(25 Jan 2020, 9:24 am)Dan wrote Are you sure about that?

Go North East haven’t done any work with Beacon Creative for a good few months now, so wondering what ground there is for the statement that their work is “rather tired and amateurish”.

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Sorry, I assumed that the 'standard' timetables were Beacon's.

The Cobalt&Coast (or Cobalt& on a bus I saw the other day!), Little Coasters and Green Arrow don't have the same 'flair' that Best Impressions liveries have. It's a coloured bus with some shapes on, nothing really stands out or sells itself.

(25 Jan 2020, 10:21 am)omnicity4659 wrote Sorry, I assumed that the 'standard' timetables were Beacon's.

The Cobalt&Coast (or Cobalt& on a bus I saw the other day!), Little Coasters and Green Arrow don't have the same 'flair' that Best Impressions liveries have. It's a coloured bus with some shapes on, nothing really stands out or sells itself.

Funny you say that when the Little Coasters were mistaken for a Best Impressions design by almost everyone, when they were first unveiled!


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Do you really think the 58 will go coperate when the new all singing and dancing electric buses arrive for it? Personally I think I think they'll go all out on a new brand for it to show its different, same with Saltwell Parks.

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(25 Jan 2020, 10:23 am)Dan wrote Funny you say that when the Little Coasters were mistaken for a Best Impressions design by almost everyone, when they were first unveiled!


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Attention to detail is a nice thing to have. Most don't.

(25 Jan 2020, 11:14 am)Expresslink wrote Do you really think the 58 will go coperate when the new all singing and dancing electric buses arrive for it? Personally I think I think they'll go all out on a new brand for it to show its different, same with Saltwell Parks.

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I think they'll stick to the same brands but include on the bus that they're 100% electric and all the other pollution stuff.


Official slogan for the 58 should be: Electrifying your way to Newcastle.

I also... copyright that, and i want some money, if they use that slogan (very much doubt they will haha)

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

Also last official day of the Loop Scania's in service, get your pictures now!

(24 Jan 2020, 10:25 pm)BeachBoy99 wrote And with brands, it makes them a more diverse and attractive company that customers want to see.

Contrary to what other people on here like to say, having brands (although not too many!) does indeed help brand recognition.
Since they launched X-Lines on the X21, my mother (who very much despises bus travel) keeps pointing it out saying how nice it looks, or when we're in Gateshead and an Angel goes past, she knows that's the one that goes to Durham (although not that often soon!)
But when she sees any Arriva bus, all she pictures is the horrible experience she had on the X46 (the 'new' 15 year old buses).

(25 Jan 2020, 1:27 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Contrary to what other people on here like to say, having brands (although not too many!) does indeed help brand recognition.
Since they launched X-Lines on the X21, my mother (who very much despises bus travel) keeps pointing it out saying how nice it looks, or when we're in Gateshead and an Angel goes past, she knows that's the one that goes to Durham (although not that often soon!)
But when she sees any Arriva bus, all she pictures is the horrible experience she had on the X46 (the 'new' 15 year old buses).

The folks don't like the 'Express bus' (the X12).
They perceive the buses on them to be old and dirty.
They're bright, intelligent people - but have no brand loyalty and don't choose a particular service (on a shared corridor) for its brand name alone. 

As they see it, the 'express bus' is blue. Other options aren't. 

When the Streetlites came to the 78, she could tell it was a new bus. But couldn't believe how rattly and uncomfortable it was.

(25 Jan 2020, 1:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote The folks don't like the 'Express bus' (the X12).
They perceive the buses on them to be old and dirty.
They're bright, intelligent people - but have no brand loyalty and don't choose a particular service (on a shared corridor) for its brand name alone. 

As they see it, the 'express bus' is blue. Other options aren't. 

When the Streetlites came to the 78, she could tell it was a new bus. But couldn't believe how rattly and uncomfortable it was.

The reason they perceive them to be old and dirt is because they are! Using the X12 was an awful experience, one which I don't care to repeat. Even Arriva's newer buses aren't in the best condition, and seem like they get a clean once a year, if they're lucky!

I remember when I went to the NEBus launch in Newcastle, I spoke to one of the people from Arriva and they were shocked at the state of the E400MMC that they sent down. It was all dented and scratched, the vinyl on the side was peeling and the sealant between panels was falling out and missing in places. And that's a 17 plate and in their words "the best one they had"!

I don't find the Streetlites necessarily uncomfortable, just a bit firm. The rattling is a definite issue, one which they've been saying they're trying to resolve for years now!

