(01 Sep 2016, 10:03 pm)Ambassador wrote I'd guess people prefer Stagecoach because it's cheaper, has more connections in Newcastle (day tickets) more recognisable brand and service to people.

I can't see the gamble working but complaints about the Whickham/Lobely Hill section seem to have dropped considerably based on anecdotal Facebook views

GNE are actually cheaper surprisingly if you aren't after a day saver. In some cases a single fare in nearly £1 cheaper and a return is only £3.50 on the 1/11 to Newcastle. Week saver is slightly cheaper I think too.

The 11 is very reliable, which is also surprising considering how long the route is. Even at peak times it is normally spot on time.

(01 Sep 2016, 9:56 pm)Jamie M wrote Aye, most of the destinations are accessible on other services, or general areas. Ignore my comment about the 27, I forgot that was south tyne. 310 gans along past met college and on to north shields etc.

They were accessible but since the 17 and 96 were withdrawn they aren't anymore.

(01 Sep 2016, 8:47 pm)Jimmi wrote I think the reason why GNE get slated in this sense but Arriva don't is simply because of the IndiGo branding itself, just about every day I get to hear/see someone within the hobby say "it's not indigo, it's pink!" or "at least the really good bus company (Trentbarton) can get their buses in the right colour" not singling out anyone in particular here but I hear this from just about everybody on what I must be honest, on a far too regular basis.

Here here.

This is why I left some groups cos I was sick of seeing the same whinging again and again.

(02 Sep 2016, 1:06 am)GMitchelhill wrote Here here.

This is why I left some groups cos I was sick of seeing the same whinging again and again.

Same, i'm part of no groups now because i was also sick of it!

(01 Sep 2016, 9:51 pm)Tom wrote Sadly I agree with you there, it normally has a few passengers going into town say between 10 and 12 and coming out of town at 3 or 4 but other than that it is normally empty between Walllsend and Newcastle which is a shame as it's quicker. Even when the 11 is in front of the 1 or 22 people still seem to wait for the 1 or 22...


How is it a mix between the 27 and 310? And also it's not a unneeded service because without it places like Willington Quay, East Howdon, Knightside Gardens etc. would be left without a service unless you mean bring back the 17/96?

 my mate lives in East Howdon and used to be able to get the 17 in time for work at 7.30 but now he cant,tbh even the 17 was poorly advertised, it breifly became the centurion in 2013,in my opinion it should of been left as was,the problem with 17 was that it had buses that were to big and clipping cars,granted yeah streets are narrow but residents also Parked cars in stupid places,in my eyes they Should of just put it back to every 20 mins with Smaller buses and advertised it properly also the 9 aswell ive never got why It doesnt serve east howdon

Why on earth does Percy Main depot have a 'Go Gateshead' sign on the side?

(02 Sep 2016, 7:59 am)V514DFT wrote  my mate lives in East Howdon and used to be able to get the 17 in time for work at 7.30 but now he cant,tbh even the 17 was poorly advertised, it breifly became the centurion in 2013,in my opinion it should of been left as was,the problem with 17 was that it had buses that were to big and clipping cars,granted yeah streets are narrow but residents also Parked cars in stupid places,in my eyes they Should of just put it back to every 20 mins with Smaller buses and advertised it properly also the 9 aswell ive never got why It doesnt serve east howdon

You can blame the pensioners in Holy Cross for that who complained about the buses on the 17 being to big and are now complaining they are supposedly isolated in Holy Cross with 2 buses early until late a hour every day of the week! They should look at other areas of the north east before complaining.

And I thought the 11 times were similar? Can't see a massive difference in morning times compared to the 17.

(02 Sep 2016, 9:19 am)Jamie M wrote Why on earth does Percy Main depot have a 'Go Gateshead' sign on the side?

Ive wondered that too,im gonna hazard a guess that gateshead is the main depot and where GNE are based

Because PM was covered by the Go Gateshead name after a small restructure in 2004 / 2005

(02 Sep 2016, 9:19 am)Jamie M wrote Why on earth does Percy Main depot have a 'Go Gateshead' sign on the side?

I heard they ran out of C's and L's but had plenty of G's and D's - so managed to cobble together enough letters to put Gateshead up, rather than Coastline.

IndiGo Washington and Red Solo going down the A1 at Darlington.

(02 Sep 2016, 12:37 pm)Brian13 wrote IndiGo Washington and Red Solo going down the A1 at Darlington.

They're based around there, optare. Probably getting something checked out like.

(02 Sep 2016, 1:07 pm)Jamie M wrote They're based around there, optare. Probably getting something checked out like.

I don't mean to be funny, but you don't need to try and answer every question with speculation...

Optare are not based around Darlington.

Optare Solo SR 687, 689 and 690 have arrived at Go North East this afternoon.

