(05 Oct 2020, 3:21 pm)Rob44 wrote not a break down but a bit of a dunch in collingwood street, Newcastle...

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...t-19047910

I saw GNE tweet about an incident at the High Level and I though there was going to be a jumper or something. 
Never envisaged a brand new bus rear-ending a car, like it appears to be. https://twitter.com/NELiveTraffic/status...06656?s=09
https://twitter.com/NELiveTraffic/status...12710?s=09

Hopefully only pride is hurt!

Here’s a photo posted onto Instagram I saw of the front of 6369.

(05 Oct 2020, 4:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote I saw GNE tweet about an incident at the High Level and I though there was going to be a jumper or something. 
Never envisaged a brand new bus rear-ending a car, like it appears to be. https://twitter.com/NELiveTraffic/status...06656?s=09
https://twitter.com/NELiveTraffic/status...12710?s=09

Hopefully only pride is hurt!

At a guess judging where it is, it could have been the car going through a red light on that corner as the bus was coming through, seen near misses there plenty of times myself. Don't see how a bus would end up rear ending someone down there if not someone going through a red light.

(05 Oct 2020, 9:25 pm)deanmachine wrote At a guess judging where it is, it could have been the car going through a red light on that corner as the bus was coming through, seen near misses there plenty of times myself. Don't see how a bus would end up rear ending someone down there if not someone going through a red light.

In hindsight, I don't think it's for us to speculatenon the forum like this, but I must admit I did try to play detective and try to work out what happened. 

Still struggling. Especially when you look at where the car ended up and where the damage is.

(05 Oct 2020, 9:35 pm)Andreos1 wrote In hindsight, I don't think it's for us to speculatenon the forum like this, but I must admit I did try to play detective and try to work out what happened. 

Still struggling. Especially when you look at where the car ended up and where the damage is.

Had it been a 'normal' time, I would be surprised if it turned out the driver was looking down sorting out the change, I've been on buses a few times when the drivers have slammed on after not realising someone in front was slowing down.

But since cash is going straight into the tub I doubt that would be the case

(05 Oct 2020, 6:34 pm)TEN 6083 wrote Here’s a photo posted onto Instagram I saw of the front of 6369.

On a separate note - first time I've seen that combined Wi-Fi/USB symbol and can't help but think that at a glance that looks like the WIFI is scored through, effectively saying 'WIFI unavailable'. Could do with a rethink.

(05 Oct 2020, 9:35 pm)Andreos1 wrote In hindsight, I don't think it's for us to speculatenon the forum like this, but I must admit I did try to play detective and try to work out what happened. 

Still struggling. Especially when you look at where the car ended up and where the damage is.

Could have been anything really, but fortunately with the amount of CCTV cameras (internal and external) on a modern bus, it should always result in the correct outcome.

(06 Oct 2020, 11:42 pm)Adrian wrote Could have been anything really, but fortunately with the amount of CCTV cameras (internal and external) on a modern bus, it should always result in the correct outcome.

Or unfortunately if you're the one at fault!

On a slightly related note, I've seen a lot of drivers these days adopting the "I've got a dashcam" mentality of using the horn rather than actually slowing down when they see something happening in front, purely because they have a dashcam that will show them they weren't the cause.

(06 Oct 2020, 11:57 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Or unfortunately if you're the one at fault!

On a slightly related note, I've seen a lot of drivers these days adopting the "I've got a dashcam" mentality of using the horn rather than actually slowing down when they see something happening in front, purely because they have a dashcam that will show them they weren't the cause.

I find that hard to believe. No professional driver in their right mind would deliberately attempt cause an accident, as you have suggested! 

If they did, they would likely still be classed as driving without due care and attention. With dashcam footage and telematics data to back that up.

(07 Oct 2020, 9:51 am)Adrian wrote I find that hard to believe. No professional driver in their right mind would deliberately attempt cause an accident, as you have suggested! 

If they did, they would likely still be classed as driving without due care and attention. With dashcam footage and telematics data to back that up.

