(02 Jan 2016, 10:19 pm)Adrian I'd say if anything, they'd need to throw extra resource at the current 12 minute frequency, rather than cut it further. Baring in mind that it was originally cut from 10 to 12 minutes to improve reliability. It's still a busy route, especially given DB's inability to run a Metro system.

(02 Jan 2016, 4:32 pm)G-CPTN Today (Saturday) I caught the 10:55 687 to ALDI (despite knowing that there would be no return to Corbridge @ 11:40) - there were about ten passengers aboard, most of whom continued to the centre of Hexham (or the railway station).

For the return trip, the 11:42 688 from ALDI was used by 4 passengers (including myself) to reach the bus station.

(03 Jan 2016, 11:53 am)BJ10VUS Certainly sounds like the Aldi link is being well used, and thank you for the very useful updates. Although, it seems like the 687 could do with some improvements in order to help the people that use it?

(03 Jan 2016, 1:24 pm)G-CPTN The 687 was downgraded from an hourly service throughout the day to two from Hexham to Corbridge and three from Corbridge to Hexham, most of which do not 'join up' (only the 10:55 weekday service returns).

Agreed that usage was sparse and, therefore, not commercially viable.

The Saturday (only) 15:10 does have a return with the 16:35 from Hexham, which, strangely, then runs back to Hexham NIS, having arrived in Corbridge @ 16:52 instead of waiting and collecting those shop-workers who finish at 5pm, however these people do have a TEN @17:08 or 17:15 (weekdays).

(03 Jan 2016, 3:25 pm)BJ10VUS Did it used to go around to Beaumount Park and Highford Park after the 684 was changed to the X84/X85, or is that a different service?

Maybe it's worth cancelling the 687 altogether and extending a 680 or 682 down to Corbridge via Beaufront instead? It's clear that people like yourself rely on the service for shopping, and with such a sparce service and odd timings, it's no surprise it isn't being used as much as it should. Clearly saying "put a bus here and do this and that" isn't always that easy, but it could work.

(03 Jan 2016, 3:56 pm)G-CPTN The 687 used  to do Beaumont Park between journeys to Corbridge.

When Howard Snaith's routes to Colwell were taken over by GNE the Beaumont Park route was rejigged as the 682 to serve Acomb instead of Corbridge (on an hourly basis) as well as occasional journeys to Barrasford, Gunnerton and Colwell. 
I don't think the Barrasford/Colwell service lasted long.

The 687 operates off some 686 and 689 journeys.

The weekday 11:35 from Hexham (11:53 from Corbridge) is a Venture Solo (which used to then go from Hexham to Barrasford/Colwell), whilst the Saturday 15:10 from Corbridge arrives from Prudhoe/Ovingham/Albemarle (686).

I think the 10:55 and the 12:55 from Corbridge come from Ovington (686 from Prudhoe 10:03 and 12:03).

(03 Jan 2016, 7:43 pm)BJ10VUS Yeah, the 682 beyond Acomb towards Colwell only lasted a few months at most. The Northumberland area seems a little bit of a mess at the moment, with the current transport situation. Possibly extending the 683 or 688 buses could work instead, or a new service operating beyond Corbridge to somewhere like Matfen or Stamfordham could be an option?

(05 Jan 2016, 4:14 pm)Jordan95 Which depot and bus will be used on the new asda shuttles GNE are taking over

(05 Jan 2016, 7:57 pm)Adrian Riverside, and primarily 563 I believe.

(03 Jan 2016, 8:07 pm)G-CPTN There is already the 74 which serves Matfen, Stamfordham and Eldon Square four times daily.

Timings are such that it is possible to be in Newcastle from 08:19 to 17:35, or Hexham from 10:00 to 16:05.

(07 Jan 2016, 8:40 pm)NK53 TKT The 74 is a lifeline to some people, my grandparents live on the route, my grandad for 20+ years got the bus to Westerhope to go to the club and now cannot use the bus due it evening journeys being cut

(07 Jan 2016, 12:00 pm)Dan The allocation may be fluid - at least for the first week of operation.

UPDATED: Closure of Chowdene Bridge from 26 October 2015
http://www.simplygo.com/news/closure-of-chowdene-bridge-from-26-october-2015

Pedestrian access over the railway line will be maintained, with the exception of a 10 day period between Saturday 9th until Monday 18th January 2016. For this 10 day period, a CB1 free shuttle bus will run from the St Andrews Drive stop at Chowdene to Sainsburys. Buses will run every 15 minutes, throughout the day and night during the footbridge closure. Buses will leave Chowdene at 01, 16, 31 & 46 mins past each hour, with buses leaving Sainsburys at 09, 24, 39 & 54 mins past each hour


I understand 563 is to be used on the CB1 free shuttle bus, but I'm not sure which service (CB1 or A1/A2/A3) will get priority during the overlapping period of both services operating.

(10 Jan 2016, 11:19 am)westy3738 I understand the ASDA bus will get the minibus, possibly why 8260 has been brought (well, supposedly) back into use at Riverside, for the CB1.

(10 Jan 2016, 11:19 am)westy3738 I understand the ASDA bus will get the minibus, possibly why 8260 has been brought (well, supposedly) back into use at Riverside, for the CB1.

(11 Jan 2016, 2:53 pm)GuyParkRoyal 8260 has been allocated to the CB1 today complete with the destination display for the route.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/98641142@N08/23687426124/

(11 Jan 2016, 4:36 pm)DanPicken Will this be on the CB1 on Saturday, just so I can ride it?

(11 Jan 2016, 4:37 pm)Dan Providing the bus is not VOR, yes.