Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - March 2015

Hi all,

I have recently created a questionnaire on survey monkey about buses in the NE. It isn't the best but I really need people to answer it as it is for a massively important project in my bid to become my Sixth Form's 'Transport Co-Ordinator'  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JQYBBWV
Cheers people!

Since the last thread worked well until the incident occurred which blew everything completely away from the discussions happening at the time, i think it may be worthwhile doing exactly the same as what happened with the original 'Whats Annoying You Today' thread and remove the original from a public status into a mod status and have this, brand new, thread instead.

So, just to ruin what would be one of the longest days in Newcastle taking photos of the trains... Demonstrations.

Does anyone have first-hand experience on demonstrations? How will Metro cope? Is it safe? Are buses going to be safe? Will it be safer for me and my mam to go by train from Morpeth to Newcastle?

Any help on this matter will be appreciated,
Tommy.

Edit: the demonstrations will be on the 28th February. 

Following on from discussion in the "Tender Discussion" thread, I've decided it would be a bit of fun to set up an order predictions thread for 2015, similar to what we have for other operators in the region.

I will post my predictions in a separate post.

The Go-Ahead half year results for the six months ending 27 December 2014 have been published:
http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-A...022015.pdf

Business Overview:

• Overall results in line with management expectations. Full year expectations are unchanged
  
• Bus operating profit up 8.4% to £45.1m, in line with strategic target
  
• Rail operating profit down 2.9% to £10.2m, with margins reducing to 0.9%. Contribution to the Government increased to £108.2m
  
• Challenging start to GTR franchise. Investment already underway to improve performance for passengers
  
• Working with Network Rail to minimise disruption to rail passengers during major infrastructure projects, in particular the £6.5 billion Thameslink Programme
  
• Proposed interim dividend increased by 4.3% to 26.6p (H1’14: 25.5p), in line with 2013/14 full year dividend increase
  
• Shortlisted for Northern and TransPennine Express franchises. Exploring overseas bus and rail opportunities
  
• Strong cashflow and reduction in adjusted net debt

Just out of curiosity as I am quite interested in this topic which has been discussed in other Threads my other members who would like to see a Bus Way, But how much do you think it would cost to do a complete Network Overhaul of the current Unreliable and Aging Tyne and Wear Metro, with there being quite a lot factors to take into account.

[*]Replacing 74.5m (46.3 Miles) of Track with Tarmac
[*]Scrapping of Trains and Track along with other Infrastructure.
[*]Modifications of 60 Stations across the Network along with Modifications of the Metro Bridge between Gateshead and Newcastle.
[*]Cost of New Buses.

There probably likely to be even more factors to take into account which I havent yet thought of. So would it be Money well spent, Would it be a Risk in terms of further Council Cuts, Increase in Taxes and other Services etc, Would there be any Benefits from such an Overhaul in the Long Term. 

Details below:
http://www.builtinworkington.com

Basically, a huge event celebrating 20 years of buses being built at Leyland's factory in Workington, Cumbria.

I hear the NNRG's 4710 is attending, so that automatically makes me consider it. I'd love to go to be honest, as I think it will offer some fantastic photographic opportunities. I gather it's a mainly Leyland National event, but looks like everything from Olympians to Lynx's will be there!

I'm absolutely thrilled it's on Sunday 19th July, as school breaks up for summer on Friday 17th and I won't have to worry about school the next day!

Anyone else interested?

According to Route one these have now ceased having had there license taken off them
http://www.route-one.net/legal/inaction-...ification/

Been chatting with Tyresmoke about one of the fleet Dennis R410/Plaxton Paragon PN05AFE was sold to them in April 14 after a friend of mine logged it last year still with the company in Alfa livery. Any ideas if its still with the company to be added to the fleetlist as a 3rd Dennis vehicle or has it moved on