(15 Feb 2021, 3:08 pm)streetdeckfan wrote To be fair, I was expecting to see way more photos by now!

They'll still be out, won't have had time to process them yet . Got to have one in each angle and 5 different spots. Plus the same for all the Metro Replacements aswell.

(15 Feb 2021, 3:12 pm)Jamie M wrote Can change it in 4 seconds if the machine is ready to go and not currently logged on. This can only be done by yard staff or LD material though. Occasionally in a big violation (i.e omnidekka tracking as solo on scholars), they will issue instructions for the driver to do this, but this is not common.

I do wonder if one day ticketer will allow fleet numbers to be assigned via their portal remotely. It would be a lot more efficient than sending joe bloggs a copy-paste instruction list.

I'm surprised there isn't a way to do that anyway. I'm not familiar with how their system works, but I'd imagine they're linked directly with Ticketer's servers rather than to GNE directly, so they'd be sending a machine ID rather than the fleet number

(15 Feb 2021, 3:21 pm)Adtrainsam wrote Impressive! Seems that purple stripe across the front has been replaced by that "clean & safe to ride" banner. Looks much better imo

Agreed.

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Piece on the website now: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/go-north-e...ry-coaches

(15 Feb 2021, 2:25 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder how much use the on-board toilets are going to get. 

And what is GNE's stance on seatbelt usage? I know passengers are supposed to use seatbelts when provided, but there's been no mention of seatbelts on any of the marketing. And when I used the previous coaches on the X9/X10, I don't recall seeing anything saying I had to wear one

I'm sure that there's manufacturer fitted seatbelt stickers on both the Levante and Elite-i.

Hopefully GNE don't go down the route of saying "seatbelts are there if you want to wear them" like they did on the Tynedale Links.

Maybe there should be a drive to enforce/encourage seatbelt use onboard, bearing in mind that it is mandatory like it is with face coverings, with fewer exemptions too! GNE did this on National Express services.

(15 Feb 2021, 4:44 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I'm sure that there's manufacturer fitted seatbelt stickers on both the Levante and Elite-i.

Hopefully GNE don't go down the route of saying "seatbelts are there if you want to wear them" like they did on the Tynedale Links.

Maybe there should be a drive to enforce/encourage seatbelt use onboard, bearing in mind that it is mandatory like it is with face coverings, with fewer exemptions too! GNE did this on National Express services.

But as we all know, unless it affects the driver's safety, they're not bothered about enforcing the rules!

With regards to the timetable of the x9/x10, could they not still.stsrt the first southbound journey of the morning from Newcastle instead of Gateshead? More people board the service from Newcastle to Gateshead and it's not as if doing that is loads of extra mileage.

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(15 Feb 2021, 3:37 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I'm surprised there isn't a way to do that anyway. I'm not familiar with how their system works, but I'd imagine they're linked directly with Ticketer's servers rather than to GNE directly, so they'd be sending a machine ID rather than the fleet number

They send both, machine ID is obviously a fixed number. Ticket machine number is assigned locally, as is the fleet number from a pre-determined drop down list. It would be nice if it was managed online to avoid the duplication issue Matthew has referred to by one or more incorrectly assigned machines.

Photography related posts moved here.

(18 Feb 2021, 3:28 pm)ne14ne1 wrote

Saw one yesterday overtaking an HGV with what looked like more than enough to spare.

How come the fronts of the coaches have the Xlines logo but the fronts of the Xlines buses have the GNE logo?

https://flic.kr/p/2kD4nAc

(19 Feb 2021, 12:02 pm)ne14ne1 wrote How come the fronts of the coaches have the Xlines logo but the fronts of the Xlines buses have the GNE logo?

https://flic.kr/p/2kD4nAc

It could be because they consider (or at least used to consider) the X9/X10 as it's own separate thing, with it also having different tickets?

More interdecks arriving: https://flic.kr/p/2kDosB2

(20 Feb 2021, 4:49 pm)ne14ne1 wrote More interdecks arriving: https://flic.kr/p/2kDosB2

That's 7151, the final interdeck to be delivered. Should be out in service by the end of next week.

(20 Feb 2021, 4:50 pm)Dan wrote That's 7151, the final interdeck to be delivered. Should be out in service by the end of next week.

So there’ll be a separate press release about the X9 being upgraded to luxury coaches too?

(20 Feb 2021, 4:56 pm)ne14ne1 wrote So there’ll be a separate press release about the X9 being upgraded to luxury coaches too?

When service X9 returns (it isn't operating at the moment), appropriate marketing and promotion will be done for it, yes. Its return is ultimately dependent on demand returning, which under the current restrictions, there is very little for.

(20 Feb 2021, 4:59 pm)Dan wrote When service X9 returns (it isn't operating at the moment), appropriate marketing and promotion will be done for it, yes. Its return is ultimately dependent on demand returning, which under the current restrictions, there is very little for.

Ah I see. I hadn’t realised it wasn’t running atm. Cheers Dan.

I know this sounds really stupid but wouldn't it be easier to withdraw the X9 all together and make the X10 do what it does now making the X10 a 30 minute frequent

(20 Feb 2021, 7:12 pm)MichealAaron wrote I know this sounds really stupid but wouldn't it be easier to withdraw the X9 all together and make the X10 do what it does now making the X10 a 30 minute frequent

Not sure on that. When I used these services daily I much preferred the X9 over the X10 when going to/from Testos and Boro ...I detested it when I was on lates or Sundays and had to get the both routes X10 which makes a long day even longer

(20 Feb 2021, 7:27 pm)ifm001 wrote Not sure on that. When I used these services daily I much preferred the X9 over the X10 when going to/from Testos and Boro ...I detested it when I was on lates or Sundays and had to get the both routes X10 which makes a long day even longer

True. But it would be easier as say you arrive in town and miss the X9 to Peterlee. That's an entire hour waiting. Where if it was just the X10 it would be a 30min wait

(20 Feb 2021, 7:31 pm)MichealAaron wrote True. But it would be easier as say you arrive in town and miss the X9 to Peterlee. That's an entire hour waiting. Where if it was just the X10 it would be a 30min wait

But the X10 serves Peterlee slip road and most tickets can be used on the local service into the main area.  Or instead of waiting 30 more minutes you could just walk which takes about 15 mins.

