(29 Dec 2019, 8:01 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'd pick something else of my list of things that irritate me! I could go back to whining about the app, or the lack of multi operator tickets in County Durham, or my dislike for the placement of the white stripe on the E400s.

The list is literally endless!

For everyone's sanity... All being well, the current plan is to have the announcements re-enabled on service X21 in line with the service changes taking place on 26 January, yes.

I've purposely ignored the questions about Next Stop Announcements as I feel it's a very limited audience that's interested in them, but now some progress is being made... They'd have been re-enabled sooner, but for the past two months, there have been issues with Hanover's equipment that their software development team have had to rectify, before their field engineer could make a start on repairing the faulty systems (every single bus in the fleet, so a huge widespread issue that can't be fixed overnight). This is also the same reason for the Next Stop Announcements on the new X30 buses not working. Completely out of Go North East's hands, and, as with all suppliers, you're on a waiting list.

Providing all of these issues are fixed in time, announcements will be programmed for:

Is the issues with hanover, just with GNE or all over the country

(29 Dec 2019, 8:20 pm)Michael wrote Is the issues with hanover, just with GNE or all over the country

Mainly just Go North East, as there isn't another operator out there using the system quite to the extent Go North East is (the aforementioned services amount to over 900 individual journeys having been programmed), although I understand Stagecoach have faced some of these issues on their new buses for the 36/37/38 already which possibly explains why the buses on the 39/40 haven't been programmed yet.

Lothian Buses would be the next operator to be anywhere as close.

(29 Dec 2019, 8:24 pm)Dan wrote Mainly just Go North East, as there isn't another operator out there using the system quite to the extent Go North East is (the aforementioned services amount to over 900 individual journeys having been programmed), although I understand Stagecoach have faced some of these issues on their new buses for the 36/37/38 already which possibly explains why the buses on the 39/40 haven't been programmed yet.

Lothian Buses would be the next operator to be anywhere as close.

Ah right thanks!, hopefully its sorted soon

(29 Dec 2019, 6:42 pm)JP6004 wrote I know it doesn't even depart from the Express Lounge at Gateshead Interchange!

Well the 1 departs from there and that's not express at all!

(29 Dec 2019, 8:03 pm)cbma06 wrote Was there an Arriva bus parked on the stand?, when I’ve been at DBS waiting for a bus there’s always a arriva bus on the stand where the driver has just plonked it on the wrong stand as the driver wants to get off from doing a shift and the bus I’m waiting for has to go onto another stand even 2 stands away and I’m telling the passengers in front that the bus there waiting for is 2 stands away, it’s to congested


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It’s called an explorer ticket

I was told by DCC quite a few years ago DCC wanted some kind of network ticketing sort of thing like what’s in T&W, but Arriva and GNE need to talk to each over with DCC and it came to no avail, some one might know more


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There's always an abandoned Arriva bus! 

The explorer ticket is ridiculously overpriced unless you use it as a one off. As someone who travels between between Bishop Auckland and Gateshead pretty much daily, it would probably cost me over £200 a month in tickets. If they did a weekly or a monthly ticket I might be interested, but as it is, it's cheaper to buy a GNE all zone and Arriva Durham District ticket separately.

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(29 Dec 2019, 8:11 pm)Dan wrote For everyone's sanity... All being well, the current plan is to have the announcements re-enabled on service X21 in line with the service changes taking place on 26 January, yes.

I've purposely ignored the questions about Next Stop Announcements as I feel it's a very limited audience that's interested in them, but now some progress is being made... They'd have been re-enabled sooner, but for the past two months, there have been issues with Hanover's equipment that their software development team have had to rectify, before their field engineer could make a start on repairing the faulty systems (every single bus in the fleet, so a huge widespread issue that can't be fixed overnight). This is also the same reason for the Next Stop Announcements on the new X30 buses not working. Completely out of Go North East's hands, and, as with all suppliers, you're on a waiting list.

Providing all of these issues are fixed in time, announcements will be programmed for:

I think you've been purposely ignoring the question just to wind me up! 
In all seriousness though, it's good to hear that it should be up and running soon. 

Was the issue with Hanover caused by having so many services?

(29 Dec 2019, 9:16 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Was the issue with Hanover caused by having so many services?

That was one of the reasons why - and that was before some of those other services mentioned in the previous post got added to the database!

