(09 Nov 2017, 2:41 pm)idiot wrote 5463 is vibrating like a....
Of course if you driver went to neutral it would be more comfortable.

Is there any reason why bus drivers don't come out of drive into neutral?

You shouldn't select neutral in an automatic vehicle unless you're stationary for extended period of time, especially on a live road, you can't select a gear quickly like you can in a manual vehicle. Neutral or drive doesn't make a difference in rattle for Streetlites.

(09 Nov 2017, 4:39 pm)deanmachine wrote You shouldn't select neutral in an automatic vehicle unless you're stationary for extended period of time, especially on a live road, you can't select a gear quickly like you can in a manual vehicle. Neutral or drive doesn't make a difference in rattle for Streetlites.

While "Coasting" or driving in neutral may not be illegal, the Highway Code advises against it.
Rule 122

Coasting. This term describes a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down. It can reduce driver control because

Engine braking is eliminated
Vehicle speed downhill will increase quickly
Increased use of the footbrake can reduce its effectiveness
Steering response will be affected, particularly on bends and corners
It may be more difficult to re-engage gear when needed.

- and if an accident occurs, I guess a driver can be accused of not being in full control of vehicle (Careless Driving)

answerbank.co.uk/Motoring/Question

(09 Nov 2017, 4:39 pm)deanmachine wrote You shouldn't select neutral in an automatic vehicle unless you're stationary for extended period of time, especially on a live road, you can't select a gear quickly like you can in a manual vehicle. Neutral or drive doesn't make a difference in rattle for Streetlites.

Sorry as someone who has drove both manual and automatic it's easier in automatic. Hand brake on and move gear stuck. Or in case of buses press a button.

(09 Nov 2017, 2:41 pm)idiot wrote 5463 is vibrating like a....
Of course if you driver went to neutral it would be more comfortable.

Is there any reason why bus drivers don't come out of drive into neutral?

Didn't Voith transmissions once have a facility called Neutral Bus Stop, where the transmission automatically selected neutral if the motion stopped and the handbrake was applied?

(10 Nov 2017, 8:44 am)missedbus wrote Didn't Voith transmissions once have a facility called Neutral Bus Stop, where the transmission automatically selected neutral if the motion stopped and the handbrake was applied?

Yeah still on modern buses, Neutral Bus Stop as its sometimes referred to. A feature to reduce fuel consumption. On a Voith it's engaged when you hear the notable and brief rev once the bus has stopped, with ZFs you often get the wining during idling. Back in first gear when the accelerator is pressed or the footbrake/handbrake both released.

5331 returned from refurbishment yesterday, 5323 sent to Blackburn in exchange.

5331 now arrived at Deptford.

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(10 Nov 2017, 5:27 pm)Dan wrote 5331 returned from refurbishment yesterday, 5323 sent to Blackburn in exchange.

5331 now arrived at Deptford.

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Is 5337 VOR?, as that has yet to go.

Have 3886 and 3889 been withdrawn from Stanley yet?

(10 Nov 2017, 7:20 pm)Michael wrote Have 3886 and 3889 been withdrawn from Stanley yet?

Not yet. I was on both of them today - 3889 much better than 3886. 6032 seems to have vanished though - it may just be VOR but it has technically being replaced by 6135 (may be retained temporarily due to 5248's fire though?).

(10 Nov 2017, 7:36 pm)S813 FVK wrote Not yet. I was on both of them today - 3889 much better than 3886. 6032 seems to have vanished though - it may just be VOR but it has technically being replaced by 6135 (may be retained temporarily due to 5248's fire though?).

6032 was on the X21 last night, so was still about then at least.

I had 6135 tonight and it has had its downstairs seats retrimmed but not upstairs.

(10 Nov 2017, 12:06 am)idiot wrote Sorry as someone who has drove both manual and automatic it's easier in automatic. Hand brake on and move gear stuck. Or in case of buses press a button.

You've clearly never tried to put a Versa in Neutral. It nearly always involves a trip through Neutral and into Reverse due to the lever being so stiff. Putting it back into Drive again often involves a detour into '3', which can't be good.

Certainly wouldn't be a good idea to try all this at the John Reid Road bus gate.

Indigo Solo just passed Hastings Hill, heading towards Sunderland City Centre or Deptford.

Looks like all the destinations are changing. So far I’ve seen 2 12 27 and 39s done. I like how you can see it from distance but on the flip side it’s not great missing out the via points

(12 Nov 2017, 10:33 am)Acky81 wrote Looks like all the destinations are changing. So far I’ve seen 2 12 27 and 39s done. I like how you can see it from distance but on the flip side it’s not great missing out the via points

Not all of them are changing - as per the style on services including the X21, they have just been updated for evaluative purposes.

