(21 Sep 2019, 3:02 pm)Jimmi wrote Likely an error has been made somewhere when the timetable changed the other week

To confuse me even more just seen 6333 pass Howlands Park & Ride (so doing the evening route) towards Bishop, no clue if this was done in error or if it was to avoid Nevilles Cross due to a police incident earlier, GNE posted the service was delayed by up to 30 minutes and terminating at Gateshead in some cases but said nothing about diverting away from there...

(21 Sep 2019, 3:05 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Assuming it's the same police incident at Neville's cross, it only lasted about 5 minutes, we were stuck behind it and our driver reported it, but the road was reopened straight away

(21 Sep 2019, 3:08 pm)Jimmi wrote Probs, seems to be clear now according to Google Maps

(21 Sep 2019, 12:58 pm)JM03 wrote

A lot more than it should tbh, it is stupid the way I see it as being a 16 year old myself why a 16 year old needs ID, 95% of people will not have it. Think the ID rule should only count if people look 18+

Think you might be surprised how many 16/17yr olds now have ID, and how many had ID to get into pubs etc. In my opinion where do you draw the line and how easy would it be for an 19yr old to claim the reduced fare as it was happening prior to the change?, so putting it at 16 is the right age to start with ID and it’s only a hassle/nightmare for those who don’t agree with the change or can’t be bothered to get the ID needed.

As a driver since the 8th, personally i’ve only charged 5 people the full fare because there has been a reluctance to get the ID.

(21 Sep 2019, 5:59 pm)Stanleyone wrote

Think you might be surprised how many 16/17yr olds now have ID, and how many had ID to get into pubs etc. In my opinion where do you draw the line and how easy would it be for an 19yr old to claim the reduced fare as it was happening prior to the change?, so putting it at 16 is the right age to start with ID and it’s only a hassle/nightmare for those who don’t agree with the change or can’t be bothered to get the ID needed.

As a driver since the 8th, personally i’ve only charged 5 people the full fare because there has been a reluctance to get the ID.

On the X21 between Tindale and Durham today, I think the driver refused a good 5 or 6 people the under 19 ticket so they had to pay the full adult fare, but he was asking each passenger how old they were, and if they said they were 16 or older, he would ask for ID. If they said under 16 he wouldn't bother.

Then again, there are also still drivers who let people on people who are clearly in their late 20s and don't ask for ID.

I think the problem is it still all depends on what the driver thinks a 16 year old looks like, which varies wildly depending on the driver

(21 Sep 2019, 11:04 am)Rob44 wrote i noticed last night that GNE social media was advising customers for the 56 to head to gateshead to start their journey due to traffic problems. My question is if i'm in Newcastle and was planning on buying a single to say Washington would i be expected to pay £1.60 to gateshead then the full fare to Washington or would the drivers let me on in Newcastle and drop me off at gateshead?

I was wondering that too. It's all well and good assuming everybody has day/weekly/monthly tickets where they can just hop on one bus at Newcastle then onto another at Gateshead, but that's not the case with all passengers.

It could be open to abuse as well if you say would the driver let you on at Newcastle? Someone could pretend they're travelling to Concord etc when in reality they're only travelling from Newcastle to Gateshead and could get themselves a free ride.

(21 Sep 2019, 11:04 am)Rob44 wrote i noticed last night that GNE social media was advising customers for the 56 to head to gateshead to start their journey due to traffic problems. My question is if i'm in Newcastle and was planning on buying a single to say Washington would i be expected to pay £1.60 to gateshead then the full fare to Washington or would the drivers let me on in Newcastle and drop me off at gateshead?

You can still purchase a fare to Newcastle, and then just use that to board a connecting bus to Newcastle. All drivers should be aware of it, as it'll have been announced over the air (and I believe to the ETMs as a driver message)

(21 Sep 2019, 8:43 pm)big mac wrote

I was wondering that too. It's all well and good assuming everybody has day/weekly/monthly tickets where they can just hop on one bus at Newcastle then onto another at Gateshead, but that's not the case with all passengers.

It could be open to abuse as well if you say would the driver let you on at Newcastle? Someone could pretend they're travelling to Concord etc when in reality they're only travelling from Newcastle to Gateshead and could get themselves a free ride.

Most people I see travelling on an evening have at least a return ticket, so I think for most people it wouldn't be an issue.

