(30 Jun 2013, 9:20 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Just been thinking and i'm pretty sure some of Arrivas Contracts are to run out in Durham/Bishop Auckland and are up for renewal soon, so possibly we could see GNE nick a few to build a bit of a presence. And also as mentioned before get a Depot in the Area to boost it ever.

And other thing I was thinking was extending the X21 to Darlington as currently there isn't an Xpress between Darlo and Newcastle, I was also thinking why don't GNE buy out Scarlet Band and there services, but obviously keep on the Drivers etc.

At the moment Arriva don't have any contracts in the Bishop Auckland area excluding scholars.

(30 Jun 2013, 9:42 pm)nk55 wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Aren't Scarlet Band's services all contracted?

Nooo, you can't be having ANOTHER independant operator being bought out by the big boys.

All of scarlet bands contracts are due for renewal this year, only won on 1yr contracts so you could see gne open up a new depot in bishop if any are won. Also durham park & ride is up in march next year, so maybe a low cost unit could be established with the X21 being returned to chester & the X46 withdrawn.

Quite a lot of discussion on the X46 potentially being withdrawn - why would it be? The X46 runs off an X21; unless there are upcoming timetable changes to service X21, I highly doubt we will see the withdrawal of the service.

(30 Jun 2013, 9:43 pm)AdamY wrote I'm not too familiar with the operations of Scarlet Band. They seem to run a lot of services around the Durham/Ferryhill/Spennymoor/Bishop Auckland area, but it's obvious that some services (i.e. 6, 22, 58a) are contract work. Do Scarlet Band they run any services commercially or is it mainly just contract work?

On another note, which GNE depot runs the DCC funded 59 on a Sunday?

EDIT: Beaten to the question!!

Peterlee, under the "East Durham" network.
It seems that not many people like photographing the service, but I've managed to get a few photos since it first started. See here for an example of one of those.

Purely speculation if gne were to operate the X21 & 18 out of chester, which for driving hours is do-able but I think with peak time reliability it'll never be combined, then the X46 could be sacrificed. As greg said weardales yard is chocker at the moment & they've won the 52/725 off jsb so thats another solo to fit in, so once the ok1 buses go then that'll free up a bit of space.

(30 Jun 2013, 9:42 pm)nk55 wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Aren't Scarlet Band's services all contracted?

Nooo, you can't be having ANOTHER independant operator being bought out by the big boys.

All of scarlet bands contracts are due for renewal this year, only won on 1yr contracts so you could see gne open up a new depot in bishop if any are won. Also durham park & ride is up in march next year, so maybe a low cost unit could be established with the X21 being returned to chester & the X46 withdrawn.

None of the contract let last year are up for renewal this year, they were let for 4 years with a possible 2 years extension.

(01 Jul 2013, 12:24 pm)Liam wrote Fab Fifty Seven leaving Newcastle for Heworth at 1:15

4905 just pulling into Eldon Square on X21 at 1:25

LOOP, FestNE and TTX B7 on the 24 also.

FestNE did the 3.32 departure from Heworth on the X10, so it must have changed during the day

Just seen MetroLink 4962 on the X1 coming through Springwell Village, must be very confusing considering at The Galleries the only real difference between the two services is an X or an M.

Fleet Changes...

8217 8218 8230 withdrawn from Gateshead
8240 withdrawn from Deptford
8219 sold

Looking at the fleet allocation/disposition on GNE's website. It has changed 4958 to Purple background with white text (the same as Simplicity) hard to explain, point beign could 4958 be going into simplicity branding or just GNE noting the livery change on 4958? Bearing in mind all ex-Drifter cadets are still showing as in drifter green livery.

(01 Jul 2013, 7:09 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Looking at the fleet allocation/disposition on GNE's website. It has changed 4958 to Purple background with white text (the same as Simplicity) hard to explain, point beign could 4958 be going into simplicity branding or just GNE noting the livery change on 4958? Bearing in mind all ex-Drifter cadets are still showing as in drifter green livery.

I also noticed that, seems daft putting it in the same Colour code as Simplicty...Think the simplicity brand would look great on the Scania's.. but don't think it wont happen but you never know!

547,605 still shows as Doxford Clipper branded just noticed that 4989-4992 still got the wrong colour than the other branded Prince Bishops buses... how long ago were they branded.

Yeah I've noticed a few oddities with that and is equally likely that GNE have just put any random colour on 4958 on the allocation without a second thought about the branding and simplicity, but it could be something! I'm not sure Scainas are ideal for the route of the 42 around Hollycarrside and Silksworth but then again it's likely happened before, Versa's are ideal for the 42 but as there are 5 Versa's on simplicity42 they could go to the 28 but I can't see Versa's on the 28 not sure they'd cope on there, but as you said don't rule anything out with GNE! There a lot of unanswered questions currently with regards to vehicles such as 61, 28, 34, 39. I suppose once Ciatro's & Streetlites arrive thing will become clear. Can anyone confirm that Waggonway & Lambton Worm vehicles are due to withdrawn?

