https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...48672?s=19

This sounds amazing

(28 May 2021, 11:40 am)Micheal Aaron wrote https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...48672?s=19

This sounds amazing

Will the one on the ToonTour have a live guide then, or does it have a commentary/NSA system fitted?

(28 May 2021, 11:49 am)ne14ne1 wrote Will the one on the ToonTour have a live guide then, or does it have a commentary/NSA system fitted?

If you wanted commentary would you not just get on the normal Toon Tour?

(28 May 2021, 11:40 am)Micheal Aaron wrote https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...48672?s=19

This sounds amazing

Not to folk who need easy access - unless they plan on running a dupe on the B1 of course.

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(28 May 2021, 11:54 am)mb134 wrote Not to folk who need easy access - unless they plan on running a dupe on the B1 of course.

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You really think they're going to run a bus with no wheelchair access by itself?

(28 May 2021, 12:07 pm)deanmachine wrote You really think they're going to run a bus with no wheelchair access by itself?

There's no mention of it in the press release? You'd think they'd put something along the lines of "don't worry if you require wheelchair access, the B1 will also be ran with an accessible bus".

(28 May 2021, 11:54 am)citaro5284 wrote If you wanted commentary would you not just get on the normal Toon Tour?

If it’s a duplicate run, yes. Is it?

Surely it'll be a requirement by law to run a dupe with it to meet DDA standards

(28 May 2021, 4:04 pm)V514DFT wrote Surely it'll be a requirement by law to run a dupe with it to meet DDA standards

Do ordinary punters know that?

Dear me we are a bunch of miserable buggers in here sometimes aren’t we.

I’m fairly sure on the off chance a wheelchair turned up or a buggy that couldn’t be folded an alternative arrangement would be made by the service centre.

Plus. It's a vintage bus on a service u wouldn't see it on. For all we know they have thought about it. Just be happy to ride a vintage bus that u won't probably won't be able to for a while

(28 May 2021, 5:10 pm)Ambassador wrote Dear me we are a bunch of miserable buggers in here sometimes aren’t we.

I’m fairly sure on the off chance a wheelchair turned up or a buggy that couldn’t be folded an alternative arrangement would be made by the service centre.

Sadly there are some folk who will criticise no matter what GNE do.

Have to agree, have to wonder why bus companies bother with all the negativity especially from some enthusiasts.

Valid questions to ask, surely?

Unless we're assuming that everybody posting on this forum is able-bodied.

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(28 May 2021, 5:37 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Have to agree, have to wonder why bus companies bother with all the negativity especially from some enthusiasts.

Not sure there's any negativity to be fair.
There's questions and comments relating to real life situations and people who could be affected.
For all we know, some of the members of this group (although enthusiasts) could be directly affected.
Yet there's no clear guidance on what measures are in place for those people affected.

Call it constructive criticism and give them a 6/10 for effort.

Not trying to be funny but can't imagine there exactly being much demand anyway, Beamish isn't exactly the place for a wheelchair user regardless as it's simply too big and I'm sure if there's a wheelchair user who pops up they can be directly the 28/28A or a taxi provided instead.

(28 May 2021, 5:56 pm)Storx wrote Not trying to be funny but can't imagine there exactly being much demand anyway, Beamish isn't exactly the place for a wheelchair user regardless as it's simply too big and I'm sure if there's a wheelchair user who pops up they can be directly the 28/28A or a taxi provided instead.

Oh. Best not cater for wheelchair users then, as they probably won't go.... *sigh*

This is exactly why communication should be clear, so that those who have accessibility requirements can plan in advance. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think how you'd feel being turned away, because in the absence of being told otherwise, you still expect an accessible bus to turn up.

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I think this is a great idea of what GNE are doing and should do stuff like this more often, would be great to see them put not just the routemaster but other heratige buses on other routes like the 21, TVT, X lines and even heratige coaches on the Xlines network so often would be great to do on weekends and school holidays

(28 May 2021, 5:59 pm)Adrian wrote Oh. Best not cater for wheelchair users then, as they probably won't go.... *sigh*

This is exactly why communication should be clear, so that those who have accessibility requirements can plan in advance. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think how you'd feel being turned away, because in the absence of being told otherwise, you still expect an accessible bus to turn up.

