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Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018

Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018

RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(20 Feb 2018, 6:07 pm)Dan wrote More or less everything salvageable - so lots to be stripped out at Riverside before it is scrapped.

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Will all of the Toonlink Omnidekka's be scrapped?
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
Do the Saltwell Park 53s & 54s just constantly say 'Newcastle' on their destination screens in both directions?
Is this the most useless destination screen yet?
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(20 Feb 2018, 6:58 pm)Michael wrote Will all of the Toonlink Omnidekka's be scrapped?

The rest aren't leaving the fleet yet. They will be repainted and sent out to other depots to replace the remaining Presidents and Olympians. 6130 was only withdrawn due to minor fire damage.

(20 Feb 2018, 6:59 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Do the Saltwell Park 53s & 54s just constantly say 'Newcastle' on their destination screens in both directions?
Is this the most useless destination screen yet?

They have done for quite a while, even in the old format. No different to the 93/94 showing 'Gateshead' for the whole route really.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(20 Feb 2018, 7:00 pm)S813 FVK wrote

They have done for quite a while, even in the old format. No different to the 93/94 showing 'Gateshead' for the whole route really.


Ah so thats two useless destinations rights there.

Someone fancying a trip to Saltwell Pk from Newcastle might think oh well its not that one, thats just arrived back in Newcastle.
Seems stupid that theres 53s & 54s heading out of the City of Newcastle with their destination as 'Newcastle'. 

As with the 93 & 94 if they are to change to the new format and simply show 'Gateshead'. 
It would be like all the Stagecoach Newcastle routes that run purely within the City of Newcastle upon Tyne having their destinations as 'Newcastle'.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(20 Feb 2018, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote Not one with a field-like livery like 6069 - each bus was meant to have a different theme: coastal, country, etc. 

Don't think anyone really envisaged 6069 being the spare bus for Coaster causing an issue - it's only recently customer and staff feedback has suggested that the front end looks a little too Angel-like, and the bus may be perceived as a 21 service rather than a 1 on the shared corridor Gateshead - Low Fell.

The Big Days Out campaign is an ongoing campaign, and has since kicked off other similar campaigns (Big Nights Out, etc), so 6069 is unlikely to be painted in fleet livery any time soon (if it was right round the corner, I doubt 6069 would have had a partial repaint).

Now to see if 6332 has its front end painted green to avoid confusion with Coaster vehicles operating along Low Fell... Big Grin
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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(20 Feb 2018, 6:18 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote Thought it can't of been yet. Was reports it had been scrapped, which seemed a pretty quick turnaround! Has it been moved Riverside yet?

Would imagine it was towed to Riverside more or less straight away to allow for a full inspection then subsequent parts removal - better facilities at Riverside than at Stanley.

Only just been re-trimmed recently so all the seats will have to come back out and fitted to another bus for starters!

(20 Feb 2018, 8:19 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Ah so thats two useless destinations rights there.

Someone fancying a trip to Saltwell Pk from Newcastle might think oh well its not that one, thats just arrived back in Newcastle.
Seems stupid that theres 53s & 54s heading out of the City of Newcastle with their destination as 'Newcastle'. 

As with the 93 & 94 if they are to change to the new format and simply show 'Gateshead'. 
It would be like all the Stagecoach Newcastle routes that run purely within the City of Newcastle upon Tyne having their destinations as 'Newcastle'.

Yes - always has been the case with these circular services, though you could argue that the scrolling via points at least referenced Saltwell Park previously.

Operators are supposed to show the terminal point as whatever is registered with VOSA for that service. The Quaylink Q1/Q2 bend that rule slightly - for example the Q1 shows 'Wrekenton' until it gets to Heworth then this is changed to 'Newcastle' from there. It would be even more impractical to show 'Newcastle' all the way round when you've got Q1s going two different ways in Gateshead Interchange, however.

So with Newcastle and Gateshead being the registered terminal points for the Saltwell Park or Loop services, what is shown ticks the box for being correct on paper, but is probably not the best thing to show for passengers.

