(08 Jul 2019, 6:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote

To be fair though, it's hardly free flowing along there, even if it's only stopping once.

Chances are, it gets stuck behind a stopping service or at one of the many red lights.

I live in Low Fell and since it started serving the Cannon it is very handy from a purely selfish point of view!

My general experience of it is that it has doesn't really have any adverse effect on the reliability of the service as most of the route between the Angel and Gateshead has bus lanes in both directions. It's only the short section in the centre of Low Fell where there isn't any.

(08 Jul 2019, 7:35 pm)big mac wrote

I live in Low Fell and since it started serving the Cannon it is very handy from a purely selfish point of view!

My general experience of it is that it has doesn't really have any adverse effect on the reliability of the service as most of the route between the Angel and Gateshead has bus lanes in both directions. It's only the short section in the centre of Low Fell where there isn't any.

I also live in Low Fell and I completely agree, the only issue for me is the amount of traffic lights through the central section of the fell and those speed humps they've put in along a few of the main junctions between there and Gateshead which do slow traffic down.

(08 Jul 2019, 9:16 pm)Malarkey wrote

I also live in Low Fell and I completely agree, the only issue for me is the amount of traffic lights through the central section of the fell and those speed humps they've put in along a few of the main junctions between there and Gateshead which do slow traffic down.

(08 Jul 2019, 7:35 pm)big mac wrote

I live in Low Fell and since it started serving the Cannon it is very handy from a purely selfish point of view!

My general experience of it is that it has doesn't really have any adverse effect on the reliability of the service as most of the route between the Angel and Gateshead has bus lanes in both directions. It's only the short section in the centre of Low Fell where there isn't any.

(08 Jul 2019, 10:59 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'm surprised the buses have any suspension left with some of those bumps like. You literally have to brace for impact!

My elder ly dd didn't enjoy them. His spine is mine, 25 years on

(07 Jul 2019, 10:07 pm)S813 FVK wrote

This appeared a few pages back, and is the main reason for the Red Kite renumbering as far as I'm concerned:

X30 on its own

X31 interwork with X45/X46

X70/X71 interwork with X47

https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=1832&pid=230968#pid230968

- for some reason link doesn't want to take you to the post I'm referring to, so I've attached a screenshot of it instead.

Ah cheers! Seems to make sense looking at the timings!!

(08 Jul 2019, 10:54 am)big mac wrote

The X21 did offer some alternative over the 21, but seeing as it now serves Low Fell, the only major difference between the two, is Birtley.

[/quote

Even though it serves low fell it is only one stop. Still a lot quicker than the 21 which is stop/start every five seconds along Durham Road.

(09 Jul 2019, 10:46 am)Jamie M wrote I often meet the same 21 that leaves eldon square at the same time as me at chester.

Would be better having a couple more dupe 21s at peak. than saving no time whatsoever going along the A1M. A bit of a white elephant!

(09 Jul 2019, 10:46 am)Jamie M wrote .

Would be better having a couple more dupe 21s at peak. than saving no time whatsoever going along the A1M. A bit of a white elephant!

Duplicate 21s aren't a bad idea at all. I'd suggest run peak 21s to Chester instead of the extra peak x21s.

(08 Jul 2019, 10:59 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'm surprised the buses have any suspension left with some of those bumps like. You literally have to brace for impact!

Surprised I haven't broke my back yet the way some of the drivers go over them, I don't think they realise how highly raised they are.

(09 Jul 2019, 10:46 am)Jamie M wrote I often meet the same 21 that leaves eldon square at the same time as me at chester.

Would be better having a couple more dupe 21s at peak. than saving no time whatsoever going along the A1M. A bit of a white elephant!

Obviously not thrashing that B7 engine enough, would've thought a woman was driving this evening, just kidding your a #cannygnedriver

(09 Jul 2019, 10:46 am)Jamie M wrote I often meet the same 21 that leaves eldon square at the same time as me at chester.

Would be better having a couple more dupe 21s at peak. than saving no time whatsoever going along the A1M. A bit of a white elephant!

(08 Jul 2019, 6:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote

Has owt been mentioned anywhere about the westbound road closure at the A183/Bournmoor?

Saw a sign earlier, stating its going to be closed for 10 weeks. Obviously this will affect a few services and a few stops are going to be missed out.

Checked out the DCC website and it's on there too

http://www.durham.gov.uk/roadworks

And here is the official diversion for the A183 closure.

Closed between Houghton Gate and the petrol station westbound, traffic will follow the signs that will take you via A185, Vigo Lane, North Lodge and Blind Lane.

I assume the 4 and 78 (along with the scholars and 921) will find an alternative route.

(13 Jul 2019, 1:42 pm)Michael wrote Had a chance to catch up properly, now i'm back from Mexico.


Always the same... they order new buses but then change the PVR of the service, happening again with the X30................ -.-

(13 Jul 2019, 1:50 pm)streetdeckfan wrote At least they're ordering new buses, unlike some other companies!

(13 Jul 2019, 1:56 pm)Michael wrote Seen this on a reply on Twitter from Martjin about the school contracts....


Yes we have won back most, but not all of the contracts, following competitive tender in the market.

Wonder if ones were won and which ones, weren't!

---

That's true!

(13 Jul 2019, 1:58 pm)Jamie M wrote Should find out on monday, all being well.

(04 Jul 2019, 6:28 pm)BusLoverMum wrote

Well if it is scrapped, the Black Cats livery's days are likely numbered, too.

