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+--- Thread: Service changes - January 2021 (/showthread.php?tid=3209)
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - streetdeckfan - 03 Dec 2020
(02 Dec 2020, 9:46 pm)Dan wrote I don’t know what we hear more of - you twisting about the North Tyneside network (which I never seem to see any complaints about on social media from customers) or rumoured re-allocations for the Consett X-lines network...
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I could always start moaning about the NSA again if you'd like
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - V514DFT - 03 Dec 2020
(02 Dec 2020, 9:46 pm)Dan wrote I don’t know what we hear more of - you twisting about the North Tyneside network (which I never seem to see any complaints about on social media from customers) or rumoured re-allocations for the Consett X-lines network...Twisting,no,its cus you dont like the truth, that over the years GNE repeatedly stuff up the network and put second hand crap on popular routes,call it twisting,i dont care, but in fact its an OPINION which i am (aswell as others) are allowed to have, this is a FORUM afterall
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RE: Service changes - January 2021 - ASX_Terranova - 03 Dec 2020
Think the only stable network in GNE land is washington, which is good from my pov. Any hints of major changes in Washington.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - MurdnunoC - 03 Dec 2020
I think the only stable network is a network of stables for horses or donkeys.
I'm sure the Donkey Sanctuary have access to a stable network. Perhaps Gosforth Park or Hexham Racecourse do too.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Stanleyone - 03 Dec 2020
Constant negativity whatever GNE do. This used to be a good forum, sadly no longer. Time to log off for the final time.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Andreos1 - 03 Dec 2020
(03 Dec 2020, 1:28 pm)Stanleyone wrote Constant negativity whatever GNE do. This used to be a good forum, sadly no longer. Time to log off for the final time.
I don't see constant negativity at all.
I see people sharing opinions on what GNE are doing well and not so well.
I think there was a lot of waiting and lip-biting when MG came on board and this was probably reflected in the conversation on here at the time.
However, as time has gone on and as MG has settled in, people are speaking up more.
Maybe they're realising that whoever the MD is, the planners and commercial teams are still pretty much the same and they have the same thoughts, ideas and principles seen under the last 2 or 3 directors.
MG may have different ideas for the onboard experience or exterior features - but everything else is pretty much the same as it has been for donkeys years.
We have a network which lacks integration, can be a pain in the arse to navigate and can be quite pricey for some.
It will be interesting to see if the ideas MG has and implements, does lead to an about-turn with the trends seen previously with regards to passenger numbers.
I'm not sure it will make too much difference.
Whilst I am not saying that the commercial and planning teams need to go (far from it - I don't advocate redundancies or job-losses at all), I just wonder if that is where the mindset and direction needs to change.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 03 Dec 2020
(02 Dec 2020, 9:46 pm)Dan wrote I don’t know what we hear more of - you twisting about the North Tyneside network (which I never seem to see any complaints about on social media from customers) or rumoured re-allocations for the Consett X-lines network...
tbf there was a lot of moaning when you cut the 40/41 in half about not being able to get to the health centre in Howdon not sure if they found another way.
(03 Dec 2020, 1:28 pm)Stanleyone wrote Constant negativity whatever GNE do. This used to be a good forum, sadly no longer. Time to log off for the final time.
Sad to see you go, one of posters on here who backs stuff up with facts rather than wild ideas.
Also for the North Tyneside network it's a mess tbh but it's hard to blame anyone really being realistic. There's just too many operators and the lack of multi transport tickets (or the awareness of them / difficulty to buy them lately) it's become a bit of a mess. It's one area which DRT would really would imo and routes like the 41 should be part of it and anything else that's subsidised either all day or evenings (exception for the 11/19). DRT would be perfect for the likes of the 41, W1, W2, W3, 59, 306 (North of Tynemouth), 333, 335 (East of Cobalt), 359 with people having the option of going where they want and when they want (half of them are horrible infrequent, don't run at nights at all or have different operators) with an option to connect to another service somewhere else ie. the 308, 309 in Whitley, 310 in N. Shields, 1 or the Stagecoach services in Wallsend or the Metro with little / no cost to use the DRT bus. I know it was mentioned in the bus futures document the other day and I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen soon tbh and if it was advertised well I could see it being quite popular from some of the poorer served areas to get to a more frequent route in particular the Metro. It's definitely the future and would be a lifeline for places like the local estates in Whitley, Murton, Backworth Village, Cullercoats etc which have poor links to certain places.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Dan - 03 Dec 2020
(03 Dec 2020, 5:19 pm)Storx wrote tbf there was a lot of moaning when you cut the 40/41 in half about not being able to get to the health centre in Howdon not sure if they found another way.
