Silver Arrows NK58 DWE broke down this morning on the outside lane just before the roundabout near the police station in Sunderland.

Having seen it previously debated, I decided while I boarded Service X25 yesterday, on the 11:10 run, travelling from Chester-le-Street to Newcastle, that I would make note of the passenger numbers.

As soon as I boarded, and headed towards the back, I counted 11 people already onboard. A further 13 got on, and the vehicle departed with 24 passengers sitting, none standing. We stopped at North Lodge, and picked up two more, and then again in Portobello, where 6 got on at various stops. The bus was beginning to feel a little crowded, and there were only a few seats left. My memory is a bit fuzzy from here, but I recall by the time we were at Wrekenton - every single seat was occupied, and 8 were standing.

3 people got off at Wrekenton, a further 2 along Old Durham Road, and 4 at Gateshead Interchange. I got off on Blackett Street, as did another 7 passengers.

Hope this is useful!

(23 Nov 2014, 3:11 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Having seen it previously debated, I decided while I boarded Service X25 yesterday, on the 11:10 run, travelling from Chester-le-Street to Newcastle, that I would make note of the passenger numbers.

As soon as I boarded, and headed towards the back, I counted 11 people already onboard. A further 13 got on, and the vehicle departed with 24 passengers sitting, none standing. We stopped at North Lodge, and picked up two more, and then again in Portobello, where 6 got on at various stops. The bus was beginning to feel a little crowded, and there were only a few seats left. My memory is a bit fuzzy from here, but I recall by the time we were at Wrekenton - every single seat was occupied, and 8 were standing.

3 people got off at Wrekenton, a further 2 along Old Durham Road, and 4 at Gateshead Interchange. I got off on Blackett Street, as did another 7 passengers.

Hope this is useful!

One passed through Gateshead empty at around 14:10, and one left Gateshead at approx. 14:08 with seven passengers.
That's not great really. 

(23 Nov 2014, 3:14 pm)Tom wrote One passed through Gateshead empty at around 14:10, and one left Gateshead at approx. 14:08 with seven passengers.
That's not great really. 

The bus was 4928, and I feel as though the runs which are Solar-operated are far more crowded than those Lolyne-operated.

When I had 3878 on the 10:40 departure from Chester-le-Street two weeks ago, I dare say we left with about 10 people on.

(23 Nov 2014, 3:14 pm)Tom wrote One passed through Gateshead empty at around 14:10, and one left Gateshead at approx. 14:08 with seven passengers.
That's not great really. 

Which direction?

(23 Nov 2014, 3:20 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote The bus was 4928, and I feel as though the runs which are Solar-operated are far more crowded than those Lolyne-operated.

When I had 3878 on the 10:40 departure from Chester-le-Street two weeks ago, I dare say we left with about 10 people on.

To be honest with you, it seems quite peaky. 
They seem to be terrible on Saturday afternoons though. 

(23 Nov 2014, 3:21 pm)Tom wrote To be honest with you, it seems quite peaky. 
They seem to be terrible on Saturday afternoons though. 

In all honesty, I completely agree. The peak runs ought to be allocated Lolynes, and the runs that pick up a few should really be Solar-operated. I dare say that 10:40 run could even manage an MPD!

(23 Nov 2014, 3:23 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote In all honesty, I completely agree. The peak runs ought to be allocated Lolynes, and the runs that pick up a few should really be Solar-operated. I dare say that 10:40 run could even manage an MPD!

2 runs are trident allocated because the run off & onto scholars, although in reality normally all runs cope alright with single deckers.

(23 Nov 2014, 3:23 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote In all honesty, I completely agree. The peak runs ought to be allocated Lolynes, and the runs that pick up a few should really be Solar-operated. I dare say that 10:40 run could even manage an MPD!

The Lolynes will end up on the boards that work school services though.

I feel people should stop and think about the main point of all services though. The X25 (to use it as an example) is never going to be carrying 55 people out of Newcastle at 8am, similarly going towards Gateshead and Newcastle on an afternoon is never going to attract huge loadings. However the opposite is true, with people going to work in Gateshead/Newcastle on a morning, and coming out on an evening.

There are other markets within the route, of course, such as Langley Park-Chester, or Sacriston-Chester, which will attract other times of day. There is always a peak around 0930 as this is when the concessionary passes become free, so journeys arriving into Newcastle/Gateshead around 10am will always be busier than 9am arrivals, in the lull after the peak.