(13 Jul 2019, 1:50 pm)streetdeckfan wrote At least they're ordering new buses, unlike some other companies!

The state of Arriva's current fleet is shocking to say the least. With the exception of the X21 / X22 E400MMCs back in 2017, no major investment for any of the Northumbria routes since 2014.

Blyth & Jesmond's fleet are particularly bad.

At least GNE are willing to invest and I'm sure with the X30 PVR increase that should GNE order anymore E400MMC's, they will correct the shortage within the next order like what they're doing for the X21.

(14 Jul 2019, 12:10 pm)L469 YVK wrote

The state of Arriva's current fleet is shocking to say the least. With the exception of the X21 / X22 E400MMCs back in 2017, no major investment for any of the Northumbria routes since 2014.

Blyth & Jesmond's fleet are particularly bad.

At least GNE are willing to invest and I'm sure with the X30 PVR increase that should GNE order anymore E400MMC's, they will correct the shortage within the next order like what they're doing for the X21.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Arriva's lack of investment is going to bite them in the arse when suddenly their buses aren't allowed in the city centre.
It's got to the point where GNE are replacing buses that are newer than Arriva are buying.
Sure, they've been refurbished with fancy 'leather', but they're still not that nice
I got the X1 to Darlo recently, and their 15 plate Streetlites are in much worse condition inside than GNE's. It's as if they just don't maintain them. I suppose they do have one advantage, the emergency door doesn't rattle!

That brings me on to another thing, when did they stop putting effort into their 'Sapphire' brand? I thought they were supposed to 'make my journey sparkle', but in reality it's just as bad as any other bus ride! I can't remember the last time the sockets, WiFi or NSA worked.

Suppose Arriva will just swap buses around to ensure that Euro compliant are on routes that enter City Centres...

(14 Jul 2019, 1:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Arriva's lack of investment is going to bite them in the arse when suddenly their buses aren't allowed in the city centre.
It's got to the point where GNE are replacing buses that are newer than Arriva are buying.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:19 pm)Michael wrote They just don't seem to care, DB has just giving up on investment, but it'll definitely bite them in the arse when the enviro zones come in to play.

They'll be charged £50 a day for non compliant vehicles.. 2021 isn't that far away either!


Buses/Coaches £50
HGVs £50
Taxi and Private Hire £12.50
Light Goods Vehicles £12.50
Private Car £12.50

https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/11032/Air-quality-February-2019-update

I think DB are hoping to not have to deal with that problem by 2021!

I think what they mean is the buses need to be registered after 2014 AND be of at least euro 6. So a 2013 Euro 6 won't be allowed

(14 Jul 2019, 1:25 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

I think DB are hoping to not have to deal with that problem by 2021!

(14 Jul 2019, 1:29 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully, still hoping they'll sell in parts and not as a whole, would be a major loss to the NE, especially since it was founded in Sunderland, least then, hopefully investment would be part of that deal

Look at how quick, Go Ahead have invested in Go North West.....

I just don't see it being sold off in parts, as much as I'd love them to. Imagine the logistics and how much it would cost to split it up. I'd imagine if it get sold, it'll be some Asian investment firm that'll just buy it all.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:25 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

I think what they mean is the buses need to be registered after 2014 AND be of at least euro 6. So a 2013 Euro 6 won't be allowed

(14 Jul 2019, 1:34 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

I just don't see it being sold off in parts, as much as I'd love them to. Imagine the logistics and how much it would cost to split it up. I'd imagine if it get sold, it'll be some Asian investment firm that'll just buy it all.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:34 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

I just don't see it being sold off in parts, as much as I'd love them to. Imagine the logistics and how much it would cost to split it up. I'd imagine if it get sold, it'll be some Asian investment firm that'll just buy it all.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:36 pm)Michael wrote  Same, but i hope who ever invests in it, will but new buses....Yutong's all over the NE then " alt="" title="">

As long as they spec the AC, the Yutong they trialled on the X66 had the coolest AC I think I think I've ever felt!

(14 Jul 2019, 1:40 pm)streetdeckfan wrote

As long as they spec the AC, the Yutong they trialled on the X66 had the coolest AC I think I think I've ever felt!

(14 Jul 2019, 12:10 pm)L469 YVK wrote The state of Arriva's current fleet is shocking to say the least. With the exception of the X21 / X22 E400MMCs back in 2017, no major investment for any of the Northumbria routes since 2014.

Blyth & Jesmond's fleet are particularly bad.

At least GNE are willing to invest and I'm sure with the X30 PVR increase that should GNE order anymore E400MMC's, they will correct the shortage within the next order like what they're doing for the X21.

(14 Jul 2019, 1:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Arriva's lack of investment is going to bite them in the arse when suddenly their buses aren't allowed in the city centre. It's got to the point where GNE are replacing buses that are newer than Arriva are buying. Sure, they've been refurbished with fancy 'leather', but they're still not that nice I got the X1 to Darlo recently, and their 15 plate Streetlites are in much worse condition inside than GNE's. It's as if they just don't maintain them. I suppose they do have one advantage, the emergency door doesn't rattle! That brings me on to another thing, when did they stop putting effort into their 'Sapphire' brand? I thought they were supposed to 'make my journey sparkle', but in reality it's just as bad as any other bus ride! I can't remember the last time the sockets, WiFi or NSA worked.