(25 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)Drifter60 wrote It's hardly strenuous task for the customer services to look at their service times, if people are needing a bus quick and are on there phones downloading timetables isn't always easy. Often people don't know which service too.
And if I'm wanting a bus between Sunderland & Monkwearmouth or Newcastle to Gateshead there's a whole host of service go between those locations downloading each service timetable isn't practically when Customer Services can do it and help the customer.

Some people are clearly in their own home when asking. I have seen questions structured like this:

'What time is the first (service number) from (place)?'
Would you ask that from out on the street on your mobile phone? Highly doubt it. Most households these days do have at least 1 PC in their home to find out. If they are so addicted to their phone, whats wrong with the GNE app? Its certainly more precise than paper timetables.

The Annual cycle thing through Durham, Sacrison and other places is happening on Sunday morning next week. Ill assume that Diamonds and other services will be serving their usual diversions when this event is on.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)Drifter60 wrote It's hardly strenuous task for the customer services to look at their service times, if people are needing a bus quick and are on there phones downloading timetables isn't always easy. Often people don't know which service too.
And if I'm wanting a bus between Sunderland & Monkwearmouth or Newcastle to Gateshead there's a whole host of service go between those locations downloading each service timetable isn't practically when Customer Services can do it and help the customer.

Perhaps you've identified room for improvement then? A mobile site where a user can enter a 'From' and 'To', and a list of services, times, and fares are displayed? I guess it'd sort the issue of times out, downloading a full timetable on a phone, and people not knowing single/return fares in advance?

I do agree it's hardly a strenuous task, but it's perhaps one that should be automated. It would certainly provide cost benefits in the long run.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:21 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps you've identified room for improvement then? A mobile site where a user can enter a 'From' and 'To', and a list of services, times, and fares are displayed? I guess it'd sort the issue of times out, downloading a full timetable on a phone, and people not knowing single/return fares in advance?

I do agree it's hardly a strenuous task, but it's perhaps one that should be automated. It would certainly provide cost benefits in the long run.

Although it's not great and acts like more of a search facility, Go North East do have a basic version of what you've said here, though it hasn't really been promoted.

I suspect it hasn't really been promoted because they're working on replacing it with something better, once they have real time technology up and running (which I hope will come with an improved app to allow journey planning?)

GoogleMaps has a facility whereby you can click on a bus stop and it will list all buses from that stop (all operators) with times and destinations.

This doesn't seem to work for all stops (especially where there are .any buses).

(25 Aug 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote Although it's not great and acts like more of a search facility, Go North East do have a basic version of what you've said here, though it hasn't really been promoted.

I suspect it hasn't really been promoted because they're working on replacing it with something better, once they have real time technology up and running (which I hope will come with an improved app to allow journey planning?)

The problem with that facility (which has been mentioned before), is that it is linked to the timetables and the 'entry' needs to match the GNE spellings in order to get the times the passenger needs.

A new recruit to the FPF, will have no joy if they type Houghton in the from box and Fencehouses in the to box.
Similarly, if you are travelling between two points which involves a change of bus, the search will be unsuccessful in that case too.

Absolutely shocking what I saw today on ryhope road just past sandcastle pub. The silver arrows bus used already was displaying 2C instead of 61 heading for Sunderland then I saw a simplicity with 60 destinations but no number then a drifter on the 42. Yes I know the 42 is always drifter on Sundays but looks silly using this then a simplicity on 60. I know they interwork but how confusing for passengers using these four routes

(25 Aug 2014, 9:30 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The problem with that facility (which has been mentioned before), is that it is linked to the timetables and the 'entry' needs to match the GNE spellings in order to get the times they need.

A new recruit to the FPF, will have no joy if they type Houghton in the from box and Fencehouses in the to box.
Similarly, if you are travelling between two points which involves a change of bus, the search will be unsuccessful in that case too.

Like I said, basic and probably more of a temporary workaround whilst better features are in development.

I typed in 'Sunderland' to 'Monkwearmouth' to try it out, and instead of being faced with services 9, 29, 35, 56, X36 and god knows whatever else, I was only faced with service X36.