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Oh can't argue against that. That was more about running a duplicate service instead. Personally it should be sold as a heritage service if that's what they want to go for, be a big selling bus, 'get the vintage bus to Beamish, customers requiring accessible journeys please use our 28/28A or 8 services instead'. Bit like the 15H down in London which sadly has just recently been scrapped as cost cutting by TFL.

No arguments about lack of communication.

If it's well promoted then it could be a winning formula. Good to see proactive thinking from Go North East.

Question is will the public be able to get a seat or will they all be taken by excitable enthusiasts?

Charles

(28 May 2021, 7:03 pm)Charles41 wrote If it's well promoted then it could be a winning formula. Good to see proactive thinking from Go North East.

Question is will the public be able to get a seat or will they all be taken by excitable enthusiasts? 

Charles

Call me a cynic, but isn't that what all of the tweets and sycophanctic likes & rt's are for?
Unless you're in a wheelchair. Then who knows what happens. 

It's the press releases that get the public excited or interested. 
Half arsed PR jobs that don't actually tell the ordinary punter that they can (or can't) go for a day out don't achieve anything other than enthusiast froth.

(28 May 2021, 7:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Call me a cynic, but isn't that what all of the tweets and sycophanctic likes & rt's are for?
Unless you're in a wheelchair. Then who knows what happens. 

It's the press releases that get the public excited or interested. 
Half arsed PR jobs that don't actually tell the ordinary punter that they can (or can't) go for a day out don't achieve anything other than enthusiast froth.

I did ask the question on twitter, but seem to have been ignored. Take from that what you will.

My question regarding if there would be a live guide on the routemaster wasn’t a dig, I was genuinely curious.
If I was visiting a city and got on an open top tour to find no commentary I’d want my money back. 
If however this routemaster has no live guide/announcement system but is ran as a duplicate and passengers are given the choice, then fair enough.

And re the comment about Beamish not being for the disabled, Beamish went to the lengths of adapting their vintage yellow single decker to enable wheelchairs to be loaded into the back!

(28 May 2021, 7:44 pm)Adrian wrote I did ask the question on twitter, but seem to have been ignored. Take from that what you will.

But at least we all know that a vehicle may be substituted without notice.
They managed to get that in the small print.

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(28 May 2021, 8:13 pm)ne14ne1 wrote My question regarding if there would be a live guide on the routemaster wasn’t a dig, I was genuinely curious.
If I was visiting a city and got on an open top tour to find no commentary I’d want my money back. 
If however this routemaster has no live guide/announcement system but is ran as a duplicate and passengers are given the choice, then fair enough.

And re the comment about Beamish not being for the disabled, Beamish went to the lengths of adapting their vintage yellow single decker to enable wheelchairs to be loaded into the back!

All valid comments/points/questions imo.

Whilst I think it is a novel idea to try and get a few extra bums on seats and is a good PR move, the lack of clarity in regards to access requirements is somewhat concerning... whilst the B1 & ToonTour are effectively tourist services they realistically should still be meeting PSVAR laws as they were designed to prevent such inconveniences for those that require wheelchair access and the like.

Not been given much in the way of advance notice for this occurring either with only one posting on each social media account around lunchtime today for something happening tomorrow where plans may have already been made.

I doubt it will be an issue BUT if it were to be, I wonder how the situation were to be handled?

The fact these heritage buses are seen as more desirable does seem to put rose tinted spectacles on the matter, if this was an operator just checking out a 25 year old scholars Volvo Olympian for example, this would raise some questions and just be seen as pure ignorance to disabled passengers.

If the provision of low floor accessibility is provided alongside the heritage offerings then I see no issues with this and I don't mean wait half an hour for the next Toon Tour bus as some would suggest they do, just a little footnote to provide some clarity would be nice. This may be seen as cynical enthusiast twisting to many but for things like accessibility, operators should be held accountable to do things within the PSVAR requirements (I'm aware of the 20 day rule allowing the use of non complaint buses but this should be used as a last resort as opposed to a rule to exploit).

