(17 Mar 2024, 5:57 am)Dan wrote It sounds like an absolutely terrible plan having 6336 and 6337 as spares for the X10 and X21 when they can barely manage to run the Consett express services (the latter having spent most of its time at GNE off the road than on!)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(17 Mar 2024, 8:21 am)L469 YVK wrote E400MMC:
- 6336-37 - Consett - Spare
- 6338-45 - Consett - X30/X31/X45
- 6346-55 - Riverside - X10/X21
Wasn't part of the syggestion. They'd remain at Consett as backup for the X30/X31/X45 plus other routes if not needed.
For the X10/X21, 6362-63 would fill in and in the case of the X10 if there was a VOR, 6362-63 would step in on the X21 with one of the E400MMC's or 6102/6377 then released stepping in place on the X21.
Would effectively be how Arriva Northumbria manage the 17 & 72 plate E400MMCs at Ashington with both batches doing the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22.
(17 Mar 2024, 8:34 am)Dan wrote It honestly feels like a pointless swap. As I have said before, the solution to any alleged reliability issues of StreetDecks at Riverside is to fix them. Not to give up and move the problem elsewhere.
I know you are sold on the idea (you’ve mentioned it several times now) but GNE clearly wants to keep all the E400s (barring the ones that need to be on the X10) at Consett, and all the StreetDecks at Riverside.
The interworking pattern of the Consett express routes is more complex than you realise (mornings, evenings and Sundays), and Consett already struggle for low-height double-decks at times, without this suggestion which would further hinder them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(17 Mar 2024, 8:47 am)L469 YVK wrote So which journeys end up straying onto low height boards (X30/X31/X45) then? Aren't Sundays just X45 > X72 > X45 and 12 > 6 > X30 > X30 > 6 > 12?
I might be an advocate of a stronger batch of E400MMC covering the X10/X21, but after spending a few days in Northumberland, can appreciate why Arriva use them on their A1/A189 express routes.
(17 Mar 2024, 8:59 am)Dan wrote I’m not sure, but the majority of the boards cover an X30 or X31 at some point.But the cost of re-jigging them accordingly wouldn't be a large job. Fair enough running the X30/X31 standalone with remote reliefs at Stanley would be a no-no from a cost perspective, but the X30/X31/X45 would largely remain the same with a small number of changes to such boards that might run onto the X30/X31 off a 6, 47, X71, X72 etc.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(17 Mar 2024, 8:34 am)Dan wrote It honestly feels like a pointless swap. As I have said before, the solution to any alleged reliability issues of StreetDecks at Riverside is to fix them. Not to give up and move the problem elsewhere.
(19 Mar 2024, 9:33 am)Ambassador wrote GNE have updated their website to mention the closure but haven't mentioned the 28 or X21
Buses on service 21 towards Newcastle will be unable to serve stops between Newcastle Bank and Harlow Green Footbridge 20.00 and 06:00 the following morning on the evenings of Monday 18th to Thursday 21st March. Please catch your bus from Windsor Road or Harlow Green/Allerdene
(19 Mar 2024, 9:42 am)Storx wrote Different closure that isn't it? There's no 28's during that time and assuming the X21 will still be serving all stops so doesn't really need a mention.
Appears to be the North side of the roundabout that.
(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.
Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.
Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.
Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.
(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.Typical of how Go are deteriorating. Sick and tired of cancelled services and ignorant mentors. Nexus made aware of the 317 fiasco daily but doing sod all about it.
Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.
Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.
Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.
(02 Jun 2024, 10:13 am)54APhotography wrote Typical of how Go are deteriorating. Sick and tired of cancelled services and ignorant mentors. Nexus made aware of the 317 fiasco daily but doing sod all about it.
(02 Jun 2024, 9:16 am)DeltaMan wrote Was on an operators service this morning with a new driver at the wheel.
Behind me at the back was what I thought was a passenger. But it was a mentor driver playing music on loud speaker while the driver was struggling with a ticket request.
Bus delayed by 10 minutes as a result. No wonder they decide to leave if this is the level of support they receive when on the road.
Appallingly unprofessional from the mentor driver and a disgrace to the uniform.
(02 Jun 2024, 11:06 am)Thomas12 wrote Hardly a fiasco, most buses operate fine.Every day Ferry connections are missed, much worse than when Stagecoach had the route. Defend the service as much as you like, the regular users of the Ferry are sick and tired of the service since Percy Main took over.
There are delays yes, but a lot of this is due to congestion. It took half an hour to get from Howdon Lane to Ridley Avenue twice last week due to increased traffic going via the Tyne Tunnel I’m assuming. Not much Nexus, or Go North East can do about that.
Sunday services are often delayed but they were with Stagecoach too- probably because the timetable is far too tight, which is Nexus’ fault.
(02 Jun 2024, 12:13 pm)DeltaMan wrote It wasn't a Go North East serviceGo North East are the providers to Nexus. It's not Nexus' fault other than awarding the contract to them.
(02 Jun 2024, 1:58 pm)54APhotography wrote Every day Ferry connections are missed, much worse than when Stagecoach had the route. Defend the service as much as you like, the regular users of the Ferry are sick and tired of the service since Percy Main took over.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
Go North East are the providers to Nexus. It's not Nexus' fault other than awarding the contract to them.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
(02 Jun 2024, 2:47 pm)Thomas12 wrote Nothing you can do about traffic though, Nexus set the timetable so they can add an extra bus if they so wish.I'm talking about the ferries I use, or see whilst on my boat. Typically both 317s miss with increasing regularity. Worse one example of a journey I made was the driver decided to have a cigarette at North Shields bus station when already 5 late. The ferry had gone by the time we arrived as expected. Drivers at that depot seem most the most unhappy across the region, so no surprise some don't care about the connection.
And if you’re looking at bus times it’s not fully accurate - as I’ve mentioned in the past, some buses don’t track properly so would appear they’re not running when they are.
(02 Jun 2024, 2:50 pm)54APhotography wrote I'm talking about the ferries I use, or see whilst on my boat. Typically both 317s miss with increasing regularity. Worse one example of a journey I made was the driver decided to have a cigarette at North Shields bus station when already 5 late. The ferry had gone by the time we arrived as expected. Drivers at that depot seem most the most unhappy across the region, so no surprise some don't care about the connection.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
(02 Jun 2024, 2:58 pm)Thomas12 wrote They seem fine to me when I use the services - never had any issues with them. Especially when compared to those from Riverside.There is still considerable distance after the strike vote. When numbers are that close the discontent never goes.
(02 Jun 2024, 3:03 pm)54APhotography wrote There is still considerable distance after the strike vote. When numbers are that close the discontent never goes.
You might find the service OK when you use it, but regulars don't. And the number of cancelled services is poor. Remember not everyone uses bustimes and many don't even know what the 19 is for so people end up stood half and hour....
It's all very well and good for 'enthusiasts' to make everything seem fine, but the reality of that particular service is far from ideal or even acceptable.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
(02 Jun 2024, 3:16 pm)Thomas12 wrote I'm not giving a view as an enthusiast, I'm just giving balance to the argument by using facts (for example, what are Go North East supposed to do when a bus is stuck every peak time for 30 minutes on Tynemouth Road at peak times). And there are barely any cancelled services, there might be more than an ideal numbers of delays, but like I said buses don't track so appear to be cancelled when looking at tracking when they aren't. The only time services are cancelled is when they are running considerably late so run light to North Shields for example to get back on time.Tell a customer when no bus appears in 60 minutes that it's bustimes not tracking...