Just had my daily exercise/essential shopping. Be kinda good if everyone observed this practice, still people out who don't need to be!

Whilst out though I took a check on the buses that are running and it is, frankly, a waste of resources, sadly though, a needed waste, if that makes sense.

One thing I did notice though was a service 8, service 9 and little doubt, not far behind, a service 5/5a operating together. Surely given the areas and routes covered couldn't these be combined/worked together to maximise resources.

The emergency timetable gives us 3 buses an hour on the 8, 2 on the 9, likewise on the 5/5a. Not hard to work out that that level of service against usage is not good.

OK so it would take a bit of planning to combine the 3 routes and there is probably legislation to comply with but these are tough, unprecedented times.

---

**Just realised. Posted that against the wrong operator. Should be Arriva NE.**

It's exactly the same in Hartlepool. I went to collect my car from the garage after its service and get some shopping in as I still have to go into work at the moment, and counting 5 buses, including the one I was on, grand total of 10 passengers. I think at this point even a Sunday service is still going to be wasted

(26 Mar 2020, 3:06 pm)beefcake wrote It's exactly the same in Hartlepool. I went to collect my car from the garage after its service and get some shopping in as I still have to go into work at the moment, and counting 5 buses, including the one I was on, grand total of 10 passengers. I think at this point even a Sunday service is still going to be wasted

 

I passed Hartlepool depot on Monday and only saw a single MAN missing a front panel and Bristol 93 in the yard. Whilst I was observing 2 buses were driven away by supervisors. Does Hartlepool regularly run on so little spares now or is the operation being scaled back to potentially run out of Stockton during the emergency timetable?

That's an interesting thought. Afraid though I'm not familiar with the services in Hartlepool and what the PVR would be. Service 1 could easily be operated out of Stockton, and service 36 is already a Stockton operation, that just leaves the town requirement. Any thoughts?

(26 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)James101 wrote  

I passed Hartlepool depot on Monday and only saw a single MAN missing a front panel and Bristol 93 in the yard. Whilst I was observing 2 buses were driven away by supervisors. Does Hartlepool regularly run on so little spares now or is the operation being scaled back to potentially run out of Stockton during the emergency timetable?

Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.

(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin wrote Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.

According to Bus Times 36086, 39657, 39662 and 39668 are all off road, and 39709 is currently on loan from Sunderland.

Once the Sunday timetables come into effect it would make sense for more reliable and efficient ADL E300s to be temporarily used on Hartlepool's routes which will also help with social distancing on board the bus. I assume the risk of breakdowns and mechanical maintenance will also need to be kept at a minimum due to possible significant staffing shortages over the next few weeks.

I have also seen x2 Sunderland ADL E300s today with the seats that back onto the windows at the front of the bus taped off.

Also, South Shields MAN E200 39707 has returned to service according to Bus Times.

(26 Mar 2020, 11:52 am)scanialover wrote Just had my daily exercise/essential shopping. Be kinda good if everyone observed this practice, still people out who don't need to be!

Whilst out though I took a check on the buses that are running and it is, frankly, a waste of resources, sadly though, a needed waste, if that makes sense.

One thing I did notice though was a service 8, service 9 and little doubt, not far behind, a service 5/5a operating together. Surely given the areas and routes covered couldn't these be combined/worked together to maximise resources.

The emergency timetable gives us 3 buses an hour on the 8, 2 on the 9, likewise on the 5/5a. Not hard to work out that that level of service against usage is not good.

OK so it would take a bit of planning to combine the 3 routes and there is probably legislation to comply with but these are tough, unprecedented times.

---

**Just realised. Posted that against the wrong operator. Should be Arriva NE.**

How do you know they didn't need to be ? Maybe they were having their daily exercise same as you.

(26 Mar 2020, 9:22 pm)Cock Robin wrote Will have been something in the workshop?
Last I heard 39657 was still off the road and 39668 accident damage, hence why they keep borrowing from other depots.

 
Shutter's were down from what I saw. Since the pub opened next to the depot the access road allows a good view into the yard. The new PVR of Hartlepool is 15 from my workings - would make more sense to pool resources with Stockton as staff become increasingly unavailable.

