(11 Sep 2023, 12:00 pm)citaro5284 wrote Notice a post on a local facebook group saying that the 1745, 1825 and 2015 X7 services from Newcastle are not running today.  So that is a bus at 1715 then 1915 then 2115 to the likes of Seghill, Seaton Delaval and New Hartley.

It's alright, can use the Metro to West Monkseaton and change onto the 57, where 2602 yet again is on and will be doing the bus around 18:40.

People are underestimating how much the trains are going to damage the buses as people are sick to death of them round here.

Extremely poor to see not one-off, but multiple hourly services cancelled.

This is an area where operators need to do much more to ensure these services are covered.

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(11 Sep 2023, 12:29 pm)Storx wrote It's alright, can use the Metro to West Monkseaton and change onto the 57, where 2602 yet again is on and will be doing the bus around 18:40.

In future should they just not cover a breakdown/vehicle issue?

Can't see the situation at GNE improving any time soon.. https://twitter.com/GAGNigel/status/1701...pRmB-lSfVw&s=19

(11 Sep 2023, 12:58 pm)DeltaMan wrote Can't see the situation at GNE improving any time soon.. https://twitter.com/GAGNigel/status/1701...pRmB-lSfVw&s=19

Glad to see lots of diversity in the bus industry...

(11 Sep 2023, 12:59 pm)mb134 wrote Glad to see lots of diversity in the bus industry...

There's a decent amount in front line staff, but at least none in leadership....

They've toned a lot of the good stuff down since MG left and I doubt they've got a Head of DEI (maybe it's Ben and his array of talents)

Birtley delays were awful this morning nearly every 21 was 25 mins late

I used to buy a GNE weekly ticket/Flexi dependant on my needs for a particular week, mainly because the service from Percy Main was very reliable, with few cancellations.

The past week has been a complete shambles, and if it continues I'll be switching to Stagecoach. Even though they have a few cancellations (especially with the 22 regularly randomly terminating at Walkergate Depot without warning), at least the gap between services is smaller, and the 317 is very reliable even though it takes longer.

I'm not sure how people could deal with this sort of service where Go North East are the only option.

(11 Sep 2023, 3:31 pm)Thomas12 wrote I used to buy a GNE weekly ticket/Flexi dependant on my needs for a particular week, mainly because the service from Percy Main was very reliable, with few cancellations.

The past week has been a complete shambles, and if it continues I'll be switching to Stagecoach. Even though they have a few cancellations (especially with the 22 regularly randomly terminating at Walkergate Depot without warning), at least the gap between services is smaller, and the 317 is very reliable even though it takes longer.

I'm not sure how people could deal with this sort of service where Go North East are the only option.

Work from home as much as possible?

I rarely go into the office nowadays, because every time I make the commute, I realise why I don't bother...

(11 Sep 2023, 3:31 pm)Thomas12 wrote I used to buy a GNE weekly ticket/Flexi dependant on my needs for a particular week, mainly because the service from Percy Main was very reliable, with few cancellations.

The past week has been a complete shambles, and if it continues I'll be switching to Stagecoach. Even though they have a few cancellations (especially with the 22 regularly randomly terminating at Walkergate Depot without warning), at least the gap between services is smaller, and the 317 is very reliable even though it takes longer.

I'm not sure how people could deal with this sort of service where Go North East are the only option.

The list massively helped trying to plan to go to Newcastle or anywhere really I tried not to get on a bus where the previous one was cancelled. 

But it was still awful regular 45 mins wait as you would be missing one, the bus after would end up being 15 mins late picking up two loads then went NIS ootherwise it would never make time up, then the one after was cancelled, and then the bus would be like 5 mins late then by the time you got off it was 15 mins late and would go NIS

Does anyone know if the 16.08 X39 from Cobalt ran today? It's not showing on bustimes and I've got a few colleagues whacking in uber receipts (remote colleagues who do a team day once a month in the office - we're not THAT generous!)

We have had a few try it on before and it's normally reliable (if never on time)

(11 Sep 2023, 3:59 pm)Ambassador wrote Does anyone know if the 16.08 X39 from Cobalt ran today? It's not showing on bustimes and I've got a few colleagues whacking in uber receipts (remote colleagues who do a team day once a month in the office - we're not THAT generous!)

We have had a few try it on before and it's normally reliable (if never on time)

No it didn't, the bus that would have usually ran it went on the 307 instead.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:03 pm)Thomas12 wrote No it didn't, the bus that would have usually ran it went on the 307 instead.

