(28 Sep 2019, 4:23 pm)Ds1197 wrote Queylink Versa has next stop announcements for the loop 94

Presuming certain types of Riverside buses now have NSAs for 93/94, the B5s certainly have announcements for the Loops now.

Anyone out for Metro Replacements today

6302 is on fresh from Saltmeadows yesterday.

6929 also on.

And 6332 with yours truly driving.

Not sure if anything else is out.

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5475 and 5469 barely have black cats branding on passenger side

(29 Sep 2019, 9:52 am)Citaro5326 wrote 5475 and 5469 barely have black cats branding on passenger side

5475 has been missing branding for nearly 3 months now.

How is it other routes are getting their NSA updated but the X21 is still without?
I know it's more difficult than I'm making out, but they only had to record 5 new stop names since they already had most of them from the 18

(29 Sep 2019, 12:36 pm)streetdeckfan wrote How is it other routes are getting their NSA updated but the X21 is still without?
I know it's more difficult than I'm making out, but they only had to record 5 new stop names since they already had most of them from the 18

Little Coasters dont have NSA's,they used to,but not any more

With 4944 Tax expiring on Tuesday, is it likely to be withdrawn tommorow?

The new XLines X30 timetable contains a few errors, Gateshead spelt incorrectly, suggests the X32 arrives in Stanley 4 minutes after the Team Valley.

(30 Sep 2019, 6:40 am)LeeCalder wrote The new XLines X30 timetable contains a few errors, Gateshead spelt incorrectly, suggests the X32 arrives in Stanley 4 minutes after the Team Valley.

They've already been corrected prior to print, just haven't been uploaded to the website yet... but a reminder we're trying to make this forum a discussion thread between enthusiasts, and I'm not sure this would provoke much further discussion had GNE staff not been present here to confirm this.

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(30 Sep 2019, 6:56 am)Dan wrote They've already been corrected prior to print, just haven't been uploaded to the website yet... but a reminder we're trying to make this forum a discussion thread between enthusiasts, and I'm not sure this would provoke much further discussion had GNE staff not been present here to confirm this.

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I don't see the problem with my post, are we not able to point out things which are incorrect or may require a certain degree of improvement, from a personal point of view?

(30 Sep 2019, 8:46 am)LeeCalder wrote
I don't see the problem with my post, are we not able to point out things which are incorrect or may require a certain degree of improvement, from a personal point of view?

I just don't know what discussion is going to be generated by it? Depends what your intention was behind the post - to have an answer, to get it corrected, or just to point out something was wrong?

If you look back at recent posts, questions are being asked with no answers given and the discussion stops. That's not a discussion forum, it's a Q&A thread.

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(30 Sep 2019, 9:23 am)Dan wrote I just don't know what discussion is going to be generated by it? Depends what your intention was behind the post - to have an answer, to get it corrected, or just to point out something was wrong?

If you look back at recent posts, questions are being asked with no answers given and the discussion stops. That's not a discussion forum, it's a Q&A thread.

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To point out something was wrong Dan, I can only assume that's would others would have thought, also.

I'm not trying to attack the company, which based upon your reaction appears to be your feeling towards my post, I'm quite literally pointing out there was an error on the timetable.

I think there's a lot of good happening at Go North East.

(30 Sep 2019, 9:32 am)LeeCalder wrote
To point out something was wrong Dan, I can only assume that's would others would have thought, also.

I'm not trying to attack the company, which based upon your reaction appears to be your feeling towards my post, I'm quite literally pointing out there was an error on the timetable.

I think there's a lot of good happening at Go North East.

No, not seeing it as an attack at all.

Just saying, as I have done to others previously, that the discussion on this forum compared to other sites has taken a turn for the worst. There's no discussion anymore, it's just questions expecting answers, or statements with no following discussion.

Posts are seemingly made with the expectation of an explanation (which appeared to be the intention of your post). There's less discussion in the Arriva and Stagecoach threads but seems to be more engaging when there is a discussion, would be my personal view.

Looking for ways in which to improve the quality of discussion and debate - something which this site was renowned for, a few years back. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to drop me a PM.

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(30 Sep 2019, 8:46 am)LeeCalder wrote I don't see the problem with my post, are we not able to point out things which are incorrect or may require a certain degree of improvement, from a personal point of view?

It's not the first and certainly won't be the last.

I remember one published timetable which had the Houghton - Easington Lane Nexus service at the time, going via Seaham!

Lack of attention to detail on published documents, isn't ideal at all.

Mind, they're not the only one.

The ANE changes posted recently, had both the X21 and X22 going from Darlington, despite the X22 information referring to N Tees Hospital.

