(03 May 2025, 5:28 pm)Storx wrote Reform are awful but they pledged that they'll restore local bus services using the money from the wasted money. Obviously I don't believe a thing they say mind but doubt they'll be cutting them.

They’ll have to do the sums first. And read up on their law and obligations if they don’t want to end up spending the thruppence they save on biscuits, equality law and meeting pollution targets on tribunals and lawsuits.

(03 May 2025, 8:10 pm)BusLoverMum wrote They’ll have to do the sums first. And read up on their law and obligations if they don’t want to end up spending the thruppence they save on biscuits, equality law and meeting pollution targets on tribunals and lawsuits.

Aye definitely, it'll be a mess like. Mind they'll probably get their savings, but by people walking instead. I'd hate to work under them personally. Make the GoNorthEast management seem like angels in comparison.

(03 May 2025, 5:28 pm)Storx wrote Reform are awful but they pledged that they'll restore local bus services using the money from the wasted money. Obviously I don't believe a thing they say mind but doubt they'll be cutting them.

Yeah, they've also promised to freeze Council Tax, which is completely unachievable. They don't need to arrange another audit to tell them that; Councils are already legally required to do that every year.

I think it'll be a case of four years of the blind leading the blind.

(04 May 2025, 10:00 pm)Adrian wrote Yeah, they've also promised to freeze Council Tax, which is completely unachievable. They don't need to arrange another audit to tell them that; Councils are already legally required to do that every year.

I think it'll be a case of four years of the blind leading the blind.

I reckon they will be torn between asking Amanda for advice and asking her to make the coffee. Some of those lads probably have their mams do everything for them.

(04 May 2025, 10:00 pm)Adrian wrote Yeah, they've also promised to freeze Council Tax, which is completely unachievable. They don't need to arrange another audit to tell them that; Councils are already legally required to do that every year.

I think it'll be a case of four years of the blind leading the blind.

I have as much faith in Reform as I had in everyone else that's run DCC for the last ever, zero.

They're all much of a muchness, only in it for themselves!

As soon as a party is 'in power', they're worthless. Back when Labour ran DCC, the mother had an issue with the council, she got in touch with the Labour councillor for her town and was essentially brushed off. She got in touch with the Conservative councillor and within a few weeks, everything was sorted out. Not because the Conservatives are better, but because it looks good for them sorting out a problem Labour ignored!

It's all politics, it's all just a game to them. They're all as bad as each other, just in their own ways.

(06 May 2025, 8:56 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I have as much faith in Reform as I had in everyone else that's run DCC for the last ever, zero.

They're all much of a muchness, only in it for themselves!

As soon as a party is 'in power', they're worthless. Back when Labour ran DCC, the mother had an issue with the council, she got in touch with the Labour councillor for her town and was essentially brushed off. She got in touch with the Conservative councillor and within a few weeks, everything was sorted out. Not because the Conservatives are better, but because it looks good for them sorting out a problem Labour ignored!

It's all politics, it's all just a game to them. They're all as bad as each other, just in their own ways.

I'm not the biggest fan of Labour these days, but in both wards that I've lived in, I've had three excellent Labour Councillors that have always been really helpful. Even if they can't help, they've always extracted a full explanation for me.

Likewise I had two Independents and one Labour before I moved, and the two Indy Councillors were also really good and active.

It's a very cynical view to suggest that everyone gets into politics to play games or because they're at it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e3g987j9yo

£1.8m to be spent 'revamping bus stops'.

(17 May 2025, 12:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e3g987j9yo

£1.8m to be spent 'revamping bus stops'.

Wonder if this one is included. It already has the accessible raised kerb but I'm sure the 3 people a year who use it would appreciate a shelter.

(17 May 2025, 10:56 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Wonder if this one is included. It already has the accessible raised kerb but I'm sure the 3 people a year who use it would appreciate a shelter. 

And a path to and from the stop. Sure that wouldn't go amis

(17 May 2025, 12:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e3g987j9yo

£1.8m to be spent 'revamping bus stops'.

Let's just hope they stick to bus stops with buses registered to actually serve them this time:  https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9...uck-stops/

(18 May 2025, 7:24 pm)Jimmi wrote Let's just hope they stick to bus stops with buses registered to actually serve them this time:  https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9...uck-stops/

NEXUS also did that in Sunderland, on Springwell road, in front of the doctors, replaced the bus shelter with a new one, even though there hasn't been a service there since the 5/5A was withdrawn!

