Maybe part of the problem lies with the vehicle designer.  Harping back to the 1950's - ECW Bristol L & K types had a split destination screen. Final destination at the top and the via points below.  If the blind was deeper a couple of via points could be displayed beneath the final destination?

I like the new clear bold displays, however I do think rather than just 'Newcastle' which isn't very informative, it should flip between 'Newcastle' (for 1 or 2 seconds) then the street/area its terminating at (for 1 or 2 seconds), and keep flicking between the two.

E.g  'Newcastle'   ...then 'Eldon Sq', or 'Pilgrim St', or 'Market St', or 'Central Station'.
My point being is there's quite a little hike between Central St and Eldon Sq for example, but the 54 and 21 both just say Newcastle.

I know many have said the infos there on the bus stops, (and I realise I'm being totally selfish here), but I'm lucky enough to use a stop where several different numbered buses head towards Newcastle. I'm often just getting to the bus stop and a stream of several different numbered buses are approaching, all now just saying 'Newcastle'. Luckily enough I've just about remembered where I'll get dropped off if I board the 1, 11, 21, 26, 27, 28, 54, 56, 57 & 58!
(I know, nice problem to have, but you get my drift).

I like the new clear bold displays, however I do think rather than just 'Newcastle' which isn't very informative, it should flip between 'Newcastle' (for 1 or 2 seconds) then the street/area its terminating at (for 1 or 2 seconds), and keep flicking between the two.

E.g  'Newcastle'   ...then 'Eldon Sq', or 'Pilgrim St', or 'Market St', or 'Central Station'.
My point being is there's quite a little hike between Central St and Eldon Sq for example, but the 54 and 21 both just say Newcastle.

I know many have said the infos there on the bus stops, (and I realise I'm being totally selfish here), but I'm lucky enough to use a stop where several different numbered buses head towards Newcastle. I'm often just getting to the bus stop and a stream of several different numbered buses are approaching, all now just saying 'Newcastle'. Luckily enough I've just about remembered where I'll get dropped off if I board the 1, 11, 21, 26, 27, 28, 54, 56, 57 & 58!
(I know, nice problem to have, but you get my drift).

Not quite what you're suggesting, but when things quieten down, a plan is in the works to try automatic changing of destinations again.

This was disabled after the initial trial on Quaylink back some years ago, as the technology wasn't really all there. On the new Next Stop Announcement hardware, the technology is much improved and definitely works (the X9/X10 change destinations by themselves in Peterlee/Dalton Park, and the 81/82/83/84 had this feature tested a week or two ago).

So, on arrival into Gateshead, the destination on the 21 will change to "Eldon Square" by itself, and so on.

The 21, 26/27 and Q1 are all capable of doing this.

5358 & 5359 don't have new destinations

Not quite what you're suggesting, but when things quieten down, a plan is in the works to try automatic changing of destinations again.

This was disabled after the initial trial on Quaylink back some years ago, as the technology wasn't really all there. On the new Next Stop Announcement hardware, the technology is much improved and definitely works (the X9/X10 change destinations by themselves in Peterlee/Dalton Park, and the 81/82/83/84 had this feature tested a week or two ago).

So, on arrival into Gateshead, the destination on the 21 will change to "Eldon Square" by itself, and so on.

The 21, 26/27 and Q1 are all capable of doing this.

Ah right that sounds good, and would be really useful!


Do the NSAs on the 21 still say Newcastle Eldon Sq, or just Newcastle?

I like the new clear bold displays, however I do think rather than just 'Newcastle' which isn't very informative, it should flip between 'Newcastle' (for 1 or 2 seconds) then the street/area its terminating at (for 1 or 2 seconds), and keep flicking between the two.

E.g  'Newcastle'   ...then 'Eldon Sq', or 'Pilgrim St', or 'Market St', or 'Central Station'.
My point being is there's quite a little hike between Central St and Eldon Sq for example, but the 54 and 21 both just say Newcastle.

I know many have said the infos there on the bus stops, (and I realise I'm being totally selfish here), but I'm lucky enough to use a stop where several different numbered buses head towards Newcastle. I'm often just getting to the bus stop and a stream of several different numbered buses are approaching, all now just saying 'Newcastle'. Luckily enough I've just about remembered where I'll get dropped off if I board the 1, 11, 21, 26, 27, 28, 54, 56, 57 & 58!
(I know, nice problem to have, but you get my drift).

