(03 Jan 2018, 5:44 pm)Michael wrote The changes are in the upcoming changes thread now after Go North East sent the email out by accident.

Not much use without the timetables though.

The general trend that can be established from the 'service changes' tag on the newsdesk, with a few exceptions, is that all major service changes are posted approximately 1 month in advance. While I appreciate that the time from tomorrow (assuming they will be published tomorrow, tell me if i'm being too optimistic) to the changes is probably a sufficient amount of time for people to learn about them and notifying their employers of any affects, I am failing to see a reason as to why they appear to be holding back.

(03 Jan 2018, 6:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Not much use without the timetables though.

The general trend that can be established from the 'service changes' tag on the newsdesk, with a few exceptions, is that all major service changes are posted approximately 1 month in advance. While I appreciate that the time from tomorrow (assuming they will be published tomorrow, tell me if i'm being too optimistic) to the changes is probably a sufficient amount of time for people to learn about them and notifying their employers of any affects, I am failing to see a reason as to why they appear to be holding back.

That’s GNE for ya, too much secretive even on new orders than stagecoach and Arriva


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Dan has gave some information out about upcoming fleet movements on a couple of his photos.

Photo of 8326: Further Optare Versas are expected to be allocated to the depot shortly, with the Optare Versas currently on the "South Tyne" 88/88A services expected to migrate across to Chester-le-Street's fleet, after being repainted into Go North East's corporate livery. - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/


Looks like a drop of the Waggonway brand? - hopefully not. 


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Photo of 5324 has confirmed the 3 Citaro's will move from Washington when cascades start to take place from the Coaster Omnicities, should be confirming 4 of them will go to Washington: 

It has now returned to service at Washington Depot; though its allocation to the depot is subject to change, once cascades begin following the entry into service of the former "Angel" branded Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LHs on the "Coaster" 1/1A services. - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/

(03 Jan 2018, 6:55 pm)Michael wrote Dan has gave some information out about upcoming fleet movements on a couple of his photos.

Photo of 8326: Further Optare Versas are expected to be allocated to the depot shortly, with the Optare Versas currently on the "South Tyne" 88/88A services expected to migrate across to Chester-le-Street's fleet, after being repainted into Go North East's corporate livery. - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/


Looks like a drop of the Waggonway brand? - hopefully not. 


---------------

Photo of 5324 has confirmed the 3 Citaro's will move from Washington when cascades start to take place from the Coaster Omnicities, should be confirming 4 of them will go to Washington: 

It has now returned to service at Washington Depot; though its allocation to the depot is subject to change, once cascades begin following the entry into service of the former "Angel" branded Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LHs on the "Coaster" 1/1A services. - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/

Any update on when the Coaster B5LHs will be in service on the 1?

(03 Jan 2018, 6:57 pm)Tom wrote Any update on when the Coaster B5LHs will be in service on the 1?

Hopefully soon, Dan said on his photo of 3962 that, 6059, 6062, 6063, 6064, 6065 and 6066 are now at Saltmeadows Road Depot, and are in the process of being repainted and branded for the "Coaster" 1/1A services. 


He also confirmed that 3962, 3965 will go "Go North East" and remain at Chester.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/

(03 Jan 2018, 6:55 pm)Michael wrote Looks like a drop of the Waggonway brand? - hopefully not

Looks like the Lambton Worm brand is to be dropped too according to the GNE website.

Neither brand really serves a purpose, so may as well just get rid of them.

(03 Jan 2018, 7:18 pm)S813 FVK wrote Looks like the Lambton Worm brand is to be dropped too according to the GNE website.

Neither brand really serves a purpose, so may as well just get rid of them.

The "Waggonway" brand works well with Beamish though, shame to see that dropped

Not suprised with the Lambton Worm though, it only has 3 branded buses, no point in repainting 1 more.

(03 Jan 2018, 7:25 pm)Michael wrote The "Waggonway" brand works well with Beamish though, shame to see that dropped

It doesn't have much going for it apart from that, though. The 8 seems to be managing fine with a brand that makes no mention of Beamish Museum, so I see no reason why the 28/28A can't survive either.

What will be allocated to the 700-703 when GNE take it over, i'm not sure if they'll be a spare baby solo for it?,

Looking at the timetables for the routes, basically they're pointless, could they not just merge all the services together?

(03 Jan 2018, 8:57 pm)Michael wrote What will be allocated to the 700-703 when GNE take it over, i'm not sure if they'll be a spare baby solo for it?,

Looking at the timetables for the routes, basically they're pointless, could they not just merge all the services together?

One of 647 or 648 from Stanley? They should be able to cope with one spare after the other changes taking place.

(03 Jan 2018, 9:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote One of 647 or 648 from Stanley? They should be able to cope with one spare after the other changes taking place.

Ah, wasn't sure, but wouldn't there be Cascades again when the AD122 starts again April?

(03 Jan 2018, 6:21 pm)cbma06 wrote That’s GNE for ya, too much secretive even on new orders than stagecoach and Arriva


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Change to x35 yeah ok you might have a long wait

(03 Jan 2018, 9:47 pm)Acky81 wrote Change to x35 yeah ok you might have a long wait

Eh?

(03 Jan 2018, 9:49 pm)Michael wrote Eh?

