We have a Nexus thread, so thought it prudent to have one for DCC.
No harm in creating one for other authorities either.

Noticed last weekend, that the Northbound stop on Durham Road, just north of Blind Lane/Park Road North is being reconstructed, now the works have finished in the area.
It is of a stone/concrete roof design.

Also, I believe a stop is being planned for the stretch of road on the site of the old firestation at Fencehouses (northbound).
The new houses seem to have been fully constructed and with a stop being on the other side for Chester/Houghton services, it made sense putting a northbound stop there, filling the big void that exists currently.
A layby type facility has been built already.

I hadn't realised (because I never use it!) that ENCTS holders get free use of the Durham Park and Ride services? Not sure why they would? Surely being old doesn't qualify for free parking.

I imagine it would be for travelling from points en route, such as Aykley Heads to North Road.

(19 Dec 2014, 2:57 pm)Jimmi wrote I imagine it would be for travelling from points en route, such as Aykley Heads to North Road.

There's any amounts of services serve that section of the route. Same with Howlands, and same with Belmont.

Is it not just a bus service, that happens to terminate at a car park?
Extend it to West Rainton or Langley Park and its no different to owt else.
Its just a service operating under contract/tender, like the 82/83 are on an evening.
If it was an entirely private set up, such as the Airshow or Enchanted Park services - then I could (maybe) understand why passes weren't accepted.

I have seen passengers get off at Belmont P&R and cross over to their homes in Carville. Essentially using it as an alternative to the 20/20a.

(19 Dec 2014, 5:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is it not just a bus service, that happens to terminate at a car park?
Extend it to West Rainton or Langley Park and its no different to owt else.
Its just a service operating under contract/tender, like the 82/83 are on an evening.
If it was an entirely private set up, such as the Airshow or Enchanted Park services - then I could (maybe) understand why passes weren't accepted.

I have seen passengers get off at Belmont P&R and cross over to their homes in Carville. Essentially using it as an alternative to the 20/20a.

But as a fare paying passenger, I couldn't get a ticket from North Road to County Hall for example. I'd have to get an Adult Day Return, as no single fares are available. It's a service setup and designed as a Park & Ride service. I couldn't go and stick a car in Belmont, and then jump on GNE's 20, even though it'd save me 25%?

(19 Dec 2014, 5:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is it not just a bus service, that happens to terminate at a car park?
Extend it to West Rainton or Langley Park and its no different to owt else.
Its just a service operating under contract/tender, like the 82/83 are on an evening.
If it was an entirely private set up, such as the Airshow or Enchanted Park services - then I could (maybe) understand why passes weren't accepted.

I have seen passengers get off at Belmont P&R and cross over to their homes in Carville. Essentially using it as an alternative to the 20/20a.

But as a fare paying passenger, I couldn't get a ticket from North Road to County Hall for example. I'd have to get an Adult Day Return, as no single fares are available. It's a service setup and designed as a Park & Ride service. I couldn't go and stick a car in Belmont, and then jump on GNE's 20, even though it'd save me 25%?

I've seen passengers jump on a 20 at Leazes Bowl and get off at the Ford Garage, heading to the P&R.
Might not be the done thing, but it happens. Waiting in the queue of traffic, you see them waiting to cross the road.
Pass holders of different types do it quite often.

Whilst I see where you are coming from, whether its designed as a P&R or not, its still a service designed to make money.
Scarlet Band put their tender in, the Council accept it. Scarlet Band then make the money to ensure the service is viable.

Peterlee Bus Station now owned by DCC:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-30610283

(27 Dec 2014, 4:06 pm)G-CPTN wrote Peterlee Bus Station now owned by DCC:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-30610283

So much for being skint.

"Durham County Council now owns all the county's bus stations and has promised "greater co-ordination" of services." - How exactly? They have no control over commercial services.

I am actually quite pleased to see DCC purchase the facility.
Although the initial outlay will obviously make a dent in the coffers, revenue raised by charging operators using the facility and any other associated rents, can can only be a good thing.

Obviously their property portfolio is also increasing, so should central government cuts kick in even more, then they can sell these assets for (hopefully) a profit.

(27 Dec 2014, 6:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote I am actually quite pleased to see DCC purchase the facility.
Although the initial outlay will obviously make a dent in the coffers, revenue raised by charging operators using the facility and any other associated rents, can can only be a good thing.

