(29 May 2020, 7:22 pm)ifm001 wrote H1 still in operation. Nexus contracted to Gateshead Central.   The H2 will never succeed as doing very similar to H1 in serving Jarrow and Hebburn and as H1 carries bare minimum passengers the H2 will be no different.

I'm aware that Nexus stepped in to fund it's continued operation, I was referring to GNE's commercial operation of the service which was withdrawn. Should I be correct in my assumption that the 925, 938 and H2 probably won't last, there's nothing to say that Nexus won't step in to fund the continued operation of these services either!

(29 May 2020, 7:05 pm)mb134 wrote I'm sorry but I don't see any passenger experience issues with low height E400s - I'm over 6ft and I don't have a huge issue on any of Arriva's low height E400s. 

In terms of not ordering low height Streetdecks, there's likely a number of reasons. Are they a similar height to low-height E400s? Is there a substantial cost difference? Did it change order time frames?

Same here, it's only really an issue IMO for the few seconds you have to walk down the aisle, the seats over the rear wheel arch is the only seat I find a tad claustrophobic, not helped by the bright interior lights but I just typically avoid that seat

(29 May 2020, 7:27 pm)peter wrote I'm aware that Nexus stepped in to fund it's continued operation, I was referring to GNE's commercial operation of the service which was withdrawn. Should I be correct in my assumption that the 925, 938 and H2 probably won't last, there's nothing to say that Nexus won't step in to fund the continued operation of these services either!

My guess is it'll be the classic pressure from the public to retain the links, they do this and come back a few months later and withdraw it due to low demand.

Delighted for the residents of tunstall bank estate that a 938 will run 8-6 daytimes. Wonder what will operate on it. Will it serve the current 38 route?
If the 39a can serve esdale from
Monday then it could serve tunstall bank estate only 3-4 minutes to get round. Tunstall bank still has the 2 2a 39 and Ed4. Would save the cost of another vehicle.

(29 May 2020, 10:09 pm)Acky81 wrote Delighted for the residents of tunstall bank estate that a 938 will run 8-6 daytimes. Wonder what will operate on it. Will it serve the current 38 route?
If the 39a can serve esdale from
Monday then it could serve tunstall bank estate only 3-4 minutes to get round. Tunstall bank still has the 2 2a 39 and Ed4. Would save the cost of another vehicle.

Here is the full route from the timetable on the "View all timetables from Monday 1 June" link - https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image...0%29_1.pdf

Monday to Friday and the Saturday timetables attached... although looks like the Saturday timetable is the same as Monday to Friday.

(29 May 2020, 9:38 pm)Jimmi wrote Same here, it's only really an issue IMO for the few seconds you have to walk down the aisle, the seats over the rear wheel arch is the only seat I find a tad claustrophobic, not helped by the bright interior lights but I just typically avoid that seatMy guess is it'll be the classic pressure from the public to retain the links, they do this and come back a few months later and withdraw it due to low demand. 

Of course it will be. Reinstating a token service with limited operating hours, which doesn't suit passenger needs - is only going to have one possible outcome.
It's a weak political gesture imo.

(30 May 2020, 9:54 am)Andreos1 wrote Of course it will be. Reinstating a token service with limited operating hours, which doesn't suit passenger needs - is only going to have one possible outcome.
It's a weak political gesture imo.

My guess is in a few months time Gne will want to withdraw it and Nexus will step in. Maybe will end up being run by Gateshead Central Taxis.

(27 May 2020, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote That's the 'longer term' plan (as well as evenings/Sundays on the 25).

For now we'll be running a Sunday service on a Saturday, and the current emergency timetables on a Sunday, until such a time that demand increases.

Is the longer term plan for an evening and Sunday 25 service for the full route, or just the Newcastle to Wrekenton section? There was a Sunday service on the 1 but not the 25 pre-coronavirus.

I wonder how the morning 91N will work now, as previously most journeys ran as a 1 as far as Newcastle, then ran a 91N to Team Valley before starting again as a 1 in Allerdene

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/tran...le-2873289

The people of Sunderland aren’t too happy with the recent timetable changes

(03 Jun 2020, 5:20 pm)TEN 6083 wrote https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/tran...le-2873289

The people of Sunderland aren’t too happy with the recent timetable changes

Moan moan moan, all Sunderland Council do.... -.-

(03 Jun 2020, 5:20 pm)TEN 6083 wrote https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/tran...le-2873289

The people of Sunderland aren’t too happy with the recent timetable changes

Copypasta article from the Echo earlier this week when Gateshead Council's leader was complaining as well. The fact is that the council will have been aware of these changes since March so they are hardly in a position to complain and shake their fist at GNE. It's not like they've had more than two months to object if they were against the plans.