Rapidly getting to a stage where every single service is programmed, either in readiness for those services having buses allocated which have this feature, or for evenings and Sundays where buses with this feature are already (or will be) allocated.

Clearly the buses running the older systems will still be very limited in what they can do, as the programming takes five times as long, relies on a manual upload, and they don't have anywhere near as much memory to facilitate so many journeys being programmed.

(29 Dec 2019, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote That was one of the reasons why - and that was before some of those other services mentioned in the previous post got added to the database!

Rapidly getting to a stage where every single service is programmed, either in readiness for those services having buses allocated which have this feature, or for evenings and Sundays where buses with this feature are already (or will be) allocated.

Clearly the buses running the older systems will still be very limited in what they can do, as the programming takes five times as long, relies on a manual upload, and they don't have anywhere near as much memory to facilitate so many journeys being programmed.

Would it cost more to upgrade the older systems than it does in time having to manually upload the journeys to them?

(29 Dec 2019, 8:03 pm)cbma06 wrote Was there an Arriva bus parked on the stand?, when I’ve been at DBS waiting for a bus there’s always a arriva bus on the stand where the driver has just plonked it on the wrong stand as the driver wants to get off from doing a shift and the bus I’m waiting for has to go onto another stand even 2 stands away and I’m telling the passengers in front that the bus there waiting for is 2 stands away, it’s to congested


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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It’s called an explorer ticket

I was told by DCC quite a few years ago DCC wanted some kind of network ticketing sort of thing like what’s in T&W, but Arriva and GNE need to talk to each over with DCC and it came to no avail, some one might know more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s still the same with the network tickets now. I got the impression that DCC doesn’t want too put any money into a scheme.


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(29 Dec 2019, 9:29 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Would it cost more to upgrade the older systems than it does in time having to manually upload the journeys to them?

It depends on how you look at it - there's reasons that could be argued to say no, but the short answer is yes.

(29 Dec 2019, 6:50 pm)JP6004 wrote Well to be fair Nexus' idea of an Express lounge is like bridge cafe in the Apprentice.....I think they should knock down Gateshead Interchange and start again

They already did that less than 20 years ago. Did you see what it was like back then?

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(29 Dec 2019, 6:54 pm)cbma06 wrote What ever happened about the plans of building a new bus station at Durham, was it just all fantasy in the councillors eyes , or did the council needed to use the money to build themselves a nice new HQ.


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The people didn't like the plans and the planners agreed.

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(29 Dec 2019, 7:48 pm)streetdeckfan wrote If they had a bus station that was capable of holding buses, there would be no need for the stops on North Road.

For me the main issue with DBS is the size rather than the dilapidated state. 
At the minute Durham Bus Station is far too small for the amount of buses that use it. Not long back, I was on the X21 and we had to go round 3 or 4 times because there was no stand available. It's not uncommon to see a 21 or X21 parked at the end with passengers having to walk in front of the buses at stand L

We call that one stand L and three quarters.

Capacity has been an issue for a long time and the plans for the new station haven't offered any improvement.

(29 Dec 2019, 9:29 pm)2bagstew wrote It’s still the same with the network tickets now. I got the impression that DCC doesn’t want too put any money into a scheme. 


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That would be because, like most councils, DCC would have to ask whether you wanted that money taken away from education, social care or waste disposal.

(29 Dec 2019, 7:48 pm)streetdeckfan wrote If they had a bus station that was capable of holding buses, there would be no need for the stops on North Road.

For me the main issue with DBS is the size rather than the dilapidated state. 
At the minute Durham Bus Station is far too small for the amount of buses that use it. Not long back, I was on the X21 and we had to go round 3 or 4 times because there was no stand available. It's not uncommon to see a 21 or X21 parked at the end with passengers having to walk in front of the buses at stand L

But Durham is a small city, and given the location of the bus station, I doubt there'll be a major change in size.

I went to college in Durham and was there literally every day between Sep 2016 and Jun 2018 – can't remember a single time having to around the station 3 or 4 times before we reached a stand. It's not that bad?

People walk in front of all the stands, not just L, and some just cross between the stands to get to the bus before everyone else because they're ignorant tossers.

Personally, I think the council should have bigger fish to fry than the state of the bus station. I mean, have you been to the bus station in Peterlee? There are currently 3 or 4 windows that were smashed in weeks ago. Council can't be arsed to fix them and for good reason: because the charvas are just going to smash them yet again on their Friday night ASBO rounds.

