(17 May 2018, 6:09 am)Dan wrote And people say ticketing options in the North East aren't too complex...

I know the three operators in the North East cover such a vast operating area that the ticketing structure is never going to be perfectly simple, but there's got to be a better way of illustrating it than that map. I can only just get my head around it, never mind someone from outside of the area. Just look at Darlington!

Does the so-called "Tyne & Wear Zone" actually go anywhere near the Wear?!

(17 May 2018, 6:09 am)Dan wrote And people say ticketing options in the North East aren't too complex...

I know the three operators in the North East cover such a vast operating area that the ticketing structure is never going to be perfectly simple, but there's got to be a better way of illustrating it than that map. I can only just get my head around it, never mind someone from outside of the area. Just look at Darlington!

The Stagecoach prices are quite easy to follow though compared to GNE and Arriva.

(17 May 2018, 6:13 am)Michael wrote The Stagecoach prices are quite easy to follow though compared to GNE and Arriva.

It's a little bit easier for Stagecoach as their network barely overlaps. Their target market is clearly those making journeys from home into town, rather than those travelling onwards to another town/city.

Prior to the introduction of the X24 service, it'd have been quite difficult for someone making the journey between Sunderland and Newcastle on a Stagecoach-only ticket (E1/E2 service from Sunderland to Marsden then X34 from there to Newcastle). As nobody in their right mind would even attempt to undertake that journey (when the Go North East and Metro services are far quicker), they didn't really have to price their tickets for people making that kind of journey.

I think their pricing strategy has started to go a little bit haywire since the introduction of services like the X24.

(17 May 2018, 6:23 am)Dan wrote It's a little bit easier for Stagecoach as their network barely overlaps. Their target market is clearly those making journeys from home into town, rather than those travelling onwards to another town/city.

Prior to the introduction of the X24 service, it'd have been quite difficult for someone making the journey between Sunderland and Newcastle on a Stagecoach-only ticket (E1/E2 service from Sunderland to Marsden then X34 from there to Newcastle). As nobody in their right mind would even attempt to undertake that journey (when the Go North East and Metro services are far quicker), they didn't really have to price their tickets for people making that kind of journey.

I think their pricing strategy has started to go a little bit haywire since the introduction of services like the X24.

A little but its not as bad it could be

Hopefully the new MD at Go North East makes an attempt to sort the ticketing out, maybe merge some zones?

(17 May 2018, 6:09 am)Dan wrote And people say ticketing options in the North East aren't too complex...

I know the three operators in the North East cover such a vast operating area that the ticketing structure is never going to be perfectly simple, but there's got to be a better way of illustrating it than that map. I can only just get my head around it, never mind someone from outside of the area. Just look at Darlington!

I agree with you on that, the company who made the map, The MHD Partnership, should have really known better after looking at their past work... 

7603 which is currently on the 8:00 X8 to Newcastle currently at the isabella has a crack in the top front window

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7603 currently on the 8:00 X8 to Newcastle which I am currently on has a crack in the top front window

1463 is presently parked in Stockton's fuelling line, believed to be the bus transferring from Durham with an X12 board from tomorrow.

(17 May 2018, 6:12 am)Ianthegoon wrote Does the so-called "Tyne & Wear Zone" actually go anywhere near the Wear?!

No and it's tripped people up, wanting to travel from north Tyneside to Durham because Durham is on the wear, innit.

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(17 May 2018, 5:55 am)omnicity4659 wrote BusLoverMum,

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/globalassets...map-aw.pdf

Thanks, btw

Just noticed an additional for a £10 family ticket on the side of a 64.

(21 May 2018, 9:10 am)BusLoverMum wrote Just noticed an additional for a £10 family ticket on the side of a 64.

May Day Bank Holiday offer - unsure if they are repeating it this weekend.

Doesn't it say ALL Bank Holidays?

More information on the £10 family day ticket.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/global-float...orth-east/

4521 is in service at blyth depot now it was on 1s yesterday and X7/X8 today. 7485 may be dye to be withdrawn as it has been sitting abandoned on newsham road for over 3 hours

It'll be awaiting Alpha to come and recover it, average waiting time for a wrecker is hours.

Plus it just means that it's a fault that a mechanic can't fix roadside, doesn't mean it's being disposed of.

(23 May 2018, 5:48 pm)omnicity4659 wrote It'll be awaiting Alpha to come and recover it, average waiting time for a wrecker is hours.

