(19 Dec 2024, 2:24 pm)Retro Nero wrote Drifters are going corporate livery in the new year.

Such a disappointment! The Drifter has been a brand for over a decade and is well known with the 60.

(19 Dec 2024, 5:41 pm)nova347 wrote Such a disappointment! The Drifter has been a brand for over a decade and is well known with the 60.

Company clearly don't care about it though, barely even a top up of paint on the buses for over 10 years on a very busy route for the company, it's too far outside of the central core for them to bother I guess.

(19 Dec 2024, 6:20 pm)deanmachine wrote Company clearly don't care about it though, barely even a top up of paint on the buses for over 10 years on a very busy route for the company, it's too far outside of the central core for them to bother I guess.

I know, when MG was in he said there were plans to increase the frequency to every 12 minutes. The buses get so busy in the morning and in the late afternoon and at night. I got one from Sunderland around 13:00 and it was basically rammed. The 60 desperately needs an updated frequency. But if you ask me along with the old Coaster the Drifter is one of the best and most unique liveries. It will be missed plus the Drifters are quite reliable there very rarely off or break down. I have noticed quite a few have had some panel replacements but that's due to drivers and not the buses themselves. 

I was behind 5374 tonight and the state of the rear is a disgrace ngl. They haven't even had a retrim inside, they've been running one of the busiest services for 11 years. At least MG cared about the customer experience. 

I know GNE aren't really in the position for new buses but the 60 would ideally be at the top of the list to get a fleet update.

(19 Dec 2024, 6:38 pm)nova347 wrote I know, when MG was in he said there were plans to increase the frequency to every 12 minutes. The buses get so busy in the morning and in the late afternoon and at night. I got one from Sunderland around 13:00 and it was basically rammed. The 60 desperately needs an updated frequency. But if you ask me along with the old Coaster the Drifter is one of the best and most unique liveries. It will be missed plus the Drifters are quite reliable there very rarely off or break down. I have noticed quite a few have had some panel replacements but that's due to drivers and not the buses themselves. 

I was behind 5374 tonight and the state of the rear is a disgrace ngl. They haven't even had a retrim inside, they've been running one of the busiest services for 11 years. At least MG cared about the customer experience. 

I know GNE aren't really in the position for new buses but the 60 would ideally be at the top of the list to get a fleet update.

The 60 would be perfect for electric buses, but that would mean putting in chargers at Deptford and I don't see that happening without it getting funded from elsewhere.

(19 Dec 2024, 9:53 pm)deanmachine wrote The 60 would be perfect for electric buses, but that would mean putting in chargers at Deptford and I don't see that happening without it getting funded from elsewhere.

Yes, the environmental benefits, tie it in with the beach and bang. Deptford already isn't the biggest and does hold quite a lot of buses. Personally, if it wasn't for Percy Main Depot being such a nightmare I could see the 307/309 being electrified as well as the coaster tbh. It would be nice to see Deptford receive some sort of investment.

Am I right in thinking the western side and Asda are going to be without a bus again with all the 61 62 62a will serve the eastern side (bnm end)
Also no longer a bus from ryhope green to Doxford international with the 63 going to silksworth

(19 Dec 2024, 10:22 pm)Acky81 wrote Am I right in thinking the western side and Asda are going to be without a bus again with all the 61 62 62a will serve the eastern side (bnm end)
Also no longer a bus from ryhope green to Doxford international with the 63 going to silksworth

61 will serve B&M side of Hollycarrside, 62/A will serve Asda, and 63 serves Ryhope Green.

(19 Dec 2024, 9:57 pm)nova347 wrote Yes, the environmental benefits, tie it in with the beach and bang. Deptford already isn't the biggest and does hold quite a lot of buses. Personally, if it wasn't for Percy Main Depot being such a nightmare I could see the 307/309 being electrified as well as the coaster tbh. It would be nice to see Deptford receive some sort of investment.

The 22 on that corridor would be a more prime candidate for EV's than the Coaster.

As fof the 307/309 or a joint Coast Road bid with NECA & Arriva, whilst Blyth could easily get the infrastructure, there'd be too many hurdles at Percy Main not forgetting the industrial relations as Percy Main would have to close for the 307 & 309 to go EV.

Best I can see the 307/309 getting would be ex Angel StreetDecks when the 21 goes EV. 

Percy Main's B9TLs still have a lot of life left in them and would be good candidates for the likes of the X20 and could probably do a better job than the StreetDecks running the X21!

Is there even issues with Percy Main? There's plenty garages in London which are much tighter than there which have managed to get electric charging within the sites.

I know it's off topic for this thread but Stagecoach Walkergate has to be the prime depot for electrics really, the 39/40 and 62/63 are the exact sort of routes which should have them imo. City routes from end to end running through some pollution hot spots aswell. 

