(06 Sep 2023, 4:50 pm)Storx wrote Must say, using Bustimes usual caveats, Blyth has turned an absolute shambles the past few days.

If the X7/X8 tracking is right I feel very sorry for whoever is driving 1505 right now. Absolute absurd to cancel 2 peak times X7 out of Newcastle and have a single decker heading in 80 minutes after the first cancelled bus.

There's going to be some right pissed off passengers.

I'm staying in the office for a bit longer because of it. They really are a joke.

(06 Sep 2023, 4:50 pm)Storx wrote Must say, using Bustimes usual caveats, Blyth has turned an absolute shambles the past few days.

If the X7/X8 tracking is right I feel very sorry for whoever is driving 1505 right now. Absolute absurd to cancel 2 peak times X7 out of Newcastle and have a single decker heading in 80 minutes after the first cancelled bus.

There's going to be some right pissed off passengers.

The 17:45 ran, where is the 80 minute gap in X7s before 1505? 

There's reportedly high driver sickness, potentially linked to the new COVID variant.

(06 Sep 2023, 4:53 pm)solsburian wrote I'm staying in the office for a bit longer because of it. They really are a joke.

Don't blame you tbh.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:26 pm)mb134 wrote The 17:45 ran, where is the 80 minute gap in X7s before 1505? 

There's reportedly high driver sickness, potentially linked to the new COVID variant.

Aye it appeared after I posted it, seems to have ran dead from Blyth as there's been a massive gap on the X8. (X8 always turns into an X7 and vice versa at Newcastle).

The X9 seems to have a big gap now though unless they do the same.

That would make sense though, mind I'm surprised they're not dropping boards on the 43/44/45 which is more frequent rather than on the X7/X8/X9/X10/X11.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:26 pm)mb134 wrote The 17:45 ran, where is the 80 minute gap in X7s before 1505? 

There's reportedly high driver sickness, potentially linked to the new COVID variant.

Equally confused at that suggested gap in service.

From that I can see, 1505 worked the X11 out of the Newcastle anyway, not the X7 as the normal daytime pattern would suggest.

As mentioned before, bustimes isn't the holy grail of accurate information.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:33 pm)Storx wrote That would make sense though, mind I'm surprised they're not dropping boards on the 43/44/45 which is more frequent rather than on the X7/X8/X9/X10/X11.

Quite a number of the Blyth 43 boards contain contracted 47 journeys, so I imagine they're prioritising those shifts. They will break at Cramlington and probably do 43 boards their full shift, so it becomes hard to drop many. 

I've noticed a lot of Blyth drivers with mentees recently, so once more of them are able to drive solo then the high sickness should be less of an issue.

---

(06 Sep 2023, 4:53 pm)solsburian wrote I'm staying in the office for a bit longer because of it. They really are a joke.

Nothing that can be done about high driver sickness really, unless you'd want them to work and infect more drivers, leading to even more cancellations?

(06 Sep 2023, 5:43 pm)mb134 wrote Quite a number of the Blyth 43 boards contain contracted 47 journeys, so I imagine they're prioritising those shifts. They will break at Cramlington and probably do 43 boards their full shift, so it becomes hard to drop many. 

I've noticed a lot of Blyth drivers with mentees recently, so once more of them are able to drive solo then the high sickness should be less of an issue.

---

Nothing that can be done about high driver sickness really, unless you'd want them to work and infect more drivers, leading to even more cancellations?

The cancellations have been rumbling on for months. Of course COVID is going to be used as an excuse.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:43 pm)mb134 wrote Nothing that can be done about high driver sickness really, unless you'd want them to work and infect more drivers, leading to even more cancellations?

Exactly this. There may not be any mandates about isolation, etc, anymore, but it doesn't mean people should stop applying common sense.

I'd actually suggest that if everyone was doing that, and taking time off when they're sick, we'd be in a much worse position.

I think you do have to combine this with the industry's long-held inability to retain drivers though. Whilst pulling out of one of the largest labour markets in the world was akin to shooting ourselves in the foot, we are where we are, and operators up and down the country need to resolve this retention issue.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

(06 Sep 2023, 6:08 pm)Adrian wrote I think you do have to combine this with the industry's long-held inability to retain drivers though. Whilst pulling out of one of the largest labour markets in the world was akin to shooting ourselves in the foot, we are where we are, and operators up and down the country need to resolve this retention issue.

