(29 Dec 2013, 12:44 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Wasn't there a load of VOSA registrations that were suggested to be changes in timings to allow change overs at the metro centre? Why would they change at Gateshead when the depot is right next to the metrocentre? What the logic there?

Yeah, doesnt make sense, i suppose however there is some sort of logic around this, but also, it may allow spares to be allocated there rather than drivers waiting there for somebody to bring a spare over to Gateshead/Blaydon. Im just guessing that as a reason, i may be completely wrong.

(29 Dec 2013, 1:00 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote Yeah, doesnt make sense, i suppose however there is some sort of logic around this, but also, it may allow spares to be allocated there rather than drivers waiting there for somebody to bring a spare over to Gateshead/Blaydon. Im just guessing that as a reason, i may be completely wrong.

Gives operational resilience when things go wrong I would guess. No good needing drivers at Gateshead to cover late running when all your drivers are having their breaks at the depot at Metrocentre.

(29 Dec 2013, 1:00 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote Yeah, doesnt make sense, i suppose however there is some sort of logic around this, but also, it may allow spares to be allocated there rather than drivers waiting there for somebody to bring a spare over to Gateshead/Blaydon. Im just guessing that as a reason, i may be completely wrong.

Western Gateshead services will be changing over at Metrocentre, all others (including the 49's as eezypeazy as said), will be changing over at Gateshead (as these drivers will be operating the Highwayman's as well) as this is still going to be an Operational base with a canteen. Remember all the Eastern Gateshead services (51, 52, 58 etc) will still need a location for changing drivers, so Gateshead will still be the main location.

There is no difference as to what happens now, except the buses will be parked at the Riverside rather than Sunderland Rd.

Where will the 69 do a driver change once this new depot is open? This route doesn't touch either MetroCentre or Gateshead, even though it does interwork with the 67. Will it have to all be done at the MetroCentre when operating the 67?

(29 Dec 2013, 6:03 pm)Liam wrote Yep, as it does now.

Oh, okay, thanks. So there's no driver changes done at Winlaton at all on the 69?

(29 Dec 2013, 6:16 pm)big mac wrote Oh, okay, thanks. So there's no driver changes done at Winlaton at all on the 69?

No, not since operation of the 67/69 moved to Saltmeadows depot.

(27 Dec 2013, 9:10 pm)andreos1 wrote Spooky you mentioned it about the 21 as I was referring to the x1.
That is at least two comments about two different services being over crowded!

Glad it seems lessons have been learned relating to services into/out of Newcastle and the match/shoppers.

Hopefully the services can be adapted depending on who is at home on Boxing Day, with services behind spread about a bit, rather than concentrated in the same areas.

Having the 21 every 10 mins is great.
It gets crowded on a normal match day - if there are even fewer buses to relieve the pressure on it, then it will be like the Tokyo Metro!

There's always something to learn - and it was a similar post match experience today on the 21's as the first few post match buses where heaving with the usual Sunday 10 min frequency.

I still think anything extra on Boxing Day is a tricky one as the costs are so high, you've got to be certain that its going to take enough dosh to cover it. There's some interesting points mentioned on out of town shopping centres etc, but I can't see places like that being worth serving commercially on Boxing Day as most people go by car anyway - I'm thinking the likes of Team Valley, Silverlink, Byker Retail Park etc and possibly even Dalton Park. I think Boxing Day is always going to be a day for the traditional town/city centre locations as that's where the volume's at.

The year the 71's run on Boxing Day will be the year you can join me in Fenwick's winda, showing our respective back ends !

(29 Dec 2013, 6:16 pm)big mac wrote Oh, okay, thanks. So there's no driver changes done at Winlaton at all on the 69?

(29 Dec 2013, 6:27 pm)Kuyoyo wrote No, not since operation of the 67/69 moved to Saltmeadows depot.

Big Mac - see this news article for reference.

(29 Dec 2013, 6:32 pm)busman101 wrote There's always something to learn - and it was a similar post match experience today on the 21's as the first few post match buses where heaving with the usual Sunday 10 min frequency.

