(28 Mar 2014, 10:56 am)Acky81 wrote Park lane should be used by all services. After all it's an interchange. They claim it's 2nd busiest outside London Victoria REALLY!! I doubt that. Go north east dominate stagecoach should be able to use it

Hmm.. Think that be a case of using the statistics in a very selective way. Perhaps it's the second biggest National Express coach to local metro interchange with the initials 'PL' outside of London?

As for Stagecoach not using the Interchange, I think there are a number of factors involved including the monetary cost and the time it takes to get in and get out. I remember when the 23 was changed to avoid it, Stagecoach were able to reduce the PVR from 9 to 8 whilst still keeping the frequency at every 10 minutes.

Regards
Davd P

(28 Mar 2014, 11:34 am)DavidP wrote Hmm.. Think that be a case of using the statistics in a very selective way. Perhaps it's the second biggest National Express coach to local metro interchange with the initials 'PL' outside of London?

As for Stagecoach not using the Interchange, I think there are a number of factors involved including the monetary cost and the time it takes to get in and get out. I remember when the 23 was changed to avoid it, Stagecoach were able to reduce the PVR from 9 to 8 whilst still keeping the frequency at every 10 minutes.

Regards
Davd P

Fair enough David but bus stations are for buses not seagulls and fresh air lol

(28 Mar 2014, 11:26 am)Acky81 wrote It's a joke isn't it charging to use a bus station that's the whole purpose of it. Imagine if all operators pulled out

I take your point, but it's private property and has to be maintained by it's owner. Presumably in this case that would be Nexus and/or Sunderland City Council, so if the Operators who used the bus station weren't paying for it then the local council tax payers would have to.

David P

(28 Mar 2014, 11:36 am)Acky81 wrote Fair enough David but bus stations are for buses not seagulls and fresh air lol

Fresh air? Sunderland?

But yes, I do agree.

(28 Mar 2014, 11:39 am)DavidP wrote Fresh air? Sunderland?

But yes, I do agree.

Ha ha

Was at a presentation this morning in regards to the new Emergency Care Centre at the QE in Gateshead.

One tidbit was that they are in advanced negotiations with Go Ahead to bring the bus services onto site once the centre opens in October/November. Discussions have been positive so far.

(for anyone wondering there's obviously going to be a brand new entrance and route built as at present you couldn't get a bus onsite)

(28 Mar 2014, 10:56 am)Acky81 wrote Park lane should be used by all services. After all it's an interchange. They claim it's 2nd busiest outside London Victoria REALLY!! I doubt that. Go north east dominate stagecoach should be able to use it

There was a time when it was the other way round. 2002 for example, it was Stagecoach, Stagecoach etc. then it was like YAY A DIFFERENT COLOURED BUS!

Centurion tab finally gone from the GNE site

5257 out in service with Whey Aye Five 0 branding today, although unfortunatley it appeared it have that same yellow thing on the front as 5260. :s

(28 Mar 2014, 3:12 pm)gtom wrote Was at a presentation this morning in regards to the new Emergency Care Centre at the QE in Gateshead.

One tidbit was that they are in advanced negotiations with Go Ahead to bring the bus services onto site once the centre opens in October/November. Discussions have been positive so far.

(for anyone wondering there's obviously going to be a brand new entrance and route built as at present you couldn't get a bus onsite)

Spooky!

Seeing the QE bus the other day, reminded me of a spell in the mid 80s when services called in.

Did you get any indication as to whether it would be a new or existing service calling in?

(28 Mar 2014, 5:27 pm)Michael wrote Centurion tab finally gone from the GNE site

On a related note, B10BLE 5159 arrived at Saltmeadows this morning for repaint. I think 5156 is also there too.

(28 Mar 2014, 7:24 pm)Dan wrote On a related note, B10BLE 5159 arrived at Saltmeadows this morning for repaint. I think 5156 is also there too.

Not much gets past you Daniel does it

Quick question that a GNE rep may be able to answer.

When a Gemini runs off an x1 on an evening and heads to the NPower building for a run on the 921, regardless of a passenger being there or not - are they obliged to run to Newcastle or is it ok to just head back to the depot?

Several times, I have seen them run as contracted (but empty) through to Newcastle and several times switch to NIS and head back to Washington via the A690/A19.

(29 Mar 2014, 8:57 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Quick question that a GNE rep may be able to answer.

When a Gemini runs off an x1 on an evening and heads to the NPower building for a run on the 921, regardless of a passenger being there or not - are they obliged to run to Newcastle or is it ok to just head back to the depot?

