Will the Pronto (and 6038) B7s get withdrawn when Go North East replace them or will they go into a reserve role?

Prontos will probably go on schools... replacing Olympians

Monday....

E400mmc 06:47 from Bishop then 08:35 from Toon
Streetdecker 07:45 from Bishop then 09:35 from Toon

Forgot to mention last week that Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8328 (NK11 HBC) and 8329 (NK11 HBN) have both now arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into Go North East's corporate livery and Quaylink yellow respectively.

The final bus, 8313 (NK10 GOC), is due early this week.

Dan, what else is at SM for repaint?

(19 Jul 2015, 9:35 pm)thetravelman wrote How many Buses both Single and Double Decker, do GNE have to either upgrade or dispose of prior to the forthcoming changes to DDA regulations?

Also which buses are these to be?

I presume that the buses that GNE need to dispose of will not be worth very much money or be any good for other operators to buy, as they won't be compliant and I presume the cost to make them compliant will out way the value of the bus, I'm guessing a lot will just go to the scrap yard?

I presume that a lot of smaller independent operators who do operate service routes, will be hit hard with the new regs, maybe forcing some to stop operating service routes altogether?

Non DDA - 

Volvo Olympian
Dennis Trident
B10's - although i think the duel doors ones are already DDA?

All but the Olympians can be modded to make them DDA. 


I would imagine, if modded GNE will sell them on, if not they'll go for scrap.

Consultations for services in Stanley, North Durham, Whickham, Dunston and Winlaton - All responses received by 7 August will be considered.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/consultatio...d-winlaton

Interesting to see that GNE have moved back to online ones!


Some good changes, Highwayman seems to have decent changes, wonder if newer buses will be bought?


No date on when the changes will happen to.

Edit: tried to the new PVR's but failed badly.... haha 

The first question in the Stanley survey is basically bringing the Diamond services back to how they used to be. 43/44/44A between Newcastle and Stanley and 718/719 (not including 720 because it didn't go via the current Diamond routes properly) between Stanley and Durham. 

I am struggling to decide whether an increase to the frequency of the X30/X31 between Stanley and Newcastle is a good idea. I have never seen the services really busy even for double deckers to be allocated.

Rather than using the word 'connect', why can't they just advertise that every half an hour, one service X30 and one X31 will continue to Lanchester. 

Increasing the X43. I don't think its really needed if i'm completely honest. Again, i don't think it gets too busy.

I assume the 'route change' to the Diamond services due to the amount of fast buses would just to be completely withdraw service 43 and just have the 44/44A? Would be a brilliant change but I just do not think it is necessary.

I like the idea of the coordination of services in Stanley Bus Station. Will make life much easier than having to walk from Stand B to H just to connect between Venture service V8 and Coast&Country service 8!

(20 Jul 2015, 7:42 am)S813 FVK wrote The first question in the Stanley survey is basically bringing the Diamond services back to how they used to be. 43/44/44A between Newcastle and Stanley and 718/719 (not including 720 because it didn't go via the current Diamond routes properly) between Stanley and Durham. 

I am struggling to decide whether an increase to the frequency of the X30/X31 between Stanley and Newcastle is a good idea. I have never seen the services really busy even for double deckers to be allocated.

Rather than using the word 'connect', why can't they just advertise that every half an hour, one service X30 and one X31 will continue to Lanchester. 

Increasing the X43. I don't think its really needed if i'm completely honest. Again, i don't think it gets too busy.

I assume the 'route change' to the Diamond services due to the amount of fast buses would just to be completely withdraw service 43 and just have the 44/44A? Would be a brilliant change but I just do not think it is necessary.

I like the idea of the coordination of services in Stanley Bus Station. Will make life much easier than having to walk from Stand B to H just to connect between Venture service V8 and Coast&Country service 8!

I agree, its crap when you have to wait 25 minutes for the X30 after you get off the 78 at Stanley! 

I'm not from the area's so i won't be doing the consultation's

I wonder if any of these changes means new buses will be ordered for them....

(20 Jul 2015, 5:07 am)pdiddy wrote Prontos will probably go on schools... replacing Olympians

Monday....

