So far, how have the passenger numbers been on the improved Sunderland services? Better or worse?

Can't see the X36 lasting long. Saw it leaving Market Street on Saturday with one passenger.

The 38 seems to be empty beyond peaks between Houghton and Rainton Bridge, but it was to be expected, as the 35a did nowt between the same two points.

However, the 36 seems to be doing ok - seeing as it is the 35 and 71 combined.
Punters still seem to prefer the 20s between Sunderland and Houghton.
No idea how the removal of the 35s around Silksworth affects it though ie any loss to profits to/from Silksworth is countered with the extension to/from Chester.

To be honest, nothing much seems to have changed. The changes weren't designed to increase passenger numbers - they were really just to improve reliability and improve cross-city links by merging already established services.

With the morning peak X36s to Enterprise Park being cut, the 8s now leave Park Lane absolutely rammed... But that's about it!

I noticed that the 36 left park lane with no seats, this was heading towards North Sunderland.

The final X36 at 1831 out of Heworth looked quite busy this evening. I think there are a few things that need to be sorted with regards the Newcastle/Heworth to Boldon section of the X36 and 35A.

Thanks all

It's good that the passenger numbers on the 8 have increased as a result of the Enterprise Park X36's being scrapped. Hopefully it should be getting investment soon which will make passengers happy

Glad to here the 36 is getting busy Micheal. Would have probably been the Royal Hospital, Herrington, Houghton etc. section that is doing the best.

And yeah the X36 is quite peaky. It is never normally busy between Newcastle and Heworth, but I would have thought moving it to Market Street would have increased passenger numbers as a result of the 27, 56 and 57 stopping there, and it would have took passengers from there. The loadings between Heworth/Wardley and Boldon are normally decent, then Witherwack to Sunderland are normally decent too.

The 38 seems to be empty beyond peaks between Houghton and Rainton Bridge, but it was to be expected, as the 35a did nowt between the same two points.

However, the 36 seems to be doing ok - seeing as it is the 35 and 71 combined.
Punters still seem to prefer the 20s between Sunderland and Houghton.
No idea how the removal of the 35s around Silksworth affects it though ie any loss to profits to/from Silksworth is countered with the extension to/from Chester.

Cheers Andreos.

The 35A never used to be busy between Houghton and Rainton beyond peaks though did it? Maybe they should curtail it through the day and terminate it at Houghton.

The 33/33A and 2/2A would have replaced the 35s so I'm not sure wheter it would effect it?

Cheers Andreos.

The 35A never used to be busy between Houghton and Rainton beyond peaks though did it? Maybe they should curtail it through the day and terminate it at Houghton.

The 33/33A and 2/2A would have replaced the 35s so I'm not sure wheter it would effect it?

Think it was only really kept so that the six buses per hour didn't decrease to three. GNE introduced peak time 20As (npower - Houghton) which will probably be designed around shift changes. The one I saw tonight was empty, though.

Cheers Andreos.

The 35A never used to be busy between Houghton and Rainton beyond peaks though did it? Maybe they should curtail it through the day and terminate it at Houghton.

The 33/33A and 2/2A would have replaced the 35s so I'm not sure wheter it would effect it?

Yeah, the Silksworth link is still there for other services. but I was talking about the 35a/36.
What that route would have made going via Silksworth, isn't there any more, so just guessing any shortfall has been made up between Chester and Houghton.

Just wondering if adding an extra vehicle to the PVR could maintain the Silksworth link, but rather than head past Sainsburys/Silksworth Lane, it goes via McDonalds/North Moor Lane and Durham Road.

To be honest, I have wondered if the Chilton Pub Shuttle could flit between a shuttle run and Houghton, similar to the H1.

Does anyone know if the passenger numbers on the 82/82A are like? Around the Barley Mow area they used to carry good loads but after the changes for some reason there's only the odd person on. There was only 2 people on the 8am towards Birtley this morning

640 is on test on route #700 and #701 according to GNE twitter account and will not be picking up passengers. Any ideas why?

5211 has gained a "Go Save" rear advertisement of some sort. On the 20 to Durham - left PLI a few minutes ago.

640 is on test on route #700 and #701 according to GNE twitter account and will not be picking up passengers. Any ideas why?

Believe they are getting Next Stop Annoucements, so probably testing them.

Scania L94UA Wright Solar Fusion 4953 (NK51 OLV) has supposedly been sold to Alpha or a scrapyard of some sort.

https://flic.kr/p/qL8nbp

https://flic.kr/p/qL8nbp

It looks like GNE have stripped it of the seats etc. 

That's a shame, as it could have had a few more years left with another operator. Unless GNE got a better deal with a bus breakers rather than a dealer, such as Ensign.

Think that one was used to keep the others going - possibly looking to sell the other three on for a higher price than what they would have got, if they did not raid 4953 for parts.

Believe they are getting Next Stop Annoucements, so probably testing them.

Makes sense as the solos have started gaining screens. Think 640 May be the only one with a screen atm though? 