If u look on the Service updates regarding 921-923 it advises to use x35
Which is now x5

(03 Jan 2018, 9:53 pm)Acky81 wrote If u look on the Service updates regarding 921-923 it advises to use x35
Which is now x5

Oh right, you didn't explain that though, you just said:

Change to x35 yeah ok you might have a long wait

Which made no sense what so ever on your reply to Cbma...

(03 Jan 2018, 10:03 pm)Michael wrote Oh right, you didn't explain that though, you just said:

Change to x35 yeah ok you might have a long wait

Which made no sense what so ever on your reply to Cbma...

Whoops sorry Michael

With the Tall Ships going to Sunderland this year, could the following end up happening with the 56 and 20 (particularly on the Saturday).

- 56 split at Concord
- 20/20A split in Sunderland

(03 Jan 2018, 7:08 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully soon, Dan said on his photo of 3962 that, 6059, 6062, 6063, 6064, 6065 and 6066 are now at Saltmeadows Road Depot, and are in the process of being repainted and branded for the "Coaster" 1/1A services. 


He also confirmed that 3962, 3965 will go "Go North East" and remain at Chester.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...datetaken/

On the pic of 681 on the 35, Dan wrote this in description
So; albeit with a few less seats than the upcoming allocation, the allocation of Optare Solo SR M925/Optare 681 (NK66 CWW) was a somewhat apt glimpse of what's to come in the future, today! 

Does this mean 35 might be downgraded to solos? Everytime ive got it, there never been more than a few people on

(04 Jan 2018, 8:40 am)JP6004 wrote On the pic of 681 on the 35, Dan wrote this in description
So; albeit with a few less seats than the upcoming allocation, the allocation of Optare Solo SR M925/Optare 681 (NK66 CWW) was a somewhat apt glimpse of what's to come in the future, today! 

Does this mean 35 might be downgraded to solos? Everytime ive got it, there never been more than a few people on

No, i think he was referring to the Black Cats brand rather than vehicle type, hence the bit in bold.

(03 Jan 2018, 7:25 pm)Michael wrote The "Waggonway" brand works well with Beamish though, shame to see that dropped

Not suprised with the Lambton Worm though, it only has 3 branded buses, no point in repainting 1 more.

I couldn't see them dropping the use of a brand completely, on the basis of Go North East using 5389 and 5401/19/38 in Beamish promotional liveries for it's 'Beamish by Bus' discount tickets. You'd expect similar promotional vinyls, perhaps more tailored to the route applied.

(04 Jan 2018, 9:00 am)S813 FVK wrote No, i think he was referring to the Black Cats brand rather than vehicle type, hence the bit in bold.

Ah i get it now 

673's front blind is knackered again

(04 Jan 2018, 3:48 pm)V514DFT wrote 673's front blind is knackered again

Has been for months.

(04 Jan 2018, 6:21 pm)Jordan2104 wrote Has been for months.

it got repaired was ok for a while,now its kanckered again

just seen 6063 on what what im guessing is driver familiarisation going along Coniston Road,Howdon

(05 Jan 2018, 2:42 pm)V514DFT wrote just seen 6063 on what what im guessing is driver familiarisation going along Coniston Road,Howdon

Yes, 6056/60/61/63 are all at Percy Main for driver familiarisation now. They're still planned to be used on the DFDS Seaways 327 service, until all drivers have completed their familiarisation.

6062 is now branded and will be used for testing of the Next Stop Announcements on Sunday, with all planned to enter service on the Coaster early next week.

All hell on in Gateshead, an angel streedeck has broken down on the High level bride

(05 Jan 2018, 5:51 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote All hell on in Gateshead, an angel streedeck has broken down on the High level bride ??

Indeed, a canny place the breakdown. Together with the queue now formed behind it stuck. Diversions in place via Tyne Bridge for the past hour, Ian Bradley has reversed down the bridge to collect it.

I was on an Gateshead bound service that was diverted via the Tyne Bridge. (It was a 21). Coming down the Bigg Market the NSAs had obviously announced the next stop was High Level Bridge North, however being on diversion and turning left onto Mosley St we never reached High Level Bridge North.
If it had been London, the clever iBus system would have been utilised to announce something on the lines of 'This bus is on diversion, please listen for further announcements'. Not being as intelligent though there was no such information given here, (and I didn't hear my driver announce the diversion either) - not great for blind/visually impaired or people unfamiliar with the route/area. Anyway I take it theres no option for our drivers to play pre-recorded announcements in such circumstances?
Is this because our announcements are linked to the destination selected and will only play recordings for that route?
(So if a bus diverts away from the route it'll just not play anything until the bus rejoins the usual route and the NSAs will suddenly catch up?)
I also wondered what happens when services to Newcastle are terminated early at Gateshead due to congestion in Newcastle etc. Is anything altered then or does the bus continue to announce it's going to Newcastle, or if the driver is aware of the short service before reaching Gateshead, is there Gateshead destination screens available & the relevant NSAs linked for those eventualities?

Just curious. Sorry for the hundred questions.

(05 Jan 2018, 5:34 pm)Dan wrote Yes, 6056/60/61/63 are all at Percy Main for driver familiarisation now. They're still planned to be used on the DFDS Seaways 327 service, until all drivers have completed their familiarisation.

6062 is now branded and will be used for testing of the Next Stop Announcements on Sunday, with all planned to enter service on the Coaster early next week.

Hopefully that sees the Omnicities move on to their new routes, or a spare role, like at Washington.