I still think anything extra on Boxing Day is a tricky one as the costs are so high, you've got to be certain that its going to take enough dosh to cover it. There's some interesting points mentioned on out of town shopping centres etc, but I can't see places like that being worth serving commercially on Boxing Day as most people go by car anyway - I'm thinking the likes of Team Valley, Silverlink, Byker Retail Park etc and possibly even Dalton Park. I think Boxing Day is always going to be a day for the traditional town/city centre locations as that's where the volume's at.

The year the 71's run on Boxing Day will be the year you can join me in Fenwick's winda, showing our respective back ends !

The question needs to be asked about why people go in the car to the retail parks on Boxing Day, but buses are deemed to be attractive enough when visiting them at other points of the year - both in the days leading up to Christmas and the days afterwards...

A good partnership with the retail parks, promoting a varied network on Boxing Day could be one way forward...

The town centres of Houghton and Chester won't ever attract the masses on Boxing Day, so your back end, Fenwicks window and the passing crowds on Northumberland Street are safe for now!

Not surprised the post match buses were busy again.
Shoppers and the same number coming out of SJP as Thursday, all be it with a few more options getting home than the other day...

Saw this interesting quote from Plato the other day.

A good decision is based on knowledge, not on numbers.

Quite apt I thought in the circumstances as there is knowledge in the organisation.
It just needs to be used better.

Does anyone know much how much GNE Pay for the Outstation at Consett where they keep the Venture SR's, As I just thought would it be a good idea to split the PVR of the Red Kite/Diamond Between Stanley/Riverside and then have the Ventures move over to Stanley Depot, Resulting in the closure of the Outstation at Consett.

(29 Dec 2013, 7:01 pm)andreos1 wrote The question needs to be asked about why people go in the car to the retail parks on Boxing Day, but buses are deemed to be attractive enough when visiting them at other points of the year - both in the days leading up to Christmas and the days afterwards...

A good partnership with the retail parks, promoting a varied network on Boxing Day could be one way forward...

The town centres of Houghton and Chester won't ever attract the masses on Boxing Day, so your back end, Fenwicks window and the passing crowds on Northumberland Street are safe for now!

Not surprised the post match buses were busy again.
Shoppers and the same number coming out of SJP as Thursday, all be it with a few more options getting home than the other day...

Saw this interesting quote from Plato the other day.


Quite apt I thought in the circumstances as there is knowledge in the organisation.
It just needs to be used better.

It's all about the availability of the car, especially for those households who just have one of them - so, the car might be in use during the week, hence bus services to Team Valley, Dalton Park etc do quite well, but on Sunday's, Boxing Day's etc, etc, the one car is available and gets used for the shopping trips. So, buses don't do as well. Partnerships with shopping centre's does happen already, but it is a struggle to get people there by bus when more cars are available - there's a bit of knowledge for you !!!

I like that Plato quote, but he clearly never had an accountant !

(29 Dec 2013, 9:54 pm)busman101 wrote It's all about the availability of the car, especially for those households who just have one of them - so, the car might be in use during the week, hence bus services to Team Valley, Dalton Park etc do quite well, but on Sunday's, Boxing Day's etc, etc, the one car is available and gets used for the shopping trips. So, buses don't do as well. Partnerships with shopping centre's does happen already, but it is a struggle to get people there by bus when more cars are available - there's a bit of knowledge for you !!!

I like that Plato quote, but he clearly never had an accountant !

Whey aye. Plato had the best bus service classical Greece has seen!
Cracking mathematician by all accounts too.

I studied Plato in philosophy last year and I can safely conclude he's an utter pillock.

He said that this world isn't the real world and that the "real world" is called the World of the Forms, where everything has a perfect "template". So, in this world of the forms, there will be a perfect human, a perfect brick, a perfect bus and so on. The world we think is real (i.e. the one we're on now) is just a mere shadow of the perfection he suggested.