Getting rid of the power hungry management who pick on drivers for every little thing yet have barely been behind the wheel of a bus would be a start (not taring all with the same brush)!

Unless for a clearly serious matter.....a way more holistic approach is needed! Drivers are going to have good / bad days and not everything needs the disciplinary card flipped unless clearly serious.

If a driver is a bit off with a passenger, a holistic conversation (this is where you need people who have been behind the wheel in management) recognising the drivers stresses.....but also the needs of the passenger too.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:43 pm)mb134 wrote Quite a number of the Blyth 43 boards contain contracted 47 journeys, so I imagine they're prioritising those shifts. They will break at Cramlington and probably do 43 boards their full shift, so it becomes hard to drop many. 

I've noticed a lot of Blyth drivers with mentees recently, so once more of them are able to drive solo then the high sickness should be less of an issue.

---

Nothing that can be done about high driver sickness really, unless you'd want them to work and infect more drivers, leading to even more cancellations?

Yeah that makes sense, forgot about the 47 tbh. It's just the odd service which sits byself and not really connected to the rest of the network.

Yeah hopefully, ngl had a feeling initially it might have been the Walkergate closure and sending work across and no driver's to actually do it.

(06 Sep 2023, 6:44 pm)Storx wrote Yeah hopefully, ngl had a feeling initially it might have been the Walkergate closure and sending work across and no driver's to actually do it.

I don't believe that's the case, on paper they should be absolutely fine but are reportedly suffering badly with sickness. Similarly with Ashington, they received a few more drivers than were actually required for their 43 duties.

(06 Sep 2023, 5:37 pm)RobinHood wrote Equally confused at that suggested gap in service.

From that I can see, 1505 worked the X11 out of the Newcastle anyway, not the X7 as the normal daytime pattern would suggest.

As mentioned before, bustimes isn't the holy grail of accurate information.

I was in the Haymarket around 17.20 and the queue in the X7/X8 stand was small. It didn't look like there'd been cancellations or any angry passengers there.

(06 Sep 2023, 7:04 pm)Shrek wrote I was in the Haymarket around 17.20 and the queue in the X7/X8 stand was small. It didn't look like there'd been cancellations or any angry passengers there.

I wasn't so good after the mach on the 12th August when the previous X7 was a no show. The inspectors were not much help.They also had a pulsar on a X10 or X11 board and it had to leave people behind. That is a separate issue I guess.

(05 Sep 2023, 10:29 am)Storx wrote Personally don't see the point in it, I can't remember the last time I went to Blyth, if they want to improve the X7, then an earlier Sunday service would be better 10am is stupidly late for the first bus to get into Newcastle.

Not aware of anyone around here who would go to Blyth for drinking either or the cinema, arguably later 19 journeys would be better, possibly by using part of the money from the absolutely pointless North Shields extension on the 57A especially since the whole of East Cramlington has no bus service at night and would give Seghill a Metro link all day.

I sampled the last 23:13 X7 to Seghill again tonight, and there was the grand total of... 3 of us on, with the other passengers getting off at Amersham Road and South Beach respectively. The driver pointed out he was my personal taxi and that he was close behind the 57a once you get to Delaval. As I said to the driver, (so far) it seems a bit dumb to subside such a run as it stands, especially when the money could be better used elsewhere, including as you say a earlier Sunday X7 run to Newcastle. I'll try it again in a while to see if it pics up.

A lot of ex Jesmond/Walkergate drivers who live in the Newcastle area and now working at Blyth and Ashington depots just waiting for their resettlement money to be paid before leaving for pastures new.

(08 Sep 2023, 11:17 pm)Driver9*** wrote A lot of ex Jesmond/Walkergate drivers who live in the Newcastle area and now working at Blyth and Ashington depots just waiting for their resettlement money to be paid before leaving for pastues new.

I don't blame them.

(08 Sep 2023, 11:00 pm)solsburian wrote I sampled the last 23:13 X7 to Seghill again tonight, and there was the grand total of... 3 of us on, with the other passengers getting off at Amersham Road and South Beach respectively. The driver pointed out he was my personal taxi and that he was close behind the 57a once you get to Delaval. As I said to the driver, (so far) it seems a bit dumb to subside such a run as it stands, especially when the money could be better used elsewhere, including as you say a earlier Sunday X7 run to Newcastle. I'll try it again in a while to see if it pics up.