(26 Mar 2020, 9:54 pm)AIG20 wrote According to Bus Times 36086, 39657, 39662 and 39668 are all off road, and 39709 is currently on loan from Sunderland.

Once the Sunday timetables come into effect it would make sense for more reliable and efficient ADL E300s to be temporarily used on Hartlepool's routes which will also help with social distancing on board the bus. I assume the risk of breakdowns and mechanical maintenance will also need to be kept at a minimum due to possible significant staffing shortages over the next few weeks.

I have also seen x2 Sunderland ADL E300s today with the seats that back onto the windows at the front of the bus taped off.

Also, South Shields MAN E200 39707 has returned to service according to Bus Times.

I think most of them have been taped off. Noticed a Stockton E300MMC yesterday.

Cock Robin. Thanks for letting me now about 39707 back in service at Shields depot, have not seen it yet by the way do you like the colours on 37315 I wonder which is next to get done. Robin

(27 Mar 2020, 12:02 am)Robin57 wrote Cock Robin. Thanks for letting me now about 39707 back in service at Shields depot, have not seen it yet by the way do you like the colours on 37315 I wonder which is next to get done. Robin

It wasn't me!
No I hate the new colours.

AIG 20. Have just seen 39707 sitting in the bottom depot at Shields. Robin

36962 and 39728 are the latest E200s to be be exchanged

Dan. Do you have any other news for me so I can keep up to date with you. Mate Robin

(27 Mar 2020, 12:14 pm)Robin57 wrote Dan. Do you have any other news for me so I can keep up to date with you. Mate Robin

If there's any information, it'll be post on here.. nothings happening because of the Coranavirus.

(27 Mar 2020, 12:14 pm)Robin57 wrote Dan. Do you have any other news for me so I can keep up to date with you. Mate Robin

Since some members are putting the user name on at the front of the message and there signature at the end of each message Why don’t you personally message each over instead of clogging up the forum? [emoji2955][emoji849]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi how as the new service 19 on teesside going is it going ok.

(28 Mar 2020, 7:23 am)glen wrote Hi how as the new service 19 on teesside going is it going ok.

Start is currently postponed indefinitely

Thanks for info mate

Wonder if all of the Sunderland fleet is all mainly gas/newer E200's buses from Monday - leaving the MAN's as back up or withdrawn for the time-being.

Service 3: 4 PVR
Service 4: 5 PVR
Service 8: 2 PVR
Service 10/11: 4 PVR
Service 12/13: 9 PVR
Service 16: 5 PVR
Service 18: 2 PVR
Service 20: 2 PVR
Service 23: 3 PVR
Service 30/X20 - 2 PVR
Service E1/E2/E6: 9 PVR
X1 - Would imagine it'll be using buses from other routes?
X24: 3 PVR
X34: 3 PVR

= 53


Could we see Stagecoach shutting one of its Newcastle depots?

(28 Mar 2020, 1:24 pm)Michael wrote Wonder if all of the Sunderland fleet is all mainly gas/newer E200's buses from Monday - leaving the MAN's as back up or withdrawn for the time-being.

Service 3: 4 PVR
Service 4: 5 PVR
Service 8: 2 PVR
Service 10/11: 4 PVR
Service 12/13: 9 PVR
Service 16: 5 PVR
Service 18: 2 PVR
Service 20: 2 PVR
Service 23: 3 PVR
Service 30/X20 - 2 PVR
Service E1/E2/E6: 9 PVR
X1 - Would imagine it'll be using buses from other routes?
X24: 3 PVR
X34: 3 PVR

= 53


Could we see Stagecoach shutting one of its Newcastle depots?

Do you fancy some homework Michael. 

As you've just said about possibly closing one of Newcastle depots. 
Take a look at the PVR for Shields and perhaps they could merge Shields and Sunderland temporarily.   And then also as previously stated earlier in week Hartlepool could merge with Teesside.

GNE have done it with closing Chester, Washington and Percy Main. 

Although I don't want to see depots closing, we have to look at it from both a companies financial situation and the health and well being of their staff.  It's great things are being kept moving but the drivers health and  safety is of the upmost importance and if that is maintained by doing what GNE have done, then perhaps it needs to be done at SNE.

