(13 Sep 2023, 8:05 pm)Storx wrote They should just cancel the 352 and 354 outright imo.

They're just duplicates of the 37 (SNE) and 359 anyway for the unique sections anyway.

Anyone using the 352 must have an issue with Stagecoach as there's absolutely no other reason to use it and the 354 has been a basket case for years. Would free up 4 boards immediately.

It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.

(13 Sep 2023, 7:24 pm)Ambassador wrote It appears the X39 afternoon runs didn’t run again

Sure all this new contract and commercial work is worth pissing off your existing customer base?

Yet more proof the management aren’t up to the task and are making poor decisions

Surely it's just proof that somebody at Go Ahead Group values saving face with high profile franchises in Manchester rather than standard commercial work elsewhere.

(13 Sep 2023, 8:27 pm)Thomas12 wrote It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.

Can't disagree to be honest like, could even split it so one runs the 354 route from Killingworth to Shiremoor and the other does the 353 route.

(13 Sep 2023, 8:45 pm)DeltaMan wrote Surely it's just proof that somebody at Go Ahead Group values saving face with high profile franchises in Manchester rather than standard commercial work elsewhere.

It’s been poor since MGs days.

 it’s clear the operation is now run on the cheap and the wrong people, inexperienced and floundering are now doing their best, but they just aren’t very good. Featham is just a caretaker but the supply teachers at GNE are a disaster

There’s 88 journeys cancelled tommorow. I wonder what the record is?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Given the posts, I thought I'd have a very unscientific look to see how Arriva Blyth and GNE Percy Main got on today service delivery wise since they seem to be the depots currently struggling the most. Pinch of salt, as it's taken from Bustimes, but I believe Arriva Blyth had the following cancelled today (as of 22:00ish when I checked):

X7: 
To Newcastle - 10:42, 11:42, 13:42
None cancelled NB.  

X8: 
To Newcastle - 18:44
From Newcastle - 11:50, 12:50, 14:50

X9: 
To Newcastle - 07:54, 13:29, 13:59, 16:34
From Newcastle - 09:13, 14:43 (started from Cramlington), 17:53

X10: 
To Newcastle - 13:01, 15:31, 16:36
To Blyth - 13:15, 15:15

X11: 
To Newcastle - 12:14, 14:14
To Blyth - 14:00, 17:40

306: 
To Newcastle - 10:46, 16:01, 17:26
To Whitley Bay/Tynemouth - 09:30, 14:50, 16:15, 17:00

308: 
To Newcastle - 08:06, 13:36, 14:56
To Blyth - 12:00, 15:20, 17:10, 18:35

43:
To Newcastle - 15:09, 16:42, 18:14, 19:28, 21:28
To Cramlington - 17:20, 18:45, 20:05, 22:05

44: 
To Newcastle - 18:11 
To Dinnington - 15:53, 17:28

45: 
To Newcastle - 16:40
To Dinnington - 18:55

While Percy Main look to have missed the following (with the usual Bustimes caveats, as there's simply no way what PM have added to the website short notice cancellations list is accurate!):

307: 
To Newcastle - 09:55, 11:55, 14:55, 17:05, 17:30, 18:38, 19:38
To North Shields - 10:55, 15:55, 16:20, 18:30, 21:00

309:
To Newcastle - 06:31, 07:11, 09:06, 09:26, 11:06, 11:46, 12:06, 14:06, 14:46, 16:51, 19:50, 20:50, 21:50
To Blyth - 07:55, 09:45, 10:25, 10:45, 13:05, 13:25, 15:25, 18:20, 19:30, 20:30

352:
To Newcastle - 15:30
To Cramlington - 07:55, 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:10

353: 
To North Shields - 09:00, 10:00, 15:00 
To Cramlington - 14:17

354: 
To Newcastle - 06:42, 09:47, 15:47
To North Shields - 17:40

355: 
To Forest Hall - 06:50, 07:55, 11:02, 13:02, 16:35, 17:05
To Newcastle - 06:12, 07:12, 08:17, 11:24, 12:24, 13:24, 17:00, 17:30

41: 
To Wallsend -  09:56, 11:26
To Hadrian Park - 10:19, 11:49

41A: 
To Wallsend - 10:38, 17:54, 18:43, 19:38
To Hadrian Park - 09:34, 11:04, 18:24, 19:19

1: 
To MetroCentre - 11:44, 13:24, 20:12 
To Whitley Bay - 13:59, 16:45, 18:08

Obviously aware of the usual issues with Bustimes, however in lots of instances here buses which later appeared on these boards had been tracking on other things previously, or in the case of the 309 evidently got put on/taken off at New York (and there aren't that many dodgy ticket machines in the NE!). Some of these will undoubtedly be as a result of vehicle failure too, and some that are not on here will only have operated part trips (I couldn't be bothered checking where they all started, if I saw it listed then I excluded it).

