Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2015

[Diamond One]

As the time is getting closer...do we think that the Sunderland Connect hybrids will gain the 'Christmas in Sunderland' all over wraps like they did last year?

On another note, at the Metrocentre, do buses need to serve the MetrOasis stop even if the traffic is bad? I only ask because last Sunday at about 15:30ish, i saw a green arrow solar take the sliproad round to the left and behind the car parks (along the one way system and entering the bus station from the same direction as buses from Newcastle only not over the bridge). I didn't get to see whether it was in service or if it had passengers on but with it being the time it was, i went along with it being in service.

i think so we need that slade track its my favourite Xmas song to play i liked the line he said "ITS CHRISTTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" on that song didn't i tell you my Cardiff City Fc joke from last year Vincent Tan had just appointed Russell Slade as Cardiff City boss and he said to Russell "how long are you gonna tay here til?" til he replied with "TIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!" got it from Super Goals every Saturday

[park5354]

On another note, at the Metrocentre, do buses need to serve the MetrOasis stop even if the traffic is bad? I only ask because last Sunday at about 15:30ish, i saw a green arrow solar take the sliproad round to the left and behind the car parks (along the one way system and entering the bus station from the same direction as buses from Newcastle only not over the bridge). I didn't get to see whether it was in service or if it had passengers on but with it being the time it was, i went along with it being in service.

97 operates in to Metrocentre past House of Fraser, since October changes.

[NK53 TKT]

As the time is getting closer...do we think that the Sunderland Connect hybrids will gain the 'Christmas in Sunderland' all over wraps like they did last year?

On another note, at the Metrocentre, do buses need to serve the MetrOasis stop even if the traffic is bad? I only ask because last Sunday at about 15:30ish, i saw a green arrow solar take the sliproad round to the left and behind the car parks (along the one way system and entering the bus station from the same direction as buses from Newcastle only not over the bridge). I didn't get to see whether it was in service or if it had passengers on but with it being the time it was, i went along with it being in service.

I think they will gain wraps

[S813 FVK]

97 operates in to Metrocentre past House of Fraser, since October changes.

Ah right. What is the reason for doing this? Is it just because of traffic?

[Jackamcardle]

Ah right. What is the reason for doing this? Is it just because of traffic?

I would've thought so, I rode it on Tuesday and there was lots of traffic around the MetrOasis and none around house of Frazier. Maybe it's just a test to see whether this is a better way as other services could do this like the 49/A

[BJ10VUS]

I would've thought so, I rode it on Tuesday and there was lots of traffic around the MetrOasis and none around house of Frazier. Maybe it's just a test to see whether this is a better way as other services could do this like the 49/A

I think it could work on the 49/A, but it could only work one way, as the road around House of Fraser only goes one way. Whereas on the 97, I imagine passengers can travel through the Metrocentre Interchange to travel to MetrOasis?

[Diamond One]

I think it could work on the 49/A, but it could only work one way, as the road around House of Fraser only goes one way. Whereas on the 97, I imagine passengers can travel through the Metrocentre Interchange to travel to MetrOasis?

the MetroOasis sounds like a merge of the band Oasis and Metrocentre

[LeeCalder]

5314 is currently sat Not in Service at Gateshead Interchange - The ramp has "snapped and fell" according to the driver I was talking to.

[NK53 TKT]

5314 is currently sat Not in Service at Gateshead Interchange - The ramp has "snapped and fell" according to the driver I was talking to.

[NK53 TKT]

I have always wondered if the X1A and 58X have NSAs just always wondered if there was a point

[LeeCalder]

I have always wondered if the X1A and 58X have NSAs just always wondered if there was a point

No, they don't.

[Adrian]

5314 is currently sat Not in Service at Gateshead Interchange - The ramp has "snapped and fell" according to the driver I was talking to.

Looks nasty. I suppose it could have snapped and fell, due to accumulative damage over a period of time. The amount of buses that get kerbed, can't be doing them much good. 

Well that's a constructive post, isn't it!

[LeeCalder]

Looks nasty. I suppose it could have snapped and fell, due to accumulative damage over a period of time. The amount of buses that get kerbed, can't be doing them much good. 


Well that's a constructive post, isn't it!

He said a gentleman in a wheelchair was getting on at Sunderland Road, and he didn't wait until the ramp was fully out before he tried to get on, and it snapped.

[Adrian]

He said a gentleman in a wheelchair was getting on at Sunderland Road, and he didn't wait until the ramp was fully out before he tried to get on, and it snapped.

I'm not doubting what you've been told, but I'd thought the Mercs had to have their doors closed, in order to operate the ramp? I can't see why anyone would try and mount the ramp in a wheelchair, if the doors of the bus were still closed.

Hopefully it's a quick fix anyway.

[LeeCalder]

I'm not doubting what you've been told, but I'd thought the Mercs had to have their doors closed, in order to operate the ramp? I can't see why anyone would try and mount the ramp in a wheelchair, if the doors of the bus were still closed.

Hopefully it's a quick fix anyway.

That's exactly what I thought, because the driver then closed the doors to release the ramp... And didn't open them until it had been fully out.

As to why he was trying to move the ramp again, I don't know. It might have just added further damage.

[Diamond One]

5314 is currently sat Not in Service at Gateshead Interchange - The ramp has "snapped and fell" according to the driver I was talking to.

looks nasty have they replaced the bus with another one eg a red spare bus or another branded Citaro for that route

I have always wondered if the X1A and 58X have NSAs just always wondered if there was a point

nope the NSA would be on the vehicle but would only display the brand eg X1A case "Red Arrows" and 58X "Citylink" i remember once travelling to Newcastle on 5389 and it had "Citylink" on the bus this was early 2014

[LeeCalder]

looks nasty have they replaced the bus with another one eg a red spare bus or another branded Citaro for that route

No - it was taken out of service at Gateshead, and passengers were transferred onto the 56.

[Dan]

I have always wondered if the X1A and 58X have NSAs just always wondered if there was a point

No, they don't.

The 58X has Next Stop Announcements on the 'normal' part of the route, but not the Newcastle - Cobalt section. In future, both will have Next Stop Announcements, and the Saturday variation of the 921 will also gain Next Stop Announcements too.

The Next Stop Announcement kit is very expensive - even if there's only a couple of runs per day, the kit is there to be used not wasted.

[LeeCalder]

The 58X has Next Stop Announcements on the 'normal' part of the route, but not the Newcastle - Cobalt section. In future, both will have Next Stop Announcements, and the Saturday variation of the 921 will also gain Next Stop Announcements too.

The Next Stop Announcement kit is very expensive - even if there's only a couple of runs per day, the kit is there to be used not wasted.

Good on Go North East for doing that, especially if they cost such an extensive amount.

[Kuyoyo]

Good on Go North East for doing that, especially if they cost such an extensive amount.

Was mentioned by the Arriva representative at the Stockton Council Public Transport Forum that the equipment costs about £2.5k per vehicle.