(03 Dec 2022, 11:54 pm)Unber43 wrote Reliability is a massive issue and its need to be fixed asap, however with all the different bus types/branding there isn't a lot which you can do. 

X45/X30/X31 - 30 mins layover in Stanley
X21 - 25 mins in Newcastle 

Looking at the 56 a lot of them were very late turning at Gateshead, and they've got 12 mins at Sunderland, 8 mins at Newcastle, its constant delays to the same services day after day.

Just looking on GNE Twitter, 10 21:24 from Hexham is cancelled which means you've got an hour wait, 2A to Biddick cancelled, these aren't getting people onboard.
I think the PVR X21 is 8 with the massive layover, they should use the 20/70 Plate StreetDecks with 6377/6376/6332, spare, 6377 can be used on the X10 to give some E400 a rest as they're getting hammered on the X10 and unless GNE puts in a order for new buses in about 2-3 years I can see them being dieing on the route, as they're out from 4am to midnight.

30 minute layover in Stanley would be commercial suicide given that the X30/X31 can be easily done with a PVR of 3x in most instances with peak extras thrown in. Yes by all means make the X45 standalone and with changeovers with outside of Hownsgill, that should help with driving hours.

X21 PVR is currently 8x and with a long layover at Eldon Square would be 9x. Surely as mentioned on the other thread moving 6341-51 to Riverside and having a fleet of 15x vehicles (with 2x spare) to choose from covering both the X10 & X21 would be more sensible. Minus the old X21/X22 'Sapphire' branding, Arriva Ashington are effectively doing that now with the 17 plate and 72 plate E400MMCs doing both the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22.

(04 Dec 2022, 10:59 am)L469 YVK wrote 30 minute layover in Stanley would be commercial suicide given that the X30/X31 can be easily done with a PVR of 3x in most instances with peak extras thrown in. Yes by all means make the X45 standalone and with changeovers with outside of Hownsgill, that should help with driving hours.

X21 PVR is currently 8x and with a long layover at Eldon Square would be 9x. Surely as mentioned on the other thread moving 6341-51 to Riverside and having a fleet of 15x vehicles (with 2x spare) to choose from covering both the X10 & X21 would be more sensible. Minus the old X21/X22 'Sapphire' branding, Arriva Ashington are effectively doing that now with the 17 plate and 72 plate E400MMCs doing both the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22.

Yes, but for the X45/X30/X31 interwork a 30 min layover in Stanley would be great, they're constantly 20 mins late leaving Consett to head to Newcastle, even worse coming back to Consett a 30 min at Stanley would be ideal so they will leave on time. 

imo X45 should be a PVR 6 with a large layover, or just increase it to every 20 mins, it doesn't get delays due it being dead I can tell you that, or traffic I was on one yesterday, it arrived in Consett 2 mins late, left 15 mins late.

(04 Dec 2022, 11:06 am)Unber43 wrote Yes, but for the X45/X30/X31 interwork a 30 min layover in Stanley would be great, they're constantly 20 mins late leaving Consett to head to Newcastle, even worse coming back to Consett a 30 min at Stanley would be ideal so they will leave on time. 

imo X45 should be a PVR 6 with a large layover, or just increase it to every 20 mins, it doesn't get delays due it being dead I can tell you that, or traffic I was on one yesterday, it arrived in Consett 2 mins late, left 15 mins late.

As peverse as it sounds, would it not make sense then to take the Stanley/Lanchester part off the 6 and extend the X30/X31 once an hour? That would give the X30/X31/X45 cycle an extra bus and an extra 15/20 mins to play with assuming a round trip between Stanley and Lanchester can be done in 40 to 45 mins?

(04 Dec 2022, 11:58 am)DeltaMan wrote As peverse as it sounds, would it not make sense then to take the Stanley/Lanchester part off the 6 and extend the X30/X31 once an hour? That would give the X30/X31/X45 cycle an extra bus and an extra 15/20 mins to play with assuming a round trip between Stanley and Lanchester can be done in 40 to 45 mins?

Wonder if you could bring back the X32, and just extend it to Lanchester, that would open up a link to Gateshead which they lost.

(04 Dec 2022, 11:58 am)DeltaMan wrote As peverse as it sounds, would it not make sense then to take the Stanley/Lanchester part off the 6 and extend the X30/X31 once an hour? That would give the X30/X31/X45 cycle an extra bus and an extra 15/20 mins to play with assuming a round trip between Stanley and Lanchester can be done in 40 to 45 mins?

Probably better at looking at reallocating some things tbh, the X30/X31/X45 is a bit long distance wise.

Maybe they could flip some stuff around and say have the X45 and 12 interworking together with a PVR 8 with 75 minutes for the X45 and 45 minutes for the 12 from Consett

Then the X30/X31 moved to Riverside in return working standalone with a PVR 3 or interworking with something else if they want to remove the short drive from the depot for changeovers.

