Cobalt clipper

I reckon that inter working at Haymaket could be stopped, as changeovers now take place at New York (309) and Verne Road (310), as canteen at North Shields is now closed.
310 could then be dropped from Coabalt Clipper, allowing 3 B9s to go to Riverside/Hexham for TEN, plus 2 red spares.
Ex Brighton deckers could go on 310, or even Toonlink omnicities.

(11 Aug 2016, 11:41 am)park5354 wrote Cobalt clipper

I reckon that inter working at Haymaket could be stopped, as changeovers now take place at New York (309) and Verne Road (310), as canteen at North Shields is now closed.
310 could then be dropped from Coabalt Clipper, allowing 3 B9s to go to Riverside/Hexham for TEN, plus 2 red spares.
Ex Brighton deckers could go on 310, or even Toonlink omnicities.

310 is often packed at times so would be a large customer dissatisfaction in my opinion by degrading features.

(11 Aug 2016, 9:47 am)Michael wrote Hopefully, i think they really suit the TEN, continuing about "red" buses etc on them due to lack of B9's, i think GNE will want to upgrade the TTX soon, as i doubt they'll want a repeat of what happened with the B7's, with the constant breakdowns, of course, that's if GNE decide to replace them in the next financial year (2017-2018), or even this years!, then the TTX B9's could go on the TEN and Cobalt Clippers along with a couple of spares.

It might be another year of the double deckers like 2012 was

(11 Aug 2016, 11:16 am)park5354 wrote 5385 is now branded for Q3.

5385/87 now branded for Quaylink Q3.
5386 now branded for Quaylink Q1/Q2 (allowing rainbow branded 8335 to be used as a spare across both Quaylink services).

Would DDA coaches potentially be a solution for TTX? Plaxton Elites perhaps? A bit on the costly side but if you make it truly express and change the current service so B9s serve smaller places I reckon that could work.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

(11 Aug 2016, 12:10 am)G-CPTN wrote I am naturally very protective of the TEN, and believe that the B9TLs are ideal for the westerly section of the route - there are gradients (such as Tinklers Bank at Corbridge) which the B9s cope with admirably - I'm not sure that a 5 litre engine would be adequate.

It is mildly 'disappointing' when non-liveried vehicles (by which I mean red B7TLs) have to be used (the TEN livery is so good IMO), though any bus is preferable to no bus. What is strange is that 3942 used to be in TEN livery before it was repainted red.

Hexham do a superb job of using whatever spares they have to keep the service(s) 'on schedule' - I spotted a TEN B9TL running the X84 heading east through Corbridge on Tuesday @ 17.30ish (a few minutes late - but running nevertheless) and I've seen B9TLs on the occasional X84/X85 during 'daytime'.

In return we get the occasional single decker running the TEN (it comes as a surprise when they turn into central Corbridge instead of continuing along Main Street and Newcastle Road).

What I'm trying to say is don't mess with the current allocation (except where necessary to fill gaps) as the current vehicles seem to be ideally suited to the routes.

I dread to think what will happen when the B9TLs wear out - though maybe that will be a long time yet?

Don't want to start predictions on here but pretty sure that the TEN won't get a replacement even if the need for cascaded B9TLs is imminent with currently there only being 1 set of routes in mind given the recent service changes as well as further potential cascades (including extra modern deckers at Chester Le Street to assist with the Angel).

Your point about the westerly section of the route is pretty much spot on although Streetdecks would cope OK, they seem fine on the Castles Express.

Narrowing it down, if Streetdecks were to be used on the TEN, some fuel savings may be gained on sections between Crawcrook and Newcastle but with the Cobalt Clippers, the fuel savings could be huge given the stop start / urban nature of both routes, particularly service 310. As well as that, if all 14x B9TLs were to be cascaded straight from Riverside of the TEN to the depot in question for the route in mind, no spare vehicles would exist as such meaning that OmniDekkas would have to be used as spares; but if the Cobalt Clipper B9TLs were to be cascaded, 1x spare vehicle for the route in mind would be available as well as giving 2x B9TLs to Riverside keeping the total amount of B9TLs at 16 (15 if 6084 is needed elsewhere).

(11 Aug 2016, 12:10 am)G-CPTN wrote I am naturally very protective of the TEN, and believe that the B9TLs are ideal for the westerly section of the route - there are gradients (such as Tinklers Bank at Corbridge) which the B9s cope with admirably - I'm not sure that a 5 litre engine would be adequate.

It is mildly 'disappointing' when non-liveried vehicles (by which I mean red B7TLs) have to be used (the TEN livery is so good IMO)

 
Especially if traveling west of Prudhoe and a B7 shows up as I have to use wifi when going to Hexham as the signal on O2 is not good there except for only outside or in Tesco oddly which can get 3G at. 10B I'm not so bothered about what it is as it's always a good signal.