It would take ages to make them all (unless I've missed a fancy tool which provides a little shortcut), but I had a go at something which kept the bold destination while also including the terminal point in Newcastle:

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5358 & 5359 don't have new destinations

I noticed a 4 branded Merc in Houghton tonight had the scrolling display. Was too far away to get the id unfortunately.

I like the new clear bold displays, however I do think rather than just 'Newcastle' which isn't very informative, it should flip between 'Newcastle' (for 1 or 2 seconds) then the street/area its terminating at (for 1 or 2 seconds), and keep flicking between the two.

E.g  'Newcastle'   ...then 'Eldon Sq', or 'Pilgrim St', or 'Market St', or 'Central Station'.
My point being is there's quite a little hike between Central St and Eldon Sq for example, but the 54 and 21 both just say Newcastle.

I know many have said the infos there on the bus stops, (and I realise I'm being totally selfish here), but I'm lucky enough to use a stop where several different numbered buses head towards Newcastle. I'm often just getting to the bus stop and a stream of several different numbered buses are approaching, all now just saying 'Newcastle'. Luckily enough I've just about remembered where I'll get dropped off if I board the 1, 11, 21, 26, 27, 28, 54, 56, 57 & 58!
(I know, nice problem to have, but you get my drift).

Like the metro,St James,then flips to via the coast

Maybe part of the problem lies with the vehicle designer.  Harping back to the 1950's - ECW Bristol L & K types had a split destination screen. Final destination at the top and the via points below.  If the blind was deeper a couple of via points could be displayed beneath the final destination?

I often think the Scottish blinds from way back when looked ugly, but they had the information passengers needed.

At times like this, I think back to step entrance buses and how the majority managed fine.

Climbing them became easier for some when lights were installed in the steps and Dptac guidance introduced coloured grab handles and the diamond strip on the steps. 

It became even easier for everyone when low floor vehicles became the norm.

The patter from some about these blinds 'being fine for me', 'ask the driver', 'check timetables' smacks of a huge 'I'm all right Jack mentality' as far as I'm concerned.
Unfortunately, just like when we had the step entrance buses, it isn't alright for some...

9086 wizzing around on Ventures with paper destinations. Surprised it didn't just move with Cathedrals to Chester.

Sticking around much longer so awaiting Mobitech update from McKenna's? - or not worth it?

9086 wizzing around on Ventures with paper destinations. Surprised it didn't just move with Cathedrals to Chester.

Sticking around much longer so awaiting Mobitech update from McKenna's? - or not worth it?

Mentioned in a post yesterday - still due to be swapped over.

Loan period again extended for a further week or so, should be enough time (hopefully) for Stanley to sort their VOR, being allocated a 'baby' Solo in the interim period once they are eventually swapped over.

Forgot to mention,i was on the 1 last week,and it had its NSA's working,i think it was 6065

Forgot to mention,i was on the 1 last week,and it had its NSA's working,i think it was 6065

The Coaster has had the announcements programmed and working from the day they entered service at Percy Main - apart from on 6060 (which was VOR and unable to be started on the Sunday when all the others were updated) and 6069 (which transferred to Percy Main direct from Chester-le-Street, and returned to Saltmeadows Rd briefly later to have the work carried out).

Both of those buses later had the same work carried out that was done on all of the rest during repaint at Saltmeadows Rd: media update, TFT monitor calibration, and speaker re-wiring (as on most buses only the front two speakers worked from the day they entered service, and it was never repaired while at Chester-le-Street, given that it was only identified in 2015 or so when the announcements first started getting updated again, and by which point, this repair was out of warranty).

In other news, both 6332 and 6333 received their promotional liveries yesterday (for contactless payments and the Night Bus N21 respectively). Should be in service at Chester-le-Street today all being well.

When will the demo go to percy main?

It would take ages to make them all (unless I've missed a fancy tool which provides a little shortcut), but I had a go at something which kept the bold destination while also including the terminal point in Newcastle:

Photoshop and importing as a BMP is quicker than hand drawing in HELEN.

The Coaster has had the announcements programmed and working from the day they entered service at Percy Main - apart from on 6060 (which was VOR and unable to be started on the Sunday when all the others were updated) and 6069 (which transferred to Percy Main direct from Chester-le-Street, and returned to Saltmeadows Rd briefly later to have the work carried out).

