(20 May 2018, 8:48 pm)Michael wrote Where's that picture, i can't find it haha

Wonder if he went further than Newcastle and Gateshead?

(20 May 2018, 8:44 pm)Adrian wrote Hopefully we'll see a return of them then. An utterly bonkers decision to discontinue them in the first place.

(20 May 2018, 8:51 pm)Adrian wrote

(20 May 2018, 8:56 pm)Michael wrote Thanks, ye i wonder if he'll bring them back but i never get them now because i use online.

Why is there a 38/238 timetable in Newcastle?, it goes no where near Newcastle.

(20 May 2018, 9:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote Perhaps it wasn't taken at Newcastle? There is an awful lot of other leaflets relating to Sunderland there too.

(20 May 2018, 9:16 pm)S813 FVK wrote Perhaps it wasn't taken at Newcastle? There is an awful lot of other leaflets relating to Sunderland there too.

(20 May 2018, 10:19 pm)G-CPTN wrote In addition to the demise of paper timetables, Northumberland County Council, who, until recently serviced the bus stop timetables, have greatly reduced the number of stops that they are servicing, with the remainder getting notices with website addresses and telephone numbers only, despite many stops being in areas where there is no phone signal - and not everyone has a smartphone.
As an example, Corbridge Parish has between 40 and 50 stops, but only 4 stops in the very centre of Corbridge village are being serviced by NCC henceforth (two for the TEN and two for the 685/X84/X85).
NCC has offered the Parish Councils PDFs of the timetables, but PCs do not have the resources to print suitable timetables for the bus stops nor the staff available to service the stop timetables.

(20 May 2018, 8:48 pm)Michael wrote Where's that picture, i can't find it haha

Wonder if he went further than Newcastle and Gateshead?

(22 May 2018, 8:05 am)Andreos1 wrote Just touching on timetable subject again and the lack of paper timetables.

Got chatting to an old fella at a stop last night. His Mrs was off to the hospital for an appointment this morning. 
Attempts to get a paper timetable had failed, so he had volunteered/been volunteered to head down to the stop with a piece of paper and note down the times of the buses that could get them to the appointment in time (whether it did or not is another matter).

He couldn't understand why the operator had stopped doing them and why it became a chore just to find out what time the bus was due.

He went off with his own paper timetable before my bus arrived, quite frustrated.
I didn't ask what they were doing to get back home from the appointment...

(22 May 2018, 9:27 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote I was invited to take part in a survey from the Go North East Passenger Panel. The survey focused on timetables and fare information covering subjects such as preference for paper or online information. They questioned how you obtain your information looking at paper, online or bus stop posters for example.

Until I reached the final part of the survey I thought that the questions were constructive with an intention of seeking genuine customer feedback.  The final questions however were based around having access to the internet, well considering it was an online survey the answer has to be yes I do have internet access.

So if they justify the withdrawal of paper timetables based on that survey by saying the majority of customers have internet or smart phone access that result will be based on flawed survey data. Surely if you want to determine the percentage of customers with internet access you don’t do it as an online survey.

(22 May 2018, 11:37 am)Andreos1 wrote Couldn't agree more.

I'm a big fan of passenger panels and feel both parties can get a lot out of it, if it is done correctly.
Flawed surveys sent out like that and by the looks of it, missing out a proportion of those likely to be affected, but unable to influence - are a total waste of everyones time.
Whether it be the people who design it, the people answering it, the people making the decisions or the people having to field complaints about a lack of paper timetables.

Was this a recent survey?

(22 May 2018, 3:53 pm)Dan wrote It had been VOR since the Metro Replacement service a few weeks ago, when it broke down heading back home. It has been fitted with a new gearbox as Jamie said, returning to service just last week, so good news that it's solid as ever!

OmniDekkas should be allocated to the 819, 821, 822 (829), 824, 826 and 828.
The fleet livery Volvo B9s should be allocated to the 823 (X21) and 825 (10X).

You're right in suggesting that they're allocated to the scholars which work onto the evening peak services out of Newcastle - the intention being to up the quality of these services, which are ordinarily allocated higher specification vehicles. The Volvo B9s are equipped with Wi-Fi, so that partly meets the specification of the daytime 10 and X21.

(22 May 2018, 4:03 pm)Jamie M wrote (copying over from Rare/odd workings)

Is there any news on how the two (e)leather seated B9s are comparing to the others (6155/58)? I prefer them generally now, I find the cloth holds the dirt and grub a lot stronger than the (e)leather does. Wouldn't say more comfortable (or less, for a matter of fact) but I believe they generally look smarter and a good way forward as a standard seating arrangement.

(22 May 2018, 4:09 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just 6158 with e-leather. I personally prefer the look of the e-leather seating, but I don't have a preference in terms of which I find most comfortable. I have heard positive comments about 6158s seating from others though.

(22 May 2018, 7:55 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Not seen in mentioned but I've seen on my Flickr feed a photo by Andrew Tyldsley annoucning  the arrival of Optare Solo SR number 722 (KY63VTA) which was new to Cobra Corporate Services, Isleworth.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/41383495935

(22 May 2018, 8:54 pm)Michael wrote Looks like more than 1 will be arriving due to the fleet number its been giving?

(22 May 2018, 9:02 pm)Malarkey wrote I would gather Go North East has gained some further Nexus and DCC Contracts to be announced which require use of a minibus.

(22 May 2018, 7:55 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Not seen in mentioned but I've seen on my Flickr feed a photo by Andrew Tyldsley annoucning  the arrival of Optare Solo SR number 722 (KY63VTA) which was new to Cobra Corporate Services, Isleworth.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/apt358/41383495935

(23 May 2018, 3:59 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I do wonder if the 3 new baby Optare Solos on order have already been allocated numbers 715 - 717.

(24 May 2018, 8:13 am)MattRut21 wrote [quote="Jamie M" pid='217499' dateline='1527110323']
Hope neebody is trying to travel to or from Pelaw tonight,  there's a short notice closure on the whole of the Heworth Interchange.

27: Hebburn, Mill Lane, A194, Leam Lane, Meresyde (Like Q2 onwards), Grange Cresent, High Lanes, High Heworth Lane, Heworth Interchange

(35A, X10), 4: (A184), Lingey Lane, Meresyde and as above.

I think this has been planned for last few weeks. The roundabout is closed overnight Monday to Friday to start the final resurfacing and to draw in line etc. Wasn't supposed to finish until end of July so this would have happened eventually but they're trying to get it all sorted for June

(24 May 2018, 8:27 am)Andreos1 wrote The Chronicle ran a story about the overnight closure two weeks ago.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/heworth-roundabout-works-running-ahead-14636728

Certainly planned.