Saturdays tend to be very quiet until around 0930-1000 and then die again after 1500, of course the exception to this is Christmas time when people tend to stay out longer, and there is a higher demand for services to big shopping plazas such as the Metrocentre or indeed Newcastle itself. Sundays on the other hand can have a very limited attraction, being quiet until 1100 then absolutely mental for 2-3 hours, before calming down until after 1800 it basically becomes a complete waste of time.

From Metro Replacements today;

6099 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph.../contacts/
6016 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph.../contacts/

Images owned by GuyParkRoyal

Not yet noted here, but has been on the news, is the return of Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3869 (W179 SCU) to Chester-le-Street and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6029 (V329 LGC) to Washington following their loan to Riverside.

Deptford's Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 5202 (NK54 NUV) currently remains on loan to Riverside.

(23 Nov 2014, 5:23 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote From Metro Replacements today;

6099 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph.../contacts/
6016 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph.../contacts/

Images owned by GuyParkRoyal

Also noticed 6013, 6032, 6018, 6022 & 6020 on Metro Replacements this morning.

Just been looking at the News, and I noticed 6018 along with a few other Ex London Presidents are in the Process of being Repainted into Corporate Livery, ahead of Disposal in the Near Future, and got me to thinking when this might be, so I went on the DVLA Website and inputted 3 Reg Plates from that Batch of Vehicles (Beggining/Middle/End).

6008 - V308 LGC - Tax Disc Runs Out on 1st October 2015
6018 - V318 LGC - Tax Disc Runs Out on 1st December 2015
6038 - V338 LGC - Tax Disc Runs Out on 1st February 2015

What is more odd, According to the DVLA Webite 6038 has no MOT and hasnt done since 28th January 2012, Obviously the Tax Disc could be Renewed once Expired by GNE, But with said Vehicles being 15 Years Old nearly, I doubt they will.

Other Examples:

Renowns
4841 - R841 PRG - Tax Disc Runs Out 1st October 2015
4900 - V990 ETN - Tax Disc Runs Out 1st February 2015
4925 - X935 WGR - Tax Disc Runs Out April 1st 2015 (Lets hope this is no Joke)

Lolynes
3801 - V801 EBR - Tax Disc Runs Out 1st February 2015
3859 - W859 PNL - Tax Disc Runs Out 1st March 2015
3880 - W176 SCU - Tax Disc Runs Out 1st August 2015

As a Result of the above, This could potentially mean that 103 Vehicles could be Withdrawn and Sold in 2015.

This then leads me to Future Investment in the Fleet, obviously GNE are being very tight lipped in regards to Orders, and I am doubtful we will see anything come in the remaining weeks of 2015, I therefore think we will end up seeing this years Investment come into the Fleet in Early 2015, followed by Next Years Investment in the Latter Months, this would mean that mean we would likely see New Vehicles entering Service on almost a Monthly Basis, This would therefore allow the above 103 Vehicles also to be Withdrawn.

#JustMyOpinion
#PleaseDontShootMe
#HashtagsOnNEB

Also, another suggestions:
I think an additional X8 could be introduced, operating with the X7 to provide a service half-hourly between Peterlee and Wingate, then the X8 would extend to Bishop Auckland via Fishburn and Ferryhill.

(24 Nov 2014, 8:12 am)Tom wrote Also, another suggestions:
I think an additional X8 could be introduced, operating with the X7 to provide a service half-hourly between Peterlee and Wingate, then the X8 would extend to Bishop Auckland via Fishburn and Ferryhill.

Even though GNE tried a bus between Sunderland and Bishop Auckland with the X20... i wonder if a re-route; like yours could work.

Might have already been covered, but I saw 3 Olympians leave Riverside in loose convoy on Saturday. I guess that they might be leaving or have left the fleet.

(24 Nov 2014, 9:44 am)Scott wrote Might have already been covered, but I saw 3 Olympians leave Riverside in loose convoy on Saturday. I guess that they might be leaving or have left the fleet.

Could these have been the three Olympians allocated to Soccerbus service X50?

(24 Nov 2014, 9:55 am)Dan wrote Could these have been the three Olympians allocated to Soccerbus service X50?

