(24 Jan 2017, 11:21 am)GX03 wrote 5451 has entered service on the 11.17 16 to Durham

Next 16 out of Stanley for Castleside.

(24 Jan 2017, 12:57 pm)Simmy wrote Just seen it an hour ago with the same destination on. Maybe someone is having a play around?  

Here is the bus in question, for all concern:
(Go North East) S832OFT / 3832 - Volvo Olympian by Jamie MP, on Flickr

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(24 Jan 2017, 10:16 am)Andreos1 wrote It's lovely up that neck of the woods. If you haven't tried it (and if it's still decent), the pub at Dipton Mill is worth a look.

I haven't been for a while, but they had their own brewery last time I looked.

The pub at Dipton Mill is still there and the brewery is still going. There's a great walk you can do over the fields from Hexham town centre.

The scholars service was numbered H5 I believe and served the High School and Middle School at Hexham. Nightingale Coaches used to run a shoppers service twice a month on a Tuesday morning from Blachland and Slaley via Whitley Chapel. There are currently no public bus services serving Hexhamshire.

Charles

(24 Jan 2017, 10:11 am)ifm001 wrote The Steel is a farm about 3 miles south of Hexham deep in rural Hexhamshire.

The scholars service used to run to Whitley Chapel and was also available to the public to use.

Charles
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Hexhamshire or Northumberland. Now that is a question

Reference to "Hexamshire" - Name of Brewery:


http://diptonmill.co.uk/

Home of the Hexhamshire Brewery, the Dipton Mill is a cosy, welcoming country pub with real fires, real ales and a real warm welcome.

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(24 Jan 2017, 5:31 pm)Venturego wrote Reference to "Hexamshire" - Name of Brewery:

http://diptonmill.co.uk/

"Home of the Hexhamshire Brewery, the Dipton Mill is a cosy, welcoming country pub with real fires, real ales and a real warm welcome."

3970 now has new gne logos. No partial repaint.

(24 Jan 2017, 7:00 pm)EL1TE wrote 3970 now has new gne logos. No partial repaint.

Think they'll be gone soon, probables the reason why it didn't have the Blue added although, not confirmed.

(24 Jan 2017, 3:04 pm)Charles41 wrote The pub at Dipton Mill is still there and the brewery is still going. There's a great walk you can do over the fields from Hexham town centre.

The scholars service was numbered H5 I believe and served the High School and Middle School at Hexham. Nightingale Coaches used to run a shoppers service twice a month on a Tuesday morning from Blachland and Slaley via Whitley Chapel. There are currently no public bus services serving Hexhamshire.

Charles

There certainly is. There's a loop you can do too, if you take a track that's just opposite the pub. It's the long way around, but will bring you past Dukes House Wood and in to Hexham that way.
Always wanted to maybe take off from the 689 at Slaley and explore (via the pubs) towards Hexham, but I've never done it.

(24 Jan 2017, 5:31 pm)Venturego wrote Reference to "Hexamshire" - Name of Brewery:


http://diptonmill.co.uk/

Home of the Hexhamshire Brewery, the Dipton Mill is a cosy, welcoming country pub with real fires, real ales and a real warm welcome.

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That's the one. Shame there isn't a bus nearby with the opening hours being so limited.

3887 has had a plastic shield with a square cut-out fitted to the rear LED blind.

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5452 is now at Riverside, not yet in service.

(25 Jan 2017, 1:32 pm)Jamie M wrote 3887 has had a plastic shield with a square cut-out fitted to the rear LED blind.

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3885 and 3886 have both lost their side and rear Flip dot displays and have had them replaced with LEDs. No idea about 3889 though.

(25 Jan 2017, 2:17 pm)park5354 wrote 5452 is now at Riverside, not yet in service.

Wonder if it'll enter service in the next couple of days or if they'll wait until a few more have arrived for the 49/49A.


Any confirmation on the 49/49A being branded?

As mentioned in news and rare workings, 5206 has been repainted:
(Go North East) NK54NVA / 5206 - Wright Solar by Jamie MP, on Flickr

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(25 Jan 2017, 2:32 pm)S813 FVK wrote 3885 and 3886 have both lost their side and rear Flip dot displays and have had them replaced with LEDs. No idea about 3889 though.

To comply with DDA / PSVAR regulations, 3885 - 3889 all now have 144x19, 96x8 and 32x17 LED displays (replacing the flipdot displays which weren't displaying destinations correctly).

(25 Jan 2017, 4:55 pm)Dan wrote To comply with DDA / PSVAR regulations, 3885 - 3889 all now have 144x19, 96x8 and 32x17 LED displays (replacing the flipdot displays which weren't displaying destinations correctly).