(30 Dec 2019, 3:59 am)BeachBoy99 wrote But Durham is a small city, and given the location of the bus station, I doubt there'll be a major change in size.

I went to college in Durham and was there literally every day between Sep 2016 and Jun 2018 – can't remember a single time having to around the station 3 or 4 times before we reached a stand. It's not that bad?

People walk in front of all the stands, not just L, and some just cross between the stands to get to the bus before everyone else because they're ignorant tossers.

Personally, I think the council should have bigger fish to fry than the state of the bus station. I mean, have you been to the bus station in Peterlee? There are currently 3 or 4 windows that were smashed in weeks ago. Council can't be arsed to fix them and for good reason: because the charvas are just going to smash them yet again on their Friday night ASBO rounds.

Durham might be a small city, but pretty much all Arriva services pass through it so it's always busy.
Granted, the time we had to go round 3 or 4 times it was exceptionally busy, but it's not unusual to have to go around at least once.

The issue with walking in front of stand L is that there isn't a stop after it. The buses are parking on the corner, I see it happen very frequently, obviously drivers don't want to drive around so they just set down on the road and let passengers off.

(29 Dec 2019, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote Rapidly getting to a stage where every single service is programmed, either in readiness for those services having buses allocated which have this feature, or for evenings and Sundays where buses with this feature are already (or will be) allocated.

Has there been much change to the WiFi/NSA scene in terms of buses fitted/removed since May? I recall posts about the Venture Solos being fitted in relation to the changes around Shotley Bridge a few weeks ago but since it isn't a topic many are interested in, it isn't the easiest of things to keep up with.

(30 Dec 2019, 3:59 am)BeachBoy99 wrote But Durham is a small city, and given the location of the bus station, I doubt there'll be a major change in size.

I went to college in Durham and was there literally every day between Sep 2016 and Jun 2018 – can't remember a single time having to around the station 3 or 4 times before we reached a stand. It's not that bad?

People walk in front of all the stands, not just L, and some just cross between the stands to get to the bus before everyone else because they're ignorant tossers.

Personally, I think the council should have bigger fish to fry than the state of the bus station. I mean, have you been to the bus station in Peterlee? There are currently 3 or 4 windows that were smashed in weeks ago. Council can't be arsed to fix them and for good reason: because the charvas are just going to smash them yet again on their Friday night ASBO rounds.

Peterlee Bus Station now has a security guard from previous evening visits...

(29 Dec 2019, 6:28 pm)peter wrote Does anybody have confirmation of the new PVRs as a result of these service changes?? I've had a go looking at the timetables but not sure if I'm right!

Cheers, Peter

I think these are right... most of the PVR's remain the same... (could be wrong though on the new PVRs!)


1 – Same
4 – Same
5/50 – Same
M6/M7/M8 - 3 PVR
6/6A/12/12A – 8 PVR
X6/X7/X20 – Same
X9/X10 – Same
10/10A/10B – Same
14 – Same
21 – 15 PVR 
X21 – 12 PVR
26/27 – Same
30/31/32 – 2 PVR?
34/34A – Same
35/35A – Same
49/49A – Same
57 – PVR 5
X84/X85 – Same
95 – Same
97 – Same
309/310/311 - 15 PVR

(30 Dec 2019, 3:12 pm)Michael wrote I think these are right... most of the PVR's remain the same..
57 – PVR 5
309/310/311 - 15 PVR

57 is correct but Cobalt & Coast PVR will remain at 17. If the 311 didn't serve High Farm, the PVR could be reduced to 16.

(30 Dec 2019, 3:12 pm)Michael wrote I think these are right... most of the PVR's remain the same... (could be wrong though on the new PVRs!)


1 – Same
4 – Same
5/50 – Same
M6/M7/M8 - 3 PVR
6/6A/12/12A – 8 PVR
X6/X7/X20 – Same
X9/X10 – Same
10/10A/10B – Same
14 – Same
21 – 15 PVR 
X21 – 12 PVR
26/27 – Same
30/31/32 – 2 PVR?
34/34A – Same
35/35A – Same
49/49A – Same
57 – PVR 5
X84/X85 – Same
95 – Same
97 – Same
309/310/311 - 15 PVR

(30 Dec 2019, 4:22 pm)L469 YVK wrote 57 is correct but Cobalt & Coast PVR will remain at 17. If the 311 didn't serve High Farm, the PVR could be reduced to 16.

