(21 Oct 2017, 9:17 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I can't see what's so special about these new destination screens design

I don't like them. I'd noticed them on the X10 when I was at Dalton Park late, one night last week, and I could barely read what the bottom line said. The 'existing' destination layout was probably the best example up here, with double width characters on both lines. Crystal clear - even at night.

Removed as quoted post no longer exists.

(21 Oct 2017, 9:59 pm)Adrian wrote I don't like them. I'd noticed them on the X10 when I was at Dalton Park late, one night last week, and I could barely read what the bottom line said. The 'existing' destination layout was probably the best example up here, with double width characters on both lines. Crystal clear - even at night.

Agree with your comments there - maybe do away with the via's completely and just have the terminal point filling the screen.

On another note, I was on a X10 B5 yesterday and sitting in the front seat upstairs and the wind noise coming from the offside was really bad, was whistling more than an old fashion kettle!!, and yet when I was on a Coastliner B5 in the afternoon going across the Moors, whilst there was a little bit of noise, it was not half as bad as the GNE example and it was just as windy.

I've not been on one of the new B5TLs yet, haven't had much inspiration to. Perhaps when Scarb'ro V2 comes along (Jimmi knows [emoji1]), I will have to!

Parking seems a nightmare there, would rather pay the £10 explorer rate and enjoy the travelling experience (best found outside of peak season times...). This is assuming the B5TLs are not just double decker streetlites whereby it's more comfortable to stand than to sit.

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(22 Oct 2017, 7:11 am)citaro5284 wrote Agree with your comments there - maybe do away with the via's completely and just have the terminal point filling the screen.

On another note, I was on a X10 B5 yesterday and sitting in the front seat upstairs and the wind noise coming from the offside was really bad, was whistling more than an old fashion kettle!!, and yet when I was on a Coastliner B5 in the afternoon going across the Moors, whilst there was a little bit of noise, it was not half as bad as the GNE example and it was just as windy.

Wind also seemed to be a issue with the B9s on the X9/X10, although it was more a case of it sounding more windy than it actually is.

Unsure what my thoughts are on the destination set ups on the likes of the X9/X10, whilst I think that having just the terminus point of the route is a good idea (doesn't really work on X9/X10 due to split registrations), I think it would be somewhat of a shame if via points were dropped, I like the the via points being static but I do wish they could be a bit more bold as it's not the easiest to read, especially from a distance and if no one can read them, they may as well not be there. 

(22 Oct 2017, 10:17 am)Jamie M wrote I've not been on one of the new B5TLs yet, haven't had much inspiration to. Perhaps when Scarb'ro V2 comes along (Jimmi knows [emoji1]), I will have to!

Parking seems a nightmare there, would rather pay the £10 explorer rate and enjoy the travelling experience (best found outside of peak season times...). This is assuming the B5TLs are not just double decker streetlites whereby it's more comfortable to stand than to sit.

Still haven't got over the last one! Mind a repeat trip couldn't be much worse than that day was for me, unless the story Andreos referenced yesterday was to occur... [vomit]

(22 Oct 2017, 7:11 am)citaro5284 wrote Agree with your comments there - maybe do away with the via's completely and just have the terminal point filling the screen.

On another note, I was on a X10 B5 yesterday and sitting in the front seat upstairs and the wind noise coming from the offside was really bad, was whistling more than an old fashion kettle!!, and yet when I was on a Coastliner B5 in the afternoon going across the Moors, whilst there was a little bit of noise, it was not half as bad as the GNE example and it was just as windy.

(22 Oct 2017, 11:40 am)Jimmi wrote Wind also seemed to be a issue with the B9s on the X9/X10, although it was more a case of it sounding more windy than it actually is.

Unsure what my thoughts are on the destination set ups on the likes of the X9/X10, whilst I think that having just the terminus point of the route is a good idea (doesn't really work on X9/X10 due to split registrations), I think it would be somewhat of a shame if via points were dropped, I like the the via points being static but I do wish they could be a bit more bold as it's not the easiest to read, especially from a distance and if no one can read them, they may as well not be there. 

Still haven't got over the last one! Mind a repeat trip couldn't be much worse than that day was for me, unless the story Andreos referenced yesterday was to occur... [vomit]

BIB: A lesson not learned? It is the same with the X1 branded B9's too. 
Not very relaxing or pleasant at all.

BII: What about poor Adam? He had to witness the actions of the passengers in question.
Poor lad.

