Disruptions and driver shortages
Disruptions and driver shortages
As a customer I’d much rather know the reason for the 21 being woeful at the moment than an awful tweet or app update saying ‘there are longer than normal gaps, leave extra time’ which isn’t helpful.
If there’s driver shortages or an overtime ban, tell us, train companies do, airlines do, may as well be truthful instead of hiding behind smarmy marketing
(09 Jul 2022, 9:37 pm)Ambassador As a customer I’d much rather know the reason for the 21 being woeful at the moment than an awful tweet or app update saying ‘there are longer than normal gaps, leave extra time’ which isn’t helpful.Exactly. It makes a big difference to me if the gap is cls 21s or Durham ones, though if, as a couple of weeks ago, that gap has been half an hour, I probably can't get on the Durham one.
If there’s driver shortages or an overtime ban, tell us, train companies do, airlines do, may as well be truthful instead of hiding behind smarmy marketing
(09 Jul 2022, 9:37 pm)Ambassador As a customer I’d much rather know the reason for the 21 being woeful at the moment than an awful tweet or app update saying ‘there are longer than normal gaps, leave extra time’ which isn’t helpful.Exactly. It makes a big difference to me if the gap is cls 21s or Durham ones, though if, as a couple of weeks ago, that gap has been half an hour, I probably can't get on the Durham one.
If there’s driver shortages or an overtime ban, tell us, train companies do, airlines do, may as well be truthful instead of hiding behind smarmy marketing
(09 Jul 2022, 5:12 pm)Aaron21 Why do GNE even put a list out anymore. Honestly Park Lane today was terrible. 3 61 were cancelled in a row. A 55 was not cancelled yet left Sunderland anyway not even pulling into the stands. Honestly I can understand why gne are losing passengers. Cause the bus never turns up. Honestly today gne cancelled services has been terrible. Even the 1/309/310 had a cancelled services on it
(09 Jul 2022, 5:12 pm)Aaron21 Why do GNE even put a list out anymore. Honestly Park Lane today was terrible. 3 61 were cancelled in a row. A 55 was not cancelled yet left Sunderland anyway not even pulling into the stands. Honestly I can understand why gne are losing passengers. Cause the bus never turns up. Honestly today gne cancelled services has been terrible. Even the 1/309/310 had a cancelled services on it
Pleased I opted to work from home today. Last 50 from Durham is cancelled tonight, as are the 17.40 and 18.22 8s from Stanley. So even if I got to Chester-le-Street on the 21/X21, I'd be standing around for either the 19.45 50 or the 19.49 8.
So over 2 hours after leaving the office, I'd be on a bus to Washington. What a shambles.
I think I'll get an Uber to the station tomorrow afternoon, instead of relying on this shower.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:03 pm)Adrian Pleased I opted to work from home today. Last 50 from Durham is cancelled tonight, as are the 17.40 and 18.22 8s from Stanley. So even if I got to Chester-le-Street on the 21/X21, I'd be standing around for either the 19.45 50 or the 19.49 8.Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
So over 2 hours after leaving the office, I'd be on a bus to Washington. What a shambles.
I think I'll get an Uber to the station tomorrow afternoon, instead of relying on this shower.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:03 pm)Adrian Pleased I opted to work from home today. Last 50 from Durham is cancelled tonight, as are the 17.40 and 18.22 8s from Stanley. So even if I got to Chester-le-Street on the 21/X21, I'd be standing around for either the 19.45 50 or the 19.49 8.Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
So over 2 hours after leaving the office, I'd be on a bus to Washington. What a shambles.
I think I'll get an Uber to the station tomorrow afternoon, instead of relying on this shower.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.Whey no. Just cancel a load of routes and reduce frequencies with the ones that's left and end up with more drivers than they know what to do with.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.Whey no. Just cancel a load of routes and reduce frequencies with the ones that's left and end up with more drivers than they know what to do with.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 4:03 pm)Adrian Pleased I opted to work from home today. Last 50 from Durham is cancelled tonight, as are the 17.40 and 18.22 8s from Stanley. So even if I got to Chester-le-Street on the 21/X21, I'd be standing around for either the 19.45 50 or the 19.49 8.
So over 2 hours after leaving the office, I'd be on a bus to Washington. What a shambles.
I think I'll get an Uber to the station tomorrow afternoon, instead of relying on this shower.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:03 pm)Adrian Pleased I opted to work from home today. Last 50 from Durham is cancelled tonight, as are the 17.40 and 18.22 8s from Stanley. So even if I got to Chester-le-Street on the 21/X21, I'd be standing around for either the 19.45 50 or the 19.49 8.
So over 2 hours after leaving the office, I'd be on a bus to Washington. What a shambles.
I think I'll get an Uber to the station tomorrow afternoon, instead of relying on this shower.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 6:14 pm)User2613 I saw a handful of cancellations were put on for the 21 this evening. However once again the "due to operational issues service 21 is experiencing delays and there are long gaps between services. Apologies".
I was in Chester earlier waiting for the x21 at 11.35 heading to Newcastle and was amazed by just how many people there were waiting for the 21. I had a look on the app and saw that the most recent departure was tracking as being at the far end of low fell just as a bus which had started in Brandon was turning up meaning a 30 minute gap in service for a bus that is supposed to be every 10 under an already reduce "temporary" timetable.
With all due respect what is the point in putting that message on the app. Customers already know that there are long gaps between services as they are stood there waiting 3x as long as they had planned to be. By that point it is too late. A handful of cancellations on the list is better than the none that were previously being included on the 21 but it is not good enough. I've heard the excuse that they are being actively regulated before and so the list of cancellations for the 21 is not being included but again what use is that to the average passenger. They want to know if there bus is running or not before they go for it not after waiting half an hour for it.
