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Disruptions and driver shortages

RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(04 Dec 2023, 4:20 pm)Storx wrote Must say it's interesting to note that most the Stagecoach and Arriva Northumbria issues have pretty much gone now and both are full running a full service today yet GNE are a shambles, be interesting whether it's angry GNE drivers which have moved across. Stagecoach Sunderland, in particular, has been a mess for ages.

I'm interested to know if they've shot themselves in the foot with all of the suspended drivers.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(04 Dec 2023, 4:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'm interested to know if they've shot themselves in the foot with all of the suspended drivers.

Yeah same, very dodgy move, especially if it's someone popular. Can just see the scenario playing out where X, who's mates with Y, Z, A, B, C, D and E, moves to Stagecoach and tells them how great it is and the rest all follow across, double that again because A and C have different friends who also follow.

Obviously there's the problem with not unlimited jobs at Stagecoach of course.
Disruptions and driver shortages
The scheduled 1130 setvice 352 from Cramlington to Newcastle pulled into Cramlington 12 minutes late then apparently buggered off NIS. Luckily, as the driver seemed to be in no immediate hurry to make up time, I anticipated this move and opted to catch the 37 instead.

Even with the prospect free travel I manage to somehow get shortchanged by the shambolic practices of Go North East.

What a bunch of cowboys!!

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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 2:15 pm)Unber43 wrote running NIS for a every 60 mins service being 12 mins late is a bit of a joke

It certainly wasn't very productive on Go North East's part. When I boarded the 37, I thought to myself when looking at the driver, it's no wonder you get paid more with all this extra work you seem to be doing.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 3:34 pm)MurdnunoC wrote It certainly wasn't very productive on Go North East's part. When I boarded the 37, I thought to myself when looking at the driver, it's no wonder you get paid more with all this extra work you seem to be doing.

Overly concerned about driver productivity, but less so about the travelling public, who end up standing around in the cold for extended periods.
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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 2:15 pm)Unber43 wrote running NIS for a every 60 mins service being 12 mins late is a bit of a joke

It's rubbish for people who do need that bus but depends how close a driver is to their driving hours, I expect.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 4:06 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It's rubbish for people who do need that bus but depends how close a driver is to their driving hours, I expect.

Looking at tracking it seems it just went out of service completely. Good thing the service behind it ran, oh wait.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(04 Dec 2023, 10:14 am)Thomas12 wrote Yeah they are a complete shambles, I was at the bus stop and heard a passenger was waiting over an hour for a 41/41A so would suggest bustimes is correct.

Agreed, the cancellation list would be shocking. It was bad enough before the strike.

Hence why there's a low risk V potential high reward situation Stagecoach could take advantage off if they can negotiate with Cobalt Park; to provide competition with the 41/41A/307.

Won't go into it any further on this thread though........I promise!
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 4:40 pm)L469 YVK wrote Hence why there's a low risk V potential high reward situation Stagecoach could take advantage off if they can negotiate with Cobalt Park; to provide competition with the 41/41A/307.

Won't go into it any further on this thread though........I promise!

Well the same thing has happened today so I'm sure passengers will be happy if that was the case. 

Even GCT would be an upgrade!
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(04 Dec 2023, 4:20 pm)Storx wrote Must say it's interesting to note that most the Stagecoach and Arriva Northumbria issues have pretty much gone now and both are full running a full service today yet GNE are a shambles, be interesting whether it's angry GNE drivers which have moved across. Stagecoach Sunderland, in particular, has been a mess for ages.

That simply isn't true. I'm sick of getting messages from my sister about a load of Slatyford routes down the toilet. If Stagecoach were back to "normal" they'd be running the 100. But they aren't
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 5:47 pm)DeltaMan wrote That simply isn't true. I'm sick of getting messages from my sister about a load of Slatyford routes down the toilet. If Stagecoach were back to "normal" they'd be running the 100. But they aren't

Was the 100 busy before it stopped running? I hadn't seen it for ages, but I'd heard it was nowhere near as busy as it used to be. Maybe Stagecoach have no intention of bringing it back and are concentrating resources on routes they think can make more money such as the extended 38 and 37?
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Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 7:02 pm)Shrek wrote Was the 100 busy before it stopped running? I hadn't seen it for ages, but I'd heard it was nowhere near as busy as it used to be. Maybe Stagecoach have no intention of bringing it back and are concentrating resources on routes they think can make more money such as the extended 38 and 37?


Stagecoach agreed ticket acceptance with Go North East due to the suspension of the 100, but are now recommending that customers purchase the new Transport North East ticket instead, from next month. Suggests they have no intention of reinstating the 100.


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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 5:47 pm)DeltaMan wrote That simply isn't true. I'm sick of getting messages from my sister about a load of Slatyford routes down the toilet. If Stagecoach were back to "normal" they'd be running the 100. But they aren't

To be fair, I did say most, I know absolutely nothing about Slatyford tbh, was more Walkergate and Sunderland I was talking about, which until recently were both a complete mess but they seem to be pretty much full service now.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(05 Dec 2023, 7:02 pm)Shrek wrote Was the 100 busy before it stopped running? I hadn't seen it for ages, but I'd heard it was nowhere near as busy as it used to be. Maybe Stagecoach have no intention of bringing it back and are concentrating resources on routes they think can make more money such as the extended 38 and 37?

