(04 May 2020, 8:52 pm)Adrian wrote Perhaps! I actually found the EVM to be ideal for the 689, when I tried that out a couple of month ago.

I don't know about the 39, but those Washington services could certainly get away with using an EVM most evenings. I just cannot see operators being willing to heavily invest in them, when the only reward is a 1 year contract. Then there's the added problem of what do they do the rest of the time.  


I'd hope Nexus would have considered that in their acceptance of an economically advantageous bid. In Washington for example, the day and week tickets are priced at £3.60 and £15.00 respectively. The multi-operator alternative to that would be £7.80* a day or £20.10 a week - or a 34% - 116% price increase, if you look at it that way!

* Day Rover as there is no zonal multi operator version of a day ticket.

They won't care about what it costs other people, like it was said, they went for the lowest bidder and thats it....

(04 May 2020, 8:40 pm)James101 wrote Return of the minibus revolution? Whatever you think of them those Fiats and Stratas must bus a damn sight cheaper to operate. Hopefully integrated ticketing can be arranged or passenger numbers could decline to a point where it’s not worth securing the service.

Might be cheaper to operate, but they are spoken for in North Tyneside (when CToG get 11/19/41 back) and Blaydon, with one already operating service 8 to South Hylton.

Probably be solos off 37/73 & 515/558.

Are these contract changes still going ahead on the 17th May? - just we're in middle of a crisis and it might confuse a few people!


Also will these contracted buses provide stop announcements?, as i thought these were part of the contracts now?

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(05 May 2020, 12:22 am)park5354 wrote Might be cheaper to operate, but they are spoken for in North Tyneside (when CToG get 11/19/41 back) and Blaydon, with one already operating service 8 to South Hylton.

Probably be solos off 37/73 & 515/558.

Those Solo's aren't bad

Doesn't really offer any encouragement for people to switch to the bus does it (not that these routes are that attractive)

No intra ticket accepment.
Sitting in the back of a glorified van with no legroom.
Cash only.

It's a late 1980s resurgence...

(06 May 2020, 4:18 pm)Ambassador wrote Doesn't really offer any encouragement for people to switch to the bus does it (not that these routes are that attractive)

No intra ticket accepment.
Sitting in the back of a glorified van with no legroom.
Cash only.

It's a late 1980s resurgence...

Exactly, look at the 135/136 routes, yes they're only running them on an evening and Sunday - but i wonder how many people will have to pay for their journeys now? (more on a Sunday, than Mon-Fri nights)

The likes of the 81-86 - need to be Euro 5 with 36 seats


I don't even think the 39/135/136 we're on that list - but i would imagine they'll be the same - they're going from a Streetlite with all the perks to a bus with none of those features... i wonder how many people will be put off, if they can't use a GNE pass/smartzone pass, and not having the perks of WIFI etc? (although most don't care, but i would be interested to see the stats on that)

(08 May 2020, 9:29 am)Michael wrote Exactly, look at the 135/136 routes, yes they're only running them on an evening and Sunday - but i wonder how many people will have to pay for their journeys now? (more on a Sunday, than Mon-Fri nights)

The likes of the 81-86 - need to be Euro 5 with 36 seats


I don't even think the 39/135/136 we're on that list - but i would imagine they'll be the same - they're going from a Streetlite with all the perks to a bus with none of those features... i wonder how many people will be put off, if they can't use a GNE pass/smartzone pass, and not having the perks of WIFI etc? (although most don't care, but i would be interested to see the stats on that)

NOT 36 seats, but capacity of 36 (Seats + standing).

the 168 is capacity 23.

Quick question, are the ticket machines used on GCT's buses contactless or money only,cus i need to get up to Benton Asda on Wednesday and the 335 will be my best option

(08 May 2020, 6:04 pm)V514DFT wrote Quick question, are the ticket machines used on GCT's buses contactless or money only,cus i need to get up to Benton Asda on Wednesday and the 335 will be my best option

Cash only unfortunately.