E400mmc 06:47 from Bishop then 08:35 from Toon
Streetdecker 07:45 from Bishop then 09:35 from Toon

Hoping i have these right...Dan or somebody else can correct me if i'm wrong (and i probably am!):

E400MMC:
06:47 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
08:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
10:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
11:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
13:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
14:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
16:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
17:40 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland

Wright Streetdeck:
07:45 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
09:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
11:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
12:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
14:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
15:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
17:08 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Durham
17:47 X46 from Durham to Crook

(20 Jul 2015, 7:42 am)S813 FVK wrote The first question in the Stanley survey is basically bringing the Diamond services back to how they used to be. 43/44/44A between Newcastle and Stanley and 718/719 (not including 720 because it didn't go via the current Diamond routes properly) between Stanley and Durham.

First Question re splitting route - Could this suggest GNE may be doing this in preparation for Nexus taking over routes into newcastle from Stanley. The Durham-Stanley route wouldn't be included in NECTA/NEXUS operations.

All Coast & Country services could the terminate at Stanley connecting with Venture V8 service for Consett & Castleside (and all points inbetween)

Stanley Bus Station would need a vast improvement! to make waiting for connections pleasureable or comfortable

(20 Jul 2015, 9:02 am)Venturego wrote Stanley Bus Station would need a vast improvement! to make waiting for connections pleasureable or comfortable

Just get rid of all the chavs that hang around the place and that should make it a more pleasant experience

(20 Jul 2015, 9:05 am)Jimmi wrote Just get rid of all the chavs that hang around the place and that should make it a more pleasant experience

Abuse! Darlington has plenty of chavs too

(20 Jul 2015, 5:07 am)pdiddy wrote Prontos will probably go on schools... replacing Olympians

Monday....

E400mmc 06:47 from Bishop then 08:35 from Toon
Streetdecker 07:45 from Bishop then 09:35 from Toon

(20 Jul 2015, 8:07 am)S813 FVK wrote Hoping i have these right...Dan or somebody else can correct me if i'm wrong (and i probably am!):

E400MMC:
06:47 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
08:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
10:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
11:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
13:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
14:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
16:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
17:40 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland

Wright Streetdeck:
07:45 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
09:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
11:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
12:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
14:04 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Newcastle
15:35 X21 from Newcastle to Bishop Auckland
17:08 X21 from Bishop Auckland to Durham
17:47 X46 from Durham to Crook

Cheers both, really appreciated.

Also I'm going to have a look those surveys but changes to the Highwayman would be good as there seems to be a lot of complaints about them on Facebook, as well as the Diamonds.

(20 Jul 2015, 9:09 am)S813 FVK wrote Abuse! Darlington has plenty of chavs too

True, believe me I know although Darlington doesn't have a bus station for them to hang around

(20 Jul 2015, 9:02 am)Venturego wrote First Question re splitting route - Could this suggest GNE may be doing this in preparation for Nexus taking over routes into newcastle from Stanley. The Durham-Stanley route wouldn't be included in NECTA/NEXUS operations.

All Coast & Country services could the terminate at Stanley connecting with Venture V8 service for Consett & Castleside (and all points inbetween)

Stanley Bus Station would need a vast improvement! to make waiting for connections pleasureable or comfortable w

The QCS will be years down the line yet.

GNE service 78/8 could be split so GNE will have full control of the Consett/Stanley to Chester-Le-Street section running under the GNE brand and QCS will have Sunderland to Chester-Le-Street section under the QCS brand with those profits going to the QCS.

service X9/X10 will still be under GNE control.

(20 Jul 2015, 7:42 am)S813 FVK wrote The first question in the Stanley survey is basically bringing the Diamond services back to how they used to be. 43/44/44A between Newcastle and Stanley and 718/719 (not including 720 because it didn't go via the current Diamond routes properly) between Stanley and Durham. 

I am struggling to decide whether an increase to the frequency of the X30/X31 between Stanley and Newcastle is a good idea. I have never seen the services really busy even for double deckers to be allocated.

Rather than using the word 'connect', why can't they just advertise that every half an hour, one service X30 and one X31 will continue to Lanchester. 

Increasing the X43. I don't think its really needed if i'm completely honest. Again, i don't think it gets too busy.

I assume the 'route change' to the Diamond services due to the amount of fast buses would just to be completely withdraw service 43 and just have the 44/44A? Would be a brilliant change but I just do not think it is necessary.

I like the idea of the coordination of services in Stanley Bus Station. Will make life much easier than having to walk from Stand B to H just to connect between Venture service V8 and Coast&Country service 8!

It is planned that the X43 will be a stopper in Whickham, picking up the slack at that end.

