Fleet News: 02/11/15

Service changes which took place last weekend saw a number of vehicle re-allocations, as follows: B7/East Lancs 3978 Riverside to Deptford and B7/Plaxton 6042 Deptford to Washington. Volvo B10BLEs 4916 & 4917 from Riverside to Percy Main. Omnicities 5239, 5240, 5241 & 5242 Riverside to Stanley and Citaros 5293, 5294, 5295, 5296 & 5297 Stanley to Riverside. MPD 542: NA52 AXG has returned to service at Riverside for use on a temporary shuttle service associated with the closure of Chowdene Bank. Ex-Brighton Scania N94s 6129: GX03 SVD and 6132: YN04 GJF have entered service at Stanley. Volvo B10BLE 5160: T810 CBW has been withdrawn from Riverside and 5165: T815 CBW has been sold to Ensign Bus Co., Purfleet. Scania artic 4952: NK51 OLU has been sold for scrap to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade.

Fleet News: 02/11/15

Service changes which took place last weekend saw a number of vehicle re-allocations, as follows: B7/East Lancs 3978 Riverside to Deptford and B7/Plaxton 6042 Deptford to Washington. Volvo B10BLEs 4916 & 4917 from Riverside to Percy Main. Omnicities 5239, 5240, 5241 & 5242 Riverside to Stanley and Citaros 5293, 5294, 5295, 5296 & 5297 Stanley to Riverside. MPD 542: NA52 AXG has returned to service at Riverside for use on a temporary shuttle service associated with the closure of Chowdene Bank. Ex-Brighton Scania N94s 6129: GX03 SVD and 6132: YN04 GJF have entered service at Stanley. Volvo B10BLE 5160: T810 CBW has been withdrawn from Riverside and 5165: T815 CBW has been sold to Ensign Bus Co., Purfleet. Scania artic 4952: NK51 OLU has been sold for scrap to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade.

Error on pdf file its missing half the fleet changes it has some but not all of them

Error on pdf file its missing half the fleet changes it has some but not all of them

The wording on the website includes the update for last week as well as this week, due to no update being provided on the website last week.

Has Washington's PVR increased what with them gaining that extra president?

Has Washington's PVR increased what with them gaining that extra president?

Yes.

The afternoon Park View scholars 885 service to Fence Houses was previously operated by Chester-le-Street. This later ran onto the 17:08 #X1 service from Newcastle to Easington Lane, as depicted below:
Go North East: 3872 / W182SCU by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

This board has now moved to Washington, which is why Deptford has transferred 6042 to Washington. "Red Arrows" branded Volvo B9TL 6054 is pictured below showing the destination for service 885:

Go North East: 6054 / NK62EKD by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I don't think people have waited long enough to really feel the benefit of the changes. They seem to think a bus company can do anything that they want. While the Hobson issue may be an issue to some (which is evident - even i can see where they are coming from without living there), if it works for the operator and see the services being used more than they would if routed via Hobson, I suppose there is no reason to change them again regardless of how many people complain.

I'm not familiar with the area, but have noticed that Hobson is getting a number of complaints since the service revisions in the Stanley area.  Since the changes, which buses actually go through Hobson now, whether it be from GNE or another operator?

I'm not familiar with the area, but have noticed that Hobson is getting a number of complaints since the service revisions in the Stanley area.  Since the changes, which buses actually go through Hobson now, whether it be from GNE or another operator?

The simple answer to that question is none. I have a feeling more service changes are to come for the Stanley area (not massive - just a few route changes in response to customer feedback) because it is clear that the Hobson issue is not welcomed.

The simple answer to that question is none. I have a feeling more service changes are to come for the Stanley area (not massive - just a few route changes in response to customer feedback) because it is clear that the Hobson issue is not welcomed.

Something is likely to happen given the opposition there's been to that.  A reduction in frequency may have caused some dissent but GNE would have weathered the initial storm, but to cut the service altogether is pretty appalling, really.

Yes.

The afternoon Park View scholars 885 service to Fence Houses was previously operated by Chester-le-Street. This later ran onto the 17:08 #X1 service from Newcastle to Easington Lane, as depicted below:
Go North East: 3872 / W182SCU by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

This board has now moved to Washington, which is why Deptford has transferred 6042 to Washington. "Red Arrows" branded Volvo B9TL 6054 is pictured below showing the destination for service 885:

Go North East: 6054 / NK62EKD by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I think the operation of the X1A should move over to Chester le Street, with it starting and ending at Picktree Village, all of 2 Minutes Away from Chester Depot, could have it Interwork with the X25 maybe.

I don't think people have waited long enough to really feel the benefit of the changes. They seem to think a bus company can do anything that they want. While the Hobson issue may be an issue to some (which is evident - even i can see where they are coming from without living there), if it works for the operator and see the services being used more than they would if routed via Hobson, I suppose there is no reason to change them again regardless of how many people complain.

I am not sure more people will use the services just because of the Hobson omission though.
Even if the changes now saves a couple of minutes, compared to the previous, on a journey of that duration - it doesn't equate to much from a passenger perspective.

