(03 Dec 2017, 8:30 am)S813 FVK wrote Aren’t these new destination displays just a trial though?

To gather feedback (both from staff and customers)...

Not sure why Go North East, or any other operator, would go against something which has been proven in surveys to be popular with passengers?

Is there a source for the comment about passenger numbers falling due to a lack of information - with specific references to paper timetables and via points on destination displays? I'd be interested to read more into that.

According to Transport Focus (sources linked below), Go North East scored an 88% passenger satisfaction rating with regards to exterior route/destination information in 2016 (having been 87% the previous year). The marginal increase could relate to the continued investment into white LED displays and the decrease in the number of flipdot displays. Lothian Buses by comparison have a 90% satisfaction rate in this category - notably, they've been moving away from via points too. May be a coincidence, of course?
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...xus?wave=6&passenger_type=&sort_by=-satisfaction
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...an-buses-2

(03 Dec 2017, 8:34 am)Dan wrote To gather feedback (both from staff and customers)...

Not sure why Go North East, or any other operator, would go against something which has been proven in surveys to be popular with passengers?

Is there a source for the comment about passenger numbers falling due to a lack of information - with specific references to paper timetables and via points on destination displays? I'd be interested to read more into that.

According to Transport Focus (sources linked below), Go North East scored an 88% passenger satisfaction rating with regards to exterior route/destination information in 2016 (having been 87% the previous year). The marginal increase could relate to the continued investment into white LED displays and the decrease in the number of flipdot displays. Lothian Buses by comparison have a 90% satisfaction rate in this category - notably, they've been moving away from via points too. May be a coincidence, of course?
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...xus?wave=6&passenger_type=&sort_by=-satisfaction
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...an-buses-2

Indeed, but we are in the enthusiast world where it is very easy to make statements which have absolutely no evidence to support them at all.

The NEXUS bus stops at least (don’t think the County Durham ones do) specify which area of Newcastle the bus terminates at: https://liners.nexus.org.uk/22052.pdf. If this is the case, is there any need for Eldon Square or wherever to appear on the destination itself?

With 5201 temporarily on the 67/69... where has the Versa gone?

(03 Dec 2017, 9:01 am)S813 FVK wrote Indeed, but we are in the enthusiast world where it is very easy to make statements which have absolutely no evidence to support them at all.

The NEXUS bus stops at least (don’t think the County Durham ones do) specify which area of Newcastle the bus terminates at: https://liners.nexus.org.uk/22052.pdf. If this is the case, is there any need for Eldon Square or wherever to appear on the destination itself?

As do the timetables which are available online, Google Maps, bus operator mobile apps, etc. There's a lot of information available for those who need it - but I'm not convinced many people do go for a bus without having researched their journey first.

Looking specifically at the 21; the biggest improvement here is that it'll be clearer to passengers waiting for the bus which buses only go as far as Chester-le-Street, and which buses will go the full journey to Durham, as it's easier to see from a distance now.

And yes - Nexus manage and update the liners in all parts of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, but not County Durham or Tees Valley at this stage.

(03 Dec 2017, 9:05 am)Dan wrote As do the timetables which are available online, Google Maps, bus operator mobile apps, etc. There's a lot of information available for those who need it - but I'm not convinced many people do go for a bus without having researched their journey first.

Looking specifically at the 21; the biggest improvement here is that it'll be clearer to passengers waiting for the bus which buses only go as far as Chester-le-Street, and which buses will go the full journey to Durham, as it's easier to see from a distance now.

And yes - Nexus manage and update the liners in all parts of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, but not County Durham or Tees Valley at this stage.

I agree entirely. I know on the odd occasion that I do need to use the bus, I always check the times although this is mainly down to not needing to know the times of the buses due to not needing them that often. I suspect that this is the case with most people as opposed to having the 'turn up and go' attitude as if there was a bus around every 7 minutes as on the 21.  

I prefer the Nexus liners over the County Council ones which are rather unclear. The stops the ED1 uses, for example, make no reference of the fact that it goes to EDC Houghall Campus and is just shown as 'Durham'. Most people just let it go by and get the 16 that follows it a few minutes later (or indeed the one a few minutes before), probably due to the bus showing Houghall Campus on the front of the bus. However, I still think that the council could be clearer as to which buses go where on the bus stops.

(02 Dec 2017, 6:31 pm)Dan wrote 6319 was branded yesterday, and is expected to transfer to Chester-le-Street from Monday for driver familiarisation.

Go North East: 6319 / NK67GMX by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

With regards to driver familiarisation, would it not have been easier to loan one of the StreetDecks from Crook to CLS with it being used until the majority of drivers have become familiar with the vehicle type?

Also, as long as any of the branded StreetDecks aren't of the road, will the peak time X21's between Durham and Newcastle (which are currently car workings) be operated by the corporate branded spares?

(03 Dec 2017, 9:32 am)L469 YVK wrote With regards to driver familiarisation, would it not have been easier to loan one of the StreetDecks from Crook to CLS with it being used until the majority of drivers have become familiar with the vehicle type?