(27 Mar 2020, 12:24 pm)cbma06 wrote Since some members are putting the user name on at the front of the message and there signature at the end of each message Why don’t you personally message each over instead of clogging up the forum? [emoji2955][emoji849]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well said!

37 buses coming off the road from tonight and stored until further notice at Walkergate depot possibly rotated each week

List is -

4x MMC’s (10633 10634 10636 10637)
11x Hybrids
20x E400’s
2x MAN’s (22024 22065)

(28 Mar 2020, 7:47 pm)topsweep1506 wrote 37 buses coming off the road from tonight and stored until further notice at Walkergate depot possibly rotated each week

List is -

4x MMC’s (10633 10634 10636 10637)
11x Hybrids
20x E400’s
2x MAN’s (22024 22065)

I'm surprised that ADL E400 MMCs and ADL E400H's are being taken off the road with them being newer and more efficient.

Does that mean that MAN E200s may still see use at South Shields and Sunderland? It would make sense for 34605/11, 35188/89, 39671-75 and 39701-32 to all be temporarily withdrawn - if there are enough spare ADL E200s remaining.

(28 Mar 2020, 9:12 pm)AIG20 wrote I'm surprised that ADL E400 MMCs and ADL E400H's are being taken off the road with them being newer and more efficient.

Does that mean that MAN E200s may still see use at South Shields and Sunderland? It would make sense for 34605/11, 35188/89, 39671-75 and 39701-32 to all be temporarily withdrawn - if there are enough spare ADL E200s remaining.

I was expecting all the older stuff to be stored and MMC’s and Hybrids to be kept in service

(28 Mar 2020, 9:12 pm)AIG20 wrote I'm surprised that ADL E400 MMCs and ADL E400H's are being taken off the road with them being newer and more efficient.

Does that mean that MAN E200s may still see use at South Shields and Sunderland? It would make sense for 34605/11, 35188/89, 39671-75 and 39701-32 to all be temporarily withdrawn - if there are enough spare ADL E200s remaining.

Surely running single decks in this climate is more efficient than double decks. I'm also assuming drivers have to occasionally wipe down poles and there is less on a single deck than a double (because 2 decks).

(28 Mar 2020, 1:24 pm)Michael wrote Wonder if all of the Sunderland fleet is all mainly gas/newer E200's buses from Monday - leaving the MAN's as back up or withdrawn for the time-being.

Service 3: 4 PVR
Service 4: 5 PVR
Service 8: 2 PVR
Service 10/11: 4 PVR
Service 12/13: 9 PVR
Service 16: 5 PVR
Service 18: 2 PVR
Service 20: 2 PVR
Service 23: 3 PVR
Service 30/X20 - 2 PVR
Service E1/E2/E6: 9 PVR
X1 - Would imagine it'll be using buses from other routes?
X24: 3 PVR
X34: 3 PVR

= 53


Could we see Stagecoach shutting one of its Newcastle depots?

They close Slatyford on Boxing Day (or used to) and ran all services from Walkergate.

(28 Mar 2020, 7:47 pm)topsweep1506 wrote 37 buses coming off the road from tonight and stored until further notice at Walkergate depot possibly rotated each week

List is -

4x MMC’s (10633 10634 10636 10637)
11x Hybrids
20x E400’s
2x MAN’s (22024 22065)

Surely they won't rotate them, the ones off the road will be declared SORN to save on tax?

(28 Mar 2020, 9:44 pm)topsweep1506 wrote I was expecting all the older stuff to be stored and MMC’s and Hybrids to be kept in service

Have they suspended repaints or using the decreased PVR as an opportunity to get a load through the paintshop?  Not sure how easy or otherwise it would be to repaint and apply vinyls etc while social distancing?

(29 Mar 2020, 1:23 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Have they suspended repaints or using the decreased PVR as an opportunity to get a load through the paintshop?  Not sure how easy or otherwise it would be to repaint and apply vinyls etc while social distancing?

Haven’t a clue about repaints at the moment as im off work until Wednesday then i can find out
Also one of the E400’s that is stored is a new livery one (19440)