The 56 would be the best route at Deptford if anything, running between 2 cities and again a hot spot (Tyne Bridge) and is mostly urban aswell bar a few fields around Nissan and Springwell. The B9's are pretty much up for replacement soon aswell.

(19 Dec 2024, 10:22 pm)Acky81 wrote Am I right in thinking the western side and Asda are going to be without a bus again with all the 61 62 62a will serve the eastern side (bnm end)
Also no longer a bus from ryhope green to Doxford international with the 63 going to silksworth

Bustimes have the new "services" timetables online - might show a clear picture of where the buses are stopping because the black and white versions on the GNE are terrible............



25 - https://bustimes.org/services/25-south-s...de-hospita
25A - https://bustimes.org/services/25a-south-...ide-hospit
32 - https://bustimes.org/services/32-sunderl...derland-ro
36 - https://bustimes.org/services/36-sunderl...boldon-jar
62 - https://bustimes.org/services/62-peterle...ton-villag
62A - https://bustimes.org/services/62a-pennyw...sunderland
63 - https://bustimes.org/services/63-sunderl...-ryhope-tu

Some of the current route "new" timetables - you can view on bustimes, as the page hasn't reached the 26th January 2025 yet (such as the 35)

(20 Dec 2024, 9:07 am)Storx wrote Is there even issues with Percy Main? There's plenty garages in London which are much tighter than there which have managed to get electric charging within the sites.

Given the age of the depot though and the re-sale value of the land (going by CLS closure), it would be no doubt easier for GNE to shut Percy Main and move to Riverside if they electrified the 307 & 309.

(20 Dec 2024, 9:46 am)L469 YVK wrote Given the age of the depot though and the re-sale value of the land (going by CLS closure), it would be no doubt easier for GNE to shut Percy Main and move to Riverside if they electrified the 307 & 309.

Problem is GNE won't exist soon so it's probably better to just hold it out and sell it to NECA instead. 

They have to pay market value anyway and NECA give or take would be paying for a fair chunk of the electric equipment anyway. 

It's in their best interests to have it anyway.

Mind it'll be interesting to see if they change something with the 9 at some point. The 24 minutes it waits around at Sunderland is an awful waste of resources every board. Don't believe there's any changes with this or alternatively move it back to Percy Main.

(19 Dec 2024, 6:20 pm)deanmachine wrote Company clearly don't care about it though, barely even a top up of paint on the buses for over 10 years on a very busy route for the company, it's too far outside of the central core for them to bother I guess.

Na its had the same brand since they arrived... about time, it is a shame, that's its been dropped though.


Wonder how many more brands will be dropped in 2025? how long do you all think, it'll take before the buses are repainted though.......... I think they'll start in the middle of the summer.


Actually seen a Drifter with 2 engineers on, on Wednesday, heading towards Washington however looking today on Bustimes, all of them are out in service.

------

As for allocations

I take it, they'll all stay the same............ so the 62/62A/63 will all be solo etc?

-----

Had ago at working out the PVR's for the new services.


2 - 4 PVR
32 - 6 PVR
33/63 - 6 PVR
35/36 PVR - 6 PVR
61/62/62A - 10 PVR

(20 Dec 2024, 10:43 am)Michael wrote Na its had the same brand since they arrived... about time, it is a shame, that's its been dropped though.


Wonder how many more brands will be dropped in 2025? how long do you all think, it'll take before the buses are repainted though.......... I think they'll start in the middle of the summer.

Branding really needs to go. Should only be

- VOLTRA (53/54 & Q3)
- MetroVOLTRA (X66 when EV)
- COASTLINE (306, 307, 308, 309)
- CityLink (21, 56)
- XLines Generic (Current XLines routes)

Everything else corporate!

(20 Dec 2024, 2:03 pm)L469 YVK wrote Branding really needs to go. Should only be

- VOLTRA (53/54 & Q3)
- MetroVOLTRA (X66 when EV)
- COASTLINE (306, 307, 308, 309)
- CityLink (21, 56)
- XLines Generic (Current XLines routes)

Everything else corporate!

I agree X-Lines should be 1 colour only, didn't Dan say ages ago (before he left), that there was plans to repaint them all in to gold and red to make it easier to allocate the buses.

Looks like from January 2025 - the branded routes at Deptford will be the 20/65, 56, 700/701, Peterlee purples and X20.


#BringbackBlackCats
#BringbackDoxfordClipper
#BringbackMagicroundabout

(20 Dec 2024, 8:00 pm)Michael wrote I agree X-Lines should be 1 colour only, didn't Dan say ages ago (before he left), that there was plans to repaint them all in to gold and red to make it easier to allocate the buses.

