The rotas were amalgamated at most (if not all) locations a few months ago, with just a few exclusions, meaning that pretty much every driver will do pretty much every service. The drivers underwent a period of route familiarisation prior to the amalgamation occurring; if I recall correctly, nk55 and citaro5284 posted about it on here at the time.

The exclusions will be along the lines of your EU work (X9/X10), scholars, etc. Think the X66 may still be separate from when it was a dedicated articulated vehicle driver rota. Since the Streetlites entered service, I think there are opportunities available for overtime on the service for any driver, though I am not certain on this.

(02 Jul 2015, 5:07 am)Dan wrote The rotas were amalgamated at most (if not all) locations a few months ago, with just a few exclusions, meaning that pretty much every driver will do pretty much every service. The drivers underwent a period of route familiarisation prior to the amalgamation occurring; if I recall correctly, nk55 and citaro5284 posted about it on here at the time.

The exclusions will be along the lines of your EU work (X9/X10), scholars, etc. Think the X66 may still be separate from when it was a dedicated articulated vehicle driver rota. Since the Streetlites entered service, I think there are opportunities available for overtime on the service for any driver, though I am not certain on this.

Another exclusion at Riverside is that the ex Winlaton routes are kept separate from the ex Sunderland Road routes.

(02 Jul 2015, 5:07 am)Dan wrote The rotas were amalgamated at most (if not all) locations a few months ago, with just a few exclusions, meaning that pretty much every driver will do pretty much every service. The drivers underwent a period of route familiarisation prior to the amalgamation occurring; if I recall correctly, nk55 and citaro5284 posted about it on here at the time.

The exclusions will be along the lines of your EU work (X9/X10), scholars, etc. Think the X66 may still be separate from when it was a dedicated articulated vehicle driver rota. Since the Streetlites entered service, I think there are opportunities available for overtime on the service for any driver, though I am not certain on this.

(02 Jul 2015, 5:09 am)citaro5284 wrote Another exclusion at Riverside is that the ex Winlaton routes are kept separate from the ex Sunderland Road routes.

Thanks, I just wondered how it worked.

I'm sure going back a good few years when the TEN service was introduced, the advertising said that these services were operated by Gold drivers or something to that effect?? Giving the impression that certain flagship routes like TEN had a certain number of select drivers, and not just any driver would be operating it.

Another Question: (Sorry )

Do all drivers drive both Single and Double Decker buses ..... does this vary, or is there a progression that a driver goes thru ?

Do New recruit drivers (newly qualified) start on single decker's and/or just certain routes, again using my example above...
would a New driver be put on a route like the TEN service driving a Double Decker or is there a progression he would go thru first?

Cheers!

Sorry Folk another question I've been meaning to ask..

Bus Drivers again.......  What is a Lead/Leading Driver ? and what do they do different to a normal driver?

Is this just a GNE term for a Supervisor and more senior driver (Senior as in experience Not as in Senior Citizen..lol )

Cheers

Worth noting 5238 is finally out today left Newcastle on the last 11

(02 Jul 2015, 9:13 am)thetravelman wrote Sorry Folk another question I've been meaning to ask..

Bus Drivers again.......  What is a Lead/Leading Driver ? and what do they do different to a normal driver?

Is this just a GNE term for a Supervisor and more senior driver (Senior as in experience Not as in Senior Citizen..lol )

Cheers

Leading Drivers usually sort out minor operational issues. A small depot might have one, larger depots might have more. For example, In a medium-sized depot, one or two Leading Drivers might start the early shift shortly before the first driver is due to clock in; in the event that a driver phones in sick or doesn't appear, s/he'll take appropriate action to arrange cover (eg, might phone someone who is on a rest day and offer them an overtime shift, or might cover the missing driver's first trip himself, etc). During a day, they help to sort out other issues (eg., an incoming bus is running late, so Leading Driver instructs the next driver to take out a spare bus - if it's the 'wrong brand' as a result, arranges for a subsequent change-over later in the day).

So it's that sort of thing, really. Some companies include things such as radio checks, etc.

(02 Jul 2015, 5:09 am)citaro5284 wrote Another exclusion at Riverside is that the ex Winlaton routes are kept separate from the ex Sunderland Road routes.

Interesting!  Don't know why, but for some reason the rotas fascinate me.

I thought at Riverside it was roughly a MetroCentre/Gateshead split? As in MetroCentre based drivers do 10s, 11, 31, 32 & 47 and Gateshead based drivers do the former Sunderland Road routes plus the 49s (excluding X66 & EU).

Out of curiosity, with the upcoming Quaylink & Orbit changes; will the revised Quaylink be part of the 'Low Cost' (for want of a better term) unit or main depot?

Do you think that GNE will split the TTX to something like this:

- X9 = Peterlee Bus Station for Newcastle
- X10 = Peterlee Slip Road for Newcastle
- Evening X10 = Peterlee Bus Station for Newcastle

3814 broke down while operating service 823 to Sleepy Valley. It was replaced by 6122.