But I would like to think for those who aren't able to travel for 'free', other drivers would be asked to let anyone on who wants to connect onto the 56 for free since in theory they wouldn't be losing any money as the tickets are the same price

I'd imagine the amount of people who would use that to just travel between Newcastle and Gateshead for free would be quite small, plus it's only a £1.60 fare.

(23 Sep 2019, 10:17 am)JP6004 wrote Fleet list on GNE site states E200s due next week

(23 Sep 2019, 10:36 am)Michael wrote Also confirms some of the Versa's are getting Euro 6 mods

Certainly are

(23 Sep 2019, 10:17 am)JP6004 wrote Fleet list on GNE site states E200s due next week

(23 Sep 2019, 11:03 am)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder when they'll be out in service, I'm guessing not for another few weeks

Just need inspection and branding. Presume the E200 on loan has also been used for familiarisation

(23 Sep 2019, 11:04 am)JP6004 wrote

Just need inspection and branding. Presume the E200 on loan has also been used for familiarisation

And next stop announcement testing, maybe?

(23 Sep 2019, 11:42 am)ne14ne1 wrote

And next stop announcement testing, maybe?

Yes definately

(23 Sep 2019, 10:17 am)JP6004 wrote Fleet list on GNE site states E200s due next week

These updates reflect the fleet position on a Sunday, so make that this week. " alt="" title="">

(23 Sep 2019, 4:54 pm)Dan wrote

These updates reflect the fleet position on a Sunday, so make that this week. " alt="" title="">

(23 Sep 2019, 4:54 pm)Dan wrote

These updates reflect the fleet position on a Sunday, so make that this week. " alt="" title="">

Saw the back of one in Saltmeadows at teatime.

(23 Sep 2019, 4:54 pm)Dan wrote

These updates reflect the fleet position on a Sunday, so make that this week. " alt="" title="">

Oooh even better......I'll bring forward my evening to go to wetherspoons at whickham ?

(23 Sep 2019, 6:18 pm)JP6004 wrote

Oooh even better......I'll bring forward my evening to go to wetherspoons at whickham ?

You know how to live the 'high life'

(23 Sep 2019, 6:34 pm)citaro5284 wrote

You know how to live the 'high life'

Couple of things while browsing 'Dynamo: 5307, 5332's Flickr:

1 - Cobalt & Coast skyline(?) graphics:  https://flic.kr/p/2hjPHqH

2 - First MMC200 at Saltmeadows: https://flic.kr/p/2hjMPyf

(23 Sep 2019, 6:34 pm)citaro5284 wrote

You know how to live the 'high life'

Proper hardcore

(23 Sep 2019, 8:11 pm)ne14ne1 wrote

Couple of things while browsing 'Dynamo: 5307, 5332's Flickr:

1 - Cobalt & Coast skyline(?) graphics:  https://flic.kr/p/2hjPHqH

2 - First MMC200 at Saltmeadows: https://flic.kr/p/2hjMPyf

Yes skyline looks canny. Just wish it had been more prominent across rest of CC.

How did you choose which photos to link with....so many to choose from ?

(23 Sep 2019, 8:11 pm)ne14ne1 wrote

Couple of things while browsing 'Dynamo: 5307, 5332's Flickr:

1 - Cobalt & Coast skyline(?) graphics:  https://flic.kr/p/2hjPHqH

2 - First MMC200 at Saltmeadows: https://flic.kr/p/2hjMPyf

(23 Sep 2019, 9:43 pm)Gonorth91 wrote Is there a reason why go northeast put a diffrent bus on the crap5/50 same time everyday not complaining

2380EE5F-4DE7-4B27-B2FB-CCB4E1596017.png (Size 285.4 KB | Downloads 28)

(23 Sep 2019, 8:17 pm)JP6004 wrote

Proper hardcore

---

Yes skyline looks canny. Just wish it had been more prominent across rest of CC.

Yep, I mentioned the Skyline livery further up because it was on the timetable but not on any buses, until now. I do really like it, it looks far better than the plain white text they've added to the other ones!

(24 Sep 2019, 1:43 am)BeachBoy99 wrote

 New X-lines X30|X31 timetables up on the GNE service changes list, representing a green variant.

Yep, it was posted a couple days ago , and I've already made my dislike public for the location of the white stripe at the rear, it should have been moved back slightly so it didn't get obstructed by the wheel arch!