#36 - Riverside Cricket Ground to Houghton-le-Spring Church - (09:51 --- 10:13) - GNE 5303 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
I put £4 on the tray, expecting a nice fresh Get Around ticket that looked perfect. I got something with barely any ink on it. As the driver handed me my change, I told him I could barely see the date on it. (This would never be a problem with a single journey, but I could be using this ticket on dozens of buses throughout the day). He sighed and just looked at me. God, I don't know what it is with these Deptford drivers but they've come to Chester-le-Street with an attitude I really don't like. They're in unfamiliar territory, in Park Lane I could understand, but it's really getting on my nerves. My 3rd journey on the 36 service, and it's twice I've gotten on feeling irritated at the attitude of the driver...nonetheless, with a terrible ticket in my hand I sat down and enjoyed the journey on 5303. Much better than 5306 or 5308.
#20A - Houghton-le-Spring Church to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (10:16 --- 10:43) - GNE 5212 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
I boarded this with my bad ticket. The driver had to look at it for about 5 seconds more than usual, as he could barely see the date. But he was a rather pleasant old guy, unlike the one in 5303...5212 was actually really nice between Houghton and then as we got within sight of Park Lane, it started to sound rough as anything. Engine screaming, the lot! I was glad to get off in the end, but overall it was a pleasant journey I had in this PB Scania.
#9 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to North Shields Town Centre - (10:49 --- 11:55) - GNE 5247 - Scania CN230UB/Scania OmniCity
Was pleasantly surprised by an OmniCity showing up on the 9, as they seem rather rare. Did see 5249 on too while we headed to North Shields, along with 6008 and 6039 on the shorts to Jarrow. The ride quality itself was absolutely brilliant, I couldn't fault it! I sank into my seat for the whole of the very quiet journey and not a complaint was made...in terms of comfort. But, we had the slowest goddamn driver alive!! He was terrible - surprised he wasn't pulled over for going too slow! We must have lost about 10 minutes of time because of his speed...
#310 - North Shields Town Centre to Newcastle, Haymarket Bus Station - (12:04 --- 12:50) - GNE 6103 - Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2
I had seen 6103 waiting to depart when I got off 5247, but it was 6116 and I wanted a proper Cobalt
. No sooner had 6116 departed at 11:56, 6103 rolled round the corner at 11:58. I stood at the stop for a minute after the loads had left, and I saw the driver sitting in his cab doing nothing. I assumed he was staying on. I get on - 'GET OFF!, WE'RE CHANGING DRIVERS!'. He hadn't looked like he had been getting off, and there was no other driver present, he was just sitting there doing nothing...absolute shithead. I just naturally said 'oh, sorry', like I had been raised to do - but I should have told him to do something. He pissed off to his van back to Percy Main (I assume!) and at 12:02 the next driver turned up. He was much nicer than the old twat I'd just seen, and I sat upstairs at the front. I can't fault the condition of these Cobalt B9s - granted, this is my first journey on one, and that may seem a bit cocky of me to say that, but unless 6103 is special - then these buses are fantastic. Not a rattle or squeak I could hear!#45 - Newcastle, Eldon Square to MetroCentre Interchange - (12:56 --- 13:20) - GNE 3823 - Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine 2
This was what made my day! Saw an Olympian waiting on the 45 when I arrived into Haymarket on the 310, and went for it. Again, like on 5212, the driver couldn't read the ticket, and needed to take it off me to check the date...possibly because she was woman. Lol no just kidding, I like women drivers
. I told her I had bought it this morning, and that the ticket was really messed up. We had a bit of a laugh about it and she genuinely lovely. I sat at the front upstairs for the whole of the rather short journey. It was most enjoyable.#X66 - MetroCentre Interchange to Gateshead Interchange - (13:28 --- 13:38) - GNE 4918 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
After going over for some photos in the coach park, I hopped on 4918 to Gateshead. Again, the driver struggled to read the date on the ticket, and at first thought I was showing him a Buzzfare of some sort! That ticket machine on 5303 was starting to affect my day...but overall 4918 had all the great qualities and sounds of a Renown!
#21 - Gateshead Interchange to Chester-le-Street - (13:42 --- 14:10) - GNE 6061 - Volvo B5HL/Wright Gemini 2
I had a driver I knew very well, Paul. A lovely chap. Always smiling and friendly, does a lot of overtime so I seem him more regularly than others. Not only is he a safe driver, he is absolutely great the controls and can make a 30-odd minute journey go easily. Maybe the fact that hardly anyone was getting on may have had an effect on how fast we got to Chester, but 6061 was lovely to ride on this occasion - and seeing Paul again managed to change the way driver's attitudes had been throughout the day and put me back in a good mood. If you ever need a good driver - come to Chester!
#36 - Chester-le-Street to Riverside Cricket Ground - (14:14 --- 14:20) - GNE 5299 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
Right, another Deptford bus and driver in Chester-le-Street - let's have a look. I get on and show him my Key card and my Get Around - and he can't even read the text at all! He was looking at me like I was showing him a blank ticket! Not a smile or a facial expression, he just got closer to it then nodded. At least he didn't sigh or anything...so I just took my seat on 5299. Now, this bus was just fantastic. Smoothest Merc I'd had on the 36 so far, my seat was lovely and warm and the bus didn't rattle whatsoever. When it got to my stop (now given a name rather than 'My House'
) I thanked the driver, and he didn't even look at me... 
I know it's not in the driver's priorities, but surely at least looking at your customer should be a big point made by Customer Services. I'm just going to make it 2-2, I've had 2 rather rude or clumsy drivers and 2 who haven't really done anything. When I get an exceptional Deptford driver in CLS, I'll let you all know!I did enjoy my day on the whole, and I hope you enjoyed reading!