(07 Apr 2014, 12:43 pm)Arcticrossy92 it seems a few times recently theres been a 'Yellow Bus' on the X30/X31, just noticed one before heading towards Lanchester.
For me personally, it seems abit strange that low floor vehicles are being withdrawn from service, yet step entrance deckers, only a small amount of the time, appear on services at Stanley.
I understand that these buses are used for contract purposed etc, but surely making sure they dont appear on a front line services is a must and im Sure management would maybe frown upon this.
Although they are great powerful machines, it just seems strange, Unless Stanley are having a few problems. Im sure i read something on here not long ago about a few problems with the Diamond Citaros.
(07 Apr 2014, 12:43 pm)Arcticrossy92 it seems a few times recently theres been a 'Yellow Bus' on the X30/X31, just noticed one before heading towards Lanchester.
For me personally, it seems abit strange that low floor vehicles are being withdrawn from service, yet step entrance deckers, only a small amount of the time, appear on services at Stanley.
I understand that these buses are used for contract purposed etc, but surely making sure they dont appear on a front line services is a must and im Sure management would maybe frown upon this.
Although they are great powerful machines, it just seems strange, Unless Stanley are having a few problems. Im sure i read something on here not long ago about a few problems with the Diamond Citaros.
GNE haven't done too badly with the X3 and X36. All they've simply done is take a leaf out of one service whilst using the strengths of another service to form a sustainable and profitable service. Here's what I mean:
Before November 2010 changes:
- 75 = Good service but too slow by serving High Farm from Coast and not frequent enough.
- 76 = Not frequent enough, more journeys wanted west of Middle Engine Lane.
- 85 / 86 = Circular service not getting enough demand
- 1/2 = Not getting enough demand between North Shields and Whitley Bay
- 309 = Operating too much in Arriva's turf. Needs to establish itself in its own market.
Result of the above:
- 1/2 = Uses old 85/86 route between Shields anx Whitley Bay to create and stabilise links and routes at a profit.
- 309 = Enters its own market and uses strengths of 75 but removes the inconvenience of High Farm.
- 310 = Still holds links of 85/86 and continues to uphold links and service of old 75/76 service. New strong combined frequency formed in Battle Hill resulting in increased demand.
- Service 80 rerouted to fill void on Westminster Avenue and to also reopen up some of the link lost after the 337 was withdrawn by Arriva.
(07 Apr 2014, 12:25 pm)Dan Slightly disappointed that BuzzFare and Get Around tickets aren't accepted, but it was the inevitable I guess.
(07 Apr 2014, 12:25 pm)Dan Slightly disappointed that BuzzFare and Get Around tickets aren't accepted, but it was the inevitable I guess.
Just to add some thoughts on a few points raised.
The x3 is a strange service.
It was doomed to fail from the beginning - seeing as every other Newcastle - Sunderland bus along Newcastle Road had failed both before and after the Metro was extended.
Not sure passenger habit had changed too much to warrant the service.
Now, it seems to carry less than ever and misses out Sunderland City Centre (which we have all discussed to death).
Surely it would be more cost effective, to cancel it completely, or adapt it slightly - serving Southwick and running up to Fullwell Mill towards Newcastle and the same in reverse. Or if missing the City Centre, working some sort of loop via Fulwell, Roker, Monkwearmouth, Southwick, Fullwell Mill.
The fare structure on the ad122 is disappointing.
Anyone needing to use it from beyond Hexham (Tyneside, Wearside, Durham etc) will incur additional charges just to get to Hexham.
A family ticket, will essentially double the cost of a family buzzfare - meaning for those with a car, it could be cheaper driving up to Housteads etc, rather than sit on 2-3 buses just to get to Hexham, hoik about a picnic all day and pay £25 for the privilege.
(07 Apr 2014, 3:03 pm)Dan I honestly don't get why there is such a huge uproar about the X3. I mean, these service changes have been in place for two and a half months and I'd have assumed that would be enough time for people to get over it, but crikey...
