(22 Apr 2021, 5:23 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote How come the 15 doesn't operate to and from Newcastle anymore? The 808 used to run onto the 15 and the 15 onto the return 808. Was it axed to accommodate operating the M71?

(23 Apr 2021, 8:58 am)Jimmi wrote Newcastle section was axed late last year IIRC as seemingly didn't carry many/if any passengers on this stretch, 15 & 808 have more or less been standalone since although sometimes a bus will occasionally do both.

(11 May 2021, 5:31 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote A rare working on the 808 this afternoon in place of a Phoenix Fiat Ducato was a plain white Peugeot vehicle, some kind of ambulance / patient transport vehicle.

(11 Jul 2021, 7:47 pm)Jimmi wrote Spotted this yesterday on the 15 in Alnwick, registered SD63EUW: https://flic.kr/p/2maEoCe

(13 Oct 2021, 10:32 pm)Jimmi wrote A recent acquisition here is Mercedes Sprinter RX71TCZ: https://flic.kr/p/2mAhDSk

(10 Dec 2021, 12:56 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote Are Phoenix always going to operate the 808?

Do the fares ever increase?

(10 Dec 2021, 6:24 am)busmanT wrote It’s a Local Authority contract, so will be retendered at some point

(11 Dec 2021, 1:38 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote How often does it get retendered? Could the 808 run more often?

M71 is Nexus contracted and 808 in Northumberland County Council contracted?
Does the Kingston Park Tesco Free Bus not run anymore?

(11 Dec 2021, 2:53 am)Train8261 wrote I haven't seen the T1/2/3 run in a while so I'm guessing not

(11 Dec 2021, 12:35 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Tesco pulled the plug on all the routes before the summer I believe. Part of the huge and unneccessary cuts they've made following Covid.

(19 Dec 2021, 2:27 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote Could we see Go North East operate the 808 in the future?

(19 Dec 2021, 5:21 pm)busmanT wrote As I recall it is a Northumberland CC tender - so potentially yes

(19 Dec 2021, 5:53 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I'm not sure how frequently Northumberland contracts are reviewed. The £1 fare on the 808 is amazing. GNE or Phoenix should operate the 808 and the Hexham services for connections. As the 808 bus usually just goes Not in Service between the AM and PM runs, perhaps it could be extended to Wallsend, via Byker Metro and Walker Shops.

(19 Dec 2021, 6:26 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Well, it's easy to get to Wallsend from Newcastle I suppose. People in Northumberland might want to go to Wallsend, but can just change buses in Newcastle. Really tickets are the problem with multiple operators. 1 ticket is preferable. Service 808 has been my saviour a few times.

Completely agree it shouldn't be taxpayers funding bus services that are of little or no benefit. A shake up of services would be great. For me I'd say the 32/32A and 33/33A/35 should all be the same operator, maybe GCT for the 32/32A and maybe Arriva for the 33/33A/35. Good transport options are important for all communities (even though most people in Northumberland drive, a bus even once a day is good to prevent isolation).

(19 Dec 2021, 7:08 pm)Thomas12 wrote What's with the constant posts about other operators running services? 

For contracted services, they don't just pick and choose who operates them, it depends who bids for them, and who offers the best value money bid.

(19 Dec 2021, 7:23 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Just think a shake up would be good, that's all. 

The contract system is unfortunate, and the commercial network doesn't help. When GNE had the 32A it was easier for me to get a GNE ticket, and on Sundays after GCT got the contract I had to walk to and from Gosforth for the 33A or Q3. GNE also had NSAs on the 32A, helping with accessibility. Of course it was also more reliable. If GNE had a commercial service, like they now do with the X85 it wouldn't matter about the operator when contracts are won and lost.

For someone like me who travels in GNE areas what am I supposed to do living in Stagecoach territory? Get ripped off and not complain about how shit the situation is and the services are? Surely paying customers deserve the best service possible, or a least a bus that actually turns up and offers the best ticket for all journeys on that day?

Does Stagecoach run the 38A early morning service commercially?

Had trouble getting a Newcastle and North Tyneside day ticket recently on the 74, and had to get it on the next bus (the Q3). Even GNE aren't perfect, but their range of tickets gives me the most freedom and they provide the best network of services.