(13 Sep 2023, 9:09 pm)mb134 wrote Given the posts, I thought I'd have a very unscientific look to see how Arriva Blyth and GNE Percy Main got on today service delivery wise since they seem to be the depots currently struggling the most. Pinch of salt, as it's taken from Bustimes, but I believe Arriva Blyth had the following cancelled today (as of 22:00ish when I checked):

X7: 
To Newcastle - 10:42, 11:42, 13:42
None cancelled NB.  

X8: 
To Newcastle - 18:44
From Newcastle - 11:50, 12:50, 14:50

X9: 
To Newcastle - 07:54, 13:29, 13:59, 16:34
From Newcastle - 09:13, 14:43 (started from Cramlington), 17:53

X10: 
To Newcastle - 13:01, 15:31, 16:36
To Blyth - 13:15, 15:15

X11: 
To Newcastle - 12:14, 14:14
To Blyth - 14:00, 17:40

306: 
To Newcastle - 10:46, 16:01, 17:26
To Whitley Bay/Tynemouth - 09:30, 14:50, 16:15, 17:00

308: 
To Newcastle - 08:06, 13:36, 14:56
To Blyth - 12:00, 15:20, 17:10, 18:35

43:
To Newcastle - 15:09, 16:42, 18:14, 19:28, 21:28
To Cramlington - 17:20, 18:45, 20:05, 22:05

44: 
To Newcastle - 18:11 
To Dinnington - 15:53, 17:28

45: 
To Newcastle - 16:40
To Dinnington - 18:55

While Percy Main look to have missed the following (with the usual Bustimes caveats, as there's simply no way what PM have added to the website short notice cancellations list is accurate!):

307: 
To Newcastle - 09:55, 11:55, 14:55, 17:05, 17:30, 18:38, 19:38
To North Shields - 10:55, 15:55, 16:20, 18:30, 21:00

309:
To Newcastle - 06:31, 07:11, 09:06, 09:26, 11:06, 11:46, 12:06, 14:06, 14:46, 16:51, 19:50, 20:50, 21:50
To Blyth - 07:55, 09:45, 10:25, 10:45, 13:05, 13:25, 15:25, 18:20, 19:30, 20:30

352:
To Newcastle - 15:30
To Cramlington - 07:55, 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:10

353: 
To North Shields - 09:00, 10:00, 15:00 
To Cramlington - 14:17

354: 
To Newcastle - 06:42, 09:47, 15:47
To North Shields - 17:40

355: 
To Forest Hall - 06:50, 07:55, 11:02, 13:02, 16:35, 17:05
To Newcastle - 06:12, 07:12, 08:17, 11:24, 12:24, 13:24, 17:00, 17:30

41: 
To Wallsend -  09:56, 11:26
To Hadrian Park - 10:19, 11:49

41A: 
To Wallsend - 10:38, 17:54, 18:43, 19:38
To Hadrian Park - 09:34, 11:04, 18:24, 19:19

1: 
To MetroCentre - 11:44, 13:24, 20:12 
To Whitley Bay - 13:59, 16:45, 18:08

Obviously aware of the usual issues with Bustimes, however in lots of instances here buses which later appeared on these boards had been tracking on other things previously, or in the case of the 309 evidently got put on/taken off at New York (and there aren't that many dodgy ticket machines in the NE!). Some of these will undoubtedly be as a result of vehicle failure too, and some that are not on here will only have operated part trips (I couldn't be bothered checking where they all started, if I saw it listed then I excluded it).

Jesus. Looks like Percy Main is now much worse than Blyth, which is definitely something that only changed recently. You would think the 307/309 would be priority being higher profile and far busier routes. There definitely needs to be a rethink into whether they can actually cope with all the new services, because at the moment they clearly can’t.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The unannounced cancellations are the worst and arguably most impactful. You can’t plan for those and the app can be so buggy at times that you can’t track.

It’s an irk I have with Stagecoach but they have such high frequency compact areas it’s not as impactful

(13 Sep 2023, 9:22 pm)j986986 wrote Jesus. Looks like Percy Main is now much worse than Blyth, which is definitely something that only changed recently. You would think the 307/309 would be priority being higher profile and far busier routes. There definitely needs to be a rethink into whether they can actually cope with all the new services, because at the moment they clearly can’t.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?

(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 wrote I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?

It’s only an alternative if it runs.  I can’t see the two depots liaising!

(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 wrote I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?

And something needs to give as Champions League nights and the League Cup tie will soon be around rhe corner.