(20 Jul 2015, 9:33 am)Andreos1 wrote It is planned that the X43 will be a stopper in Whickham, picking up the slack at that end.

Yeah. Still don't think that it is a brilliant idea. They already have the 97 which is frequent enough as it is (without the frequncy increase as proposed in the respective survey) eventhough it takes a bit longer.

(20 Jul 2015, 7:12 am)Michael wrote Consultations for services in Stanley, North Durham, Whickham, Dunston and Winlaton - All responses received by 7 August will be considered.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/consultatio...d-winlaton

Interesting to see that GNE have moved back to online ones!


Some good changes, Highwayman seems to have decent changes, wonder if newer buses will be bought?


No date on when the changes will happen to.

Anyone want to try and guess the above PVR's if the changes happen?

(20 Jul 2015, 9:36 am)S813 FVK wrote Yeah. Still don't think that it is a brilliant idea. They already have the 97 which is frequent enough as it is (without the frequncy increase as proposed in the respective survey) eventhough it takes a bit longer.

The 97 will only be every 20 minutes at some will terminate in Whickham.

Also with regards to the X30/X31 they can be very busy, saw an Omnidekka full when I was in town on Saturday, but it just depends on the time of day. Also, won't there be the same number of buses between Stanley and Newcastle if the 44/44A will only be every 30 minutes?

(20 Jul 2015, 10:05 am)Tom wrote The 97 will only be every 20 minutes at some will terminate in Whickham.

Also with regards to the X30/X31 they can be very busy, saw an Omnidekka full when I was in town on Saturday, but it just depends on the time of day. Also, won't there be the same number of buses between Stanley and Newcastle if the 44/44A will only be every 30 minutes?

Don't you think 20 minutes will be enough? That's better than what we get up here in Stanley (a majority of routes are 30 minutes without running alongside another route). I must be honest, i wasn't focusing on the proposed frequency when i made the original comment about the 97 - it is currently 15 minutes throughout. Any less and i think we may start to have them running in twos.

You also have to remember that there was an event on in Newcastle on Saturday too. A lot of people who went would have probably used the bus as opposed to trying to find a car park with spaces. The only journeys that get busy would be the normal journeys for any service, the 'peak timers' which i suppose, in reality, is the only reason for deckers to exist on those particular routes as full scania omnicity operation clearly wasn't working.

(20 Jul 2015, 10:05 am)Tom wrote The 97 will only be every 20 minutes at some will terminate in Whickham.

Also with regards to the X30/X31 they can be very busy, saw an Omnidekka full when I was in town on Saturday, but it just depends on the time of day. Also, won't there be the same number of buses between Stanley and Newcastle if the 44/44A will only be every 30 minutes?

Every 10 minutes between Newcastle to Fellside Park via Gateshead and Whickham Highway then from Fellside park - every 20 minutes to the Metrocentre. 

Service 98/98A would continue to run from Whickham to Newcastle, only at the busiest times of day when the majority of passengers are travelling.

Is it a good move?, not from the area

Interesting theory from Venturego. If that would be the case and leave GNE the sections of route not in Nexusland if the Quality Contracts are imposed, I'd be all in favour of splitting these routes. Otherwise, whilst I've nothing against the Diamond proposals, I'd be totally against the Lanchester - Newcastle service being split as it would be detrimental to the community and I use them from time to time. I don't think the X30/31 justifies a 15 minute frequency, unless it's to use only single deckers. I hope an increase in their frequency isn't to be at the detriment of the X70/71 which I use a lot. However, these discussions between the North East Combined Authority and the government now taking place will probably result in increased powers for NECA (if they accept an elected Mayor), so we may find all routes in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham being included in a revised QC system. If this is to be the case and it'll be imposed anyway for the whole region, I'd want improved rural services to be a requirement, funded by cross-subsidy, the profitable routes supporting socially necessary ones, and the inevitable rationalisation of urban routes, as no-one will convince me that a QC system will keep the present overall service levels where operators compete. But if we are going to get the new all-powerful NECA the government seems to want, it's much more logical to include Teesside and Darlington in it as it's a more logical area for economic, transport and health provision.

(20 Jul 2015, 5:59 am)Dan wrote Forgot to mention last week that Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8328 (NK11 HBC) and 8329 (NK11 HBN) have both now arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into Go North East's corporate livery and Quaylink yellow respectively.

The final bus, 8313 (NK10 GOC), is due early this week.

(20 Jul 2015, 6:08 am)Michael wrote Dan, what else is at SM for repaint?