Sunderland Connect Solo SR Hybrid made it's return to service today replacing 8319 on the 700 just after 3pm, 628 and 630 were also out on the 700. Still no sign of 629 though, probs was in the Depot or failing that it is still away.

640 NX62 DWY GNE Sunderland Connect Optare Solo SR Hybrid on the 700 to Royal Hospital
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9184302409/

8319 NK11 FXB GNE 100 Years Of Northern 1913-2013 Optare Versa on the Sunderland Connect 700 to Royal Hospital
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarkey/9184339259/

---

(01 Jul 2013, 8:20 pm)Liam wrote

(01 Jul 2013, 8:06 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Can anyone confirm that Waggonway & Lambton Worm vehicles are due to withdrawn?

The Waggonway are to be withdrawn from September. Not sure on the time frame for the Lambton's, but it could be even earlier.

Artics on the 58 are supposed to being going aswell around the same time frame. God knows what will go on the 58 if that does happen, although it has been rumoured the Streetlites coming in may end up there possibly. As someone mentioned in a previous post, future plans are up in the air atm.

No new design for Doxford clipper at present. However a great 10 minute service between Sunderland and Doxford

(01 Jul 2013, 6:37 am)Daniel wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:42 pm)nk55 wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Aren't Scarlet Band's services all contracted?

Nooo, you can't be having ANOTHER independant operator being bought out by the big boys.

All of scarlet bands contracts are due for renewal this year, only won on 1yr contracts so you could see gne open up a new depot in bishop if any are won. Also durham park & ride is up in march next year, so maybe a low cost unit could be established with the X21 being returned to chester & the X46 withdrawn.

Quite a lot of discussion on the X46 potentially being withdrawn - why would it be? The X46 runs off an X21; unless there are upcoming timetable changes to service X21, I highly doubt we will see the withdrawal of the service.

Speaking of timetable changes on the X21, this was on VOSA around a week ago:

PB0002400/458 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Bishop Auckland Bus Station and Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station given service number X21 effective from 22-Jul-2013. To amend Route and Timetable. - it may just be to accomodate the extra journeys during the A1 works though

FestNE parked up in the QEH shuttle car park. NIS blind when I was passing on the X1 (just now), but there's a chance it could be put out on the shuttle service if its sitting in there.

The Festival of the NE is now finished so I wonder how much longer it'll stay in FNE colours

Go North East Bus changes from July 28th

From Go North East website. New timetables Available.

There will be minor adjustments to timetables to improve reliability or change journeys which few passengers use on the following services:

South Tyne 5
Ten 10/10A/10B
ToonLink 11
Northern 24
Crusader 27
Over the last few months, we have been working hard to identify the causes of delays to your Crusader 27 service. To improve reliability, we will be introducing a revised timetable, with journeys continuing to operate up to every 10 minutes on Monday-Saturday daytimes.
ToonLink 47
Blaydon Racers 49/49A/49B/49C
Orbit 51/52
Saltwell Park 53/54

Citylink 58
Citylink 58 will be increased to operate every 15 minutes on Sundays between Heworth and Newcastle, with the service continuing to Hadrian Park every 30 minutes. There will also be minor changes to the timetable on Monday-Saturday daytimes.

N58
Over the last few years, we have worked hard to offer a network of night bus services in Newcastle. However, the number of passengers using service N58 has not grown to the levels which we had expected, and unfortunately this night bus will no longer operate after running on 21 July 2013. Other night buses will continue to operate unchanged.
Fab 57
Northern 64/64A
Pulse 67/69
Northern 92
Loop 93/94
Northern 95/96
Highwayman 97/98/98A
Northern 99
Will be revised to operate an anti-clockwise loop in Silksworth, via Lincoln Road, Vicarage Road, Church View, Silksworth Avenue, Blind Lane and Warwick Terrace. There is no change to the timetable.
Tyne Tees Xpress X9/X10
Centrelink X66
Following passenger requests, more journeys will be introduced on a Saturday morning, so that Centrelink X66 operates every 10 minutes from 8.30am.

Due to low passenger numbers, the final journey each day will be withdrawn. This means the final journey on Centrelink X66 from Metrocentre is at 2310, with the last journey from Metrocentre to Gateshead on Blaydon Racers 49C departing Metrocentre at 2323.

(02 Jul 2013, 10:50 am)palatine3833 wrote

(01 Jul 2013, 6:37 am)Daniel wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:42 pm)nk55 wrote

(30 Jun 2013, 9:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote Aren't Scarlet Band's services all contracted?