Looks like from January 2025 - the branded routes at Deptford will be the 20/65, 56, 700/701, Peterlee purples and X20.


#BringbackBlackCats
#BringbackDoxfordClipper
#BringbackMagicroundabout

Funny thing is, I think the 63 and 33 will interwork, so the Magic Roundabout will be back in all but name.

Doxford Clipper shouldn’t have been dropped!!
Graphite means nothing to anyone

The Magic Roundabout and the Star Trek inspired Stanley Shuttle were the epitome of an age where go north east sort of cared but had absolutely no commercial or branding sense whatsoever

The communication of the renumbering of the 25 remains abject mind. Though this is the company which announced extra 21s through BSIP with a photo of the hybrids (I assume they couldn’t find a pink angel 21 omnicity)

(20 Dec 2024, 10:43 am)Michael wrote As for allocations

I take it, they'll all stay the same............ so the 62/62A/63 will all be solo etc?

-----

Had ago at working out the PVR's for the new services.


2 - 4 PVR
32 - 6 PVR
33/63 - 6 PVR
35/36 PVR - 6 PVR
61/62/62A - 10 PVR

Couple of corrections to the above
2 PVR is 5 (seems you've missed a bus somewhere)
32 PVR is 5 (Docks is part of a loop rather than a layover)
33/63 PVR is 6
35/36 will interwork with the 24/25/26 - total of 16 buses. 
61/62/62A PVR is 9 (Pennywell is part of a loop rather than a layover)
Total of 41 compared to 45 across current routes

As for allocations I'd assume 61/62/62A will be Solo's making use of the current Graphites and Silver's which would be debranded.
32 and 33/63 would presumably make use of the 83XX Streetlites. Then the 2, 9, 24/25/26/35/36, and 60 all corporate livery 53/54XX Streetlites with the Drifter and East Durham Explorer's debranded. PVR reduction will allow Deptford's remaining Versa's to go plus 1 or 2 from Washington or Riverside too

(21 Dec 2024, 10:29 am)peter wrote Couple of corrections to the above
2 PVR is 5 (seems you've missed a bus somewhere)
32 PVR is 5 (Docks is part of a loop rather than a layover)
33/63 PVR is 6
35/36 will interwork with the 24/25/26 - total of 16 buses. 
61/62/62A PVR is 9 (Pennywell is part of a loop rather than a layover)
Total of 41 compared to 45 across current routes

As for allocations I'd assume 61/62/62A will be Solo's making use of the current Graphites and Silver's which would be debranded.
32 and 33/63 would presumably make use of the 83XX Streetlites. Then the 2, 9, 24/25/26/35/36, and 60 all corporate livery 53/54XX Streetlites with the Drifter and East Durham Explorer's debranded. PVR reduction will allow Deptford's remaining Versa's to go plus 1 or 2 from Washington or Riverside too

I need to stop working stuff out haha, I forgot about all the interworking's too - the 24/25/26/35 and 36 all interworking is going to be a nightmare, bet we see the loads of cancelations - what about the 9, as that currently interworks with the current 5, 24 and 26.


Thanks Peter, it was just a quick guess tbh, the current design on the new timetables aren't very good either.


Least the Versa will finally go....

(21 Dec 2024, 10:29 am)peter wrote Couple of corrections to the above
2 PVR is 5 (seems you've missed a bus somewhere)
32 PVR is 5 (Docks is part of a loop rather than a layover)
33/63 PVR is 6
35/36 will interwork with the 24/25/26 - total of 16 buses. 
61/62/62A PVR is 9 (Pennywell is part of a loop rather than a layover)
Total of 41 compared to 45 across current routes

As for allocations I'd assume 61/62/62A will be Solo's making use of the current Graphites and Silver's which would be debranded.
32 and 33/63 would presumably make use of the 83XX Streetlites. Then the 2, 9, 24/25/26/35/36, and 60 all corporate livery 53/54XX Streetlites with the Drifter and East Durham Explorer's debranded. PVR reduction will allow Deptford's remaining Versa's to go plus 1 or 2 from Washington or Riverside too

I don't know but allocation wise I'd personally say

61/62/62A: Streetlite
33/63: Solo SR

With the Solo's moving to see off some of the non standard stuff ie. 638, 721 and 723 in particular since none got repainted into the new Tynedale Links livery or are still running around in GNW livery and I don't believe the seatbelts are needed nowadays.

(21 Dec 2024, 10:45 am)Michael wrote I need to stop working stuff out haha, I forgot about all the interworking's too - the 24/25/26/35 and 36 all interworking is going to be a nightmare, bet we see the loads of cancelations - what about the 9, as that currently interworks with the current 5, 24 and 26.


