(25 Jan 2025, 9:46 pm)lewisparker1509 wrote the 56 is either deptford or washington depot, i can't remember which one but it's 100% one or the other. riverside do actually do one morning run from sunderland to newcastle using a crusader and then spends the rest of the day on the 27s

Sorry i meant the Streetdecks would more lilely go to Riverside than go on the 56.

Should of really re-read my post before posting.

(26 Jan 2025, 10:13 am)Michael wrote Sorry i meant the Streetdecks would more lilely go to Riverside than go on the 56.

Should of really re-read my post before posting.

The thing is if GNE operate them in areas and on routes where they have a monopoly, they're most likely to get bad press. Whereas if they run them on the 307 & 309, they're pretty easy services and GNE also have Arriva to bail them out on the 306 & 308 in most parts so not as noticeable to the public.

Saying that however, I don't think NECA would be happy with GNE allocating unreliable vehicles on an enhanced partnership agreement corridor, neither would Arriva be if they made an effort (when the Gemini 2's are eventually replaced) and got hammered timekeeping wise having to carry GNE's loads.

(26 Jan 2025, 10:38 am)L469 YVK wrote The thing is if GNE operate them in areas and on routes where they have a monopoly, they're most likely to get bad press. Whereas if they run them on the 307 & 309, they're pretty easy services and GNE also have Arriva to bail them out on the 306 & 308 in most parts so not as noticeable to the public.

Saying that however, I don't think NECA would be happy with GNE allocating unreliable vehicles on an enhanced partnership agreement corridor, neither would Arriva be if they made an effort (when the Gemini 2's are eventually replaced) and got hammered timekeeping wise having to carry GNE's loads.

Wouldn't surprise me, if they went on the 307/309.

We're at the point where in the next couple of years, where GNE will need to look at replacing the 100? buses, which arrived in 2013.

No doubt, they'll not be though because the top people at Go Ahead will be focusing on London and Manchester which will get the new buses and we'll get more 2nd hand rubbish.

As for the current situation though. GNE used Cummins engined Streetlites (4.5L) on the 45/46/47 for 5 years without too many issues. Surely the StreetDeck & B5TL could handle the X32 (2bph with X31 withdrawn) /X45/X70/X73 with few issues.

Then with 6x E400MMC kept at Consett for the X30 & X71 (PVR 4x with 2x spare), would give Riverside 14x E400MMC + 6377 to cover a PVR of 12x with all vehicles being rotated to spread mileage & route demands.

Then if the Cobalts end up with the Angel StreetDecks:
- 8x B9TL - 16/16A
- 7x B9TL - X20
- 2x B9TL - Consett spares**

**Depending on how many VOR's, could use a mix of B9TLs, StreetDeck/B5TL or E400MMC on the X5/X15.

(25 Jan 2025, 10:30 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote I noticed this comment in the BBC article as well, about newer GNE vehicles being sent to GNW - all of note that I can recall permanently heading West were the Citaros ages ago, which were hardly new even then though?

The B5LHs seem to have vanished entirely, replaced by second-hand 61-plate buses. If I recall correctly, the B5LHs were supposedly heading to EYMS, though they were originally meant to go to GNW to join the B&H ones now in service there. 

As for 6334 and 6335, they were sent to GNW after undergoing internal refurbishments and a repaint. Interestingly, they’ve since been repainted into Bee Network livery and undergone yet another internal refurbishment.

You also have the 'other' Enviro 400MMCS which were ordered for Go North East but then diverted to Oxford.

(26 Jan 2025, 1:52 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote The B5LHs seem to have vanished entirely, replaced by second-hand 61-plate buses. If I recall correctly, the B5LHs were supposedly heading to EYMS, though they were originally meant to go to GNW to join the B&H ones now in service there. 

As for 6334 and 6335, they were sent to GNW after undergoing internal refurbishments and a repaint. Interestingly, they’ve since been repainted into Bee Network livery and undergone yet another internal refurbishment.

You also have the 'other' Enviro 400MMCS which were ordered for Go North East but then diverted to Oxford.