(11 Aug 2016, 4:29 pm)TEN 6083 wrote  
Especially if traveling west of Prudhoe and a B7 shows up as I have to use wifi when going to Hexham as the signal on O2 is not good there except for only outside or in Tesco oddly which can get 3G at. 10B I'm not so bothered about what it is as it's always a good signal.

I lose both EE and 3, too. Seems to be a bit of a dead spot.

Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

It happens far to often, I have saw many people turned away from buses in Park Lane because of this.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

To be completely honest, it'll have likely have been confusion more than anything. Drivers generally expect to see a bus ticket rather than a Metro ticket if you're showing a previously bought ticket to travel. I've had it before on Northern Rail between Newcastle and Sunderland, where the guard has been a bit funny about it because it was an Explorer purchased on an Arriva bus. 

As I'm acquainted with a good number of staff at Chester-le-Street, I can assure you the miserable drivers are few and far between. Vast majority of them are very nice people. Regarding the third line; the amount of passengers that drivers carry on a daily basis, I wouldn't worry about him refusing you travel in the future, as most drivers see more faces in a day than they can remember.

I'd be as miserable as sin driving a President mind....

(12 Aug 2016, 2:44 pm)Ambassador wrote I'd be as miserable as sin driving a President mind....

Funnily enough, a lot of drivers rate them quite highly as a vehicle to drive. The likes of Streetlites and Versas are disliked, but a President is considered a doddle. Obviously, there are some good and some bad, but the overall consensus is that they're alright.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

You should put a complaint in.  There is no excuse for not accepting these tickets when the drivers are operating in Tyne and Wear day in and day out.

http://www.simplygo.com/contact-us/

Speaking of Chester Le Streets finest.

Angel 6066 has expired outside the Cannon in Low Fell

(12 Aug 2016, 5:48 pm)Ambassador wrote Speaking of Chester Le Streets finest.

Angel 6066 has expired outside the Cannon in Low Fell

That expired there at approximately 16:25.

I alighted from 6303 on the following X21 and the passengers travelling to Chester-le-Street were transferred onto there, whilst others waited for the following 21.

The driver of 6303 had already had an interesting journey to that point as 4926 had broken down in Gateshead on the X25 (at the 21 stop) and he had already taken the Chester-le-Street passengers from that!

I guess a driver doesn't often have to rescue two sets of stranded passengers on one journey!

(12 Aug 2016, 3:42 pm)citaro5284 wrote You should put a complaint in.  There is no excuse for not accepting these tickets when the drivers are operating in Tyne and Wear day in and day out.

http://www.simplygo.com/contact-us/

I will, Not the best experience I had, Was very surprised when he refused it, Considering the CAT is one of the most used tickets in Tyne and Wear.

(12 Aug 2016, 1:27 pm)R852 PRG wrote To be completely honest, it'll have likely have been confusion more than anything. Drivers generally expect to see a bus ticket rather than a Metro ticket if you're showing a previously bought ticket to travel. I've had it before on Northern Rail between Newcastle and Sunderland, where the guard has been a bit funny about it because it was an Explorer purchased on an Arriva bus.

As I'm acquainted with a good number of staff at Chester-le-Street, I can assure you the miserable drivers are few and far between. Vast majority of them are very nice people. Regarding the third line; the amount of passengers that drivers carry on a daily basis, I wouldn't worry about him refusing you travel in the future, as most drivers see more faces in a day than they can remember.

While I understand where your coming from, This driver seemed Adamant that my ticket was not valid.

I agree on the drivers though, Only had one or two miserable ones from there in a long time.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

We're had similar problems with explorers with drivers on all the big 3 in the area.

I'm a stubborn git and always get on, though (after a quick lesson in ticketing options)

(12 Aug 2016, 6:49 pm)BusLoverMum wrote We're had similar problems with explorers with drivers on all the big 3 in the area.

I'm a stubborn git and always get on, though (after a quick lesson in ticketing options)

Aye, prove the buggers wrong, some drivers think they know it all when in fact they know.........

(12 Aug 2016, 6:56 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye, prove the buggers wrong, some drivers think they know it all when in fact they know.........

I've had a few incidences with GNE tickets mind!

A Stanley forced me to take my ticket out of my clear wallet pouch on a rainy day and demanded I never did it again since it was hard to check.. never once had an issue with this again.

Another Stanley driver also kept making me scan my card on the machine as I bought a day e-ticket, kept saying 'ok' as if I could go on. About attempt 4 of calling me back to rescan he asked where I was going as if I should have done this 4 times ago - without telling me.

