Go North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Go North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Yeah they were, the East Lancs Cityzens (think that's spelt right). Guessing it was just an East Lancs problem then, never been on the Omnidekka's or I'm guessing the Lolynes you meant there before. The mix of carpet (which was on the side panels) and water wasn't a particular very good combination.
Talking about leaks I can remember one of them which used to literally have a stream of water pouring behind one of the panels next the fire exit door. Mind some of the VDL's are having the same issue lately so could be a Blyth thing.
It's amazing that a few of them we're still on the road in 2017 (N385OTY) and one of them is currently SORN (N392OTY) rather than Not Taxed / Scrapped the state they were when they left Arriva in 2009.
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Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Yeah they were, the East Lancs Cityzens (think that's spelt right). Guessing it was just an East Lancs problem then, never been on the Omnidekka's or I'm guessing the Lolynes you meant there before. The mix of carpet (which was on the side panels) and water wasn't a particular very good combination.
Talking about leaks I can remember one of them which used to literally have a stream of water pouring behind one of the panels next the fire exit door. Mind some of the VDL's are having the same issue lately so could be a Blyth thing.
It's amazing that a few of them we're still on the road in 2017 (N385OTY) and one of them is currently SORN (N392OTY) rather than Not Taxed / Scrapped the state they were when they left Arriva in 2009.
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Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(01 Apr 2020, 3:20 pm)mb134 And what fares would those be?
If you take the big 3 in the North East, they're largely all running a Sunday service with a few peak extras. There are fewer passengers than you'd find even on a Sunday, so you've got reduced income all 7 days of the week.
Ultimately wages still need paid, fuel still needs used and maintenance still needs carried out.
Shops, restaurants etc currently have a government paid workforce, little to no maintenance cost and so aren't in as bad of a position. Bus operators have all the usual costs, albeit on a slightly reduced scale (and with furloughed workers), so most will run into financial difficulty.
(01 Apr 2020, 3:20 pm)mb134 And what fares would those be?
If you take the big 3 in the North East, they're largely all running a Sunday service with a few peak extras. There are fewer passengers than you'd find even on a Sunday, so you've got reduced income all 7 days of the week.
Ultimately wages still need paid, fuel still needs used and maintenance still needs carried out.
Shops, restaurants etc currently have a government paid workforce, little to no maintenance cost and so aren't in as bad of a position. Bus operators have all the usual costs, albeit on a slightly reduced scale (and with furloughed workers), so most will run into financial difficulty.
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(03 Apr 2020, 5:44 am)citaro5284 If the vehicle has been sorn then you do not need to pay road tax. Also, there will be things like tyres (most bus companies lease their tyres), so a saving there as its based on mileage. Wifi and Telematics systems also normally carry a monthly charge if the vehicle is in service and then you have the engineering side - vehicles are normally checked every 28 days, so if you are short of staff due to been off with CONVID-19, the vehicle might not be able to get checked.
(03 Apr 2020, 5:44 am)citaro5284 If the vehicle has been sorn then you do not need to pay road tax. Also, there will be things like tyres (most bus companies lease their tyres), so a saving there as its based on mileage. Wifi and Telematics systems also normally carry a monthly charge if the vehicle is in service and then you have the engineering side - vehicles are normally checked every 28 days, so if you are short of staff due to been off with CONVID-19, the vehicle might not be able to get checked.
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Yeah they were, the East Lancs Cityzens (think that's spelt right). Guessing it was just an East Lancs problem then, never been on the Omnidekka's or I'm guessing the Lolynes you meant there before. The mix of carpet (which was on the side panels) and water wasn't a particular very good combination.
Talking about leaks I can remember one of them which used to literally have a stream of water pouring behind one of the panels next the fire exit door. Mind some of the VDL's are having the same issue lately so could be a Blyth thing.
It's amazing that a few of them we're still on the road in 2017 (N385OTY) and one of them is currently SORN (N392OTY) rather than Not Taxed / Scrapped the state they were when they left Arriva in 2009.
------------------
Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(02 Apr 2020, 9:55 pm)Storx Yeah they were, the East Lancs Cityzens (think that's spelt right). Guessing it was just an East Lancs problem then, never been on the Omnidekka's or I'm guessing the Lolynes you meant there before. The mix of carpet (which was on the side panels) and water wasn't a particular very good combination.
Talking about leaks I can remember one of them which used to literally have a stream of water pouring behind one of the panels next the fire exit door. Mind some of the VDL's are having the same issue lately so could be a Blyth thing.
