North East Buses

Diversion of Service 2 in Darlington during weekends in September & October

(The photo in the article may look familiar to someone...)

(17 Aug 2016, 5:34 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]Diversion of Service 2 in Darlington during weekends in September & October

(The photo in the article may look familiar to someone...)

Hmm... I wonder who this Matthew Jimmison is? [emoji14]

(17 Aug 2016, 5:52 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Hmm... I wonder who this Matthew Jimmison is? [emoji14]

Ya know until I saw this Matthew Jimmison on Facebook, I always thought he was a James rather than a Matthew going by the name Jimmi [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

Anyway...Great on getting your photo used mate

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

(17 Aug 2016, 8:04 pm)MrFozz wrote [ -> ]Ya know until I saw this Matthew Jimmison on Facebook, I always thought he was a James rather than a Matthew going by the name Jimmi [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

Anyway...Great on getting your photo used mate

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Funnily enough, a few people within this hobby thought my actual name was James, think a few were surprised when I unmasked my true identity. Just about everyone still calls me Jimmi though.

It's possible that more of my photos could be getting used, all being well.

(11 Aug 2016, 7:49 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]Any news on the 4th September changes?

So far the only thing officially released regarding these changes advertises that service 54 will divert to serve Cobalt Business Park...New Link to Cobalt Business Park!

Some of the other new timetables are now available online however!

(18 Aug 2016, 7:50 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]So far the only thing officially released regarding these changes advertises that service 54 will divert to serve Cobalt Business Park...New Link to Cobalt Business Park!

Some of the other new timetables are now available online however!

Apparently I spoke too soon! A press release regarding the changes is available here.

Coastliner 308: Newcastle – Coast Road – Billy Mill – Whitley Bay – Seaton Sluice – Blyth



Most Monday to Friday morning commuter buses from Blyth to Newcastle will run a few minutes earlier to improve punctuality and reduce the impact of delays caused by traffic congestion.

Not being a PITA or anti-Arriva here but how is this? Bar a small number of journeys that have been given 14 minutes between Seaton Sluice and Blyth (?), the times of the route have hardly changed. The afternoon journeys will still run into trouble due to the westbound timings given subsequently leading to a late Newcastle departure whatever layover period given and not enough 'en-route' running time given.

Not saying GNE are saints by all means but to be fair, Cobalt is a nightmare and bar the few odd times when the traffic is nose to nose, GNE do well to keep a decent level of service going and have even thrown in extra resources. Even the X6 still gets hardly any time in comparison to the X39 which gets nearly 40 minutes  to complete the 17:05 journey during the peak time from Cobalt to Newcastle (plus a bit extra into Gateshead).

Arriva need to face up to the fact that barring any Busways registered services, they are dealing with probably the second most profitable / well used service in the North East after GNE's 21 service. Arriva either need to increase the PVR to 10 or do what GNE did and launch a parallel express service dealing with the key pick up points en-route.

The 308 is a good service but it needs extra resources to help reliability.

I think these service changes look great and probably the best things are the 54 and the 46 now serving all stops along the route. The 52/55 changes are not quite in my favour though!

(20 Aug 2016, 1:25 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]Coastliner 308: Newcastle – Coast Road – Billy Mill – Whitley Bay – Seaton Sluice – Blyth

Most Monday to Friday morning commuter buses from Blyth to Newcastle will run a few minutes earlier to improve punctuality and reduce the impact of delays caused by traffic congestion.

Not being a PITA or anti-Arriva here but how is this? Bar a small number of journeys that have been given 14 minutes between Seaton Sluice and Blyth (?), the times of the route have hardly changed. 

When you compare the two timetables all journeys between 06:00 and 07:00 depart Blyth five minutes earlier. After 07:00, the 07:00 runs three minutes earlier, the 07:10 runs 2 minutes later, the 07:20 is withdrawn and then the 07:32 and 07:47 run 5 minutes earlier as well. I would say, to be honest, their description is pretty accurate!