Believe the PVR is the same as it is now anyway. The 12 is getting hammered lately by being on the extremely long 10/10A aswell.

(04 Dec 2022, 5:30 pm)Storx wrote Probably better at looking at reallocating some things tbh, the X30/X31/X45 is a bit long distance wise.

Maybe they could flip some stuff around and say have the X45 and 12 interworking together with a PVR 8 with 75 minutes for the X45 and 45 minutes for the 12 from Consett

Then the X30/X31 moved to Riverside in return working standalone with a PVR 3 or interworking with something else if they want to remove the short drive from the depot for changeovers.

Believe the PVR is the same as it is now anyway. The 12 is getting hammered lately by being on the extremely long 10/10A aswell.

To solve the issue with Ellison Road Bridge, would the following not work?

- X30/X31 via Ravensworth Road then non stop via Gas Works and Centrelink then Swing Bridge. Stanley bound via Redheugh Bridge, Askew Road West and Gas Works - would only add 5 mins at most and interworking wouldn't be an issue, any height decker could be used.

- 6 via Clockmill Road and Pitz Soccer as Tyne Valley Ten already covers the Teams.

- Peak time 10/10A/10B normal route to Askew Road West then back down via Tyne Road and Rose Street onto Centrelink.

(04 Dec 2022, 7:50 pm)L469 YVK wrote To solve the issue with Ellison Road Bridge, would the following not work?

- X30/X31 via Ravensworth Road then non stop via Gas Works and Centrelink then Swing Bridge. Stanley bound via Redheugh Bridge, Askew Road West and Gas Works - would only add 5 mins at most and interworking wouldn't be an issue, any height decker could be used.

- 6 via Clockmill Road and Pitz Soccer as Tyne Valley Ten already covers the Teams.

- Peak time 10/10A/10B normal route to Askew Road West then back down via Tyne Road and Rose Street onto Centrelink.

See I'd love to see something like the following as a brand new route instead - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.97249...92!1m0!3e0

With Nexus working in partnership with them, the majority of that route doesn't have a bus service at all or is covered by the 96 which would be replaced by it. I know there's the 29 and 643 definitely subsidised covering it.

With that, you could then run the X30/X31 straight onto the A1 at Park Terrace and avoid Dunston altogether and save a few minutes in the process which could help the timing problems.

The route wouldn't really impact any other routes other than maybe the 6 between Whickham and the Metro Centre as it's all pretty unique areas and opens a lot of links to Newcastle which don't currently exist and removing the duplicating 96/97 on Bensham Bank.

(04 Dec 2022, 7:50 pm)L469 YVK wrote To solve the issue with Ellison Road Bridge, would the following not work? 

- X30/X31 via Ravensworth Road then non stop via Gas Works and Centrelink then Swing Bridge. Stanley bound via Redheugh Bridge, Askew Road West and Gas Works - would only add 5 mins at most and interworking wouldn't be an issue, any height decker could be used.

- 6 via Clockmill Road and Pitz Soccer as Tyne Valley Ten already covers the Teams.

- Peak time 10/10A/10B normal route to Askew Road West then back down via Tyne Road and Rose Street onto Centrelink.

Nah, it's surely a case of getting the begging bowl out and getting the taxpayer to fund some sort of improvement.
Whether it be lowering the road height or increasing the height of the bridge.

What are the height of the streetdecks?

(04 Dec 2022, 9:05 pm)Unber43 wrote What are the height of the streetdecks?

14 feet 6 inches, basically the max height of double deckers.

Customer service would be a good start. I’ve just witnessed a frankly awful set of behaviours from a driver ‘mentor’ on the 21 tonight

The bus was full, which being a single decker wasn’t a surprise, he sat in his seat paying no attention when the driver struggled with the machine and then barking out random orders at the poor driver,

Whilst paying customers stood he just sat there watching the football on his phone.

As we made it through low fell a passenger got on and explained he only had a £20 note and he couldn’t afford to get any change. The driver apologised and another passenger offered to pay the 2.30 fare, but the man declined and got off.

As the doors shut…the mentor shouted ‘wouldn’t have killed him to go and get some change’

Drivers and mentors at that…with that attitude shouldn’t be anywhere near a service role.

Back to Uber tomorrow

There was a mentor a while back on the 21 - don't want to describe him in case he's on here but definitely got little man syndrome. Saw him about 6 ish - asked if he know where the 28b was - shrugged his shoulders... didn't offer to try to find out. I got the next 21 to the fell had a few pints and at around 10 ish was waiting again for the 28b and the 21 pulled in again. Same mentor. Said i was still waiting. Shrugged shoulders again and it drove off. Setting an example for drivers to follow me thinks!