Seems like a non-issue to me.  Swapping mid life vehicles for similar type around 1 year older isn't great but is also not a big deal to be flagging to the BBC as part of the reason for the current embarrassment that is GNE.  I highly doubt that getting rid of the hybrids and replacing them with the London deckers has anything to do with the current mess.  Particularly when the second hand tat seems better able to remain on the road than much of the newer indigenous stock.

(26 Jan 2025, 3:25 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Seems like a non-issue to me.  Swapping mid life vehicles for similar type around 1 year older isn't great but is also not a big deal to be flagging to the BBC as part of the reason for the current embarrassment that is GNE.  I highly doubt that getting rid of the hybrids and replacing them with the London deckers has anything to do with the current mess.  Particularly when the second hand tat seems better able to remain on the road than much of the newer indigenous stock.

Personally I'd argue the E400's are a big reason why GNE are a mess that they are.

The fleet currently consists of
Coaches: Unsure atm
Deckers: E400 ADL/E400 Optare/E400MMC/B5TL/B7TL/B9TL/Streetdeck
Singles: E200MMC/Streetlite/Yutong Diesel/Yutong Electric/Versa/Citaro/Solo SR/Merc Cityline

It's an absolutely ridiculous number of vehicles and it feels like certain depots have the vast majority of them, Consett being one of them. Parts is a big issue for the engineering issues and unless you want a warehouse of parts then there's a lot of spare stock required there.

5492 died at Lanchester this morning, very early doors. Not long been recovered by Alpha

6220 doesn’t have working reversing warning and it’s reverse lights seem hit and miss

Workaround is the driver beeping his horn as it reverses…

It’s also raining inside

(27 Jan 2025, 2:38 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote 5492 died at Lanchester this morning, very early doors. Not long been recovered by Alpha

It must be costing GNE a fortune for recovery at the minute with initial callout fees and mileage rates!

(26 Jan 2025, 3:55 pm)Storx wrote Personally I'd argue the E400's are a big reason why GNE are a mess that they are.

The fleet currently consists of
Coaches: Unsure atm
Deckers: E400 ADL/E400 Optare/E400MMC/B5TL/B7TL/B9TL/Streetdeck
Singles: E200MMC/Streetlite/Yutong Diesel/Yutong Electric/Versa/Citaro/Solo SR/Merc Cityline

It's an absolutely ridiculous number of vehicles and it feels like certain depots have the vast majority of them, Consett being one of them. Parts is a big issue for the engineering issues and unless you want a warehouse of parts then there's a lot of spare stock required there.

Quite interesting you mention the deckers too.

If GNE and GoEY could agree a swap (with some expenditure diverted to GNE to compensate for the older vehicles), would GNE not be better swapping their E400MMC (x20) for GoEY's low height EvoSeti's (X20)?

Still have the non-commonality to some extent, but keeps the front line diesel double deckers either Volvo (B5TL, B9TL) or WrightBus integral (StreetDeck).

As for the X10, that could benefit from the capital expenditure release and maybe receive some new Ultroliners. And if GAG feeling generous, some actual additional investment into GNE on top for the X21 to receive an upgrade and one single common fleet for the X10 & X21.

(27 Jan 2025, 6:22 pm)L469 YVK wrote Quite interesting you mention the deckers too.

If GNE and GoEY could agree a swap (with some expenditure diverted to GNE to compensate for the older vehicles), would GNE not be better swapping their E400MMC (x20) for GoEY's low height EvoSeti's (X20)?

Still have the non-commonality to some extent, but keeps the front line diesel double deckers either Volvo (B5TL, B9TL) or WrightBus integral (StreetDeck).

As for the X10, that could benefit from the capital expenditure release and maybe receive some new Ultroliners. And if GAG feeling generous, some actual additional investment into GNE on top for the X21 to receive an upgrade and one single common fleet for the X10 & X21.

Probably do the opposite personally, and send the B5's down to EYMS in return for the newest B9's. There's only a 2 year difference and they'd arguably be better that having 7 buses which pretty much live VOR which are on the road today just to prove me wrong. 

If you wanted to go into that territory there's loads you could do tbh between GoAhead areas as it's a problem all over. 

The microfleet of Mercs here being swapped for the microfleet of Streetlites down in the Oxford area to pick one.