Sounds like 693 needs greasing,was making this weird grinding noise when i was on it before

(30 Sep 2019, 9:50 am)Dan wrote No, not seeing it as an attack at all.

Just saying, as I have done to others previously, that the discussion on this forum compared to other sites has taken a turn for the worst. There's no discussion anymore, it's just questions expecting answers, or statements with no following discussion.

Posts are seemingly made with the expectation of an explanation (which appeared to be the intention of your post). There's less discussion in the Arriva and Stagecoach threads but seems to be more engaging when there is a discussion, would be my personal view.

Looking for ways in which to improve the quality of discussion and debate - something which this site was renowned for, a few years back. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to drop me a PM.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

The question is though how does one define the 'quality of discussion', is it measured purely on the amount of discussion, the amount of research that is put into responses, whether or not a user asks a question that would be better suited to a GNE employee even if a forum user would know the answer and be able to help.

I feel like one of the things that kills discussion the most is only having one thread dedicated to discussion, we could all be having a nice little discussion about bus related things, and someone could come in say something different and suddenly that discussion is ended.

Obviously I'm not one of the OG members so I don't know the reason behind it being set up the way it is, but other forums I frequent allow users to create a thread for each discussion, which I feel helps keep the discussion going as there won't be interruptions

(30 Sep 2019, 4:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

The question is though how does one define the 'quality of discussion', is it measured purely on the amount of discussion, the amount of research that is put into responses, whether or not a user asks a question that would be better suited to a GNE employee even if a forum user would know the answer and be able to help.

I feel like one of the things that kills discussion the most is only having one thread dedicated to discussion, we could all be having a nice little discussion about bus related things, and someone could come in say something different and suddenly that discussion is ended.

Obviously I'm not one of the OG members so I don't know the reason behind it being set up the way it is, but other forums I frequent allow users to create a thread for each discussion, which I feel helps keep the discussion going as there won't be interruptions

I think what Dan's getting at is that issues relating to timetables either paper or online, vehicle mechanical/ internal defects and timekeeping etc should be raised direct with GNE as they will be able to rectify these things......I mean if the toilets blocked in the pub, you tell the bar staff not the punters.

To be fair when I'm having a pint, you generally have chit chat about certain topics, you dont have a massive debate about the chipped varnish on the bar...

(30 Sep 2019, 5:25 pm)JP6004 wrote

I think what Dan's getting at is that issues relating to timetables either paper or online, vehicle mechanical/ internal defects and timekeeping etc should be raised direct with GNE as they will be able to rectify these things......I mean if the toilets blocked in the pub, you tell the bar staff not the punters.

To be fair when I'm having a pint, you generally have chit chat about certain topics, you dont have a massive debate about the chipped varnish on the bar...

But when the toilet is blocked in the pub, everyone speculates as to who did it! " alt="" title="">

(30 Sep 2019, 5:25 pm)JP6004 wrote

I think what Dan's getting at is that issues relating to timetables either paper or online, vehicle mechanical/ internal defects and timekeeping etc should be raised direct with GNE as they will be able to rectify these things......I mean if the toilets blocked in the pub, you tell the bar staff not the punters.

To be fair when I'm having a pint, you generally have chit chat about certain topics, you dont have a massive debate about the chipped varnish on the bar...

You need to try and get to better places than Spoons in Whickham then

Seriously though, I cant see the issue in what Lee has posted.

If a post provokes discussion or at least a response, great.

If it doesn't (like the one a few posts above this one about a bus sounding rough), then there's no harm done.

I get the point about the endless questions, but again they sometimes a response and discussion.

If people have an issue with a lack of discussion or debate, surely it's not too difficult for them to start one off and/or engage in others.

(30 Sep 2019, 5:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote

You need to try and get to better places than Spoons in Whickham then

Seriously though, I cant see the issue in what Lee has posted.

If a post provokes discussion or at least a response, great.

If it doesn't (like the one a few posts above this one about a bus sounding rough), then there's no harm done.

I get the point about the endless questions, but again they sometimes a response and discussion.

If people have an issue with a lack of discussion or debate, surely it's not too difficult for them to start one off and/or engage in others.

I dont believe it was necessarily what was said, I think it was the fact that this forum wouldnt be the place to raise the issue, as it should be taken up with GNE who can rectify it.

To be fair I saw the post but it's not really a discussion point. In my opinion, noting the misspelling of Gateshead on a timetable or a rough sounding bus on this forum wasnt worth the effort to type. But I do however appreciate the fact that people have an eagle eye or ear and can report these things.

To me it's the same as the odd workings thread, unless its particularly note worthy like an Angel Streetdeck on the 20 etc, i dont think it's worth the effort reporting on things like corp versa on the 35 instead of a corp Scania.