Nooo, you can't be having ANOTHER independant operator being bought out by the big boys.

All of scarlet bands contracts are due for renewal this year, only won on 1yr contracts so you could see gne open up a new depot in bishop if any are won. Also durham park & ride is up in march next year, so maybe a low cost unit could be established with the X21 being returned to chester & the X46 withdrawn.

Quite a lot of discussion on the X46 potentially being withdrawn - why would it be? The X46 runs off an X21; unless there are upcoming timetable changes to service X21, I highly doubt we will see the withdrawal of the service.

Speaking of timetable changes on the X21, this was on VOSA around a week ago:

PB0002400/458 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Bishop Auckland Bus Station and Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station given service number X21 effective from 22-Jul-2013. To amend Route and Timetable. - it may just be to accomodate the extra journeys during the A1 works though

Yes I think the changes are for the extra Chester-le-Street peak X21 workings and altering the route to avoid delays from the roadworks. When Pronto first started in October 2011 they went several different ways - I've been via A194M then A195 to A184 and via Heworth which took about the same time as the usual route. Once it went off the A1 and all round Washington on A195 to A184 and Heworth which took 7 or 8 minutes longer so I wasn't impressed by that!

(02 Jul 2013, 12:53 pm)Panasonic44 wrote Go North East Bus changes from July 28th

From Go North East website. New timetables Available.

There will be minor adjustments to timetables to improve reliability or change journeys which few passengers use on the following services:

South Tyne 5
Ten 10/10A/10B
ToonLink 11
Northern 24
Crusader 27
Over the last few months, we have been working hard to identify the causes of delays to your Crusader 27 service. To improve reliability, we will be introducing a revised timetable, with journeys continuing to operate up to every 10 minutes on Monday-Saturday daytimes.
ToonLink 47
Blaydon Racers 49/49A/49B/49C
Orbit 51/52
Saltwell Park 53/54

Citylink 58
Citylink 58 will be increased to operate every 15 minutes on Sundays between Heworth and Newcastle, with the service continuing to Hadrian Park every 30 minutes. There will also be minor changes to the timetable on Monday-Saturday daytimes.

N58
Over the last few years, we have worked hard to offer a network of night bus services in Newcastle. However, the number of passengers using service N58 has not grown to the levels which we had expected, and unfortunately this night bus will no longer operate after running on 21 July 2013. Other night buses will continue to operate unchanged.
Fab 57
Northern 64/64A
Pulse 67/69
Northern 92
Loop 93/94
Northern 95/96
Highwayman 97/98/98A
Northern 99
Will be revised to operate an anti-clockwise loop in Silksworth, via Lincoln Road, Vicarage Road, Church View, Silksworth Avenue, Blind Lane and Warwick Terrace. There is no change to the timetable.
Tyne Tees Xpress X9/X10
Centrelink X66
Following passenger requests, more journeys will be introduced on a Saturday morning, so that Centrelink X66 operates every 10 minutes from 8.30am.

Due to low passenger numbers, the final journey each day will be withdrawn. This means the final journey on Centrelink X66 from Metrocentre is at 2310, with the last journey from Metrocentre to Gateshead on Blaydon Racers 49C departing Metrocentre at 2323.

Disappointing to see another night bus go. I've always wondered why they don't get as much use as they should. Given the alternative is at least £10 in a taxi between Newcastle and either destination.

The removal of one journey a day from the X66 is so short sighted in my opinion, and is exactly what I've alluded to in other threads.

(02 Jul 2013, 1:35 pm)aureolin wrote Disappointing to see another night bus go. I've always wondered why they don't get as much use as they should. Given the alternative is at least £10 in a taxi between Newcastle and either destination.

I think the North East in general is attuned to using taxis. We've a relatively high car ownership and low public transport usage stats We've never had a great night bus service in modern times (including NightRider)

It's £3 from Newcastle to Low Fell but with a local taxi firm it's not much more in a cab, especially with friends.

The 'last' bus of the night always had a poor reputation so god knows what people think of a nightbus. Think its just our culture up here!

(02 Jul 2013, 2:36 pm)gtomlinson wrote The 'last' bus of the night always had a poor reputation so god knows what people think of a nightbus. Think its just our culture up here!

You're right there mind! I bet anyone who used the last 638 between Sunderland and Heworth on a regular basis could tell a tale or two.

Centenary Bus 8319 on her first "non-contract" service today, by having a run out on the 61.

3974 was being road tested on Chester Road, Sunderland, about 5 mins ago. Presumably ran from the depot, up Hylton Road, around the hospital and back down Chester Road before heading to the depot again.