That's a shame, as it could have had a few more years left with another operator. Unless GNE got a better deal with a bus breakers rather than a dealer, such as Ensign.

I assume some parts have been used to keep the Scania L94/Wright Solar's on the road.

Ensign would probably not pay much for them given that they ended up scrapping most of the ones they bought from Dublin Bus, as there really isn't much demand for them, plenty of younger bendybuses have not seen service again after leaving London.

Does anyone know if the passenger numbers on the 82/82A are like? Around the Barley Mow area they used to carry good loads but after the changes for some reason there's only the odd person on. There was only 2 people on the 8am towards Birtley this morning

The feedback to the local councillors and community groups has been less than positive. Big issues around Harras Bank, especially the use of double decker stock and a big drop in reliability.

Some issues with the timetables at bus stops not mentioning the fact they serve Northside which is causing confusion (though I'm aware this is a Nexus thing)

The feedback to the local councillors and community groups has been less than positive. Big issues around Harras Bank, especially the use of double decker stock and a big drop in reliability.

Some issues with the timetables at bus stops not mentioning the fact  they serve Northside which is causing confusion (though I'm aware this is a Nexus thing)

Haven't been on it since the changes, but reliability was never the best prior to last weekend.
If it is perceived to be worse now, dear me.

Haven't been on it since the changes, but reliability was never the best prior to last weekend.
If it is perceived to be worse now, dear me.

The Doctors Surgery are feeding back quite a few near misses with school children and cars for the service on Harras Bank. For some reason they've reported this to the Council but not Go Ahead

The Doctors Surgery are feeding back quite a few near misses with school children and cars for the service on Harras Bank.  For some reason they've reported this to the Council but not Go Ahead

If only I could predict Saturdays lottery numbers...
Knew Harras Bank would cause issues and you quite rightly mentioned the school kids in a post over the last week or so.

Hopefully changes/adaptations are made before anything serious happens.

Dont know if tgis has been mentioned anywhere but unidentified East Durham MPD was involved in some sort of incident on washington highway last night around 18.30. Dont know if it was involved in crash but looked fire damaged

Dont know if tgis has been mentioned anywhere but unidentified East Durham MPD was involved in some sort of incident on washington highway last night around 18.30. Dont know if it was involved in crash but looked fire damaged

MPD 540 whilst operating service 37. Further discussion available on Bus Incidents thread.

3977 and 2x Olympian operating Metro Replacement 900. Delays of 40+ minutes to Crusader 27 due to temporary traffic lights on Sunderland Rd outside of the old depot paired with the morning Metro peak customers having to board.

3977 and 2x Olympian operating Metro Replacement 900. Delays of 40+ minutes to Crusader 27 due to temporary traffic lights on Sunderland Rd outside of the old depot paired with the morning Metro peak customers having to board.

The two Olympians were swapped for Vykings when the scholars buses got back to the depot.

Former "SimpliCity" Versa 8321 arrived at Saltmeadows for repaint yesterday.

Has there been something up with the X1's this afternoon?

There was one laying over in the turning circle at Easington Lane and another 3 heading towards Easington Lane from Houghton, in the time it took me to drive towards Houghton from Easington Lane.

Has there been something up with the X1's this afternoon?

There was one laying over in the turning circle at Easington Lane and another 3 heading towards Easington Lane from Houghton, in the time it took me to drive towards Houghton from Easington Lane.

The traffic in Gateshead this morning was unreal. The Felling Bypass and Sunderland Road were gridlocked for a substantial period of time this morning, so a lot of traffic found alternative routes. Not sure if this continued into the afternoon or not.

SN64 CTU has now left Harrogate and District and was seen heading south on the A1 with its front panel down - hope it was rectified at the next service station or another safe point.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...836762014/

SN64 CTU has now left Harrogate and District and was seen heading south on the A1 with its front panel down - hope it was rectified at the next service station or another safe point.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...836762014/

Possibly going to Brighton and Hove so engineering can have a look at it before their examples arrive?

The two Olympians were swapped for Vykings when the scholars buses got back to the depot.

Former "SimpliCity" Versa 8321 arrived at Saltmeadows for repaint yesterday.

3824 went back onto Metro Replacement work at 10:30ish as I caught it from Heworth, presumably because a gap had built up due to the lights on Sunderland Road. I saw it again at 11:25 coming into Newcastle as an extra 27, again for the same reason I'd assume.

Former "SimpliCity" Versa 8322 is now at Saltmeadows for repaint into a fresh coat of purple.

Former "SimpliCity" Versa 8322 is now at Saltmeadows for repaint into a fresh coat of purple.

What else is at SM?, just 8321 and 8322?

What else is at SM?, just 8321 and 8322?

Just 8322, I think..!

Just 8322, I think..!

Yeah, if 8321 arrived a couple of days ago and the typical Saltmeadows repaint system remains, 8321 should at least be repainted and possibly even back at Deptford.