(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, 5:07 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.
(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
(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.
(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!
(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'.
(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
(02 Jul 2015, 6:10 pm)Michael wrote Probables not, don't see the point when the drivers have the tacho-graph training.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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).
(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
(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.
(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.