(20 Apr 2023, 3:15 pm)Adrian wrote I notice "Journeys will track in real-time on our mobile app and buses will have ‘next stop’ audio-visual announcements." under the 82 heading, presumably trying to point out something not present on the JH/GCT offering of the 82/82A.

Have the "'next stop' audio-visual announcements" been reinstated on the other Washington 8x services? I don't think I've seen them active since the service changes 9 months ago.

I think I've inconclusively answered my own question here. This morning I used an 84 from Biddick to Concord, (via the Galleries and Blackfell), and there were no announcements at all. The screen had the generic scroller on. I then used an 84 Concord to Biddick (via Barmston), and we partially had announcements! 

They seemed to kick in at the junction between Westerhope Road and Horsley Road, to announce the next stop was JFK Primary School, but we were turning left for the Horsley Road turning circle first. It didn't announce any of those stops, then kicked in at the same point again (as we passed the Westerhope Road junction). It then announced the Victoria Inn as the next stop, before we turned down to Brady Square. It then got confused again and displayed JFK Primary School on the screen, all the way down to and back up from Brady Square, before correcting itself as we passed the Victoria.

I wonder if this is some kind of bus stop roulette for those that rely on the NSAs?

(21 Apr 2023, 10:41 am)Andreos1 wrote I'm an enthusiast who has been in and around those areas for over 40 years. 
I've lost track of what goes where and the route it takes. 
I haven't got a clue what goes where now. 

I could spend time revising and researching. But that's not always appealing and the car will inevitably be far quicker.

If a gricer can't keep up, what chance does anyone else have? 

The endless changes, splits, revisions, paint jobs, re-numbering, route adaptations, diversion and the total failure of the operator to maintain a stable network isn't going to sustain passengers nor attract new ones.

I agree. I have to keep reminding myself which is the 84 and which is the 85, but really the two services are the better idea that we've had for a long time. At least since the old W5/W6 circular services were done away with. 

With the 84/85, you can reach the Galleries or Concord within 10-12 minutes from the furthest points, which I'd say is still a good option for those travelling locally. It's the other services, in particular the 50, where the customers are punished. A lack of 'out of the box thinking' (as they'd say) with how to deal with Ayton has made travel between Chester-le-Street and Washington ridiculous. Hopefully now that the 8 is back, it can be revised to at least not serve Rickleton during the day.

(23 Apr 2023, 1:28 pm)Washingtonian wrote You can see how everything is played out to suit the big operators. So GNE binned the 82 because it wasn't making much money despite reported decent loadings, then it's given as a Nexus contract to JH Coaches but GNE tickets/cards can't be used on them so passenger numbers go down further. Then GNE are awarded the contract and will be running the 82 again because they having the funding and can also can promote their products and services at the same time! So it's effectively costing GNE nothing to run now compared to before and they can make more profit on it! You couldn't make it up!

What's even more ironic is the big operators like GNE and Arriva are now teaming up with new ticketing schemes, going by what's being piloted in North Tyneside. While this is good for passengers in the short term you can see how this is only going to strengthen the big operators further and put more pressure on the independents. The more competition they take away the more control they have and the more money they make.

I largely agree with what you're saying on the first point, but GNE have won the work because they've put forward the most economically advantageous bid in the tender process. It also means, that in an area dominated by one operator, you have ticket acceptance across the board. Something that was supposed to happen with the 82/82A, but I don't think a lot of drivers were aware of it and it certainly wasn't publicised. 

It's also worth pointing out that there are some independent operators that have a lot of public contracts for running bus services, but up to now have taken zero commercial risk in the market. In my opinion this is just as bad, as it contributes nothing back in to the network.