(30 Mar 2022, 5:38 pm)Thomas12 wrote I've noticed Nexus or Stagecoach (whoever sets the fares) have hiked the price of an equivalent journey that was £1.80 on the 11 to £2.90 on the 317.  Bit of a steep increase, and probably some unimpressed passengers.

£2.90 is probably the correct fare for the journey = Go North East introduced, in my view unsustainable, cheap fares across North Tyneside / Northumberland last year with a maximum £1.70 (now £1.80) single fare.
Looking at how the GNE network has reduced I do wonder if they would have been better keeping higher fares and running more routes - the new network map on the GNE website https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...%20map.pdf shows clearly that they have hardly anything left.

Only commercial routes appear to be the Coaster 1 (9 PVR); Little Coaster 41/41A (3 PVR) & Cobalt and Coast 309/310/311 (16 PVR) - the other route (19) is fully secured by Nexus --- commercial PVR 28.

Arriva and Stagecoach the clear winners on North Tyneside, especially Stagecoach with the 10/11, 22 & now 317 running.

I love the 317,i hope it s advertised correctly and ends up being a resounding success

(31 Mar 2022, 9:44 am)busmanT wrote £2.90 is probably the correct fare for the journey = Go North East introduced, in my view unsustainable, cheap fares across North Tyneside / Northumberland last year with a maximum £1.70 (now £1.80) single fare.
Looking at how the GNE network has reduced I do wonder if they would have been better keeping higher fares and running more routes - the new network map on the GNE website https://images-gonortheast.passenger-web...%20map.pdf shows clearly that they have hardly anything left. 

Only commercial routes appear to be the Coaster 1 (9 PVR); Little Coaster 41/41A (3 PVR) & Cobalt and Coast 309/310/311 (16 PVR) - the other route (19) is fully secured by Nexus --- commercial PVR 28.

Arriva and Stagecoach the clear winners on North Tyneside, especially Stagecoach with the 10/11, 22 & now 317 running.

I'm not sure to be honest. Lower pricing has been proven to attract people. Businesses have built and developed based on a low pricing model and have been a success.

I'd argue there's more to it than low pricing (or high pricing). There will be a number of factors that come in to play, some internal which are controllable by the operator. Some will be external that can't be.

I'm yet to see any evidence of them controlling or managing all of the internal factors beyond the standard lick of paint, titivation and maybe a wish or two that the wind blows in the right direction.

(31 Mar 2022, 6:54 am)Thomas12 wrote 5480 broke down on the way

I'm told that GNE has a woefully low maintenance budget, so they can't afford to carry out preventative maintenance and instead have to spend it all reacting to the huge numbers of faults and breakdowns with an engineering team that is getting more stretched and overworked by the day...

Alpha trucks are going from one GNE bus to the next whilst those on Planet Bensham figure out where next to spaff money.

(30 Mar 2022, 1:36 pm)Adrian wrote It's daft that Ferry/Metro tickets aren't accepted on the 317. Have Nexus offered any explanation for this? I can't see what difference it makes to them, when I presume they're fully funding the 317 anyway?

Both the 19 and 317 are Nexus-secured contracts on a minimum subsidy basis, which means Go North East are taking the risk on revenue on-board the 19, and Stagecoach on the 317.

This means the operators won't accept Metro/Ferry tickets without coming to a financial agreement with Nexus, which Go North East has clearly done as the 19 was a replacement for the 333.

(30 Mar 2022, 8:35 pm)Thomas12 wrote I agree but you'd think Nexus would have some control over fares - they set a £2.10 max fare on GCT's secured services, not sure why they can't for others. 

On another note, seems like the reduction in PVR has helped GCT out massively, never noticed any cancelled journeys this week (to be fair there weren't that many before). All of their routes seem to be tracking now - for some reason before the changes the 41A never tracked.

Bus operators set their own fares on minimum subsidy contracts as they keep the revenue.

Stagecoach have set their own fares on the 317 which is why they are higher than a standard minimum cost Nexus-secured service, or indeed higher than the Go North East commercial service previous to the current offering.

(30 Mar 2022, 9:59 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Cramlington-Seaton Delaval Avenue Head in 11 minutes is often impossible in the car, never mind a bus stopping to pick people up...

Seems like this is an issue that needs to be reported to Nexus, if you haven't already.

They set the timetable, and if it's not realistic nor achievable then I'd imagine the operator will be wanting it to be right just as much as customers.