I meant with everyone seemingly having a dashcam these days, driving standards in general seem to have dropped, not that the driver in question intentionally caused an accident, hence my note being 'slightly related'

Seen that the last X47 broke down last night. Now I nornally give GNE plenty of credit but they should have a last bus guarantee that if a last bus can't operate and no suitable alternative within 1 mile of your usual stop, then a taxi should be provided either wholly or from the nearest 'safe point' (well lit, sheltered, CCTV) on the alternative route.

For example, a 'safe point' on the X45 would be the MetroCentre.

Obviously partnerships would need to be setup includong a list of 'approved' private hire firms depending on the area.

(11 Oct 2020, 4:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote Seen that the last X47 broke down last night. Now I nornally give GNE plenty of credit but they should have a last bus guarantee that if a last bus can't operate and no suitable alternative within 1 mile of your usual stop, then a taxi should be provided either wholly or from the nearest 'safe point' (well lit, sheltered, CCTV) on the alternative route.

For example, a 'safe point' on the X45 would be the MetroCentre.

Obviously partnerships would need to be setup includong a list of 'approved' private hire firms depending on the area.

I'm sure they already have partnerships with private hire firms to carry wheelchair users when there isn't a free wheelchair bay on infrequent services

(11 Oct 2020, 4:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote Seen that the last X47 broke down last night. Now I nornally give GNE plenty of credit but they should have a last bus guarantee that if a last bus can't operate and no suitable alternative within 1 mile of your usual stop, then a taxi should be provided either wholly or from the nearest 'safe point' (well lit, sheltered, CCTV) on the alternative route.

For example, a 'safe point' on the X45 would be the MetroCentre.

Obviously partnerships would need to be setup includong a list of 'approved' private hire firms depending on the area.

It should absolutely be a thing. If corporations  like the Go Ahead Group or first or Stagecoach (let’s be honest GNE aren’t just lovely Dan and that nice man Martjn fella they are a huge business) are taking government (our) money like train operators then they should provide this service as we expect from our TOCS.

of course they won’t, until someone launches a legal challenge (a la wheelchairs) and forces them to act appropriately
 (they may do ad hoc stuff)

I strongly feel it should be part of any future support or bailout from the treasury

(11 Oct 2020, 4:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote Seen that the last X47 broke down last night. Now I nornally give GNE plenty of credit but they should have a last bus guarantee that if a last bus can't operate and no suitable alternative within 1 mile of your usual stop, then a taxi should be provided either wholly or from the nearest 'safe point' (well lit, sheltered, CCTV) on the alternative route.

For example, a 'safe point' on the X45 would be the MetroCentre.

Obviously partnerships would need to be setup includong a list of 'approved' private hire firms depending on the area.

Agree. Said it many times before on here and elsewhere. 
The shrugging of the shoulders in these situations just ain't good enough. 
I'm not sure of any other industry which shows the same contempt towards its customers, in similar situations, as bus operators do.

(11 Oct 2020, 4:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote Seen that the last X47 broke down last night. Now I nornally give GNE plenty of credit but they should have a last bus guarantee that if a last bus can't operate and no suitable alternative within 1 mile of your usual stop, then a taxi should be provided either wholly or from the nearest 'safe point' (well lit, sheltered, CCTV) on the alternative route.

For example, a 'safe point' on the X45 would be the MetroCentre.

Obviously partnerships would need to be setup includong a list of 'approved' private hire firms depending on the area.

Social media helpfully told passengers "track the next bus in real-time on the Go North East app"!

(11 Oct 2020, 10:54 pm)busmanT wrote Social media helpfully told passengers "track the next bus in real-time on the Go North East app"!

No good for someone living in High Spen, Chopwell or Blackhall Mill though.

(12 Oct 2020, 12:07 pm)L469 YVK wrote No good for someone living in High Spen, Chopwell or Blackhall Mill though.

Precisely!!

I see the M6/M7/M8 have started appearing a few times recently

(11 Oct 2020, 9:55 pm)Andreos1 wrote Agree. Said it many times before on here and elsewhere. 
The shrugging of the shoulders in these situations just ain't good enough. 
I'm not sure of any other industry which shows the same contempt towards its customers, in similar situations, as bus operators do.

I asked the question with GNE last time I spotted one of these. The response I received (in Sept 2019) was "In this event a spare driver with a bus will be sent out to run the service. It will be posted on Social media to inform customers."

