(26 Oct 2020, 7:10 pm)Michael wrote Stagecoach abandons WiFi on most routes... info from Steven Knight Media:

https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/fleet-news-ramblings/october-26th-2020-1125-stagecoach-abandons-wifi-on-most-routes


WIFI was working on the 16 today.

(26 Oct 2020, 8:30 pm)Storx wrote I don't really see the point in WiFi on buses, especially now that unlimited data plans are becoming cheaper and cheaper. It's horribly slow and has stupid limits of about 250mb. For the people who would use it, it's becoming pointless and those who typically have low data plans nowadays, they wouldn't use it anyway.

I'm not sure whether they use it for tracking purposes though which is the reason random places like supermarkets have it nowadays but don't see why it would be too useful though other than stuff like seeing which buses are busy.

Trains, coaches and other transport on the otherhand can be useful as people will use it on their laptop etc.

(26 Oct 2020, 8:43 pm)mb134 wrote I can see both sides of it. For people that use it, it'll be a miss initially but I'd imagine the majority of people will be fine using their mobile data, particularly on smaller hope. 

The issue comes where someone has run out of data, for example, and needs to access their m-ticket. There have been a few instances recently where the Stagecoach app has inexplicably signed me out as I'm about to board a bus, leading to me having to frantically log back in and bring up the ticket. There's a whole load of issues here if there's no on-board WiFi: Forgotten password? You're screwed. No signal? You're screwed. Need to buy a new ticket? You get the picture. 

I do understand the rationale behind removing WiFi from services where people are on for 10-15 minutes and for the most part probably just use data, however there are a number of glaring omissions in that list where WiFi will surely be missed and people might switch to the train as a result.

(26 Oct 2020, 8:30 pm)Storx wrote I don't really see the point in WiFi on buses, especially now that unlimited data plans are becoming cheaper and cheaper. It's horribly slow and has stupid limits of about 250mb. For the people who would use it, it's becoming pointless and those who typically have low data plans nowadays, they wouldn't use it anyway.

I'm not sure whether they use it for tracking purposes though which is the reason random places like supermarkets have it nowadays but don't see why it would be too useful though other than stuff like seeing which buses are busy.

Trains, coaches and other transport on the otherhand can be useful as people will use it on their laptop etc.

(30 Oct 2020, 10:57 pm)Benny wrote I don't mind them doing this but don't lie to the public saying its for health and safety reasons when I've had to tweet stagecoach a few times now about buses way past current capacity limits!

(31 Oct 2020, 4:29 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote 34605 is currently parked up at the back of Sunderland depot

(31 Oct 2020, 4:45 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully going to scrap!

(31 Oct 2020, 5:15 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote I doubt it, will probably be to operate dupes in Sunderland. It must no longer be needed at Slatyford. I was on it before it left Sunderland in the summer and wasn't in a bad state given its age.

(31 Oct 2020, 5:15 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote I doubt it, will probably be to operate dupes in Sunderland. It must no longer be needed at Slatyford. I was on it before it left Sunderland in the summer and wasn't in a bad state given its age.

(31 Oct 2020, 6:21 pm)Dan wrote Yes, quite likely - Stagecoach are introducing further changes to their duplicates from next week.

(31 Oct 2020, 6:42 pm)Michael wrote Any idea which services?

(31 Oct 2020, 6:43 pm)Dan wrote Mainly reducing the ones in Sunderland (due to low use), in favour of adding more in Newcastle.

(31 Oct 2020, 6:04 pm)AIG20 wrote There is a video on YouTube of it being maxed out on dual carriageways operating service 100 a few days ago and it sounded great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSqRh2hi5nc

Video by "North East Transport Enthusiast".

(30 Dec 2020, 10:59 pm)Ryland wrote Does any one know what happened with the Decker Stockton had prior to lockdown, last time I seen them they were doing the scholars route for guisborough