(20 Oct 2017, 11:11 am)Dan wrote Indeed - and the colour of 5328 may come as a surprise to some...

Fleet livery red and blue.

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When will 5328 re-enter service?

(22 Oct 2017, 12:38 pm)Michael wrote When will 5328 re-enter service?

Hopefully tomorrow, after it goes its monthly vehicle inspection.

(22 Oct 2017, 12:54 pm)Dan wrote Hopefully tomorrow, after it goes its monthly vehicle inspection.

Which service at Deptford will it be allocated to?

(22 Oct 2017, 12:54 pm)Michael wrote Which depot/service will it be allocated to?

Deptford.

(22 Oct 2017, 12:55 pm)Dan wrote Deptford.

Edited my post as you replied haha.


Interesting it has no tagline or Advert frames... will it be branded like the 49?

(05 Oct 2017, 2:45 pm)S813 FVK wrote Somewhat old news now, but to aid with the updating of the news, I have listed the missing taglines below attaching photos where possible:

633: '35 Million Miles' tagline replaced with the 'Recharge Your Batteries' variant
647: 'Never Miss Your Stop'
4966: '35 Million Miles'
5205: 'Recharge Your Batteries'
5206: 'Recharge Your Batteries'
5207: 'Never Miss Your Stop'
5214: 'Stay Connected'
5216: 'No Change?'
5217: 'No Change?'
5451: 'Stay Connected'

5452 had the 'Stay Connected' tagline too but lost this when it gained its 'BIG days out' advertisement.

Missed this post at the time, but I've updated these now.

Most of these were done in late August, with a few stragglers done in early September. I think there's only two left which need to be caught (708 and 8328) - the latter will be done by Saltmeadows Road, when it goes through the paint shop to have its cant rail updated to the black design as per more recent Versa repaints. The tagline on 648 could well change, too, as it's due to be painted tomorrow.

A handful of the fleet livery buses are still yet to receive the web URLs and relevant feature symbols.

(21 Oct 2017, 9:17 pm)Rapidsnap wrote I can't see what's so special about these new destination screens design

They very clearly lay out the intermediate destinations without losing sense of the end point of the route.

I've spent long enough staring at them while waiting for those slowwwww lights at four lane ends in spenny to change! Not quite long enough to get from one end of the list to the other.

I agree with Citaro5284.... I would prefer the dest to do say the destination on the full screen and do away with the via point altogether ?

(20 Oct 2017, 10:00 pm)Citaro5326 wrote Id say they will start repainting the following:
Saltwell Park's 8339-8346
Drifter's 5369-5376
Citylink 58's 5377-5384 
Connections 4 5357-5368
Fab fifty six 6086-6098
Cobalt clipper 6101-6117
And ventures are getting done .

Connections 4 citaros will be repainted under warranty not by GNE

Id imagine the B5Hs will be done first as they are a year older

Quick questions...

How long will the Big Day Out Adverts be around for (still need to get City and Dino)?

Also where does the Sunderland Pride bus normally hide?

Reducing the amount of scrolling places would be better, with short runs only showing destination eg:-

49 Winlaton via Metrocentre & Blaydon
49 Gateshead via Metrocentre & Dunston
49 Metrocentre Bus Station

X1 Newcastle via Galleries & Gateshead
X1 Easington Lane via Galleries & Houghton
X1 Washington Galleries

57 Hadrian Park via Old Durham Road, Newcastle & Battle Hill Drive
57 Wardley via Newcastle, Beacon Lough & Heworth
57 Heworth Metro
57 Newcastle via Gateshead
57 Gateshead Metro via Newcastle

21 Newcastle via Chester, Birtley & Low Fell
21 Chester le Str via Low Fell & Birtley
21 Durham via Low Fell, Birtley & Chester le Str
21 Durham then Bishop Auckland
21 Durham then Newcastle

(22 Oct 2017, 7:02 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Quick questions...

How long will the Big Day Out Adverts be around for (still need to get City and Dino)?

Also where does the Sunderland Pride bus normally hide?

No plans to get rid of the Big Days Out branded buses in the immediate future - the campaign is to be used all year round, with a big push during all of the school holidays (so next week's school holidays will have an autumnal themed campaign, the Christmas holidays will have a winter themed campaign, etc).

The Sunderland Pride bus is the spare for the X5, and if all of the branded Mercedes Citaros are on the road, it is used on either the 9 or 35 instead.