Looks like both electric Yutongs in use on the H today have been pulled off before they made it to lunchtime. 6357 is one of the replacements, which was taken off an X21 earlier, looks to have broken at the Freeman prior to the 1220.

oh honestly....

(28 Jan 2025, 12:34 pm)PH - BQA wrote Looks like both electric Yutongs in use on the H today have been pulled off before they made it to lunchtime. 6357 is one of the replacements, which was taken off an X21 earlier, looks to have broken at the Freeman prior to the 1220.

8805 was involved in a RTA with a pedestrian, unsure why the other one came off.

(28 Jan 2025, 8:30 pm)NL62WVW wrote 8805 was involved in a RTA with a pedestrian, unsure why the other one came off.

Believe 8804 was on Monday too at the top of Matthew Bank. 

Obviously hope those involved in both incidents are okay.

I mean if you're going to be hit by a bus, you'd want it to be a bus full of medical staff.

Adding to Washington woes

6214 has been abandoned at the cannon for 2 hours mid 22 run

6340 was broken down near South Causey with an engineer in attendance earlier on. 

Showing as being back in service tonight

(30 Jan 2025, 5:17 pm)Ambassador wrote Adding to Washington woes

6214 has been abandoned at the cannon for 2  hours mid 22 run

Looking at tracking, that looks like it already had an issue earlier on aswell. It might manage a full run by the end of the day as it seems to have a service of

Run 1: To Newcastle, issues 30 minutes late - Got there
Run 2: To CLS, Cancelled, ran empty to CLS
Run 3: To Newcastle, broke down at Birtley
Run 4: To CLS, Cancelled
Run 5: To Newcastle, Ran short from Birtley
Run 6: Now

Be interesting to see what VOSA would say if they made a random spot check on it as I'd be surprised if it passed as there's clearly something wrong.

Another E200 joins the sick list tonight. 5494 towed in by Alpha. Thats 5492, 5494 and 5495 off the road now.

6179 heading through Lanchester waking the entire village up, fairly sure its at Consett now and I can still hear it ....

Storx
Looking at tracking, that looks like it already had an issue earlier on aswell. It might manage a full run by the end of the day as it seems to have a service of

Run 1: To Newcastle, issues 30 minutes late - Got there
Run 2: To CLS, Cancelled, ran empty to CLS
Run 3: To Newcastle, broke down at Birtley
Run 4: To CLS, Cancelled
Run 5: To Newcastle, Ran short from Birtley
Run 6: Now

Be interesting to see what VOSA would say if they made a random spot check on it as I'd be surprised if it passed as there's clearly something wrong.

-----

(fubarred the formatting) 

2 hour gaps in the 22 thus afternoon. Looks like 5399 gave up in Wrekenton, this time. (spotted it when waiting for a no show X21 at Eldon square - turns out that was 6357 that looks to have conked out in Low Fell)

(Yesterday, 3:02 pm)BusLoverMum wrote (spotted it when waiting for a no show X21 at Eldon square - turns out that was 6357 that looks to have conked out in Low Fell)

Nice to know a few people were probably enjoying a ride on effectively a ghost bus through Whickham & Dunston (double the seats pre Nov 2019) whilst there was probably a queue at Eldon Square waiting for a 4 pot heap of s***e expected to run GNE's 2nd longest route!

Boils my **** knowing that GNE could easily solve the issues on the X10 & X21 yet have just took the lazy option not only for vehicle allocations, but interworking patterns & efficiencies!

(Yesterday, 5:13 pm)L469 YVK wrote Nice to know a few people were probably enjoying a ride on effectively a ghost bus through Whickham & Dunston (double the seats pre Nov 2019) whilst there was probably a queue at Eldon Square waiting for a 4 pot heap of s***e expected to run GNE's 2nd longest route!

Boils my **** knowing that GNE could easily solve the issues on the X10 & X21 yet have just took the lazy option not only for vehicle allocations, but interworking patterns & efficiencies!

There was a very grumbly queue at Eldon Square! The next X21 turned up late, at the same time as the X12. I gave Arriva my £2.50 and lots of others had the same idea.