It's amazing that a few of them we're still on the road in 2017 (N385OTY) and one of them is currently SORN (N392OTY) rather than Not Taxed / Scrapped the state they were when they left Arriva in 2009.
------------------
Also on a different subject I'm just curious what's the reason why bus companies are withdrawing / delicencing buses because of Covid 19? Is there some form of cost of having a bus even if you don't use it in terms of a licence that's monthly etc? I always thought it was just a one cost fee type thing.
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?
(03 Apr 2020, 1:34 am)streetdeckfan The issue is the fares in London happen to be ridiculously cheap because of a ridiculous amount of subsidies.
You just have to look at GNE's accounts to realise they don't have 'deep pockets' to pay their way through it.
(03 Apr 2020, 1:34 am)streetdeckfan The issue is the fares in London happen to be ridiculously cheap because of a ridiculous amount of subsidies.
You just have to look at GNE's accounts to realise they don't have 'deep pockets' to pay their way through it.
We are continually reviewing the use of each journey that we operate with bus use now at an all time low as the region follows the government's travel advice.
In line with the patterns of use we are now seeing, from Saturday 4 April there will be changes to services 1A, 5, 11, 19, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 309, 310, 683, 684, 921, 923, 937, X1, X20, X84 and X85.
Further changes are planned for services in Gateshead, Sunderland and Chester-le-Street from Saturday 11 April with all existing journeys for key workers maintained. Details for these changes will be announced soon.
https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...-04-20.pdf
Details of service levels from 4th April: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/coronaviru...JQAJs2kuqY
More buses delicensed?, don't blame them, buses are getting emptier by the hour.
Service 5: Every 2 hours
Little Coasters 11 – the service will run every two hours
74 - every 3 hours
indiGo Washington 81, 82 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 83, 84 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 85 and 86 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
309 and 310 evening frequency - every 2 hours (1 hour combined on certain sections of the route)
683 will be revised to run every two hours
X1 - After 7pm will be every 2 hours
Tynedale Express X84 & X85 - every 2 hours
X20/921/923 – will not run after 3 April as npower will be closed
Service 937 – will not run after 3 April
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
(03 Apr 2020, 12:53 am)Big O If this is an earnest question I'll answer it but if not I won't get into it with you. The fares up here are ridiculously priced up here. Why can't they dip into their deep pockets to pay their way through this situation?If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
(03 Apr 2020, 10:41 am)Michael We are continually reviewing the use of each journey that we operate with bus use now at an all time low as the region follows the government's travel advice.All of Washington's services in these latest changes seem to have had their last normal journeys curtailed.
In line with the patterns of use we are now seeing, from Saturday 4 April there will be changes to services 1A, 5, 11, 19, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 309, 310, 683, 684, 921, 923, 937, X1, X20, X84 and X85.
Further changes are planned for services in Gateshead, Sunderland and Chester-le-Street from Saturday 11 April with all existing journeys for key workers maintained. Details for these changes will be announced soon.
https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...-04-20.pdf
Details of service levels from 4th April: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/coronaviru...JQAJs2kuqY
More buses delicensed?, don't blame them, buses are getting emptier by the hour.
Service 5: Every 2 hours
Little Coasters 11 – the service will run every two hours
74 - every 3 hours
indiGo Washington 81, 82 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 83, 84 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 85 and 86 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
309 and 310 evening frequency - every 2 hours (1 hour combined on certain sections of the route)
683 will be revised to run every two hours
X1 - After 7pm will be every 2 hours
Tynedale Express X84 & X85 - every 2 hours
X20/921/923 – will not run after 3 April as npower will be closed
Service 937 – will not run after 3 April
(03 Apr 2020, 10:41 am)Michael We are continually reviewing the use of each journey that we operate with bus use now at an all time low as the region follows the government's travel advice.All of Washington's services in these latest changes seem to have had their last normal journeys curtailed.
In line with the patterns of use we are now seeing, from Saturday 4 April there will be changes to services 1A, 5, 11, 19, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 309, 310, 683, 684, 921, 923, 937, X1, X20, X84 and X85.
Further changes are planned for services in Gateshead, Sunderland and Chester-le-Street from Saturday 11 April with all existing journeys for key workers maintained. Details for these changes will be announced soon.
https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...-04-20.pdf
Details of service levels from 4th April: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/coronaviru...JQAJs2kuqY
More buses delicensed?, don't blame them, buses are getting emptier by the hour.
