(24 Jul 2014, 7:59 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote From what I have just been reading on "The North East Road Transport" Page on Facebook, there looks to be more Solo SR's on there way to GCT in the coming weeks.

Totally irrelevant - but can remember the SNUG factory being the scene of a nasty murder 12/13 years ago.

Noted the former? PCL Travel B6LE parked up in the GCT compound in Hebburn last night.

(24 Jul 2014, 7:59 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote From what I have just been reading on "The North East Road Transport" Page on Facebook, there looks to be more Solo SR's on there way to GCT in the coming weeks.

North East Road Transport??

PB1099280/24 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: LEAD ROAD, GREENSIDE
Finish Point: THORP ACADEMY, RYTON
Via:
Service Number: 877
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PB1099280/25 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: FALMOUTH DRIVE, LOW SIMONSIDE
Finish Point: NORTH ROAD, BOLDON COLLIERY
Via:
Service Number: 542
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PB1099280/26 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: WEST BOLDON BANK TOP
Finish Point: WHITBURN COE SCHOOL
Via:
Service Number: 803
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: M0NDAY TO FRIDAY

PB1099280/27 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: KIRKWOOD GARDENS, WARDLEY
Finish Point: CARDINAL HUME SCHOOL, WREKENTON
Via:
Service Number: 878
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PB1099280/28 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: ST JOSEPH'S RC SCHOOL, MILL LANE, HEBBURN
Finish Point: DURHAM DRIVE, FELLGATE ESTATE
Via:
Service Number: 821
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY

PB1099280/29 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: ST JOSEPH'S COMP SCHOOL MILL LANE, HEBBURN
Finish Point: SOUTH SHIELDS MARKET, CHAPTER ROW
Via:
Service Number: 824
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONE WAY

PB1099280/30 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: FALMOUTH DRIVE, LOW SIMONSIDE, SOUTH TYNESIDE
Finish Point: ST JOSEPH'S COMP SCHOOL, MILL LANE HEBBURN
Via:
Service Number: 820
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONCE A DAY

PB1099280/31 - CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD, 53 - 55 HIGH STREET, FELLING, GATESHEAD, NE10 9LU
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: LORD LAWSON COMP SCHOOL, BIRTLEY
Finish Point: KIBBLESWORTH SQUARE, KIBBLESWORTH
Via:
Service Number: 874
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 01-SEP-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY ONCE A DAY

GCT will definitely need a bigger bus than a B6BLE to operate the 878. Arriva had the contract last year and they always had an X2 Gemini on it which was always almost full.

(25 Jul 2014, 4:37 pm)Adam wrote GCT will definitely need a bigger bus than a B6BLE to operate the 878. Arriva had the contract last year and they always had an X2 Gemini on it which was always almost full.

Similar the 874, back in the day it was opped by Wear Buses Lynx but its been a DD for as long as I recall ever since they changed the route to cover Wrekenton.

820, 821 & 824 were all operated by deckers up to the end of term so unless there has been a reduction in capacity requirements GCT will need some double deck buses and somewhere to store them.

I was at Sainsburys Team Valley yesterday and saw the shuttle bus was owned by Gateshead Central Taxis and appears to be in Nexus colours without markings except for the legal notices. I had noticed it over the last few weeks but not seen the owner's name. It appears to be a minibus (midi-bus?) similar to those operated by GNE on the 29 service which I saw together going round the 'Gold Medal' roundabout. This is my first post and I am not an expert at these types of bus

(26 Jul 2014, 9:44 am)Pete1 wrote I was at Sainsburys Team Valley yesterday and saw the shuttle bus was owned by Gateshead Central Taxis and appears to be in Nexus colours without markings except for the legal notices. I had noticed it over the last few weeks but not seen the owner's name. It appears to be a minibus (midi-bus?) similar to those operated by GNE on the 29 service which I saw together going round the 'Gold Medal' roundabout. This is my first post and I am not an expert at these types of bus

See post below:

(01 Jul 2014, 5:38 pm)Dan wrote Gateshead Central Taxis: SF14HAE by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

(25 Jul 2014, 9:05 am)GMitchelhill wrote Noted the former? PCL Travel B6LE parked up in the GCT compound in Hebburn last night.

If it's got "Sainsbury's" written where the destination display should be, it's been there for quite a while... possibly a few weeks now?

(26 Jul 2014, 9:51 am)BJ10VUS wrote If it's got "Sainsbury's" written where the destination display should be, it's been there for quite a while... possibly a few weeks now?