Also, as long as any of the branded StreetDecks aren't of the road, will the peak time X21's between Durham and Newcastle (which are currently car workings) be operated by the corporate branded spares?

These StreetDecks have the Micro-Hybrid 3 system and stop/start technology - so best to use one of the ones they're actually going to drive, than one of the older Castles Express buses.

Still likely at a PVR of 17 that at least one spare will be allocated to the 21 every day. The other is likely to be used on any double-deck service at Chester-le-Street.

(03 Dec 2017, 9:36 am)Dan wrote These StreetDecks have the Micro-Hybrid 3 system and stop/start technology - so best to use one of the ones they're actually going to drive, than one of the older Castles Express buses.

Still likely at a PVR of 17 that at least one spare will be allocated to the 21 every day. The other is likely to be used on any double-deck service at Chester-le-Street.

That clears that one up, didn't read the description in the photo!

With Crook being an outstation to Chester Le Street, would some of Crook's drivers (or lead drivers) also receive familiarisaion on the newer StreetDeck in case they ever get one on loan?

Finally, are the Volvo B5LH's that Percy Main are getting eligible for the enhanced BSOG payments and if so, would it be likely (given that they only miss USB / Plug socks) that these would be allocated to the Boxing Day 309/310 if enough drivers were given the correct familiarisation on them?

Silly question but what routes would you usually find the Riverside spare solars (4932, 33, 45)?

(03 Dec 2017, 8:00 am)LeeCalder wrote To be honest, it seems as though Go North East are doing everything against what all these Bus Users surveys are saying, with regards to people not using the bus due to a lack of information etc...... let's get rid of paper timetables, and enrol generic destination displays.

I would say that generic destinations will only work if you have prominent route brands, e.g. Coastliner at Transdev and Red Arrow at trentbarton, who tend to use the route brand as a route number regardless. I couldn't see that working up here through a combination of pick 'n' mix allocations, and ever changing route brands.

I have no idea about the Bus Users surveys - havent seen them at all, but do agree that passengers need information.

I suppose there's a fine balance between having too much and too little and as it stands, we are going down the route of having too little a choice of information sources.

I have pointed out before that not everyone can read a timetable. It goes with out saying that not everyone has access to the internet. Not everyone has the ability or confidence to speak to drivers either.

In an area where service numbers are stable, routes are consistent, branding is established, clear and obvious, the topography lends itself and partnerships between operators/PTE's/LA's are positive - then maybe the single line destinations are suitable.
I think it goes without saying, that neither of those things apply 100% to GNE.

There's obviously a reason they keep coming back to it and have done for however many years.
There's obviously a reason they have reverted back to using via points...

I have mentioned before that the black/white blinds are far from ideal for those who suffer from dyslexia (in addition to sharing links from organisations who have a lot more knowledge than myself of how colours affect reading).
I have no occupational experience with people who suffer from colour blindness, but it would but interesting to see what they think of the two tone blinds.

We need to make public transport accessible to all. Taking information away from passengers isn't helping with that.

Have any of the Prince Bishops vehicles, had the additional opening window installed yet?

(03 Dec 2017, 10:39 am)S830OFT wrote Silly question but what routes would you usually find the Riverside spare solars (4932, 33, 45)?

Theres nearly always at least 1 on the 88s due to them not having the pod on the roof allowing them to go under the low bridge on the route.

(03 Dec 2017, 2:38 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Theres nearly always at least 1 on the 88s due to them not having the pod on the roof allowing them to go under the low bridge on the route.

Thanks, I managed to find 4932 on the 11/97 today. Still going strong

(03 Dec 2017, 2:37 pm)Michael wrote Have any of the Prince Bishops vehicles, had the additional opening window installed yet?

I think the majority have been done now: 5432/34/37 this week.

(03 Dec 2017, 8:34 am)Dan wrote To gather feedback (both from staff and customers)...

Not sure why Go North East, or any other operator, would go against something which has been proven in surveys to be popular with passengers?

Is there a source for the comment about passenger numbers falling due to a lack of information - with specific references to paper timetables and via points on destination displays? I'd be interested to read more into that.

According to Transport Focus (sources linked below), Go North East scored an 88% passenger satisfaction rating with regards to exterior route/destination information in 2016 (having been 87% the previous year). The marginal increase could relate to the continued investment into white LED displays and the decrease in the number of flipdot displays. Lothian Buses by comparison have a 90% satisfaction rate in this category - notably, they've been moving away from via points too. May be a coincidence, of course?
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...xus?wave=6&passenger_type=&sort_by=-satisfaction
http://data.transportfocus.org.uk/bus/op...an-buses-2

Clicked "report" instead of "reply", so sorry if the mods get a report. 

I personally struggled with the no via points on Lothian Buses, but there was always a TfE shop within walking distance, so I asked them for info, and gave me printed timetables and maps to assist my journeys. Obviously, there aren't any Go North East travel shops in major towns (bar Washington and MetroCentre), and then they're discontinuing the paper publicity too.

I struggle to use the Go North East app, and also find the Go North East website a fathom to work, resulting to using third party apps such as Google Maps, which I've found to convey outdated information at times...  