Service 5: Every 2 hours
Little Coasters 11 – the service will run every two hours
74 - every 3 hours
indiGo Washington 81, 82 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 83, 84 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
indiGo Washington 85 and 86 - every 2 hours (combined hourly service on certain sections)
309 and 310 evening frequency - every 2 hours (1 hour combined on certain sections of the route)
683 will be revised to run every two hours
X1 - After 7pm will be every 2 hours
Tynedale Express X84 & X85 - every 2 hours
X20/921/923 – will not run after 3 April as npower will be closed
Service 937 – will not run after 3 April
(03 Apr 2020, 12:35 pm)6049 If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
Not to mention that the figures have been estimated earlier in this thread of how much the weekly cost is for 100 drivers per depot. With a company that has nearly 3000 staff across GNE and EY, the figure to "pay their way" will be astronomical.
It's far easier for the London operators to collect their fares and have higher footfall simply because it's all operated under the TfL banner. With the Oyster card you can get on any service no matter which company is operating it. Up here, you have competition - the Coast Road is an obvious example. GNE competing with Arriva on a busy route - someone buying an Arriva weekly ticket can't use it on GNE. You have to have a Network One ticket up here for multi operator.
(03 Apr 2020, 12:35 pm)6049 If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
Not to mention that the figures have been estimated earlier in this thread of how much the weekly cost is for 100 drivers per depot. With a company that has nearly 3000 staff across GNE and EY, the figure to "pay their way" will be astronomical.
It's far easier for the London operators to collect their fares and have higher footfall simply because it's all operated under the TfL banner. With the Oyster card you can get on any service no matter which company is operating it. Up here, you have competition - the Coast Road is an obvious example. GNE competing with Arriva on a busy route - someone buying an Arriva weekly ticket can't use it on GNE. You have to have a Network One ticket up here for multi operator.
(03 Apr 2020, 3:43 pm)Big O What on earth does a payrise have to do with deep pockets? Do you think staff take into consideration how much GNE make before pushing for a payrise?!Erm yes. That's what the union is there for, and company performance is assessed to see what is a reasonable demand
London operators do not collect fares by the way. Its all automated and sent to Tfl. London operators get paid for the miles operated and because there is no competition it means fewer resources are used in over bussing and actually creating routes that benefit the public. For me to get across the city from where I live, I find that if I do take the bus (which I never do) I have to go into the city centre and come back out again. It's annoying and makes the journey slower.
(03 Apr 2020, 3:43 pm)Big O What on earth does a payrise have to do with deep pockets? Do you think staff take into consideration how much GNE make before pushing for a payrise?!Erm yes. That's what the union is there for, and company performance is assessed to see what is a reasonable demand
London operators do not collect fares by the way. Its all automated and sent to Tfl. London operators get paid for the miles operated and because there is no competition it means fewer resources are used in over bussing and actually creating routes that benefit the public. For me to get across the city from where I live, I find that if I do take the bus (which I never do) I have to go into the city centre and come back out again. It's annoying and makes the journey slower.
(03 Apr 2020, 9:04 am)Andreos1 Possibly an East Lancs thing.
Trying to think what the Vykings were like and I'm struggling. Maybe the centre door on them helped!
Don't think I ever got a go on one of the Pyoneers.
(03 Apr 2020, 12:35 pm)6049 If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
Not to mention that the figures have been estimated earlier in this thread of how much the weekly cost is for 100 drivers per depot. With a company that has nearly 3000 staff across GNE and EY, the figure to "pay their way" will be astronomical.
It's far easier for the London operators to collect their fares and have higher footfall simply because it's all operated under the TfL banner. With the Oyster card you can get on any service no matter which company is operating it. Up here, you have competition - the Coast Road is an obvious example. GNE competing with Arriva on a busy route - someone buying an Arriva weekly ticket can't use it on GNE. You have to have a Network One ticket up here for multi operator.
(03 Apr 2020, 4:48 pm)6049 Erm yes. That's what the union is there for, and company performance is assessed to see what is a reasonable demand
I said virtually the same thing regarding the way London operators are paid - that it isn't based on fares taken because London is by and large tap and go. Routes in the North East are also created for the public benefit, but are only operated if commercially viable - if they aren't, then the local authority or Nexus will decide whether it is an essential service which needs to be kept running even if it is running at a loss.
(03 Apr 2020, 9:04 am)Andreos1 Possibly an East Lancs thing.
