(08 Sep 2013, 12:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote What does the driver do for the rest of the day?
Picking up on a topic which was discussed a few months ago, re 'landing' fees for buses using Interchange facilities like Eldon Square, I wonder if they are charged for parking up too?
(08 Sep 2013, 7:34 am)Daniel wrote Tynedale Links MPD 555 is on the 0830 74A departure from Newcastle, presumably meaning it worked the 0725 X84 service from Hexham.It's not at all a service launch for Tynedale Express today. The Sunday X84 directly replaces the 684 the two runs of which which are really only vehicle positioning and crew change runs for the 74A which would otherwise have to run LT, so even though it's not much of a service any passengers are a bonus - and you wouldn't use a Scania when an MPD will be more than enough.
Disappointing service launch...
(08 Sep 2013, 6:04 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote It's not at all a service launch for Tynedale Express today. The Sunday X84 directly replaces the 684 the two runs of which which are really only vehicle positioning and crew change runs for the 74A which would otherwise have to run LT, so even though it's not much of a service any passengers are a bonus - and you wouldn't use a Scania when an MPD will be more than enough.
(08 Sep 2013, 6:04 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote It's not at all a service launch for Tynedale Express today. The Sunday X84 directly replaces the 684 the two runs of which which are really only vehicle positioning and crew change runs for the 74A which would otherwise have to run LT, so even though it's not much of a service any passengers are a bonus - and you wouldn't use a Scania when an MPD will be more than enough.
(08 Sep 2013, 6:12 pm)aureolin wrote They advertised that the service was starting on the 8th of September, and it still comes under the Tynedale Express on a Sunday. At least according to the timetable it does. That being said, surely you use the right buses on the day the service launches? Whether it's a one off or not.
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(08 Sep 2013, 7:11 pm)eezypeazy wrote ... and if the Sunday X84 ran with the Scanias, wouldn't people on here complain that the Tynedale Links 74A was being run with the wrongly branded vehicles?
They are positioning journeys - better than having out of servce buses running about, surely?
(08 Sep 2013, 7:11 pm)eezypeazy wrote ... and if the Sunday X84 ran with the Scanias, wouldn't people on here complain that the Tynedale Links 74A was being run with the wrongly branded vehicles?
They are positioning journeys - better than having out of servce buses running about, surely?
(08 Sep 2013, 7:15 pm)aureolin wrote You're not promising Tynedale Links passengers free Wi-Fi. You are to Tynedale Express passengers, unless it's Sunday of course. Hence my original point about people using the TEN rather than this on a Sunday, when the trip is 1h+.
(08 Sep 2013, 8:48 pm)the pilot wrote There was more of us than that. Maybe fifteen. Although that was the headcount before getting to St. James so some might have got off there.
(08 Sep 2013, 10:13 pm)GMitchelhill wrote People should stop getting their undergarments in a twist for a MPD being used on the X84 on Sundays.
Operational convinience takes priority over route branding. And it happens a lot.
Two of the morning journeys on the 11A (I think) was ran by Bendy buses, think it's now TEN deckers.
Wallsend Link MPDs run on the 17/17A Centurian services.
Centurians used to run on the 307.
Simplicitys run on the 26A.
Drifters used to be used on the 42 on Evenings and Sundays, not sure if this is still the case.
Red Arrows and Metrolinks run on the 921/922.
Angels run on the X21 on Evening and Sundays.
And more recently Orbits run on the 96A.
The company runs as it suits them, not to suit us.
I apologise if this does sound arsey, but I'm just being realistic.
There is probably lots of others.
(08 Sep 2013, 10:32 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Well I think we all understand why this happens. But the point is services which come with extras such as free wifi, is this not in breech of their claims? They claim to have free Wifi on the X84/X85 and yet every Sunday they don't if there was a problem with a vehicle on a weekday then unavoidable but a regular allocation like this is bit dodgy. Thought putting in perspective how many people actually choose a bus because of wifi? I think the percentage wouldn't be too high however I remember a friend saying to if she was waiting X9/X10 and yellow bus double decker turned up she wouldn't be too happy and this is understandable also.
I mean I also think the above examples of mis branding on evenings & Sundays is a farce. I mean at the minute with the 42/60/61, on the evenings the Drifter 60 & Simplicity 42 use the drifter Versa's whilst the drifter 61 are using the simplicity Versa's. it's just mixed up and it does confuse people, I mean again another friend also said to me you don't even know what bus your getting on as they change into other services. Waiting for the 61, a simplicity Versa pulled in and was blinded up as '2A Sunderland' and if it wasn't me knowing of the interworking people weren't going to get on. The odd mornings journeys are still far prefect but are little bit more forgivable. But regular evening & Sunday workings are just beyond a joke now. I mean we all understand why it happens but passengers don't.