Further to this announcement, Kevin Carr has written an open letter, further explaining why the £1 fare is not available on the school buses to St Bede's (and Park View - I imagine the situation is the same).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2829...s%20at.pdf

While it won't matter too much, I would say that only 11 double deck buses are provided with the 12th school bus (831) being a Venture SR  - unless the allocations will change on Tuesday.

682 is the latest to be branded for indiGo Washington.


Go North East - 682 - NK66CWX by aureolindn, on Flickr

(02 Sep 2016, 4:45 pm)S813 FVK wrote Further to this announcement, Kevin Carr has written an open letter, further explaining why the £1 fare is not available on the school buses to St Bede's (and Park View - I imagine the situation is the same).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2829...s%20at.pdf

While it won't matter too much, I would say that only 11 double deck buses are provided with the 12th school bus (831) being a Venture SR  - unless the allocations will change on Tuesday.

It's refreshing to see an open and honest letter. Most companies would not respond to, what has at times, been very unfair criticism. 

GNE and the two schools have come up with something bespoke, in place of providing something that the LEA (Durham County Council) should be providing. I knew they would not be getting much from the school for it, but I didn't for one minute think that it'd be as little as £6,000. 

Parents need to see the service for what it is, and look at what the alternative is across the service network. More walking, longer days, and perhaps an increased cost in some cases.

5318 has gained wifi logos so essuming the rest will be from now onwards

(02 Sep 2016, 5:20 pm)Ryan99 wrote 5318 has gained wifi logos so essuming the rest will be from now onwards

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn/28786447073/

WTX to follow hopefully!

(02 Sep 2016, 5:20 pm)Ryan99 wrote 5318 has gained wifi logos so essuming the rest will be from now onwards

(02 Sep 2016, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn/28786447073/

WTX to follow hopefully!

Aye, all the Crusaders I noticed today have received the stickers. The WiFi enabled spare, 5332, hasn't as of yet.

I had meant to head over Sunderland to check the WTX today, but ran out of time. I'll try and fit that in tomorrow.

(02 Sep 2016, 5:13 pm)Adrian wrote It's refreshing to see an open and honest letter. Most companies would not respond to, what has at times, been very unfair criticism. 

GNE and the two schools have come up with something bespoke, in place of providing something that the LEA (Durham County Council) should be providing. I knew they would not be getting much from the school for it, but I didn't for one minute think that it'd be as little as £6,000. 

Parents need to see the service for what it is, and look at what the alternative is across the service network. More walking, longer days, and perhaps an increased cost in some cases.

Yeah I agree. It's a shame there has been no explanation as to why the reduced fair for Years 7 to 11 is not stretched out to Years 12 and 13. I do believe that paying the £58 per month is better value for money as the ticket does not restrict when I can use it unlike the reduced fare which can only be used between 6am and 6pm so if I want to go somewhere, I can just do it without having to pay again.

I also have the view that if the government want everybody in full time education until we are 18, they should pay for us to get there! If we want to continue in education after that, paying is fair enough as it is our choice.

(02 Sep 2016, 2:12 pm)Adrian wrote Optare Solo SR 687, 689 and 690 have arrived at Go North East this afternoon.

They arrived quick, read on one of Dan's pictures on Flickr, the Indigo Solo's should enter service next week. - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...otostream/


Wonder when the "Red" ones will be branded...

http://www.beaconcreative.com/work/go-north-east/

What the 61 would have looked like, had the citaros been branded.

(02 Sep 2016, 7:15 pm)S813 FVK wrote http://www.beaconcreative.com/work/go-north-east/

What the 61 would have looked like, had the citaros being branded.

Glad they didn't go ahead with it, not keen on it at all.

I do like the route details though.

Is there a particular reason why the 3 new Solo's don't have fleet numbers in numerical order? Is 681 destined for somewhere different to 689/690?

(02 Sep 2016, 7:50 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Is there a particular reason why the 3 new Solo's don't have fleet numbers in numerical order? Is 681 destined for somewhere different to 689/690?

I understand it's just the order they've been painted in, rather than it having been done for a reason.

(02 Sep 2016, 7:55 pm)Adrian wrote I understand it's just the order they've been painted in, rather than it having been done for a reason.

Correct: http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/sh...p?tid=1864&pid=179378#pid179378

(02 Sep 2016, 7:15 pm)S813 FVK wrote http://www.beaconcreative.com/work/go-north-east/

What the 61 would have looked like, had the citaros been branded.

It's the same stupidly skinny women with their nauseatingly stereotypical shopping bags as on the Metrocentre services. Glad they didn't go with that.

6024 i believe (blue pronto at stanley) seems to have adopted a black rear bumper, or its been like that for a while and ive only just noticed.

(03 Sep 2016, 7:47 am)Arcticrossy92 wrote 6024 i believe (blue pronto at stanley) seems to have adopted a black rear bumper, or its been like that for a while and ive only just noticed.

Been there for a bit, does look rather odd.