(23 Aug 2021, 2:10 pm)Andreos1 wrote Surely the aim of the game is to inform non-passenger of these changes too?
Putting leaflets and brochures in places where passengers go, is all well and good - but if they're wanting to increase numbers and use the changes for a positive (rather than cut costs), then those who would be positively affected by these changes - need to know about them.

The people of Catchgate need to know there's a quicker bus to Newcastle. Then, if that's where they are wanting to go, they know there's now a quicker, potentially more attractive alternative. 
Ditto for those in Murton and needing to get to Durham and the more frequent offer available.

I'd say it's probably a different approach to reaching out to those who aren't customers (yet). You'd probably want to market the 'new' network, rather than informing them about changes to a network that they don't currently use. In addition to the good adverts that have been appearing for Xlines and such like, it'd be good to see some traditional communication too, such as leaflet drops, timetables/guides/maps in public areas and so on.

Even for current bus users, there's got to be a better way of making information available. There's nothing at bus stop infrastructure for example, even at bus stations and on the info screens, to advise of the service changes. That is of course somewhat out of the operators hands, but in a 'joined up network' that the politicians so desire, there needs to be more forward thinking in this area.

(23 Aug 2021, 2:26 pm)Adrian wrote I'd say it's probably a different approach to reaching out to those who aren't customers (yet). You'd probably want to market the 'new' network, rather than informing them about changes to a network that they don't currently use. In addition to the good adverts that have been appearing for Xlines and such like, it'd be good to see some traditional communication too, such as leaflet drops, timetables/guides/maps in public areas and so on.

Even for current bus users, there's got to be a better way of making information available. There's nothing at bus stop infrastructure for example, even at bus stations and on the info screens, to advise of the service changes. That is of course somewhat out of the operators hands, but in a 'joined up network' that the politicians so desire, there needs to be more forward thinking in this area.

Surely killing two birds with one stone is more effecient than killing two, with two different stones?
Existing passengers are informed on the bus, wia a booklet and in bus stations/at stops.
Potential passengers get the same leaflet and are informed instantly of the 'improved' network in their area. 

As for the visual adverts and the demonic grin 12 secs in, that's all and well if there's an express route near you, that takes you where you need to go.
For the majority, it smacks of 'this is what you could have won'. Almost Bullseye-esque and not too dissimilar to vinyls on the Solars, telling punters that some other buses have some other features.

I get creatives are struggling to maintain or even get audience attention and I blame the blind, never ending scrolling culture we are all seemingly part of.

(23 Aug 2021, 2:20 pm)Ambassador wrote I appreaciate this is personal and close to you but...

Surely this was foreseen? You had to know once the changes were publicised that there'd be immediate feedback (good and bad) and potential changes would be required?

It's peak holiday season, simple solution is don't plan changes at this holiday period or plan better.

Colleagues working through holidays and long days is well...welcome to business in a pandemic I guess. However the decision not to pay them is a choice of appalling management and summarises the whole process and general business attitude of many companies these days, as folk do it out of unreturned loyalty.

For me, I sympathise with the Colleagues at the sharp end but its an obvious failure at the top. 

Company sets out mass changes - doesn't plan for mass changes requiring more changes after publicising - lacks resource to implement changes.....root cause? Abject project management - obvious lack of skills within the Team to manage change at any sort of pace.

Agree 100% with the content here.

We need the like button back.
No idea who is responsible for these absurd hours and leave being cancelled, but it seems beyond abject to have no contingency or fall-back, that didn't result in 12 hour days.

(23 Aug 2021, 2:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote Surely killing two birds with one stone is more effecient than killing two, with two different stones?
Existing passengers are informed on the bus, wia a booklet and in bus stations/at stops.
Potential passengers get the same leaflet and are informed instantly of the 'improved' network in their area. 

There's a reason why the booklet was written in the way it has been - because Go North East are killing two birds with one stone.

There have been comments made about the 'bumph' at the start being excessive, but the same booklet has been distributed via other channels to those who may not necessarily be on buses at the moment. This bit aims to appeal to those people who aren't aware of all the work Go North East has done during the pandemic to invest in its product, and how they are making travel easier. Politically this has been very well received, and Go North East has been told that they've led the way locally with how well these changes have been communicated.

This is being supplemented by additional marketing where there are positive changes (i.e. service 65, with bigger buses, much later journeys, and a new Sunday service).

For me I don't have issue with how Go North East shares information to the public and I think they do a good enough job at doing this through various Social Media Platforms and Leaflets when they are available, I didn't have issue in getting one on the 21 Last Wednesday however there only a handful left to in Metro Paper Rack onboard.