(30 Sep 2019, 5:33 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

But when the toilet is blocked in the pub, everyone speculates as to who did it! " alt="" title="">

We all know it's you

But in all fairness I think of the main discussion page for feedback, ideas/ thoughts and suggestions, news.

You only have to look at the number of pages for each month and you'll see theirs a huge increase in comments when new buses arrive and everyone is giving their feedback and thoughts on new brands/ interior spec/ vehicle allocation etc. Or when buses are refurbed/ repainted.  For example I would really like peoples thoughts on what's next for interior bus spec? We have wifi, charging points, NSA, tables. What's next?

Dan's commented on twitter that all single deckers going forward will go back to having TFT monitors. What do we think of that? What features do we think will be a natural future progression? Bonkette style seats at the rear? Coffee machines as previously suggested for X9/X10? Digital cove displays?

(30 Sep 2019, 6:03 pm)JP6004 wrote

I dont believe it was necessarily what was said, I think it was the fact that this forum wouldnt be the place to raise the issue, as it should be taken up with GNE who can rectify it.

To be fair I saw the post but it's not really a discussion point. In my opinion, noting the misspelling of Gateshead on a timetable or a rough sounding bus on this forum wasnt worth the effort to type. But I do however appreciate the fact that people have an eagle eye or ear and can report these things.

To me it's the same as the odd workings thread, unless its particularly note worthy like an Angel Streetdeck on the 20 etc, i dont think it's worth the effort reporting on things like corp versa on the 35 instead of a corp Scania.

Although I do think it's pointless, I have no issue with the odd workings thread as it's separated and doesn't get in the way of things.

I do however think if a discussion is worth having, it should have it's own space and this should only be used for general discussions

Maybe things like timetable issues and the state of the fleet (and perhaps even this discussion!) should have their own place in Other Discussion rather than cluttering up this thread

As the title of this topic suggests, this thread is for Latest News and Discussion, which depending on how you read that, could mean that it's only for the latest news and the discussion of said news.

(30 Sep 2019, 6:16 pm)JP6004 wrote

We all know it's you

I have a policy of only using my own facilities unless in an emergency situation!

Do we have any idea as of yet how many buses Wright had ready for GNE. I know two were pictured outside the factory but no word on how far along the rest were.

If the issues with Wright do go more south than they already have, are we likely to see those two street decks still on there way to GNE with them being used on the X21 as the 2 new buses, after a short repaint to follow through with the original plans on the X21.

(30 Sep 2019, 6:45 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote

Do we have any idea as of yet how many buses Wright had ready for GNE. I know two were pictured outside the factory but no word on how far along the rest were.

If the issues with Wright do go more south than they already have, are we likely to see those two street decks still on there way to GNE with them being used on the X21 as the 2 new buses, after a short repaint to follow through with the original plans on the X21.

I'd imagine at least 3. As Cmba06 said yesterday, you wouldnt imagine they would move to different colour scheme after 1 bus. I'd imagine 2 blue Xlines have been done with at least 1 green

(30 Sep 2019, 6:45 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote

Do we have any idea as of yet how many buses Wright had ready for GNE. I know two were pictured outside the factory but no word on how far along the rest were.

If the issues with Wright do go more south than they already have, are we likely to see those two street decks still on there way to GNE with them being used on the X21 as the 2 new buses, after a short repaint to follow through with the original plans on the X21.

In my opinion I would think that both blue are complete and the 1 green as seen in photo, I would imagine that a few others might not have been far off, will we see them, I suppose it would depend on the warranty issue. I think the major sticking point on the viability of Wrights is the owners “charitable” donations to the church and the extortionate rent being quoted by said owner of land and church.

(30 Sep 2019, 6:28 pm)JP6004 wrote

But in all fairness I think of the main discussion page for feedback, ideas/ thoughts and suggestions, news.

You only have to look at the number of pages for each month and you'll see theirs a huge increase in comments when new buses arrive and everyone is giving their feedback and thoughts on new brands/ interior spec/ vehicle allocation etc. Or when buses are refurbed/ repainted.  For example I would really like peoples thoughts on what's next for interior bus spec? We have wifi, charging points, NSA, tables. What's next?

Dan's commented on twitter that all single deckers going forward will go back to having TFT monitors. What do we think of that? What features do we think will be a natural future progression? Bonkette style seats at the rear? Coffee machines as previously suggested for X9/X10? Digital cove displays?

I personally think the spec of the Angel StreetDecks is about as good as you can get without making compromises on capacity. Plus, I've already made my preference for leather seats clear, if only because they're easier to clean, especially with the kind of people that travel on the X21 on a night. I was on once where someone managed to spill a bottle of Lambrini all over the table, seats and floor while trying to fill my empty coffee cup that they'd just came over and taken!