Moreover, to get back to the original discussion and to add my own opinions, I think the fair majority of people who are able to go on Facebook and add a wallpost to a Facebook page should be capable of opening a PDF document, or should be capable of downloading the "thekeymobile" app, which can be quite useful for seeing an individual run's timetable clearly.

(25 Aug 2014, 8:21 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps you've identified room for improvement then? A mobile site where a user can enter a 'From' and 'To', and a list of services, times, and fares are displayed? I guess it'd sort the issue of times out, downloading a full timetable on a phone, and people not knowing single/return fares in advance?

I do agree it's hardly a strenuous task, but it's perhaps one that should be automated. It would certainly provide cost benefits in the long run.

There is already the nextbuses app and I use HereTransit - but they are limited as to what they can provide (use data from traveline).

Some local authorities have the text alert and I have used the Nexus nfc service too.

There is the potential to improve on what already exists.

(25 Aug 2014, 9:36 pm)Dan wrote Like I said, basic and probably more of a temporary workaround whilst better features are in development.

I typed in 'Sunderland' to 'Monkwearmouth' to try it out, and instead of being faced with services 9, 29, 35, 56, X36 and god knows whatever else, I was only faced with service X36.

Moreover, to get back to the original discussion and to add my own opinions, I think the fair majority of people who are able to go on Facebook and add a wallpost to a Facebook page should be capable of opening a PDF document, or should be capable of downloading the "thekeymobile" app, which can be quite useful for seeing an individual run's timetable clearly.

Lets hope you don't need the times from Newcastle Road to Sunderland or Monkwearmouth to South Shields

How temporary is it going to be?
It must be almost two years since they first introduced it when the site was relaunched.

(25 Aug 2014, 9:35 pm)Acky81 wrote Absolutely shocking what I saw today on ryhope road just past sandcastle pub. The silver arrows bus used already was displaying 2C instead of 61 heading for Sunderland then I saw a simplicity with 60 destinations but no number then a drifter on the 42. Yes I know the 42 is always drifter on Sundays but looks silly using this then a simplicity on 60. I know they interwork but how confusing for passengers using these four routes

Was this mid morning/noon?

(25 Aug 2014, 9:45 pm)aureolin wrote Was this mid morning/noon?

2pm

(25 Aug 2014, 9:35 pm)Acky81 wrote Absolutely shocking what I saw today on ryhope road just past sandcastle pub. The silver arrows bus used already was displaying 2C instead of 61 heading for Sunderland then I saw a simplicity with 60 destinations but no number then a drifter on the 42. Yes I know the 42 is always drifter on Sundays but looks silly using this then a simplicity on 60. I know they interwork but how confusing for passengers using these four routes

I'm inclined to suggest 8326 may have replaced a Streetlite mid-day on services 42/60 today. As you know, both of these services should be allocated Streetlites on Sundays. These vehicles are selected above red spares as they have better fuel economy, making the operation of these Sunday services (which often run at a loss or breakeven) more justifiable.

I cannot excuse drivers changing the destination display that early, though, and this is something I have complained about myself in the past.

(25 Aug 2014, 9:37 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Lets hope you don't need the times from Newcastle Road to Sunderland!

How temporary is it going to be?
It must be almost two years since they first introduced it when the site was relaunched.

Thankfully, I have a smartphone and I have downloaded Go North East's "thekeymobile" application. If, for whatever reason, I cannot access all of the bus timetables which I have saved to my phone in .PDF file format (I even keep some of the older ones, such as the X3, in there for the memories!), I can always use my phone's GPS location to see the times when buses are next scheduled to depart from my nearest bus stop. The application is capable of so much more, and I feel it isn't promoted enough.

I'd imagine once Go North East has this real time technology sorted (citaro5284 is your man for that one - not me), they will release a new phone application which builds upon the basic features they've already got.

