http://www.route-one.net/technology/go-n...-its-hand/

Most interesting - I wonder if they do 'tours' for enthusiasts?

(26 Nov 2015, 7:05 pm)G-CPTN wrote Most interesting - I wonder if they do 'tours' for enthusiasts?

Go North East don't do anything like that; I think that sort of stuff just gets binned. Presuming you're referring to the likes of depot visits.

(24 Nov 2015, 10:36 pm)Adrian wrote What's the issue with the Versas? Decent modern bus in my opinion, and if it means it's not another Streetlite, well then that's a bonus!

Every now again is fine, but daily it is awful unless we are talking about the Citylink examples.

I am travelling on the 689 tomorrow, what is it like punctuality wise?

(26 Nov 2015, 7:32 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Every now again is fine, but daily it is awful unless we are talking about the Citylink examples.

I am travelling on the 689 tomorrow, what is it like punctuality wise?

Generally okay. The journey is about an hour in length from end to end, and the country lanes and fast stretches in between allow any lost time to be made up. Can't imagine you will experience significant (if any) delay.

(26 Nov 2015, 7:32 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Every now again is fine, but daily it is awful unless we are talking about the Citylink examples.

I am travelling on the 689 tomorrow, what is it like punctuality wise?

Fine.

(26 Nov 2015, 6:55 pm)Malarkey wrote http://www.route-one.net/technology/go-n...-its-hand/

Great insight into some of the things we have going on behind the scenes - I'm glad that it has been covered by the trade press.

It's so important in this industry to keep on top of new technology and use it to our advantage. Operational benefits which we see internally ultimately provide a better, more reliable, safer journey for passengers.

(26 Nov 2015, 7:09 pm)R852 PRG wrote Go North East don't do anything like that; I think that sort of stuff just gets binned. Presuming you're referring to the likes of depot visits.

they only do private tours e.g between managing companies that make buses eg Volvo or Wright but Depot visits will have to be private eg some photos from that visit will end up being private as it does cause controversy amongst others

(26 Nov 2015, 7:55 pm)Diamond One wrote they only do private tours e.g between managing companies that make buses eg Volvo or Wright but Depot visits will have to be private eg some photos from that visit will end up being private as it does cause controversy amongst others

I recall seeing on Twitter that a group of young bus managers had spent a day at Riverside getting tours, with branded vehicles from all over the company being drawn into the depot for the occasion. Was only a short while back.

(26 Nov 2015, 7:55 pm)Diamond One wrote they only do private tours e.g between managing companies that make buses eg Volvo or Wright but Depot visits will have to be private eg some photos from that visit will end up being private as it does cause controversy amongst others

I know quite a lot of you have an interest in seeing things which go on behind the scenes, and would like to see what an operational depot is like from the inside.

Maybe in the future Go North East (and other bus operators) can look towards allowing enthusiasts - and the general public - to do just this.

(26 Nov 2015, 7:09 pm)R852 PRG wrote Go North East don't do anything like that; I think that sort of stuff just gets binned. Presuming you're referring to the likes of depot visits.

Yes, I am 'mature enough' to appreciate the things behind running a service - the sorts of things that the public don't see (or even think about).

I've been promised a visit to the Fire and Rescue Control Room . . .

(26 Nov 2015, 7:57 pm)Dan wrote I know quite a lot of you have an interest in seeing things which go on behind the scenes, and would like to see what an operational depot is like from the inside.

Maybe in the future Go North East (and other bus operators) can look towards allowing enthusiasts - and the general public - to do just this.

I spent most of my working life as a vehicle tester (managing drivers and routes and analysing the 'failures').

All of these vehicles (trucks and buses mainly, but also cars and vans) were 'experimental' - ie before production - so 'failures' had to be studied carefully - usually when there was a breakdown it was as a result of something that had never happened before, and the evidence had to be preserved.

(26 Nov 2015, 9:29 pm)G-CPTN wrote Yes, I am 'mature enough' to appreciate the things behind running a service - the sorts of things that the public don't see (or even think about).



I've been promised a visit to the Fire and Rescue Control Room . . .

I've been promised a tour of Deptford by its manager.

(26 Nov 2015, 7:45 pm)R852 PRG wrote Generally okay. The journey is about an hour in length from end to end, and the country lanes and fast stretches in between allow any lost time to be made up. Can't imagine you will experience significant (if any) delay.

Thanks

(27 Nov 2015, 7:07 am)NK53 TKT wrote Thanks

The only delay would be the A68(?) that you have to go over.

6004 been repainted back in to red - however lacking advertisement boards

6116 & 6117 gained advertisement boards last month and still no adverts in.

Taxi Protest on 27 November from 4.30pm to 6.30pm

We have been made aware that a taxi protest will take place from 4.30pm today that will affect our buses in and around Newcastle City Centre.

To try and minimise delays buses will run the following routes:

Services from Redheugh Bridge/Scotswood Rd:
These services will terminate at Clayton St/Bewick St and wait time, before departing from Central Stn bus stops.

Services towards Gateshead Interchange:
All services will turn left at the end of Blackett St onto Newgate St/The Gate, before picking up outside Wilkinsons (X1 included).

Services to Haymarket:
These services will terminate at the Army Centre/Council Offices stop, before turning around at the roundabout to normal route.

Services X84/X85:
These services will continue as normal.

Service Q3:
This service will run to normal route but with delays.

6131s side destination needs some attention - quite a few LEDs around the destination (not just in one cluster) are not working. If you zoom in on the photo below you can make out the issue:

6131 Go North East Scania Ominidekka Northern by Diamond One, on Flickr

On the topic: I noticed that the side destination for the 831 reads 'Scholars' rather than 'Stanley'. I found this unusual to say the least.