Plus it just means that it's a fault that a mechanic can't fix roadside, doesn't mean it's being disposed of.

Thats good do you know why 4521 is at blyth

(23 May 2018, 6:24 pm)GNE6312 wrote Thats good do you know why 4521 is at blyth

Vehicle shortage likely.

(23 May 2018, 6:38 pm)S830OFT wrote Vehicle shortage likely.

Probably and blyth is probably short of darts and optares as 4521 served the 1 yesterday and 7624 was on today aswell as 7410 being on the 2 yesterday.

(23 May 2018, 7:33 pm)GNE6312 wrote Probably and blyth is probably short of darts and optares as 4521 served the 1 yesterday and 7624 was on today aswell as 7410 being on the 2 yesterday.

As far as I know, Blyth have 11 minibuses to cover a minibus PVR of 11. If even one is off the road, for test, routine maintenance, repair etc, then a conventional vehicle will be allocated where required.

(23 May 2018, 7:56 pm)mb134 wrote As far as I know, Blyth have 11 minibuses to cover a minibus PVR of 11. If even one is off the road, for test, routine maintenance, repair etc, then a conventional vehicle will be allocated where required.

14, 13 shown above, and then recent transfer 1766.

(24 May 2018, 10:44 am)omnicity4659 wrote 14, 13 shown above, and then recent transfer 1766.

1771 has apparently been scrapped or awaiting scrap so that's withdrawn.

(24 May 2018, 10:52 am)S830OFT wrote 1771 has apparently been scrapped or awaiting scrap so that's withdrawn.

Whoops, so it has. 

(24 May 2018, 10:44 am)omnicity4659 wrote 14, 13 shown above, and then recent transfer 1766.

I believe, in addition to 1771, that 1770 and 1774 have also been withdrawn. 1774 was at Jesmond for its last few months.

(24 May 2018, 11:09 am)mb134 wrote I believe, in addition to 1771, that 1770 and 1774 have also been withdrawn. 1774 was at Jesmond for its last few months.

Thanks! I rarely get updates from Blyth these days, so they must have slipped through.  

My mam often tells me tales about her adventures on the bus.
Mentioned one or two of them on here in the past - but if they stir enough interest, I might even create a dedicated thread (like Marcus had).

Not sure what to call it. Maybe Granny C's bus tales. 
Need something more catchier.

Anyway, today the tale was about the X12. 
She was waiting at Eldon Square, having just missed a 21.
As she approached it, she noticed the driver wasn't in his cab.
Not wanting to board, she waited and then spotted him at the back of the bus (I found out it was a single decker at this point).
Cut to the chase, although she was wondering if there 'was bother', it turns out the fella was tidying up the piles of rubbish that had accumulated.
He came down with an armful and found a bin somewhere (she did say that there had been a bit of a conversation at some point between them).
She got on and found a seat.

With the works on Newgate St, the bus was on diversion (I didnt ask if she saw any notices on the bus or big, 7ft tall matrix signs by the side of the road, couldn't be doing with another JamieM style convo so early after the last).
'oh the bus was a single decker. A single decker on the X12! It was an old one, it rattled like mad. Imagine sitting all the way to Middlesbrough on that?'.

At this point my Dad chipped in and said 'good to see a driver that is proud of his bus'.

And that was that. 
The conversation ended.

4643 is currently being towed back to Faverdale from the hard shoulder of the A1M

(22 May 2018, 2:00 pm)omnicity4659 wrote More information on the £10 family day ticket.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/global-float...orth-east/

Aye, well so much for thst. On an X12 and asked for one. The ticket machine came up with the usual £13.50 and, despite the sticker on the side of the bus, the driver knew nothing about it.

I've bought explorers, instead.

(26 May 2018, 9:36 am)BusLoverMum wrote Aye, well so much for thst. On an X12 and asked for one. The ticket machine came up with the usual £13.50 and, despite the sticker on the side of the bus, the driver knew nothing about it.

I've bought explorers, instead.

You cannot make it up can you

Not a single window open, either.  Someone did try but it got slammed shut again.

My brain needs a bigger heatsink before it goes into meltdown.

(26 May 2018, 9:36 am)BusLoverMum wrote Aye, well so much for thst. On an X12 and asked for one. The ticket machine came up with the usual £13.50 and, despite the sticker on the side of the bus, the driver knew nothing about it.

I've bought explorers, instead.

Unbelievable!

7632 has wifi fitted now, not sure about the other ex Yorkshire buses yet.