(06 Dec 2022, 11:18 am)Rob44 wrote There was a mentor a while back on the 21  - don't want to describe him in case he's on here but definitely got little man syndrome. Saw him about 6 ish  - asked if he know where the 28b was - shrugged his shoulders... didn't offer to try to find out. I got the next 21 to the fell had a few pints and at around 10 ish was waiting again for the 28b and the 21 pulled in again.  Same mentor. Said i was still waiting. Shrugged shoulders again and it drove off. Setting an example for drivers to follow me thinks!

Yes someone asked where the X21 was and if there were any delays and he replied 

'We just drive this bus - not the other buses so can't help there'

Whilst not a factually inaccurate response it's indicative of the awful levels of customer service prevalent especially on the 21 lately

I've voted with my feet - pity those who can't

(06 Dec 2022, 12:25 pm)Ambassador wrote Yes someone asked where the X21 was and if there were any delays and he replied 

'We just drive this bus - not the other buses so can't help there'

Whilst not a factually inaccurate response it's indicative of the awful levels of customer service prevalent especially on the 21 lately

I've voted with my feet - pity those who can't

Well, yes a mentor could look at the app while the driver isn't busy (mine spent time chatting to passengers explaining the problems re driver shortage), I often get people on asking what happened to the bus in front, or of there's problems on other routes - the only answer you can give is "I don't know" unless a specific diversion has come over the radio (assuming it works of course).

Can the driver not radio control and ask what the crack is or do GNE not know where there buses are at all times?

(06 Dec 2022, 2:35 pm)Rob44 wrote Can the driver not radio control and ask what the crack is or do GNE not know where there buses are at all times?

It's been years since I've heard a radio on a GNE bus (probably all done via the ticket machine now). We could radio up control and ask, but I'd only do it if the passenger is being particularly forceful - often being sympathetic (easy for me to do as I once spent an hour waiting for a 61; this was before the July reductions), explaining it's likely because there's no driver for it coupled with an apology does the trick.

(06 Dec 2022, 2:47 pm)F114TML wrote It's been years since I've heard a radio on a GNE bus (probably all done via the ticket machine now). We could radio up control and ask, but I'd only do it if the passenger is being particularly forceful - often being sympathetic (easy for me to do as I once spent an hour waiting for a 61; this was before the July reductions), explaining it's likely because there's no driver for it coupled with an apology does the trick.

Fair enough.  I just remember back to when me and the crocodile were wafting for a 21 to low fell from Durham.  It was back when the 21 was run by the electric hybred buses.  We waited hours, no lie. at least 3 21 turned up and immediately put no is service on. I asked several drivers if the knew or could find out what the crack was and got excuse after excuse. radio not working, don't know how to use it, no one at control were all said to me more that once.  when on came in it left the bus station full and left punter behind. Still to this day don't know what caused it.

I just think of the grief i'd get from upstairs if a customer asked me about something and i just shrugged my shoulders.... i'd be for the chop!

(06 Dec 2022, 3:00 pm)Rob44 wrote Fair enough.  I just remember back to when me and the crocodile were wafting for a 21 to low fell from Durham.  It was back when the 21 was run by the electric hybred buses.  We waited hours, no lie. at least 3 21 turned up and immediately put no is service on. I asked several drivers if the knew or could find out what the crack was and got excuse after excuse. radio not working, don't know how to use it, no one at control were all said to me more that once.  when on came in it left the bus station full and left punter behind. Still to this day don't know what caused it.

I just think of the grief i'd get from upstairs if a customer asked me about something and i just shrugged my shoulders.... i'd be for the chop!

I mean, radio not working fair enough (there's a fair few where ours don't work, and one that can recieve calls but can't send them which was interesting); short of stopping the engine and contacting on your phone there's nothing you can really do.

Don't know how to use it is just bad training IMO. I'm assuming by "no one at control" they meant there were people there but not physically in the room (often happens here at night or on a weekend when there's normally just one person in) - No one being scheduled/rostered to be in the control room while buses are on the road is, to me, a terrifying concept.

(05 Dec 2022, 5:33 pm)Ambassador wrote Customer service would be a good start. I’ve just witnessed a frankly awful set of behaviours from a driver ‘mentor’ on the 21 tonight

The bus was full, which being a single decker wasn’t a surprise, he sat in his seat paying no attention when the driver struggled with the machine and then barking out random orders at the poor driver,

Whilst paying customers stood he just sat there watching the football on his phone.

As we made it through low fell a passenger got on and explained he only had a £20 note and he couldn’t afford to get any change. The driver apologised and another passenger offered to pay the 2.30 fare, but the man declined and got off.

As the doors shut…the mentor shouted ‘wouldn’t have killed him to go and get some change’

Drivers and mentors at that…with that attitude shouldn’t be anywhere near a service role.

Back to Uber tomorrow

I have noticed a fairly big difference in the standard of drivers across different depots.