(24 Jan 2020, 5:39 pm)streetdeckfan wrote New timetables confirm 'The 49' brand is dead. Same with the 'Toonlink', 'Blaydon Racer', 'Metrocentre Mini', New timetable shows corporate Streetlite

I'm not at all a fan of the new timetable style, I think it looks much worse with an actual photo rather than the 'drawing'

some of the new timetables are difficult to read with the colour contrast options being used on some of them - white on red isn't easy, especially under street lighting.
I'm surprised that there is a 14 timetable, without the 13 being included.

I've also noticed that the timetables that the links on the news page about the service changes take you to aren't the new leaflets but the original black and white ones.

(25 Jan 2020, 1:27 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Contrary to what other people on here like to say, having brands (although not too many!) does indeed help brand recognition.
Since they launched X-Lines on the X21, my mother (who very much despises bus travel) keeps pointing it out saying how nice it looks, or when we're in Gateshead and an Angel goes past, she knows that's the one that goes to Durham (although not that often soon!)
But when she sees any Arriva bus, all she pictures is the horrible experience she had on the X46 (the 'new' 15 year old buses).

Those ALX 400s are pretty uncomfortable, even if Belmont did do a good job of breathing new life into them (they were shot when they arrived.) I do find them uncomfortable, though, as my feet don't reach the floor on them. I'm average height fir a woman. I have the same issue on a lot of seats on GNE's ommnidekkas.

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(25 Jan 2020, 1:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote The folks don't like the 'Express bus' (the X12).
They perceive the buses on them to be old and dirty.
They're bright, intelligent people - but have no brand loyalty and don't choose a particular service (on a shared corridor) for its brand name alone. 

As they see it, the 'express bus' is blue. Other options aren't. 

When the Streetlites came to the 78, she could tell it was a new bus. But couldn't believe how rattly and uncomfortable it was.

I have no problem with the X12. Love a pulsar and the best ones go like stink. The max branding makes for a dingy interior, though.

The 12/A still interwork with the 97 on a Sunday

A few things I dislike about the changes on the app (for now, hopefully they get fixed asap)

The X21 is now split on the app, so from Newcastle it only shows Durham, then from Durham it shows Bishop (and from tomorrow presumably West Auckland). And from Bishop it just says Durham.
If this is still the case tomorrow, how would passengers know in advance which ones continue on to Bishop?
It's not really much of an issue with the X9/X10 as they both ultimately go to the same place, but with the X21 only every other one continues to Bishop.

Also, the new stops in West Auckland haven't been added yet, hopefully they're on tomorrow! (Although I doubt it'll be the case going off past experience)

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(26 Jan 2020, 10:56 am)streetdeckfan wrote A few things I dislike about the changes on the app (for now, hopefully they get fixed asap)

The X21 is now split on the app, so from Newcastle it only shows Durham, then from Durham it shows Bishop (and from tomorrow presumably West Auckland). And from Bishop it just says Durham.
If this is still the case tomorrow, how would passengers know in advance which ones continue on to Bishop?
It's not really much of an issue with the X9/X10 as they both ultimately go to the same place, but with the X21 only every other one continues to Bishop.

Also, the new stops in West Auckland haven't been added yet, hopefully they're on tomorrow! (Although I doubt it'll be the case going off past experience)

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I don't know if GNE can do anything about that as the map is linked to ticketer I believe. I've just checked Arriva too and the X18 only shows the registered split route Newcastle > Morpeth, Morpeth > Alnwick.

I get what you're saying that it can get confusing with 2x terminating at Durham with rest continuing to West Auckland.

(26 Jan 2020, 11:35 am)L469 YVK wrote I don't know if GNE can do anything about that as the map is linked to ticketer I believe. I've just checked Arriva too and the X18 only shows the registered split route Newcastle > Morpeth, Morpeth > Alnwick.

I get what you're saying that it can get confusing with 2x terminating at Durham with rest continuing to West Auckland.

At least the journey planner in the app recognises that it's one route rather than split in Durham.
It wouldn't have surprised me in the slightest if it didn't allow a connected journey because the arrival and departure time are too close (I've had that issue with other journey planners in the past?)

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Other than all the Loop Scania's and the coach seated Scania's getting withdrawn today due to changes, have we seen anymore fleet movements?

(26 Jan 2020, 6:30 pm)Michael wrote Other than all the Loop Scania's and the coach seated Scania's getting withdrawn today due to changes, have we seen anymore fleet movements?

All three Loops still in service.

Lots of other movements though - will be on GNEs fleet allocation update on the website tomorrow.


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(26 Jan 2020, 9:02 pm)Dan wrote All three Loops still in service.