I think going back to some old approaches Go North East have had in years past would work such as posting leaflets out of each resident in the local areas they operate in to advise of changes at the period of consultation for further feedback, then do the same again with a plan of said changes before sending out a final leaflet confirming the service changes and posting a link to an online webform for those who have internet access. In the interim they could do pop up consultations as they have done in the past I specially remember them doing one in Park Lane several years back and at other Bus Stations across the network where they had the Coffee Bike etc which I thought was a good way to target customers who otherwise would've just walked past.

With the current booklet if it was sent out in the post as well it targets car users also as this "potential customer" isn't going to look on Go North East's Social Media are they, so how else do you inform them and convince them to switch to bus which is the end game not just for operators but the local councils who are looking to reduce emissions in the longer term also, yeah I get this would increase printing costs and would involve a lot of long hours producing such documentation to the public but it would have a greater impact all round.

In summary you'd have the following means of contact:

• Leaflet Form via Post/Online Webform on Go North East Website and Local Council Sites
  
• Pop Up Public Consultations in Bus Stations/Shopping Centres and Library's 
  
• Social Media via Facebook & Twitter 
  
• Leaflets on all Buses and Racks at Bus Stations/Shopping Centres and Library's
  

(23 Aug 2021, 3:31 pm)Dan wrote There's a reason why the booklet was written in the way it has been - because Go North East are killing two birds with one stone.

There have been comments made about the 'bumph' at the start being excessive, but the same booklet has been distributed via other channels to those who may not necessarily be on buses at the moment. This bit aims to appeal to those people who aren't aware of all the work Go North East has done during the pandemic to invest in its product, and how they are making travel easier. Politically this has been very well received, and Go North East has been told that they've led the way locally with how well these changes have been communicated.

This is being supplemented by additional marketing where there are positive changes (i.e. service 65, with bigger buses, much later journeys, and a new Sunday service).

Where is this information available? We've been told its on buses and told its in bus stations, but nobody on the forum has apparently seen it.
If they are killing two birds with one stone and distributed via other channels, again - where?

Really pleased that they have been told they have led the way locally. Good to see that it's not just industry insiders doing the back-patting.

(23 Aug 2021, 3:52 pm)Andreos1 wrote Where is this information available? We've been told its on buses and told its in bus stations, but nobody on the forum has apparently seen it.
If they are killing two birds with one stone and distributed via other channels, again - where?

I'm not sure you'd get this level of confirmation of the exact distribution channels of a booklet from other operators, so I don't think I need to say it here either.

I'm glad Go North East are doing something which you think is a good idea - that's all that matters.

(23 Aug 2021, 12:16 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Re other operators, yes Stagecoach are producing printed leaflets for service changes and these have been readily available on vehicles for a while (but they also arent upending their network just now).  No idea on Arriva.

Glad to hear Stagecoach are producing printed timetable leaflets. I've travelled on a few Stagecoach buses in Sunderland recently and haven't seen a single one.

(23 Aug 2021, 3:56 pm)Dan wrote I'm not sure you'd get this level of confirmation of the exact distribution channels of a booklet from other operators, so I don't think I need to say it here either.

I'm glad Go North East are doing something which you think is a good idea - that's all that matters.

5 figure printing numbers. So no more than 99,999 out of a population of how many?
I'm logically thinking a proportion on the vehicles (can't remember how many there are exactly - 600?)
Lets say there's 20 allocated to each vehicle, so roughly 12000 distributed via that form.
That gives us 87,000 to be distributed by other means - bus stations and the like. The others? Door drops?
I'm still to hear of any other member of the forum (or family member mention these booklets), despite living in the areas affected by the changes. So it can't be that. 

You're gonna have to give us some clues Daniel. How else, would they shift around 87,000 booklets and get all of these back-pats and well dones?
I'm a stakeholder after all. If I can't get one on a bus, what other pro-active measures are being taken, so that myself and others can see these printed booklets without going to the hassle and expense of chasing one up?

(23 Aug 2021, 3:56 pm)Dan wrote Glad to hear Stagecoach are producing printed timetable leaflets. I've travelled on a few Stagecoach buses in Sunderland recently and haven't seen a single one.

Conscious it's getting off topic but as I said it seems to be just new/significantly changed services and as Stagecoach aren't slashing and changing much at the minute, the only one I'm aware of in Sunderland is the 19 - there are certainly printed leaflets for that out there (I would post a photo for you if I knew how!)

(23 Aug 2021, 4:17 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Conscious it's getting off topic but as I said it seems to be just new/significantly changed services and as Stagecoach aren't slashing and changing much at the minute, the only one I'm aware of in Sunderland is the 19 - there are certainly printed leaflets for that out there (I would post a photo for you if I knew how!)

Try https://imgbb.com/ 

Free/no registration required.

(23 Aug 2021, 4:28 am)Dan wrote Are Stagecoach and Arriva producing paper timetable leaflets at all?!