(09 Sep 2013, 12:13 am)GMitchelhill wrote The way it's going at the moment, every bus will have it's own WiFi since they seem to be delivering them with Wi-Fi as standarded. Vehicles also look to be getting retrofitted with it.
Does the branded Volvo B7TLs for the Angels / Red Arrow / Ten / Tyne Tees Express have WiFi fitted?
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(08 Sep 2013, 10:13 pm)GMitchelhill wrote People should stop getting their undergarments in a twist for a MPD being used on the X84 on Sundays.
Operational convinience takes priority over route branding. And it happens a lot.
Two of the morning journeys on the 11A (I think) was ran by Bendy buses, think it's now TEN deckers.
Wallsend Link MPDs run on the 17/17A Centurian services.
Centurians used to run on the 307.
Simplicitys run on the 26A.
Drifters used to be used on the 42 on Evenings and Sundays, not sure if this is still the case.
Red Arrows and Metrolinks run on the 921/922.
Angels run on the X21 on Evening and Sundays.
And more recently Orbits run on the 96A.
The company runs as it suits them, not to suit us.
I apologise if this does sound arsey, but I'm just being realistic.
There is probably lots of others.
(08 Sep 2013, 10:32 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Waiting for the 61, a simplicity Versa pulled in and was blinded up as '2A Sunderland' and if it wasn't me knowing of the interworking people weren't going to get on. The odd mornings journeys are still far prefect but are little bit more forgivable. But regular evening & Sunday workings are just beyond a joke now. I mean we all understand why it happens but passengers don't.
(09 Sep 2013, 12:13 am)GMitchelhill wrote The way it's going at the moment, every bus will have it's own WiFi since they seem to be delivering them with Wi-Fi as standarded. Vehicles also look to be getting retrofitted with it.
Does the branded Volvo B7TLs for the Angels / Red Arrow / Ten / Tyne Tees Express have WiFi fitted?
(09 Sep 2013, 12:13 am)GMitchelhill wrote The way it's going at the moment, every bus will have it's own WiFi since they seem to be delivering them with Wi-Fi as standarded. Vehicles also look to be getting retrofitted with it.
Does the branded Volvo B7TLs for the Angels / Red Arrow / Ten / Tyne Tees Express have WiFi fitted?
(09 Sep 2013, 10:21 am)Andreos1 wrote Aren't the branded spares just that - branded spares?
To kit out a vehicle with the same spec as their full time equivelants, when they don't get the same level of use seems silly.
However as pointed out by Daniel, passengers wouldn't accept an Orbit interworking with a Tyne Tees Express, because it is convenient with the company.
Nor should they expect an MPD working a route, which has been advertised as offering wifi.
I wonder if the ASA or any other watchdog would approve of a service not offering the facilities promised - because of the deliberate decisions of GNE, based on convenience and costs?
We all accept the logisitical reasons for GNE doing so, however I am not sure a commuter (who is using the service based on advertising promises) will.
(09 Sep 2013, 10:44 am)AdamY wrote I was about to mention something similar. For example, would such a "promise" fall foul of trading standards as it is not being delivered as advertised?
(09 Sep 2013, 12:25 pm)GMitchelhill wrote I think 99% of bus users want the bus just to turn up. I don't think they be bothered if it came with Wi-Fi or not. I think they be more bothered if there was a couple of wasps on board though.
(09 Sep 2013, 12:25 pm)GMitchelhill wrote I think 99% of bus users want the bus just to turn up. I don't think they be bothered if it came with Wi-Fi or not. I think they be more bothered if there was a couple of wasps on board though.
(09 Sep 2013, 10:45 am)Andreos1 wrote www.tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/80223/police-in-sunderland-hunt-bus-sex-act-man
Vile.
Hopefully they can catch him before he takes it to the next level.
Not sure I want to be sitting in those seats or touching those grab rails either now...
Can anyone confirm why GNE (I can't comment on other operators), don't post links like this on their fb page or website?
I would guess more passengers visit those two sites than the Sky local page and may be able to assist.
(09 Sep 2013, 12:47 pm)AdamY wrote I agree. 99% of bus users probably do just want the bus to turn up (on time) and are happy when it does. But if this is the case, why go all gimmickry with branding featuring promises of WiFi enabled buses? Once you start advertising services promising some sort of competitive advantage over other similar services, then these promises should really be kept as some may choose these services based upon what's being offered. Unless there's a valid reason due to vehicles being off the road, GNE should strive to deliver their end of the bargain. If they don't, then it's tantamount to false advertising which become legally ambiguous.