A Washington driver also charged me a full single because his scanner 'broke' and he kept insisting there wasn't anything on the card. By the way he looked and talked to me, it felt like he did something dumb and was trying to act as if it wasn't his fault.

Many more issues with GNE and tickets, but 90% of the time there's no issue at all, just surprised that they can't manage their own fare system 100% of the time - not even the excuse of foreign corporation's tickets coming into play.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.

His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...

He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.

Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.

I had that with a driver on the 46

A few drivers wouldn't let me on with my pop card. It was on a X21 when they were still Presidents and the other time was on the 45 a fortnight ago. Happened on Arriva X2 (now X12) runs too. I was only going to Gateshead/Metrocentre.

(12 Aug 2016, 6:28 pm)Boggle wrote That expired there at approximately 16:25.

I alighted from 6303 on the following X21 and the passengers travelling to Chester-le-Street were transferred onto there, whilst others waited for the following 21.

I passed it at 18.50 with no fitter in sight, amazing they'd leave it that long!

(12 Aug 2016, 6:56 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye, prove the buggers wrong, some drivers think they know it all when in fact they know.........

(12 Aug 2016, 8:14 pm)Brian13 wrote A few drivers wouldn't let me on with my pop card. It was on a X21 when they were still Presidents and the other time was on the 45 a fortnight ago. Happened on Arriva X2 (now X12) runs too. I was only going to Gateshead/Metrocentre.

Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.

(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.

I had a stagecoach driver who ended up looking to see if she could issue explorers herself, and then look surprised when I turned out to be right. It's not even as if they're some new fangled thing. More surprising considering that, when we caught the stagecoach 62s, last weekend, we just got waved on without our tickets even being looked at!

(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.

Tickets may just be far too complex for drivers and customers at large. I have traveled  through many European metropolitan areas, where in the main multi modal tickets are issued throughout the area/or a zonal fare scheme is imposed, albeit across all modes of transport within the area.
Contact less payment bank cards are now becoming more accepted with maximum daily fare caps guaranteed,
Example: From just outside Nexus area (e.g. Burnopfield) it's impossible to buy an affordable fare for Newcastle Airport - Actually is more expensive than a taxi ! - as GNE don't serve the Airport, although illustrated on Buzz fare zone map. Transfare expensive for return journey.

Fares should be simple to understand not only for regular users, but also for occasional travellers and visitors to the region.

I would also go further and propose a strong regional Corporate Branding with discreet sub-branding for key routes, only if necessary to be more customers friendly.

A regional brand/logo across all modes of transport accepting multi-modal tickets would also be helpful to customers visiting the area (n.b. Geneva, Berlin, London, Paris etc...) whether it be Nexus, NECA, LA7 or something New?



Should this not be an opportunity for GNE and other operators to exploit?

Can I suggest using ex Nat Express coaches for truly express services from Teeside to Newcastle, then onward journey  to Airport, while connecting with local services in Newcastle with provision to use onward tickets to the Airport. Could be at slight premium / with luggage?

Coaches were a common use in 70's for premium express services with limited stops connecting with local services point of connection  e.g. Newcastle to / from Teesside (X1 Northern/United joint service), Consett to/from Sunderland (X6 Northern / sometimes SDO - Sunderland District Omnibus), Lanchester/ Greencroft to Ashington/Newbiggin (X30 Northern /United joint service)
Also seasonal Express Coach services to Scarborough via Whitby.

Thoughts?!

(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego wrote Tickets may just be far too complex for drivers and customers at large. I have traveled  through many European metropolitan areas, where in the main multi modal tickets are issued throughout the area/or a zonal fare scheme is imposed, albeit across all modes of transport within the area.
Contact less payment bank cards are now becoming more accepted with maximum daily fare caps guaranteed,
Example: From just outside Nexus area (e.g. Burnopfield) it's impossible to buy an affordable fare for Newcastle Airport - Actually is more expensive than a taxi ! - as GNE don't serve the Airport, although illustrated on Buzz fare zone map. Transfare expensive for return journey.

Fares should be simple to understand not only for regular users, but also for occasional travellers and visitors to the region.

I would also go further and propose a strong regional Corporate Branding with discreet sub-branding for key routes, only if necessary to be more  customers friendly.

A regional brand/logo across all modes of transport accepting multi-modal tickets would also be helpful to customers visiting the area (n.b. Geneva, Berlin, London, Paris etc...) whether it be Nexus, NECA, LA7 or something New?



Should this not be an opportunity for GNE and other operators to exploit?

Can I suggest using ex Nat Express coaches for truly express services from Teeside to Newcastle, then onward journey  to Airport, while connecting with local services in Newcastle with provision to use onward tickets to the Airport. Could be at slight premium / with luggage?