Most of the drivers at Percy Main on the 1 and 309/310 are very pleasant and helpful to other passengers (of course, you get the odd miserable one), but when using other services operated from depots they are often rude and uncomplimentary, often with poorer driving standards.

Maybe there is a different management style at the depots, I don’t know.

I've noticed over the last week or so Riverside drivers have been a lot friendly than they used to be.

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Just jumped on the X1 at Gateshead to get to Newcastle and the driver is a right misery guts!

He just closed the doors as I was getting there, I'd rather he'd just drove off after he closed the doors than open the doors again and openly say "oh for fuck sake"

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(07 Dec 2022, 1:22 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Just jumped on the X1 at Gateshead to get to Newcastle and the driver is a right misery guts!

He just closed the doors as I was getting there, I'd rather he'd just drove off after he closed the doors than open the doors again and openly say "oh for fuck sake"

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nowt worse than someone running for a bus and delaying it and all its passengers that's only going 3 stops and will probably be a bus behind in 30 seconds.

(07 Dec 2022, 1:48 pm)Rob44 wrote nowt worse than someone running for a bus and delaying it and all its passengers that's only going 3 stops and will probably be a bus behind in 30 seconds.

I didn't run, that's why I was expecting him to just drive away.
It's only because he opened the doors again that I walked up to it.

I have one rule when it comes to using the bus, never run.
I'd rather miss the bus with dignity than run and have it leave then look like a tit.

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(07 Dec 2022, 2:24 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I didn't run, that's why I was expecting him to just drive away.
It's only because he opened the doors again that I walked up to it.

I have one rule when it comes to using the bus, never run.
I'd rather miss the bus with dignity than run and have it leave then look like a tit.

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Have a like!

X21 was running late again (what a surprise!), but luckily they had someone at Eldon Square to actually inform passengers and move them onto a 21 to get to Gateshead.

Unfortunately we've got a B9 on the X21, at least it's got tables, and WORKING SOCKETS!
I always forget how cramped a B9 feels, they're horrible.

(07 Dec 2022, 2:24 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I didn't run, that's why I was expecting him to just drive away.
It's only because he opened the doors again that I walked up to it.

I have one rule when it comes to using the bus, never run.
I'd rather miss the bus with dignity than run and have it leave then look like a tit.

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I totally agree

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(07 Dec 2022, 4:09 pm)streetdeckfan wrote X21 was running late again (what a surprise!), but luckily they had someone at Eldon Square to actually inform passengers and move them onto a 21 to get to Gateshead.

Unfortunately we've got a B9 on the X21, at least it's got tables, and WORKING SOCKETS!
I always forget how cramped a B9 feels, they're horrible.

6099, only the front socket works on the left table, barely any of the USB's work

(07 Dec 2022, 5:27 pm)Unber43 wrote 6099, only the front socket works on the left table, barely any of the USB's work

It's a GNE bus, surely all the USB ports work!



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(07 Dec 2022, 5:33 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's a GNE bus, surely all the USB ports work!



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Honestly, the interior and the state of GNE fleet is in disarray, does anyone actually clean them. 

I would say 50% of the buses with USBs don't work. It could be more.

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(07 Dec 2022, 1:22 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Just jumped on the X1 at Gateshead to get to Newcastle and the driver is a right misery guts!

He just closed the doors as I was getting there, I'd rather he'd just drove off after he closed the doors than open the doors again and openly say "oh for fuck sake"

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Happened to me before, he said with an eye roll "for fuck sake their just one gone" then muttered something, but when I got off he seemed quite nice.

(07 Dec 2022, 5:36 pm)Unber43 wrote Honestly, the interior and the state of GNE fleet is in disarray, does anyone actually clean them. 

I would say 50% of the buses with USBs don't work. It could be more.

And the ones that do work don't even provide enough power to charge a phone!

Fleet presentation seems to have gone downhill, and certainly since MG left.

As I've said in the past, one thing I did admire about him was he genuinely seemed to care about the passenger experience, probably because he actually uses public transport!

(07 Dec 2022, 5:39 pm)streetdeckfan wrote And the ones that do work don't even provide enough power to charge a phone!

Fleet presentation seems to have gone downhill, and certainly since MG left.

As I've said in the past, one thing I did admire about him was he genuinely seemed to care about the passenger experience, probably because he actually uses public transport!

The only decent ones are the Streetdecks 20/70 Plate, 16 Plates, E400 (when they work), Citaros, G2's which have been refurbed, 27/16 etc

every 15/16 Plate Streetlite, Angel/Xlines X21 dont have enough power (like you said).

I agree atleast MG did care, the E400 tables I think he was a key part in getting them retro fitted to be better for passengers, not that they treated them well. Maybe a lot of routes having its own livery was part of the fleet presentation, but I still stand by if a route makes money brand it, or brand areas e.g Little Pinks.