Skip to main content
(22 Dec 2013, 2:08 pm)CatsFast101 wrote but more needs to be done to make sure this works GNE seem disinterested even though these services with wifi are there most important and profitable services!
(22 Dec 2013, 4:26 pm)citaro5284 wrote I can assure you everything is been done to get the wifi working. You have not got a clue what is going on behind then scenes, do you really think GNE do not want the wifi not working. There is at least 3 companies involved and each one is working hard to get the issue resolved.
(22 Dec 2013, 11:53 pm)ADLEnviro wrote Obviously the FREE wifi is being used as a tool to try and keep customers or generate new ones from areas where they is other travel options.
Arriva say the introduction by Stagecoach of FREE wifi on there Killingworth services hasn't made a difference to there passenger numbers on this corridor.
Has GNE noticed a lift in passenger numbers switching from the train on the 10 group of services since the introduction of FREE wifi.
(23 Dec 2013, 10:04 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote The WiFi seems to be a problem on certain routes while other routes have reliable WiFi. I have never had a problem connecting to WiFi on the tynedaleexpress and the data speed is very good. I have found the 21 WiFi connects about 60% of the time. I have never been able to connect to WiFi on the 4.
(23 Dec 2013, 9:49 am)CatsFast101 wrote Well an example in my area is the 60/61. However, none of the 60's to my knowledge have working wifi yet, but I still can't imagine people letting the 61 go past and wait for a 60 because it has free wifi, I think it's a service which people think of as a bonus not a reason to travel.
(23 Dec 2013, 10:11 am)Dan wrote The Wi-Fi does not work on vehicles which were purchased this year.
It should work on all other vehicles (Red Arrows, Tyne Tees Xpress, Angel etc).
I find the "Tynedalexpress" Wi-Fi speeds vary depending on the vehicles. Some have "go-wifi" whilst others have "Moovbox" if I recall correctly. Off memory, it is the former which has the quicker speeds.
They're not services which have competition. Taking the 61 over the 60 is not a big deal to GNE because the money goes to the same person at the end of the day!
Take Arriva's 308 and GNE's 309/310 though... Very similar services, very similar journey times... I can't remember off the top of my head, but I'm inclined to suggest that Arriva's B5LH vehicles which are supposed to be allocated to service 308 do not have free Wi-Fi. Go North East services 309/310 will have free Wi-Fi, Next Stop Announcements and power sockets... To commuters (remember, GNE want fare paying passengers - not, oof.. I'll refrain from saying it!), which is the better service to travel on? Is it a bonus, or is it a reason to travel?
(23 Dec 2013, 10:46 am)CatsFast101 wrote I just don't know if free wifi can alone be something which as a passenger makes me travel with a company. Price would be the thing to me, if ones cheaper then I'm mostly likely to do that one even if the other has wifi, only issue would be if let's say one service had an allocation of an Dart daily whilst the other had Citaros... But that's me a someone interested in buses.
(23 Dec 2013, 11:09 am)Dan wrote On a slightly different note...
A further 13 new Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini for Fab56 and Cobalt Connect have been delivered, please see the fleet list for details of the fleet numbers and registration marks.
MPDs 502: X502 WRG and 503: X503 WRG have been withdrawn from service at Peterlee.
MPDs 501, 510, 512, 515, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 532, 533 and 534 have been sold to Ensign Bus Co. and Citaro artics 5349, 5351, 5355 and 5356 to Optare Group Ltd.
---
Hey, I didn't know that the Cobalt Connect was getting brand new B9s... Must be a pretty big frequency increase to go with it too!
(23 Dec 2013, 11:09 am)Dan wrote On a slightly different note...
A further 13 new Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini for Fab56 and Cobalt Connect have been delivered, please see the fleet list for details of the fleet numbers and registration marks.
MPDs 502: X502 WRG and 503: X503 WRG have been withdrawn from service at Peterlee.
MPDs 501, 510, 512, 515, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 532, 533 and 534 have been sold to Ensign Bus Co. and Citaro artics 5349, 5351, 5355 and 5356 to Optare Group Ltd.
---
Hey, I didn't know that the Cobalt Connect was getting brand new B9s... Must be a pretty big frequency increase to go with it too!
(23 Dec 2013, 11:32 am)JP6004 wrote Those are ex orbit scania and should be listed as prince bishops. It's been in slightly different colour since they were transferred to deptford
(23 Dec 2013, 11:34 am)Dan wrote Where's 8240?
(23 Dec 2013, 11:42 am)Michael wrote Bottom of the sea i hope..
(23 Dec 2013, 11:42 am)Michael wrote Go North East
A number of services are experiencing delays of 10 to 30 mins, particularly those that stop near Supermarkets due to increased queuing.
That's a new one... Glad i'm in my warm house
(23 Dec 2013, 12:00 pm)Dan wrote Sorry to disappoint, Michael..!
But of course, it has been sold according to a previous update!
I hope never to any of the SPD again when all of them are withdrawn!
------------------
Gotta say that post by GNE made me smile!
Imagine the LOOP today!
(23 Dec 2013, 11:04 am)Dan wrote Admittedly price is another key factor, but I'd say that was bringing age into account as well. Younger employees - especially those who are still in education - are likely to take the cheapest option, and that will ultimately be down to other financial priorities in life over travel.
Looking at slightly older people - if, after work, you usually go out but wouldn't otherwise have time to charge your phone, would you choose the bus which you know should have power sockets or the one without? I imagine those who are slightly older will have less financial difficulties, and will be able to afford an extra quid or two per week/month to travel with greater benefits.
.(23 Dec 2013, 1:23 pm)andreos1 wrote Have to admit to never taking my charger out with me on a night out mind
(23 Dec 2013, 1:23 pm)andreos1 wrote Maybe worth retrofitting sockets onto the x1 and 21 Gemini's...
I imagine quite a few people travel point to point and run out of charge on those journeys.
(23 Dec 2013, 1:35 pm)Dan wrote Should have been a bit more clear...
You (rather unfortunately) live in Blyth, and you're travelling home from work in Newcastle. You bring your charger to work with you, and use it when on the 309 home because you know you only have about 30 minutes in the house at tops before you go out again.
In the time it takes for you to get to Blyth, your phone can be relatively topped up battery-wise.
Agree on this one.
(23 Dec 2013, 1:41 pm)Dan wrote You almost had me, but what happens if you're not in the office that day? You're out and about doing another job?
(23 Dec 2013, 1:44 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Or what happens when Percy Main allocate a single decker bus without sockets!
(23 Dec 2013, 11:09 am)Dan wrote On a slightly different note...
A further 13 new Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini for Fab56 and Cobalt Connect have been delivered, please see the fleet list for details of the fleet numbers and registration marks.
MPDs 502: X502 WRG and 503: X503 WRG have been withdrawn from service at Peterlee.
MPDs 501, 510, 512, 515, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 532, 533 and 534 have been sold to Ensign Bus Co. and Citaro artics 5349, 5351, 5355 and 5356 to Optare Group Ltd.
---
Hey, I didn't know that the Cobalt Connect was getting brand new B9s... Must be a pretty big frequency increase to go with it too!
(23 Dec 2013, 2:49 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote NL63 YCK/NL63 YRG and NL63 VJH are to be added/delivered, One of those should be Red, Meaning there should be one more left to make the total of 34 B9's, Hopefully said 4 will Arrive Today or Tomorrow if there not already here that is.