(18 May 2025, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote NEXUS also did that in Sunderland, on Springwell road, in front of the doctors, replaced the bus shelter with a new one, even though there hasn't been a service there since the 5/5A was withdrawn!

Meanwhile Cherry Blossom Way stop on Washington Road has absolutely no shelter for the dozens and dozens of Nissan supplier workers every night to freeze in the open.

(19 May 2025, 12:50 pm)deanmachine wrote Meanwhile Cherry Blossom Way stop on Washington Road has absolutely no shelter for the dozens and dozens of Nissan supplier workers every night to freeze in the open.

I'm surprised there's not a shelter there like. I haven't been that way in YEARS.

(18 May 2025, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote NEXUS also did that in Sunderland, on Springwell road, in front of the doctors, replaced the bus shelter with a new one, even though there hasn't been a service there since the 5/5A was withdrawn!

and North Tyneside have a few of those shelters with no services stopping at them!

(17 May 2025, 12:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2e3g987j9yo

£1.8m to be spent 'revamping bus stops'.

Hopefully this means future proofing them to have a fully raised kerb for potential dual door use in the future? Only thing really stopping it is infrastructure. There are plenty of services i could see benefiting.

(18 May 2025, 7:28 pm)Michael wrote NEXUS also did that in Sunderland, on Springwell road, in front of the doctors, replaced the bus shelter with a new one, even though there hasn't been a service there since the 5/5A was withdrawn!

Unless something has changed, it's nothing to do with Nexus. Bus stops are council controlled hence the different standards in different areas ie. fewer in Gateshead and either maintained by Clearchannel (usually better nick) if it has an advertising boards or otherwise Nexus. 

Not sure on Durham but Northumberland it's a Parish level thing hence different bus stops in every town / village.

Edit: Just had a look at that and it's a Clearchannel bus stop aswell, so should have been done for free. Seems they're not replacing the advertising boards along there though, which is odd - guess they were making nothing.

Seen North Tyneside is getting new shelters aswell - https://www.clearchannel.co.uk/latest/pr...h-tyneside.

(20 May 2025, 12:03 am)ALavery wrote Hopefully this means future proofing them to have a fully raised kerb for potential dual door use in the future? Only thing really stopping it is infrastructure. There are plenty of services i could see benefiting.

As has been said many times before, you can do whatever to the bus stops but Durham bus station is not suitable for dual door use so it's never going to be feasible here.

ETA same for Consett, Peterlee and Stanley.

(20 May 2025, 12:21 pm)BusLoverMum wrote As has been said many times before, you can do whatever to the bus stops but Durham bus station is not suitable for dual door use so it's never going to be feasible here.

ETA same for Consett, Peterlee and Stanley.

Could always use stops on north road or the stand as you enter the bus station. Not that they would because why spend money on infrastructure but could always create a couple of stands suitable. Obviously this is with the idea that not every service will use them.

(20 May 2025, 12:21 pm)BusLoverMum wrote As has been said many times before, you can do whatever to the bus stops but Durham bus station is not suitable for dual door use so it's never going to be feasible here.

ETA same for Consett, Peterlee and Stanley.

You can have ramps on the front of dual door buses you know.

Also, TfL’s Kingston Bus Station has diagonal bays like Durham’s:
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/a-m...ion-77171/

(20 May 2025, 1:19 pm)ALavery wrote Could always use stops on north road or the stand as you enter the bus station. Not that they would because why spend money on infrastructure but could always create a couple of stands suitable. Obviously this is with the idea that not every service will use them.

The stops on North Road are already in use for Durham City services. Having stops further down North road, as was the case while the bus station was being rebuilt was chaotic and dangerous and a nightmare for almost anyone with disabilities, whether physical, sensory or neurological.

Dual door buses are completely unnecessary for mostly rural and small town services that have at most half a dozen people getting on or off for most of the journey.

---

(20 May 2025, 1:26 pm)ne14ne1 wrote You can have ramps on the front of dual door buses you know.

Also, TfL’s Kingston Bus Station has diagonal bays like Durham’s:
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/a-m...ion-77171/

But what would the point be? We don't have consistently busy urban sprawl anywhere round here. Our city centres are all compact so there are no efficiency gains to be made there.

