(07 Jan 2015, 12:03 pm)Dan wrote Former "Laser" branded Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4968 (NK53 UNU) is the latest example to arrive at Saltmeadows for repaint into "Prince Bishops" purple, ahead of the service changes later this month.

Former "Silver Arrows" branded Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro 5325 (NK58 DWC) still remains at Saltmeadows, despite being sent to Saltmeadows on December 29th. Likely that Go North East will try to fit in three Scanias per week instead of two Scanias and one Merc - clearly a problem of some sort as it definitely doesn't take nine days to repaint a bus!

(07 Jan 2015, 8:16 pm)mb134 wrote Out of interest do GNE operate the 19 north of Northumberland Park commercially, or is there a contract? Just seems a bit strange that the 19 is the only Go North East service in the Ashington/ Bedlington area. It always seems like it has decent loads, just makes you wonder if Go North East would consider operating in Northumberland again?

(07 Jan 2015, 8:18 pm)Tom wrote It's funded by Go Smarter from Cramlington to Ashington.

(07 Jan 2015, 8:20 pm)Dan wrote Don't think it's fully funded though - I think it's just a contribution..? There's no contractual requirements when it comes to service 19 (under GNE operation).

(07 Jan 2015, 8:16 pm)mb134 wrote Out of interest do GNE operate the 19 north of Northumberland Park commercially, or is there a contract? Just seems a bit strange that the 19 is the only Go North East service in the Ashington/ Bedlington area. It always seems like it has decent loads, just makes you wonder if Go North East would consider operating in Northumberland again?

(07 Jan 2015, 8:21 pm)Tom wrote Is it not?
I thought it was fully funded. 

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(07 Jan 2015, 8:18 pm)Tom wrote It's funded by Go Smarter from Cramlington to Ashington.

(07 Jan 2015, 8:20 pm)Dan wrote Don't think it's fully funded though - I think it's just a contribution..? There's no contractual requirements when it comes to service 19 (under GNE operation).

(07 Jan 2015, 8:22 pm)Jimmi wrote Got to say that there was a decent amount of passengers on-board when I rode it from Bedlington to Royal Quays recently, many got off in Cramlington and then it was people hopping on and off at various points.

(09 Jan 2015, 3:45 pm)Dan wrote Former "Fast Cats" branded Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4954 (NL02 ZRX) is the latest example to arrive at Saltmeadows for repaint. Due to the PVR decrease of the "Fast Cats" X36 by one vehicle, this vehicle will be repainted into a purple base livery for use on the revised "Prince Bishops" 20/20A services between South Shields and Durham.

(09 Jan 2015, 5:53 pm)Michael wrote Thought it would of being 4954 to be repainted, which of the Go North East scania's will be repainted purple, the ex fab 56 ones?

(09 Jan 2015, 5:54 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If the 14 Red Arrows B9TLs became free (11 needed Mon to Sat and 5 eve and Sun) and GNE did the following:

- X51 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving X21 route to Bedlington Front St from Seacrest Rd then X22 route to Newcastle but only calling at Regent Centre after A1068 / Seaton Burn.

- X52 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving same route as above but North Seaton instead of Wansbeck Hosp then same route as X51 from Ashington.

They could oust the X21 and all the X22 would have is the punters between Ashington and Bedlington and here's why:
- Powerful engines for reliability and punctuality.
- No fancy detours via Nedderton.
- Free Wi-Fi and High Back seats.
- Simple 15 min (30 eve and Sun) combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle throughout.
- Radio control in event of emergency, breakdown or delay.
- Many connections available in Newcastle including Metrocentre, Tyne Valley, Gateshead, Durham and Teesside.
- Better passenger trust.
- All buses wheelchair and buggy friendly unlike 7501 - 09.

(09 Jan 2015, 6:35 pm)aureolin wrote It's likely that GNE would face the same issues as Arriva do on the Durham Road corridor. There are no connecting services, and there isn't a Network One equivalent for Northumberland. Besides that, I can't see the point of replicating an existing route like for like, when surely the key is to come up with something better than what they've got now?

(09 Jan 2015, 5:54 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If the 14 Red Arrows B9TLs became free (11 needed Mon to Sat and 5 eve and Sun) and GNE did the following:

- X51 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving X21 route to Bedlington Front St from Seacrest Rd then X22 route to Newcastle but only calling at Regent Centre after A1068 / Seaton Burn.

- X52 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving same route as above but North Seaton instead of Wansbeck Hosp then same route as X51 from Ashington.