Just aswell i have some on me,but will steralise it

So i can make a comment about the 335 now
Lovely,the driver was polite and jolly (given the situation)
Bus was lovely,bit bouncy but i put that down to the bus being pretty much brand new, it was a pleasant experience

I've updated the fleetlist for Gateshead Central.... not 100% on the double deck fleet so if anyone could confirm those I would be very grateful. Understand they're all parked up now!
For anyone wanting a quick ticklist for your photos (I've got so much to catch up on!) there is currently 21 Fiat's, 4 Merc's, 7 Solo's, 8 E200's and 3 Streetlite's

(17 May 2020, 10:53 am)Michael wrote Ahtl right cheers

Shame GNE don't want to the 39/135/136 on a commercial bases... they could even change them to fit in with their own network.


Does anyone know what Gateshead Central Taxi's are using on the 135/136 and the 39 later.

Not sure on the 39, but the evening Washington local services have been operated by the new ADL Enviro 200s (those journeys that have actually run; reports on Facebook of the first journey of the evening from Birtley not serving Barley Mow and of the second journey having not shown at all!)

The 135/136 were both 64-plate Solos earlier. On the journeys I observed, the 135 was around five minutes late and the 136 was around five minutes early (also way over the 30mph speed limit on Timber Beach Road!)


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I notice the 81/82/83/84 timetable on the Nexus website lists the first GCT #83 departures from the Galleries towards Concord at 20.50 Mon-Fri, Sat and Sun.
Concord towards the Galleries starts at 19.42.

According to the timetable, the last GNE #83 from the Galleries to Concord leaves at 19.40 Mon-Fri & Sat, so that is probably correct, but on a Sunday it is 17.40.
Similarly, the last GNE #83 leaves Concord towards the Galleries at 16.32.

Is there supposed to be a 3 hour gap in service on a Sunday evening? I should note that a 19.50 #83 did depart from the Galleries this evening!

https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...0520_1.pdf

Hi, not sure if it been noted but GCT are now operating the 42/42A, looks to be their first day on them. Seen two of their Streetlites operating the 42A while out on a walk earlier on.

81/82/83/84/85/86 are operating with E200MMCs this evening.


Gateshead Central Taxis - YX20OCH by Buses&Beyond, on Flickr

(17 May 2020, 7:27 pm)Dan wrote Not sure on the 39, but the evening Washington local services have been operated by the new ADL Enviro 200s (those journeys that have actually run; reports on Facebook of the first journey of the evening from Birtley not serving Barley Mow and of the second journey having not shown at all!)

The 135/136 were both 64-plate Solos earlier. On the journeys I observed, the 135 was around five minutes late and the 136 was around five minutes early (also way over the 30mph speed limit on Timber Beach Road!)


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North Tyneside routes reported running wrong route, and in the case of the 11&19 with breadvans.

(17 May 2020, 8:28 pm)pbjd wrote North Tyneside routes reported running wrong route, and in the case of the 11&19 with breadvans.

I seen the 41 operating the incorrect route! Seems like terrible service so far.

Must say the E200MMCs look smart in those colours

(17 May 2020, 7:38 pm)Adrian wrote I notice the 81/82/83/84 timetable on the Nexus website lists the first GCT #83 departures from the Galleries towards Concord at 20.50 Mon-Fri, Sat and Sun.
Concord towards the Galleries starts at 19.42.

According to the timetable, the last GNE #83 from the Galleries to Concord leaves at 19.40 Mon-Fri & Sat, so that is probably correct, but on a Sunday it is 17.40.
Similarly, the last GNE #83 leaves Concord towards the Galleries at 16.32.

Is there supposed to be a 3 hour gap in service on a Sunday evening? I should note that a 19.50 #83 did depart from the Galleries this evening!

https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...0520_1.pdf

I'm guessing the large gap on service 83 on Sundays is caused by temporary timetables from Go North East because of COVID-19?

I've checked BusTimes website and they do indicate that there is a 19.50 departure from the Galleries on Sunday evenings on service 83: https://bustimes.org/services/83-washing...2020-05-24

First 82 of the evening didn't serve Barley Mow, and the second didn't run at all (or took a magical mystery tour through Birtley).

At least two 85's ran through Ayton instead of Oxclose, and the 86 was serving Waterview Park all evening.

Good start.

So much negativity for them. Give them a chance. Gne can't run the rough with the smooth...

(18 May 2020, 9:17 am)idiot wrote So much negativity for them. Give them a chance. Gne can't run the rough with the smooth...

I'd like to think they'd have been prepared having been awarded such an extensive network of contracts.

(17 May 2020, 10:33 pm)N1cholas wrote Must say the E200MMCs look smart in those colours

I agree. For such a dull livery, the E200MMC really suits it, but I think that is more about the bus.