Fair to say I don't like him

I've heard although don't take anything for gospel, that the X7 will be getting Solars later this year but not in January as we all hoped. Also, I was speaking to a employe of Deptford and they reckon management say the MPD's at Peterlee have 4 years service in them yet! Can't see some of those buses lasting that long!

Hi everyone,

Can someone be kind enough to provide me with a list of Go North East's ''Special'' vehicles (e.g ''The Key''), as I'd like to photo them! For some reason I'm a big fan of 'em too

(30 Dec 2013, 10:24 am)CatsFast101 wrote I've heard although don't take anything for gospel, that the X7 will be getting Solars later this year but not in January as we all hoped.

(30 Dec 2013, 10:24 am)CatsFast101 wrote Also, I was speaking to a employe of Deptford and they reckon management say the MPD's at Peterlee have 4 years service in them yet! Can't see some of those buses lasting that long!

The MPDs are expected to have a twelve-year life span, not fifteen. Despite this, 2015 sounds a bit more logical - replace all at once rather than some at a time.

(30 Dec 2013, 10:25 am)Tom wrote Hi everyone,

Can someone be kind enough to provide me with a list of Go North East's ''Special'' vehicles (e.g ''The Key''), as I'd like to photo them! For some reason I'm a big fan of 'em too

B10BLE 4847 at Stanley is in Beamish Branding, it's supposedly allocated for the 128 during the summer in Saturday but is obviously used a spare during weekdays/winter months. Had it on the 8 during the summer.
Obviously Versa 8319 is still in her centenary livery, however could be repainted soon into 'SimpliCity' vinyls once more so it would be good to capture this one.
Deptford have a couple of 'The Key' branded SPD's, hang about long enough in Park Lane and I'm sure you'll see one on a 26/35 or something.

(30 Dec 2013, 10:35 am)Dan wrote


The MPDs are expected to have a twelve-year life span, not fifteen. Despite this, 2015 sounds a bit more logical - replace all at once rather than some at a time.

It does, least then they might all go in the 2015/2016 order..unless they want to start next year..

Some reason iv'e never liked GNE MPD's compared to stagecoach's.. Stagecoach's always seemed cleaner and better.

(30 Dec 2013, 10:35 am)Dan wrote


The MPDs are expected to have a twelve-year life span, not fifteen. Despite this, 2015 sounds a bit more logical - replace all at once rather than some at a time.

Don't understand the top photo, explain?

(30 Dec 2013, 10:25 am)Tom wrote Hi everyone,

Can someone be kind enough to provide me with a list of Go North East's ''Special'' vehicles (e.g ''The Key''), as I'd like to photo them! For some reason I'm a big fan of 'em too

Vehicles branded as "The Key" are as follows:
- 4848 (R848 PRG)
- 4923 (X923 WGR)
- 8232 (X232 FBB)
- 8236 (NK51 MKJ)

(30 Dec 2013, 10:38 am)CatsFast101 wrote B10BLE 4847 at Stanley is in Beamish Branding, it's supposedly allocated for the 128 during the summer in Saturday but is obviously used a spare during weekdays/winter months. Had it on the 8 during the summer.
Obviously Versa 8319 is still in her centenary livery, however could be repainted soon into 'SimpliCity' vinyls once more so it would be good to capture this one.
Deptford have a couple of 'The Key' branded SPD's, hang about long enough in Park Lane and I'm sure you'll see one on a 26/35 or something.

Not for long so i would hurry, all SPD will gone by end of January.. Thank the lord!

(30 Dec 2013, 10:40 am)Dan wrote Vehicles branded as "The Key" are as follows:
- 4848 (R848 PRG)
- 4923 (X923 WGR)
- 8232 (X232 FBB)
- 8236 (NK51 MKJ)

Thanks both CatsFast and Dan

Know i'm going back to the upcoming changes to the Sunderland area

The 238 is changing - which looks to be replacing the 38/38A - Will it be dropped from the East Durham brand so bigger buses will be used?, Does anyone know how often it will run to?

The 265 is also changing - Bigger buses for that to and dropped from the East Durham Brand?

