(02 Sep 2014, 10:21 pm)Dan wrote Weren't you saying that the Volvo B10BLEs often got quite full if they were ahead of a 4? Imagine those very high loadings on anything smaller than a Cadet...
Although members of the public won't see this so much, Go North East has taken steps to reduce the amount of inconvenience to customers.
No, I said the 4 affects the loads on the 71.
If a 71 comes in front of a 4, it picks those passengers up. If the 4 comes first, the 71 is left with nobody to pick up - pretty much what happened when it ran to/from Sunderland, with the 20's etc.
It can't get through again this morning judging by reports on the GNE twitter feed.
(02 Sep 2014, 10:25 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote That'll mean they'll be diverted round the back of the Retail Park, and come into The Galleries at the Lambton/Oxclose side and Vice Versa, as there is no other option for a Diversion if that Roundabout is closed Completely in all Directions.
Aye, that will be the only way in/out.
It is later in the day if I remember correctly, so the majority of shoppers will have gone home.
(03 Sep 2014, 7:43 am)nk55 wrote The B10s could get round AV without any problems, the only real problem was from those households that have cars and would either double park or park in a way as such we had to mount the kerb to pass safely. As for passenger numbers, those catching the bus on AV or Sedgeletch rd are so low a taxibus would be suffice on an hourly basis, the only time the 71 gets a good load is coming from houghton to chester around 9.30ish through lumley where its all stops and minimum of 5 OAPS per stop. On one occasion when i've done 4 hrs on an evening i've carried only 45 passengers in 4 full trips!!!!
For years, it was a minibus route (177 and 178). Loads were never that fantastic on there - hence their withdrawal and amalgamation along with the 21a, 160 and 163 into the 71.
Why anyone thought the 71 would work is anyone's guess.
I have expressed my thoughts on the service many a time, so won't repeat it
