Disruptions and driver shortages

Ambassador · 23 Jul 2022, 2:25 pm,

The daily larger than usual gap on the 21 has gone out,

User2613 · 23 Jul 2022, 4:07 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 2:25 pm)Ambassador wrote The daily larger than usual gap on the 21 has gone out,

Is it a larger gap than usual though if this has been daily for weeks/months. Personally I think "We are currently experiencing the same massive gaps between busses on the 21 as we have for a long time now, but don't worry we aren't going to tell you about them in advance like all other services because that would mean admitting how woefully inept we are, good luck." Sounds far better.

F114TML · 23 Jul 2022, 4:15 pm,

Do they not put the (through the day) cancellations on the 21 up, and say "larger gap" when there's disruption, because they advertise it as a 'turn-up and go' service between Newcastle and Chester, at least on the PDF timetable?

Ambassador · 23 Jul 2022, 4:45 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 4:15 pm)F114TML wrote Do they not put the (through the day) cancellations on the 21 up, and say "larger gap" when there's disruption, because they advertise it as a 'turn-up and go' service between Newcastle and Chester, at least on the PDF timetable?

They put a list of planned ones but it’s normally double that at least. It’s become a chronically unreliable service. It’s worse then when Huntley was in charge

BusLoverMum · 23 Jul 2022, 4:51 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 4:15 pm)F114TML wrote Do they not put the (through the day) cancellations on the 21 up, and say "larger gap" when there's disruption, because they advertise it as a 'turn-up and go' service between Newcastle and Chester, at least on the PDF timetable?

It’s not in Durham, though, with the result that we stood like utter twits, waiting for the phantom 21 that, according to the app, was working its way down Front Street, this morning. No twitter acknowledgement of that gap. It was only after searching for it on bus times that I realised that we had been duped.

Rob44 · 23 Jul 2022, 6:26 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 4:51 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It’s not in Durham, though, with the result that we stood like utter twits, waiting for the phantom 21 that, according to the app, was working its way down Front Street, this morning. No twitter acknowledgement of that gap. It was only after searching for it on bus times that I realised that we had been duped.

This happened to me waiting for the 28b on low fell. Checked the arrival time on the bus stop on the appt said 10 minutes. Had 2 pints in the Gateshead arms went out with minut to spare. No sign. Checked app again no sign of bus. checked a bus stop at sainsburys and i sware to god it had change from green satellite to a gray color, which i found out after complaining to GNE means its not tracking and its just the timetable time thats showing.... and it was on the cancelation list.... i just handnt looked. Ended up steaming and just managed to catch the next one!

GuyParkRoyal · 23 Jul 2022, 6:44 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 4:15 pm)F114TML wrote Do they not put the (through the day) cancellations on the 21 up, and say "larger gap" when there's disruption, because they advertise it as a 'turn-up and go' service between Newcastle and Chester, at least on the PDF timetable?

The Traffic Commissioner has rules for turn up and go services such as there must be six or more journeys in 60 minutes. Also the interval between consecutive services should not exceed 15 minutes.
Go North East are failing on both measures and dissatisfied passengers should be informing the Traffic Commissioner so that the so called competent persons named on the operators licence are held to account.

F114TML · 23 Jul 2022, 7:03 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 6:44 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote The Traffic Commissioner has rules for turn up and go services such as there must be six or more journeys in 60 minutes. Also the interval between consecutive services should not exceed 15 minutes.
Go North East are failing on both measures and dissatisfied passengers should be informing the Traffic Commissioner so that the so called competent persons named on the operators licence are held to account.

How many passengers know the traffic comissioner even exists, or how to contact them, though?

Ambassador · 23 Jul 2022, 9:50 pm,

We genuinely do need a charter for passengers that protects them and recompenses them, within reason.

Say I’m travelling to Durham with LNER. If they cancel my train or delay me excessively, I get a refund, or if it’s the last train, alternative travel, I’m protected by a national framework.

If I have a day ticket or an annual/weekly/monthly the 21 is cancelled to Durham or I’m waiting an hour or if my last bus is cancelled…I get zip and that has to change.

We have multi billion £ PLCs and others taking the piss out of passengers, happily clawing tax payers money in but abandoning people.

Andreos1 · 23 Jul 2022, 10:40 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 6:44 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote The Traffic Commissioner has rules for turn up and go services such as there must be six or more journeys in 60 minutes. Also the interval between consecutive services should not exceed 15 minutes.
Go North East are failing on both measures and dissatisfied passengers should be informing the Traffic Commissioner so that the so called competent persons named on the operators licence are held to account.

There probably is according to the scheduled cancellation list.
However that doesn't take in to account each of those 'unexpected' cancellations that are happening day in/day out due to 'traffic' or 'breakdowns'.

It's hard to prove that those unexpected cancellations are actually expected and would take a wiley detective, with excellent investigative skills to uncover it.

(23 Jul 2022, 9:50 pm)Ambassador wrote We genuinely do need a charter for passengers that protects them and recompenses them, within reason.