Since the start of the pandemic, I've travelled on a decent amount of vehicles operated by the following companies: Arriva North East, First Aberdeen, Go North East, Stagecoach Bluebird. 

Bar a few GNE vehicles a bit earlier this summer, I haven't encountered a single bit of literature. That said, for much of the pandemic, actual printed literature (while useful and I'm aware necessary before I'm shot down) seemed borderline wasteful - timetables were often subject to change on a frequent basis, journeys were dropped due to driver shortages, and I'd imagine majority of the folk who were travelling (thinking essential workers) likely had access to the changes on the internet which can be updated far more readily. 

I've not been on a GNE bus in the past couple of weeks since these thousands of leaflets have been whacked on so can't comment on their availability, but these seem to be fairly substantial changes to the network. Given that majority of the changes made by other operating companies seem to mainly be timetable amendments, is it not possible that they're holding off until things settle down and/or they implement their own, presumably inevitable, major network changes to resume info/timetable printing? As a passenger, who admittedly has no issue finding this information digitally, I would much prefer my physical literature to be relevant for a decent length of time than for it to change in a few weeks due to a decrease in government funding/ a new driver shortage.

(23 Aug 2021, 4:18 pm)Adrian wrote Try https://imgbb.com/ 

Free/no registration required.

https://ibb.co/NFcTnL0

I'm on a Stagecoach bus now and can't see a single timetable....

Only stagecoach routes in the north east that have timetables are South Shields 10/11 and Sunderland 19

Having recently returned from a dangerous and exhausting time in Pyongyang, I flew into Consett International Airport and realised, not only was there no literature documenting the upcoming changes to Go North East services in the area, but there are no Go North East services serving this very prestigious airport. Why not? Surely I'm not the only one who uses this airport on a regular basis? Luckily, the terminal is within walking distance but it does make you wonder..

(23 Aug 2021, 5:50 pm)Clifton Hignett III wrote Having recently returned from a dangerous and exhausting time in Pyongyang, I flew into Consett International Airport and realised, not only was there no literature documenting the upcoming changes to Go North East services in the area, but there are no Go North East services serving this very prestigious airport. Why not? Surely I'm not the only one who uses this airport on a regular basis? Luckily, the terminal is within walking distance but it does make you wonder..

Did you fly using Punjab Airways?

Just incase anyone isn't aware of the obscure, 30 odd year old reference to Consett International Airport - https://www.facebook.com/133500816698491...452829253/

(23 Aug 2021, 2:20 pm)Ambassador wrote I appreaciate this is personal and close to you but...

Surely this was foreseen? You had to know once the changes were publicised that there'd be immediate feedback (good and bad) and potential changes would be required?

It's peak holiday season, simple solution is don't plan changes at this holiday period or plan better.

Colleagues working through holidays and long days is well...welcome to business in a pandemic I guess. However the decision not to pay them is a choice of appalling management and summarises the whole process and general business attitude of many companies these days, as folk do it out of unreturned loyalty.

For me, I sympathise with the Colleagues at the sharp end but its an obvious failure at the top. 

Company sets out mass changes - doesn't plan for mass changes requiring more changes after publicising - lacks resource to implement changes.....root cause? Abject project management - obvious lack of skills within the Team to manage change at any sort of pace.

I think the issue here is that the timing coincides with the withdrawal of financial support.

(24 Aug 2021, 9:41 am)BusLoverMum wrote I think the issue here is that the timing coincides with the withdrawal of financial support.

Apologies if this has already been covered here/elsewhere - has anyone worked out or has it been confirmed what the overall change in PVR will be as a result of all of the changes?

All I know is that it is 11 Coaster buses. 9 branded 2 (2019 livery)

(24 Aug 2021, 12:29 pm)Train8261 wrote All I know is that it is 11 Coaster buses. 9 branded 2 (2019 livery)

It won't be 2 spares for a PVR of 9 - no other route has that many spares for that size of PVR. More than likely see 5479 go for repaint into Coaster livery once the other 8 are done and just have 5480 as the main spare.