Will GNE subcontract any evening runs to the likes of A-Line & Stanley to make sure fans can get home on key routes?

(13 Sep 2023, 10:12 pm)mb134 wrote I guess with the 307/309 much of both routes are covered by the 306/308, so maybe their logic is that they'd prioritise routes which have no alternative?

Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Right, but the 307/309 go places the 308/306 don't go, especially last few buses it is very crucial they run.

You're also relying on another operator, who are struggling themselves lately, to get your customers home.

It feels a bit of a hit and hope approach. Sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

An absolute pi££ take again

The Following X39 journey will be cancelled

From Newcastle 7.28
From Cobalt 16.08/17.08/18.08

They have cancelled every single Cobalt journey to Newcastle tomorrow evening. This is an absolute joke by them now

(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No good after 11pm though! Think there'll be plenty of Blueline, Nearby and Uber reciepts coming into Customer Services the days after Champions League home fixtures if people can't get the last 307 or 309 home!

(13 Sep 2023, 8:27 pm)Thomas12 wrote It would make more sense for GNE to just run the 353 half hourly - no need for the 352/354/355 if there aren't enough drivers.

The 353 would hemorrhage cash if ran on a half hourly frequency standalone because with remote reliefs, there's no way drivers could do 5 hours behind the wheel (would be 2.5hr round trip)

Best outcome in March would be

Stagecoach
- X63 - Does Killingworth loop then as per 354/54 to Newcastle but via West Farm Avenue....maybe serving Stoneleigh Avenue to maintain close by BT links. Hourly evening & Sunday service introduced.

Go North East
- 352, 354, 355 withdrawn - covered by 37, 38, 353, 359, X63

- 353 half hourly

- Awarded 19 tender and interworks with 353 in North  Shields to maintain driving hours

(14 Sep 2023, 8:19 pm)L469 YVK wrote The 353 would hemorrhage cash if ran on a half hourly frequency standalone because with remote reliefs, there's no way drivers could do 5 hours behind the wheel (would be 2.5hr round trip)

Best outcome in March would be

Stagecoach
- X63 - Does Killingworth loop then as per 354/54 to Newcastle but via West Farm Avenue....maybe serving Stoneleigh Avenue to maintain close by BT links. Hourly evening & Sunday service introduced.

Go North East
- 352, 354, 355 withdrawn - covered by 37, 38, 353, 359, X63

- 353 half hourly

- Awarded 19 tender and interworks with 353 in North  Shields to maintain driving hours

You've totally missed the point of the X63 which is an express bus from Killingworth to Newcastle, it's not express on a detour around Gosforth, this is X4 levels of stupidity which was quickly reversed.

I know this is the wrong thread but the best thing to have would be and I'm not sure how possibly it would be timetable wise (I haven't checked):

340: Wallsend to Hadrian Park (3 BPH)
341: Killingworth to Wallsend (Hourly)
342: Cramlington to Wallsend (Hourly)
343: Cramlington to North Shields (Hourly)
344: Kingston Park to North Shields (Hourly)

340: Current 41
341: Current 335 from Killingworth to Wiltshire Drive, 342 route into Wallsend
342: Old 42 additionally serving Wiltshire Drive
343: Current 353
344: Current 354, North Shields to Killingworth, current 342 from Killingworth to Kingston Park

342/343: Combined Killingworth to Wallsend
341/342: Combined Wiltshire Drive to Wallsend
343/344: Combined Northumberland Park to North Shields

There's only really the Hadrian Park section lost but you could keep it to Hadrian Park instead of Wallsend but there's currently no bus service between Wallsend and Quorum - 2 major points and is more worthwhile imo. The other half of the 354 wouldn't be replaced. The 342 currently is a mess of a bus route imo.

(14 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)Dan wrote Yes, exactly this - and don’t forget that there is inter-operator ticket acceptance on the Coast Road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are the office staff in any sort of reality? On the cancellations tomorrow for the X39 it says, don’t forget you can use your ticket on Arriva services 

None of which serve Cobalt.

I know of two employers at Cobalt that have opened back up fully remote working to mitigate the feedback from colleagues around Go Ahead issues. we actually used the X39 as a promo piece to get colleagues back, now we’re using it to let them stay at home

(14 Sep 2023, 9:01 pm)Ambassador wrote Are the office staff in any sort of reality? On the cancellations tomorrow for the X39 it says, don’t forget you can use your ticket on Arriva services 

None of which serve Cobalt.

I know of two employers at Cobalt that have opened back up fully remote working to mitigate the feedback from colleagues around Go Ahead issues. we actually used the X39 as a promo piece to get colleagues back, now we’re using it to let them stay at home

Tbf X39 should be cancelled as you can get the 309, not ideal I appreciate that but atleast you will have a bus.

