42/42A

Mod note: Thread had become way off-topic. I've moved posts around Newcastle congestion and delays to a new thread: https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showt...p?tid=3419

Thanks bossman

https://flic.kr/p/2m2AG5G Gateshead Central Taxis Has Used YX18 KUD On The New Summer 333 Timetable

I'm hoping to use route 319 next week as it is an interesting route going under the Tyne Tunnel. I am just concerned as GCT is not well rated on here.

I have seen pix of some some tidy minibuses on Flickr.

(31 May 2021, 6:37 pm)Metroline1511 wrote I'm hoping to use route 319 next week as it is an interesting route going under the Tyne Tunnel.  I am just concerned as GCT is not well rated on here.

I have seen pix of some some tidy minibuses on Flickr.

GCT is hit and miss. Definitely give the 319 a go next week.

Some of their minibuses are nice. They are tidy, but not the best to ride.

(31 May 2021, 6:37 pm)Metroline1511 wrote I'm hoping to use route 319 next week as it is an interesting route going under the Tyne Tunnel.  I am just concerned as GCT is not well rated on here.

I have seen pix of some some tidy minibuses on Flickr.

Just don't get your heart set on it turning up, and you'll be fine.

(31 May 2021, 6:37 pm)Metroline1511 wrote I'm hoping to use route 319 next week as it is an interesting route going under the Tyne Tunnel.  I am just concerned as GCT is not well rated on here.

I have seen pix of some some tidy minibuses on Flickr.

If you get the 319 back to Jarrow, you could then take the 27 3 minutes to the pedestrian tunnel, and then have a nice stroll back to Howdon on foot.

(31 May 2021, 7:39 pm)ifm001 wrote If you get the 319 back to Jarrow, you could then take the 27 3 minutes to the pedestrian tunnel, and then have a nice stroll back to Howdon on foot.

I was planning to use route 27 and North Shields Ferry.  So I may work something out to walk through Tyne Tunnel, even if just for the novelty.

Hope you're feeling fit walking up those escalators takes some doing! Good news is there is a lift as well.

Charles

Gateshead Central Taxis didn't seem to be operating the 32A this afternoon. I saw an E200MMC this morning, but nothing this afternoon. Buses were running late, but the 32A appeared to have retired for the day! Anyone know anything?

(06 Jun 2021, 8:43 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Gateshead Central Taxis didn't seem to be operating the 32A this afternoon. I saw an E200MMC this morning, but nothing this afternoon. Buses were running late, but the 32A appeared to have retired for the day! Anyone know anything?

They didn't appear to be operating at least one board on the 41 either for most of the day, and there was one 11 that either didn't operate or was extremely late. The standards seem to be getting worse to the point where they are barely providing a service.

(07 Jun 2021, 10:11 am)Thomas12 wrote They didn't appear to be operating at least one board on the 41 either for most of the day, and there was one 11 that either didn't operate or was extremely late. The standards seem to be getting worse to the point where they are barely providing a service.

I think it's unacceptable GCT not operating services Nexus claim are essential for the community. Like you said, they aren't really providing much of a service. None of their services are reliable. Sincerely hope they lose the 32A, and the 84/84A in March (if not sooner).

I wonder if the reason they still haven't started sharing their data is because it'll be way easier for them to be caught out not running services.

The chances of people noticing that they aren't actually running the services are fairly slim (since if a significant number of people wanted to use them, they wouldn't be supported by Nexus), so really at the minute the only real way for bus stalkers, sorry enthusiasts, to stand alongside the route and see if they actually turn up!

On Friday just gone, the first two 19 services they were due to operate didn't run as apparently a few drivers had rang in sick, then for the rest of night it was hourly instead of half hourly

Tbh gct are starting to show they don't care anymore. I ain't saying nothing lr thinking stuff but someone at gct has to be given nexus & vosa a backhand of money. Since they seem to win more contracts

(07 Jun 2021, 8:23 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Tbh gct are starting to show they don't care anymore. I ain't saying nothing lr thinking stuff but someone at gct has to be given nexus & vosa a backhand of money. Since they seem to win more contracts

Oh, please shut up. You honestly don't contribute anything useful on this forum. GCT never cared from the start. After saying you're saying nothing and thinking nothing you say what has already been said, like weeks ago. We don't know what's going on at GCT or Nexus, but in short, they have too many contracts and can't operate them all.

