(03 Jan 2022, 7:25 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Hearing rumours that Jesmond Depot has now been sold.That's taken a lot longer than I'd thought it would. Searching back and it looks like it was originally mooted back in late 2016.
(03 Jan 2022, 7:57 pm)Train8261 wrote Interesting. What the deal with Jesmond Depot being sold anywayPrime location for housing or student accommodation, and likely to becoming increasingly unsuitable for modern use.
(03 Jan 2022, 11:15 pm)mb134 wrote AFAIK Jesmond is to become a full minibus operation (not sure what's happening to the 685 mind), with all of their conventional work shifting to Blyth. Blyth depot is also being redeveloped, and I believe slightly expanded. To accommodate for the Jesmond conventional work shifting to Blyth, some Blyth routes are shifting to Ashington (I believe the 1/2s).
(04 Jan 2022, 12:15 am)Storx wrote Just found the plans for the Blyth redevelopment but there doesn't seem to be enough space for the buses - https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov....038609.pdf
43 Deckers and 15 Singles seems a tad on the low side though, assuming the singles being the Streetlites so I'm guessing there's plans here to downgrade either the 52, 53 or 54 to minibuses full time otherwise there has to be cuts somewhere or its going to be very tight with extra deckers needed from somewhere for the X7/X8/X9 since there's no space for the Pulsars.
https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov....8YQQSL6000
(04 Jan 2022, 12:32 am)mb134 wrote I have heard that, in addition to the 1/2 moving, the X10/11 could also be heading up to Ashington. That would free up around 16 buses from Blyth, I believe the current Blyth PVR is around 40 - so that would be down to 24. I'm not sure on Jesmond conventional PVR, but I'd be shocked if (excluding any miscellaneous boards and the 685) it was significantly more than 34?
(04 Jan 2022, 12:32 am)mb134 wrote I have heard that, in addition to the 1/2 moving, the X10/11 could also be heading up to Ashington. That would free up around 16 buses from Blyth, I believe the current Blyth PVR is around 40 - so that would be down to 24. I'm not sure on Jesmond conventional PVR, but I'd be shocked if (excluding any miscellaneous boards and the 685) it was significantly more than 34?
(04 Jan 2022, 10:31 am)Adrian wrote Seems to build and open a new depot for as little as 34 buses, unless they're getting a grant of some sort from Newcastle CC for redeveloping a brownfield site in Walkergate and they have some plans for expansion.
When I first saw the article, I assumed they'd have taken the opportunity to merge Jesmond and Blyth into one depot, saving on the operating costs of two separate depots.
(04 Jan 2022, 10:31 am)Adrian wrote Seems to build and open a new depot for as little as 34 buses, unless they're getting a grant of some sort from Newcastle CC for redeveloping a brownfield site in Walkergate and they have some plans for expansion.
When I first saw the article, I assumed they'd have taken the opportunity to merge Jesmond and Blyth into one depot, saving on the operating costs of two separate depots.
(04 Jan 2022, 11:48 am)Storx wrote Unless I'm having a brain fart this morning and forgetting something, the PVR for the depot will be much much lower than 34 and only 12.
There's only the 46(2), 51/51A(3), 55(4), 553/555(3) unless I've totally missed something.
17 if you had all the minibus routes there and moved the 57/57A/58 aswell but that doesn't seem too wise operational wise.
(04 Jan 2022, 11:48 am)Storx wrote Unless I'm having a brain fart this morning and forgetting something, the PVR for the depot will be much much lower than 34 and only 12.
There's only the 46(2), 51/51A(3), 55(4), 553/555(3) unless I've totally missed something.
17 if you had all the minibus routes there and moved the 57/57A/58 aswell but that doesn't seem too wise operational wise.
(04 Jan 2022, 12:39 pm)peter wrote Minor correction - the 55 has a PVR of 3 these days now it operates every 20 minutes so only 11 minibuses. Having said that, the 52/53/54 are generally allocated 2 Solo's - though in theory that would cease if new double decks arrived.
(04 Jan 2022, 12:42 pm)Dan wrote And that assumes that Arriva will actually still be running these bus services once BRG ends...
If I were them, I'd certainly be looking to cancel the 46 and potentially even the 51/51A too.
(04 Jan 2022, 12:54 pm)Storx wrote Yeah agreed really. I'm not being cynical but it probably explains why they're being humped off to another depot. The old, these services aren't making money, time to sell approach with the all money making services elsewhere. Believe they already done it down in Cannock. Arguably the 55 is going to be in big trouble when the ministry closes aswell since it duplicates Stagecoach / Metro services and I've never actually seen the 553/555 so wouldn't have a clue tbh.
(04 Jan 2022, 10:31 am)Adrian wrote Seems to build and open a new depot for as little as 34 buses, unless they're getting a grant of some sort from Newcastle CC for redeveloping a brownfield site in Walkergate and they have some plans for expansion.
When I first saw the article, I assumed they'd have taken the opportunity to merge Jesmond and Blyth into one depot, saving on the operating costs of two separate depots.
(04 Jan 2022, 8:59 pm)L469 YVK wrote To be honest, most of Jesmond's "big bus" work could be done out of Blyth with perhaps a bait room at Manor Walks for some of the Cramlington services.I am really surprised that SNE have not already taken over the 685 Arriva trips to be honest. I don't see what Arriva get out of it. They have zero presence in Carlisle and not very big in the Newcastle area. Wheras Stagecoach are the main operator at both ends! Surely a bigger customer base?
- 306 - Interwork with 308
- 43 - Fine
- 44/45 - Interwork with 43 but with more running time than previous
- 54 - Interwork with 52 (as is)
- 52/53 - Both fine
685 would be a funny one? Could either keep or do a "route deal" with either SNW, SNE or GNE.
What could GNE or SNE/SNW give Arriva in return for the 685?
- GNE: North Tyneside minibus network (would only leave PM with a PVR of 27x)
- SNE: Ponteland 'X' routes (would need relief)