I dont normally get defensive,but im sorry,why are people acting like GNE are the only bus company that make mistakes,they all do it,but atleast GNE damn well trying,whilst also trying to recover from the damage Covid has caused,like MG said,they had to make tough decisions,and they cant please everyone,if some people had it their way,there would be a bus to everywhere,even if it carries fresh air

(29 Jul 2021, 9:06 pm)V514DFT wrote I dont normally get defensive,but im sorry,why are people acting like GNE are the only bus company that make mistakes,they all do it,but atleast GNE damn well trying,whilst also trying to recover from the damage Covid has caused,like MG said,they had to make tough decisions,and they cant please everyone,if some people had it their way,there would be a bus to everywhere,even if it carries fresh air

They change stuff too much that's why and the majority of the time it isn't for the better and some people who actually rely on them get sick of it. Can't comment whether these are good yet but there will be some losers. Compare that to the other big 2 and their networks barely change, Stagecoach Newcastle in particular. Arriva's North of the Tyne has been pretty stable since the changes awhile back now aswell and even then half the routes are the same as they were for decades.

I know it'll all be blamed on Covid but it's been happening for years now you just have to look at some corridor like the 6/M6/M7/M8/16/16A/X30 corridor which has had about 10 changes now since the old 43/44 days which had the same routes for years and actually worked (bar congestion). If you lived anywhere on those routes, you'd be sick to death of the changes and it seems to be happening again.

(29 Jul 2021, 9:00 pm)Adrian wrote To be fair, I'd say its far from being uncommon for one person in an organisation to have responsibility for managing a contract. An account manager, if you like.

Rainton nPower has been on a ramping down of operations for a good 12+ months now. Most people left at the end were on retainers and holding out for a package, so you can hardly blame them for not having the same level of enthusiasm as the bus operator may have.

The main point surely is that a need has been identified and its been quickly corrected, and I'm sure there'll be further discussions around that.

I'm more alarmed that Sunderland City Council didn't know they had let one of their flagship office spaces out, but I think we both know the degree of which a 'not my job' attitude can exist in large public sector organisations.

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Ah I know that, I was only pulling Daniel's leg.

As JP6004 mentioned earlier, the site has been more or less empty for a year now.
However, it doesn't take away the fact that someone, somewhere hasn't done due diligence and mistakes have been made. Hopefully lessons have been learned and it doesn't happen again. 

I agree that the connections being maintained is a good thing. It is a massive positive.
As I said earlier, pleasing that concerns at depot level were listened to and acted on.
What I didn't say, it that I think it's extremely impressive that they've acted so quickly to reverse those changes.

Services to key employment locations are key imo. Even if it is 1 mile diversion, passing through on the way to somewhere else.
Whether having the X20 and 35 shadow each other to/from Rainton Bridge is the best option over other services/routes, well that's probably for another part of the forum.
They will take some traffic off the road, but they probably won't help the 4 or 71 getting stuck in queues of commuter traffic through FPF territory.

(29 Jul 2021, 9:21 pm)Storx wrote They change stuff too much that's why and the majority of the time it isn't for the better and some people who actually rely on them get sick of it. Can't comment whether these are good yet but there will be some losers. Compare that to the other big 2 and their networks barely change, Stagecoach Newcastle in particular. Arriva's North of the Tyne has been pretty stable since the changes awhile back now aswell and even then half the routes are the same as they were for decades.

I know it'll all be blamed on Covid but it's been happening for years now you just have to look at some corridor like the 6/M6/M7/M8/16/16A/X30 corridor which has had about 10 changes now since the old 43/44 days which had the same routes for years and actually worked (bar congestion). If you lived anywhere on those routes, you'd be sick to death of the changes and it seems to be happening again.

I say this as someone not wholly convinced by branding etc, but surely some recognition for that they're the only operator trying to innovate and boost patronage? This bus industry *needs* organic growth - there's no ifs and buts there, but I'm seeing nothing from any of the other operators and even Nexus.

On Arriva, and speaking as someone who lives on one of their uncontested corridors, I'd suggest their actions are actively discouraging people from using public transport. Enjoy your trip to work in a crammed mini bus, forced to smell someone's arm pit. I'd love to be resident in Brandon right now, being able to switch to a big modern GNE decker with plenty of space.

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(29 Jul 2021, 9:30 pm)Adrian wrote I say this as someone not wholly convinced by branding etc, but surely some recognition for that they're the only operator trying to innovate and boost patronage? This bus industry *needs* organic growth - there's no ifs and buts there, but I'm seeing nothing from any of the other operators and even Nexus.

On Arriva, and speaking as someone who lives on one of their uncontested corridors, I'd suggest their actions are actively discouraging people from using public transport. Enjoy your trip to work in a crammed mini bus, forced to smell someone's arm pit. I'd love to be resident in Brandon right now, being able to switch to a big modern GNE decker with plenty of space.