If the number of people complaining on social media represent even a portion of those affected, it would make sense to reinstate the link. I am sure they could cover up the mistake, with some PR spin.
If they don't, they face the possibility of facing the same negativity and the tarnished reputation, that they have in other areas.

The damage caused following the 2006 changes and meetings with communities where the 'tough' message was put out by company representatives, didn't go down well.

The M1/X1 changes following misleading questions in a consultation a few years later, could be classed as the catalyst for Bridget Phillipson's Big Bus campaign.

Not exactly PR master classes and certainly hassle the company could do without.
I was hoping they would have learned the lessons from those similar examples in the not to distant past.

Wasn't 2006 the year GNE started to brand their routes in Stanley?

Also what were the M1 changes they wanted or done to do again?

I am not sure more people will use the services just because of the Hobson omission though.
Even if the changes now saves a couple of minutes, compared to the previous, on a journey of that duration - it doesn't equate to much from a passenger perspective.

If the number of people complaining on social media represent even a portion of those affected, it would make sense to reinstate the link. I am sure they could cover up the mistake, with some PR spin.
If they don't, they face the possibility of facing the same negativity and the tarnished reputation, that they have in other areas.

The damage caused following the 2006 changes and meetings with communities where the 'tough' message was put out by company representatives, didn't go down well.

The M1/X1 changes following misleading questions in a consultation a few years later, could be classed as the catalyst for Bridget Phillipson's Big Bus campaign.

Not exactly PR master classes and certainly hassle the company could do without.
I was hoping they would have learned the lessons from those similar examples in the not to distant past.

A bit like they did when the Coaster service was extended to Wrekenton, which re-introduced the direct link to Newcastle for Waverley Road that was previously lost.  All of the publicity on the GNE website went for the "we've listened to our customers" line, which obviously ignores the fact that they disregarded them in the first place.

Wasn't 2006 the year GNE started to brand their routes in Stanley?

Also what were the M1 changes they wanted or done to do again?

I can't remember the exact question, but it was directed to the M1 passengers and those living on the route at the time, and was something about their thoughts on a more regular service to Washington.
Of course, everyone would want a more frequent service - so they all said yes.
The end result, was the diversion of the M1 via Fencehouses and the introduction of a more frequent X1.
It meant that there wasn't a direct bus (apart from scholars) between Herrington Burn, Philadelphia etc to St Roberts or Biddick.
Far from ideal for those stopping back for extra curricular activities.

A bit like they did when the Coaster service was extended to Wrekenton, which re-introduced the direct link to Newcastle for Waverley Road that was previously lost.  All of the publicity on the GNE website went for the "we've listened to our customers" line, which obviously ignores the fact that they disregarded them in the first place.

That example did cross my mind!

I am not sure more people will use the services just because of the Hobson omission though.
Even if the changes now saves a couple of minutes, compared to the previous, on a journey of that duration - it doesn't equate to much from a passenger perspective.

The route via Hobson provides quicker journey times than running via Burnopfield. Plus Burnopfield already have 2 services to Newcastle and 1 service to Metrocentre already (V7, X70 and X71) - all they'd need to do is re-route one of them via Lintz (could only be the V7 or X70) and the problem is sorted.

The route via Hobson provides quicker journey times than running via Burnopfield. Plus Burnopfield already have 2 services to Newcastle and 1 service to Metrocentre already (V7, X70 and X71) - all they'd need to do is re-route one of them via Lintz (could only be the V7 or X70) and the problem is sorted.

Burnopfield also has the 6, which is another 2 buses an hour to both Newcastle and Metrocentre.

Burnopfield also has the 6, which is another 2 buses an hour to both Newcastle and Metrocentre.

My point being without the 6, Burnopfield still has 2 buses to Newcastle and 1 to Metrocentre. Surely that is enough for the 6 to be re-routed via Hobson (which is the quicker way). Obviously, to cover for the loss of service to Lintz, the V7 or X70 would need to be sent around that way to cover for the loss.

I should have made myself clear, for that, i apologize.

Yes.

The afternoon Park View scholars 885 service to Fence Houses was previously operated by Chester-le-Street. This later ran onto the 17:08 #X1 service from Newcastle to Easington Lane, as depicted below:

This board has now moved to Washington, which is why Deptford has transferred 6042 to Washington. "Red Arrows" branded Volvo B9TL 6054 is pictured below showing the destination for service 885:

Well there you go, thanks. I suppose it makes sense so Washington go back to running the entire X1 service.

Is the 885 now Washington on mornings as well?

My point being without the 6, Burnopfield still has 2 buses to Newcastle and 1 to Metrocentre. Surely that is enough for the 6 to be re-routed via Hobson (which is the quicker way). Obviously, to cover for the loss of service to Lintz, the V7 or X70 would need to be sent around that way to cover for the loss.

I should have made myself clear, for that, i apologize.

Even if they just did one an hour, a "6A", at least they'd then have a service again.