Coaches were a common use in 70's for premium express services with limited stops connecting with local services point of connection  e.g. Newcastle to / from Teesside (X1 Northern/United joint service), Consett to/from Sunderland (X6 Northern / sometimes SDO - Sunderland District Omnibus), Lanchester/ Greencroft to Ashington/Newbiggin (X30 Northern /United joint service)
Also seasonal Express Coach services to Scarborough via Whitby.

Thoughts?!

Actually the ex National Express coaches (Caetano Levantes) would be ideal for the TTX because they are wheelchair accessible and can cope being pounded down the A19.

(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego wrote I would also go further and propose a strong regional Corporate Branding with discreet sub-branding for key routes, only if necessary to be more  customers friendly.

A regional brand/logo across all modes of transport accepting multi-modal tickets would also be helpful to customers visiting the area (n.b. Geneva, Berlin, London, Paris etc...) whether it be Nexus, NECA, LA7 or something New?


Thoughts?!

Yes I agree.


(Personally I like London buses, and GNE's plain corporate red buses - they look really smart. Obviously we would have our regional 'B' logo for buses where London places it's 'Buses' roundels. 
Individual operators who win contracts to run the route can have their logo (small & white) above the front doors, under the cab window, and on the rear.
I also think any new vehicles ordered for city routes should have centre exit doors for ease and quickness, and to future-proof them for further passenger growth).

(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego wrote Tickets may just be far too complex for drivers and customers at large. I have traveled  through many European metropolitan areas, where in the main multi modal tickets are issued throughout the area/or a zonal fare scheme is imposed, albeit across all modes of transport within the area.
Contact less payment bank cards are now becoming more accepted with maximum daily fare caps guaranteed,
Example: From just outside Nexus area (e.g. Burnopfield) it's impossible to buy an affordable fare for Newcastle Airport - Actually is more expensive than a taxi ! - as GNE don't serve the Airport, although illustrated on Buzz fare zone map. Transfare expensive for return journey.

Fares should be simple to understand not only for regular users, but also for occasional travellers and visitors to the region.

I would also go further and propose a strong regional Corporate Branding with discreet sub-branding for key routes, only if necessary to be more  customers friendly.

A regional brand/logo across all modes of transport accepting multi-modal tickets would also be helpful to customers visiting the area (n.b. Geneva, Berlin, London, Paris etc...) whether it be Nexus, NECA, LA7 or something New?

Should this not be an opportunity for GNE and other operators to exploit?

Can I suggest using ex Nat Express coaches for truly express services from Teeside to Newcastle, then onward journey  to Airport, while connecting with local services in Newcastle with provision to use onward tickets to the Airport. Could be at slight premium / with luggage?

Coaches were a common use in 70's for premium express services with limited stops connecting with local services point of connection  e.g. Newcastle to / from Teesside (X1 Northern/United joint service), Consett to/from Sunderland (X6 Northern / sometimes SDO - Sunderland District Omnibus), Lanchester/ Greencroft to Ashington/Newbiggin (X30 Northern /United joint service)
Also seasonal Express Coach services to Scarborough via Whitby.

Thoughts?!

(13 Aug 2016, 8:51 am)ne14ne1 wrote Yes I agree.

(Personally I like London buses, and GNE's plain corporate red buses - they look really smart. Obviously we would have our regional 'B' logo for buses where London places it's 'Buses' roundels. 
Individual operators who win contracts to run the route can have their logo (small & white) above the front doors, under the cab window, and on the rear.
I also think any new vehicles ordered for city routes should have centre exit doors for ease and quickness, and to future-proof them for further passenger growth).

Venturgo - I still dont think that complex ticketing is really an excuse for not knowing the regions ticketing options. However obviously there is room for improvement.

I don't agree having one multi modal ticket for the region is the answer. For example, I never travel by metro or ferry, so why would I want to pay extra for not using it?
Currently I pay £77.15pm for a red & purple lifestyle pass to get to work & back etc. If I went with Nexus' multi modal ticket - Network One, I'd be paying in excess of £100pm as the ticket only lasts 28 days!
I used to live in Burnopfield and I found the (Pre-October 2015) links to town quick and convenient, however I dont think just Burnopfield suffers from poor links to the Airport. I think this is issue all over T&W
I definately agree with your proposal for the X9/X10 to be extended to the Airport, or for a dedicated Airport bus to be in operation from Newcastle.

NE14NE1: London is London, our cities are nowhere near that size. The main purpose of them having centre doors is so people can alight quicker and board faster due to the short journeys they make. Up here, we tend to travel more than 5-10mins on a bus. I think the single doors do just fine.
Also, I would personally like to live in a non mono-colour world 

It has been mention on a number of time that the 19 is going to have buses trialled on them. this will include enviro 200mmc optare solo sr wright streetlite and others