I prefer the LED displays from a convenience perspective because they're easier to read, but if what Dan is saying is true and you can actually read them from the back of the bus, then I think my preference may change! The displays on the 10 are absolutely awful, when they are working that is, and as someone who doesn't really know the area (despite living in the area most my life!) it makes getting off at the right stop quite difficult.

I'm a simple man when it comes to bus seating, but there are a few reasons why I prefer sitting at a table, the first is purely down to leg room! If I was able to sit at a regular seat without scraping my knees I would sit there. I also use the table to put my laptop on so I can work while travelling, but I could just put it on my lap if there was adequate leg room. Thirdly, I also prefer sitting backwards. I don't particularly like sitting sideways, it's one of the reasons I never really liked the Tube when I was down in London.

As for coffee machines, assuming they use the same coffee machine that they have in Spoons, I'm all in! If they use Starbucks, then I'd rather drink battery acid!

(30 Sep 2019, 6:45 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote

If the issues with Wright do go more south than they already have, are we likely to see those two street decks still on there way to GNE with them being used on the X21 as the 2 new buses, after a short repaint to follow through with the original plans on the X21. 

I think if a buyer isn't found, assuming they're near enough finished, the administrators might choose to sell those StreetDecks to GNE, but if I were GNE at that point I would probably just walk away as with no warranty it probably isn't worth the hassle

(30 Sep 2019, 7:00 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

I personally think the spec of the Angel StreetDecks is about as good as you can get without making compromises on capacity. Plus, I've already made my preference for leather seats clear, if only because they're easier to clean, especially with the kind of people that travel on the X21 on a night. I was on once where someone managed to spill a bottle of Lambrini all over the table, seats and floor while trying to fill my empty coffee cup that they'd just came over and taken!

I prefer the LED displays from a convenience perspective because they're easier to read, but if what Dan is saying is true and you can actually read them from the back of the bus, then I think my preference may change! The displays on the 10 are absolutely awful, when they are working that is, and as someone who doesn't really know the area (despite living in the area most my life!) it makes getting off at the right stop quite difficult.

I'm a simple man when it comes to bus seating, but there are a few reasons why I prefer sitting at a table, the first is purely down to leg room! If I was able to sit at a regular seat without scraping my knees I would sit there. I also use the table to put my laptop on so I can work while travelling, but I could just put it on my lap if there was adequate leg room. Thirdly, I also prefer sitting backwards. I don't particularly like sitting sideways, it's one of the reasons I never really liked the Tube when I was down in London.

As for coffee machines, assuming they use the same coffee machine that they have in Spoons, I'm all in! If they use Starbucks, then I'd rather drink battery acid!

I think if a buyer isn't found, assuming they're near enough finished, the administrators might choose to sell those StreetDecks to GNE, but if I were GNE at that point I would probably just walk away as with no warranty it probably isn't worth the hassle

I'd really like to see under the stairs utilised in some fashion, whether it is coffee machine, extra luggage bay, or umbrella stand

(30 Sep 2019, 7:09 pm)JP6004 wrote

I'd really like to see under the stairs utilised in some fashion, whether it is coffee machine, extra luggage bay, or umbrella stand " alt="" title="">

Oh, don't even get me started on the lack of umbrella storage on buses!

(30 Sep 2019, 6:28 pm)JP6004 wrote

But in all fairness I think of the main discussion page for feedback, ideas/ thoughts and suggestions, news.

You only have to look at the number of pages for each month and you'll see theirs a huge increase in comments when new buses arrive and everyone is giving their feedback and thoughts on new brands/ interior spec/ vehicle allocation etc. Or when buses are refurbed/ repainted.  For example I would really like peoples thoughts on what's next for interior bus spec? We have wifi, charging points, NSA, tables. What's next?

Dan's commented on twitter that all single deckers going forward will go back to having TFT monitors. What do we think of that? What features do we think will be a natural future progression? Bonkette style seats at the rear? Coffee machines as previously suggested for X9/X10? Digital cove displays?

See, I think if that sort information about the TFT monitors was shared on here - then straight away, there's a discussion point.

If it's not mentioned on here and people don't stumble across it elsewhere, then it can't be talked about nor discussed.

I'm a big fan of them and much prefer them to the doctors surgery style LED screens that appeared.

As for the bonkette seating...

Id no idea what that was! Thought it was something kinky until I searched and realised my kitchen has it!

Mrs C just described it as wooden benches in an L shape when the kitchen was getting done.

Alan Partridge has a less classy version in his caravan.