(14 Sep 2023, 9:14 pm)Unber43 wrote Tbf X39 should be cancelled as you can get the 309, not ideal I appreciate that but atleast you will have a bus.

You’ll just push commuters back to their cars or home working. It may only be 10-15 mins quicker but those types of commuters won’t entertain it, they just won’t come back. I know this from managing thousands of them. It’s yet more commercial nonsense from them

The 309 has become chronically unreliable. The sooner a regional ticket comes in the better, then at least the 22X which has become reliable is an option

(14 Sep 2023, 9:28 pm)Ambassador wrote You’ll just push commuters back to their cars or home working. It may only be 10-15 mins quicker but those types of commuters won’t entertain it, they just won’t come back. I know this from managing thousands of them. It’s yet more commercial nonsense from them

The 309 has become chronically unreliable. The sooner a regional ticket comes in the better, then at least the 22X which has become reliable is an option

X39 hasn't ran all week has it, and the morning journey is usually late! 

it is a joke

(14 Sep 2023, 9:28 pm)Ambassador wrote You’ll just push commuters back to their cars or home working. It may only be 10-15 mins quicker but those types of commuters won’t entertain it, they just won’t come back. I know this from managing thousands of them. It’s yet more commercial nonsense from them

The 309 has become chronically unreliable. The sooner a regional ticket comes in the better, then at least the 22X which has become reliable is an option

I never understood why the X39 doesn't run all day tbh. It's crazy arguably the only destination going against the main peak flow has to take a magical mystery tour around the world unless they happen to the hit 3 specific boards.

The 308/309 should be swapped around with the 308 via Battle Hill and the 309 going direct along the Coast Road, Non-stop after Wallsend Dene towards Newcastle. No-one would lose out bar Lynn Road imo.

Obviously the partnership is a farce though and Arriva would never agree with that.

(14 Sep 2023, 9:52 pm)Storx wrote I never understood why the X39 doesn't run all day tbh. It's crazy arguably the only destination going against the main peak flow has to take a magical mystery tour around the world unless they happen to the hit 3 specific boards.

I've never used it myself, but looking at the timetables the times don't look massively different outside of the peak so I imagine during the day the 309 should be more than enough?

(14 Sep 2023, 10:04 pm)mb134 wrote I've never used it myself, but looking at the timetables the times don't look massively different outside of the peak so I imagine during the day the 309 should be more than enough?

Yeah don't think there is, just always seems a big selling point having an 'express' service even for people from Whitley Bay etc. If you want people out of cars someone from Rake Lane probably don't want to be taking a detour everywhere either, going via Cobalt is totally understandable and Silverlink is somewhere you might actually want to go.

The idea there was btw more to change the 309 into the X39 so it continues through to Blyth - be pointless otherwise though.

Might only save 7 minutes or so but it just feels quicker moving along non stop, the 306-308 on the other hand feel like a right slog of a service similar to the Angel.

the X39 could be a great opportunity for GNE to break into Ashington,

Newcastle, Silverlink, A19, Cramlington, Bedlington, Ashington.

Can also be timetabled with the 352, and 353 especially leaving Cramlington

(15 Sep 2023, 9:51 am)Unber43 wrote the X39 could be a great opportunity for GNE to break into Ashington,

Newcastle, Silverlink, A19, Cramlington, Bedlington, Ashington.

Can also be timetabled with the 352, and 353 especially leaving Cramlington

They used to run both the 434 and the 19 into Ashington.  Didn’t manage to ‘break into Ashington’ with those routes

(15 Sep 2023, 10:00 am)Bazza wrote They used to run both the 434 and the 19 into Ashington.  Didn’t manage to ‘break into Ashington’ with those routes

434 was contracted every 2 hours or less, and the 19 was a route which was never changed for years and went downhill as it was never adapted

Also this a key route from Newcaslte and the Silverlink, perhaps they could talk to Silverlink Employers and see where their staff live and offer routes to there.

(15 Sep 2023, 10:02 am)Unber43 wrote 434 was contracted every 2 hours or less, and the 19 was a route which was never changed for years and went downhill as it was never adapted

Also this a key route from Newcaslte and the Silverlink, perhaps they could talk to Silverlink Employers and see where their staff live and offer routes to there.

A stepping stone to ‘break into Ashington’ that still wasn’t taken though.  So why would they bother with the X39?

(15 Sep 2023, 12:13 pm)Bazza wrote A stepping stone to ‘break into Ashington’ that still wasn’t taken though.  So why would they bother with the X39?

To try and grow the network if the NT Rockets survive