I appreciate that some cancellations happen on the day and today there have been some notifications on the app of them but they did not even cover a fraction of the total journeys cancelled nor those terminated at gateshead/commenced in Birtley both of which I witnessed. It is just not good enough and it is all fine and well saying these issues will be resolved when the changes take place but what about the passengers who want to travel in the next 2 weeks.
I don't think I am being unreasonable in saying this but I am happy to be corrected if others on here think differently. Sorry for the rant but it needed to be said as this has been going on for too long now.
(11 Jul 2022, 6:37 pm)Charles41 Those of us who don't have the the option of working from home are just giving up on GNE altogether.
I just use the car everyday for work now. That's after 16 years of using public transport. GNE are just a disgrace. More interested in paint jobs and new tables than passengers.
(11 Jul 2022, 4:18 pm)Ambassador Proper regulation or a sensible compensation scheme would soon sort out the problem.
It's time to put more scrutiny on these cancellations and start recompensing passengers impacted (some left without options, some with much longer journeys) in the same way the railway industry does.
No doubt it will drive up fares to cover the costs but it might incentivise them to work smarter
(11 Jul 2022, 6:14 pm)User2613 I saw a handful of cancellations were put on for the 21 this evening. However once again the "due to operational issues service 21 is experiencing delays and there are long gaps between services. Apologies".
I was in Chester earlier waiting for the x21 at 11.35 heading to Newcastle and was amazed by just how many people there were waiting for the 21. I had a look on the app and saw that the most recent departure was tracking as being at the far end of low fell just as a bus which had started in Brandon was turning up meaning a 30 minute gap in service for a bus that is supposed to be every 10 under an already reduce "temporary" timetable.
With all due respect what is the point in putting that message on the app. Customers already know that there are long gaps between services as they are stood there waiting 3x as long as they had planned to be. By that point it is too late. A handful of cancellations on the list is better than the none that were previously being included on the 21 but it is not good enough. I've heard the excuse that they are being actively regulated before and so the list of cancellations for the 21 is not being included but again what use is that to the average passenger. They want to know if there bus is running or not before they go for it not after waiting half an hour for it.
I appreciate that some cancellations happen on the day and today there have been some notifications on the app of them but they did not even cover a fraction of the total journeys cancelled nor those terminated at gateshead/commenced in Birtley both of which I witnessed. It is just not good enough and it is all fine and well saying these issues will be resolved when the changes take place but what about the passengers who want to travel in the next 2 weeks.
I don't think I am being unreasonable in saying this but I am happy to be corrected if others on here think differently. Sorry for the rant but it needed to be said as this has been going on for too long now.
(11 Jul 2022, 6:37 pm)Charles41 Those of us who don't have the the option of working from home are just giving up on GNE altogether.
I just use the car everyday for work now. That's after 16 years of using public transport. GNE are just a disgrace. More interested in paint jobs and new tables than passengers.
(11 Jul 2022, 6:58 pm)Adrian it. The 'active regulation' line on the 21 came from a Martijn Gilbert tweet. My own experience of the 21 in recent weeks is that there's no active regulation, or if there is, it just isn't working effectively for customers. From the outside looking in, it feels like there's no plan B.
I agree though, it's simply not good enough. It's been going on far too long, and I think the industry needs to have a serious debate about why they struggle to recruit and retain drivers.
(11 Jul 2022, 6:58 pm)Adrian it. The 'active regulation' line on the 21 came from a Martijn Gilbert tweet. My own experience of the 21 in recent weeks is that there's no active regulation, or if there is, it just isn't working effectively for customers. From the outside looking in, it feels like there's no plan B.
I agree though, it's simply not good enough. It's been going on far too long, and I think the industry needs to have a serious debate about why they struggle to recruit and retain drivers.
I genuinely can’t see the 21 getting better with the Riverside change.
Where’s the relief short service? Ohhhh it’s stuck in 2 miles of tailbacks on the A1 Coalhouse roadworks.
It’s just the outright lying I can’t get away with, front it up. it’s been a catastrophically unreliable service since it became fhe 21 and they ditched the 723, 724, 21a, 21b and that was nigh on 20 years ago and not all of it is GNEs fault but there’s no smart thinking at all. Starting turning services at the Angel, relieve the pressure on the corridor and let CLS and Durham runs pick up some steam through birtley onwards but all they ever do is turn them at Gateshead or run light to CLS.
Go North East 71
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71That's pathetic that
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71That's pathetic that
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
"Could they not cancel MORE of the 21's so drivers could do the 71?"
FTFY
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71That's the boards that are running right?
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
(12 Jul 2022, 8:44 pm)Unber43 Go North East 71That's the boards that are running right?
- From Seaham: 07:37, 08:40, 09:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40, 15:54, 17:59.
- From Chester-le-Street: 07:35, 08:42, 10:42, 12:42, 13:42, 14:42, 16:52, 18:58, 19:58, 20:58.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Seaham: 07:02.
- From Houghton-le-Spring to Chester-le-Street: 07:03, 19:28, 20:28.
What a disgrace.
(12 Jul 2022, 8:55 pm)Michael Shocking
Could they not cancel some of the 21's so drivers could do the 71?
And they wonder why people aren't using the buses....
(12 Jul 2022, 8:55 pm)Michael Shocking
Could they not cancel some of the 21's so drivers could do the 71?
And they wonder why people aren't using the buses....
I saw. a customer complaining on Facebook about the 25 cancellations and how the 21 escapes. Customer service replied in a weird attempt at reassurance saying there were 21 cancellations even though they aren’t listed.
So at what point does active regulation and whacking a tweet out not acknowledging cancellations become incompetence and lying, the latter being by far the worst.