What I'd suggest is having the ultimate destination, with the terminal point underneath, switching to via Major Destination 1, via Major Destination 2 etc etc, similar to Arriva Durham County. I also find the fancy X blinds hard to read from a distance, which isn't ideal if I need to hail a certain bus.

(03 Dec 2017, 5:07 pm)Dan wrote I think the majority have been done now: 5432/34/37 this week.

Is there a plan to do the Red Kites etc too and if so, what would the likelihood be of a Vyking transferring to Stanley to cover? Would still quite like to have a full journey on one without it breaking down.

(03 Dec 2017, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote Is there a plan to do the Red Kites etc too and if so, what would the likelihood be of a Vyking transferring to Stanley to cover? Would still quite like to have a full journey on one without it breaking down.

Others may be done in the future, but it's just the Prince Bishops ones being done for now.

More rumours about 26/27
5305-5309 for crusader people is saying, this would mean 5325-5332 on 35 and 5333-5338 for 9.

2 nights in a row:


Due to a number of vehicles being targeted by youths throwing missiles at Houghton, causing damage to our vehicles, we will not be serving Houghton Church and Newbottle Street, instead diverting via Hillside Way until further notice, many apologies

(03 Dec 2017, 6:02 pm)citaro5284 wrote 2 nights in a row:


Due to a number of vehicles being targeted by youths throwing missiles at Houghton, causing damage to our vehicles, we will not be serving Houghton Church and Newbottle Street, instead diverting via Hillside Way until further notice, many apologies

It's beyond a joke now!
Surely there should be a police presence there more often!

(03 Dec 2017, 6:00 pm)Citaro5326 wrote More rumours about 26/27
5305-5309 for crusader people is saying, this would mean 5325-5332 on 35 and 5333-5338 for 9.

Not sure if they would need 5 more buses on that route when changes take place?



More likely 1 or 2... which i would think would be 5323/24... then maybe 5305/06 become part of the 9 allocation 5307-5309 become spares at depots which will need extra spares along with 5337/38.... if my numbers is right (probables not).... also depends on what the new PVR of the 9 will be, they'll defiantly get Citaro's.

(03 Dec 2017, 6:18 pm)Michael wrote Not sure if they would need 5 more buses on that route when changes take place?

More likely 1 or 2... which i would think would be 5323/24... then maybe 5305/06 become part of the 9 allocation 5307-5309 become spares at depots which will need extra spares along with 5337/38.... if my numbers is right (probables not).... also depends on what the new PVR of the 9 will be, they'll defiantly get Citaro's.

I'd say they would need at least 3 - 1 for the frequency increase to every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Jarrow and at least 2 more to cover the longer 26 between Jarrow and South Shields.

(03 Dec 2017, 6:25 pm)S813 FVK wrote I'd say they would need at least 3 - 1 for the frequency increase to every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Jarrow and at least 2 more to cover the longer 26 between Jarrow and South Shields.

I will go for 5 extra required.

(03 Dec 2017, 6:25 pm)S813 FVK wrote I'd say they would need at least 3 - 1 for the frequency increase to every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Jarrow and at least 2 more to cover the longer 26 between Jarrow and South Shields.

I'd rather say now 5307-5322 for 26/27
5305/5306 spare
5323 & 5324 to deptford
5323-5330 on 35s
5331-5337 for 9
5338 spare
Some coaster omnicities to Washington to be spare for 4/5/50

(03 Dec 2017, 6:32 pm)Citaro5326 wrote I'd rather say now 5307-5322 for 26/27
5305/5306 spare
5323 & 5324 to deptford
5323-5330 on 35s
5331-5337 for 9
5338 spare
Some coaster omnicities to Washington to be spare for 4/5/50

I thought the 5 is transferring over to Percy main depot?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(03 Dec 2017, 6:32 pm)Citaro5326 wrote I'd rather say now 5307-5322 for 26/27
5305/5306 spare
5323 & 5324 to deptford
5323-5330 on 35s
5331-5337 for 9
5338 spare
Some coaster omnicities to Washington to be spare for 4/5/50

Does anyknow the new PVR for the 9, if so what will it be?

---

(03 Dec 2017, 6:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote I will go for 5 extra required.

Didn't expect it to be such a massive increase...

(03 Dec 2017, 6:42 pm)cbma06 wrote I thought the 5 is transferring over to Percy main depot?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, still operating from Washington

(03 Dec 2017, 6:32 pm)Citaro5326 wrote I'd rather say now 5307-5322 for 26/27
5305/5306 spare
5323 & 5324 to deptford
5323-5330 on 35s
5331-5337 for 9
5338 spare
Some coaster omnicities to Washington to be spare for 4/5/50

Maybe the south tyne versa for the 35...

(03 Dec 2017, 6:58 pm)JP6004 wrote Maybe the south tyne versa for the 35...

Doubt it, when 5 are going on the 28/28A.

(03 Dec 2017, 7:00 pm)Michael wrote Doubt it, when 5 are going on the 28/28A.

I didnt think it had been confirmed...