I can’t find an existing thread but has someone new taken over the GNE socials? They’ve been fairly on point and topical of late 

They’re even responding to customers publicly and the tone is actually spot on (though you can tell when it switches to someone else who isn’t very good at it) 

Though if I’m being picky…don’t respond with ‘I’ on a social media account. It’s ‘we’. It’s not your fault the driver drove past a full stop whilst sticking the v’ s up. Different on the phone of course.  

Now if they could just ditch the ridiculous 9-5 hours they’d be halfway to a good service

I spotted on X that that CPT held their 2024 conference this week. Two documents of note to come out of it: 

• CPT Bus Manifesto 2024
  
• CPT Coach Manifesto 2024
  

The bus one is interesting, but a lot of it isn't exactly a surprise. "Give us lots of money" seems to be the main cry, with a call for a five year funding settlement. The rationale behind that one is that they'll invest in new vehicles and services, which sounds like an expectation that public money will pay for their business to survive, but they'll cream a % off the top for shareholders.

There's also a demand in for "A new statutory, funded definition of essential bus services", which doesn't seem an unreasonable ask on the surface, but in practice, I'm not sure how it'd work. There's the risk that if something is too black and white, operators could simply review all their services, and then chuck back anything that marginally meets the definition. Knowing that a LTA/ITA would have no option, other than to put the service out to tender, and they'd likely end up running it without any risk. 

I also disagree with the statement "Bus services which cannot be run on a commercial basis can be supported by councils". Shouldn't 'cannot be' be replaced with 'we won't'? 

The bit on recruitment is also interesting. What red tape are they referring to?

I've only glossed over the coach one, but I do agree with the ask to "Issue clear guidance to councils to include coach services in their local transport plans (LTPs)". To me, they should be treated in exactly the same way as express bus or train services, as good city link services. My only issue is that I don't think the coach industry does enough themselves. 

Coaches, especially in the North of England, can be infrequent or poorly timed, serve the same key points as trains, and can be difficult to find information on. Why not look at some of the Towns and Cities that are cut off or poorly served from the main rail network? Co. Durham has loads of examples, and you could also add Sunderland into that mix. Coach travel may be a more realistic prospect for those, when it cuts out a journey to/from Newcastle or Durham to catch the train.

Looks like GNE have the Yutong double decker on demo for the 21.


Pelican Bus & Coach Yutong U11DD YD73FTP is currently at Go North East Riverside Depot and is seen resting in Durham Bus Station on 12 January 2024.


Info and photo from Ken Weaver in the Busesnortheast Facebook group.

Anyone know why this was seen on the 63 today. Guessing this was just one of them day loans when Redcar are out of buses and don't have a spare to send out.

Im sure i posted about this when it was suggested it was going to happen but cant find the thread.

Anyway it has happened and it looks like the sorted out some of the scallys from S/S

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...source=nba

All new double decks currently in service in York except 36528. As for single decks 63646 - 63660/663/665/669 are in service. all new buses should be out by the end of January. 35927 - 35931 have been withdrawn and transfered to Huddersfield along with 35937/938 which were previously withdrawn and spent christmas at Leeds.

WHAT BUSES SHOULD GO NORTH EAST INVEST IN




credict to person who photo it is

---

Hey guys , i created this chat bc i wanted to know what nes buses bne should get.


my opion then need to invest in electric citaros

Blue X-lines 6310 on the 20, today. Is this a permanent move or is everything messed up from the weekend?

I'm starting this thread because I've seen so many 21s today that's only going to Gateshead. The one I got was on time, the app said Newcastle and there was nothing on the short notice cancellations or any service updates. I've checked and one of the buses on the list is running, so it's either they haven't updated the list or it's just incorrect. 

It's shocking to think they don't even communicate with their passengers. I've got work tonight and I'm praying that they don't terminate at Gateshead. There's an app and social media for a reason, there's tools that help cross post updates, I don't understand how hard it can be to improve customer service, nevermind applying a new logo to buses or changing timetables to "improve" reliability. 

While I understand we're all people and there's only so much they can do to make resources stretch, where most frustrations derive from is the lack of communication. 

I'd love to hear what everyone else's experience is, whether anyone else has noticed this or any other frustrations, I'd love to hear them.

See: Facebook post

Announcement - Directors Statement

After 14 years of occupying our current "home" in Felling, earlier today we received the phone call we all dread.....
Our landlord, Bizspace, has decided they will no longer be renewing our lease and are looking to take back possession. We have to leave the premises in Felling by 31st March 2024.

The reasons being given by the landlord is due to the current state of the roof (which the landlord has repeatedly ignored), and as such, turned our neighbours into making the decision to leave. This means that we will be the only occupants of the entire warehouse from the end of January.
We have tried to negotiate and plead, but alas, it falls on deaf ears. The only response we get now is..... "The board have made their decision to claim back the whole of T Block and then review our options sorry".

In 14 years our rent and bills have been paid on time, never ever late. Our concern now is where do we go with around 30 vehicles, both group and privately owned collectively - and that's without the tools, equipment, forklift truck and spare parts we have accumulated - all of which we are expected to be removed in less than 3 months.

If anyone can point us in the direction of somewhere suitable in the North East of England who could accommodate us please get in touch.
We have the largest collection of ex Tyne and Wear PTE/Busways service vehicles and we would like very much to keep them in the North East.

THV Directors

If anyone can help, please get in contact with them directly: https://www.facebook.com/tynesideheritagevehicles