(05 Dec 2014, 12:42 pm)Drifter60 wrote So far,
Cancellations:
20/20A
35/35A/35B/35C
29/29A
2A/2C
42
99
New Registrations:
20: Durham-South Shields
2: Washington-Silksworth
35: Low Moorsley or Chester Le Street-Town End Farm/Boldon/Heworth
99: Castletown-Seaburn
Variations:
Route and timetable amendments on 50/50A, X36.
Timetable amendments on X35/835, 56/N56, 61, 39/RM2, 8/8A, S1.
Route amendments on 21/N21
(05 Dec 2014, 12:42 pm)Drifter60 wrote So far,
Cancellations:
20/20A
35/35A/35B/35C
29/29A
2A/2C
42
99
New Registrations:
20: Durham-South Shields
2: Washington-Silksworth
35: Low Moorsley or Chester Le Street-Town End Farm/Boldon/Heworth
99: Castletown-Seaburn
Variations:
Route and timetable amendments on 50/50A, X36.
Timetable amendments on X35/835, 56/N56, 61, 39/RM2, 8/8A, S1.
Route amendments on 21/N21
(05 Dec 2014, 5:41 pm)Michael wrote It looks like they're dropping the 56 to every 12 minutes.
I'm glad with the 35 changes, wonder if we will see a 36 registration or will it just be all under one number, as the 35 has every location proposed on it, along with the new 2/2A, just under the service 2?
(05 Dec 2014, 8:15 pm)cbma06 wrote You can get the latest monthly Notice and Proceedings for Public Service Vehicle Operators in each area by email free of charge, but if you want paper copy sent then you pay a fee. Their should be an option to view the timetable as well that's been submitted.
(06 Dec 2014, 4:22 pm)Jimmi wrote I'd say most of the reliability problems on the 20/20A are due to traffic between Gilesgate and Durham Bus Station, especially at peak times.
I would say that the current 20 timetable on Sundays is pretty tight, on August Bank Holiday Monday I saw two leave together.
Hopefully it is well timed there won't be many problems.
(06 Dec 2014, 4:34 pm)Jimmi wrote Gilesgate is terrible at times.
Shame the X20 only runs at peak times as Gilesgate can put me off the 20/20A especially since Arriva introduced the X21 to Sunderland.
The X20 from Park Lane at 1610 on weekday evenings is often late.
(06 Dec 2014, 4:34 pm)Jimmi wrote Gilesgate is terrible at times.
Shame the X20 only runs at peak times as Gilesgate can put me off the 20/20A especially since Arriva introduced the X21 to Sunderland.
The X20 from Park Lane at 1610 on weekday evenings is often late.
That's not to do with anything on the X20 route though - it's to do with the scholars that bus operates prior.I know, it arrived at 1612 the last time I used it which meant that the 20 that was supposed to leave just behind it had to drop off the passengers arriving in Park Lane then had to pull round onto the layover stands until the X20 left which wasn't until around 1620 so the 20 then had to pull back onto the 20 stand to pick up the passengers so it ended up running late too because of the late arrival/departure of the X20.
(06 Dec 2014, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote The present "Laser" network is profitable as a whole, but the most profitable section of the route is the Sunderland - South Shields section. In terms of the route itself, this section remains unchanged, and it will be re-numbered to 20/20A only. The less profitable section is the Sunderland - Houghton-le-Spring (and beyond) section, and I have to say that my belief is that this is due to the complexity of the lettered variations of the route (35, 35A, 35B and 35C). The North Sunderland section of the revised 35/36 isn't actually so much of a gamble as you'd think - service 29 delivers some very high passenger numbers compared to its former guise of service 26. This is why the revised network will see a combined frequency of 15 minutes opposed to the current 20 minutes. As you rightly point out; outside of peaks, the Houghton-le-Spring to Rainton Bridge section carries very few passengers during the day. Replacing this section of the 35 with a lower frequency service (38 - hourly) still provides a service, but it's more suited to the level of demand that 'corridor' needs.
Personally, I've had very few issues with timekeeping on service 20. When I do use the service (mainly Sunderland - Houghton), I often find drivers have time to wait at The Broadway. My experiences are limited to know whether or not there are issues beyond Houghton onto Durham, but lost mileage isn't particularly high, so I assume that drivers are able to make up this time quite easily. I shan't bite to the vehicle reliability - we all know my views on the matter - but what I will say is that the Scania L94UB/Wright Solar vehicles cope very well across the network as a whole. They are found on interurban and express services - quite demanding work for vehicles of their age - and very few encounter difficulties. Vehicles, especially during peak periods, are currently on standby in Park Lane to time-correct services (primarily service 56 due to roadworks at Nissan). If running time is increased and the layover period at each end is increased to ensure that timekeeping issues are minimal, I cannot see why anyone would consider these changes to be anything other than good.
(06 Dec 2014, 6:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote @MichaelI don't think the solars will be replaced this year, maybe next year but i agree, the South Shields - Sunderland part is going from Citaros/scania's to all scania's.... Even with the laser citaro's moving over to the 20/20A they're wont be enough and we have to remember the new 2/2A will need more citaro's, only place they can really get them from is the Laser, i don't think GNE will want a mixture of buses on the 2/2A.
The new vehicle types is an interesting one, but the removal of a strong brand between Shields and Sunderland and replacing it with another (remember, it isn't just about numbers these days - but brand names), will be one to bear in mind.
GNE have built the 35 up on a mix of historical services, frequency, modern vehicles and a brand name.
To replace it with a service number (and brand) that has no significance to passengers - possibly with an older vehicle type...
It's like renaming a chocolate bar or drink. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Unless they're replacing the Solars earlier than we thought?
(06 Dec 2014, 6:32 pm)Michael wrote I don't think the solars will be replaced this year, maybe next year but i agree, the South Shields - Sunderland part is going from Citaros/scania's to all scania's.... Even with the laser citaro's moving over to the 20/20A they're wont be enough and we have to remember the new 2/2A will need more citaro's, only place they can really get them from is the Laser, i don't think GNE will want a mixture of buses on the 2/2A.
(06 Dec 2014, 5:37 pm)Michael wrote That's why i think we will see new buses on the 20/20A or 35/36 next time, if the changes work out....
I'm looking forward to seen how all the changes will look like after 6 months also i was gonna do repaints but then i remembered Dan's done it already - this can be found here: http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1030&page=39
Edit: Spelling mistake!