Those users must have either stopped using the bus, learned to live with it, or found another way of travelling - I certainly don't see any moaning nowadays on social media?
Quite frankly, I couldn't give a toss if users of this forum have a negative opinion on any subject. What does get irritating is pointless moaning about the same subject, time and time again, with no substance to the argument and/or debate. If the North Tyneside network is 'a mess', shouldn't the discussion be around what's wrong with the network, and what could be done to improve it, as opposed to an outlandish statement?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Rapidsnap - 03 Dec 2020
I think the road network around North Tyneside is a bit of a hinderence, especially Hadrian Park which only has one road in and out of it meaning vehicles having to double back on through services. Just a shame there isn't a road connecting the top end of Hadrian Park to Holystone.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 03 Dec 2020
(03 Dec 2020, 6:14 pm)Dan wrote Those users must have either stopped using the bus, learned to live with it, or found another way of travelling - I certainly don't see any moaning nowadays on social media?
Quite frankly, I couldn't give a toss if users of this forum have a negative opinion on any subject. What does get irritating is pointless moaning about the same subject, time and time again, with no substance to the argument and/or debate. If the North Tyneside network is 'a mess', shouldn't the discussion be around what's wrong with the network, and what could be done to improve it, as opposed to an outlandish statement?
tbf I wouldn't have a clue what happens on social media. I never check it tbh was just looking at the time to see if the changes to the 19 had been posted for the northern section and seen the posts.
Agreed though that discussion is needed when you make points about things otherwise there's no point of it. I do know which posts your talking about tbf.
(03 Dec 2020, 10:28 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I think the road network around North Tyneside is a bit of a hinderence, especially Hadrian Park which only has one road in and out of it meaning vehicles having to double back on through services. Just a shame there isn't a road connecting the top end of Hadrian Park to Holystone.
Yeah agreed with Hadrian Park, mind it would be probably better to build a new road underneath the A19 (ignoring expense) towards Cobalt for buses only, so they can miss the traffic going in / out of it at rush hour.
Mind having the Metro looping around the outside doesn't help neither as buses just can't compete against it. There's quite a few places though which are really underserved though which you could blame on anyone really but Nexus really need to sit down and redo their subsidised routes as most of them are pointless and carry fresh air. Car usage in certain areas must be near 100% especially in the Red House Farm / Whitley Lodge area as their bus service is something you'd expect in a rural village.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Michael - 05 Dec 2020
Wonder when the changes will appear on the GNE site?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - JP6004 - 05 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 7:16 pm)Michael wrote Wonder when the changes will appear on the GNE site?Before the 4th Jan
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - L469 YVK - 05 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 7:28 pm)JP6004 wrote Before the 4th JanI reckon probably week beginning 14th December.
Will the new Consett interworking patterns come into effect from then? I know the X30/X70/X71 times are interworkable already to a large extent with Riverside keeping the evening X30 journeys.
If the X31 still remains terminating at Stanley, will it stay at Hownsgill or could it potentially move to Chester Le Street taking into account that it would be 4 mile less (round trip) in the fleet van?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Michael - 05 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 7:28 pm)JP6004 wrote Before the 4th Jan
Hopefully
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - CookieMonster - 05 Dec 2020
Correction indeed you are correct Streetlites are not going on q3. There are for the 57/58. Apparently long wheelbase 58 buses are going on Q3. The streetlites may be going on 57/58 but no too sure. Versa for the 6/6a and 12/12a.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Michael - 05 Dec 2020
Confirmed, 5380 - 5384 are now in Quay City livery (along with 5385-88 rebranded as QuayCity), 5377-79 should become fleet livery... maybe used on a service with a PVR of 3?
Hopefully the 58 gets the Streetlites from the 53/54 - but I'm sure it was confirmed to be using fleet livery Versa's as a temporary allocation
Edit:
That was in reply to CookieMonster, I forgot to press the reply button on his post!
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Ambassador - 05 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 9:12 pm)CookieMonster wrote Correction indeed you are correct Streetlites are not going on q3. There are for the 57/58. Apparently long wheelbase 58 buses are going on Q3. The streetlites may be going on 57/58 but no too sure. Versa for the 6/6a and 12/12a.
Is a Versa a downgrade or like for like against a Citaro?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 05 Dec 2020
Is there any evidence for all these rumoured changes such as Versas on the 6 and 12 as the Mercedes are full size buses and the Versas are only midibuses. Unless you move something else onto another route, there's not enough Versas free either.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - ne14ne1 - 05 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 9:29 pm)Ambassador wrote Is a Versa a downgrade or like for like against a Citaro?