In answer to some of the questions here...  the Toon Tour duplicate will not have a running commentary provided by the conductor, instead passengers will be provided with a printed copy of the Toon Tour commentary to read though if they wish to do so.  The regular Toon Tour B7 will be running along side the RM providing wheelchair accommodation and the option for passengers to pay by contactless card.  

As for the B1, 8319 will be sitting at Gateshead to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle should the need arise 

And of course this all complies with part F of the public service vehicle accessibility regulations 2000, UK statutory instrument No 1970, part II, regulation 4.  Allowing a non PSVAR compliant vehicle to be used on local bus services providing they are over 20 years old and for no more than 20 days per annum.  

A lot of work has gone into the planning of this weekend and we hope this provides a bit of excitement and fun after what has been a difficult time for all.

(29 May 2021, 5:43 am)James_D wrote In answer to some of the questions here...  the Toon Tour duplicate will not have a running commentary provided by the conductor, instead passengers will be provided with a printed copy of the Toon Tour commentary to read though if they wish to do so.  The regular Toon Tour B7 will be running along side the RM providing wheelchair accommodation and the option for passengers to pay by contactless card.  

As for the B1, 8319 will be sitting at Gateshead to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle should the need arise 

And of course this all complies with part F of the public service vehicle accessibility regulations 2000, UK statutory instrument No 1970, part II, regulation 4.  Allowing a non PSVAR compliant vehicle to be used on local bus services providing they are over 20 years old and for no more than 20 days per annum.  

A lot of work has gone into the planning of this weekend and we hope this provides a bit of excitement and fun after what has been a difficult time for all.

Thanks. It's something positive to do, no taking away from that, but I guess the feedback for future is to ensure accessibility requirements are not forgotten about. Legislation might allow for it, but if an alternative wasn't provided, then that doesn't mean an awful lot to a wheelchair user being left at the side of the road.

Customer Services provided a similar response this morning, all of which should have been on the website (but a good response, nonetheless): "the heritage bus on the Toon Tour is a duplicate which will run behind the normal Toon Tour bus, but the heritage bus on the B1 service will run by itself. If a passenger requiring low-floor access wishes to travel, we'll have the ordinary low-floor bus on standby."

To follow on from the above, this was superbly managed on the ground today. The Toon Tour especially seemed to be well-received and very popular. The vintage bus ran in a pair with one of the accessible buses, so nobody was missed out on the route.

There was no commentary or MC on the Routemaster, but commentary sheets were given out. Those who wanted commentary were directed to the normal Toon Tour bus.
Pleased that this year, the Toon Tour is included in the standard ticketing range. Unlike Edinburgh or London for example, there isn't an awful lot to see by way of tourist attractions in Newcastle itself, so it doesn't really warrant a ticket of its own.

So its a well-done from me, but hopefully the feedback about putting accessibility information on the website is taken on board.

(29 May 2021, 7:25 pm)Adrian wrote To follow on from the above, this was superbly managed on the ground today. The Toon Tour especially seemed to be well-received and very popular. The vintage bus ran in a pair with one of the accessible buses, so nobody was missed out on the route.

There was no commentary or MC on the Routemaster, but commentary sheets were given out. Those who wanted commentary were directed to the normal Toon Tour bus.
Pleased that this year, the Toon Tour is included in the standard ticketing range. Unlike Edinburgh or London for example, there isn't an awful lot to see by way of tourist attractions in Newcastle itself, so it doesn't really warrant a ticket of its own.

So its a well-done from me, but hopefully the feedback about putting accessibility information on the website is taken on board. 

Pleasing to hear that there was a tandem/dupe operation.
I saw the TT earlier today, but didn't see the Routemaster. According to the driver, what was the 1535 off Central was the last run of the day. Despite the timetable stating otherwise.

I had no idea normal tickets were accepted mind.

(28 May 2021, 5:59 pm)Adrian wrote Oh. Best not cater for wheelchair users then, as they probably won't go.... *sigh*

This is exactly why communication should be clear, so that those who have accessibility requirements can plan in advance. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think how you'd feel being turned away, because in the absence of being told otherwise, you still expect an accessible bus to turn up.

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This is why we still need a thumbs up icon.