How many more buses need the Euro 6 conversion?

Just tried to find GNE routes/services to Newcastle Airport, as I thought an All Zone day ticket at £7 would save me using the car + parking etc.., but amazed to see GNE no longer have any services to the Airport. - Surely an Express link from Metro Centre, would be very successful as it would link to most of the GNE network using connecting services, and would be both Fast, Efficient use of possibly only one bus, and avoid City Centre, as transferring to onward services at Metro Centre would suffice.

As it is at the moment, I would need to buy a multi operator ticket, transferring to either Stagecoach or Metro trains in Newcastle etc...

Wonder if Martijn Gilbert is aware of, what seems to me, a huge missed opportunity to plug a gap, which I am sure there will be great demand from early morning to late night, servicing passengers on daily return flights.

There's little demand though really. 5.4m people using a flight a day / 365 days is 14.8k people a day. Knock off 98% (2%) as that's likely the amount of people coming from Derwentside / Tynedale (anyone else would use the Metro). That's down to 296 people and that's if your lucky. Then knock off another 20% off who are coming in overnight / past last buses. Your down to 237 people. If the service is hourly with a journey in both directions from 7am to 10pm that's 30 journeys which works out at a total of 8 people per bus and that's if everyone used the service - which in reality no-one will as a holiday is a treat and the last thing you want to do is mess around with buses. There's no profit in that.



A non express bus which does bits of the West End though and eventually goes to the airport might work however as the connectivity from the West End to the Metro Centre / The Airport is pretty much non-existant bar travelling via Newcastle. Something like this https://goo.gl/maps/pTLmcM47s9JUSyLcA but it would make more sense being a Stagecoach service really. I know it doesn't really do your purpose but it would be useable for those coming from Derwentside etc if they wanted and might actually have a chance of making money because of the intermediate journeys from the West End to Kingston Park, the Airport, and the Metro Centre which are non-existant.  I know of someone who travels to Byker to go shopping as there's no links to any other supermarkets without changing with this you'd give them 2 more direct options (Tesco Kingston Park / Asda Metro Centre) so the demand is there.

There is a gap in service on the X21 in the afternoon where a bus terminates at Chester and then restarts from there later, I’m guessing this is so the bus can do a scholars, does anyone know which one?

Am I right in thinking that since the timetable change there are no longer any peak time boards and none run by any other depots

There's little demand though really. 5.4m people using a flight a day / 365 days is 14.8k people a day. Knock off 98% (2%) as that's likely the amount of people coming from Derwentside / Tynedale (anyone else would use the Metro). That's down to 296 people and that's if your lucky. Then knock off another 20% off who are coming in overnight / past last buses. Your down to 237 people. If the service is hourly with a journey in both directions from 7am to 10pm that's 30 journeys which works out at a total of 8 people per bus and that's if everyone used the service - which in reality no-one will as a holiday is a treat and the last thing you want to do is mess around with buses. There's no profit in that.



A non express bus which does bits of the West End though and eventually goes to the airport might work however as the connectivity from the West End to the Metro Centre / The Airport is pretty much non-existant bar travelling via Newcastle. Something like this https://goo.gl/maps/pTLmcM47s9JUSyLcA but it would make more sense being a Stagecoach service really. I know it doesn't really do your purpose but it would be useable for those coming from Derwentside etc if they wanted and might actually have a chance of making money because of the intermediate journeys from the West End to Kingston Park, the Airport, and the Metro Centre which are non-existant.  I know of someone who travels to Byker to go shopping as there's no links to any other supermarkets without changing with this you'd give them 2 more direct options (Tesco Kingston Park / Asda Metro Centre) so the demand is there.

Don't forget the proportion who have simply paid £30 or whatever it is, lately, for a taxi each way from Peterlee and the like.

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There is a gap in service on the X21 in the afternoon where a bus terminates at Chester and then restarts from there later, I’m guessing this is so the bus can do a scholars, does anyone know which one?

Am I right in thinking that since the timetable change there are no longer any peak time boards and none run by any other depots

Would be shit on a Friday, if so, though hopefully the 21 would pick up the slack as most of the Friday afternoon crawl is Newcastle gateshead.