I remember being gutted when the Citylink 58 was downgraded (or at least I thought so) from smart gold high capacity Mercedes Citaro artics to garish orange Versas. Sad times, but I’m just about over it now. Only just mind.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - CookieMonster - 05 Dec 2020
Its the quaylink q3 route they are planning on using on 6/6a/12/12a. There are less versa needed now for the Q1/Q2 (51/52) or whatever number it gets as its not going to quayside. Yes i would have thought it was a bit of a downgrade but remember they are to get a light refresh at some point although i have concerns over the short wheelbase version they are not big enough but then again passenger numbers have dropped. My personal opinion is that they are trying to standardize the Stanley runs and have them all optare buses so they at some point can transfer the service back to Stanley (Consett depot). Its doesn't really make economic sence to be Stanley bait room cleaned and maintained just for a handful of X30/X31 drivers. The streetlites on 16/16a and 78,77,8 were supposed to be next service to be upgraded to ADL200 single decker but as to whether that will happen now in the current climate is anybody guess. Consett would then be free of streetlites.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Dan - 06 Dec 2020
(05 Dec 2020, 9:29 pm)Ambassador wrote Is a Versa a downgrade or like for like against a Citaro?
(05 Dec 2020, 9:42 pm)Storx wrote Is there any evidence for all these rumoured changes such as Versas on the 6 and 12 as the Mercedes are full size buses and the Versas are only midibuses. Unless you move something else onto another route, there's not enough Versas free either.
I'd take CookieMonster's speculation with a pinch of salt. They believe that the short wheelbase Streetlites are going to be going on the 57 and 58, but five are now parked at Deptford and three at Chester-le-Street. I'd suggest this casts doubt on the rest of their post too.
That said, there's not a huge difference between the two in terms of capacity (38 seats on a short wheelbase Streetlite or Versa, against 40 on a Citaro or 41 on an OmniCity). In current times, there's actually probably more seats available on a Versa than a Citaro, due to the rear-facing seats being taped off. We have of course seen services such as the 28 go from being allocated 43-seat Scania L94s to 38-seat Versas in the past, too.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Michael - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 8:55 am)Dan wrote I'd take CookieMonster's speculation with a pinch of salt. They believe that the short wheelbase Streetlites are going to be going on the 57 and 58, but five are now parked at Deptford and three at Chester-le-Street. I'd suggest this casts doubt on the rest of their post too.
Which service will they be allocated to?, service 9 or 61?
I'm I right in saying those 5 Streetlites puts the Citaro's closer to getting withdrawn?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 8:55 am)Dan wrote I'd take CookieMonster's speculation with a pinch of salt. They believe that the short wheelbase Streetlites are going to be going on the 57 and 58, but five are now parked at Deptford and three at Chester-le-Street. I'd suggest this casts doubt on the rest of their post too.
That said, there's not a huge difference between the two in terms of capacity (38 seats on a short wheelbase Streetlite or Versa, against 40 on a Citaro or 41 on an OmniCity). In current times, there's actually probably more seats available on a Versa than a Citaro, due to the rear-facing seats being taped off. We have of course seen services such as the 28 go from being allocated 43-seat Scania L94s to 38-seat Versas in the past, too.
Thank you had a feeling it was wild speculation.
(06 Dec 2020, 9:11 am)Michael wrote Which service will they be allocated to?, service 9 or 61?
I'm I right in saying those 5 Streetlites puts the Citaro's closer to getting withdrawn?
Could go on the X20 temperarily either so the Streetlites on there can go to their permanent route as they seem to be moving stuff around lately. Not sure what that is though.
Also guessing the 3 at CLS are for the 34 which seems to get anything thrown on lately?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Michael - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 9:28 am)Storx wrote Thank you had a feeling it was wild speculation.
Could go on the X20 temperarily either so the Streetlites on there can go to their permanent route as they seem to be moving stuff around lately. Not sure what that is though.
Also guessing the 3 at CLS are for the 34 which seems to get anything thrown on lately?
I forgot about the X20 - would work too - as 1 board still needs to be a solo as goes on the 79? on a night.
If they've gone to Deptford to replace the Citaro's, current routes:
9 - 5 PVR
35 - 8 PVR
55 - 5 PVR
61 - 4 PVR
Only the 9 or 5 would be a straight swap - as its PVR is 5.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Ambassador - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 8:55 am)Dan wrote We have of course seen services such as the 28 go from being allocated 43-seat Scania L94s to 38-seat Versas in the past, too.