8313 (NK10 GOC) has now also arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint - nothing else has yet arrived to my knowledge.

(20 Jul 2015, 7:12 am)Michael wrote Consultations for services in Stanley, North Durham, Whickham, Dunston and Winlaton - All responses received by 7 August will be considered.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/consultatio...d-winlaton

Interesting to see that GNE have moved back to online ones!

Go North East has also produced printed freepost customer consultations and I assume these will be made readily available in the appropriate allocated vehicles, bus stations, etc. It's entirely possible that these will be posted to houses in the appropriate catchment areas too, given that Go North East has upped their game on this front with promotional leaflet drops (such as the Prince Bishops one you received not too long ago).

Let's hope the online consultation is not abused, with those who aren't from the area (or those who don't regularly use the services proposed to change) contributing.

(20 Jul 2015, 11:26 am)Dan wrote Let's hope the online consultation is not abused, with those who aren't from the area (or those who don't regularly use the services proposed to change) contributing.

A suggestion would be that you have to provide a postcode or address in order to fill in the survey?

Then it the consultation wouldn't be abused.

(20 Jul 2015, 11:50 am)Tom wrote A suggestion would be that you have to provide a postcode or address in order to fill in the survey?

Then it the consultation wouldn't be abused.

but you can easily put someone elses address or postcode in though, cant see GNE checking every single postcode and address that would of been put on the consulation.

(20 Jul 2015, 7:12 am)Michael wrote Consultations for services in Stanley, North Durham, Whickham, Dunston and Winlaton - All responses received by 7 August will be considered.

http://www.simplygo.com/news/consultatio...d-winlaton

Interesting to see that GNE have moved back to online ones!

Looks good the consultation shame about splitting the Stanley routes a little might cause chaos but wish they would do a South Tyneside one we haven't had one in years

I like the idea of splitting the ''Diamond'' services, so there is a service every fifteen minutes between Stanley and Durham, and every fifteen minutes between Stanley and Newcastle. To possibly avoid complaints about having to change buses, I have a couple of suggestions. The first, is to have a guaranteed connection at Stanley for those who wish to carry on from the terminus to the other section of the route. However, if a 43 is delayed leaving Newcastle, and cannot make up time, this will only mean the service to Durham from Stanley will end up being delayed due to having to wait. My second suggestion, is that with the fifteen minute frequency; a service to Durham leaves Stanley seven/eight minutes after the Newcastle service is scheduled to arrive, allowing the opportunity for any lost time to be made up, and passengers not having to endure a long wait for their next service. I'd imagine through fares are available on both parts of the route.

(20 Jul 2015, 12:18 pm)R852 PRG wrote I like the idea of splitting the ''Diamond'' services, so there is a service every fifteen minutes between Stanley and Durham, and every fifteen minutes between Stanley and Newcastle. To possibly avoid complaints about having to change buses, I have a couple of suggestions. The first, is to have a guaranteed connection at Stanley for those who wish to carry on from the terminus to the other section of the route. However, if a 43 is delayed leaving Newcastle, and cannot make up time, this will only mean the service to Durham from Stanley will end up being delayed due to having to wait. My second suggestion, is that with the fifteen minute frequency; a service to Durham leaves Stanley seven/eight minutes after the Newcastle service is scheduled to arrive, allowing the opportunity for any lost time to be made up, and passengers not having to endure a long wait for their next service. I'd imagine through fares are available on both parts of the route.

Would be brilliant if they could number the services how they were before they merged them together. 718 (current 43 between Stanley and Durham) and 719 (current 44 between Stanley and Durham). Obviously, don't have them extend up to Consett like they used to (718 evenings and Sundays only).

(20 Jul 2015, 12:24 pm)S813 FVK wrote Would be brilliant if they could number the services how they were before they merged them together. 718 (current 43 between Stanley and Durham) and 719 (current 44 between Stanley and Durham). Obviously, don't have them extend up to Consett like they used to (718 evenings and Sundays only).

I'd like to see some services renumbered to their former numbers, but I think the current system has been around for so long that the current numbers are set in stone with passengers. Some passengers who did not use the services when they were the 194, 775, etc. would be scratching their heads if a bus turned up showing that destination.

That said, I know a lot of passengers remember the old service numbers. One of my teachers continuously refers to the ''Connections4'' as the 194, and my late grandad always referred to the 78 as the 778.

Looks like In October there will be loads of changes happening