(30 Dec 2013, 10:48 am)Michael wrote Know i'm going back to the upcoming changes to the Sunderland area

The 238 is changing - which looks to be replacing the 38/38A - Will it be dropped from the East Durham brand so bigger buses will be used?, Does anyone know how often it will run to?

The 265 is also changing - Bigger buses for that to and dropped from the East Durham Brand?

Isn't the 29 replacing the 38/38A?

As for the 265, it definitely could do with some bigger buses, as it seems busy to me, especially from Hetton-le-Hole to Durham. Possibly 5205-5208 transferring to Peterlee then, in some new brand for the 202/265, and 5209/5210 going to Hexham to replace 8228/8293?

(30 Dec 2013, 10:48 am)Michael wrote Know i'm going back to the upcoming changes to the Sunderland area

The 238 is changing - which looks to be replacing the 38/38A - Will it be dropped from the East Durham brand so bigger buses will be used?, Does anyone know how often it will run to?

The 265 is also changing - Bigger buses for that to and dropped from the East Durham Brand?

Without knowing the changes, I think the 38 (38A doesn't exist?) is to be replaced with new 29 with the 238 maybe going via Grangetown as there is no point it going via Hollycarrside any more. The 238 won't leave East Durham no reason to do so.
The 265 is changing I can't see it leaving East Durham as they may as we'll bring the 65 back if that we're to happen. I think times are changing as interworkings are changing 202/265/260/259 all interwork and the latter two are been withdrawn as for route changes I can see it been just a minor route change.

Still nowt on go north east about the changes. Not giving people a chance to adapt to more change. Pleased the bus flags with number are making a welcome return. However nexus must keep them up to date

Was just wondering, since changes haven't being posted i was just wondering if anyone knew anything about these.

It does seem logic that the 29 could replace the 38 and 238 could replace the 38A - or other way around.

I think both will need bigger buses,

238 - it could get a frequency increase, how ever it does seem likely, Not sure if it will go every 30 mins or 20 mins.

265 - How are the MPD's coping on their?, i haven't seen it since it last changed.

That's my guesses anyway - Changes need to posted soon because tbh it's got some big change in the area's, to me posting the changes on the 6th January is to late... They should post them today....

If this was the Angel and it had changes for the 26.1.14 - changes would of being posted last week...

Edit:

Iv'e ask them on their FB when changes will be out... i said, is it gonna be a few before changes happen or the week before the whole network changes?

Can anyone tell me what route 8226 is on today please as need it for
a pic.

(30 Dec 2013, 11:07 am)Michael wrote Was just wondering, since changes haven't being posted i was just wondering if anyone knew anything about these.

It does seem logic that the 29 could replace the 38 and 238 could replace the 38A - or other way around.

I think both will need bigger buses,

238 - it could get a frequency increase, how ever it does seem likely, Not sure if it will go every 30 mins or 20 mins.

265 - How are the MPD's coping on their?, i haven't seen it since it last changed.

That's my guesses anyway - Changes need to posted soon because tbh it's got some big change in the area's, to me posting the changes on the 6th January is to late... They should post them today....

If this was the Angel and it had changes for the 26.1.14 - changes would of being posted last week...

Edit:

Iv'e ask them on their FB when changes will be out... i said, is it gonna be a few before changes happen or the week before the whole network changes?

ive always said to GNE that the some of the Mpds at peterlee should be replaced by cadets and used for the 265,202,259 and 260 which looks like the 259/260 is being replaced by the 204/208 with the 208 being extended from Easington Village to Durham via 260 route.

Looks like proposed new service 29 will be replacing the 26 series,38 series and the short 39's.

But only time will tell before the changes get announce to the public.

Its always the passenger that gets told the last minute, the local councils and Nexus gets told about the changes long time before just in case if there need to secure a service.

When bus companies submit the changes to their services to VOSA, bus companies have to submit the new/revised timetable to VOSA aswell, if we can view the listings on VOSA website, why cant we no be able to view the timetable that was submitted also.

They being on VOSA for ages, seems we will only get 20 days notice,thats if they are posted on 6.1.14.