be cynical, but this whole situation with the 19 just seems so fishy to me.

Obviously I don't know any of the finances involved or what goes on behind the scenes, but the way it all played out makes it seem to me like the reason it was withdrawn completely was to cause a bit of drama with the hopes of getting the same, if not more funding back to keep it running.

(12 Mar 2020, 2:17 am)streetdeckfan wrote I'm not usually one to be cynical, but this whole situation with the 19 just seems so fishy to me.

Obviously I don't know any of the finances involved or what goes on behind the scenes, but the way it all played out makes it seem to me like the reason it was withdrawn completely was to cause a bit of drama with the hopes of getting the same, if not more funding back to keep it running.

Seriously... More likely there was a lot of people moaning from Cobalt to both Cobalt and NCC who have realised that they need to do something. Fair play for GNE actually being active in trying to keep it running some companies wouldn't (and that isn't a dig at Arriva for those who hate them as they were active at keeping the 57 at nights).

Surprised at NCC subsidising something that runs 5 minutes in front of the 57 through Seaton Delaval and then 12 minutes through High Pit mind though seems a bit stupid of them especially when they couldn't afford to subsidise it at all until the local council and Arriva got onto them. Hope it doesn't end up like last time where they end up scrapping both at the same time.

Wonder if over time the 19 will be replace the 58 can't see them subsidising 2 bus routes between the hospital and Cramlington and the 58 is dead constantly anyway.

(12 Mar 2020, 2:17 am)streetdeckfan wrote I'm not usually one to be cynical, but this whole situation with the 19 just seems so fishy to me.

Obviously I don't know any of the finances involved or what goes on behind the scenes, but the way it all played out makes it seem to me like the reason it was withdrawn completely was to cause a bit of drama with the hopes of getting the same, if not more funding back to keep it running.

I expect the reason that it was withdrawn by Go North East was that the income from fares, passes etc. was significantly less than the cost of running from Northumberland Park to Ashington. 

Cobalt and the County Council must have taken the decision that the link was worthwhile saving and must have, as with other services, decided to make funding available to keep it going.

Nothing fishy at all, it happens all the time across the whole country - indeed, just recently, Nexus has decided to pay Stagecoach extra money to keep the 18 & 32/32A running
https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/have-...-and-3232a

If the secured a deal like that for the 19,why couldnt they of done that for the 42/42A

(12 Mar 2020, 10:43 am)V514DFT wrote If the secured a deal like that for the 19,why couldnt they of done that for the 42/42A

Because the 335 has replaced it.

But if they had of done that in the first place,then the 335 wouldnt of needed to replace it

(12 Mar 2020, 8:15 pm)V514DFT wrote But if they had of done that in the first place,then the 335 wouldnt of needed to replace it

It was more cost-effective for Nexus to replace the 42 in its current format as an extension of the 335.

This went out to tender, but Go North East were unsuccessful in being awarded it.

Looks like Gateshead Central Taxis will be providing brand new buses on this service, so it’s not all bad!


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(12 Mar 2020, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote It was more cost-effective for Nexus to replace the 42 in its current format as an extension of the 335.

This went out to tender, but Go North East were unsuccessful in being awarded it.

Looks like Gateshead Central Taxis will be providing brand new buses on this service, so it’s not all bad!


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GCT seem to be getting awarded pretty much every contract these days!

I'm guessing it's because they can put in a lower bid with them having lower overheads, and also offering an arguably 'worse' service in terms of quality (although 'Little Coaster' don't exactly offer the most premium service either!)

(12 Mar 2020, 11:10 am)Tom wrote Because the 335 has replaced it.

Plus the high frequency Stagecoach 22 covers most of the Wallsend to Cobalt section of the 42/42A, so Nexus can't be seen spending public money funding a service over this section.

How many Solo's will be free'd up next weekend when service changes happen in North Tyneside?

Edit:

Wonder if the Coronavirus will lead in to a delay for the Yutongs arriving?


From the February thread:

Dan:

Bit too much going on at the moment to have unnecessary repaints - as soon as the Citaros at Riverside are painted, need to move onto other repaints to coincide with the delivery of the new vehicles for Consett and Washington which will lead to a multitude of buses moving around and getting repainted and rebranded.


Have any of these repaints started?