Go North East response to Quality Contract Scheme Board final report
Go North East welcomes the findings of the Quality Contract Scheme Board report on the proposal for a Quality Contract Scheme in Tyne & Wear which was released today.

Read more:
http://www.simplygo.com/news/go-north-ea...nal-report

The route via Hobson provides quicker journey times than running via Burnopfield. Plus Burnopfield already have 2 services to Newcastle and 1 service to Metrocentre already (V7, X70 and X71) - all they'd need to do is re-route one of them via Lintz (could only be the V7 or X70) and the problem is sorted.

Yeah, I know the route that stays on the main road is quicker.
What I was trying to say, was that even if the new revision meant the service was quicker - it wouldn't benefit users that much, on a journey of that duration.

It has been a while since I used services over there on a regular basis.
Managed to get a Lance with a paper display on the last of my regular run - which shows how long ago it was.
Sure it was brought back into use and loaned to Stanley to cover repaints.

What I can't see changing too much in the intervening years, is a demand for buses in Burnopfield.
Certainly not enough, to warrant the level of service it has now and not at the expense of Hobson.

One thing that has crossed my mind, is the reliability seen with the X70/71.
Appreciate hands may be tied slightly due to the nature of its route, but I am starting to wonder if the V7 and 6 changes have been made to lessen the impact on passengers affected by the delays seen by the expresses.

The residents of Burnopfield have long been critical of the X70/71, but now have alternatives.
Finances and resources may have meant improvements to the X70/1 are limited.
An easy fix, is a diversion of other services.

Yeah, I know the route that stays on the main road is quicker.
What I was trying to say, was that even if the new revision meant the service was quicker - it wouldn't benefit users that much, on a journey of that duration.

It has been a while since I used services over there on a regular basis.
Managed to get a Lance with a paper display on the last of my regular run - which shows how long ago it was.
Sure it was brought back into use and loaned to Stanley to cover repaints.

What I can't see changing too much in the intervening years, is a demand for buses in Burnopfield.
Certainly not enough, to warrant the level of service it has now and not at the expense of Hobson.

One thing that has crossed my mind, is the reliability seen with the X70/71.
Appreciate hands may be tied slightly due to the nature of its route, but I am starting to wonder if the V7 and 6 changes have been made to lessen the impact on passengers affected by the delays seen by the expresses.

The residents of Burnopfield have long been critical of the X70/71, but now have alternatives.
Finances and resources may have meant improvements to the X70/1 are limited.
An easy fix, is a diversion of other services.

The problem has arisen from reducing the Diamond (former 43/44) route from Stanley to Newcastle from 4 per hour to 2 per hour on new service 6. The Hobson section having previously been operated by 44. - Solution would be to re-adopt the former route/timings of 43/44 as possibly 6 & 6A.
Lintz estate could be picked up by Nexus R5 or Venture V7 and Sunniside Glebeway routing could be picked up by Whickham local services to Metro Centre where further connections can be made to Newcastle etc... - This would give a quicker and more comfortable journey from Stanley, Metro Ctr & Newcastle. Not sure if it may reduce PVR from former 43/44 Diamond. - Maybe when new Streetlites arrive?
I travelled from Stanley to Newcastle last week on Omnidekka and it was torture. Windows misted up, Seat too uncomfortable (almost upright) - Service has definitely been downgraded.

The problem has arisen from reducing the Diamond (former 43/44) route from Stanley to Newcastle from 4 per hour to 2 per hour on new service 6. The Hobson section having previously been operated by 44. - Solution would be to re-adopt the former route/timings of 43/44 as possibly 6 & 6A.
Lintz estate could be picked up by Nexus R5 or Venture V7 and Sunniside Glebeway routing could be picked up by Whickham local services to Metro Centre where further connections can be made to Newcastle etc... - This would give a quicker and more comfortable journey from Stanley, Metro Ctr & Newcastle. Not sure if it may reduce PVR from former 43/44 Diamond. - Maybe when new Streetlites arrive?
I travelled from Stanley to Newcastle last week on Omnidekka and it was torture. Windows misted up, Seat too uncomfortable (almost upright) - Service has definitely been downgraded.

Not sure we will see a return to the old routes/timings.
Maybe a revision and compromise of some sort?

Whilst operationally, using an 11/12 year old decker on a reduced frequency may make sense - not sure it makes sense to a customer, used to the comfort of a Merc.
Particularly if they live/work in Hobson!

An interesting one. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Lintz estate is in County Durham isn't it? Why should nexus fund a bus there?

5296 is now blue and out on 5

6041 has lost it's ''Pronto'' vinyls around the destination screen.

6130 has gained Northern branding:

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6041 has lost it's ''Pronto'' vinyls around the destination screen.

are you thinking what am thinking Marcus?

Blue 5295 was on the 57, must say that it is a much better shade than that used on Connexion 4 & Durham Diamonds.
Also 5203 is still without any form of branding

are you thinking what am thinking Marcus?

Was this not the one that had broken windscreen at eldon square?

Was this not the one that had broken windscreen at eldon square?

It was indeed.