I got the following new PVRs:
M6/7/8=4
6/12/12A=9
21=15
X21=12
30/1/2=2
49/49A=9
57=5
309/10/11=16

Could anyone confirm if any of our guesses are indeed correct?

Thanks, Peter

(30 Dec 2019, 6:26 pm)peter wrote I got the following new PVRs:
M6/7/8=4
6/12/12A=9
21=15
X21=12
30/1/2=2
49/49A=9
57=5
309/10/11=16

Could anyone confirm if any of our guesses are indeed correct?

Thanks, Peter

Yours sound right.

(30 Dec 2019, 6:34 pm)Dan wrote Yours sound right.

Oh well , i was close!

Surprised they aren't sticking to 10 on the 49/49A though, have an extra bus out like the 56 etc.

(30 Dec 2019, 6:38 pm)Michael wrote Oh well , i was close!

Surprised they aren't sticking to 10 on the 49/49A though, have an extra bus out like the 56 etc.

Still Rubbish timetable said by few drivers , Since that Extra bus got took out nothing but hassle for keeping time even at peak time too

(30 Dec 2019, 6:34 pm)Dan wrote Yours sound right.

Just checked and 16 is indeed right for the Cobalt & Coast services. Will be a 5hr10m round trip doing the following:

- NShields: 00:18
- Ncl: 01:05
- Ncl: 01:12
- HPark: 01:38
- HPark: 01:41
- Ncl: 02:12
- Ncl: 02:18
- Bly: 03:24 - Layover reduced but extra running time to account for driver changes at New York by the looks of it
- Bly: 03:29
- Ncl: 04:38
- Ncl: 04:45
- NShields: 05:28

309 / 310 / 311 timetable now online. 311 does serve High Farm (Mullen Road)
https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...10_311.pdf

Am i missing the point or does the 311 seen pointless, why couldnt they of just sent the 310 into Hadrian Park all day

(01 Jan 2020, 7:43 am)V514DFT wrote Am i missing the point or does the 311 seen pointless, why couldnt they of just sent the 310 into Hadrian Park all day

Maybe because the users from further out didn't fancy the diversion and resultant additional journey time, and suggested that they might use Arriva's services instead?

(01 Jan 2020, 8:30 am)Ianthegoon wrote Maybe because the users from further out didn't fancy the diversion and resultant additional journey time, and suggested that they might use Arriva's services instead?

Putting the 310 through Hadrian Park during the evenings (like what GNE are doing now) would be fair enough. I've used it a few times via Hadrian Park and don't mind particularly with the last service currently at 23:20 which provides a good late night alternative to the 22:50 309 and 23:12 308 albeit the short walk.

But I think putting it through during the daytimes would be a bit too much and would end up with users around West Chirton and the bottom end of New York just walking to the Coast Rd for the 306/308 instead.

So what extra buses will be allocated to the X21 from the 26th January?, even if 2 Angel Streetdecks are repainted, they'll still be short by a fair amount.

Will 6301-6303 be all allocated again, until new buses can be brought in?, still then leaves them short of 3...

(01 Jan 2020, 8:30 am)Ianthegoon wrote Maybe because the users from further out didn't fancy the diversion and resultant additional journey time, and suggested that they might use Arriva's services instead?

Hadrian Park havent had a direct service to North Shields since the days of the 300 and 305, the 42 could serve there during the day,then the 310 could take over from when the last 42 goes through there,but nope, its just my opinion but im sorry, the 311 seems like a pointless route, i also think the 42/42A should only go as far as the cobalt on an evening with the very last ones finishing at wallsend

(01 Jan 2020, 1:03 pm)V514DFT wrote Hadrian Park havent had a direct service to North Shields since the days of the 300 and 305, the 42 could serve there during the day,then the 310 could take over from when the last 42 goes through there,but nope, its just my opinion but im sorry, the 311 seems like a pointless route, i also think the 42/42A should only go as far as the cobalt on an evening with the very last ones finishing at wallsend

So you're saying Hadrian Park doesn't deserve a direct service to Newcastle? In my experience, that's where most people who used the 57 on that end were going other than Battle Hill.