Lots of other movements though - will be on GNEs fleet allocation update on the website tomorrow.


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Ok cheers Dan.

Sorry to bring this up again, but I was just reading through the newsroom article for the X21 and came across this absolute gem

Journey times are also faster than traditional bus routes in the area and offer a competitive alternative to the car. Most common journey times:

• Bishop Auckland to Durham – 38 minutes
  
• Durham to Gateshead – 42 minutes
  
• Durham to Newcastle – 52 minutes
  
• Framwellgate Moor to Gateshead – 37 minutes
  
• Framwellgate Moor to Newcastle – 47 minutes
  
• Chester-le-Street to Gateshead – 21 minutes
  
• Chester-le-Street to Newcastle – 31 minutes
  
• Low Fell (The Cannon) to Newcastle – 18 minutes
  

Notice how they conveniently forget to mention the journey time of the main termini of the route. 
Doesn't sound so appealing when you say 'Bishop Auckland to Newcastle - 90 minutes', and not really a 'competitive alternative to the car' when it takes over double the time

It also annoys me that they've assumed that the journey from Bishop to Durham takes the same time as Durham to Bishop, if we go from the timetable it's actually 4 minutes faster, so they could have got away with saying 'Bishop Auckland to Durham - 34 minutes'

Anywho, for Dan's sake I do hope when I get on the X21 in the morning that there is working NSA, or he won't hear the end of it!

(25 Jan 2020, 11:14 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Those ALX 400s are pretty uncomfortable, even if Belmont did do a good job of breathing new life into them (they were shot when they arrived.) I do find them uncomfortable, though, as my feet don't reach the floor on them. I'm average height fir a woman. I have the same issue on a lot of seats on GNE's ommnidekkas.

---

I have no problem with the X12. Love a pulsar and the best ones go like stink. The max branding makes for a dingy interior, though.

I agree. 
1440 is my favourite out there.

Unless there's been an error on my part and the 'dirty old express' was actually an Omnidekka on the X21!

(27 Jan 2020, 9:25 am)Andreos1 wrote I agree. 
1440 is my favourite out there.

Unless there's been an error on my part and the 'dirty old express' was actually an Omnidekka on the X21!

What are you talking about, an Omnidekka is obviously a high spec vehicle with comfortable seats, next stop announcements and some seats around tables!

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Go North East X-lines 6331 / NK67 GNZ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6331 / NK67 GNZ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

6331 now in X-lines X21 livery

(26 Jan 2020, 6:30 pm)Michael wrote Other than all the Loop Scania's and the coach seated Scania's getting withdrawn today due to changes, have we seen anymore fleet movements?

Repaints last week included Wright StreetDeck 6331 (NK67 GNZ) into the blue variant of X-lines livery for service X21.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5230 (NK55 OLH) has transferred from Deptford to Riverside, in order to replace similar 5231 (NK55 OLJ) which has been withdrawn. 5230 (NK55 OLH) was also later withdrawn from service at Riverside that week. Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5232 (NK55 OLM) has also been withdrawn from service at Riverside.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6084 (NL63 XBS) has transferred from Riverside to Deptford, displacing recently refurbished 6099 (NL63 YJC) to Percy Main.

Former East Yorkshire Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 797 (BX14 SYT), now numbered 6335 within the Go North East fleet, has entered service at Riverside. It has been repainted into the “spare bus” X-lines livery and existing seats replaced with high-back Esteban Civic V3 seats trimmed in Go North East’s new moquette, with cream headrests. It should see primary allocation to services X9/X10 (Newcastle – Middlesbrough).

As a result of service changes, there have been a large number of vehicle movements this week:
Optare Solo SR M900/Optare 637, 638 and 639 (NK12 HCD/HCE/HCF) have transferred from Riverside to Deptford, allowing the similar pre-owned examples 718, 719 and 720 (YJ62 FMA/FME/FYH) to transfer from Deptford to Riverside, to operate the new 30/31/32 services which operate from Stanley to Lanchester, East Stanley and Annfield Plain.
Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka 6143 (YN04 GKA) has transferred from Percy Main to Chester-le-Street, displacing Vovlo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6912 (LX06 EBO) from Chester-le-Street to Consett and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6932 (LX54 GZW) from Consett to Saltmeadows. Dual-door Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6911 (LX06 EBN) has also transferred from Riverside to Consett.
Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka 6146 (YN55 NFE) has transferred from Chester-le-Street to Riverside, whilst Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6043 (NK12 GCO) and 6044 (NK12 GCU), as well as dual-door Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6910 (LX06 EBM), have transferred from Riverside to Chester-le-Street. The two Volvo B9s should be allocated to “X-lines” service X21, following service changes on this route requiring more vehicles.

Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid 5419 (NK15 EOL) has transferred from Consett to Chester-le-Street. Scania CN230UB/Scania OmniCity 5262 (NK56 KJX) and 5263 (NK56 KJY) have transferred from Chester-le-Street to Washington, displacing Mercedes Citaro 0350N/Mercedes Citaro 5486 (HW07 CXX) and 5487 (HW07 CXY) to Deptford, acting as float vehicles, covering for the repaints on the similar examples still branded as “Wear Xpress”.
In order to isolate dual-door configuration Volvo B7TLs at Saltmeadows, with provincial specification vehicles allocated to Riverside (where they are more likely to be allocated to services on the frontline core commercial network).

• 3967, 3970, 3971, 3973, 3975, 3977, 3983 from Riverside to Saltmeadows
  
  
• 6920, 6921, 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 6926, 6927, 6928, 6929, 6930, 6931 from Riverside to Saltmeadows
  
  
• 3995, 3996, 6122, 6123, 6124, 6125, 6128, 6131, 6136, 6137, 6138, 6139 from Saltmeadows to Riverside
  
  
• 6935, 6936, 6938, 6939, 6940, 6941 from Saltmeadows to Riverside.
  

Vehicles sold this week included Optare Solo M950/Optare 710, 711, 712, 713 and 714 (WK59 CWU/CWW/CWX/CWY/CWZ) to Scarlet Band, West Cornforth, and Scania K340EB/Caetano Levante 7096 (FJ08 KLU) to Weardale Motor Services.

(27 Jan 2020, 5:17 pm)Malarkey wrote Repaints last week included Wright StreetDeck 6331 (NK67 GNZ) into the blue variant of X-lines livery for service X21.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5230 (NK55 OLH) has transferred from Deptford to Riverside, in order to replace similar 5231 (NK55 OLJ) which has been withdrawn. 5230 (NK55 OLH) was also later withdrawn from service at Riverside that week. Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5232 (NK55 OLM) has also been withdrawn from service at Riverside.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6084 (NL63 XBS) has transferred from Riverside to Deptford, displacing recently refurbished 6099 (NL63 YJC) to Percy Main.

Former East Yorkshire Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 797 (BX14 SYT), now numbered 6335 within the Go North East fleet, has entered service at Riverside. It has been repainted into the “spare bus” X-lines livery and existing seats replaced with high-back Esteban Civic V3 seats trimmed in Go North East’s new moquette, with cream headrests. It should see primary allocation to services X9/X10 (Newcastle – Middlesbrough).

As a result of service changes, there have been a large number of vehicle movements this week:
Optare Solo SR M900/Optare 637, 638 and 639 (NK12 HCD/HCE/HCF) have transferred from Riverside to Deptford, allowing the similar pre-owned examples 718, 719 and 720 (YJ62 FMA/FME/FYH) to transfer from Deptford to Riverside, to operate the new 30/31/32 services which operate from Stanley to Lanchester, East Stanley and Annfield Plain.
Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka 6143 (YN04 GKA) has transferred from Percy Main to Chester-le-Street, displacing Vovlo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6912 (LX06 EBO) from Chester-le-Street to Consett and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6932 (LX54 GZW) from Consett to Saltmeadows. Dual-door Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6911 (LX06 EBN) has also transferred from Riverside to Consett.
Scania N94UD/East Lancs OmniDekka 6146 (YN55 NFE) has transferred from Chester-le-Street to Riverside, whilst Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6043 (NK12 GCO) and 6044 (NK12 GCU), as well as dual-door Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 6910 (LX06 EBM), have transferred from Riverside to Chester-le-Street. The two Volvo B9s should be allocated to “X-lines” service X21, following service changes on this route requiring more vehicles.

Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid 5419 (NK15 EOL) has transferred from Consett to Chester-le-Street. Scania CN230UB/Scania OmniCity 5262 (NK56 KJX) and 5263 (NK56 KJY) have transferred from Chester-le-Street to Washington, displacing Mercedes Citaro 0350N/Mercedes Citaro 5486 (HW07 CXX) and 5487 (HW07 CXY) to Deptford, acting as float vehicles, covering for the repaints on the similar examples still branded as “Wear Xpress”.
In order to isolate dual-door configuration Volvo B7TLs at Saltmeadows, with provincial specification vehicles allocated to Riverside (where they are more likely to be allocated to services on the frontline core commercial network).