So I was just talking to someone, and it got me thinking. How does everyone else say the fleet numbers?
I personally find it easier to say the numbers individually, so for 6332 I would say six three three two. Whereas I've heard others say them in twos, so sixty three thirty two

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

Generally as a driver speaking to other people in GNE we split it up as two numbers sixty three thirty two, easier and clearer when talking over the radio/phone call. Also when we're talking about certain buses, like buses branded for a route, you can just drop the first two numbers as they're quite often redundant.

Surprised nobody has reported this

Sprinters 729/30 are working for Consett today on 30s - just 30s, 718 has been working 31/32 (and sister 719 has been on 689s)

42A goes to Newcastle Airport but it goes via everywhere beforehand

I hope to ride it next time I come to Newcastle, potentially late August.  Hopefully the Yutongs will be in service by then, as currently indicated.

I hope to ride it next time I come to Newcastle, potentially late August.  Hopefully the Yutongs will be in service by then, as currently indicated.

Why do you hope to ride the 42A? Which section of the route? What service are the Yutongs indicated to be going on?

Why do you hope to ride the 42A? Which section of the route? What service are the Yutongs indicated to be going on?

Because route 42A is an orbital route, contrasting with the routes I know which are mainly radial routes and key interurban routes.

I believe the Yutongs are for route 58, although I previously expected them to be for the Q routes.

Because route 42A is an orbital route, contrasting with the routes I know which are mainly radial routes and key interurban routes.

I believe the Yutongs are for route 58, although I previously expected them to be for the Q routes.

How much of the 42A route are you planning to ride? The full route is very long. A lot of bus services are quite long for the full distance. I don't know what orbital. radial and interurban routes are! 

Yes, the 58 and Q services could do with new buses.

How much of the 42A route are you planning to ride? The full route is very long. A lot of bus services are quite long for the full distance. I don't know what orbital. radial and interurban routes are! 

Yes, the 58 and Q services could do with new buses.

I am not sure yet.  I reckon from Killingworth to Newcastle Airport will be long enough, even though I may catch another bus to North Shields.

Radial routes are those that originate in the centre, so I mean basically from Newcastle city centre.  Interurban connect other towns eg South Shields - Durham, while orbital are those connecting minor interchanges.

Because route 42A is an orbital route, contrasting with the routes I know which are mainly radial routes and key interurban routes.

I believe the Yutongs are for route 58, although I previously expected them to be for the Q routes.

The first batch of Yutongs are for the 53/54, (Saltwell Park) which are due in July.

2nd batch are for the 58, can't remember what date they're due though

I am not sure yet.  I reckon from Killingworth to Newcastle Airport will be long enough, even though I may catch another bus to North Shields.

Radial routes are those that originate in the centre, so I mean basically from Newcastle city centre.  Interurban connect other towns eg South Shields - Durham, while orbital are those connecting minor interchanges.

I have done Wallsend to Kingston Park and Wallsend to Cobalt Business Park so far. Wallsend to North Shields would be doable. Killingworth to Newcastle Airport would be a good ride.

Thanks. Radial are probably the most popular. The 42A is a bit all over the place!

The 42A is an interesting route especially around the airport running through the green belt and the villages of Dinnington and Prestwick. A good place to change buses is Kingston Park.

Charles

The 42A is an interesting route especially around the airport running through the green belt and the villages of Dinnington and Prestwick. A good place to change buses is Kingston Park.

Charles

The 42A is quite interesting, although I have only done Wallsend to Kingston Park once and today got the 42A to Cobalt Business Park from Wallsend. I hope to ride the 42A again soon. It seems like quite a mixed route. I just think it takes a long time, particularly the full route from North Shields to Dinnington/Kingston Park, but even Wallsend to Kingston Park takes a while. I think Killingworth and Benton to Kingston Park or Wallsend is sensible. 

Why is Kingston Park a good place to change buses?

At Kingston Park you have connections to Newcastle and the Metrocentre. There are also a number of local services operated by Gateshead Central Taxis which are Nexus contracted. Finally there is the free bus from Tesco to the Regent Centre which is paid for by Tesco and operated by Gateshead Central Taxis. It only operates a few times a day. It is now the only bus that serves Regent Farm Road in Gosforth.