Obviously their property portfolio is also increasing, so should central government cuts kick in even more, then they can sell these assets for (hopefully) a profit.

Although it depends how much is charged per departure? Nexus charge 16p per departure from Jarrow bus station, which is probably directly comparable to Peterlee. If you had 20 departures per hour for say 12 hours a day, then it's only going to make them about 14k per annum. It'd cost more than that to staff it?

Of course, the charges being made will have an impact on any profit/loss being made.

As far as I am aware, the land is freehold - so there is one cost which can be eliminated.
The income from operators will make a difference, I have no idea on vehicles per hour passing through Peterlee or what the current rates are, but I genuinely can't see DCC making a regular loss on it. It wouldn't make economic sense (in the current climate or otherwise), to purchase something and make a loss on it.

Maybe an FOI needs submitting

If anyone is interested you can now get a leaflet map showing all the bus routes in County Durham (similar style to the old Durham Pindar site, but different colours) it is currently available in Durham Bus Station.

(16 Jan 2015, 4:43 pm)Jimmi wrote If anyone is interested you can now get a leaflet map showing all the bus routes in County Durham (similar style to the old Durham Pindar site, but different colours) it is currently available in Durham Bus Station.

The maps are generally released every few year or so. I have one from 1992, and another from 2009, produced in the same style. 

It would be even more useful if they were produced every year.

(17 Jan 2015, 1:19 pm)MurdnunoC wrote The maps are generally released every few year or so. I have one from 1992, and another from 2009, produced in the same style. 



It would be even more useful if they were produced every year.

Yeah, I have the 2009? One and even though it is long out of date it does help me with routes around County Durham, the current one is valid from October 2014 meaning it is already out of date with the X1 becoming the X12 and GNE taking over services 706/707 from Stanley Travel. Still glad I picked up a copy yesterday though.

Last time DCC produced paper format route map was 2011, its ashame that Nexus stopped doing the paper format route map years ago.

(18 Jan 2015, 1:25 pm)cbma06 wrote Last time DCC produced paper format route map was 2011, its ashame that Nexus stopped doing the paper format route map years ago.

I always liked collecting the route maps, someone should email them to ask them to do route maps again!

(18 Jan 2015, 1:39 pm)Michael wrote I always liked collecting the route maps, someone should email them to ask them to do route maps again!

I used to like the timetable guides aswell (S1 etc..).  I already emailed them years ago, it seems that by Nexus, the way forward is online and disrequarding paper publication formats.

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I used to like the timetable guides aswell (S1 etc..). I already emailed them years ago, it seems that by Nexus, the way forward is online and disrequarding paper publication formats.

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(18 Jan 2015, 1:39 pm)Michael wrote I always liked collecting the route maps, someone should email them to ask them to do route maps again!

I used to like the timetable guides aswell (S1 etc..).  I already emailed them years ago, it seems that by Nexus, the way forward is online and disrequarding paper publication formats.

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1179...ref=twtrec

Reckon Durham will be best avoided in the summer if it can be helped.

It will be interesting to see if operators will make revisions to services, to combat delays.

(14 Feb 2015, 4:33 am)Andreos1 wrote http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1179...ref=twtrec

Reckon Durham will be best avoided in the summer if it can be helped.

It will be interesting to see if operators will make revisions to services, to combat delays.

It's going to be a nightmare.

Durham County Council have now changed the style of timetables at non major stops to the style where it lists services separately that they have been using at major stops (eg. Aycliffe Town Centre and Durham Bus Station) for a few years now.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13...s/?ref=rss

More roadworks in Durham.

(21 Aug 2015, 7:01 pm)citaro5284 wrote http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13...s/?ref=rss

More roadworks in Durham.

yep, I saw this on the council website awhile ago:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/scoot


http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/6878/Gile...t_plan.pdf 

http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/6879/Leaz...t_plan.pdf 

It is now proposed to commence on Gilesgate roundabout in early 2016 and Leazes Bowl in Summer 2016, to coordinate with required traffic surveys in Autumn 2015. Once completed we hope to start using the SCOOT system in 2017.