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Has the 21 extension been confirmed?

(29 Jul 2021, 9:30 pm)Adrian wrote I say this as someone not wholly convinced by branding etc, but surely some recognition for that they're the only operator trying to innovate and boost patronage? This bus industry *needs* organic growth - there's no ifs and buts there, but I'm seeing nothing from any of the other operators and even Nexus.

On Arriva, and speaking as someone who lives on one of their uncontested corridors, I'd suggest their actions are actively discouraging people from using public transport. Enjoy your trip to work in a crammed mini bus, forced to smell someone's arm pit. I'd love to be resident in Brandon right now, being able to switch to a big modern GNE decker with plenty of space.

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Not sure that's entirely fair - SNE have their bizarre 19 in Sunderland and the changes to the Shields 10 & 11 (and the oddly unpublicised open top offering on the Es).  By Stagecoach standards, that is a lot more than we've seen even pre-pandemic (plus the further branching out into Nexus contract terrirtory).  No denying GNE are the most proactive in this area, but certainly not true to say they are the only ones doing anything.

(29 Jul 2021, 9:30 pm)Adrian wrote I say this as someone not wholly convinced by branding etc, but surely some recognition for that they're the only operator trying to innovate and boost patronage? This bus industry *needs* organic growth - there's no ifs and buts there, but I'm seeing nothing from any of the other operators and even Nexus.

On Arriva, and speaking as someone who lives on one of their uncontested corridors, I'd suggest their actions are actively discouraging people from using public transport. Enjoy your trip to work in a crammed mini bus, forced to smell someone's arm pit. I'd love to be resident in Brandon right now, being able to switch to a big modern GNE decker with plenty of space.

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Yeah no arguments, in fairness Arriva North East and Arriva Northumbria always feel like they're two totally different companies and I know more people on here are from the former. I live on the X7 up Blyth way and in general there's not much more you really could do in fairness to them and there's not much you really could complain about it either bar the non-MAX Pulsars which have turned up from Durham which are a mess especially 1407. God knows what on earth happens down there.

Agreed that Arriva, Nexus and Stagecoach are falling asleep though, the last who doesn't get much critisism when it should especially with ALX 300's still running on flagship services and buses which haven't been refurbished for 10+ years now and are seriously outdated. Can't fault GNE there. I just think they change things way too much but these could be positive for once so I'll wait to judge instead of jumping on little things like the earlier discussion.

I was looking on the Sunderland map to see what colour the 39 is, don’t know if it’s just me but I can’t see the 39 anywhere , is the 39 up for withdrawl?


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(30 Jul 2021, 7:11 am)cbma06 wrote I was looking on the Sunderland map to see what colour the 39 is, don’t know if it’s just me but I can’t see the 39 anywhere , is the 39 up for withdrawl?


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The fare offer is for August, and the service changes are for September; I don't think we can draw any conclusions from the fare zone maps about the September service patterns.

(30 Jul 2021, 8:37 am)missedbus wrote The fare offer is for August, and the service changes are for September; I don't think we can draw any conclusions from the fare zone maps about the September service patterns.

I was pointing out that GNE 39 route was missed off the map, so it looked like service 39 wasn’t going to operate from August but it was an error from GNE and there going to sort it out


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I don't know if it true but after speaking to a driver on 9. Was told 9 from September will nolonger serve Hebburn and will go as far as Jarrow and change number.

Wounder what will replace 9 Jarrow to Lukes Lane.

(30 Jul 2021, 11:14 am)Panasonic44 wrote I don't know if it true but after speaking to a driver on 9. Was told 9 from September will nolonger serve Hebburn and will go as far as Jarrow and change number.

Wounder what will replace 9 Jarrow to Lukes Lane.

As mentioned previously
The 9 will be revised to terminate at Jarrow. Upon arrival in Jarrow from Sunderland, buses off the 9 will then work onto the 5 to South Shields.
The Jarrow-Lukes Lane section will be covered by revised 26 - operated by Washington depot interworking with the 50 in South Shields

Out of curiosity, what's happening to the two morning and two evening X32 Stanley - Team Valley - Newcastle runs?

Is the 47 staying at Consett or will it be moving back to Riverside?

Mod note: I've moved the discussion around passenger numbers, decline and growth into a renamed 'Reversing the decline in passenger numbers' thread.

(30 Jul 2021, 11:18 am)Kuyoyo wrote As mentioned previously
The 9 will be revised to terminate at Jarrow. Upon arrival in Jarrow from Sunderland, buses off the 9 will then work onto the 5 to South Shields.
The Jarrow-Lukes Lane section will be covered by revised 26 - operated by Washington depot interworking with the 50 in South Shields

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Thanks for info. Sorry didn't know it was mentioned.