(25 Aug 2014, 10:10 pm)Dan wrote Thankfully, I have a smartphone and I have downloaded Go North East's "thekeymobile" application. If, for whatever reason, I cannot access all of the bus timetables which I have saved to my phone in .PDF file format (I even keep some of the older ones, such as the X3, in there for the memories!), I can always use my phone's GPS location to see the times when buses are scheduled to depart from my nearest bus stop.

I'd imagine once Go North East has this real time technology sorted (citaro5284 is your man for that one - not me), they will release a new phone application which builds upon the basic features they've already got.

Must admit that I've only had a small look around the Key app but something that I think could be well worth putting in there is a trip planner, like on the Arriva one which tells people where to get off/on if they need to change bus, estimated time of arrivals at the actual destination not just the bus stop etc.

(25 Aug 2014, 10:03 pm)Dan wrote I'm inclined to suggest 8326 may have replaced a Streetlite mid-day on services 42/60 today. As you know, both of these services should be allocated Streetlites on Sundays. These vehicles are selected above red spares as they have better fuel economy, making the operation of these Sunday services (which often run at a loss or breakeven) more justifiable.

I cannot excuse drivers changing the destination display that early, though, and this is something I have complained about myself in the past.

That is indeed correct, was around 1:20pm I spotted it with Aureolin when departing Park Lane on the 2C, But there was no Streetlite in sight, so I am guessing that it broke down heading back toward Park Lane.

I notice the login screen of the Go North East WiFI has rightfully had the icomera logo replaced with a GNE one. Looks smart.

Fleet changes...

Optare Solo 632: NK61 FEV has been transferred from Saltmeadows to Percy Main.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:48 am)Michael wrote Fleet changes...

Optare Solo 632: NK61 FEV has been transferred from Saltmeadows to Percy Main.

This will provide Percy Main with an additional Euro 5 vehicle for the contracts they gained from Saltmeadows. It has been VOR so has been unable to be transferred.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:57 am)Dan wrote This will provide Percy Main with an additional Euro 5 vehicle for the contracts they gained from Saltmeadows. It has been VOR so has been unable to be transferred.

Ah right !

Just seen 3867 in Bedlington on driver training, is this normal? (Seems to be following the 19 route)

Optare Solo 632: NK61 FEV has been transferred from Saltmeadows to Percy Main.

Imagine one on service 9 saying that though them renowns are terrible absolutely terrible especially 5165 the seats make my bottom go numb like that Linkin Park song

Most likely to have been route learning.

I usually wait but is there any sign of 9120 been returned to Evobus now the bank holiday weekend is over?

(26 Aug 2014, 12:55 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Most likely to have been route learning.

Though I'd be worried if they were on the 19 route from Percy Main to North Shields in a double decker!

(26 Aug 2014, 2:04 pm)Dan wrote Though I'd be worried if they were on the 19 route from Percy Main to North Shields in a double decker!

Maybe a 'test' to see if the driver was aware . . .

(26 Aug 2014, 3:02 pm)G-CPTN wrote Maybe a 'test' to see if the driver was aware . . .

Doubt it...

(26 Aug 2014, 3:27 pm)Robert wrote Doubt it...

Yeah they wouldn't risk it gettng deroofed.
Could have been on the short workings to High Flatworth.

I thought the Lolynes came with buzzers on for low bridges? I know that when I once rode one back in 2007 on the Coaster that it beeped when going past the Tanners Bank Metro Bridge.

(26 Aug 2014, 9:46 am)aureolin wrote I notice the login screen of the Go North East WiFI has rightfully had the icomera logo replaced with a GNE one. Looks smart.

Things are moving along with the wifi. You should see an improvement as icomera have nearly completed their audit and most vehicles are now working. There is still some issues to sort, but hopefully will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

(26 Aug 2014, 5:48 pm)citaro5284 wrote Things are moving along with the wifi. You should see an improvement as icomera have nearly completed their audit and most vehicles are now working. There is still some issues to sort, but hopefully will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

Sounds good! I have to say I haven't had any issues for some time now, so it's definitely a noticeable improvement.

I do have another one for you though 6073 appears to have lost it's front coloured number on the destination screen. Noticed it around 4pm whilst working the 10 to Newcastle, just displaying a standard orange number instead.