(31 Mar 2022, 9:44 am)busmanT wrote Arriva and Stagecoach the clear winners on North Tyneside, especially Stagecoach with the 10/11, 22 & now 317 running.

Of course, a lot of Stagecoach's mileage - certainly in the 10/11 and 317 - is not commercial either!

(31 Mar 2022, 1:20 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I'm told that GNE has a woefully low maintenance budget, so they can't afford to carry out preventative maintenance and instead have to spend it all reacting to the huge numbers of faults and breakdowns with an engineering team that is getting more stretched and overworked by the day...

Alpha trucks are going from one GNE bus to the next whilst those on Planet Bensham figure out where next to spaff money.

I think this is a hugely unsubstantiated claim. Nobody with knowledge of the maintenance budget figures at Go North East would be someone who would tell you what these are.

(31 Mar 2022, 2:13 pm)Dan wrote I think this is a hugely unsubstantiated claim. Nobody with knowledge of the maintenance budget figures at Go North East would be someone who would tell you what these are.

It would be unsubstantiated if Go North East claimed they adequately funded the maintenance of their fleet.

(31 Mar 2022, 5:18 pm)omnicity4659 wrote It would be unsubstantiated if Go North East claimed they adequately funded the maintenance of their fleet.

Thankfully nobody has claimed that, as nobody on this forum is able to make such a claim.


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GNE's 41/41A and SNE's 71/72/87 have short notice VOSA registrations for the 2/3rd April respectively - anyone know if these are changes to sort out some issues since the service changes or just roadwork related etc.

(31 Mar 2022, 8:05 pm)peter wrote GNE's 41/41A and SNE's 71/72/87 have short notice VOSA registrations for the 2/3rd April respectively - anyone know if these are changes to sort out some issues since the service changes or just roadwork related etc.

Checked bustimes.org for the 71/72/87. Don't see any changes

(31 Mar 2022, 9:23 pm)Train8261 wrote Checked bustimes.org for the 71/72/87. Don't see any changes

Not come through on bustimes yet I presume, only just up on VOSA today

(31 Mar 2022, 8:05 pm)peter wrote GNE's 41/41A and SNE's 71/72/87 have short notice VOSA registrations for the 2/3rd April respectively - anyone know if these are changes to sort out some issues since the service changes or just roadwork related etc.

Service 71, revised route, From Stamfordham Road Golf Course, it continue passed the Jingling Gate, through Chapel Park(Greenway) to Hillheads estate.

(31 Mar 2022, 10:40 pm)minibus1474 wrote Service 71, revised route, From Stamfordham Road Golf Course, it continue passed the Jingling Gate, through Chapel Park(Greenway) to Hillheads estate.

Checked the Stagecoach website, apparently due to requests from local councillors.

41/41A changes,wonder what they are

Could be the Nexus Cockup where they stated there was no Saturday buses until after 09:30 (41/41A) however GNE site showed they operate bus routes before 09:30 and was a mistake on Nexus part

Fair point

(02 Apr 2022, 6:26 am)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Could be the Nexus Cockup where they stated there was no Saturday buses until after 09:30 (41/41A) however GNE site showed they operate bus routes before 09:30 and was a mistake on Nexus part

If there's no buses registered before 9.30am then it's a cockup by GNE not Nexus, if it's an issue with the registration. Nexus don't register routes.

(02 Apr 2022, 9:34 pm)Storx wrote If there's no buses registered before 9.30am then it's a cockup by GNE not Nexus, if it's an issue with the registration. Nexus don't register routes.

The registered timetable is as shown on the Go North East website… with these journeys included.


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What doesn't help Go North East in the Howdon / Wallsend area is that both Wallsend and Howdon Metro Station are barrierless, meaning you don't need a ticket to get through the barriers onto the platform / train. And since Metro Inspectors only travel the line once in a blue moon, a large number of people will probably have the metro as their first option and dodge paying the fare. Even if they do get caught, the fine would be well less than what they have saved by not paying the fare between Wallsend and Howdon or vice versa. This also applies to Percy Main and Meadowell stations too, as they too can travel to Wallsend, where as if they have to go to North Shields, they have to have a ticket to get through the barrier. Comes to me as no suprise that Wallsend is one of the worst towns in the area for beggers too, especially since the station doesn't have ticket barriers. No matter how low value the bus fares are, it won't beat free (albeit illegal) travel on the Metro.