Because Go North East also introduced service X36 on a higher frequency, nothing major has changed for passengers travelling between Sunderland City Centre and Boldon, Heworth, Gateshead or Newcastle.
Comparing the old X3 to the current X36, there is not much of a difference in journey times. Although the journey time has increased a little, I find that the X36 timetable is a lot easier to stick to. In addition to this, an increased layover has been given to drivers in Sunderland owing to the interworking of services X35 and X36. The most notable change is that service X36 is now allocated different stock to what was previously allocated to service X3. These vehicles are newer, and this should also assist with reliability. These vehicles are branded and this immediately pushes service X36 up the route hierarchy (generally speaking, branded services are more of a priority than corporate liveried services).
The only people who have a right to complain are the ones who boarded the service between Seaburn Metro and West Boldon (Addison Road - near the Post Office). These people have lost their direct service to Heworth, Gateshead and Newcastle - though the passenger numbers were incredibly low on this section anyway, hardly any of which were fare paying customers. They still have service X3, but to most it will be pointless. They also have service 9 which now runs at a higher frequency, and can take them to Boldon ASDA, connecting to an X36. I agree that connecting to another bus isn't as appealing, but it is still relatively easy to get to the places they could before.
Simply put, service X3 exists for operational convenience. It interworks with scholars which means that Go North East don't have to have the scholar service as a standalone service. I've said before that I think it'll be withdrawn when we get to the summer holidays. Whether Go North East drop the scholar(s) that the X3 currently interworks with when it comes to September, or whether they will look at a different way of fitting it in, I don't know.
If passenger numbers weren't 'a joke' on service X3 previously, it would still exist in its previous form now. Go North East are a business, and services have to make a profit. Much like other industries, the product is quite often discontinued if it isn't making a profit.
(07 Apr 2014, 3:03 pm)Dan I honestly don't get why there is such a huge uproar about the X3. I mean, these service changes have been in place for two and a half months and I'd have assumed that would be enough time for people to get over it, but crikey...
Because Go North East also introduced service X36 on a higher frequency, nothing major has changed for passengers travelling between Sunderland City Centre and Boldon, Heworth, Gateshead or Newcastle.
Comparing the old X3 to the current X36, there is not much of a difference in journey times. Although the journey time has increased a little, I find that the X36 timetable is a lot easier to stick to. In addition to this, an increased layover has been given to drivers in Sunderland owing to the interworking of services X35 and X36. The most notable change is that service X36 is now allocated different stock to what was previously allocated to service X3. These vehicles are newer, and this should also assist with reliability. These vehicles are branded and this immediately pushes service X36 up the route hierarchy (generally speaking, branded services are more of a priority than corporate liveried services).
The only people who have a right to complain are the ones who boarded the service between Seaburn Metro and West Boldon (Addison Road - near the Post Office). These people have lost their direct service to Heworth, Gateshead and Newcastle - though the passenger numbers were incredibly low on this section anyway, hardly any of which were fare paying customers. They still have service X3, but to most it will be pointless. They also have service 9 which now runs at a higher frequency, and can take them to Boldon ASDA, connecting to an X36. I agree that connecting to another bus isn't as appealing, but it is still relatively easy to get to the places they could before.
Simply put, service X3 exists for operational convenience. It interworks with scholars which means that Go North East don't have to have the scholar service as a standalone service. I've said before that I think it'll be withdrawn when we get to the summer holidays. Whether Go North East drop the scholar(s) that the X3 currently interworks with when it comes to September, or whether they will look at a different way of fitting it in, I don't know.
If passenger numbers weren't 'a joke' on service X3 previously, it would still exist in its previous form now. Go North East are a business, and services have to make a profit. Much like other industries, the product is quite often discontinued if it isn't making a profit.
(07 Apr 2014, 4:45 pm)aureolin It's not just me sick of hearing about the X3 and Arriva's X93 then?
The X3 has been a failure ever since it started. I'm really surprised it's lasted this long. I used to use the service every other day, at different times of the day, for a few month. I generally had the bus to myself from Sunderland until Heworth, where you'd get a few waiting for the next bus between Heworth and Newcastle, regardless of what it was.