(06 Aug 2021, 11:10 am)peter wrote Had a go at trying to work out the new PVR's:
16 - PVR 8 (-1) - Ex-Coaster B5's
21 - PVR 16 (+1) - Angel B5's
28/28A - PVR 4 (-1) - Optare Versa
78 - PVR 8 (+1) - Country Range Streetlites
204 - PVR 1 - Corporate Solo?
65 - PVR 4 - Versa's?
5/9 - PVR 8 (+3) - Corporate Streetlites
38 - PVR 1 (-2) - S&D Graphite Solo?
56 - PVR 10 (-1) - Citylink B9's 
X6/38A - PVR 2 - Peterlee Purple Solo's
27 - PVR 11 (-3) - Crusader B9's
26/50 - PVR 11 - Corporate Omnicity
82 - PVR 2 (-5) - Little Pink Solo's
84/85 - PVR 6 (+3) - Little Pink Solo's
X1 - PVR 13 (+1) - X-Lines Streetdecks (Red)
1 - PVR 9 (-4) - Coaster Streetlites
6/12/12A - PVR 10 (+1) - Corporate Livery
96/97 - PVR 10 - Green Arrow E200's
57 - PVR 7 (+2) - Corporate Livery
58 - PVR 6 (-1) - EG Rider B9's
51/52 - PVR 11 (-1) - EG Orbit Streetlites
30/31/730 - PVR 2 (-1) - Venture Solo?
47/47A - PVR 6 - X-Lines?
V1/2/3 - PVR 2 (-2) - Venture Solo
X30/31/70/71/72 - PVR 11 - X-Lines ADL E400
X45/X46 - PVR 9 - Green X-Lines Streetdecks
55 - PVR 4 (-1) - S&D Violet Citaro's
206 - PVR 1 - Peterlee Purple Solo
62/62A - PVR 4 - Peterlee Purple Solo

Can't guarantee they're all right so if anyone has any corrections lmk

(24 Aug 2021, 11:58 am)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Apologies if this has already been covered here/elsewhere - has anyone worked out or has it been confirmed what the overall change in PVR will be as a result of all of the changes?

Had a go at the PVR's a little while ago which works out at -11, factor in 2 more for the H2 and 925 that's -13 in total if my calculations are correct!

(24 Aug 2021, 12:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It won't be 2 spares for a PVR of 9 - no other route has that many spares for that size of PVR. More than likely see 5479 go for repaint into Coaster livery once the other 8 are done and just have 5480 as the main spare.

Bit of a tight squeeze with 5mins at each end. PVR might be 10 with 5mins at Whitley bay and 20 at gateshead. 9 already repainted into coaster

(24 Aug 2021, 12:50 pm)peter wrote Had a go at the PVR's a little while ago which works out at -11, factor in 2 more for the H2 and 925 that's -13 in total if my calculations are correct!

Ah brilliant thanks

Think it was this thread where this was mentioned a few weeks back - various news outlets now reporting it. JE Offices opening up in Sunderland with around 1500 staff - wonder how many of those could do with a bus service.

https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021...rvice-site

(25 Aug 2021, 9:07 am)mb134 wrote Think it was this thread where this was mentioned a few weeks back - various news outlets now reporting it. JE Offices opening up in Sunderland with around 1500 staff - wonder how many of those could do with a bus service.

https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021...rvice-site

Again looks like a hybrid working environment so at most you'll have half that number, possibly less, in the office at anyone time so we're not talking npower levels of service requirement here. 

This is where bus companies are a bit stuck, business park trade will never pick up to pre-pandemic levels but there's still a demand of sorts but probably with minimal profit.

(24 Aug 2021, 12:51 pm)JP6004 wrote Bit of a tight squeeze with 5mins at each end. PVR might be 10 with 5mins at Whitley bay and 20 at gateshead. 9 already repainted into coaster

It's definitely a PVR of 9 the main part.

WBay: 10:33 (x3) | 11:33 (x3) | 12:33 (x3)
Ga'hd: 11:58
Ga'hd: 12:03
WBay: 13:27 then >>>>>> 13:33 ex WBay back to Gateshead

I know the 62/62A have been introduced however i don't think it is long until the 62A is changed to the 63 and extended to Durham. As that service has seen the most "uproar". & 265/202/208 were the busiest indiGO services.

(25 Aug 2021, 11:20 am)Ambassador wrote Again looks like a hybrid working environment so at most you'll have half that number, possibly less, in the office at anyone time so we're not talking npower levels of service requirement here. 

This is where bus companies are a bit stuck, business park trade will never pick up to pre-pandemic levels but there's still a demand of sorts but probably with minimal profit.

There's still the other businesses around there though and I'm aware of at least one, with 99% of the workforce being in the office.

The business park actually extended their parking arrangements a year or two back and pre-pandemic, businesses were still hiring space at the Mcewans Centre (its not an arena and never will be).
That was with the 921, 923, X20 and whatever number service it was that particular week - which started off somewhere in the North Sunderland estates.

Also seems as though GNE are rebranding/branding loads of routes I think the 49/A/C - 6 - 12/12A - 50 should be branded.

(25 Aug 2021, 9:07 am)mb134 wrote Think it was this thread where this was mentioned a few weeks back - various news outlets now reporting it. JE Offices opening up in Sunderland with around 1500 staff - wonder how many of those could do with a bus service.

https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021...rvice-site

Imagine if the bus driver at Deptford wasn't on the ball!
It would have been eggs on the faces at GNE towers!