(12 Nov 2017, 10:33 am)Acky81 wrote Looks like all the destinations are changing. So far I’ve seen 2 12 27 and 39s done. I like how you can see it from distance but on the flip side it’s not great missing out the via points

I've noticed a few and it is much clearer and easier to read, but having the destination simply as 'Newcastle' or 'Gateshead' isn't that helpful, especially further along the routes for people then boarding at stops within Newcastle or Gateshead.
Okay for Gateshead or South Shields I suppose, GNE are presuming passengers will presume the final stop is the town centre, but in my opinion 'Newcastle' isn't quite informative enough.
Its okay if you already know the local bus numbers/routes, but imagine you are visiting Edinburgh or London - an approaching bus with the destination simply as 'Edinburgh', or 'London' wouldn't be of any use. (Granted it may be the case for non stop buses/coaches coming from outside of the areas?).
Anyway, my point is maybe a New York flip style destination would be more helpful, so for example on the Crusader the destination screen would either display 'Newcastle' for 2 seconds, then 'Market St W' for 2 seconds in a cycle, OR display 'Newcastle Market St' for 2 seconds, then 'via Gateshead Interchange' or 'Gateshead Town' for 2 seconds.

Thats just my tuppence worth for today.   

6142 now at Stanley. Seen on 47 today.

6141 is at Stanley now too - currently parked up in Stanley Bus Station

(12 Nov 2017, 12:00 pm)ne14ne1 wrote I've noticed a few and it is much clearer and easier to read, but having the destination simply as 'Newcastle' or 'Gateshead' isn't that helpful, especially further along the routes for people then boarding at stops within Newcastle or Gateshead.
Okay for Gateshead or South Shields I suppose, GNE are presuming passengers will presume the final stop is the town centre, but in my opinion 'Newcastle' isn't quite informative enough.
Its okay if you already know the local bus numbers/routes, but imagine you are visiting Edinburgh or London - an approaching bus with the destination simply as 'Edinburgh', or 'London' wouldn't be of any use. (Granted it may be the case for non stop buses/coaches coming from outside of the areas?).
Anyway, my point is maybe a New York flip style destination would be more helpful, so for example on the Crusader the destination screen would either display 'Newcastle' for 2 seconds, then 'Market St W' for 2 seconds in a cycle, OR display 'Newcastle Market St' for 2 seconds, then 'via Gateshead Interchange' or 'Gateshead Town' for 2 seconds.

Thats just my tuppence worth for today.   

In total agreement.
Granted there's not likely to be many tourists who use the 2 (the example I drew on last week), but an irregular passenger boarding in Penshaw, could be quite concerned to see the bus taking quite a journey via Chester Road, Sunderland City Centre and various other areas of Sunderland. As opposed to the trip in the car that would take them through the Herringtons and take it mere minutes.

I was under the impression the blinds were in place to assist passengers. Not cause confusion.

All this talk about terminal points only.  First York have used terminal points for years, as have Transdev.  If you look on Coastliner for example they only show York, Leeds or Whitby as an example.  If you have a look at Lothian, they have now moved to terminal points only since they have moved to Hanover Displays from Mobitec and as we all know, there is not many tourists in Edinburgh!

Lets roll back some years to 'roller blinds', and they use to show terminal points only, so it is nothing new.

(12 Nov 2017, 2:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote All this talk about terminal points only.  First York have used terminal points for years, as have Transdev.  If you look on Coastliner for example they only show York, Leeds or Whitby as an example.  If you have a look at Lothian, they have now moved to terminal points only since they have moved to Hanover Displays from Mobitec and as we all know, there is not many tourists in Edinburgh!

Lets roll back some years to 'roller blinds', and they use to show terminal points only, so it is nothing new.

How does the topography, road layout and route types differ with GNE and the operators in question?
I suppose route branding could be thrown in to the mix too - particularly if you throw in the likes of the 843.

The bus stops themselves often show the main 'via' points with the Nexus ones even showing the approx. journey times. This could potentially relax the need for the via points on the displays themselves but is heavily reliant on the local authorities ensuring that every bus stop has an information board with the bus times on.

(12 Nov 2017, 2:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote All this talk about terminal points only.  First York have used terminal points for years, as have Transdev.  If you look on Coastliner for example they only show York, Leeds or Whitby as an example.  If you have a look at Lothian, they have now moved to terminal points only since they have moved to Hanover Displays from Mobitec and as we all know, there is not many tourists in Edinburgh!