(20 May 2025, 1:26 pm)ne14ne1 wrote You can have ramps on the front of dual door buses you know.

Also, TfL’s Kingston Bus Station has diagonal bays like Durham’s:
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/a-m...ion-77171/

And this

Another big change is that there’s now a dedicated disabled bus stop at the western end of the station. That’s been subject to a lot of consultation, but only time will tell if it works in practice. It’s also next to the loos, a new addition to the bus station.

.
How does that work if passengers on wheelchairs want to catch different buses? How do the drivers of the 6 and the X12 each know that they have a passenger waiting at that stop for them? Or if that was done here, would wheelchair users have to wait outside in all weathers and hope they get seen?

Edit: I copied the bit about the dedicated disabled stand but it didn't play nice when I pasted it and I can't re-size!

(20 May 2025, 1:34 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The stops on North Road are already in use for Durham City services. Having stops further down North road, as was the case while the bus station was being rebuilt was chaotic and dangerous and a nightmare for almost anyone with disabilities, whether physical, sensory or neurological.

Dual door buses are completely unnecessary for mostly rural and small town services that have at most half a dozen people getting on or off for most of the journey.

---

But what would the point be? We don't have consistently busy urban sprawl anywhere round here. Our city centres are all compact so there are no efficiency gains to be made there.

Must admit I can't see any benefits of dual door buses in County Durham on any route. They're only good on urban routes where you have a lot of turnarounds. The 56 is a prime example of a GNE bus as you have it at the QE, Wrekenton, Nissan, Southwark, Stadium of Light and Gateshead so for that type of route they'd made sense.

All the Stagecoach cross city routes in Newcastle are the same.

(20 May 2025, 7:29 am)Storx wrote Unless something has changed, it's nothing to do with Nexus. Bus stops are council controlled hence the different standards in different areas ie. fewer in Gateshead and either maintained by Clearchannel (usually better nick) if it has an advertising boards or otherwise Nexus. 

Not sure on Durham but Northumberland it's a Parish level thing hence different bus stops in every town / village.

Edit: Just had a look at that and it's a Clearchannel bus stop aswell, so should have been done for free. Seems they're not replacing the advertising boards along there though, which is odd - guess they were making nothing.

Seen North Tyneside is getting new shelters aswell - https://www.clearchannel.co.uk/latest/pr...h-tyneside.

Ah right I never even knew that.

(20 May 2025, 5:20 pm)Michael wrote Ah right I never even knew that.

Yeah realised when they were talking about the bee bus stops in Sunderland. 

Believe a fair few of the bus stations are the same. Sure Park Lane is owned by Sunderland and Haymarket and Eldon Square are both owned by Newcastle aswell. 

Unsure on the others.

(20 May 2025, 1:34 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The stops on North Road are already in use for Durham City services. Having stops further down North road, as was the case while the bus station was being rebuilt was chaotic and dangerous and a nightmare for almost anyone with disabilities, whether physical, sensory or neurological.

Dual door buses are completely unnecessary for mostly rural and small town services that have at most half a dozen people getting on or off for most of the journey.

---

But what would the point be? We don't have consistently busy urban sprawl anywhere round here. Our city centres are all compact so there are no efficiency gains to be made there.

I could name a few services which would benefit like the 21, 50, 20. It’s not just Durham city centre but County Durham as a whole. I’m sure there are busy services in darlington, I know services from consett & stanley into Newcastle can get quite busy sometimes. It might not be needed in one area or for most routes but like I said it’s future proofing. Services will only get busier as we get to pre pandemic levels.

(21 May 2025, 7:01 pm)ALavery wrote I could name a few services which would benefit like the 21, 50, 20. It’s not just Durham city centre but County Durham as a whole. I’m sure there are busy services in darlington, I know services from consett & stanley into Newcastle can get quite busy sometimes. It might not be needed in one area or for most routes but like I said it’s future proofing. Services will only get busier as we get to pre pandemic levels.

Dual door buses on the Consett services would not improve boarding times, at all. In fact they'd increase boarding times as you'd just remove 4 seats from the downstairs so pensioners would have to go further to get a seat. 

All the services are one directional ie. towards/from Newcastle so having a middle door when no-one leaves at the same stop has zero benefits and no company is going to allow middle door boarding as no-one will pay.

Darlington would have capacity issues since they use midibuses due to the tight streets and it's not County Durham anyway.