• 3967, 3970, 3971, 3973, 3975, 3977, 3983 from Riverside to Saltmeadows
  
  
• 6920, 6921, 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 6926, 6927, 6928, 6929, 6930, 6931 from Riverside to Saltmeadows
  
  
• 3995, 3996, 6122, 6123, 6124, 6125, 6128, 6131, 6136, 6137, 6138, 6139 from Saltmeadows to Riverside
  
  
• 6935, 6936, 6938, 6939, 6940, 6941 from Saltmeadows to Riverside.
  

Vehicles sold this week included Optare Solo M950/Optare 710, 711, 712, 713 and 714 (WK59 CWU/CWW/CWX/CWY/CWZ) to Scarlet Band, West Cornforth, and Scania K340EB/Caetano Levante 7096 (FJ08 KLU) to Weardale Motor Services.

Taking over from Bazza

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Drove the 'new' 49A today, nice change not having to pootle all around Hanover Estate, but a shame that the next stop announcements haven't changed. I'm told there was an 'incident' with some angry old folks today when it didn't go through the estate despite it being announced...

Also that error on the timetable map is pretty shocking, and I'm not sure why we have a generic couple with shopping bags on there. For me after a few years here it seems like business as usual - Attempts at professional design and image all falling slightly short due to lack of attention to detail.

"718, 719 and 720 (YJ62 FMA/FME/FYH) to transfer from Deptford to Riverside, to operate the new 30/31/32 services which operate from Stanley to Lanchester, East Stanley and Annfield Plain"

Is this an error, should it now be Hownsgill? for these 3 Solo's

Or are they running these services from Riverside?

(27 Jan 2020, 4:36 pm)TEN 6083 wrote Go North East X-lines 6331 / NK67 GNZ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Go North East X-lines 6331 / NK67 GNZ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

6331 now in X-lines X21 livery

Ooh they've changed the destination display for the X21 to have the 'thinner' X like it is on X6|X7 & X20!!.

(27 Jan 2020, 5:23 pm)MrBoyt wrote Drove the 'new' 49A today, nice change not having to pootle all around Hanover Estate, but a shame that the next stop announcements haven't changed. I'm told there was an 'incident' with some angry old folks today when it didn't go through the estate despite it being announced...

They have changed, but it depends which bus you've been allocated. Hanover have attended to 60 buses out of 300 thus far. Outside of those 60 buses, some buses have taken the update and some haven't. We're in the hands of a supplier, who are aware of Go North East's desperation to get this sorted, and are aware that the deadline for completing all of this by was 26 January.

(27 Jan 2020, 6:07 pm)BeachBoy99 wrote Ooh they've changed the destination display for the X21 to have the 'thinner' X like it is on X6|X7 & X20!!.

The X30/1, X45/6/7, X66 and X70/1/2 have also been updated. 6331 had the wrong version uploaded though (will be corrected by tomorrow) - the revised version shows "Eldon Square up to every 15 mins"... I'm sure someone would have noticed by now and will be itching to point it out!

(27 Jan 2020, 6:15 pm)Dan wrote They have changed, but it depends which bus you've been allocated. Hanover have attended to 60 buses out of 300 thus far. Outside of those 60 buses, some buses have taken the update and some haven't. We're in the hands of a supplier, who are aware of Go North East's desperation to get this sorted, and are aware that the deadline for completing all of this by was 26 January.



The X30/1, X45/6/7, X66 and X70/1/2 have also been updated. 6331 had the wrong version uploaded though (will be corrected by tomorrow) - the revised version shows "Eldon Square up to every 15 mins"... I'm sure someone would have noticed by now and will be itching to point it out!

I like them a lot! They look so much better

(27 Jan 2020, 6:15 pm)Dan wrote They have changed, but it depends which bus you've been allocated. Hanover have attended to 60 buses out of 300 thus far. Outside of those 60 buses, some buses have taken the update and some haven't. We're in the hands of a supplier, who are aware of Go North East's desperation to get this sorted, and are aware that the deadline for completing all of this by was 26 January.



The X30/1, X45/6/7, X66 and X70/1/2 have also been updated. 6331 had the wrong version uploaded though (will be corrected by tomorrow) - the revised version shows "Eldon Square up to every 15 mins"... I'm sure someone would have noticed by now and will be itching to point it out!

Question with regards to the Eldon Square destination display. All streetlites change to “Eldon Square” at the Metro Centre but the B9 (6118-21 & 49-61) don’t unless manually changed. How come?

So have load factors improved on the 309/310/311? Just seen a tweet that a passenger had to go upstairs to find a seat and was complaining that the 309 & 310 was busier than usual.