(20 Aug 2016, 4:17 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]When you compare the two timetables all journeys between 06:00 and 07:00 depart Blyth five minutes earlier. After 07:00, the 07:00 runs three minutes earlier, the 07:10 runs 2 minutes later, the 07:20 is withdrawn and then the 07:32 and 07:47 run 5 minutes earlier as well. I would say, to be honest, their description is pretty accurate!

But what about the actual running time? That hasn't changed and no matter what time a bus is timed to arrive or depart, if the route timing isn't correct (unless more layover time is needed), then reliability problems will still happen regardless. Doesn't matter if you run it a few minutes earlier or later, if a service isn't being given enough time to complete the journey specified, then the timetable either needs changing to accommodate that or extra resources thrown in for good measure (like the X21 in GNE's case).

(19 Aug 2016, 11:08 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]Apparently I spoke too soon! A press release regarding the changes is available here.

Seems like a really positive set of service changes.

Don't particularly agree with the statement that service 308 will always be operated by double-deck vehicles though. How long do you give it before a single-deck appears?

(20 Aug 2016, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Seems like a really positive set of service changes.

Don't particularly agree with the statement that service 308 will always be operated by double-deck vehicles though. How long do you give it before a single-deck appears?

Same day as the changes.

(20 Aug 2016, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Seems like a really positive set of service changes.

Don't particularly agree with the statement that service 308 will always be operated by double-deck vehicles though. How long do you give it before a single-deck appears?

I am guessing it means there is a scheduled single deck working at the moment that will revert to a double deck come the changes happening. This could potentially be just swapping runs with Jesmond though, as I think they run the X30 with a DD at the moment?

And the 51 remains hourly....still

(20 Aug 2016, 5:02 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I am guessing it means there is a scheduled single deck working at the moment that will revert to a double deck come the changes happening. This could potentially be just swapping runs with Jesmond though, as I think they run the X30 with a DD at the moment?

Could it possibly be a change of allocation on the Sunday workings on the 308 which currently interwork with the 306 using a mix of Volvo B5LH and StreetLite's.

(20 Aug 2016, 7:04 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Could it possibly be a change of allocation on the Sunday workings on the 308 which currently interwork with the 306 using a mix of Volvo B5LH and StreetLite's.

The statement is attached to the Monday to Friday changes so I don't think the Sunday interworking will be withdrawn.

More withdrawn journeys on the 35A....think they might as well do away with the full daytime 35A as when I used it between Woodhorn Village and Newbiggin I was the only passenger.

I'm told that the 35A is a loss making service, I can see why. Improving the core 35 service, and resolving high passenger loadings and constant late running should be the focus. Not maintaining a link to Woodhorn, for a couple of customers a day.

494 stop changes in Ashington town centre are a bit silly. 494 already stops at Woodhorn Road (Sports Direct/Nisa) in both directions, and has never served any stops within the bus station ever!

New 6 timetable from September 4th 2016: http://www.cartogold.co.uk/durham/pdf/Fo.../ANE_6.pdf

Includes new peak time journeys to/from Barnard Castle and school day only journeys between Durham and Bishop Auckland Technical College.

(21 Aug 2016, 11:30 am)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]More withdrawn journeys on the 35A....think they might as well do away with the full daytime 35A as when I used it between Woodhorn Village and Newbiggin I was the only passenger.

I'm told that the 35A is a loss making service, I can see why. Improving the core 35 service, and resolving high passenger loadings and constant late running should be the focus. Not maintaining a link to Woodhorn, for a couple of customers a day.

494 stop changes in Ashington town centre are a bit silly.  494 already stops at Woodhorn Road (Sports Direct/Nisa) in both directions, and has never served any stops within the bus station ever!

If the 35A is a loss making service, the regular 35 can't be far behind. I saw 7446 leave Morpeth today with about 5 people on it, a Solo could operate that run with plenty of space! 

They need to sort out punctuality as soon as possible, having said that I can't remember the 35 ever being a super reliable service. 

I also don't understand the fascination with using double deckers on it, Scania single deckers was the allocation for years and there was never an issue capacity wise when I used it.

(22 Aug 2016, 5:16 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]If the 35A is a loss making service, the regular 35 can't be far behind. I saw 7446 leave Morpeth today with about 5 people on it, a Solo could operate that run with plenty of space! 