Both of those buses later had the same work carried out that was done on all of the rest during repaint at Saltmeadows Rd: media update, TFT monitor calibration, and speaker re-wiring (as on most buses only the front two speakers worked from the day they entered service, and it was never repaired while at Chester-le-Street, given that it was only identified in 2015 or so when the announcements first started getting updated again, and by which point, this repair was out of warranty).

In other news, both 6332 and 6333 received their promotional liveries yesterday (for contactless payments and the Night Bus N21 respectively). Should be in service at Chester-le-Street today all being well.

I knew somebody had mentioned that there were buses in that batch that didnt have the NSA's working,but hey ho,learn summit new and all that,no harm.no foul

6332 just left Newcastle on the 17:00 X1A if anyone is looking for it.

Unfortunately the only shot I could get was this. not great but shows branding.

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6332 just left Newcastle on the 17:00 X1A if anyone is looking for it.

Unfortunately the only shot I could get was this. not great but shows branding.

Another view of the branding:

Go North East: 6332 / NK67GOA by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Another view of the branding:

Go North East: 6332 / NK67GOA by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

looks good but answer this, all the ticket machines are contactless and how is everyone meant to know without having the stickers like 5292 , how's people suppose to know ? would help if they had stickers alot better

Another view of the branding:

Go North East: 6332 / NK67GOA by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Think you have probably answered my question there Dan...
I was wondering if that was you taking the photos this morning of 6332. 
I thought it looked really smart!

1 of the Ex London B9s apparently in black , toonlinks surely

I was on 27 going to tynedock and past the 13.40 H1 service heading to hebburn,caring a bus full of fresh air.

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The new route 9 thru hebburn from Luke’s lane should have for jarrow ,then Sunderland.just saying murton does not let people know it is local for jarrow etc, and that it will take people to Sunderland without changing buses in jarrow,especially the elderly who are confused with the route changes anyway.i would expect people in murton will be saying where is LUKES Lane.

Ive not said it on here but I think exactly the same. Should deffo say Sunderland for Murton and Jarrow for Lukes Lane. The change of blinds with no via destinations on couldnt have come at a worse time. I said exactly the same to my mate very few people in Lukes Lane will know where Murton is and probably less in Murton know where Lukes Lane is. I was on the 5 going into Jarrow on Monday and the 9 passed amd people where saying " wheres Murton never even heard of it"

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

1 of the Ex London B9s apparently in black , toonlinks surely

Maybe, my observations from using the app when I need to use it is that they seem to be keeping double deckers away from the X30/X31. 

They have even swapped what scholars services 822 and 828 do after the afternoon runs:

• 822 previously operated 16:20 X21 to Durham. Now PM journey more appropriately allocated an Omnicity and does the 16:30 X30 to Stanley (which no longer runs through to Lanchester as a 30, nor does the one an hour later). 
  
• 828 previously operated 16:30 X30 to Stanley, now operates the 16:20 X21 to Durham.
  

They only use “for” when it’s a route split into two for legal reasons.

Nothing wrong with “Lukes Lane via Sunderland” or even “Lukes Lane via Sunderland & Jarrow”

It’s odd how they’ve gone from over the top via points where you’d get loads and loads scrolling along, to none at all, not even major towns.

GNE 27 may lose custom now it is every 20 mins from Hebburn to south sheilds, as there are now only 3 buses per hour against the metro service 5 trains per hour. .may be a bad move on GNE part.

GNE 27 may lose custom now it is every 20 mins from Hebburn to south sheilds, as there are now only 3 buses per hour against the metro service 5 trains per hour. .may be a bad move on GNE part.

The works at Tyne Dock will inevitably cause delays too.
Gaps in service on a 20min frequency? Ouch!

According to the signs, the works are scheduled to last 52 weeks.

Then you have the works at Heworth too.

Hebburn has now lost its direct evening link with south sheilds hospital. I cannot remember the last time we did not have a link.visiting ends 8 pm, last direct 26 is approx 7pm,what’s the big idea .the H1 ends 2.30 pm and afternoon visiting ends 4 pm.. you could not make up these bus times.even if we decided to go to qe In Gateshead, it’s 2 buses. We are about 3 miles from both hospitals , and we struggle to get there after 7pm, and all day for the qe.