Don't the plaxton presidents on the B7 still have rear/side flip dots which are occasionally wrong (i.e 6038 always shows 0 on rear, a few of the stanley ones have fixed on pixels on the side etc)? I'm not informed enough on the technical side to DDA stuff 😛

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(25 Jan 2017, 5:09 pm)Jamie M wrote Don't the plaxton presidents on the B7 still have rear/side flip dots which are occasionally wrong (i.e 6038 always shows 0 on rear, a few of the stanley ones have fixed on pixels on the side etc)? I'm not informed enough on the technical side to DDA stuff ?

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Yes that is something that i have noticed about 6038 and is really the issue with flipdots. At least with LEDs, the display would just be blank as opposed to being frozen on something.

On the topic of B7s, 6009 was having trouble with its doors this morning - 1 actually fell in hitting the drivers cab door. The driver slotted it back in and we kept moving on the condition that the door is held in position by the driver at every stop.

(25 Jan 2017, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes that is something that i have noticed about 6038 and is really the issue with flipdots. At least with LEDs, the display would just be blank as opposed to being frozen on something.

On the topic of B7s, 6009 was having trouble with its doors this morning - 1 actually fell in hitting the drivers cab door. The driver slotted it back in and we kept moving on the condition that the door is held in position by the driver at every stop.

Send it back on loan to washy! Washy always fix buses sent to them 😛

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(25 Jan 2017, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes that is something that i have noticed about 6038 and is really the issue with flipdots. At least with LEDs, the display would just be blank as opposed to being frozen on something.

On the topic of B7s, 6009 was having trouble with its doors this morning - 1 actually fell in hitting the drivers cab door. The driver slotted it back in and we kept moving on the condition that the door is held in position by the driver at every stop.

Speaking as an ex driver, I appreciate that the driver on your bus had best intentions at heart, and was only trying to get you to your destinations, but that bus should not have turned another wheel after the door fell off onto the cab. If that had happened again and hit a child there could have been a fatality. The subsequent enquiry would have discovered that he was aware of the fault and carried on.  It would have been in his own best interests to stop. Need i say more.

(25 Jan 2017, 6:40 pm)a718abb wrote Speaking as an ex driver, I appreciate that the driver on your bus had best intentions at heart, and was only trying to get you to your destinations, but that bus should not have turned another wheel after the door fell off onto the cab. If that had happened again and hit a child there could have been a fatality. The subsequent enquiry would have discovered that he was aware of the fault and carried on.  It would have been in his own best interests to stop. Need i say more.

Yes, i'll be honest and say that I was surprised at him carrying on. After he had put the door back on the first time, he got back into his cab, closed the cab door and before we even started moving, the door fell off again. School children (who I stress get on at the stop after me when there are still plenty of seats available) who were standing at the front had to grab and move the door away from the cab so the driver could actually get out and fix it again.

As you say, his intentions were good but in this case, it would had been better to not carry on.

(25 Jan 2017, 6:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes, i'll be honest and say that I was surprised at him carrying on. After he had put the door back on the first time, he got back into his cab, closed the cab door and before we even started moving, the door fell off again. School children (who I stress get on at the stop after me when there are still plenty of seats available) who were standing at the front had to grab and move the door away from the cab so the driver could actually get out and fix it again.

As you say, his intentions were good but in this case, it would had been better to not carry on.

6009's door was working again on the 1840 X70 consett leave.

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(22 Jan 2017, 8:40 pm)thetravelman wrote Think we need another photo from a different angle to see whether this bus is in GNE Corporate livery or whether it is indeed Blue.

Here's another photo.

Go North East: 5455 / NK66EWD by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(26 Jan 2017, 7:19 am)Dan wrote Here's another photo.

Go North East: 5455 / NK66EWD by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Great photo Dan, will the Blaydon Racers brand be dropped then?, or will the Blaydon Racers brand be on the Red and Blue base?

(26 Jan 2017, 10:07 am)Michael wrote Great photo Dan, will the Blaydon Racers brand be dropped then?, or will the Blaydon Racers brand be on the Red and Blue base?

That is a question that has been asked several times before and is also one that has not been answered - probably going to be a case of 'let the marketing team reveal what is happening'.

I do think that it is strange that new buses are being deployed on a service that will be debranded in line with the new vehicles as opposed to being branded. It maybe isn't one of the strongest brands but I certainly wouldn't withdraw it given the brands background (although not too relevant to the areas served!)

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5452 has entered service at Riverside on the 49/49A: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3172...otostream/

(26 Jan 2017, 4:14 pm)S813 FVK wrote That is a question that has been asked several times before and is also one that has not been answered - probably going to be a case of 'let the marketing team reveal what is happening'.

I do think that it is strange that new buses are being deployed on a service that will be debranded in line with the new vehicles as opposed to being branded. It maybe isn't one of the strongest brands but I certainly wouldn't withdraw it given the brands background (although not too relevant to the areas served!)

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5452 has entered service at Riverside on the 49/49A: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3172...otostream/

One of Stanley's corp ones also has. I saw Dan took a picture of it at salties, but not sure if it has been mentioned that it entered service today. Forgot the reg/id.