(27 Nov 2015, 4:00 pm)S813 FVK wrote 6131s side destination needs some attention - quite a few LEDs around the destination (not just in one cluster) are not working.

On the topic: I noticed that the side destination for the 831 reads 'Scholars' rather than 'Stanley'. I found this unusual to say the least.

Was the driver not just using the wrong destination?

There's a scholars service in Tyne & Wear, which is numbered 831, operated by Stanley Depot.

(27 Nov 2015, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote Was the driver not just using the wrong destination?

There's a scholars service in Tyne & Wear, which is numbered 831, operated by Stanley Depot.

Ah, that is possibly the case then. I didn't get to see the front or rear.

Thought I'd see how the StreetDeck performed on the X9 this afternoon and give it a fair trial rather than just assume it will be crap and will brake down.

I will be honest when I first heard that it was going to be trialled on the Tyne Tees Xpress I didn't think it would be much cop on there although it did surprise me somewhat, didn't seem to perform too bad along the A19 and even managed to overtake a lorry. Not sure what sort of speeds it was doing but seemed fairly decent on the stretch when it rejoins the A19 after Peterlee Bus Station (Middlesbrough bound) and once it pulled off the A19 heading into Billingham. It is difficult to give a full review of the performance as there was a fair bit traffic on the A19. Overall I thought it was not too bad although the Enviro 400 MMC would possibly be a better buy for the service, although I doubt GNE will opt for that given their relationship with Wright and the StreetDeck is likely to be more fuel-efficient.

5160 on 9 is it a loan or a transfer only last time i looked on NEB News it says its at Riverside for a shuttle service yet today was on 9 operating out of Percy Main heading to North Shields when i saw it

(27 Nov 2015, 6:19 pm)Diamond One wrote 5160 on 9 is it a loan or a transfer only last time i looked on NEB News it says its at Riverside for a shuttle service yet today was on 9 operating out of Percy Main heading to North Shields when i saw it

Sorry, I've been falling behind on the news page recently as I've been so busy.

It transferred to Percy Main on 14th November after the shuttle service ended - it is there to provide an extra vehicle while Percy Main's dual-door Volvo B10BLEs are undergoing DDA modifications and the "Coaster" branded Scania OmniCitys are undergoing deep cleans at Thorntons.

Volvo B10BLEs 5152 and 5166 are still at Thornton's for DDA mods. Scania OmniCitys 5251, 5252, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5265 and 5272 have all received a deep clean - I haven't been noting these as it's not the most noteworthy piece of information!

(27 Nov 2015, 6:42 pm)Dan wrote Sorry, I've been falling behind on the news page recently as I've been so busy.

It transferred to Percy Main on 14th November after the shuttle service ended - it is there to provide an extra vehicle while Percy Main's dual-door Volvo B10BLEs are undergoing DDA modifications and the "Coaster" branded Scania OmniCitys are undergoing deep cleans at Thorntons.

Volvo B10BLEs 5152 and 5166 are still at Thornton's for DDA mods. Scania OmniCitys 5251, 5252, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5265 and 5272 have all received a deep clean - I haven't been noting these as it's not the most noteworthy piece of information!

What exactly takes place when a bus receives a deep clean? I'm guessing the seats and stuff?

(27 Nov 2015, 6:49 pm)R852 PRG wrote What exactly takes place when a bus receives a deep clean? I'm guessing the seats and stuff?

I'd suggest that the level of 'treatment' ultimately depends on how much money the company is handing over.

In the past, Thornton's have used some pretty heavy-duty cleaning materials. If I recall correctly, it was the articulated vehicles which had to stand for a few days just to get rid of the smell, as it was so strong. I had a bit of a snoop around 5252 not long after it was first done, and the distinct smell previously found on vehicles which had received a deep clean was not evident. The seat moquette did appear to be a lot cleaner (so was presumably washed properly), and there was no longer any grubby marks left behind from previous internal branding which had been removed.

The usual clean vehicles receive each night involves mopping down the vehicle with soapy water, and sometimes a quick dust over. In my opinion, vehicles ought to receive a deep clean on an annual basis. It would coincide nicely with when the vehicle is off the road for annual PSV test, but I'd guess that cost may prevent this.

(27 Nov 2015, 6:54 pm)Dan wrote I'd suggest that the level of 'treatment' ultimately depends on how much money the company is handing over.

In the past, Thornton's have used some pretty heavy-duty cleaning materials. If I recall correctly, it was the articulated vehicles which had to stand for a few days just to get rid of the smell, as it was so strong. I had a bit of a snoop around 5252 not long after it was first done, and the distinct smell previously found on vehicles which had received a deep clean was not evident. The seat moquette did appear to be a lot cleaner (so was presumably washed properly), and there was no longer any grubby marks left behind from previous internal branding which had been removed.

The usual clean vehicles receive each night involves mopping down the vehicle with soapy water, and sometimes a quick dust over. In my opinion, vehicles ought to receive a deep clean on an annual basis. It would coincide nicely with when the vehicle is off the road for annual PSV test, but I'd guess that cost may prevent this.

How often do buses get an annual PSV test?

I think they should get a deep clean on a yearly bases.

Edit: With the Coaster getting a deep clean, any idea which buses will be next?

(27 Nov 2015, 7:01 pm)Michael wrote How often do buses get an annual PSV test?

I think they should get a deep clean on a yearly bases.

You've just technically answered your own question

Every few weeks i think - at least once every 2 months?

(27 Nov 2015, 7:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote You've just technically answered your own question

Every few weeks i think - at least once every 2 months?

Annual - occurring once every year.

But GNE could do this different.  

What a terrible day it's been today