Say I’m travelling to Durham with LNER. If they cancel my train or delay me excessively, I get a refund, or if it’s the last train, alternative travel, I’m protected by a national framework.

If I have a day ticket or an annual/weekly/monthly the 21 is cancelled to Durham or I’m waiting an hour or if my last bus is cancelled…I get zip and that has to change.

We have multi billion £ PLCs and others taking the piss out of passengers, happily clawing tax payers money in but abandoning people.

I agree and have said as much in the past.

The shit show we've seen recently merely reinforces and confirms that something needs done to regulate something that some may say is being ran by cowboys.

**Adrian** · 23 Jul 2022, 10:56 pm,

(23 Jul 2022, 9:50 pm)Ambassador wrote We genuinely do need a charter for passengers that protects them and recompenses them, within reason.

Say I’m travelling to Durham with LNER. If they cancel my train or delay me excessively, I get a refund, or if it’s the last train, alternative travel, I’m protected by a national framework.

If I have a day ticket or an annual/weekly/monthly the 21 is cancelled to Durham or I’m waiting an hour or if my last bus is cancelled…I get zip and that has to change.

We have multi billion £ PLCs and others taking the piss out of passengers, happily clawing tax payers money in but abandoning people.

Absolutely. I don't think it needs to be as extreme as delay repay, as it'd be a minefield to manage and I'd imagine a lot would be put down to 'factors outside of our control'. But I'd agree there needs to be protection for last buses of the day, but again unlike the railways, you can't get in contact with anyone after 5pm on a Friday.

**Adrian** · 23 Jul 2022, 11:02 pm,

The short notice cancellations has excelled itself for tomorrow: cancelling journeys that no longer exist in the timetable!

It looks like the entirety of the X1 and 4 cancellations list is based on the pre-24th July timetable (see attached). Others may be the same, but I've not checked, as I was only trying to plan what to avoid for tomorrow.

citaro5284 · 24 Jul 2022, 6:39 am,

(23 Jul 2022, 11:02 pm)Adrian wrote The short notice cancellations has excelled itself for tomorrow: cancelling journeys that no longer exist in the timetable!

It looks like the entirety of the X1 and 4 cancellations list is based on the pre-24th July timetable (see attached). Others may be the same, but I've not checked, as I was only trying to plan what to avoid for tomorrow.

They must have spotted their mistakes as I see they are right now.

**Adrian** · 24 Jul 2022, 8:59 am,

No 4 from Houghton between 11.26 and the 13.56 today, then again between the 14.26 and 16.26. Shameful.

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MurdnunoC · 24 Jul 2022, 9:13 am,

(24 Jul 2022, 8:59 am)Adrian wrote No 4 from Houghton between 11.26 and the 13.56 today, then again between the 14.26 and 16.26. Shameful.

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Another omnishambles brought to you by Don't Go North East.

Unber43 · 24 Jul 2022, 9:23 am,

(24 Jul 2022, 8:59 am)Adrian wrote No 4 from Houghton between 11.26 and the 13.56 today, then again between the 14.26 and 16.26. Shameful.

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That is a disgrace.

Rob44 · 24 Jul 2022, 9:28 am,

Ive got a question. the following journeys are canceled on the 28b today

Go North East 28B:

From Newcastle 17:10
From Kibblesworth 12:43

I think this interworks with the 28? My question though is what happens to the bus and the driver who would get to Newcastle at 1240 to run the now canceled 28b to kibblesworth. Do they put it nOT IN SERVICE and drive to the depot?

**Adrian** · 24 Jul 2022, 11:08 am,

(24 Jul 2022, 9:28 am)Rob44 wrote Ive got a question. the following journeys are canceled on the 28b today

Go North East 28B:

From Newcastle 17:10
From Kibblesworth 12:43

I think this interworks with the 28? My question though is what happens to the bus and the driver who would get to Newcastle at 1240 to run the now canceled 28b to kibblesworth. Do they put it nOT IN SERVICE and drive to the depot?

When I've seen it in the past, both the inbound and outbound journey havent operated, but only one of the trips listed.

Importantly, I think both of those services are now fully secured by Durham County Council, so make sure you report the non-running to them directly.

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Rob44 · 24 Jul 2022, 11:53 am,

(24 Jul 2022, 11:08 am)Adrian wrote When I've seen it in the past, both the inbound and outbound journey havent operated, but only one of the trips listed.

Importantly, I think both of those services are now fully secured by Durham County Council, so make sure you report the non-running to them directly.

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Yes that make sense i suppose . it looks like the 28 from chester le street is canceled at 1605 meaning the 1710 28b is cancelked back to kibbkls worth. but how come the 1815 28b back to town isnt canceled as that should be the bus that does the previuos service? Or am i getting confused?

Well that started from today I think and only a coiple of cancelations so alot better than noramal

Jack Gill · 24 Jul 2022, 12:04 pm,

Nearly all the cancellations were from Washington which I'm sure Dan mentioned was the only depot to not be overstaffed or similar, however since this morning a few Riverside cancellations have been added.