(21 Feb 2018, 12:02 am)Rapidsnap wrote When is the switchover for the Toon Link Omnidekkas to B9TLs, just that I need to photo 4 of them still (was 5 until 6130 combusted).

They'll gradually be drip-fed into service from now until the end of March - the displaced OmniDekkas will not allow for any withdrawals until after next weekend at the earliest, as Go North East have been awarded with the contract to operate the Metro Replacement bus service next weekend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
Has solo 674 been in an accident recently,looks like its front end has been repainted and has its indigo vinyl missing or waa the last time i saw it
Kind Regards
Tez
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
O
(20 Feb 2018, 8:19 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Ah so thats two useless destinations rights there.

Someone fancying a trip to Saltwell Pk from Newcastle might think oh well its not that one, thats just arrived back in Newcastle.
Seems stupid that theres 53s & 54s heading out of the City of Newcastle with their destination as 'Newcastle'. 

As with the 93 & 94 if they are to change to the new format and simply show 'Gateshead'. 
It would be like all the Stagecoach Newcastle routes that run purely within the City of Newcastle upon Tyne having their destinations as 'Newcastle'.

I would think for 53/54 Saltwell Park on leaving Newcastle then a change at the Park for return would be more useful showing Newcastle all day is absolutely pointless

O
(20 Feb 2018, 8:19 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Ah so thats two useless destinations rights there.

Someone fancying a trip to Saltwell Pk from Newcastle might think oh well its not that one, thats just arrived back in Newcastle.
Seems stupid that theres 53s & 54s heading out of the City of Newcastle with their destination as 'Newcastle'. 

As with the 93 & 94 if they are to change to the new format and simply show 'Gateshead'. 
It would be like all the Stagecoach Newcastle routes that run purely within the City of Newcastle upon Tyne having their destinations as 'Newcastle'.

I would think for 53/54 Saltwell Park on leaving Newcastle then a change at the Park for return would be more useful showing Newcastle all day is absolutely pointless
Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 1:24 pm)Coastliner700 wrote O
I would think for 53/54 Saltwell Park on leaving Newcastle then a change at the Park for return would be more useful showing Newcastle all day is absolutely pointless

O
I would think for 53/54 Saltwell Park on leaving Newcastle then a change at the Park for return would be more useful showing Newcastle all day is absolutely pointless


The 53/54 starts at Newcastle and ends it’s journeys at Newcastle. Destination screen is for the destination of the bus service, I’m against via points on destination screens.


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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 3:01 pm)cbma06 wrote The 53/54 starts at Newcastle and ends it’s journeys at Newcastle. Destination screen is for the destination of the bus service, I’m against via points on destination screens.


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It’s not a case of having a via point but about a half way point of the circle. So for example when it leaves Newcastle Saltwell Park then the driver can change at Saltwell Patk to Newcastle or at another appropriate point en route
Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 6:49 pm)Coastliner700 wrote It’s not a case of having a via point but about a half way point of the circle. So for example when it leaves Newcastle Saltwell Park then the driver can change at Saltwell Patk to Newcastle or at another appropriate point en route


There’s a lot of bus services out there now and the past which were in the same boat and there have all managed somehow, if you wanting a half way point then message the appropriate bus company so there can terminate the service at half way mark, the 18/19 in Sunderland managed years ago with just grindon as the destination, most. Us stops have a list of where the bus goes, also internet, I would say 50/50 on the so called paper timetables.

I remember when the paper timetables also had the fare stages on


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Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:06 pm)Michael wrote 6051 has had some sort of accident, currently has no front bumper at Saltmeadows?