Oh as a former short term Beamish resident that was an upgrade. I almost preferred the DAFs over the L94!
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Adtrainsam - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 9:28 am)Storx wrote Could go on the X20 temperarily either so the Streetlites on there can go to their permanent route as they seem to be moving stuff around lately. Not sure what that is though.Is there any plan for the future of the ex-Red Kite Streetlites? Surely it would be better to keep those on the X20 as they've got all the features needed for the X-lines spec, whereas the short-wheelbase versions would be a bit of a downgrade - even if they were refurbished, as they have a few less seats than the Red Kite and they're older so don't qualify for BSOG etc.
Also guessing the 3 at CLS are for the 34 which seems to get anything thrown on lately?
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 9:51 am)Michael wrote I forgot about the X20 - would work too - as 1 board still needs to be a solo as goes on the 79? on a night.
If they've gone to Deptford to replace the Citaro's, current routes:
9 - 5 PVR
35 - 8 PVR
55 - 5 PVR
61 - 4 PVR
Only the 9 or 5 would be a straight swap - as its PVR is 5.
(06 Dec 2020, 11:40 am)Adtrainsam wrote Is there any plan for the future of the ex-Red Kite Streetlites? Surely it would be better to keep those on the X20 as they've got all the features needed for the X-lines spec, whereas the short-wheelbase versions would be a bit of a downgrade - even if they were refurbished, as they have a few less seats than the Red Kite and they're older so don't qualify for BSOG etc.
Not too sure tbh for both. There's still the problem of the LEZ in Newcastle and unless they're planning to buy more buses then they need something newer for Riverside. I do think the Solo's will eventually end up back onto the X20 though once social distancing is gone since they're not allocated anywhere else.
It could be a total co-incidence but there's been 3 Streetlites sent to CLS and there is 2 ex Red Kite's there / Consett (5418, 5419) and then originally there was 5 at Deptford for the X20 (5410 - 5414), 5415 additionally been sent to cover for 56 refurbs. They'd be a perfect fit for the 6 and 12 which in turn will send those Citaros to Sunderland to see off the non standard ones there.
Just leaves the 57 left (8310 - 8314 maybe?) since Dan kinda hinted there something is being downgraded to a midibus.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - streetdeckfan - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 11:55 am)Storx wrote Not too sure tbh for both. There's still the problem of the LEZ in Newcastle and unless they're planning to buy more buses then they need something newer for Riverside. I do think the Solo's will eventually end up back onto the X20 though once social distancing is gone since they're not allocated anywhere else.
It could be a total co-incidence but there's been 3 Streetlites sent to CLS and there is 2 ex Red Kite's there / Consett (5418, 5419) and then originally there was 5 at Deptford for the X20 (5410 - 5414), 5415 additionally been sent to cover for 56 refurbs. They'd be a perfect fit for the 6 and 12 which in turn will send those Citaros to Sunderland to see off the non standard ones there.
Just leaves the 57 left (8310 - 8314 maybe?) since Dan kinda hinted there something is being downgraded to a midibus.
Wasn't it confirmed a while back during one of the Facebook Lives that the Red Kite Streetlites would go to Deptford, but they wouldn't confirm what route?
Not sure if things have changed since then though
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RE: Service changes - January 2021 - Storx - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 12:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Wasn't it confirmed a while back during one of the Facebook Lives that the Red Kite Streetlites would go to Deptford, but they wouldn't confirm what route?
Not sure if things have changed since then though
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Not a clue tbh with you, possibly, I don't watch the Facebook Lives. Just have to wait and see what happens I guess.
RE: Service changes - January 2021 - big mac - 06 Dec 2020
(06 Dec 2020, 11:55 am)Storx wrote Not too sure tbh for both. There's still the problem of the LEZ in Newcastle and unless they're planning to buy more buses then they need something newer for Riverside. I do think the Solo's will eventually end up back onto the X20 though once social distancing is gone since they're not allocated anywhere else.I'm still not sure that Optare Solos are the correct type of vehicle to allocate to the x20. I think the route warrants full size single deckers.
It could be a total co-incidence but there's been 3 Streetlites sent to CLS and there is 2 ex Red Kite's there / Consett (5418, 5419) and then originally there was 5 at Deptford for the X20 (5410 - 5414), 5415 additionally been sent to cover for 56 refurbs. They'd be a perfect fit for the 6 and 12 which in turn will send those Citaros to Sunderland to see off the non standard ones there.
Just leaves the 57 left (8310 - 8314 maybe?) since Dan kinda hinted there something is being downgraded to a midibus.
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