Thank you - first time I've ever had an issue with that one (22X we know is a tad unreliable)

I would guess the 17.08 isn't running either as that's the same bus and I've got 13 using that one! 

It will make tempting even the most willing of colleagues into the office that bit harder if the X39 starts becoming an issue

First of all thats a joke, second of all shouldn't there really be a 16:38/17:38 as it seems having it at 08 mins past is a bit tight, 16:15/20 17:15/20 would seem better timed

(11 Sep 2023, 4:09 pm)Ambassador wrote Thank you - first time I've ever had an issue with that one (22X we know is a tad unreliable)

I would guess the 17.08 isn't running either as that's the same bus and I've got 13 using that one! 

It will make tempting even the most willing of colleagues into the office that bit harder if the X39 starts becoming an issue

I'd assume not - I think the same bus/driver usually does all of the X39 runs, so unless they manage to get a spare one then I would assume none of the X39 services will be running today. 

They've obviously took too much on with the ex-Arriva services. Three 1s in a row were cancelled this morning. Hopefully there is a resolution soon.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Thomas12 wrote I'd assume not - I think the same bus/driver usually does all of the X39 runs, so unless they manage to get a spare one then I would assume none of the X39 services will be running today. 

They've obviously took too much on with the ex-Arriva services. Three 1s in a row were cancelled this morning. Hopefully there is a resolution soon.

I don't think they'd have taken the work on, if they knew from day one that they'd be unable to cover it. You'd plan all this into your resource modelling.

What it doesn't account for, is what has happened since doing the modelling and forecasts for introducing those services, e.g. has there been a sudden and unusual increase in sickness, have drivers been loaned to other depots to spread the impact, and so on?

I maintain what I've said many times previous, about operators really needing to get a grip on retention, but sometimes there's factors at play that you really can't realistically foresee.

According to GNE's website at 17:38 this evening the only cancellations for tomorrow are Consett and there's a few of them.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:21 pm)Adrian wrote I don't think they'd have taken the work on, if they knew from day one that they'd be unable to cover it. You'd plan all this into your resource modelling.

What it doesn't account for, is what has happened since doing the modelling and forecasts for introducing those services, e.g. has there been a sudden and unusual increase in sickness, have drivers been loaned to other depots to spread the impact, and so on?

I maintain what I've said many times previous, about operators really needing to get a grip on retention, but sometimes there's factors at play that you really can't realistically foresee.

Also a lot of people go on hoildays in September as its cheaper so that could be an additional reason.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:51 pm)Unber43 wrote Also a lot of people go on hoildays in September as its cheaper so that could be an additional reason.

Bus drivers generally don't have the flexibility that most of us have, in terms of using our leave, as I understand? They're allocated blocks throughout the year, and if they want a more suitable time, they have to swap it with another colleague. So again, this is something that'd be factored into the resource modelling. 

When I was involved in this in the workplace (not transport), we'd always aim for 20% spare capacity to cover for sickness, annual leave and training.

Not to mention none of the 553 (GNE) have ran tonight.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:21 pm)Adrian wrote I don't think they'd have taken the work on, if they knew from day one that they'd be unable to cover it. You'd plan all this into your resource modelling.

What it doesn't account for, is what has happened since doing the modelling and forecasts for introducing those services, e.g. has there been a sudden and unusual increase in sickness, have drivers been loaned to other depots to spread the impact, and so on?

I maintain what I've said many times previous, about operators really needing to get a grip on retention, but sometimes there's factors at play that you really can't realistically foresee.

Wonder if they might have modelled for more Arriva driver's to come across and in the end they haven't bothered.

(11 Sep 2023, 5:34 pm)Storx wrote Wonder if they might have modelled for more Arriva driver's to come across and in the end they haven't bothered.

Aren't they waiting for their re-settlement payment

(11 Sep 2023, 5:34 pm)Storx wrote Wonder if they might have modelled for more Arriva driver's to come across and in the end they haven't bothered.

Well Dan said once the agreements or something between the Ex-Arriva drivers, and Arriva some will be coming over.

(11 Sep 2023, 5:35 pm)Unber43 wrote Aren't they waiting for their re-settlement payment

(11 Sep 2023, 5:36 pm)nova347 wrote Well Dan said once the agreements or something between the Ex-Arriva drivers, and Arriva some will be coming over.