(22 Oct 2017, 7:12 pm)park5354 wrote Reducing the amount of scrolling places would be better, with short runs only showing destination eg:-

49  Winlaton via Metrocentre & Blaydon
49 Gateshead via Metrocentre & Dunston
49 Metrocentre Bus Station

X1 Newcastle via Galleries & Gateshead
X1 Easington Lane via Galleries & Houghton
X1 Washington Galleries

57 Hadrian Park via Old Durham Road, Newcastle & Battle Hill Drive
57 Wardley via Newcastle, Beacon Lough & Heworth
57 Heworth Metro
57 Newcastle via Gateshead
57 Gateshead Metro via Newcastle

21 Newcastle via Chester, Birtley & Low Fell
21 Chester le Str via Low Fell & Birtley
21 Durham via Low Fell, Birtley & Chester le Str
21 Durham then Bishop Auckland
21 Durham then Newcastle

40/41 around wallsend and hadrian park would be perfect to have short ones. 
1s could but also for the wallsend termination they could put metro on top line too

---

Quite a varity of buses in 900s today

Vykings, b7s,gemini 2,b9s

(23 Oct 2017, 12:06 am)Jordan2104 wrote 40/41 around wallsend and hadrian park would be perfect to have short ones. 
1s could but also for the wallsend termination they could put metro on top line too

---

Quite a varity of buses in 900s today

Vykings, b7s,gemini 2,b9s

I agree with the 40/41,ive when a 41 thats started at Hadrian Park it will still show all of its via points as if it had done the full route

Today I rode the left front seat of Citaro 5301.
I was soon aware of a smell of diesel - something that reminded me of when we had Citaros on the TEN.
I thought that the fuel tank is located in the area of the right front wheel?

(22 Oct 2017, 7:12 pm)park5354 wrote Reducing the amount of scrolling places would be better, with short runs only showing destination eg:-

49  Winlaton via Metrocentre & Blaydon
49 Gateshead via Metrocentre & Dunston
49 Metrocentre Bus Station

X1 Newcastle via Galleries & Gateshead
X1 Easington Lane via Galleries & Houghton
X1 Washington Galleries

57 Hadrian Park via Old Durham Road, Newcastle & Battle Hill Drive
57 Wardley via Newcastle, Beacon Lough & Heworth
57 Heworth Metro
57 Newcastle via Gateshead
57 Gateshead Metro via Newcastle

21 Newcastle via Chester, Birtley & Low Fell
21 Chester le Str via Low Fell & Birtley
21 Durham via Low Fell, Birtley & Chester le Str
21 Durham then Bishop Auckland
21 Durham then Newcastle

I've been thinking about this for a while after seeing the X9/10 (one or both, cant remember) not showing anything about Gateshead on the rear blind after Dalton Park.
I followed it for a bit and wondered whether people (visitors or infrequent users) would know it stopped at Gateshead and offered connections elsewhere.
Particularly when you take the X55 in to account.

Then when seeing your post, I thought back to the old roller blinds. Obviously space was limited and via points restricted.
I am guessing feedback from passengers at the time indicated a preference for more detail. It's not as if bus companies just come up with ideas without asking their customers what they think

Then I thought about vehicle branding and route consolidation.
It would potentially help reduce the need for via several points.
Assuming the vehicle was allocated correctly.

Are the Citaros wider than the Solars? 
I've just checked and the Citaro is 2550mm whilst the Solar is just 2500mm. 
Maybe the mirrors are also bigger?
A recent X84 trip through Ovington had the driver proceeding extremely 'cautiously' - and it seems that the X84 is still using the Solars with the X85s using the Citaros.

Under the previous time table the X84s and X85s alternated at each end I believe, whereas with the X85 now extended to Newbrough this doesn't seem to happen.

(23 Oct 2017, 7:25 pm)G-CPTN wrote Are the Citaros wider than the Solars? 
I've just checked and the Citaro is 2550mm whilst the Solar is just 2500mm. 
Maybe the mirrors are also bigger?
A recent X84 trip through Ovington had the driver proceeding extremely 'cautiously' - and it seems that the X84 is still using the Solars with the X85s using the Citaros.

Under the previous time table the X84s and X85s alternated at each end I believe, whereas with the X85 now extended to Newbrough this doesn't seem to happen.

The X84/X85 interwork at Newcastle (i.e bus goes into Newcastle as an X84, then comes back out as an X85).