(02 Jul 2015, 8:03 am)thetravelman wrote Thanks, I just wondered how it worked.

I'm sure going back a good few years when the TEN service was introduced, the advertising said that these services were operated by Gold drivers or something to that effect?? Giving the impression that certain flagship routes like TEN had a certain number of select drivers, and not just any driver would be operating it.

Another Question: (Sorry )

Do all drivers drive both Single and Double Decker buses ..... does this vary, or is there a progression that a driver goes thru ?

Do New recruit drivers (newly qualified) start on single decker's and/or just certain routes, again using my example above...
would a New driver be put on a route like the TEN service driving a Double Decker or is there a progression he would go thru first?

Cheers!

I know this doesn't really answer your question but I usually notice in Consett that the 'Venture' Optare Solos are typically driven by younger drivers who I rarely (or never) see on other services, so perhaps there is some correlation between age (or progression) and a driver's 'status'.

(02 Jul 2015, 5:30 pm)Sidthebusbabe wrote I know this doesn't really answer your question but I usually notice in Consett that the 'Venture' Optare Solos are typically driven by younger drivers who I rarely (or never) see on other services, so perhaps there is some correlation between age (or progression) and a driver's 'status'.

It is my understanding that when a newly qualified driver starts their job at Stanley, they're allocated to the ''Venture'' network first, before progressing further.

(02 Jul 2015, 12:21 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Do you think that GNE will split the TTX to something like this:

- X9 = Peterlee Bus Station for Newcastle
- X10 = Peterlee Slip Road for Newcastle
- Evening X10 = Peterlee Bus Station for Newcastle

Probables not, don't see the point when the drivers have the tacho-graph training.

(02 Jul 2015, 6:10 pm)Michael wrote Probables not, don't see the point when the drivers have the tacho-graph training.

I don't like really long routes that until recently had Tacographs like the X93, Guisbourgh for Whitby for Scarborough.....Really what made Arriva change it anyways? The B9s had Tacos, ok they were problematic but it doesn't really make clear to passengers were the bus is going is it going to Guisbourgh or Whitby or Scarborough? We all know what passengers can be like these days!

(02 Jul 2015, 6:19 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I don't like really long routes that until recently had Tacographs like the X93, Guisbourgh for Whitby for Scarborough.....Really what made Arriva change it anyways? The B9s had Tacos, ok they were problematic but it doesn't really make clear to passengers were the bus is going is it going to Guisbourgh or Whitby or Scarborough? We all know what passengers can be like these days!

I don't know much about what happened there, but I'd assume cost. Splitting the route, therefore avoiding the requirement of a tacho, means that drivers are on GB domestic rules rather than EU rules.

(02 Jul 2015, 6:34 pm)aureolin wrote I don't know much about what happened there, but I'd assume cost. Splitting the route, therefore avoiding the requirement of a tacho, means that drivers are on GB domestic rules rather than EU rules.

Exactly that, and gives the depot greater flexibility with allocations / driving staff.

However, I don't think the A19 Peterlee slip-road would qualify as a valid splitting point? I'd imagine this would have happened a long time ago, otherwise.

(26 Jun 2015, 8:51 am)Dan wrote Ahead of branding being introduced to the 35/36 services; Deptford-based gold liveried Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5300 (NK08 CHF) has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into a fresh coat of gold.

This vehicle has now returned to service at Deptford, while Deptford-based gold liveried Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5298 (NK08 CHC) has taken its place at Saltmeadows Road for repaint.

(02 Jul 2015, 6:34 pm)aureolin wrote I don't know much about what happened there, but I'd assume cost. Splitting the route, therefore avoiding the requirement of a tacho, means that drivers are on GB domestic rules rather than EU rules.

And under EU Regs all drivers and vehicles driving records have to checked (normally by an outside company), so there is a cost there, and along with that each driver needs a digital tachograph card costing £32 and then when they need to be renewed (I think every 5 years) that is another £19.  You also need a Company card to download vehicle data, once again costing £32, so it all adds up.

(02 Jul 2015, 6:19 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I don't like really long routes that until recently had Tacographs like the X93, Guisbourgh for Whitby for Scarborough.....Really what made Arriva change it anyways? The B9s had Tacos, ok they were problematic but it doesn't really make clear to passengers were the bus is going is it going to Guisbourgh or Whitby or Scarborough? We all know what passengers can be like these days!

(02 Jul 2015, 6:34 pm)aureolin wrote I don't know much about what happened there, but I'd assume cost. Splitting the route, therefore avoiding the requirement of a tacho, means that drivers are on GB domestic rules rather than EU rules.

Splitting the route brings the drivers onto domestic hours (10 hours maximum a day, maximum of 5.5 hours driving time before a meal break is mandatory) rather than the more complex EU hours (maximum of 4.5 hours before a mandatory break). Although the amount of trips the driver can do hasn't changed on the X93 (drivers can still only do Whitby-Middlesbrouugh-Whitby or Whitby-Scarborough-Whitby, bar the two Redcar duties which do Middlesbrough-Scarborough-Whitby at the start and end of the day) it gives more flexibility if there's an accident along the route.