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(03 Jun 2020, 5:55 pm)6049 wrote Copypasta article from the Echo earlier this week when Gateshead Council's leader was complaining as well. The fact is that the council will have been aware of these changes since March so they are hardly in a position to complain and shake their fist at GNE. It's not like they've had more than two months to object if they were against the plans.

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Wasn't it said that when the councils were first informed of the changed they had no issues, but now they're complaining?

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X20 timetable is now set up as X-Lines - https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west...1ec4b4.pdf

Hopefully the rest follow soon, although, i think this won't be until July 4th, when everything is open - due to more changes and evening/weekend service going back to normal.

(16 Jun 2020, 11:02 am)Michael wrote X20 timetable is now set up as X-Lines - https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west...1ec4b4.pdf

Hopefully the rest follow soon, although, i think this won't be until July 4th, when everything is open - due to more changes and evening/weekend service going back to normal.

Will be interesting to see whether or not the late evening X21 / X30 / X70 journeys will be re-instated. Perhaps not during these set of changes but maybe in the Autumn in the run up to Christmas.

(16 Jun 2020, 5:57 pm)L469 YVK wrote Will be interesting to see whether or not the late evening X21 / X30 / X70 journeys will be re-instated. Perhaps not during these set of changes but maybe in the Autumn in the run up to Christmas.

If pubs etc are opening on the 4th July although with social distancing, i would hope there would be some sort of night life would return.

Don't the X21/X30/X70 run their full evening timetable though maybe apart from a Sunday??

I noticed the news has been updated and its confirmed that "The 9" Citaro's (5326-5336) will now be allocated to the 9 and 35.


I wonder when 60 goes back to every 10 minutes, 4 (if the PVR is 4?) of the Red kite Steetlites will be allocated to the 61 (when they become free).

(21 Jun 2020, 9:38 pm)Michael wrote I noticed the news has been updated and its confirmed that "The 9" Citaro's (5326-5336) will now be allocated to the 9 and 35.


I wonder when 60 goes back to every 10 minutes, 4 (if the PVR is 4?) of the Red kite Steetlites will be allocated to the 61 (when they become free).

Yep 4 for the 61, would make sense to put the Red Kites on that, even if it's a nice route for the Mercs.

Does anyone know what the passenger numbers are like on the 925/938 and H2 since they started to run?

(10 Jul 2020, 3:24 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know what the passenger numbers are like on the 925/938 and H2 since they started to run?

I've only seen the 925 a few times, but empty on each occasion.

(10 Jul 2020, 4:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've only seen the 925 a few times, but empty on each occasion.

Hopefully picks up now everything is open/opening by end of the month!

(10 Jul 2020, 3:24 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know what the passenger numbers are like on the 925/938 and H2 since they started to run?

H2 running empty also when I've seen it. But runs similar to H1 which is empty too.

(10 Jul 2020, 3:24 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know what the passenger numbers are like on the 925/938 and H2 since they started to run?

Seen the 925 on a few occasions and yet to see anybody on it.
You get the uproar when the link to the QE was removed initially, but then when GNE maintain the link nobody uses it.

(10 Jul 2020, 6:05 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully picks up now everything is open/opening by end of the month!

To be fair, it only really goes to the hospital. Suppose with the kids being off school and most appointments being cancelled, it was never going to be a success in terms of passenger numbers.

The chances of it actually being a commercial success... Well, I think we know it's hardly gonna be the next money spinner.

(10 Jul 2020, 8:23 pm)big mac wrote Seen the 925 on a few occasions and yet to see anybody on it.
You get the uproar when the link to the QE was removed initially, but then when GNE maintain the link nobody uses it.

I agree. It seems the same with the 23. Seen a handful of people on it in Birtley and parts of Washington, but between Birtley, Eighton Banks and Springwell Village theres hardly a soul on it. Don't understand how routes like this survive when better used routes of the past were scrapped despitre having more passenger numbers!

(13 Jul 2020, 6:07 pm)Washingtonian wrote I agree. It seems the same with the 23. Seen a handful of people on it in Birtley and parts of Washington, but between Birtley, Eighton Banks and Springwell Village theres hardly a soul on it. Don't understand how routes like this survive when better used routes of the past were scrapped despitre having more passenger numbers!

If the amount of people who kicked off on social media actually translated into passenger numbers then it would be packed all day.
I do wonder how inconvenienced these people who complain really are sometimes by bus changes. I would say many probably only use the service on an occasional basis.

(10 Jul 2020, 8:23 pm)big mac wrote Seen the 925 on a few occasions and yet to see anybody on it.
You get the uproar when the link to the QE was removed initially, but then when GNE maintain the link nobody uses it.

I use it to travel to my hospital appointments, useful link.

Likewise with the 23, a useful link. When I used it to get to Galleries a few weeks ago, the driver used the 'Bus Full' screen by Springwell, despite continuing to pick people up...