Trying to think what the Vykings were like and I'm struggling. Maybe the centre door on them helped!
Don't think I ever got a go on one of the Pyoneers.
(03 Apr 2020, 12:35 pm)6049 If they had such deep pockets don't you think staff would have been pushing for a higher wage rise last year?
Not to mention that the figures have been estimated earlier in this thread of how much the weekly cost is for 100 drivers per depot. With a company that has nearly 3000 staff across GNE and EY, the figure to "pay their way" will be astronomical.
It's far easier for the London operators to collect their fares and have higher footfall simply because it's all operated under the TfL banner. With the Oyster card you can get on any service no matter which company is operating it. Up here, you have competition - the Coast Road is an obvious example. GNE competing with Arriva on a busy route - someone buying an Arriva weekly ticket can't use it on GNE. You have to have a Network One ticket up here for multi operator.
(03 Apr 2020, 4:48 pm)6049 Erm yes. That's what the union is there for, and company performance is assessed to see what is a reasonable demand
I said virtually the same thing regarding the way London operators are paid - that it isn't based on fares taken because London is by and large tap and go. Routes in the North East are also created for the public benefit, but are only operated if commercially viable - if they aren't, then the local authority or Nexus will decide whether it is an essential service which needs to be kept running even if it is running at a loss.
Next weekend. With it being Easter, will GNE be deploying senior driving staff & other non driving staff on certain routes to ensure that only people who are making essential journeys actually get on (or in theory)?
- Coaster, C&C 309, Crusader, Prince Bishops are routes where some idiots may end up trying to travel for a 'day-out' at the Coast thus potentially putting drivers, key workers and other passengers travelling for essential reasons at risk.
(03 Apr 2020, 6:07 pm)L469 YVK Next weekend. With it being Easter, will GNE be deploying senior driving staff & other non driving staff on certain routes to ensure that only people who are making essential journeys actually get on (or in theory)?
- Coaster, C&C 309, Crusader, Prince Bishops are routes where some idiots may end up trying to travel for a 'day-out' at the Coast thus potentially putting drivers, key workers and other passengers travelling for essential reasons at risk.
(03 Apr 2020, 6:07 pm)L469 YVK Next weekend. With it being Easter, will GNE be deploying senior driving staff & other non driving staff on certain routes to ensure that only people who are making essential journeys actually get on (or in theory)?
- Coaster, C&C 309, Crusader, Prince Bishops are routes where some idiots may end up trying to travel for a 'day-out' at the Coast thus potentially putting drivers, key workers and other passengers travelling for essential reasons at risk.
(03 Apr 2020, 7:48 pm)Dan No. Go North East are following the Government’s advice and all office based staff who can work from home, are working from home.Fair enough. Hopefully the police carry out patrols around the areas (in part) where the stops on them routes are as part of their other patrols and keep an eye out for any large gatherings at several stops.
If bus users aren’t following the Government advice to stay at home, it isn’t for bus drivers (regardless of whether they’re a normal bus driver or an office based employee with a PCV licence) to enforce that.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(03 Apr 2020, 7:48 pm)Dan No. Go North East are following the Government’s advice and all office based staff who can work from home, are working from home.Fair enough. Hopefully the police carry out patrols around the areas (in part) where the stops on them routes are as part of their other patrols and keep an eye out for any large gatherings at several stops.
If bus users aren’t following the Government advice to stay at home, it isn’t for bus drivers (regardless of whether they’re a normal bus driver or an office based employee with a PCV licence) to enforce that.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(03 Apr 2020, 9:57 pm)Wybus I don’t know why they’d patrol bus stops. Patrolling the whole town would be sufficient (which they probably will) as you shouldn’t be driving there either.No doubt though that there'll be people queing in Walkergate, Wallsend, Howdon, Chirton and North Shields (Coaster route) to go for a "day out" in Tynemouth, Cullercoates and Whitley Bay. Police can close the beaches off but people will still try and go for a wander along the seafront.
(03 Apr 2020, 9:57 pm)Wybus I don’t know why they’d patrol bus stops. Patrolling the whole town would be sufficient (which they probably will) as you shouldn’t be driving there either.No doubt though that there'll be people queing in Walkergate, Wallsend, Howdon, Chirton and North Shields (Coaster route) to go for a "day out" in Tynemouth, Cullercoates and Whitley Bay. Police can close the beaches off but people will still try and go for a wander along the seafront.