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(21 Nov 2013, 3:32 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Another GNE cock up. Nexus livery Solo 625 on 14.30 27X from Newcastle was stopped at Heworth allegedly because they needed that vehicle for a different route. The replacement MPD took so long to arrive that the passengers were kicked off, several having to pay again to travel on the non-GNE 515, and the un-identified MPD omitted the loop to Hebburn and returned to Newcastle. Yet again the convenience of the operator takes precedence over the needs of the passengers and GNE are giving more strength to the ITA proposals for the Quality Contract, which would presumably impose fines for such incompetence. Perhaps there should be compensation for delays as on the railways - I've just received £32 of vouchers from Northern Rail for a cancelled train.
(21 Nov 2013, 6:10 pm)gtomlinson wrote Anyone got any feedback on how loadings are doing?
May suffer at Christmas but then again every service does
(21 Nov 2013, 5:08 pm)Dan wrote The replacement MPD should have been at Heworth when control contacted the driver organising 625's changeover - if this didn't happen, passengers should have been advised to get on Go North East's "Crusader" 27 for free of charge.Most passengers on 27X will want stops not served by the 27 so the 515 would be a better option. The point is it's yet another case of incompetent control decisions. When I travelled on Drifter 60 last week 3 buses were running together throughout the route Seaham - Sunderland and back again - no regulation occurred and there were two 30 minute gaps. Then the least late one turned short at Seaham, but still waited to run back directly behind the "most late" one in front which had run the full route. And I see examples of poor regulation, or no regulation, virtually every time I go into GNE territory, and any regulation is usually for operational convenience rather than what's best for passengers. On the much fewer occasions I use Stagecoach all seems to run OK. For the record, however, I should point out that Arriva is crap as well and the only regulation seems to be decided by drivers themselves, usually by missing out Evenwood and Cockfield on the awful route 6 from Durham.
(21 Nov 2013, 6:21 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Most passengers on 27X will want stops not served by the 27 so the 515 would be a better option. The point is it's yet another case of incompetent control decisions. When I travelled on Drifter 60 last week 3 buses were running together throughout the route Seaham - Sunderland and back again - no regulation occurred and there were two 30 minute gaps. Then the least late one turned short at Seaham, but still waited to run back directly behind the "most late" one in front which had run the full route. And I see examples of poor regulation, or no regulation, virtually every time I go into GNE territory, and any regulation is usually for operational convenience rather than what's best for passengers. On the much fewer occasions I use Stagecoach all seems to run OK. For the record, however, I should point out that Arriva is crap as well and the only regulation seems to be decided by drivers themselves, usually by missing out Evenwood and Cockfield on the awful route 6 from Durham.
(21 Nov 2013, 6:57 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Roadworks are causing delays for the 60, there's some outside Martinos and the ones at the mill inn are horrendous! However, I do agree two buses running together (or in some cases 3!) is ridiculous! However I fear any regulation may be pointless as the roadworks will continue to disrupt the service on each run. 60's are always turning around short at the harbour, that happens from time to time.
(21 Nov 2013, 5:38 pm)Dan wrote All "Citylink" Versas should have now entered service. Red Versa 5389 entered service today on "Citylink" service 58 (photo here) while red Versa 5390 saw use on "Citylink" 58 (photo here) as well as "Orbit" 51 (photo here). Both still remain in red, and will gain "Northern" vinyls shortly.
(21 Nov 2013, 9:07 pm)busmanT wrote I don't think will be gaining "Northern" fleetnames
(21 Nov 2013, 9:16 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote What Fleetnames will they be getting then, from looking at those photos on the above post they look very plain, seems a bit pointless buying 2 extra Buses but not giving them the appropriate branding, same would apply for the B9's when they arrive.
(21 Nov 2013, 9:34 pm)aureolin wrote Seems daft for the sake of sticking a Northern vinyl on the side. Surely it gets a brand or a fleet livery? Imagine if Dairy Milk came in a plain purple wrapper...
(21 Nov 2013, 10:54 pm)Liam wrote Is Northern really a recognised identity, or is Go North East the more recognised identity? I would assume the latter, so surely a Go North East logo is enough?
(21 Nov 2013, 11:10 pm)CatsFast101 wrote And dan, I don't think a plain red bus will be the final decision! Theres clearly another suggestion for a livery but plain unbranded buses are all over at the minute, it's not good.
(21 Nov 2013, 11:59 pm)gtomlinson wrote GNE to me is far more present as a brand to the modern age than Northern which is dead as a brand aside older folk who may recognise it from years past.
Northern was last active as a brand in the 90s. A whole generation know it as GNE. It's won marketing awards as GNE. It trades as GNE. It's online as GNE. To me it is GNE
(22 Nov 2013, 7:15 am)Dan wrote You're closer than CatsFast101 to the answer, that's for sure!
(22 Nov 2013, 7:46 am)Dan wrote Maybe next time you'll be able to evaluate all hints given and suggest such a thing sooner if it's not 'rocket science', instead of trying to be funny (as on Post 2979).