Aye believe so, be interesting if many do as I'm not sure why they'd want to. I can understand why they'd want to move away from Arriva but considering they've been working in the same yard as Stagecoach for over a year and they're, as far as I'm aware, paid more. Not sure why anyone wouldn't take that option.

(11 Sep 2023, 6:34 pm)Storx wrote Aye believe so, be interesting if many do as I'm not sure why they'd want to. I can understand why they'd want to move away from Arriva but considering they've been working in the same yard as Stagecoach for over a year and they're, as far as I'm aware, paid more. Not sure why anyone wouldn't take that option.

It depends where they live, too, of course.

Stagecoach will be the worst paid of the big three as soon as GNE’s pay deal is settled. Even GNE’s first offer (which drivers are balloting to strike over) sees them overtake Stagecoach. Whatever is agreed will be backdated to 1 July (or whenever the employee started at GNE, if after that date).

Conditions at Stagecoach (in terms of driving portions etc) are far worse than GNE.

Plenty of reasons why folk would go to GNE over Stagecoach. Of course, I am sure there are reasons why some drivers would prefer to work at Stagecoach too!


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(11 Sep 2023, 6:44 pm)Dan wrote It depends where they live, too, of course.

Stagecoach will be the worst paid of the big three as soon as GNE’s pay deal is settled. Even GNE’s first offer (which drivers are balloting to strike over) sees them overtake Stagecoach. Whatever is agreed will be backdated to 1 July (or whenever the employee started at GNE, if after that date).

Conditions at Stagecoach (in terms of driving portions etc) are far worse than GNE.

Plenty of reasons why folk would go to GNE over Stagecoach. Of course, I am sure there are reasons why some drivers would prefer to work at Stagecoach too!


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Yeah that's true, can't disagree with any of that, no doubt there's a few old guards about who used to be based at the likes of Whitley Bay still in there.

I heard SCNE don't pay drivers for dead runs, so if you have two dead runs which are 20-30 mins each, youre going to be losing an hour pay, whereas GNE do and there dead run times are quite generous so i think thats a reason, if they didnt I assume a lot of staff would have left, perhaps this could be why SCNE do quite well due to their un-lengthy dead runs.

Wheatshef depot longest dead run is Farringdon probably not sure about others depot.

GNE they probably are (not including school routes)

Deptford - Langley Park (20), Peterlee (206), Hebburn (26)
Washington - Peterlee (X1)
Consett - Metrocentre (6)
Riverside - West Aukland (X21), Middlesbrough [Match Days Only] (X10), Hexham (10)
Percy Main - Metrocentre (1), Blyth (309)

(11 Sep 2023, 7:37 pm)Unber43 wrote I heard SCNE don't pay drivers for dead runs, so if you have two dead runs which are 20-30 mins each, youre going to be losing an hour pay, whereas GNE do and there dead run times are quite generous so i think thats a reason, if they didnt I assume a lot of staff would have left, perhaps this could be why SCNE do quite well due to their un-lengthy dead runs.

Wheatshef depot longest dead run is Farringdon probably not sure about others depot.

GNE they probably are (not including school routes)

Deptford - Langley Park (20), Peterlee (206), Hebburn (26)
Washington - Peterlee (X1)
Consett - Metrocentre (6)
Riverside - West Aukland (X21), Middlesbrough [Match Days Only] (X10), Hexham (10)
Percy Main - Metrocentre (1), Blyth (309)

I've never heard of that, but that sounds a bit iffy to me? If you're driving a bus, then you're working and should be paid accordingly. Regardless of whether it is in or out of service.

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(11 Sep 2023, 7:51 pm)Adrian wrote I've never heard of that, but that sounds a bit iffy to me? If you're driving a bus, then you're working and should be paid accordingly. Regardless of whether it is in or out of service.

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I don't know exactly if it was true but it is what i was told.

Suppose its similar to flight attendants they only get paid when the doors are shut and the plane is "in service" and not all of the stuff they have to do before that is possible.

(11 Sep 2023, 7:37 pm)Unber43 wrote I heard SCNE don't pay drivers for dead runs, so if you have two dead runs which are 20-30 mins each, youre going to be losing an hour pay, whereas GNE do and there dead run times are quite generous so i think thats a reason, if they didnt I assume a lot of staff would have left, perhaps this could be why SCNE do quite well due to their un-lengthy dead runs.

That sounds very illegal? Regardless of if you're driving in service, you're at work. Similar to how drivers are paid while carrying out vehicle checks etc.