(13 Jul 2020, 7:16 pm)big mac wrote If the amount of people who kicked off on social media actually translated into passenger numbers then it would be packed all day.
I do wonder how inconvenienced these people who complain really are sometimes by bus changes. I would say many probably only use the service on an occasional basis.

Genuinely think it's too simplistic to say that the 925 doesn't work and people only use it on an occasional basis.
A bit like the H1, the 925 won't attract the sorts of through passengers which supplement those going to and from the hospital (not just in one direction either).
Passengers have gone from having a frequent service (88 and 25), to an hourly service which doesn't run during evening visiting hours, isn't going to rock up after an outpatients visit and doesn't work with a range of shifts.
You've also got fares which mean it's probably cheaper to use a taxi if there's more than a couple going.
Then add in the fact the 925 was launched during the middle of a global pandemic, which meant hospital appointments and visits weren't an option and staff wouldnt be able to use it for obvious reasons. 

The 925 is never going to work and wouldn't even without coronavirus taking away any potential passengers. It's a token gesture like others have been. Some would say it is even designed to fail or to try and prove a point.

(13 Jul 2020, 9:26 pm)Andreos1 wrote Genuinely think it's too simplistic to say that the 925 doesn't work and people only use it on an occasional basis.
A bit like the H1, the 925 won't attract the sorts of through passengers which supplement those going to and from the hospital (not just in one direction either).
Passengers have gone from having a frequent service (88 and 25), to an hourly service which doesn't run during evening visiting hours, isn't going to rock up after an outpatients visit and doesn't work with a range of shifts.
You've also got fares which mean it's probably cheaper to use a taxi if there's more than a couple going.
Then add in the fact the 925 was launched during the middle of a global pandemic, which meant hospital appointments and visits weren't an option and staff wouldnt be able to use it for obvious reasons. 

The 925 is never going to work and wouldn't even without coronavirus taking away any potential passengers. It's a token gesture like others have been. Some would say it is even designed to fail or to try and prove a point.

That did occur to me, but with things as they are at the moment, would GNE really want to put on a commercial service that they know will fail just to stick two fingers up to those criticising their changes? Given the current circumstances you'd want to be saving all the money you can.

(13 Jul 2020, 9:39 pm)big mac wrote That did occur to me, but with things as they are at the moment, would GNE really want to put on a commercial service that they know will fail just to stick two fingers up to those criticising their changes? Given the current circumstances you'd want to be saving all the money you can.

Imagine the media outcry when those essential workers who have to use the 25 to work, suddenly had a faff on getting there, 'cos their bus to work was re-routed during a global pandemic?

I'm not saying they did do it that way to prove a point, but you can see why some would have those suspicions.

The Wrekenton - Harlow Green/Low Fell link could have been saved in so many other different ways. Ways, that wouldn't have necessarily seen the introduction of a new service and associated costs, just to maintain the Birtley South - QE connection.

Having just had another look at the timetable and the slack in it, I can't believe they're not sending it in to Barley Mow to penetrate the estate and potentially pick up extra passengers. Ditto at the other end and Windy Nook.
There will be people in those areas, who will need to get to the hospital once this covid19 is over with - yet are being ignored.
You have people on shifts in those areas, who may use public transport - but are being ignored.

You've then got the dinner break and 2 hour gap in service which would disrupt flow too.

Yet people wonder why it doesn't work?

(13 Jul 2020, 9:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote Imagine the media outcry when those essential workers who have to use the 25 to work, suddenly had a faff on getting there, 'cos their bus to work was re-routed during a global pandemic?

I'm not saying they did do it that way to prove a point, but you can see why some would have those suspicions.

The Wrekenton - Harlow Green/Low Fell link could have been saved in so many other different ways. Ways, that wouldn't have necessarily seen the introduction of a new service and associated costs, just to maintain the Birtley South - QE connection.

Having just had another look at the timetable and the slack in it, I can't believe they're not sending it in to Barley Mow to penetrate the estate and potentially pick up extra passengers. Ditto at the other end and Windy Nook.
There will be people in those areas, who will need to get to the hospital once this covid19 is over with - yet are being ignored.
You have people on shifts in those areas, who may use public transport - but are being ignored.

You've then got the dinner break and 2 hour gap in service which would disrupt flow too.

Yet people wonder why it doesn't work?

Same thing is true about 938 in Sunderland, the only unique place it serves is Tunstall Bank Estate, it follows the 38 for most of it's journey, then ends up following the 39A through Esdale estate. In the case of the 938 especially, I don't see why they couldn't just pay GNE to extend the 38/38A back to Tunstall Bank, rather then have a bus just follow around commercial services before serving an estate that has 8 buses an hour on the main road 50 metres away. Complete waste of time.