A change in policy perhaps?

(13 Oct 2020, 8:25 pm)Adrian wrote I asked the question with GNE last time I spotted one of these. The response I received (in Sept 2019) was "In this event a spare driver with a bus will be sent out to run the service. It will be posted on Social media to inform customers."

A change in policy perhaps?

I'd assume if it was any earlier in the day then they'd still do that, but I imagine finding a spare driver at that time of the night would be virtually impossible.

However I'm somewhat surprised that, as it appeared to break in Newcastle, Riverside didn't send a bus to cover the run - surely the driver also needed to get back to Consett?

(13 Oct 2020, 8:44 pm)mb134 wrote I'd assume if it was any earlier in the day then they'd still do that, but I imagine finding a spare driver at that time of the night would be virtually impossible.

However I'm somewhat surprised that, as it appeared to break in Newcastle, Riverside didn't send a bus to cover the run - surely the driver also needed to get back to Consett?

I'd specifically asked the question in respect to the last run of any given service on any given day, as I wasn't actually sure what was supposed to happen. At the time, If I recall correctly, there was a number of instances of the social media going out but no comms as to what to do.

(13 Oct 2020, 8:44 pm)mb134 wrote I'd assume if it was any earlier in the day then they'd still do that, but I imagine finding a spare driver at that time of the night would be virtually impossible.

However I'm somewhat surprised that, as it appeared to break in Newcastle, Riverside didn't send a bus to cover the run - surely the driver also needed to get back to Consett?

Surely you could just get a fitter to bring another bus along, the driver of the original bus drives back to Consett on the bus the fitter brought then the fitter fixes the broken bus or awaits recovery and travels back via which ever method works. Either way someone has to move to bus and it won't be the driver.

I know that's what Arriva Ashington do on the 57 occasionally usually on Sundays since it's so far from the depot so you can't drop another bus in and the driver is stuck.

(13 Oct 2020, 8:57 pm)Adrian wrote I'd specifically asked the question in respect to the last run of any given service on any given day, as I wasn't actually sure what was supposed to happen. At the time, If I recall correctly, there was a number of instances of the social media going out but no comms as to what to do.

Wonder if it's one of those cases of something being promised that they can't always actually deliver on?

(13 Oct 2020, 9:04 pm)Storx wrote Surely you could just get a fitter to bring another bus along, the driver of the original bus drives back to Consett on the bus the fitter brought then the fitter fixes the broken bus or awaits recovery and travels back via which ever method works. Either way someone has to move to bus and it won't be the driver.

Definitely, was just thinking that at that time it may be easier to use Riverside (if we take into account the delay of getting a bus from Consett) and then swap the buses over the next day. Either way this is what I didn't understand about it - the bus and driver both needed to get back to Consett.

(13 Oct 2020, 9:09 pm)mb134 wrote Definitely, was just thinking that at that time it may be easier to use Riverside (if we take into account the delay of getting a bus from Consett) and then swap the buses over the next day. Either way this is what I didn't understand about it - the bus and driver both needed to get back to Consett.

I wouldn't be surprised if they just sent someone out to pick the driver up and left the passengers stranded

(13 Oct 2020, 8:57 pm)Adrian wrote I'd specifically asked the question in respect to the last run of any given service on any given day, as I wasn't actually sure what was supposed to happen. At the time, If I recall correctly, there was a number of instances of the social media going out but no comms as to what to do.

Id not heard that before and certainly haven't seen anything published or communicated to passengers along those lines. 
Seeing a message like that, I'd certainly look for alternatives - rather than hang on for a replacement bus.
Quite what a vulnerable person would do in that position, is anyones guess.
Their needs could be one of many, such as cash, family, lack of alternative transport, medical, psychological etc and to not know a replacement is coming must be horrendous. Particularly on a cold, dark, wet night.

(13 Oct 2020, 8:25 pm)Adrian wrote I asked the question with GNE last time I spotted one of these. The response I received (in Sept 2019) was "In this event a spare driver with a bus will be sent out to run the service. It will be posted on Social media to inform customers."

A change in policy perhaps?

I think it might just be perhaps the lack of spare drivers at the moment given the situation.

But I do think leaving passengers stranded if the last bus of the night failed to run is a no no.