Gateshead Central Taxis: P363DSA by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

I'd suggest when PCL sold the Darts, this Volvo B6BLE may have been sold to GCT and the contract passed onto them - GCT seem to have been running it with anything but this Volvo B6BLE though.

Today is Gateshead Central Taxis' first day of operation for their new tenders, with R3/R4/R6 and service 558 all operating today.

The 'R' locals should see a Fiat Bluebird allocated, given that the minimum capacity for the contract is 23, and they seat 20 (and will surely permit some standees).

Service 558 should see their Optare Versa which they have on loan as well as the former PCL Travel Volvo B6BLE, given that I believe these two vehicles are the only two in their fleet which comply with the minimum capacity of 49. I doubt that the latter complies with Euro regulations though, so assuming nothing else has turned up, we're starting with a non-compliant working.


The aforementioned Optare Versa is in the form of YJ62ELD; likewise, they currently have three (slightly more elderly) Optare Solos on loan too, carrying registration marks YJ10EZB, YJ10MBF, and YJ59NNO. The photographs below are copyright to Richard Tiplady.

YJ10MBF is working the 558 today - unless someone can confirm otherwise, I don't think this vehicle meets the contract spec?

EDIT: As it appears to be a M920, it will (albeit only just - 30 seating, 23 standing).

(27 Jul 2014, 9:48 am)Dan wrote YJ10MBF is working the 558 today - unless someone can confirm otherwise, I don't think this vehicle meets the contract spec?

EDIT: As it appears to be a M920, it will (albeit only just - 30 seating, 23 standing).

Gateshead Central Taxis: YJ10MBF by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Terminated at Whitburn, meaning that Dene Estate residents have to walk to Seaburn Metro to catch a Metro to Heworth today, or to Newcastle Road to catch a GNE service if they're going to Cleadon or Boldon...

Note spelling error on destination display 'Dean' opposed to 'Dene', and note that GCT didn't have a destination prepared for the Sunday variation of the service which does not go to Heworth as the destination display suggests..!


R3/R4 operated by the vehicle shown below:
Gateshead Central Taxis: SF14HAO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

If this has already been asked am sorry but where the buses been store at i didn't think they had big depot

(27 Jul 2014, 9:48 am)Dan wrote YJ10MBF is working the 558 today - unless someone can confirm otherwise, I don't think this vehicle meets the contract spec?

EDIT: As it appears to be a M920, it will (albeit only just - 30 seating, 23 standing).

I understand it's the contract requirement for vehicles with a higher capacity, but a vehicle that size will be more than big enough for the 515 and 558, to be honest. Don't know who Nexus thinks will suddenly start using it?

(27 Jul 2014, 1:33 pm)jaimz13 wrote If this has already been asked am sorry but where the buses been store at i didn't think they had big depot

They've a depot near Sunderland Road in Felling, and on Albert Road in Jarrow.

Between the two depots, Gateshead Central Taxis are licensed to have 20 vehicles - though it's quite evident to us enthusiasts that the company actually possesses more (mainly due to their 16-seater minibus/taxi fleet), with stories being shared a few pages ago of some of the fleet being stored at the houses of employees...

(27 Jul 2014, 5:13 pm)Dan wrote They've a depot near Sunderland Road in Felling, and on Albert Road in Jarrow.

Between the two depots, Gateshead Central Taxis are licensed to have 20 vehicles - though it's quite evident to us enthusiasts that the company actually possesses more (mainly due to their 16-seater minibus/taxi fleet), with stories being shared a few pages ago of some of the fleet being stored at the houses of employees...

thank you

Can anyone find a timetable on Nexus' website for the 515?

I can find the November 2012 one...
http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...0712_0.pdf

Appreciate no changes have been made, but I can't find it by searching on the bus timetable bit...

(28 Jul 2014, 10:34 am)Dan wrote Can anyone find a timetable on Nexus' website for the 515?

I can find the November 2012 one...
http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...0712_0.pdf

Appreciate no changes have been made, but I can't find it by searching on the bus timetable bit...

After a search on Google I've found it.
http://www.nexus.org.uk/515-0

YT63 TNX and YJ10 EZB were both on the 37 Today, Unfortunately YT63 TNX didn't have a working Blind, nor did it have a piece of Paper in the Window displaying Number 37, and it was carrying nothing but fresh air. Caught both at Peel Retail Park, I was going to Bike it to Concord/Heworth to Photograph the 73/515 and 558, but the clip that holds the Gears in Place decided to pop out of place, so I had bike it back home in Gear 1 which wasn't fun at all.

