Hi All,

Long time lurker, first time poster!

I am starting as a driver with GNE in the next few weeks out of the new Consett Depot. 

Just wondering if anyone on here works at Consett can tell me what its like there? Shift patterns Etc?

As a side note, ive lived in the HGV world for a lot of years and have a list of "must haves" with me when out and about. What do you as PCV drivers have in your kit bags that makes life easier for you on a day to day basis? 

Cheers,

Got a GCT driver bragging that they've won a number of contracts from GNE. Routes mentioned are Whitley Bay locals, 11 (eve / sun), Washington locals (evenings), 19. He claims they have gotten a lot of contracts.

Sadly he is taking great pleasure in the fact that PM has lost a lot of work.

Hi,

I'm looking at becoming a Driver,  Im finding it difficult to get a realistic salary/hourly wage for the companies. Anyone know what these are for the North East's main operators- Go North East, Stagecoach & Arriva?

Hi,

I'm looking at becoming a Driver,  Im finding it difficult to get a realistic salary/hourly wage for the companies. Anyone know what these are for the North East's main operators- Go North East, Stagecoach & Arriva?

GMCA are currently consulting on a proposed franchising scheme for Greater Manchester. I believe it'd be the first of its kind under the legislation brought in by the Buses Act, and I'd imagine other PTE/PTAs are keeping a close eye on this one: https://www.gmconsult.org/strategy-team/...sultation/

There are five days left in the consultation.

Stagecoach North East: Rare & Odd Workings - January 2020

Arriva North East: Rare & Odd Workings - January 2020

(23 Dec 2019, 10:06 pm)Youngymmv wrote Forgive my ignorance but do all services from slatyford and walkergate actually go into Newcastle city centre where the LEZ is. Can’t see them making sure every bus in depots meet the criteria if they don’t need to be. like South Shields only using certain buses on 10/11 as contract specific engine requirements.

Kind regards

Chris

According to the below article the LEZ may cover parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside and states that buses will all need to be Euro 6 to avoid the £50 charge. Only Newcastle City Council have revealed where their Clean Air Zone will be.

At the moment only ADL E400 10000, ADL E400 MMCs 10631-54 & 11281-99/501-3, ADL E200 MMCs 26063-80 and MAN E300s 24101-15 will avoid the charge. I assume the following Euro 5 vehicles will be upgraded - ADL E400Hs 12061-86, ADL E400s 19641-47 & 19670-83, ADL E300s 27724 & 25 and ADL E200s 36468-77. But I cannot see the point in upgrading the remaining older Euro 3 & Euro 4 vehicles as these will be nearing the end of their lives on mainstream services anyway. I assume these - all remaining MAN ALX300s; ex-Scotland Scania OmniLinks 24001-3, MAN E300s & Kinetics; MAN E200s 39723-32; and the 193** & 194** ADL E400s could be withdrawn, replaced or swapped by the end of the year.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...gD0WRfqrJA

(31 Dec 2019, 5:15 pm)Stanleyone wrote I think if it’s a success, which I think it will, then it probably will get extended. Time will tell.

If the 24 hour ticket is a success, I wonder if they'll roll it out for all GoZone tickets.
Most people probably don't need an All Zone ticket, and although it's still cheaper than buying 2 single zone day tickets, I think £8.50 is probably going to put a lot of people off from using it, especially if they aren't using the bus already to travel to work

(31 Dec 2019, 9:42 pm)tyresmoke wrote 1759 has transferred permanently to Darlington in place of 2863 which is now a Redcar (for Whitby) vehicle

Think 2850 & 2851 are transferring to Belmont for the increased PVR on the 57/57A as a result of Scarlet Band giving up the 58/58A