(20 Nov 2015, 4:54 pm)NK53 TKT wrote It will keep me busy, it won't be versas though. It will be renowns I think

Think it's a question of which one is more fuel-efficient. On a day where the running costs are higher due to increased driver wages and other factors, they're going to want to allocate the most fuel-efficient buses they can. I don't think Renowns are very fuel-efficient, I think they only get about 6 miles per gallon.

Weardale did Arriva 44/45 to Dinnington on Boxing Day 2010 and 2011. I remember having 102 passengers on MAN Meridian leaving Haymarket after the Newcastle match in 2010 - the police wanting me to take all those waiting.

Also Weardale did GNE 93/94 in Gateshead in 2010 only, using deckers.

Looks like Kingsleys are taking after GNE with the route number:

Kingsley's: 110 / NA52 BVJ by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

(20 Nov 2015, 9:19 pm)S813 FVK wrote Looks like Kingsleys are taking after GNE with the route number:

Kingsley's: 110 / NA52 BVJ by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

Some people cannot think of ideas for themselves... 

This morning, I rode the 09:36 X21 from Durham Bus Station - Newcastle and I have some concerns about capacity on this journey. Before we got to the stop where the Red Lion is in Chester-le-Street, there was only around 3 seats left upstairs, so you can only imagine the problems when we got to the stop to pick up the passengers waiting at the stop, the 3 seats were quickly taken and then we had a fair few passengers come upstairs then had to turn round and head back down the stairs and the passengers probably ended up standing downstairs, because of this it meant the bus was unable to use the A1(M) to head towards the Angel and Low Fell so we had to go through Birtley instead which took ages to get through, the end result being the service arriving in Newcastle around 10 minutes late and behind the 21 which left Durham Bus Station 5 minutes before the X21! So I waited for the so called fast bus to Newcastle and it ended up taking nearly as long as the all stops service!

Pronto?

(20 Nov 2015, 9:48 pm)Jimmi wrote This morning, I rode the 09:36 X21 from Durham Bus Station - Newcastle and I have some concerns about capacity on this journey. Before we got to the stop where the Red Lion is in Chester-le-Street, there was only around 3 seats left upstairs, so you can only imagine the problems when we got to the stop to pick up the passengers waiting at the stop, the 3 seats were quickly taken and then we had a fair few passengers come upstairs then had to turn round and head back down the stairs and the passengers probably ended up standing downstairs, because of this it meant the bus was unable to use the A1(M) to head towards the Angel and Low Fell so we had to go through Birtley instead which took ages to get through, the end result being the service arriving in Newcastle around 10 minutes late and behind the 21 which left Durham Bus Station 5 minutes before the X21! So I waited for the so called fast bus to Newcastle and it ended up taking nearly as long as the all stops service!

Pronto?

Is this because of the capability of the vehicle or safety? If it's the latter, then it would be like Arriva diverting the X14/X15/X16/X18 via Shields Rd, Plessey Checks, Fisher Lane, Seaton Burn and Wideopen if people were standing on them services between Morpeth and Newcastle (very often on the X16).

(20 Nov 2015, 10:10 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Is this because of the capability of the vehicle or safety? If it's the latter, then it would be like Arriva diverting the X14/X15/X16/X18 via Shields Rd, Plessey Checks, Fisher Lane, Seaton Burn and Wideopen if people were standing on them services between Morpeth and Newcastle (very often on the X16).

I'm sure I heard someone say that standing is not allowed on the A1(M) on the X21. Think it's the same on the A19 for the X9/X10.

(20 Nov 2015, 10:13 pm)Jimmi wrote I'm sure I heard someone say that standing is not allowed on the A1(M) on the X21. Think it's the same on the A19 for the X9/X10.

You are correct - the topic was brought up a few days ago.

However, there does not appear to be a rule that states standees are not allowed on a vehicle that goes on a Motorway. TTX drivers have being told standees are allowed.

Providing the standees do not exceed the number permitted for the vehicle as per normal operation, there just be no issue with standees on the Pronto service.

Maybe Chester le Street should duplicate that journey then, as presumably it's busy with the free pass brigade. Would be cheaper than increasing the frequency of the entire service.