8273 escaped 36/39s today and found herself being allocated to the 60.

(02 Jul 2013, 2:58 pm)aureolin wrote

(02 Jul 2013, 2:36 pm)gtomlinson wrote The 'last' bus of the night always had a poor reputation so god knows what people think of a nightbus. Think its just our culture up here!

You're right there mind! I bet anyone who used the last 638 between Sunderland and Heworth on a regular basis could tell a tale or two.

As has been mentioned, it can often be cheaper in a taxi if there are a few people. Those with a pass couldn't use it and there's also the aspect that I came across after using the 21 and hoping to get a taxi for the final leg from Chester. There wasn't any. I can't be the only one who doesn't live on the route of a nightbus.
I imagine wages will be higher than normal too, with overtime premiums.

---

Just a quick thing to add.

The Renowns and an SPD have been on the M1 today.

There has also been an issue with the 71 tonight - 8289 was running NIS from Chester towards Houghton when I spotted it at Woodstone Village about 6.50. Twenty mins later I saw it heading to Chester in service at Castle Dene. A Key branded SPD which was on time and working the Houghton journey, passed in the opposite direction.
Not sure what the issue was, but it 8289 was obviously running late and had potentially replaced a broken down vehicle somewhere between Fencehouses and Houghton.

(02 Jul 2013, 2:36 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(02 Jul 2013, 1:35 pm)aureolin wrote Disappointing to see another night bus go. I've always wondered why they don't get as much use as they should. Given the alternative is at least £10 in a taxi between Newcastle and either destination.

I think the North East in general is attuned to using taxis. We've a relatively high car ownership and low public transport usage stats We've never had a great night bus service in modern times (including NightRider)

It's £3 from Newcastle to Low Fell but with a local taxi firm it's not much more in a cab, especially with friends.

The 'last' bus of the night always had a poor reputation so god knows what people think of a nightbus. Think its just our culture up here!

I'm not sure where you get your information from - but outside of London, the North East is the region with the highest number of public transport journeys (proportional to population size) and also has the highest proportion of no-car households outside of London. So quite the reverse of what you state, on both points.

8268 cadet looks smart on the 39 wish they would use these all the time instead of the clapped out SPDs. 42 travelling on the wrong simplicity using the every 15min frequency as used by the 61 service

Anyone still waiting to catch 8273 in Northern - she's on the 38s today, and is at Park Lane now.
Also, new van 1031 is at Park Lane now. Anyone know hoiw many (roughly) Deptford have? I spotted three or so in the depot on my last visit, but it's the first time today I've actually seen one being used!

(02 Jul 2013, 8:54 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote

(02 Jul 2013, 2:36 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(02 Jul 2013, 1:35 pm)aureolin wrote Disappointing to see another night bus go. I've always wondered why they don't get as much use as they should. Given the alternative is at least £10 in a taxi between Newcastle and either destination.

I think the North East in general is attuned to using taxis. We've a relatively high car ownership and low public transport usage stats We've never had a great night bus service in modern times (including NightRider)

It's £3 from Newcastle to Low Fell but with a local taxi firm it's not much more in a cab, especially with friends.

The 'last' bus of the night always had a poor reputation so god knows what people think of a nightbus. Think its just our culture up here!

I'm not sure where you get your information from - but outside of London, the North East is the region with the highest number of public transport journeys (proportional to population size) and also has the highest proportion of no-car households outside of London. So quite the reverse of what you state, on both points.

Data is here if anyone is interested;
Car ownership - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...ts9902.xls

Bus usage - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistica...r-journeys

The data I have is different to the one provided. I too am using ONS and Department of Transport data but more specific City data which discounts rural bus use.

I'll have to ask another department whether I can use it or not as its not published on gov.uk website at the moment

East Durham MPD on the 99 heading to Silksworth. At the Royal Hospital now.

Hi - Does anyone know where 506 is likely to be?

(03 Jul 2013, 3:18 pm)W179SCU wrote Hi - Does anyone know where 506 is likely to be?

506 is unlikely to appear now, unless she really needs to be out - you've left it too late now for it to be 'likely' to catch her out in-service, in my opinion.

Previously acting as the 238's allocated spare (from what I gather), "East Durham" MPD 540 has since been transferred to Deptford from Peterlee, so they have a branded spare now.

With one board now operated by Compass Community Transport, Go North East need not have one board operated by an MPD and the other by a "Nexus" SR, and as such, a yellow MPD has been freed up there.

All she should appear on, if anything, is Deptford's peak time Staff Shuttles. The likelihood of that happening is also slim, given that Deptford have seemingly ceased operation of their additional staff shuttle which used a bus.

I last spotted her last month on the 99, but before then, I've seen her work primarily on service 238, but on services 39 and 60 also.