(04 Jun 2014, 3:55 pm)Michael wrote Has GNE lost it to?, as i thought it was ran by 2 companies?, Unless iv'e missed the post

If GCT have got it, they'll have all three boards (on services 37 and 73) as the contracts were together as pointed out by tyresmoke. So yes, this will mean that GNE have now lost services 37, 73 and 96A to GCT.

(04 Jun 2014, 3:55 pm)Michael wrote Has GNE lost it to?, as i thought it was ran by 2 companies?, Unless iv'e missed the post

Thought it was listed as combined now, unless that's the 73?

(04 Jun 2014, 3:56 pm)Dan wrote If GCT have got it, they'll have all three boards (on services 37 and 73) as the contracts were together as pointed out by tyresmoke. So yes, this will mean that GNE have now lost services 37, 73 and 96A to GCT.

Oh right!

Bet it doesn't last before GNE get them back... Does the 37 or 73 ever get full, every time iv'e seen it, they have being empty.


Deptford will also have 2 spare SOLO SR's during the day, unless they gain other contract work.

PB1099280/12 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Variation Accepted: Operating between KINGSTON PARK METRO STATION and THROCKLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE given service number 71A effective from 31-Aug-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

Does anyone know what buses Central taxis are getting yet for the new services

(20 Jun 2014, 7:20 pm)jaimz13 wrote Does anyone know what buses Central taxis are getting yet for the new services

We're still 5 weeks away from the start, so I doubt anyone knows anything yet...

(20 Jun 2014, 8:50 pm)tyresmoke wrote We're still 5 weeks away from the start, so I doubt anyone knows anything yet...

fair enough

(20 Jun 2014, 8:50 pm)tyresmoke wrote We're still 5 weeks away from the start, so I doubt anyone knows anything yet...

GCT have a lot of work to do. New buses, new drivers (I'd assume), and also have to fit in vehicle and route familiarisation. I'd love to be proved wrong, but I think they've taken far too much on.

(21 Jun 2014, 3:23 pm)aureolin wrote GCT have a lot of work to do. New buses, new drivers (I'd assume), and also have to fit in vehicle and route familiarisation. I'd love to be proved wrong, but I think they've taken far too much on.

I have heard rumours that they have won some of the miscellaneous boards (schools mainly) too - but nothing official to back that up yet...

(21 Jun 2014, 3:24 pm)tyresmoke wrote I have heard rumours that they have won some of the miscellaneous boards (schools mainly) too - but nothing official to back that up yet...

Anthony Armitage told me Yesterday that GCT were getting some Deckers for Scholars and Solos for the other contracts, as always the case with Anthony the Information he provided was taken with a pince of Salt, I personally would love to know where GCT are going to get these Vehicles from and where are they going to store them.

(21 Jun 2014, 8:54 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Anthony Armitage told me Yesterday that GCT were getting some Deckers for Scholars and Solos for the other contracts, as always the case with Anthony the Information he provided was taken with a pince of Salt, I personally would love to know where GCT are going to get these Vehicles from and where are they going to store them.

Another thing that'll be on their "to do list" in the next 5 weeks - find a depot!
I know they use a lot of the road at Felling already, and that's without however many extra buses are needed. This isn't particularly secure either...

Like aureolin, I think GCT have bitten off way more than they can chew - and although I'd love to be proven wrong, I think they're going to learn this the hard way. They were accumulating a substantial amount of fines from Nexus for the work that they already have, and I could only imagine it's going to get worse...

(21 Jun 2014, 9:16 pm)Dan wrote Another thing that'll be on their "to do list" in the next 5 weeks - find a depot!
I know they use a lot of the road at Felling already, and that's without however many extra buses are needed. This isn't particularly secure either...

Like aureolin, I think GCT have bitten off way more than they can chew - and although I'd love to be proven wrong, I think they're going to learn this the hard way. They were accumulating a substantial amount of fines from Nexus for the work that they already have, and I could only imagine it's going to get worse...

GCT have a secure compound for storing buses at Albert Road, Jarrow in addition to the space they use at Felling. I will take a look the next time I am in Jarrow to see how much space is available to store extra buses.

(22 Jun 2014, 7:07 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote GCT have a secure compound for storing buses at Albert Road, Jarrow in addition to the space they use at Felling. I will take a look the next time I am in Jarrow to see how much space is available to store extra buses.

Tyresmoke was telling me about that one in Jarrow the other day, but from a quick look on Google Maps, it just looked like a normal street - so I assumed they kept a few of the 16 seater taxi vans there that occasionally creep up onto service work.

Would be nice if you could get photos..pretty pretty please?

Saves me and others going!

(22 Jun 2014, 7:10 am)Dan wrote Tyresmoke was telling me about that one in Jarrow the other day, but from a quick look on Google Maps, it just looked like a normal street - so I assumed they kept a few of the 16 seater taxi vans there that occasionally creep up onto service work.