I've just had a thought perhaps the metro radio bus could make an appearance at CLS event

(02 Jul 2015, 8:03 am)thetravelman wrote I'm sure going back a good few years when the TEN service was introduced, the advertising said that these services were operated by Gold drivers or something to that effect?? Giving the impression that certain flagship routes like TEN had a certain number of select drivers, and not just any driver would be operating it.

IIRC, the statement was along the lines of 'friendly local drivers' - implying that the drivers were familiar with the route and able to advise pax where to get off (though I did hear one driver telling a pax that he didn't know where the Halfway House was when he asked for a fare to there).

(02 Jul 2015, 11:03 pm)Diamond One wrote I've just had a thought perhaps the metro radio bus could make an appearance at CLS event

How if it isn't branded yet?

(02 Jul 2015, 11:18 pm)LeeCalder wrote How if it isn't branded yet?

could have been done in secret once if i may recall that Versa 8319 was branded and nobody knew about it until the Tyne Tees Run in 2013

(03 Jul 2015, 12:02 am)Diamond One wrote could have been done in secret once if i may recall that Versa 8319 was branded and nobody knew about it until the Tyne Tees Run in 2013

busmanT stated it was being branded "at the weekend".

I may be wrong as I have no involvement with rallies, but I would therefore suggest that an appearance at the Whitley Bay bus rally may be on the cards, with 6133 making its debut appearance here?


In other news; "The Orbit" branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8336 (NK11 HJG) has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into "QuayLink" yellow base livery.

I think that although the X9 / X10 could be split, if something was to go badly wrong on the A19 at 55-60 mph as opposed to the rural roads of East Yorkshire, Teesside or Northumberland, the consequences could be far more severe for the passengers and of course the driver and I think although GNE could split the route, I don't think they will for the time being.

Morning,

Just a personal comment about the New ToonLink branding...

Firstly I must say I do like the new look brand and I think the Scania Omnicity's look great in Black !

The only bit I think looks possibly confusing to people and I'm not sure I like it is the destination place names shown along the side...

Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - Crawcrook - Winlaton - Blaydon - Newcastle Business Park & Newcastle City Centre.

I think it looks a little misleading/confusing - it look as though the bus follows that's route, where as it does from Newcastle to Blaydon but then splits at that point Service 32 Blaydon to Winlaton and then service 11 Blaydon - Crawcrook - Chopwell and Blackhall Mill.
Also the service 31 does not follow the route.

This may be just me being picky - but thought I'd share my thoughts. 


Is anyone attending the ToonLink promotion day at Blaydon tomorrow?

Cheers.

(03 Jul 2015, 8:09 am)thetravelman wrote Morning,

Just a personal comment about the New ToonLink branding...

Firstly I must say I do like the new look brand and I think the Scania Omnicity's look great in Black !

The only bit I think looks possibly confusing to people and I'm not sure I like it is the destination place names shown along the side...

Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - Crawcrook - Winlaton - Blaydon - Newcastle Business Park & Newcastle City Centre.

I think it looks a little misleading/confusing - it look as though the bus follows that's route, where as it does from Newcastle to Blaydon but then splits at that point Service 32 Blaydon to Winlaton and then service 11 Blaydon - Crawcrook - Chopwell and Blackhall Mill.
Also the service 31 does not follow the route.

This may be just me being picky - but thought I'd share my thoughts. 


Is anyone attending the ToonLink promotion day at Blaydon tomorrow?

Cheers.

Its the same as the coast and country 8/78, branding on the side says Washington but service 78 doesn't go to Washington and the branding on the side says consett but service 8 doesn't go to Consett.

6063, 7117 along with another Unidentified National Expess Levante, and an Unidentified Wright Renown and East Lancs Vyking all Parked up at Volvo Bus & Truck at Crowther this afternoon, Seems like whenever I walk past there, there is always an Angel B5LH in the Pits.

8310 now carries a rear advertisement: https://flic.kr/p/vwdRcU

Have to admit, it was a great sight seeing all 3 Red Streetlites practically in a convoy through Annfield Plain tonight. First 5409 on a 78 to Consett followed by 5419 which was on the 44A to Newcastle and finally 5401 trailing on the X31 to Lanchester.

Eldon Square is blocked due to broken down vehicle, services #21,‪#‎X21‬,‪#‎X25‬,#28,‪#‎28A are terminating and picking up at Blackett street, all other services are serving Eldon Square but using other stands, Nexus assisting.

(04 Jul 2015, 8:55 am)Tom wrote Eldon Square is blocked due to broken down vehicle, services #21,‪#‎X21‬,‪#‎X25‬,#28,‪#‎28A are terminating and picking up at Blackett street, all other services are serving Eldon Square but using other stands, Nexus assisting.

Oh dear, that's going to be fun until its moved................