(09 Nov 2023, 1:50 pm)Storx wrote Yeah, if GNE went bust (highly doubt that mind), then some other operator would just buy the fleet and depots on the cheap and pretty much start up it up again. Stuff like the 10, 20, 21, 56, 58, X1 would go in a heartbeat.
I'd be pretty confident that Arriva would be extremely interested in the 21, 307, 309, Q3 and X21 and I'd be pretty confident Stagecoach would be interested in the Hexham operations, Sunderland local operations and South Tyneside operations to dominate their respective areas, if they could get them on the cheap. The rest who knows but someone would, maybe Rotala (got help us) or someone else might fancy a go in the area.
You just have to look at how quick Stagecoach jumped on pretty marginal services in the Arriva 52 and 55 when they had a chance.
(09 Nov 2023, 5:19 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Not sure they'd be allowed to under competition/monopoly regs would they? Then again it's allowed in Washington and chunks of Durham I guess.
(09 Nov 2023, 2:50 pm)Thomas12 wrote
Didn’t take long for more communication about the ‘independent’ survey.
(09 Nov 2023, 10:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote The more I think about these Team Briefings, the more I start to wonder.
Who is it being distributed to and who is actually reading it?
The majority of the workforce are out and presumably won't have access to bait room noticeboards.
(09 Nov 2023, 10:21 pm)xpm wrote They have an app called ‘blink’ I believe - replaced Facebook groups a while back.
(10 Nov 2023, 6:44 pm)Ambassador wrote Compare the inept and embarrassing performance from Maxfield compared to how articulate one of his drivers was on Look North and how measured Sharon Graham was.
Its damaging to have him there, Feathams puppet or not, he’s too emotional, speaks poorly and isn’t fit to lead
(10 Nov 2023, 6:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote Watched Look North, hoping to see the interview.
They either didn't do one or decided not to show it.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...s-28077530 found this one on The Chronicle though.
Agree about the two interviews on Look North.
It keeps being said, but they're not helping themselves.
Edit: it's now on the TTTV website. https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2023-...-continues
(10 Nov 2023, 8:43 pm)Unber43 wrote Do you think ben knows hes the scapegoat for all of this?
(11 Nov 2023, 8:24 am)Rob44 wrote Off topic but on topic - as i walked to work this morning along Old Durham Road i took a deep breath in and Im sure the air feels "cleaner". Does anyone have any access to what has happened to the clean air zone around Newcastle?? Im just thinking the air must be cleaner or with the fumes let off by the GNE buses just be replace by extra private vehicles heading into Newcastle??
(11 Nov 2023, 8:24 am)Rob44 wrote Off topic but on topic - as i walked to work this morning along Old Durham Road i took a deep breath in and Im sure the air feels "cleaner". Does anyone have any access to what has happened to the clean air zone around Newcastle?? Im just thinking the air must be cleaner or with the fumes let off by the GNE buses just be replace by extra private vehicles heading into Newcastle??
(11 Nov 2023, 3:05 am)DeltaMan wrote Absolute cringe at Jamie Driscoll pledging "solidarity" with strikers. He should stick to sharing platforms with Ken Loach. That's about his level......Not sure why this is relevant to the thread, but its a bit odd you criticising someone for sharing a platform with one of our most celebrated British filmmakers.
(12 Nov 2023, 12:27 am)Chris 1 wrote Assuming this goes the full 12 weeks, at the end of it all a large portion of driving staff won’t have driven a bus for 3 months. Are they allowed to just jump in and wagons roll, or will they have to have an assessment drive or some sort of re-familiarisation?
(12 Nov 2023, 12:55 am)Ambassador wrote Afaik, straight back to business.
It’s not like pilots or a train driver who would need an assessment, it’s no different to a car driver, keys in and away
The more pressing concern will be all those passengers who’ve found a better alternative
(12 Nov 2023, 12:55 am)Ambassador wrote The more pressing concern will be all those passengers who’ve found a better alternative