Lets roll back some years to 'roller blinds', and they use to show terminal points only, so it is nothing new.

I fully agree with this. For years it was only ever a destination on display and everyone managed then so we will now. Also a lot of buses have NSAs on them so that helps. Sometimes it is a bit much having too many via points and whn they are both in same font ie SNE its nice for those with sight problems such as myself to be able to see the larger clearer destination in plenty time. And if we go further back into the dark ages, you could always try asking the driver which via points he will be going via. They do speak sometimes.

When will the Venture Solo SR's and Hexham's Mercs be branded?

(12 Nov 2017, 4:25 pm)ifm001 wrote I fully agree with this. For years it was only ever a destination on display and everyone managed then so we will now. Also a lot of buses have NSAs on them so that helps. Sometimes it is a bit much having too many via points and whn they are both in same font ie SNE its nice for those with sight problems such as myself to be able to see the larger clearer destination in plenty time. And if we go further back into the dark ages, you could always try asking the driver which via points he will be going via. They do speak sometimes.

People managed with steps on a bus then, but adaptations were made so that everyone found public transport accessible. Not just a proportion of the population.
Just because it was ok 30 years ago, doesn't make it ok now.
There was obviously a reason via points were added...

I can't believe in this day and age, when society is adapting, becoming more aware and generally more tolerant of the issues the population face, we are saying we 'managed then, so we will now'.

It is all fine and well me and you asking the driver (assuming he/she isn't running on a tight schedule and has the time to clarify via points), but can everyone do that?
Those who are hard of hearing or are deaf? Those who are poor speakers of English? People with social anxiety issues? Those on the spectrum? Those who struggle reading and understanding timetables?
Or those who use GNE services in North Sunderland or Vigo and have lost track of the route a bus is taking after yet another round of service revisions.

Public transport and the information we rely on to use it, needs to be made freely available - to everyone.
It's the only way to ensure public transport is accessible to all.

Go North East used to just use ultimate destinations on electronic blinds about 10 years ago at least, here are some examples.

Newcastle Pilgrim Street - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Whitley Bay Holiday Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Wallsend M - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Wallsend Metro - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/ (this should confuse some people)

Hadrian Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/ (Didn't say which way it went)

The well served town of Not in Service - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...772835603/

(05 Nov 2017, 6:46 pm)Dan wrote Deptford - undergoing preparation for PSV test, so likely in the workshop.

At least one of them should be done and out in service next Thursday, the other subject to completion of pre-PSV defect repairs.

I know it is in Deptford, I mean which routes?

Not too sure how I feel about the new destination style - Two operators who predominantly use it are Transdev and trenbarton, but they but have very very strong brand identities, to the point where services don't have route numbers.

I would imagine it will just result in more "Do you go to...." questions for drivers.

(12 Nov 2017, 7:09 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Go North East used to just use ultimate destinations on electronic blinds about 10 years ago at least, here are some examples.

Newcastle Pilgrim Street - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Whitley Bay Holiday Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Wallsend M - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/

Wallsend Metro - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/ (this should confuse some people)

Hadrian Park - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...825671096/ (Didn't say which way it went)

The well served town of Not in Service - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...772835603/

Secured trips Wallsend-Throckley, weekends in the morning.  Also did 40 Chapel House-Wallsend and X82 Throckley-Eldon Square, 43 Dudley-Haymarket, and, my favourite, 356 Newcastle-North Shields.

Destination Displays

Simple, one or two via points would be better on front destination display, with side and rear only showing the final destination.:_

310   Newcastle
        Haymarket

310  North Shields
      via Hadrian Park

58    Heworth Metro
        via Leam Lane

58      Newcastle
      via Gateshead

57                  Wardley
      via Old Durham Rd & Heworth

The ultimate route displays back then at least qualified in which part of the place they were going. Wallsend metro is clearer than Wallsend, Newcastle Eldon Square is clearer than Newcastle. Since half stop on Market Street/Pilgrim, half in Eldon and 3 in Haymarket - it's nothing shorter than confusing to just say Newcastle on displays.

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Don't get me wrong, I like the new simple displays, my point simply was when I'm catching one of the many different numbered buses that serve my stop in Gateshead, the destination 'Newcastle' isn't very helpful. Is it going to take me all the way to Eldon Sq, or just dump me at Central Station?

Like the examples given from years ago, 'Newcastle Pilgrim St' / 'Newcastle Eldon Sq' / 'Newcastle Market St' / 'Newcastle Haymarket' / 'Newcastle Central Station' would be a-lot more informative & useful.