Would be nice if you could get photos..pretty pretty please?

Saves me and others going!

I will get some photos when I next pass which should be the middle part of this week.
For anyone that wants to take a look at the compound it is located at the rear of the car wash on Albert Road opposite Paul's Chip Shop on the route of GNE 27 & 88.

I am prepared to give them a chance and let them prove their worth.

It seems pointless GCT taking on these contracts, going to the trouble of recruiting additional staff and then adding to their outgoings by incurring fines by not having suitable vehicles.

I am quietly optimistic with this one.

I managed to make a rapid stop by at GCT base in Jarrow and took some very quick photo's.
While there is not a massive amount of space for more buses if some of the rental vans and HGV's moved to the caravan storage side of the site extra buses could be accommodated.

(22 Jun 2014, 3:24 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote I managed to make a rapid stop by at GCT base in Jarrow and took some very quick photo's.
While there is not a massive amount of space for more buses if some of the rental vans and HGV's moved to the caravan storage side of the site extra buses could be accommodated.

Cheers!
Doesn't look like there would be enough room for the amount of vehicles required for all of the contracts they've taken on, that's for sure.

(22 Jun 2014, 3:38 pm)Dan wrote Cheers!
Doesn't look like there would be enough room for the amount of vehicles required for all of the contracts they've taken on, that's for sure.

Definitely not. I don't think it's just a case of moving all the vans either, as they can't just be moved into thin air. I hope they have something up their sleeves in terms of storage.

(22 Jun 2014, 3:38 pm)Dan wrote Cheers!
Doesn't look like there would be enough room for the amount of vehicles required for all of the contracts they've taken on, that's for sure.

It's just a shame the Sunderland Road depot is being demolished, otherwise they could have moved there with all the work they are taking on!!

VOSA authorisation for GCT is 10 buses at Holly Hill in Felling and 4 buses at Albert Road in Jarrow. So it will be interesting to see what the PVR will be for the existing and new contracts.

(23 Jun 2014, 10:51 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote VOSA authorisation for GCT is 10 buses at Holly Hill in Felling and 4 buses at Albert Road in Jarrow. So it will be interesting to see what the PVR will be for the existing and new contracts.

Including the van-type minibuses GCT have which occasionally make an appearance on service work, GCT are already at their limit of 14 vehicles.

Further expansion required!

(23 Jun 2014, 10:51 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote VOSA authorisation for GCT is 10 buses at Holly Hill in Felling and 4 buses at Albert Road in Jarrow. So it will be interesting to see what the PVR will be for the existing and new contracts.

So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?
The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...

(23 Jun 2014, 11:35 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?
The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...

Same name appears in the Directors List for the van hire based at the Hebburn / Jarrow car wash and the Directors List of GCT so there does appear to be a link between them.

Noticed one of GCT's Bluebirds was on the Team Valley Sainsbury's shuttle earlier. It worked the 10:57 from Wrekenton. Don't know whether it's still out now.

SF08GLJ - new minibus in at GCT? Plain blue.
Came from Sunderland Rd and appeared to be heading towards their other depot.

(23 Jun 2014, 11:35 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote So are they part of 'The Felling Mafia' then?

The people who had/have the car wash at Hebburn, had an interest in a number of sites on Sunderland Road, inc the site at the top of Stoneygate Lane...

A little bit off-topic but when you mention 'The Felling Mafia'....

I'm sure one of their sites was once used in an episode of The Bill.

(23 Jun 2014, 4:25 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Same name appears in the Directors List for the van hire based at the Hebburn / Jarrow car wash and the Directors List of GCT so there does appear to be a link between them.

Checked the companies out online and there is definitely a connection.
There was a parcel/courier firm who had a small plot of land not too far along from Holly Hill, who moved to the site in Hebburn too - this is going back 10/11 years mind.

(25 Jun 2014, 12:16 pm)AdamY wrote A little bit off-topic but when you mention 'The Felling Mafia'....

I'm sure one of their sites was once used in an episode of The Bill.

Not sure about anywhere in Felling, but the old Elf garage in Birtley (by the leisure centre) was used.

Admin note: Further discussion on The Bill was moved to start a new thread found here.

Earlier today I saw a Nexus-liveried vehicle working the Tesco Free Bus while driving from Lanchester towards Consett with the registration SF14 HAO.

This vehicle will presumably belong to GCT. Obviously its new but how long have GCT had the vehicle?

YX07DXE another new Bluebirdy type minibus in at GCT?

(27 Jun 2014, 12:27 pm)AdamY wrote Earlier today I saw a Nexus-liveried vehicle working the Tesco Free Bus while driving from Lanchester towards Consett with the registration SF14 HAO.

This vehicle will presumably belong to GCT. Obviously its new but how long have GCT had the vehicle?

It's on the Team Valley Sainsburys service today.