(23 Oct 2017, 7:31 pm)Dan wrote The X84/X85 interwork at Newcastle (i.e bus goes into Newcastle as an X84, then comes back out as an X85).

Thanks - that shoots down my' 'theory'. 
I only see them at the Hexham end.

(23 Oct 2017, 7:25 pm)G-CPTN wrote Are the Citaros wider than the Solars? 
I've just checked and the Citaro is 2550mm whilst the Solar is just 2500mm. 
Maybe the mirrors are also bigger?
A recent X84 trip through Ovington had the driver proceeding extremely 'cautiously' - and it seems that the X84 is still using the Solars with the X85s using the Citaros.

Under the previous time table the X84s and X85s alternated at each end I believe, whereas with the X85 now extended to Newbrough this doesn't seem to happen.

Getting stuck was a problem with the Solars, too. Last time I travelled through there by bus, one ended up having to reverse back up the road until we could pass.

(23 Oct 2017, 7:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've been thinking about this for a while after seeing the X9/10 (one or both, cant remember) not showing anything about Gateshead on the rear blind after Dalton Park.
I followed it for a bit and wondered whether people (visitors or infrequent users) would know it stopped at Gateshead and offered connections elsewhere.
Particularly when you take the X55 in to account.

Then when seeing your post, I thought back to the old roller blinds. Obviously space was limited and via points restricted.
I am guessing feedback from passengers at the time indicated a preference for more detail. It's not as if bus companies just come up with ideas without asking their customers what they think

Then I thought about vehicle branding and route consolidation.
It would potentially help reduce the need for via several points.
Assuming the vehicle was allocated correctly.

I'm not too sure what you think you saw, but both the X9/X10 services have Gateshead as a via point on the displays after Peterlee and Dalton Park respectively.

The new style is being evaluated by Go North East's management. The general feeling towards the 'old' style of destination display was that there were too many via points, and the scrolling ultimately detracted attention from the terminal point. There's less of a need for via points to be as prominently shown on the displays now because of route branding, as you say, which often includes key destinations served by the services which those vehicles are allocated to (assuming they're allocated to the correct routes!)

It may be worth Go North East seeking feedback through the official channels, but I'm doubtful many customers, outside of the enthusiast community, would actually care (if we're honest). Destination displays and Next Stop Announcements are, for some reason, quite a big thing in the enthusiast community. I was guilty of it myself. A lot of enthusiasts pay close attention to them, have downloaded the software and make their own displays, etc. For the average punter - a bus branded for the Fab56 could be showing "Not In Service" on the front display, and they'd still stick their hands out for it thinking it's the 56, as they haven't read the display.

Most customers, if they're unsure whether a bus goes somewhere, will query this with the driver. Whether the via points were 'flashing' (as in the new style) or scrolling, doesn't make too much of a difference.

The new style is similar to the style used by Arriva Durham County, which they've used for quite some time now, with the main difference being Go North East continuing to use the larger and bolder route number in Arial font. Whilst a lot of enthusiasts now prefer the route number being in an Arial font, this too gained some negative feedback when it was first introduced on the Citylink58. I don't think we'll ever please everyone. I believe some of the other operators in the Go-Ahead Group use the new style, as well as First Group. The express service "bar" is also widely used by First Group, and whilst it may be difficult to read in low-light conditions, it certainly stands out during the day, in my opinion.

Only showing the terminal point is an interesting thought, and possibly one that will be looked at one day. Lothian Buses have started doing this up in the Scottish capital, following their introduction of Hanover Displays, replacing their old roller-blinds (which did contain a small number of via points).

(24 Oct 2017, 6:41 am)Dan wrote I'm not too sure what you think you saw, but both the X9/X10 services have Gateshead as a via point on the displays after Peterlee and Dalton Park respectively.

The new style is being evaluated by Go North East's management. The general feeling towards the 'old' style of destination display was that there were too many via points, and the scrolling ultimately detracted attention from the terminal point. There's less of a need for via points to be as prominently shown on the displays now because of route branding, as you say, which often includes key destinations served by the services which those vehicles are allocated to (assuming they're allocated to the correct routes!)

It may be worth Go North East seeking feedback through the official channels, but I'm doubtful many customers, outside of the enthusiast community, would actually care (if we're honest). Destination displays and Next Stop Announcements are, for some reason, quite a big thing in the enthusiast community. I was guilty of it myself. A lot of enthusiasts pay close attention to them, have downloaded the software and make their own displays, etc. For the average punter - a bus branded for the Fab56 could be showing "Not In Service" on the front display, and they'd still stick their hands out for it thinking it's the 56, as they haven't read the display.

