(17 Mar 2015, 6:17 pm)aureolin wrote Not really? The B7RLEs were last painted about 5 years ago now, so are probably due a fresh coat of paint. I'd imagine there'd be some sense them going into the red corporate livery, so that they can take on more of a 'spare' role in the later days. At the same time, the Red Kite Omni's are most likely going to need a repaint anyway.
(17 Mar 2015, 6:27 pm)Robert wrote I'd still say the cost would be high for what you get out of it...it may seem cheap compared to other things but repainting a bus doesn't require a couple of tins of paint from B&Q. My argument doesnt involve the Red Kite omnicities - it does however involve the 4 corporate liveried omnis at Percy Main which will need to be repainted purple. Add the costs of all 9 repaints together and takeaway the average selling of a B10BLE to the scrapman - see how much profit is made or how much money is lost. I think it may cost more than we think and thats without me doing any research.
(17 Mar 2015, 6:27 pm)Robert wrote I'd still say the cost would be high for what you get out of it...it may seem cheap compared to other things but repainting a bus doesn't require a couple of tins of paint from B&Q. My argument doesnt involve the Red Kite omnicities - it does however involve the 4 corporate liveried omnis at Percy Main which will need to be repainted purple. Add the costs of all 9 repaints together and takeaway the average selling of a B10BLE to the scrapman - see how much profit is made or how much money is lost. I think it may cost more than we think and thats without me doing any research.
(17 Mar 2015, 6:40 pm)aureolin wrote But at the same time, over 100 buses are being repainted, simply to remove the 'Northern' name from them? You need not patronise me about the cost of paint. It's a long time since I was wet behind the ears!
The company have shown time and time again, that if something needs doing, it'll be done properly.
(17 Mar 2015, 6:55 pm)Robert wrote But thats probably because the whole point of the 'Northern' branding was to bring back the name for the upcoming '100 years' celebrations. I feel like im dismissing your points to put me on top but in theory im not. Its merely the fact that in this instance, the Northern repaints aren't involved and its merely a case of justifying whether it would be worth repainting 9 buses to replace 1 and keep a brand consistent with the same vehicle type throughout which i don't think would financially work as the outcome of the whole operation would probably not match the amount spent during the input procedure.To be honest I dont see the Red Kite Omnicities being repainted Purple if my Journey on the 31 at around 16:20pm from the MetroCentre to Eldon Square was anything to go by yesterday evening, as there was only me and two other passengers on board, its not first time I have used the Toonlink Services and there certainly hasnt been many passengers on board at all, therefore I can the 11/31/32 going into Corporate Livery using the Omnicities.
(17 Mar 2015, 9:55 pm)Dan wrote The account statistics for data used over our Wi-Fi service provided on 122 buses suggests otherwise...
(18 Mar 2015, 12:40 am)markydh wrote Data usage means nothing. A far more useful statistic would be the amount of individual connections each day when compared to the total number of passengers. And equally the number of passengers who actually make that change (49 -> 10/A/B) when compared to the number of direct passengers. I might also add that the re-routing that occurred within Blaydon of the 31 and 32 was a direct result of passenger feedback having lost their direct bus (along the full length of Shibdon Road) when the 41 and 42 were withdrawn a few years ago.
Incidentally, the 31 and 32 can't be doing too badly. Compared the many routes operated by the 'change every 6 month' company, they have remained pretty stable for ages. Like most bus routes, they are peaky. Eastbound in the morning and Westbound in the evening. Witnessing the odd service every so often in the quietest part of the day or in the above case, entirely against the peak flow, isn't a particularly useful guage of the general usefulness and profitability of a route. People witnessing my own local service, the X82, might see the odd quiet run in the middle of the day, but the frequency has remained the same for 10 years. Stagecoach are no mugs. Nor are GNE. Wifi is a nice addition but I still doubt the majority of people would choose to go out of their way to change buses to have it for 20 minutes or so when they can just stay on the same bus all the way to exactly the same bus station.
I should also add that the fact a few forum members WOULD make such an change is no surprise. There is a distinctly young demographic on here, bar a few older types like myself (only in my thirties but still) Younger people like having wifi. Your average pensioner, the demographic most appreciative of direct routes, wouldn't care two hoots about it.
(18 Mar 2015, 8:00 am)Drifter60 wrote The idea of wifi is a great addition, but I cannot agree it impacts decision on which bus to get. I fail to see that anyone would choose to change buses JUST to get free wifi. Likewise, apart from a couple of scholars Dan mentioned, I doubt people chose the 60 over 61 if going Sunderland-New Seaham.
(Also my friend couldn't connect on Tuesday to the drifter wifi, never did get fleet number, apologies)
(18 Mar 2015, 10:58 am)leestransportphotos wrote I didn't say they were.... What traditionally Newcastle is B&W and Sunderland is R&W
(18 Mar 2015, 10:58 am)leestransportphotos wrote I didn't say they were.... What traditionally Newcastle is B&W and Sunderland is R&W
(18 Mar 2015, 11:38 pm)roar wrote You beat me to it, 75% of the time I see them it's near enough full. Is it free for university students?
(18 Mar 2015, 11:51 pm)Michael wrote Ye but only if they have their Sunderland uni ID card.
The 700 does a decent route, i still think it should go to Roker during the Spring and on weekends though.. this summer they should extend it to Seaburn after it goes to Roker.