Several times, I have seen them run as contracted (but empty) through to Newcastle and several times switch to NIS and head back to Washington via the A690/A19.

It is a contracted service, and as such, must be run regardless. The 921/922 also serve the Evolve building at Rainton.

I remember when GNE used to be very strict about having no food and drink onboard at all times. On several 309 journeys lately, the litter is bad particularly upstairs. The Mercs and Scanias never got in the state the B9's have been getting into lately.

i was talking to an engineer from Washington Depot who took 8295 off 88/88A and he said to me that 8301 is now branded gonna photo this right after my cousins sons 3rd birthday

The article below appeared on The Go North East twitter feed last night
"Go North East‏@gonortheast·20 hrs
Due to parked traffic - service #71 is having to use the main road in Fence Houses going TOWARDS Chester-le-Street"

Was this a protest by The FPF?

(29 Mar 2014, 9:04 am)RM2186 wrote It is a contracted service, and as such, must be run regardless. The 921/922 also serve the Evolve building at Rainton.

Thought as much.
Hopefully the powers at Npower don't see or find out the bus they are paying for, isn't doing what it is paid to do.

(29 Mar 2014, 1:49 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote The article below appeared on The Go North East twitter feed last night
"Go North East‏@gonortheast·20 hrs
Due to parked traffic - service #71 is having to use the main road in Fence Houses going TOWARDS Chester-le-Street"

Was this a protest by The FPF?

Not us this time

(29 Mar 2014, 9:04 am)RM2186 wrote It is a contracted service, and as such, must be run regardless. The 921/922 also serve the Evolve building at Rainton.

Doesn't matter if it is contracted or not - it is a registered bus service with the Traffic Commissioner and so it has to operate regardless of whether there are any passengers

8298 is the latest to be branded for 88/88A was passing by en route to my cousins and then it turned up photos will be on soon

(29 Mar 2014, 5:16 pm)Racer_Experience wrote 8298 is the latest to be branded for 88/88A was passing by en route to my cousins and then it turned up photos will be on soon

Arrived into Shields just as I was leaving!

(29 Mar 2014, 5:24 pm)Dan wrote Arrived into Shields just as I was leaving!

got a photo of the bus and is now on flickr has just entered the site be sure to check it out

(28 Mar 2014, 6:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Spooky!

Seeing the QE bus the other day, reminded me of a spell in the mid 80s when services called in.

Did you get any indication as to whether it would be a new or existing service calling in?

They said 'services which currently serve' the hospital. The Park & Ride isn't going to be extended and staff will return to the hospital car parks too

I am wondering if you would be able to help me using your more experienced enthusiast knowledge. All I want to know is what MONTH the following sets of buses entered service for the first time with Go North East and in most which depot they entered service at:

Olympians
Renowns (not ex Arriva or Oxford)
Solars + Solar Fusions (up until 4967)
Solars 4989-4990
SPD 8228

Thank you in advance if you can be help me with any of these.

(29 Mar 2014, 10:50 am)Davey Bowyer wrote I remember when GNE used to be very strict about having no food and drink onboard at all times. On several 309 journeys lately, the litter is bad particularly upstairs. The Mercs and Scanias never got in the state the B9's have been getting into lately.

New rules on food & drink issued last week....powerless to stop food/drink hidden whilst boarding taking place, sadly the problem of litter will persist until rules change again.

(29 Mar 2014, 8:16 pm)nk55 wrote New rules on food & drink issued last week....powerless to stop food/drink hidden whilst boarding taking place, sadly the problem of litter will persist until rules change again.

Only the following should be allowed on buses and must be binned and not left on board:
- Confectionary
- Bottled pop or water

There's no excuse. People can surely go without a steak bake or a sausage roll for the sake of 30 minutes. If they want something to eat, then they should eat before boarding. There are buses every 15 minutes to and from Cobalt and there's the half hourly X39 that runs in the according direction too. No excuse!

Anyone know how much more us incredibly satisfied passengers will be paying when the bus fares rise next week? (2nd and 9th are fare rise dates)

(29 Mar 2014, 9:52 pm)gtom wrote Anyone know how much more us incredibly satisfied passengers will be paying when the bus fares rise next week? (2nd and 9th are fare rise dates)

Yup, what you pay now?

Ah found it

http://www.simplygo.com/fare-update-marc...newsletter&%3Butm_medium=email&%3Butm_campaign=bti

I've a network one corporate ticket but tend to keep leaving it at work

(29 Mar 2014, 9:56 pm)gtom wrote I've a network one corporate ticket but tend to keep leaving it at work

Thats a bit of false economy isn't it