(28 Jul 2014, 2:48 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote YT63 TNX and YJ10 EZB were both on the 37 Today, Unfortunately YT63 TNX didn't have a working Blind, nor did it have a piece of Paper in the Window displaying Number 37, and it was carrying nothing but fresh air. Caught both at Peel Retail Park, I was going to Bike it to Concord/Heworth to Photograph the 73/515 and 558, but the clip that holds the Gears in Place decided to pop out of place, so I had bike it back home in Gear 1 which wasn't fun at all.

A non compliant working already?!

(28 Jul 2014, 2:51 pm)Tom wrote A non compliant working already?!

To be fair although it is a non compliant working, is the 37 ever going carry over the Number of the Capacity of YT63 TNX, whenever I have used it, it has had no more 5 Passengers on Board.

(28 Jul 2014, 2:51 pm)Tom wrote A non compliant working already?!

Indeed. Not only can the company receive a fine for the destination not showing, the 20-seater minibus certainly does not have a minimum capacity of 49 as per the contract specification.

The third vehicle on the 37/73 cycle is Solo YJ59NNO.

Solo SR YJ12NBX is one vehicle on the 515/558 cycle today and I'm sitting catching the rays whilst waiting for the second - which presumably is the Versa...

(28 Jul 2014, 2:58 pm)Dan wrote Indeed. Not only can the company receive a fine for the destination not showing, the 20-seater minibus certainly does not have a minimum capacity of 49 as per the contract specification.

The third vehicle on the 37/73 cycle is Solo YJ59NNO.

Solo SR YJ12NBX is one vehicle on the 515/558 cycle today and I'm sitting catching the rays whilst waiting for the second - which presumably is the Versa...

...and turning up about 15 minutes late (irritatingly when I had boarded the bus) is YJ10MBF - so it's the Versa missing today...

(28 Jul 2014, 3:16 pm)Dan wrote ...and turning up about 15 minutes late (irritatingly when I had boarded the bus) is YJ10MBF - so it's the Versa missing today...

Could it not of been on the R's around Winlaton and Rowlands Gill or one of the Tesco Free Shuttles.

(28 Jul 2014, 3:32 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Could it not of been on the R's around Winlaton and Rowlands Gill or one of the Tesco Free Shuttles.

Well it could have been, but I didn't think they'd be so foolish to do that when it means that they'd end up getting themselves a fine for the 37/73 having a non-compliant vehicle...

(28 Jul 2014, 3:33 pm)Dan wrote Well it could have been, but I didn't think they'd be so foolish to do that when it means that they'd end up getting themselves a fine for the 37/73 having a non-compliant vehicle...

They are a Taxi Company, probably don't have a clue about Operations as a Bus Company, hence the above, there just small fish in a massive pond in reality, while I hope they can turn things around with more New Vehicles coming in soon, whenever that maybe, but if continues to be like this then it'll backfire big style on GCT I think.

Just out of Curiosity how much would the fine be for a non compliant vehicle with a Destination Screen which doesn't work either.

Just to add to the comments about YT63TNX. It came into Concord for the 15.44 Doxford Park 37 while I was waiting for my 50 at the same stand a bloke missed the 37 becuase of the missing destination display.
GCT do have two sheets of paper with the numbers 37 & 73 on but the print from the pen is faint and the paper is horizontal so it can't be read by anyone.
If you look at the attached photo you should be able to see the paper just below the tax disc.

When my 50 got round to The Galleries a bloke with a high visibility vest and a green tie seemed to be having words with the GCT driver while pointing up to the destination display.

Regarding the missing Versa it was not on the 634 as that was covered by one of those small bluebirds.

(28 Jul 2014, 4:23 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Just to add to the comments about YT63TNX. It came into Concord for the 15.44 Doxford Park 37 while I was waiting for my 50 at the same stand a bloke missed the 37 becuase of the missing destination display.
GCT do have two sheets of paper with the numbers 37 & 73 on but the print from the pen is faint and the paper is horizontal so it can't be read by anyone.
If you look at the attached photo you should be able to see the paper just below the tax disc.

When my 50 got round to The Galleries a bloke with a high visibility vest and a green tie seemed to be having words with the GCT driver while pointing up to the destination display.

Regarding the missing Versa it was not on the 634 as that was covered by one of those small bluebirds.

Would of been The Galleries Bus Station Manager/Supervisor, to be honest I thought the white was part of the Dashboard with the way it was positioned from a Distance when I took my Photo, Hadn't realized it was Paper with 37/73 on it, My Bad, I'll blame my poor eye sight and the fact I am still recovering from Eye Surgery.