(20 Feb 2021, 7:12 pm)MichealAaron wrote I know this sounds really stupid but wouldn't it be easier to withdraw the X9 all together and make the X10 do what it does now making the X10 a 30 minute frequent

I think Peterlee could benefit from a every 30 minute frequency but there isn't a big enough load from Teesside (except M'bro). I personally think they should just have a route calling at all Teesside stops then Peterlee and the other non stop between MIddlesbrough to Peterlee. If they wanted to put competition on Stagecoach call at Hartlepool along the way. 

I don't think there needs to be a connection into Dalton Park either, GNE should just advertise their best service from Peterlee to Dalton Park like the X66 from Gateshead to Metrocentre.

(21 Feb 2021, 10:50 pm)Benny wrote I think Peterlee could benefit from a every 30 minute frequency but there isn't a big enough load from Teesside (except M'bro). I personally think they should just have a route calling at all Teesside stops then Peterlee and the other non stop between MIddlesbrough to Peterlee. If they wanted to put competition on Stagecoach call at Hartlepool along the way. 

I don't think there needs to be a connection into Dalton Park either, GNE should just advertise their best service from Peterlee to Dalton Park like the X66 from Gateshead to Metrocentre.

It should be something like just the X10 as the X9 only runs Monday to Saturday Day time. Sunday and evenings it doesn't

(21 Feb 2021, 10:50 pm)Benny wrote I think Peterlee could benefit from a every 30 minute frequency but there isn't a big enough load from Teesside (except M'bro). I personally think they should just have a route calling at all Teesside stops then Peterlee and the other non stop between MIddlesbrough to Peterlee. If they wanted to put competition on Stagecoach call at Hartlepool along the way. 

I don't think there needs to be a connection into Dalton Park either, GNE should just advertise their best service from Peterlee to Dalton Park like the X66 from Gateshead to Metrocentre.

The vast number of passengers using the service to and from Dalton Park (pre-COVID) would beg to differ!


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(22 Feb 2021, 5:58 am)Dan wrote The vast number of passengers using the service to and from Dalton Park (pre-COVID) would beg to differ!


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A perfect example of adapting services and opening up a new market to a new audience? 

Dalton Park, the retail parks in Prudhoe and Washington, the Arnison Centre... Just some of the tweaks which has opened up or improved connections, at very little cost. 

Maybe 'network tweaks' could be the priority over the 'titivating' projects that we keep seeing. 
Potential passengers seeing changes which actually have benefits, might be the way to go. 
Going back to those beans from the other week - that new label on the tin of beans doesn't have benefits.

(22 Feb 2021, 5:58 am)Dan wrote The vast number of passengers using the service to and from Dalton Park (pre-COVID) would beg to differ!


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The only time I've actually used the X10 (for an actual purpose anyway, not because I was bored and fancied a ride out) was to go to Dalton Park

Dalton Park is useful as an unofficial park & ride for East Durham and Hartlepool to Newcastle by bus. I find plenty of people are put off by there prospect of driving & parking in the city centre. Slowing down the journey in Teesside by combing both routes all day would sabotage the time advantage over the train.

(23 Feb 2021, 4:18 pm)James101 wrote Dalton Park is useful as an unofficial park & ride for East Durham and Hartlepool to Newcastle by bus. I find plenty of people are put off by there prospect of driving & parking in the city centre. Slowing down the journey in Teesside by combing both routes all day would sabotage the time advantage over the train.

The idea was to have one serve Teesside stops and the other goes direct to Peterlee.  My thinking view is from a Teessider to be honest, I didn't really think many people from Newcastle used the x9/x10.  I'm sure Dalton Park can be served by the one that goes direct to Peterlee then  

The X10 serves all of Teesside except Billingham, which is weird anyway because the X10 goes into Billingham from Norton to enter the motorway so surely joining the extra two stops at Billingham isn't going to add that much extra time. 

Also Middlesbrough to Newcastle by the train takes a long time, even longer now Horden has been added to the service.

(23 Feb 2021, 6:33 pm)Benny wrote The idea was to have one serve Teesside stops and the other goes direct to Peterlee.  My thinking view is from a Teessider to be honest, I didn't really think many people from Newcastle used the x9/x10.  I'm sure Dalton Park can be served by the one that goes direct to Peterlee then  

The X10 serves all of Teesside except Billingham, which is weird anyway because the X10 goes into Billingham from Norton to enter the motorway so surely joining the extra two stops at Billingham isn't going to add that much extra time. 

Also Middlesbrough to Newcastle by the train takes a long time, even longer now Horden has been added to the service.

The train takes the same time as the bus end to end. Trains for a commuter are a hell of a lot more desirable as if a train takes 85 minutes, it'll take 85 minutes. If a bus takes 85 minutes, it might take 85 minutes but that's depending on traffic and a long route like the X9/X10 it's more likely to be hit somewhere.

Agreed that the X10 shouldn't do everywhere otherwise it's simply too long end to end, Peterlee has numerous services between there and Dalton Park. Local services should be doing that service imo. It's about the longer distance customers.

I just thought it would be easier to withdraw the X9 as the X10 does the X9 route on a Sunday and Evening anyway and with the current lockdown. Wouldn't it be easier to make the X10 every 30 mins