Possible, one did have St James Park on destination display - around 4-5pm. Although is saw some driving about the car park at the transport interchange car park, earlier in the day.

May have already been covered, but these are the latest fleet changes as anounced on Go North East's website:

Volvo Olympian 3833: S833 OFT has been sold for preservation to the County Durham Bus Preservation Group. Volvo B12Bs 7092: K2 VOY and 7093: K3 VOY have now been transferred permanently to Driver Training and B10M 7079: S979 ABR has been withdrawn.

Also, another suggestions:

 I think an additional X8 could be introduced, operating with the X7 to provide a service half-hourly between Peterlee and Wingate, then the X8 would extend to Bishop Auckland via Fishburn and Ferryhill.

I'm not sure this would work, there is already service 33 between Sedgefield, Fishburn and Ferryhill and is supported by Durham County Council for a reason, that reason being low passenger numbers, I imagine between Wingate and Fishburn it would follow the 21/21A route? Also there is already the 56 and 113 between Ferryhill and Bishop Auckland so I'm not sure an extra bus would do much good, also what route would you have it run would it run through Spennymoor or towards Coundon.

(24 Nov 2014, 10:38 am)Scott wrote May have already been covered, but these are the latest fleet changes as anounced on Go North East's website:

Volvo Olympian 3833: S833 OFT has been sold for preservation to the County Durham Bus Preservation Group. Volvo B12Bs 7092: K2 VOY and 7093: K3 VOY have now been transferred permanently to Driver Training and B10M 7079: S979 ABR has been withdrawn.

From last week,

(24 Nov 2014, 10:38 am)Scott wrote May have already been covered, but these are the latest fleet changes as anounced on Go North East's website:

Volvo Olympian 3833: S833 OFT has been sold for preservation to the County Durham Bus Preservation Group. Volvo B12Bs 7092: K2 VOY and 7093: K3 VOY have now been transferred permanently to Driver Training and B10M 7079: S979 ABR has been withdrawn.

1 week too late i posted it last week on the forum 20 needs new buses to allow more vehicles 35 Citaros will do but if them scanias were to go anywhere they would be cascaded to either Stanley depot for Lime 8/78/78A and Chester-le-Street for the same service the renowns currently on them have passed themselves by date there litterly almost at the end of there lifespan 

Volvo Olympians 3813: S813 FVK and 3814: S814 FVK remain in service at Stanley and 3828: S828 OFT has been withdrawn.

(24 Nov 2014, 2:24 pm)Racer_Experience wrote 1 week too late i posted it last week on the forum 20 needs new buses to allow more vehicles 35 Citaros will do but if them scanias were to go anywhere they would be cascaded to either Stanley depot for Lime 8/78/78A and Chester-le-Street for the same service the renowns currently on them have passed themselves by date there litterly almost at the end of there lifespan 

Read his first sentence. Anyway, 3803 has returned to service at Stanley.

Percy Main's Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 5166 (W816 FBW) is currently on loan to Riverside.

After returning to Chester-le-Street from loan to Riverside, Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3869 (W179 SCU) is on loan to Stanley.

(24 Nov 2014, 6:59 pm)Dan wrote Percy Main's Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 5166 (W816 FBW) is currently on loan to Riverside.

After returning to Chester-le-Street from loan to Riverside, Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3869 (W179 SCU) is on loan to Stanley.

Sunderland Connect 630 has joined 629/640 in Receiving the Christmas Advert, And on my way home from Sunderland around 6pm I seen 5321 Broken Down at Penshaw (Sunderland Bound), Interior Lights and Destination Display were both Turned Off, with the Hazard Lights Flashing, Looked like it had been there for quite awhile, 5321s Brakedown also caused tailbacks down to Shiney Row Roundabout. 

Is 3874 meant to be at Stanley?
Still on the 17 today...

Laser branded 5303 involved in an RTA at Harton Nook with a cyclist and SNE's 36469 scraped the back of 5303

Moderation Note: I've moved 131 posts from this thread, relating to the Sunderland Consultation carried out by Go North East yesterday, to a new thread. 

I felt that the traffic on this discussion stream was enough to justify it's own thread, seeing as it's not looking like ending any time soon either. Please refer any further discussion on the consultation into that thread.

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1181

5291 has been regulated at Metrocentre. Meanwhile, the 43 just seconds behind it only just left Metrocentre and should have been at Teams.