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(26 Jan 2017, 4:29 pm)Jamie M wrote One of Stanley's corp ones also has. I saw Dan took a picture of it at salties, but not sure if it has been mentioned that it entered service today. Forgot the reg/id.

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5451 - entered service on Tuesday (well, that was its first sighting in service anyway).

(26 Jan 2017, 4:34 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5451 - entered service on Tuesday (well, that was its first sighting in service anyway).

Thanks

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(26 Jan 2017, 4:14 pm)S813 FVK wrote

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5452 has entered service at Riverside on the 49/49A: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/3172...otostream/

Surprised they haven't waited until a few more arrive.

Are there still vehicle issues at Chester? The X12 has hopeless reliability lately so I've used the 21 all week and I've had an Omnidekka , a rammed 5401 or a rancid B7. It's doing no use at all to my data allowance or my bum cheeks!

I even let a packed 6038 leave only for bloody 5401 to turn up! Just assuming it's a combination of Hybrids getting tested/a much needed clean or some general off the roadness 

Edit to add, Quorum are in talks to allow the 554 to serve the business park following passenger complaints directly to Quorum. I can see the point. People will wait at Fourl Lane Ends or Quorum for a heavily delayed 555 sitting on Benton Park Road whilst 554 tends to sail through. Seems daft not to add capacity when it can only benefit passengers as a whole. Plus it means the 554 isn't selfishly blocking one lane of traffic at rush hour because it's so early.

(26 Jan 2017, 10:18 pm)Ambassador wrote Are there still vehicle issues at Chester? The X12 has hopeless reliability lately so I've used the 21 all week and I've had an Omnidekka , a rammed 5401 or a rancid B7. It's doing no use at all to my data allowance or my bum cheeks!

I even let a packed 6038 leave only for bloody 5401 to turn up! Just assuming it's a combination of Hybrids getting tested/a much needed clean or some general off the roadness 

I noticed on Monday that it seemed like there was a shortage of double deckers somewhere, think the 14/X22 had three Solar's on during the day along with another on the 13 with the 16:30 from MetroCentre chucking up Angel 3962.

Last night I saw reportings and photos of a Angel hybrid and Coast & Country StreetLite on peak time X21's to Durham.

No idea what the situation is but I must say that I have noticed some absences (for whatever the reason behind it is).

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Seems like Deptford have issues with double deckers as well, 56 has had a few sightings of StreetLite's covering for B9's plus the odd Solar and Vyking recently. Noticed that the peak time 204/265 from Durham operated by Deptford had 6100 on Tuesday and a Fab Fifty Six B9 yesterday.

No idea what the situation is here either.

(26 Jan 2017, 10:45 pm)Jimmi wrote I noticed on Monday that it seemed like there was a shortage of double deckers somewhere, think the 14/X22 had three Solar's on during the day along with another on the 13 with the 16:30 from MetroCentre chucking up Angel 3962.

Last night I saw reportings and photos of a Angel hybrid and Coast & Country StreetLite on peak time X21's to Durham.

No idea what the situation is but I must say that I have noticed some absences (for whatever the reason behind it is).

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Seems like Deptford have issues with double deckers as well, 56 has had a few sightings of StreetLite's covering for B9's plus the odd Solar and Vyking recently. Noticed that the peak time 204/265 from Durham operated by Deptford had 6100 on Tuesday and a Fab Fifty Six B9 yesterday.

No idea what the situation is here either.

Deptford were also quite a few drivers down - Stanley and Chester drivers are still on their 1 month depot temporary transfer on weak 6.

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Maybe we are seeing the reduction  of Branded routes in favour of promoting the Corporate Brand and livery. In my opinion if this is the case we would need a much stronger  Corporate brand than simply painting a bus an amateurish Red & Blue with  a white stripe divide ! - Looks like a secondary operator buying second hand used buses! - In my opinion!!
Look more toward Lothian's livery with an air of quality and brand standard - Colour coding city routes (Dark Red) and rural routes (Green).   Even an adaptation of OK way /Express as North East or Northern would promote a quality brand with an "Established heritage" - We need a much more mature approach to branded routes. The current marketing dept. seems to be run with a mentality of kids in a playground. Look up "MARKETING" and/or "BRAND" in  any professional publication for a definition and what this stands for! Don't think GNE marketing understand the first steps of effective marketing and branding definition and principles.
Even local users are confused with current brands and frequent use of wrongly branded buses appointed to other routes. - I've seen elderly among other passengers often miss a bus at Eldon Sq. or Metro Centre because wrong branded bus was being used. - What chance do visitors to the region have, especially connecting with Airport Metro or regional and national rail !"
Branding by route has had its day IMO!  GNE should now promote quality and service via their brands, differentiating Quality routes, Express limited stop services, Cross county services and easier payment options ignoring Buzz fare zones and adopting fairer fares based on distance.
I am convinced more people would use buses if contact-less debit cards were accepted across all modes of transport including Metro, as the cheapest and most competitive payment method for the region (As adopted in London's Dft area)