They need to sort out punctuality as soon as possible, having said that I can't remember the 35 ever being a super reliable service. 

I also don't understand the fascination with using double deckers on it, Scania single deckers was the allocation for years and there was never an issue capacity wise when I used it.

Think you might have saw 7446 when I was leaving on it at about 1pm? The 35A in front (7486) was running about 10 minutes late so picked up all of the passengers from the 35. 

You'd be praying for deckers at peak times, and at 9am between North Seaton and Morpeth on weekdays. It's the same with services 1 and 2, passenger levels fluctuate, making it impossible to find a suitable vehicle type to run the service.

Spotted this on the NEXUS site:

Houghton-le-Spring - Peterlee - Arriva - Sunday, 04 September 2016

http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...040916.pdf

(29 Aug 2016, 9:09 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Spotted this on the NEXUS site:

Houghton-le-Spring - Peterlee - Arriva - Sunday, 04 September 2016

http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...040916.pdf

Will this be available to the public alike the x22

(29 Aug 2016, 9:09 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Spotted this on the NEXUS site:

Houghton-le-Spring - Peterlee - Arriva - Sunday, 04 September 2016

http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...040916.pdf

(29 Aug 2016, 5:53 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote [ -> ]Will this be available to the public alike the x22

Correct, the East Durham College bus services ED1, ED2, ED3 (details of which can be found here) were previously 'dedicated student transport' but will now be available for all passengers.

(29 Aug 2016, 8:32 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]Correct, the East Durham College bus services ED1, ED2, ED3 (details of which can be found here) were previously 'dedicated student transport' but will now be available for all passengers.

Is it the same for service 870 between Trimdon Village and Bishop Auckland Technical College?

Timetable: http://www.cartogold.co.uk/durham/pdf/Fo...NE_870.pdf

(29 Aug 2016, 8:45 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Is it the same for service 870 between Trimdon Village and Bishop Auckland Technical College?

Timetable: http://www.cartogold.co.uk/durham/pdf/Fo...NE_870.pdf

Bishop Auckland Technical College is another kettle of fish really...For the last academic year, transport was provided by a mixture of journeys on existing public services (the 1, 5/5a and X21 from GNE) which additionally served the college, as well as 'dedicated school transport' provided for by Garnett's and Lee's that ran from Barnard Castle, Stanhope, Tow Law and Trimdon.

If you haven't already guessed from the places served by the former 'dedicated transport' Arriva has clearly won a contract, or reached an agreement with the school, to provide all transport to and from the college (or at least Bishop Auckland) from September, and hence the reason behind the upcoming changes. I assume the main reason why is because it was easily achievable for Arriva. The journeys from the X21 are a simple transfer across to the 6, the Tow Law journeys a transfer to the X1, the Barnard Castle and Stanhope journeys met by extensions to the 6 and the X1 and lastly the Trimdon journeys which have had to become the 870, because obviously there was no alternative service with an easily met route extension.

So yes, the 870 was formerly 'dedicated school transport' but no it was not run by Arriva.

Last year's timetable for the Technical College is available here. The only major differences in the routes is that the service from Stanhope will be largely incorporated into the other routes with the section from Stanhope being added as an extension to the Tow Law service (which altogether will become part of the X1) while the section from Willington will be added into the Trimdon service (which will become the 870).

I presume the reason why the X1 and 6 (Barnard Castle) journeys do not stop at the college is that they are through journeys while the others all terminate in Bishop Auckland and so naturally extend to the college.

PB0002717/16 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and New Brancepeth given service number 48 effective from 11-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002717/75 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Brandon given service number 49/49A effective from 11-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002717/289 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Stanhope and Durham given service number 46 effective from 11-Sep-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

B0002032/333 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Thropton and Morpeth given service number X14 effective from 25-Sep-2016. To amend Timetable.

PB0002717/30 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Bishop Auckland given service number 56/56A effective from 02-Oct-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002717/256 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Hartlepool given service number 57/57A effective from 02-Oct-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002717/258 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN:

PB0002717/258 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Cockfield given service number 6 effective from 30-Oct-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

Press release for Durham service changes from Sunday: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/u...ham-sep16/