It would have been rammed for most of October and all of November.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
loads of missed buses around the Consett area today. And Deptford, theyve got 8 drifters, only 5 are on the proper route, Sunderland COnencts on 20s.

Nice to be back to normal
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(06 Dec 2023, 9:30 pm)Unber43 wrote loads of missed buses around the Consett area today. And Deptford, theyve got 8 drifters, only 5 are on the proper route, Sunderland COnencts on 20s.

Nice to be back to normal

Wasn't checking all morning but two 20s to Langley Park in a row missing, yesterday morning and lots of very cold, fed up people waiting at our local bus stops, yesterday morning, when I popped out.

Only took 4 hours for that to post!

There's a couple of solos on the 20, today, too.
Disruptions and driver shortages
The 51/52s appear to be all over the place in Gateshead at the moment. Is there no such thing as proactive regulation?

In a world where productivity appears to be the buzz word of the day, it can't be very productive having one bus collect 3 bus loads of passengers?

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RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(12 Dec 2023, 5:45 pm)Unber43 wrote everything just seems to be awful GNE side, delays, whats brands are what, wrong allocations, awful state

And the fact they don't seem to be putting up many diversion notices. But hey let's waste time by doing Santa Bus. That'll make sure we ain't hated
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
I can’t begrudge the Santa Bus, it’s good corporate social behaviour. It’s lovely to see the reaction from families, some in deprived areas who won’t get a lot, but it raises a smile.

Onto regulation. It does seem to be an issue around Gateshead, but traffic is challenging. I think we could see more proactive London style turnarounds on the high frequency routes. Ie turn an Angel at…the Angel etc

But with roadworks at St Nicholas/High Level, A1 and Birtley it’s a difficult puzzle to solve…and the Tyne Bridge closures will only make it worse
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
Maybe just send everything via the Swing bridge from Gateshead/metrocentre, then atleast it can go up John Dobson Street, or through Blacklett again.

might be worth a trial atleast as services are really stuggling.

Atleast they dont use the tyne bridge heading towards Gateshead, well for Now untill Network Rail shuts the bridge to buses
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(12 Dec 2023, 5:44 pm)Adrian wrote In a world where productivity appears to be the buzz word of the day, it can't be very productive having one bus collect 3 bus loads of passengers?

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The infamous GNE Service Delivery Centre certainly doesn't seem to be awfully productive.
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(12 Dec 2023, 7:20 pm)Unber43 wrote Maybe just send everything via the Swing bridge from Gateshead/metrocentre, then atleast it can go up John Dobson Street, or through Blacklett again.

might be worth a trial atleast as services are really stuggling.

Atleast they dont use the tyne bridge heading towards Gateshead, well for Now untill Network Rail shuts the bridge to buses

(12 Dec 2023, 7:33 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The swing bridge's days are numbered so it probably wouldn't cope with any extra traffic.

So hang on....eventually we'll be left with just the Tyne & Redheugh bridges open to traffic? That seems like a disaster waiting to happen....
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
(13 Dec 2023, 2:03 am)logidoodah wrote So hang on....eventually we'll be left with just the Tyne & Redheugh bridges open to traffic? That seems like a disaster waiting to happen....

Plus Scotswood and the Tunnels but yes, High Level is approaching end of life and will probably be converted to cycle/pedestrian to protect it.

Swing Bridge is fine in terms of traffic but the mechanism and the 'docking' that it's on (which is unused) is damaged and may require a closure for repairs at some point.
Wistfully stuck in the 90s
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
Go North East definitely should be developing a plan soon, really every service going from Metrocentre into Newcastle except the 6 should use Swing Bridge, on the way back go Via Central Station as there is usually in my expierence atleast no traffic going the other way.

And services going into Gateshead, should go down Bottle Bank, over the Swing Bridge, up Dean Street, Right at Market Street and either Blacklett or John Dobson Street (or maybe split them up to avoid so much traffic) into Eldon Square, then leaving will be intresting as there is no real way to do it via Tyne Bridge as its quite hard to get into Gateshead Bus Station and that will add time onto the journey, the only thing I can really think off is it goes its current way then before high level it turns right and goes through Central, over Redheugh and Askew Road, but that too will add time onto the journey, for that to work there needs to be some sort of bus prioity sorting out between Central and Askew West as on a match day that gets horrendous
RE: Disruptions and driver shortages
As ive said before GNE already asked ages ago if more buses could use Swing bridge and were told no, so unless this is an exceptional circumstance i cant see that decision changing... PLUS has anyone been on the quay side at peak hours??? it could take the bus 30 minutes to get from the gateshead end to the top of dean street

Its just a real shame there isn't an interchange at Gateshead where buses could terminate and passenger could get onto a rail system which could take you to south, central and north newcastle and beyond!