(Yesterday, 5:41 pm)BusLoverMum wrote There was a very grumbly queue at Eldon Square! The next X21 turned up late, at the same time as the X12. I gave Arriva my £2.50 and lots of others had the same idea.

I don't blame you.

GNE's problem is easily solvable. All of 6308-14 & 6356-63 to Consett + 6x E400MMC with timetable below. More than enough to cover PVR & spares. Then 14x E400MMC + 6377 covering the X10 & X21 with 3x spares.

- X32 omits Lobley Hill Est and 2bph
- X70 serves Lobley Hill Est
- X31 dropped
- X30/X71 half hourly through Whickham & Dunston

Only issue GNE would have is ths X20 but could get some Cobalt B9TL's if 307/309 get the Angel StreetDecks (which is likely).

Problem solved!

I'd forgotten that we picked up the passengers off, presumably, 6358 on our way in, this morning. That one gave up in Chester-le-Street. (and, yes, some had stubbornly waited half an hour for the next X21 rather than catch one of the several 21s in the meantime). Though it looks like one of the 21s started from later in the route, too.

And that's with an R in the month so no excuse!

(Yesterday, 6:22 pm)L469 YVK wrote I don't blame you.

GNE's problem is easily solvable. All of 6308-14 & 6356-63 to Consett + 6x E400MMC with timetable below. More than enough to cover PVR & spares. Then 14x E400MMC + 6377 covering the X10 & X21 with 3x spares.

- X32 omits Lobley Hill Est and 2bph
- X70 serves Lobley Hill Est
- X31 dropped
- X30/X71 half hourly through Whickham & Dunston

Only issue GNE would have is ths X20 but could get some Cobalt B9TL's if 307/309 get the Angel StreetDecks (which is likely).

Problem solved!

Enough now, how many times are you going to post this crap, surely you get the message by now no one agrees with you?

Believe me as someone who uses these services you hate so much I can tell you these buses are nowhere near the answer to your prayers.

Just as examples last week I was an an E400 on the X30 that was struggling so much I thought it was't going to get up Dunston bank, could have walked it quicker. The week before everytime the stop/start kicked in the bus gradually got less and less keen on restarting, to the point when it got to Sunniside we were on the verge of having to get off before the driver finally got it restarted. These are not isolated incidents, and the fact that a large number of services this week have be run by coast and county streetlites suggest a number of them have given up.

If they're going to change anything lets go back to X30 twice an hour and X31 twice an hour as before, personally I prefer it going via Whickham/Dunston as it gets into the right side of town, unlike the trip over the Tyne Bridge but if you give me the X30 back twice an hour you can do whatever you like with the X31/32.

(Yesterday, 8:30 pm)garym67 wrote Enough now, how many times are you going to post this crap, surely you get the message by now no one agrees with you?

Believe me as someone who uses these services you hate so much I can tell you these buses are nowhere near the answer to your prayers.

Just as examples last week I was an an E400 on the X30 that was struggling so much I thought it was't going to get up Dunston bank, could have walked it quicker. The week before everytime the stop/start kicked in the bus gradually got less and less keen on restarting, to the point when it got to Sunniside we were on the verge of having to get off before the driver finally got it restarted. These are not isolated incidents, and the fact that a large number of services this week have be run by coast and county streetlites suggest a number of them have given up.

If they're going to change anything lets go back to X30 twice an hour and X31 twice an hour as before, personally I prefer it going via Whickham/Dunston as it gets into the right side of town, unlike the trip over the Tyne Bridge but if you give me the X30 back twice an hour you can do whatever you like with the X31/32.

Well why have Arriva Northumbria used the E400 Classic (ZF) and E400MMC (Voith) as the bus of choice on the X14/X15/X18/X20 and X21/X22/35? And the X93/X94? 

Not forgetting Stagecoach and the 685?

Could be a maintenance issue with GNE (well more than likely)? Any recall of Arriva 7501-06 which were ruined by Blyth / Redcar shilst 7507-13 ran well out of Ashington?

There was a non CAZ Citaro on the 29

Rather than do the right thing and pay the relatively small fee…Go Nowhere ran it short to Gateshead

Absolutely shameless