The issue is its cheaper to travel by Taxi than bus something local authorities would need to address if they want to increase public transport useage

(03 Apr 2022, 11:27 am)Rapidsnap wrote What doesn't help Go North East in the Howdon / Wallsend area is that both Wallsend and Howdon Metro Station are barrierless, meaning you don't need a ticket to get through the barriers onto the platform / train. And since Metro Inspectors only travel the line once in a blue moon, a large number of people will probably have the metro as their first option and dodge paying the fare. Even if they do get caught, the fine would be well less than what they have saved by not paying the fare between Wallsend and Howdon or vice versa. This also applies to Percy Main and Meadowell stations too, as they too can travel to Wallsend, where as if they have to go to North Shields, they have to have a ticket to get through the barrier. Comes to me as no suprise that Wallsend is one of the worst towns in the area for beggers too, especially since the station doesn't have ticket barriers. No matter how low value the bus fares are, it won't beat free (albeit illegal) travel on the Metro.

What does the existence of ticket barriers have to do with the number of beggars in the town?

(03 Apr 2022, 3:10 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote The issue is its cheaper to travel by Taxi than bus something local authorities would need to address if they want to increase public transport useage

Do you have an example, I find that hard to believe

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Only realised today but don't know if it happens on an evening

Gateshead Central Taxis 342 interwork with the 41A

342 leave Kingston Park to Wallsend. Changes into a 41A to Hadrian Park & Back then back as a 342 to Kingston

Seems a good idea. But do the drivers get any waiting time

(03 Apr 2022, 3:10 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote The issue is its cheaper to travel by Taxi than bus something local authorities would need to address if they want to increase public transport useage

I doubt that’s true. I m exiled from Sunderland now living in Hartlepool. £1.80 to Victoria Rd.,£5.00 plus in in a taxi . Never trust a taxi company, hence why GCT are cowboys.

(03 Apr 2022, 8:43 pm)Train8261 wrote Only realised today but don't know if it happens on an evening

Gateshead Central Taxis 342 interwork with the 41A

342 leave Kingston Park to Wallsend. Changes into a 41A to Hadrian Park & Back then back as a 342 to Kingston

Seems a good idea. But do the drivers get any waiting time

Happens on an evening and Sunday. When it runs to Westerhope it's standalone but when it only runs to Kingston Park the extra time is used to do a 41A

(03 Apr 2022, 9:44 pm)peter wrote Happens on an evening and Sunday. When it runs to Westerhope it's standalone but when it only runs to Kingston Park the extra time is used to do a 41A

GCT have actually been running well recently, but I wonder if GNE will ever run the 342 in the future. I haven't been on the 342 yet but will do soon, making use of the new £3.50 day ticket. Now cheaper, and quicker, for me, compared to when GNE and GCT had the 42A.

(03 Apr 2022, 6:49 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote What does the existence of ticket barriers have to do with the number of beggars in the town?

Because they fare dodge on the Metro. Compared to North Shields, the amount of Beggers that are around Wallsend is ridiculous yet the council or the police refuse to do sod all about it.

(03 Apr 2022, 10:33 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Because they fare dodge on the Metro. Compared to North Shields, the amount of Beggers that are around Wallsend is ridiculous yet the council or the police refuse to do sod all about it.

I believe there's a few who live in Wallsend around the area where the old library used to be. Probably why you'll see more there.

Yes Martijn,the GNE NT network that barely exists anymore

(05 Apr 2022, 7:32 pm)V514DFT wrote Yes Martijn,the GNE NT network that barely exists anymore

And a right pigs ear of the evening 309 & 310 journeys has been made. 

Even with some efficient interworking patterns, could've just reverted to pre 2020 with 310 departing Newcastle between xx:15 and xx:30 wiith the 309 departing between xx:45 and xx:00. The latter not being an issue due to shared corridors with the 308 offering a service at the other side of the hour.

Right now, Arriva could win passengers on the 51A from parts of High Farm who rely on an evening service and don't want to wait nearly an hour from Newcastle. Similarly and with some timing changes to suit Cobalt shift patterns, Arriva could include service 54 in the 'Coastliner' saver between Whitley Bay & Cobalt, killing off the 309 with passengers predominantly travelling from Arriva territory using the 308 & 54 instead.

I might be missing something here, but surely Stagecoach could have knocked up a service change leaflet for distribution onboard in the weeks before the change?

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...s-23603002