Photo by Captain Deltic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135164140@...489849745/


I didn’t realise double deckers had the fleetnumber on the front window upstairs right hand side even though there’s the fleetnumber already at the bottom left


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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:13 pm)Malarkey wrote Any else think the single door conversion sticks out like a saw thumb or is it just me - https://www.flickr.com/photos/135164140@...otostream/ - Photo By Captain Deltic

Not really noticeable if you aren't an enthusiast, as you probables of never known they were duel door.
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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:11 pm)cbma06 wrote I didn’t realise double deckers had the fleetnumber on the front window upstairs right hand side even though there’s the fleetnumber already at the bottom left


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Only the 12-53reg B9s them i believe
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:13 pm)Malarkey wrote Any else think the single door conversion sticks out like a saw thumb or is it just me - https://www.flickr.com/photos/135164140@...otostream/ - Photo By Captain Deltic

(21 Feb 2018, 7:15 pm)Michael wrote Not really noticeable if you aren't an enthusiast, as you probables of never known they were duel door.

I agree with Michael
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:13 pm)Malarkey wrote Any else think the single door conversion sticks out like a saw thumb or is it just me - https://www.flickr.com/photos/135164140@...otostream/ - Photo By Captain Deltic

I think that might have something to do with the lighting/reflections. Certainly isn't as obvious on 6161:

[Image: 40284110441_3cf4821005.jpg]Go North East: 6161 / LJ62KZP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr
Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:06 pm)Michael wrote 6051 has had some sort of accident, currently has no front bumper at Saltmeadows?

Photo by Captain Deltic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135164140@...489849745/

Had an RTC with a car and a barrier off the roundabout of the A1231 near Albany on Saturday just gone when it was on service X88 going to the Galleries from Concord, front of the bus was a bit of a state as was staying at my girlfriends who lives near there. Saw it when we went to the Galleries.


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RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
6 months after delivery the alloys on the B5s still look brand new. Definately worth the cost!
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(21 Feb 2018, 7:04 pm)cbma06 wrote There’s a lot of bus services out there now and the past which were in the same boat and there have all managed somehow, if you wanting a half way point then message the appropriate bus company so there can terminate the service at half way mark, the 18/19 in Sunderland managed years ago with just grindon as the destination, most. Us stops have a list of where the bus goes, also internet, I would say 50/50 on the so called paper timetables.

I remember when the paper timetables also had the fare stages on


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Remember the days of step entrance buses? Aye, a number of us managed then. Not everyone though.
Time moved on and now even more people can access a bus thanks to legislation that introduced low floor vehicles.

I'm personally not a fan of next stop announcements, but I can see the benefits they bring compared to having to rely on a driver.
Imagine a partially sighted person needing to count every turn and movement on the bus so they knew where to get off?
I suppose they managed before the NSA's were introduced...

So let's go the whole hog, bringing back step entrance buses and getting rid of NSA's too.

Single destination blinds have been and gone and now are back. Why on earth would operators have introduced multiple lines with via points in the first place?
Just for the craic or to try and ensure passengers had enough information in order to board the correct bus?

Unfortunately (and I've said it many times before), not everyone can access the internet (cost being amongst one of the many factors stopping access) and not everyone can interpret timetables.
Hence the need for a balanced and uniform method of illustrating 'via points', that suits and benefits all passengers - whether they like seeing them or not.

I'll just leave this here for everyone to read:
https://brandontrust.org/media/59175/100...report.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwiKtrDSgbnZAhUNbVAKHSGWD9QQFggjMAk&usg=AOvVaw3Rt4vLs5jv1ASIsuURaDBy
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(22 Feb 2018, 7:50 am)Andreos1 wrote Unfortunately (and I've said it many times before), not everyone can access the internet (cost being amongst one of the many factors stopping access) and not everyone can interpret timetables.
Hence the need for a balanced and uniform method of illustrating 'via points', that suits and benefits all passengers - whether they like seeing them or not.

Do GNE still print paper timetables? Seem to recall reading somewhere that they'd stopped.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2018
(22 Feb 2018, 11:49 am)mb134 wrote Do GNE still print paper timetables? Seem to recall reading somewhere that they'd stopped.

Not sure to be honest.
I read somewhere that they produce them for a new service, but don't for existing - regardless of any service revisions that are made.
How accurate that is, I have no idea.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'