Heard a few grumblings about some of the Washington service missing or early/late. Bloke was waiting for the 85 at the other night, was there a few mins before it was due, and he was still there 15mins later. Last time I saw him, he was looking the other way to see if it was running on its way back from Brady Square.

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(09 Jun 2021, 12:47 am)6049 wrote Heard a few grumblings about some of the Washington service missing or early/late. Bloke was waiting for the 85 at the other night, was there a few mins before it was due, and he was still there 15mins later. Last time I saw him, he was looking the other way to see if it was running on its way back from Brady Square.

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Nexus should have standards for contracts such as:
.Contracts must always operate to the route and must show up except in exceptional circumstances

.buses should be euro 5 or up

.The contract must be operated by the operator it is Contracted for exept in exceptional circumstances (such as if the company is suffering from driver and/or driver shortages they are encouraged to hire a bus and/or driver from another company)

And if operators don't meet thos standard they get stripped of their contracts.

(09 Jun 2021, 6:30 am)GNE6312 wrote Nexus should have standards for contracts such as:
.Contracts must always operate to the route and must show up except in exceptional circumstances

.buses should be euro 5 or up

.The contract must be operated by the operator it is Contracted for exept in exceptional circumstances (such as if the company is suffering from driver and/or driver shortages they are encouraged to hire a bus and/or driver from another company)

And if operators don't meet thos standard they get stripped of their contracts.

Well you're not likely to get a contract that allows you to optionally turn up for a scheduled service!  

In all seriousness though, there's a contract and a specification between Nexus and the operator. Its up to Nexus to ensure that the contract is being fulfilled to specification.

I’m not suggesting this is the case but we have an agreement with clients and vice versa at work at the moment to lower service levels if we’re impacted by Covid (self isolating mainly) It’s fairly open to abuse to lower headcount, save some cash and continue to legally fulfil the contract

It’s potentially what we’re seeing here, one small outbreak of isolation case at GCT and you can see how services would be impacted.

(09 Jun 2021, 9:55 pm)Ambassador wrote I’m not suggesting this is the case but we have an agreement with clients and vice versa at work at the moment to lower service levels if we’re impacted by Covid (self isolating mainly) It’s fairly open to abuse to lower headcount, save some cash and continue to legally fulfil the contract

It’s potentially what we’re seeing here, one small outbreak of isolation case at GCT and you can see how services would be impacted.

I think many businesses had the same arrangements in place with customers last year, after a lot of frantic reviewing of BCPs.

You'd however expect those cases to be referred to as either timetable changes or disruptions on the Nexus website. In the cases listed above, I couldn't see anything: https://www.nexus.org.uk/bus

Supposedly 10 members of staff have left within the last fortnight. More have apparently been taken on but seemingly not fast enough unfortunately.

Does concern me how many have left in such a short period of time for a firm the size of GCT although think some just hated the shifts especially as they run for most of the day, 7 days a week now.

(10 Jun 2021, 3:15 pm)Jimmi wrote Supposedly 10 members of staff have left within the last fortnight. More have apparently been taken on but seemingly not fast enough unfortunately.

Does concern me how many have left in such a short period of time for a firm the size of GCT although think some just hated the shifts especially as they run for most of the day, 7 days a week now.

What the chances they start losing contracts now.

(10 Jun 2021, 3:31 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote What the chances they start losing contracts now.

I'm going with slim to none

They wont lose contracts just because 10 people have left the company

With the reputation GCT have I wonder how easy it'll be for them to re-fill those roles

I did see a 319 yesterday but had planned my itinerary not to need it. As it is buses, trains and land scenery I like rather than boats and water, I didn't use the ferry either. I did North and South Shields on different days, North on Wednesday and South yesterday.

As an aside, I even went back to the same ice cream place in South Shields as in 2017!

(09 Jun 2021, 12:47 am)6049 wrote Heard a few grumblings about some of the Washington service missing or early/late. Bloke was waiting for the 85 at the other night, was there a few mins before it was due, and he was still there 15mins later. Last time I saw him, he was looking the other way to see if it was running on its way back from Brady Square.

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Update: it didn't run in other direction, and apparently the complaint to Nexus fell on deaf ears.

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(15 Jun 2021, 9:00 am)6049 wrote Update: it didn't run in other direction, and apparently the complaint to Nexus fell on deaf ears.

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Sounds about right,you'll get absolutely nowhere with Nexus