(29 Jan 2014, 4:55 pm)park5354 wrote I don't know which ones have had the internal referb, but I believe there isn't many tridents/Renowns that haven't. I do believe all Solars have though, weren't the Fast Cats some of the last ones done? I don't really know why certain ones have and why others aren't.

(29 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)park5354 wrote Sunderland Road is a VTS, with Wednesday as test day. (no testing at Saltmeadows). I believe Sandy Lane may have been used when the pit was being refurbished a few years ago, and also when Sandy Lane was be being refurbished, Sunderland Road was used for a small amount of testing as seem to recall seeing bin wagons etc being tested.

(29 Jan 2014, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote The new 128 Summer Beamish bus timetable has appeared online and will re-start on 29.3.14 - timetable here - http://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/60480.42

Not sure of last years timetable so not sure on any changes..

(29 Jan 2014, 7:30 pm)Kuyoyo wrote No changes whatsoever.

3970 Gateshead 29.01.2014.JPG (Size 250.21 KB | Downloads 27)

(29 Jan 2014, 7:35 pm)Coppercap40 wrote 3970 has lost its Hunger Games all over advert, seen in Gateshead today

(29 Jan 2014, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote The new 128 Summer Beamish bus timetable has appeared online and will be in service Saturdays only from 29 March 2014 until 1 November 2014 -

Runs hourly from Durham from 9:39 to 16:39
Runs Hourly from Beamish to Durham 1014 to 1714

Anyway here is the timetable;

http://www.simplygo.com/download/publication/60480.42

Ran by Chester?

Not sure of last years timetable so not sure on any changes.

(29 Jan 2014, 7:38 pm)Tom wrote Ran by Stanley with 4847.

(29 Jan 2014, 4:56 pm)Dan wrote All of the new B9TL vehicles are to receive full rear destination displays, with some of the Cobalt Clipper examples already having received them (citaro5284 shared a photograph a few pages ago).

(29 Jan 2014, 4:16 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote News to me, As from what I recall from before Christmas it was Unconfirmed and I haven't seen or Read anything in regards to the X7 or X21 since as to whether they'd get the Citaros off the Cobalt Clipper, To be honest though in the Few Times I have used the X21 it's only been Busy between Newcastle and Durham, Onwards to Bishop Auckland I would say Passenger Numbers vary through the Day. I'm sure PDiddy could tell us whether the X21 requires Double Deckers or Not. Could always put 5337/38 on the X21 also at Peak Times to cope with Passenger Demand from Durham University.

(29 Jan 2014, 9:37 pm)pdiddy wrote It would need deckers perhaps 50% of the time... peak times

(29 Jan 2014, 4:41 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote A "Hint" isn't Confirmation though is it, Rob has merely again "Suggested" that the WTX will receive Citaros once the B9's have entered Service at Percy Main, which has been Suggested Numerous Times over past Few Months. I would say that is good example of an Answer not been Fully Given, which again leads to Members wondering Are They/Are They Not going on the Suggested Service.

I do apologize if it seems as though I'm been a Pain in the Backside about this and being Argumentative, I'm not, I'm simply giving my Opinion on the Matter.

(29 Jan 2014, 9:42 pm)pdiddy wrote Mercs deffo now NOT going on the X21 Pronto.... may get newer deckers later in the year

(29 Jan 2014, 10:29 pm)gtomlinson wrote Hybrids to the Pronto and the Angel to get an upgrade

(as likely as the Waggonway getting tri axle coaches with gold plated seats)

(29 Jan 2014, 10:42 pm)busman101 wrote Crikey, Hybrids on the Pronto would be nee good - too much Motorway rustling to save much diesel.

(29 Jan 2014, 10:51 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'm an ideas guy haha

I just dislike the Hybrids but I take the point. If they tend to be VOR on the Angel they'd probably expire on the bypass

(29 Jan 2014, 11:04 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I think the Question would be, What Double Decker Vehicle could replace the Hybrids on the 21, if it was indeed to happen, which I don't think will happen any time soon, Although if it did, GNE could send the Hybrids to Riverside to Replace the Citaros on the 27, which would be the most Logical Option in my opinion. As for the X21, Would the New B5 Gemini be able to cope with such a Demanding Route.

(29 Jan 2014, 11:04 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I think the Question would be, What Double Decker Vehicle could replace the Hybrids on the 21, if it was indeed to happen, which I don't think will happen any time soon, Although if it did, GNE could send the Hybrids to Riverside to Replace the Citaros on the 27, which would be the most Logical Option in my opinion. As for the X21, Would the New B5 Gemini be able to cope with such a Demanding Route.

(30 Jan 2014, 7:48 am)Tom wrote Get it E400's then. They seem to cope on the X15/X18 well.

(30 Jan 2014, 12:55 am)gtomlinson wrote Non Hybrid B9's? They obviously didn't like the one they had on trial from EYMS (unless of course a rather nice wad of cash from the taxpayer encouraged them to go ahem 'green')

I acknowledge the Angel is a demanding route, slow and fast sections, constant stop start, idling in traffic, heavy loads etc and that no bus is perfect but I don't think GNE have EVER got it right with the Angel aside pre-Angel when the Presidents ran the 21

At the time the Solars worked well on the 21 - 24 Hour Service branding - but traffic has obviously massively increased and Durham Road has lost a lot of buses for the sake of the Angel and 'simplified routes'

(30 Jan 2014, 9:44 am)andreos1 wrote Maybe it's time for a re-jig of routes, stopping places and services along Durham Road - rather than another taxpayer purchase of green buses, which only ensure three of the vehicles (see what I did there) stuck in the queues of traffic, aren't belching out fumes?

The hybrids haven't grown wings and don't make the traffic disappear.
Road improvements, attractive pricing and reliable alternatives to the car are amongst the only things that can help the traffic disappear.

However, as for new deckers, why not try the Optare decker with the Merc engine?

(30 Jan 2014, 11:25 am)gtomlinson wrote Very good!

I don't think GNE can do much more, the loadings on the Angel are good (but how much of that is down to lack of car ownership and concessionary is another debate) and the timetabled frequency can't be knocked (though its very rarely running at that frequency as you say due to other issues)

But the Angel is only going to get worse in terms of reliability. They've tried with the pointless Durham Road bus lane from Newcastle Bank through to Low Fell but the addition of another 2 sets of lights in Birtley won't help and might even drive more folk from longer distance to the X21 - not a bad thing.

I do sympathise but sometimes it is simply just easier to take the car and no amount of bus lanes etc will ever change that

(30 Jan 2014, 8:01 am)Dan wrote @Davey Bowyer... Any comment?

(30 Jan 2014, 12:16 pm)andreos1 wrote Lights outside St Josephs Church and Morrisons?

You are right, it isn't going to help and will only add to issues the service has with reliability.

Going back to the point regarding routes, services and stopping places - the impact of four sets of lights in Birtley alone, will be felt either side of the town.
Maybe loadings will increase on the x21 and the 1 & 51/52 (which can already struggle due to traffic).

Personally, I would concentrate on ensuring loadings increase on the latter 3 for Low Fell -Gateshead/Newcastle runs (maybe even adding additional local Gateshead services), whilst making the 21 a limited stop between the Harlow Green and Gateshead.

Bus lanes and endless amounts of the ever changing white paint, chucked about with abandon on the dualed section of Durham Road over the last 20years hasn't helped. Neither has the removal of footbridges or replacing them with crossings in Low Fell.

Maybe it is time GNE took some control back and used their own initiative, rather than rely on Gateshead Council to come up with ideas.