Charles

The 35A has next stop annoucements now, currently on 5292.

The 35A has next stop annoucements now, currently on 5292.

Believe majority of routes have NSA completed. Obviously only works if you have a vehicle fitted with NSA

Has 5441 moved to Riverside?

Believe majority of routes have NSA completed. Obviously only works if you have a vehicle fitted with NSA

Indeed - just a handful of routes that aren't programmed now (mainly Miscellaneous Works services and other scholars in County Durham and Northumberland).

Work is still ongoing with the aforementioned issues with Hanover's hardware.

Has 5441 moved to Riverside?

No, it's only on loan from Consett (has been since 26 January to assist Riverside's high VOR). It's primarily being allocated to service 33 in Newcastle (the intended allocation for this service is now 2x Euro 6 Streetlite).

Indeed - just a handful of routes that aren't programmed now (mainly Miscellaneous Works services and other scholars in County Durham and Northumberland).

Work is still ongoing with the aforementioned issues with Hanover's hardware.


No, it's only on loan from Consett (has been since 26 January to assist Riverside's high VOR). It's primarily being allocated to service 33 in Newcastle (the intended allocation for this service is now 2x Euro 6 Streetlite).

What routes don't have NSAs programmed? I wonder if scholars bus services will have NSAs in the future? I'd like to see the 42/42A and 74 have NSAs and the X84/X85 have updated and improved NSAs.

Has GNE retained the 33/33A? Has GNE gained any new contracts for next month?

What routes don't have NSAs programmed? I wonder if scholars bus services will have NSAs in the future? I'd like to see the 42/42A and 74 have NSAs and the X84/X85 have updated and improved NSAs.

Has GNE retained the 33/33A? Has GNE gained any new contracts for next month?

Miscellaneous works (that's your Nexus/private employment buses and PHs) and services such as the 448.

When will the final Loop Scania's be withdrawn?

When will the final Loop Scania's be withdrawn?

I think when 6334 and 6335 fully enter service

When will the final Loop Scania's be withdrawn?

I think when 6334 and 6335 fully enter service

One when 6335 enters service, the last two on completion of the repaint of 5275-82 (but may need to be sooner).

The final Wear Xpress Citaro, 5287, has now been repainted. As such, 5486 & 5487 have both transferred to Riverside from Deptford. This has released 5277 and 5280 for repaint at Saltmeadows.

Once 5275-82 are all painted, float Citaros 5486/87 will form part of the main fleet allocation at Riverside, replacing the final two L94s.

One when 6335 enters service, the last two on completion of the repaint of 5275-82 (but may need to be sooner).

The final Wear Xpress Citaro, 5287, has now been repainted. As such, 5486 & 5487 have both transferred to Riverside from Deptford. This has released 5277 and 5280 for repaint at Saltmeadows.

Once 5275-82 are all painted, float Citaros 5486/87 will form part of the main fleet allocation at Riverside, replacing the final two L94s.

Thanks for the information.

Dan just posted on Twitter that the Durham Cathedral Solos have had vinyls applied (finally)

I do quite like how minimal it is, although the character spacing on the 'Durham's' feels a bit off to me!




https://twitter.com/DanGrahamGNE/status/...3953178625

Dan just posted on Twitter that the Durham Cathedral Solos have had vinyls applied (finally)

I do quite like how minimal it is, although the character spacing on the 'Durham's' feels a bit off to me!




https://twitter.com/DanGrahamGNE/status/...3953178625

Looks good.

About time, only been in service since September 2018.

Take it the Council decided that the operator was free to design their own livery then, rather than providing one themselves?

Certainly better than having them running around in plain white.

Take it the Council decided that the operator was free to design their own livery then, rather than providing one themselves?

Certainly better than having them running around in plain white.

I wonder who designed the Park and Ride livery, I'm going to guess it was the council that did it, going off Scarlet Band's other buses!

I'm surprised it took them this long to get round to putting a livery on it. I would understand if it was only a short term contract, but (correct me if I'm wrong) it's a 4 year contract with a possible extension.