(15 Mar 2020, 10:38 am)Michael wrote How many Solo's will be free'd up next weekend when service changes happen in North Tyneside?

Edit:

Wonder if the Coronavirus will lead in to a delay for the Yutongs arriving?


From the February thread:

Dan:

Bit too much going on at the moment to have unnecessary repaints - as soon as the Citaros at Riverside are painted, need to move onto other repaints to coincide with the delivery of the new vehicles for Consett and Washington which will lead to a multitude of buses moving around and getting repainted and rebranded.


Have any of these repaints started?

Which route are the Yutongs for?

---

(14 Mar 2020, 9:35 pm)6049 wrote The repaints for the Omnicities on the 50/5 last year, were the two-thirds update of the paintwork. As has already been mentioned, they have been upgraded to Euro 6 but there may be some reallocation in May depending on services changes.

Thanks for the info

(15 Mar 2020, 12:16 pm)OW1762 wrote Which route are the Yutongs for?

---

Saltwell Park 53 and 54, due July.

2nd batch will be for the 58 but its not confirmed when they'll arrrive.

(15 Mar 2020, 10:38 am)Michael wrote From the February thread:

Dan:

Bit too much going on at the moment to have unnecessary repaints - as soon as the Citaros at Riverside are painted, need to move onto other repaints to coincide with the delivery of the new vehicles for Consett and Washington which will lead to a multitude of buses moving around and getting repainted and rebranded.


Have any of these repaints started?

The only repaint last week was 628, into Little Coasters livery.

5280 and 5281 are at Saltmeadows at the moment to be repainted.

(15 Mar 2020, 4:55 pm)Dan wrote The only repaint last week was 628, into Little Coasters livery.

5280 and 5281 are at Saltmeadows at the moment to be repainted.

Isn't the PVR dropping for the Little Coasters from next week?

(15 Mar 2020, 5:03 pm)Michael wrote Isn't the PVR dropping for the Little Coasters from next week?

Yes, but there are still more Little Coasters required.

(15 Mar 2020, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote Yes, but there are still more Little Coasters required.

Ahh is that to get rid the 10 reg versions?

(15 Mar 2020, 5:22 pm)Michael wrote Ahh is that to get rid the 10 reg versions?

No. The 11, 19, 41 and 42/42A will still be Little Coasters branded. Don't forget there aren't enough Little Coasters branded at the moment.

3 of the PVR loss from next weekend is as a result of contract loss (W1/W1A and W2) - so from that, 709, 724 & 725 will be the buses re-allocated/withdrawn.

(15 Mar 2020, 5:34 pm)Dan wrote No. The 11, 19, 41 and 42/42A will still be Little Coasters branded. Don't forget there aren't enough Little Coasters branded at the moment.

3 of the PVR loss from next weekend is as a result of contract loss (W1/W1A and W2) - so from that, 709, 724 & 725 will be the buses re-allocated/withdrawn.

Ah right thanks!

Will 724/725 go to Washington to replace 706/707?

(15 Mar 2020, 7:50 pm)S830OFT wrote Will 724/725 go to Washington to replace 706/707?

724/725 would probably be overkill at Washington for the 23 though? More likely being used as a float bus across all depots when they're short of a Solo, Deptford/Peterlee would probably make more sense.

(15 Mar 2020, 12:50 pm)Michael wrote Saltwell Park 53 and 54, due July.

2nd batch will be for the 58 but its not confirmed when they'll arrrive.

Thank you for the info, out of curiosity what's the range on them?

(15 Mar 2020, 10:47 pm)OW1762 wrote Thank you for the info, out of curiosity what's the range on them?

I believe it's about 180 miles. Although not sure if that's for the older batteries or the new battery they've upgraded to

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(15 Mar 2020, 5:34 pm)Dan wrote No. The 11, 19, 41 and 42/42A will still be Little Coasters branded. Don't forget there aren't enough Little Coasters branded at the moment.

3 of the PVR loss from next weekend is as a result of contract loss (W1/W1A and W2) - so from that, 709, 724 & 725 will be the buses re-allocated/withdrawn.

Does anybody know what the PVR of the little coasters will be following the service changes??

Thanks, Peter

Well that was fun,just been on the 40 coming home and had to listen to 2 women ranting about the upcoming changes on Sunday, they were not happy,i thought 'oops'