Most customers, if they're unsure whether a bus goes somewhere, will query this with the driver. Whether the via points were 'flashing' (as in the new style) or scrolling, doesn't make too much of a difference.

The new style is similar to the style used by Arriva Durham County, which they've used for quite some time now, with the main difference being Go North East continuing to use the larger and bolder route number in Arial font. Whilst a lot of enthusiasts now prefer the route number being in an Arial font, this too gained some negative feedback when it was first introduced on the Citylink58. I don't think we'll ever please everyone. I believe some of the other operators in the Go-Ahead Group use the new style, as well as First Group. The express service "bar" is also widely used by First Group, and whilst it may be difficult to read in low-light conditions, it certainly stands out during the day, in my opinion.

Only showing the terminal point is an interesting thought, and possibly one that will be looked at one day. Lothian Buses have started doing this up in the Scottish capital, following their introduction of Hanover Displays, replacing their old roller-blinds (which did contain a small number of via points).

I will have to check the dashcam footage for the exact wording, but between Dalton Park and the Ryhope/Seaham junction, Gateshead wasn't mentioned once (similar to the Bournmoor example on the 4 ex Heworth before it was added).

The wording on the X9/10 was like or similar to 'calling at Newcastle'. Maybe the display was knackered, but Gateshead definitely didn't appear in the period I was behind it.

Just a quick comment regarding customers outside the community not actually caring.
TOC's thought similar. However the Customer Panels are proving extremely valuable.
Being involved in a handful of the projects since the beginning, I have seen proposals and changes adapted or thrown out completely.
They were introduced for the likes of VTEC and Northern late last year off memory. VTWC have had theirs for a slightly longer period, all be it in a different format. Not sure what is happening with the SWT panel since the franchise was handed over.

Not everything is put to these panels, but they are seen as a valuable tool in improving not only the customer experience, but the relationship between the operator and passenger.

(24 Oct 2017, 7:12 am)Andreos1 wrote I will have to check the dashcam footage for the exact wording, but between Dalton Park and the Ryhope/Seaham junction, Gateshead wasn't mentioned once (similar to the Bournmoor example on the 4 ex Heworth before it was added).

The wording on the X9/10 was like or similar to 'calling at Newcastle'. Maybe the display was knackered, but Gateshead definitely didn't appear in the period I was behind it.

Sorry, I thought you meant that you were on a section of the X9/X10 route which allows via points.

Because both of these services are now split, to avoid having to conform to EU regulations (tachographs, driving hours, etc), the display from Newcastle (legally) has to read "Peterlee then Middlesbrough" (X9) or "Dalton Park then Middlesbrough" (X10) as this is how the services are registered. The same applies in the opposite direction, but "Middlesbrough" is substituted for "Newcastle".

Sadly there's nothing that can be done about this - it is the downside to operators using this legal loophole on long-distance services.

On their X12 service; Arriva show "Durham for Middlesbrough", but the "for Middlesbrough" line flashes off and then "via Chester-le-Street" comes on. Whilst this is perfectly legal, I'd argue it's in the best interests of operators to show (what is perceived by customers to be) the terminal point at all times, to minimise confusion. Otherwise it looks like the service terminates at Durham (X12), Peterlee (X9) or Dalton Park (X10).

(24 Oct 2017, 7:12 am)Andreos1 wrote Just a quick comment regarding customers outside the community not actually caring.
TOC's thought similar. However the Customer Panels are proving extremely valuable.
Being involved in a handful of the projects since the beginning, I have seen proposals and changes adapted or thrown out completely.
They were introduced for the likes of VTEC and Northern late last year off memory. VTWC have had theirs for a slightly longer period, all be it in a different format. Not sure what is happening with the SWT panel since the franchise was handed over.

Not everything is put to these panels, but they are seen as a valuable tool in improving not only the customer experience, but the relationship between the operator and passenger.

Not sure about Arriva or Stagecoach, but Go North East has a "Passenger Panel".

Periodically - by e-mail - customers are invited to participate in a survey. I've shared examples in the past, but I am no longer a part of this panel so not sure how regularly these surveys are still undertaken. They tended to influence more business-critical decisions than what wanted to show on destination displays, though.

Example of a survey undertaken previously:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1402&pid=96675

I've heard nothing from the panel since joining it in 2015

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