(21 Aug 2015, 7:01 pm)citaro5284 wrote http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13...s/?ref=rss

More roadworks in Durham.

"MOTORISTS who have endured weeks of traffic troubles due to a £1 million bridge repair project are facing further roadworks woe, it has emerged."

What a load of tosh that statement is. The traffic flow in and out of Durham has been absolutely fine from start to finish, and the works are well ahead of schedule.

(21 Aug 2015, 9:47 pm)aureolin wrote "MOTORISTS who have endured weeks of traffic troubles due to a £1 million bridge repair project are facing further roadworks woe, it has emerged."

What a load of tosh that statement is. The traffic flow in and out of Durham has been absolutely fine from start to finish, and the works are well ahead of schedule.

Try getting into Durham from Gilesgate, at least 20 minutes to get from Gilesgate Sainsburys to Durham Bus Station on most journeys I've done on the services that run along that way since the roadworks started so I disagree to some extent. I am not getting another 20/20A, 22/24, 208 or 265 into Durham until the roadworks end as the traffic is horrendous in this area at the moment.

(21 Aug 2015, 9:58 pm)Jimmi wrote Try getting into Durham from Gilesgate, at least 20 minutes to get from Gilesgate Sainsburys to Durham Bus Station on most journeys I've done on the services that run along that way since the roadworks started so I disagree. I am not getting another 20/20A, 22/24, 208 or 265 into Durham until the roadworks end as the traffic is horrendous in this area at the moment.

I come in every morning via Elvet Bridge and the Leazers Bowl roundabout. Most buses are getting in 5 minutes early. I've plenty of colleagues that do the full run from Belmont/Gilesgate area, and they also reckon that it's a lot quieter than normal days. 

The only exception seems to be the day after they change the works layout over the bridge. For example they now have a lane either side, and it was a bit daft on Monday because of it.

(21 Aug 2015, 10:01 pm)aureolin wrote I come in every morning via Elvet Bridge and the Leazers Bowl roundabout. Most buses are getting in 5 minutes early. I've plenty of colleagues that do the full run from Belmont/Gilesgate area, and they also reckon that it's a lot quieter than normal days. 

The only exception seems to be the day after they change the works layout over the bridge. For example they now have a lane either side, and it was a bit daft on Monday because of it.

It will be quieter on a morning at the moment as the schools are off and some people are on holiday so there will less cars and no school buses/coaches running through Durham on a morning. I can't say anything about mornings as I haven't been over that way at rush hour on a morning but the traffic is definitely worse from Gilesgate during the daytime and I have seen the 22/24 often Arrive anything up to 15 minutes late (sometimes more) and the 20/20A have often arrived in Durham Bus Station within seconds of each other at times.

(21 Aug 2015, 8:03 pm)cbma06 wrote yep, I saw this on the council website awhile ago:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/scoot


http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/6878/Gile...t_plan.pdf 

http://www.durham.gov.uk/media/6879/Leaz...t_plan.pdf 

It is now proposed to commence on Gilesgate roundabout in early 2016 and Leazes Bowl in Summer 2016, to coordinate with required traffic surveys in Autumn 2015. Once completed we hope to start using the SCOOT system in 2017.

So hardly any delay then. Millburngate bridge has always been a pinch point with traffic often way up Gilesgate at peak times - the bridgeworks have simply extended those busy times but haven't made tailbacks any worse. (Buses have actually been more punctual for more of the day, most days, thanks to Arriva's contingency plans.) That bridge doesn't carry anything like the traffic of Millburngate Bridge, so the effects of the work will hardly be felt.

(21 Aug 2015, 10:07 pm)Jimmi wrote It will be quieter on a morning at the moment as the schools are off and some people are on holiday so there will less cars and no school buses/coaches running through Durham on a morning. I can't say anything about mornings as I haven't been over that way at rush hour on a morning but the traffic is definitely worse from Gilesgate during the daytime and I have seen the 22/24 often Arrive anything up to 15 minutes late (sometimes more) and the 20/20A have often arrived in Durham Bus Station within seconds of each other at times.

The late arrival of the 22/24 was anticipated though.

I might even miss big'un telling me there's a double decker passing the house, instead of the usual streetdecks. Today I've been pretending there wasn't. (It's been a long, slightly soggy but in the worst sensory, in your face way, day).