Can't believe they've brought that last Seghill run back, they had killed it off a few years ago when I used to work for Arriva. Apart from a few old boy drinkers at the weekend you picked no one up. Another waste of subsidy money by NCC.

(09 Sep 2023, 12:17 am)Driver9*** wrote Can't believe they've brought that last Seghill run back, they had killed it off a few years ago when I used to work for Arriva. Apart from a few old boy drinkers at the weekend you picked no one up. Another waste of subsidy money by NCC.

Yeah I remember it being binned back around 2010 when the "big changes" came - boy were they a hoot   . It made sense to get rid of it back then - while I live in Seghill and it now sports 2 Airbnbs (!!) it is not going to be a hub anytime soon, if ever. Mind you I do miss seeing busses trundling down Front Street and Reid's Lane to start a service at Seghill 

29th October:



PB0002032/396
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X14 (X14) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A, 57) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/424
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X20 (X20) Ashington Alnwick

PB0002032/485
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X15 (X15) Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/500
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X18 Alnwick Seahouses

PB0002032/345
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1 (1) Blyth Widdrington Estate

PB0002032/9
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 45 (45) Newcastle Dinnington

PB0002032/342
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 43 (43) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/336
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 44 (44) Newcastle Stannington

PB0002032/309
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X20 (X20) Newcastle Ashington

PB0002032/523
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 4X18 (X18) Seahouses Berwick upon Tweed

PB0002032/498
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X18 (X18) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/346
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2 (2) Blyth Morpeth - Kirkhill

PB0002032/496
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 3X15 (X15) Alnwick Berwick

PB0002032/499
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X18 (X18) Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/333
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X14 (X14) Morpeth Thropton

PB0002032/497
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X15 (X15) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002717/201
Variation ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD D2 (2A, 2) Red Hall Branksome

(15 Sep 2023, 5:56 pm)Michael wrote 29th October:



PB0002032/396
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X14 (X14) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A, 57) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/424
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X20 (X20) Ashington Alnwick

PB0002032/485
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X15 (X15) Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/500
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X18 Alnwick Seahouses

PB0002032/345
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1 (1) Blyth Widdrington Estate

PB0002032/9
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 45 (45) Newcastle Dinnington

PB0002032/342
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 43 (43) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/336
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 44 (44) Newcastle Stannington

PB0002032/309
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X20 (X20) Newcastle Ashington

PB0002032/523
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 4X18 (X18) Seahouses Berwick upon Tweed

PB0002032/498
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X18 (X18) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/346
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2 (2) Blyth Morpeth - Kirkhill

PB0002032/496
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 3X15 (X15) Alnwick Berwick

PB0002032/499
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X18 (X18) Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/333
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 2X14 (X14) Morpeth Thropton

PB0002032/497
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X15 (X15) Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002717/201
Variation ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD D2 (2A, 2) Red Hall Branksome

Hmmm 57A will be that service to Ashington full time that was mentioned back before September. Werid no X16

(15 Sep 2023, 7:33 pm)Busu284 wrote Hmmm 57A will be that service to Ashington full time that was mentioned back before September. Werid no X16

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is more to come

(15 Sep 2023, 7:59 pm)Bazza wrote I wouldn’t be surprised if there is more to come

The X16 is there, but you need to search for NEW rather than VARIATION

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/616045/

(15 Sep 2023, 8:29 pm)RobinHood wrote The X16 is there, but you need to search for NEW rather than VARIATION

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/616045/

Newcastle to Morpeth only. Thought it was Kirkly Hall or whatever its called

(15 Sep 2023, 8:35 pm)Busu284 wrote Newcastle to Morpeth only. Thought it was Kirkly Hall or whatever its called

The 2 now does Kirkhill

(15 Sep 2023, 5:56 pm)Michael wrote 29th October:

PB0002717/201
Variation ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD D2 (2A, 2) Red Hall Branksome

Changes to the 2/2A relating to changes in Amazon shift patterns: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...october-23

Looking at Traveline:

43s are extended to Morpeth every 30 mins (up from hourly) from the October changes. Hourly Sunday service too, which continues into the evening.