Showbus had a handful of Trent Barton's E200MMCs two years ago, and they all looked fantastic in striking colourful brands. 

(17 May 2020, 11:59 pm)Jimmi wrote I'm guessing the large gap on service 83 on Sundays is caused by temporary timetables from Go North East because of COVID-19?

I've checked BusTimes website and they do indicate that there is a 19.50 departure from the Galleries on Sunday evenings on service 83: https://bustimes.org/services/83-washing...2020-05-24

I don't think the timetable on the Nexus website is a temporary one though, more so a mistake? GCT ran at least one of those runs not listed in the timetable on the 83.

(18 May 2020, 8:32 am)LeeCalder wrote First 82 of the evening didn't serve Barley Mow, and the second didn't run at all (or took a magical mystery tour through Birtley).

At least two 85's ran through Ayton instead of Oxclose, and the 86 was serving Waterview Park all evening.

Good start.

I wonder if they've gone straight up Fell Bank and straight along past the Tavistock etc? What times did the missing ones depart Birtley?

A nice scenic detour on the 85/86 too! 

(18 May 2020, 9:17 am)idiot wrote So much negativity for them. Give them a chance. Gne can't run the rough with the smooth...

I don't understand the comparison with GNE? People are reporting what they've seen on the first night of operation, which they're more than entitled to do. It doesn't need to be measured against another operator.

(18 May 2020, 9:34 am)LeeCalder wrote I'd like to think they'd have been prepared having been awarded such an extensive network of contracts.

Agree with this. I don't think anybody can say that they're not 'well rehearsed' in running Nexus contracts, given how many they appear to operate now. Some of their routes are awful (by Nexus design - not GCT!), so I'd hope there's a good route learning practice in place...

(18 May 2020, 9:53 am)Adrian wrote I don't think the timetable on the Nexus website is a temporary one though, more so a mistake? GCT ran at least one of those runs not listed in the timetable on the 83.

I don't know the Washington IndiGo network but when I said temporary timetable I was referring to the commercial daytime journeys operated by Go North East, is the 83 normally every 2 hours during the daytime? From what I've seen Nexus has been displaying the timetables for the temporary service levels on their website.

If going off the times displayed on BusTimes then the 19.50 journey from Washington does actually exist on a Sunday but has mistakenly been omitted from Nexus' timetable.

Quite a few peed off punters looking at facebook. Also saw that someone wanted to pay contactless, was refused as they don't have contactless ticket machines and had to pay £3 for a £2.30 since they're operating a no change policy as well.

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(18 May 2020, 11:08 am)Jimmi wrote I don't know the Washington IndiGo network but when I said temporary timetable I was referring to the commercial daytime journeys operated by Go North East, is the 83 normally every 2 hours during the daytime? From what I've seen Nexus has been displaying the timetables for the temporary service levels on their website.

If going off the times displayed on BusTimes then the 19.50 journey from Washington does actually exist on a Sunday but has mistakenly been omitted from Nexus' timetable.

81-84 all operate two hourly on emergency timetable. This keeps an hourly service across the joint sections of the route

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(18 May 2020, 11:31 am)6049 wrote Quite a few peed off punters looking at facebook. Also saw that someone wanted to pay contactless, was refused as they don't have contactless ticket machines and had to pay £3 for a £2.30 since they're operating a no change policy as well.

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Incorrect.  Drivers should be giving change, if they have it,  but drivers are NOT given a float.

(18 May 2020, 5:00 pm)park5354 wrote Incorrect.  Drivers should be giving change, if they have it,  but drivers are NOT given a float.

Don't shoot the messenger. Only relaying what the complaint on facebook stated

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(18 May 2020, 5:00 pm)park5354 wrote Incorrect.  Drivers should be giving change, if they have it,  but drivers are NOT given a float.

This used to be an issue on the 83A. Haven't used it for a long time, but more often than not I'd be let on for free, because the driver would have no change of £5 for a £3.20 journey.

(18 May 2020, 5:00 pm)park5354 wrote Incorrect.  Drivers should be giving change, if they have it,  but drivers are NOT given a float.

If the company doesn't provide a float but are required to give change, then shouldn't they be sourcing their own? I know many well-prepared drivers at larger operators tend to provide their own float, over and above the company allocated float.