(14 May 2021, 5:13 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Is this allowed. Why put this on public service
https://flic.kr/p/2kYveHV (Credit to Thomas Booth on Flickr)
No, it doesn't conform to the contract requirements (though isn't illegal, as vehicles with 16 seats or less do not have to conform to PSVAR requirements).
The 17:07 37 from Doxford Park did not operate yesterday (two passengers were waiting for it), and the 17:15 592 service was operated by a similar vehicle yesterday (NX12AEA). The latter did not stop at Doxford Park, did not have a destination display, and presumably had no ticket machine. The T1/T2 services were also operated by this same vehicle earlier in the week. I'm sure Thomas will be able to confirm, but I assume this vehicle on the 37 didn't have a working ticket machine either, and it will presumably end up on the 39 service in Sunderland this evening (suppose that beats GNE's new £1 evening fare deal - free rides!)
Glad to see Gateshead Central Taxis have been awarded these contracts to operate (or not) for a further year, from Monday.
They must be having some fleet availability issues, as the 99 service (normally a Sprinter) was operated by the 68-plate ADL Enviro 200MMC earlier this week, and the 18-plate Euro 5 ADL Enviro 200 was allocated to the H1 service, which is a Euro 6 contract.
The 92 service on a morning that they run has consistently ran 8 minutes early through Team Valley for weeks, also omitting Victoria Road and Bolam Street Flats (running direct to the Metrocentre via the A1 after Team Valley) - let's hope there aren't any intending passengers!