The problem with connections though is that it forces customers to buy a day ticket, unless they're regular users. I'd say this decreases the appeal of public transport for occasional users. We've already got ticket overload in the North East, but perhaps there needs to be ticketing options available to take into account connections, i.e. the old A to B/Bus2Bus tickets.
(07 Apr 2014, 4:45 pm)aureolin It's not just me sick of hearing about the X3 and Arriva's X93 then?
The X3 has been a failure ever since it started. I'm really surprised it's lasted this long. I used to use the service every other day, at different times of the day, for a few month. I generally had the bus to myself from Sunderland until Heworth, where you'd get a few waiting for the next bus between Heworth and Newcastle, regardless of what it was.
The problem with connections though is that it forces customers to buy a day ticket, unless they're regular users. I'd say this decreases the appeal of public transport for occasional users. We've already got ticket overload in the North East, but perhaps there needs to be ticketing options available to take into account connections, i.e. the old A to B/Bus2Bus tickets.
(07 Apr 2014, 4:47 pm)Tom Yep, I'm sick of hearing about the X93 especially.
(07 Apr 2014, 4:47 pm)Tom Yep, I'm sick of hearing about the X93 especially.
(07 Apr 2014, 4:47 pm)Tom Yep, I'm sick of hearing about the X93 especially.
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(07 Apr 2014, 4:47 pm)Tom Yep, I'm sick of hearing about the X93 especially.
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(07 Apr 2014, 9:32 pm)James Moss Mccrossan Is it true mpd 524 is back on the road
(07 Apr 2014, 9:32 pm)James Moss Mccrossan Is it true mpd 524 is back on the road
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/lo..._Leadgate/
Did this get a mention last week?
Genuinely cant remember amongst the people being knocked down in Newcastle.
Think it's for the best that the x3 is axed altogether. When I said shame I mean go north east have made the service a mess. It's destination points don't add up Monkwearmouth and market st. No wonder it's empty. I bet now it's axed in the summer and returns as a different service number next year!!! Just call me mystic meg
(07 Apr 2014, 10:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/lo..._Leadgate/
Did this get a mention last week?
Genuinely cant remember amongst the people being knocked down in Newcastle.
(07 Apr 2014, 10:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/lo..._Leadgate/
Did this get a mention last week?
Genuinely cant remember amongst the people being knocked down in Newcastle.
(07 Apr 2014, 10:46 pm)Acky81 Think it's for the best that the x3 is axed altogether. When I said shame I mean go north east have made the service a mess. It's destination points don't add up Monkwearmouth and market st. No wonder it's empty. I bet now it's axed in the summer and returns as a different service number next year!!! Just call me mystic meg
(07 Apr 2014, 10:46 pm)Acky81 Think it's for the best that the x3 is axed altogether. When I said shame I mean go north east have made the service a mess. It's destination points don't add up Monkwearmouth and market st. No wonder it's empty. I bet now it's axed in the summer and returns as a different service number next year!!! Just call me mystic meg
(07 Apr 2014, 10:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/lo..._Leadgate/
Did this get a mention last week?
Genuinely cant remember amongst the people being knocked down in Newcastle.
(07 Apr 2014, 10:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/lo..._Leadgate/
Did this get a mention last week?
Genuinely cant remember amongst the people being knocked down in Newcastle.
(08 Apr 2014, 5:09 am)Dan The news article wasn't given but I think it is the same one involving an Olympian that Robert (?) mentioned.
(08 Apr 2014, 5:09 am)Dan The news article wasn't given but I think it is the same one involving an Olympian that Robert (?) mentioned.
(08 Apr 2014, 8:17 am)Michael Has the first of the Cobalt clipper omnis came back yet, sure i read that they were getting a good wash down etc
(08 Apr 2014, 8:17 am)Michael Has the first of the Cobalt clipper omnis came back yet, sure i read that they were getting a good wash down etc