57A extension also confirmed, and is running via Bedlington Station and Stakeford between Cramlington and Ashington.

X16 confirmed to be hourly Morpeth to Newcastle.

X20 timetable changes, morning journeys leaving earlier than currently and afternoon ones later.

(24 Sep 2023, 4:35 pm)mb134 wrote Looking at Traveline:

43s are extended to Morpeth every 30 mins (up from hourly) from the October changes. Hourly Sunday service too, which continues into the evening.

57A extension also confirmed, and is running via Bedlington Station and Stakeford between Cramlington and Ashington.

X16 confirmed to be hourly Morpeth to Newcastle.

X20 timetable changes, morning journeys leaving earlier than currently and afternoon ones later.

I wonder if this could see the 43 now be a standalone route instead of interwork with the 44/45. There are many problems with this due to if the 43 arrives on time to Newcastle. That 44 or 45 going to Dinnington then back will be late causing the 43 to then in term be late as well. I wonder if the 43 will go standalone and have the 44/45 interwork with the 47 to make it an easier timetable as the 47 is every 30 and the 44/45 are every 30 as well

(24 Sep 2023, 4:51 pm)Busu284 wrote I wonder if this could see the 43 now be a standalone route instead of interwork with the 44/45. There are many problems with this due to if the 43 arrives on time to Newcastle. That 44 or 45 going to Dinnington then back will be late causing the 43 to then in term be late as well. I wonder if the 43 will go standalone and have the 44/45 interwork with the 47 to make it an easier timetable as the 47 is every 30 and the 44/45 are every 30 as well

I don't think so, the 43s interworking with the 44/45/47 will still be needed for breaks at Cramlington for the Blyth operated boards.

(24 Sep 2023, 5:16 pm)mb134 wrote I don't think so, the 43s interworking with the 44/45/47 will still be needed for breaks at Cramlington for the Blyth operated boards.

True I just find it strange that a 30 minute timetable to Morpeth while the 43 has trouble keeping up times. They added an extra bus during the evening (ran by Ashington) but it seems to have no affect for the Gosforth area to Cramlington. The 43 will run quite late results in either a 43 or 44 or a 45 being cancelled due to late running

(24 Sep 2023, 5:33 pm)Busu284 wrote True I just find it strange that a 30 minute timetable to Morpeth while the 43 has trouble keeping up times. They added an extra bus during the evening (ran by Ashington) but it seems to have no affect for the Gosforth area to Cramlington. The 43 will run quite late results in either a 43 or 44 or a 45 being cancelled due to late running

I don't quite understand what you mean. 

The 43s will have 14 minutes of layover at Morpeth, as they do at the moment. Since the timetable change the 43s seem to be quite robust, with the main issue being on a Saturday which is being fixed in these changes given the frequencies between Newcastle and Cramlington are increasing. Since the last changes where the extra bus was put into the PVR I've not noticed any cancellations of 43-45s due to late running, bar on a Saturday. 

The evening extension to Morpeth, as well as the increase during the day and the Sunday, I imagine may be BSIP related. A service between Morpeth and Cramlington on an evening and Sunday has been needed for a while.

(24 Sep 2023, 4:35 pm)mb134 wrote Looking at Traveline:

43s are extended to Morpeth every 30 mins (up from hourly) from the October changes. Hourly Sunday service too, which continues into the evening.

57A extension also confirmed, and is running via Bedlington Station and Stakeford between Cramlington and Ashington.

X16 confirmed to be hourly Morpeth to Newcastle.

X20 timetable changes, morning journeys leaving earlier than currently and afternoon ones later.

Bad utilisation of resources that imo.

It would be much better to have it as (all hourly)

19: Ashington to North Shields via Bedlington Station
57: Ashington to Whitley Bay via Choppington
57A: Cramlington to Whitley Bay via Seghill omitting High Pit (run direct from Annitsford).

Means you would have a 30 minutes service from Avenue Head to Cramlington towards Ashington and vice versa since the 19 is already there anyway. Not to mention you'd reopen the Cobalt and North Shields from Bedlington and beyond links. I assume it's now 20/40 towards Ashington under this timetable and give some much needed layover on the 57A with a faster route into Cramlington rather than the 57A and 19 following each other through High Pit like they do currently. Could also potentially renumber one of them so all the numbers are together aswell.