Does mean that 5 and 9 use Streetlite? 
26 and 50 using scanias omincity and will 26 lose Cruasder Brand?

Since the 26 is going to Washington. Does this mean the 27 will now be fully allocated Crusader

(30 Jul 2021, 2:23 pm)Train8261 wrote Since the 26 is going to Washington. Does this mean the 27 will now be fully allocated Crusader

I would have thought so

(30 Jul 2021, 1:07 pm)michaelb wrote Is the 47 staying at Consett or will it be moving back to Riverside?

Consett will still operate it.

So I presume the 47 will lose it's Xlines spec vehicles?

(30 Jul 2021, 3:40 pm)streetdeckfan wrote So I presume the 47 will lose it's Xlines spec vehicles?

Would of thought so, maybe all 15 B5s will transfer over, 16/16a will only need 8 buses so maybe the remaing can go onto the 47/47a.

(30 Jul 2021, 4:04 pm)Stanleyone wrote Would of thought so, maybe all 15 B5s will transfer over, 16/16a will only need 8 buses so maybe the remaing can go onto the 47/47a.

How will Consett manage the driver changeovers?

I take it will be a Blackhall Mill Circular (allowing running time to be saved)? That should allow the service to only operate with a PVR of 4x.

(30 Jul 2021, 4:11 pm)L469 YVK wrote How will Consett manage the driver changeovers?

I take it will be a Blackhall Mill Circular (allowing running time to be saved)? That should allow the service to only operate with a PVR of 4x.

By doing them at Consett?

(30 Jul 2021, 4:11 pm)L469 YVK wrote How will Consett manage the driver changeovers?

I take it will be a Blackhall Mill Circular (allowing running time to be saved)? That should allow the service to only operate with a PVR of 4x.

The minibus network is also changing at Consett, we currently have a V9 running to Blackhall Mill. Would it make sense to join the 2 services and create a full route.

(30 Jul 2021, 4:22 pm)Stanleyone wrote The minibus network is also changing at Consett, we currently have a V9 running to Blackhall Mill. Would it make sense to join the 2 services and create a full route.

Would one be correct in presuming that this is where the comments relating to Shotley Bridge hospital mentioned in MGs video yesterday originate from then?

(30 Jul 2021, 4:04 pm)Stanleyone wrote Would of thought so, maybe all 15 B5s will transfer over, 16/16a will only need 8 buses so maybe the remaing can go onto the 47/47a.

The B5’s or only euro5, if the 47/47a goes into Newcastle then there need to be euro6 buses, hence why the B5’s are coming off the coaster to go on a service which doesn’t touch Newcastle, that’s why the coasters are getting streetlites from deptford as there are euro6


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(30 Jul 2021, 4:43 pm)cbma06 wrote The B5’s or only euro5, if the 47/47a goes into Newcastle then there need to be euro6 buses, hence why the B5’s are coming off the coaster to go on a service which doesn’t touch Newcastle, that’s why the coasters are getting streetlites from deptford as there are euro6


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Good point, didn't think that.

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(30 Jul 2021, 4:40 pm)S813 FVK wrote Would one be correct in presuming that this is where the comments relating to Shotley Bridge hospital mentioned in MGs video yesterday originate from then?

It will be.

(30 Jul 2021, 4:43 pm)cbma06 wrote The B5’s or only euro5, if the 47/47a goes into Newcastle then there need to be euro6 buses, hence why the B5’s are coming off the coaster to go on a service which doesn’t touch Newcastle, that’s why the coasters are getting streetlites from deptford as there are euro6


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The rest of the B5s were supposedly getting upgraded to Euro 6 if the trial vehicle was successful, but I'm guessing since they're getting moved to an area that doesn't require Euro 6 that won't be happening

I wonder if the 47 will get the Streetlites back, whenever I've used I haven't seen passenger numbers to justify a decker

(30 Jul 2021, 5:00 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The rest of the B5s were supposedly getting upgraded to Euro 6 if the trial vehicle was successful, but I'm guessing since they're getting moved to an area that doesn't require Euro 6 that won't be happening

I wonder if the 47 will get the Streetlites back, whenever I've used I haven't seen passenger numbers to justify a decker

If you have alook on GNE fleet list you be able to see which buses are euro 6 etc… on the right hand side.

https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...202021.pdf


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(30 Jul 2021, 5:00 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The rest of the B5s were supposedly getting upgraded to Euro 6 if the trial vehicle was successful, but I'm guessing since they're getting moved to an area that doesn't require Euro 6 that won't be happening

I wonder if the 47 will get the Streetlites back, whenever I've used I haven't seen passenger numbers to justify a decker

It might be the case they woukdnt have enough time to upgrade them to euro 6 before the CAZ is introduced