It doesn't need duplicating... you never have more than 10 standing when leaving Chester which is more than acceptable

(20 Nov 2015, 11:21 pm)Wybus wrote Maybe Chester le Street should duplicate that journey then, as presumably it's busy with the free pass brigade. Would be cheaper than increasing the frequency of the entire service.

CLS already duplicate thejourney at that point with 8 angels an hour. It only takes a few minutes longer and as jimmi said, it takes no longer when everyone is holding out for the "express"

3980 broken down outside the Ramside.
3981 sent to rescue it.

(21 Nov 2015, 9:05 am)pdiddy wrote It doesn't need duplicating... you never have more than 10 standing when leaving Chester which is more than acceptable

Hopefully if the X21 gets an upgrade anytime soon, the replacement buses will have a higher seating capacity than the 60 odd that the Presidents can seat.

(21 Nov 2015, 1:54 pm)Jimmi wrote Hopefully if the X21 gets an upgrade anytime soon, the replacement buses will have a higher seating capacity than the 60 odd that the Presidents can seat.

Que the Enviro 500

5229 looking borked at Eldon Square.

Streetdeck on ttx today

Just had a quick count and to be honest I did not think we had this many, but we have 172 vehicles currently fitted with wifi, so coming up to a third of the fleet.

3963 has lost its' cider advert, and been replaced by Natwest.

(21 Nov 2015, 7:32 pm)citaro5284 wrote Just had a quick count and to be honest I did not think we had this many, but we have 172 vehicles currently fitted with wifi, so coming up to a third of the fleet.

Do you think all services, such as the X66, which it could be argued do not justify the provision of WiFi, be fitted with WiFi, in order to "standardise" the fleet? Or is it just going to be select services which justify the investment?

(21 Nov 2015, 8:23 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Do you think all services, such as the X66, which it could be argued do not justify the provision of WiFi, be fitted with WiFi, in order to "standardise" the fleet? Or is it just going to be select services which justify the investment?

Probably the latter. It's quite an expensive investment, so I imagine it really has to be justified in order to invest in it.

Opark53543963 has lost its' cider advert, and been replaced by Natwest.

Great, a much better company to advertise

(21 Nov 2015, 8:42 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Opark53543963 has lost its' cider advert, and been replaced by Natwest.

Great, a much better company to advertise

Shame Carlsberg don't make buses!

(21 Nov 2015, 9:31 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Shame Carlsberg don't make buses!

(21 Nov 2015, 8:42 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Opark53543963 has lost its' cider advert, and been replaced by Natwest.

Great, a much better company to advertise

I hope you're joking?

(14 Nov 2015, 5:35 pm)Michael wrote Nexus have got the timetables on their site for the extra journeys on the 20 and 39, this is towards Doxford park heading up to Christmas:

20 - http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...251115.pdf
39- http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...251115.pdf

RM1 and RM2 extra journeys

(22 Nov 2015, 11:21 am)northern156 wrote I hope you're joking?

I'm not!

(22 Nov 2015, 5:10 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I'm not!

Given that you're supposedly 11 years old; I find your opinion hard to take seriously, given that at that age you will have had no experience of alcohol (Strongbow) or banking (Natwest). Either way; it's revenue for Go North East as it is advertising a product/service.

(22 Nov 2015, 5:15 pm)R852 PRG wrote Given that you're supposedly 11 years old; I find your opinion hard to take seriously, given that at that age you will have had no experience of alcohol (Strongbow) or banking (Natwest). Either way; it's revenue for Go North East as it is advertising a product/service.

Well, I am 11, and based on my age, I know NatWest because I have a savings account with them which my parents put money into. I personally do not think alcohol should be advertised on a bus.

(22 Nov 2015, 6:14 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Well, I am 11, and based on my age, I know NatWest because I have a savings account with them which my parents put money into. I personally do not think alcohol should be advertised on a bus.

Its a iffy subject on what should be advertised and what shouldn't.  


Take Wonga for example on the Newcastle shirts... a lot of people aren't happy as they class the company as a con and a rip off, who make peoples debts spiral out of control even more. 


Gambling sponsors on shirts is another example.