Thanks Peter, it was just a quick guess tbh, the current design on the new timetables aren't very good either.


Least the Versa will finally go....

Yeah it's a weird interworking pattern as well, starting from Sunderland:
-7 buses do a 24 to South Shields, a 26 to Lukes Lane and back, a 24 to Sunderland, then a 36 to Lukes Lane and back
-3 buses do a 24 to South Shields, a 25 to Jarrow, a 35 to Sunderland
-3 buses do a 35 to Jarrow, a 25 to South Shields, a 24 to Sunderland
-3 buses do the other two 24 journeys per hour to South Shields and back only 

The 9 doesn't currently interwork with that circuit and will seemingly continue standalone with long layovers (pretty sure that was done on purpose due to potential roadwork delays?)

(21 Dec 2024, 11:06 am)Storx wrote I don't know but allocation wise I'd personally say

61/62/62A: Streetlite
33/63: Solo SR

With the Solo's moving to see off some of the non standard stuff ie. 638, 721 and 723 in particular since none got repainted into the new Tynedale Links livery or are still running around in GNW livery and I don't believe the seatbelts are needed nowadays.

Yeah could see that happening as well tbf, there again if a couple Streetlites were freed up to go to Washington, they could move a couple Solo's on from there as they currently have 10 plus the Sprinter for a PVR of just 8. Agreed tho, would be good to see the back of 638, 709, 721 and 723 - with them tho it might be that they're holding out to see what happens with the 79 and 82 contracts - it'll be either them or Versa's that go for sure

Im surprised that GNE didn't consult with public regarding the changes.

I think 26 should have gone back to riverside and rejoined with 27 like before.
36 maybe more unless and I did ask GNE customer service, if Crusader weekly ticket be valid on 36 from Lukes Lane to Jarrow only, but email I received said valid on 27 only. If only SNE did 36 instead or 10/11 extension.

Why does bustimes have new timetable till July 2025?

(21 Dec 2024, 1:40 pm)peter wrote Yeah could see that happening as well tbf, there again if a couple Streetlites were freed up to go to Washington, they could move a couple Solo's on from there as they currently have 10 plus the Sprinter for a PVR of just 8. Agreed tho, would be good to see the back of 638, 709, 721 and 723 - with them tho it might be that they're holding out to see what happens with the 79 and 82 contracts - it'll be either them or Versa's that go for sure

Yeah possibly, to be honest it was more based on I have a feeling the 61 and 62 will need more than a Solo. The 61 already has Streetlite's and going through Ryhope is only going to add passengers imo. 

32/61/62/62A - PVR 14 (8xxx Streetlites - 15 Buses)
33/63 - PVR 6 (Solo's - 7 Buses)
Everything Else (5xxx Streetlites)

That's what I think personally but in reality the 8xxx Streetlites will end up on everything.

(21 Dec 2024, 11:47 pm)Storx wrote Yeah possibly, to be honest it was more based on I have a feeling the 61 and 62 will need more than a Solo. The 61 already has Streetlite's and going through Ryhope is only going to add passengers imo. 

32/61/62/62A - PVR 14 (8xxx Streetlites - 15 Buses)
33/63 - PVR 6 (Solo's - 7 Buses)
Everything Else (5xxx Streetlites)

That's what I think personally but in reality the 8xxx Streetlites will end up on everything.

Yeah that would make sense too - will have to wait and see!

Looking at some of the new timetables, some services use at least 4 different stands at Park Lane throughout the day/night - confusing as out - I get its due to interworking - but still, its ridiculous.


This is on nearly every service, what's down for changes.



Example, the 2 on a Sunday...

Is there really much need to put the stand on for arrivals? Departures I get but arrivals?

(22 Dec 2024, 3:04 pm)F114TML wrote Is there really much need to put the stand on for arrivals? Departures I get but arrivals?

Aren't these basically the timetables provided to the traffic commissioner (or something like that) when registering the services? So basically probs have to put all those different stands in, especially with them being the route/journey terminus.

I would imagine the proper PDF/leaflets will just say Park Lane Interchange with no specific stands mentioned when terminating there.

(22 Dec 2024, 6:04 pm)Jimmi wrote Aren't these basically the timetables provided to the traffic commissioner (or something like that) when registering the services? So basically probs have to put all those different stands in, especially with them being the route/journey terminus.

I would imagine the proper PDF/leaflets will just say Park Lane Interchange with no specific stands mentioned when terminating there.

Fair enough, although doesn't the live timrtable on the website show individual stands too?

They use the full, official names associated to the stops that they use on the PDF exports and website timetables, hence why the arrival stand is shown.

GNE haven’t produced stylised PDF timetables or leaflets since earlier this year.