They could oust the X21 and all the X22 would have is the punters between Ashington and Bedlington and here's why:
- Powerful engines for reliability and punctuality.
- No fancy detours via Nedderton.
- Free Wi-Fi and High Back seats.
- Simple 15 min (30 eve and Sun) combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle throughout.
- Radio control in event of emergency, breakdown or delay.
- Many connections available in Newcastle including Metrocentre, Tyne Valley, Gateshead, Durham and Teesside.
- Better passenger trust.
- All buses wheelchair and buggy friendly unlike 7501 - 09.

(09 Jan 2015, 6:41 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Exactly - you can't do better than a combined 10 minutely Ashington-Newcastle service. Plus, even if you did put a half hourly service along those lines via North Seaton, people are still going to use the hourly X20 due to its quicker journey times even if it isn't Sapphire or MAX (at present).

(09 Jan 2015, 6:55 pm)Malarkey wrote Even if the Red Arrows did gain Investment this year, I would much rather see 6001-6007 go on the X21 and 3943/6049 to 6055 being utilised on the X30/X31 depending on the PVRs of these Services, I think the X21 is 7 iirc.

(09 Jan 2015, 6:55 pm)Malarkey wrote Even if the Red Arrows did gain Investment this year, I would much rather see 6001-6007 go on the X21 and 3943/6049 to 6055 being utilised on the X30/X31 depending on the PVRs of these Services, I think the X21 is 7 iirc.

(09 Jan 2015, 7:03 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote They may combine every 10 minutes but:
- Passengers on the X21 are having to suffer longer journey times because of it and poor reliability.
- It doesn't truly combine in Bedlington leaving 15 minute gaps causing reliability problems on the X22.
- The X20 can be a very unreliable service at times.
- The vehicle type is not suited to the X21 / X22 unlike the heavy duty B9TL.
- Limited connections south and west of Newcastle.
- No radio control in event of breakdowns, emergencies or delays.
- The X51 / X52 would only take 52 minutes from Ashington to Newcastle (or just under or over 1hr mark during peaks) 
- The X31 / X32 was proven and well used and the X51 / X52 would offer a similar format.
- The X51 and X52 would offer a more frequent service than the X21 (upto every 15 Mon to Sat / 30 eve and Sun) and provide the most frequent and fastest service between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle.

It's like if I was travelling to Blaydon, Ryton or Crawcrook from Newcastle, I would use the most frequent and fastest combined group of services (TEN) then if I wanted any local links along route such as Scotswood Rd or Newcastle Business Park, I would use less frequent Toon Link service 11. I wouldn't expect GNE to come up with silly detours and combined frequencies for the sake of it

(09 Jan 2015, 7:10 pm)aureolin wrote The journey would only be a few minutes difference at best. Your proposed services would suffer from their own reliability issues, if it was anything more than that. Is reliability really that poor? With them being Sapphire services, I can't see it being the case for very long, as Sapphire offers a money back guarantee. 

Normal passengers aren't going to be too fussed about vehicle, as long as it looks smart and presentable, and feels comfortable, which the Sapphire services do. Again, they're not going to care about the lack of a two way radio, as they most likely won't know.

You mention limited connections south and west of Newcastle, but wouldn't GNE passengers suffer the same fate in Bedlington and Ashington?

(09 Jan 2015, 7:03 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote It's like if I was travelling to Blaydon, Ryton or Crawcrook from Newcastle, I would use the most frequent and fastest combined group of services (TEN) then if I wanted any local links along route such as Scotswood Rd or Newcastle Business Park, I would use less frequent Toon Link service 11. I wouldn't expect GNE to come up with silly detours and combined frequencies for the sake of it

(09 Jan 2015, 7:10 pm)aureolin wrote The journey would only be a few minutes difference at best. Your proposed services would suffer from their own reliability issues, if it was anything more than that. Is reliability really that poor? With them being Sapphire services, I can't see it being the case for very long, as Sapphire offers a money back guarantee. 

Normal passengers aren't going to be too fussed about vehicle, as long as it looks smart and presentable, and feels comfortable, which the Sapphire services do. Again, they're not going to care about the lack of a two way radio, as they most likely won't know.

You mention limited connections south and west of Newcastle, but wouldn't GNE passengers suffer the same fate in Bedlington and Ashington?

(09 Jan 2015, 7:14 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Why would you use the TEN when the 11 is six minutes faster (and takes the more direct route) between Newcastle and Blaydon (and thus Ryton and Crawcrook) and is less likely to be affected by delays caused by traffic at the Metrocentre?

If both services were due to depart at similar times from Eldon Square, I'd choose the 11 every time.