North East Buses

Newcastle Changes April 30th

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-up...:34:06:433

(24 Mar 2017, 9:09 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Not this time. Bit too early to divulge so continue wibbling. 

Maybe coaches? Some express routes in Scotland are ran by coaches.

(25 Mar 2017, 8:29 pm)DavidSBrough wrote [ -> ]Maybe coaches? Some express routes in Scotland are ran by coaches.

ex Metrocentre E300's  !!!!!!!

Oxford are ment to be due a further 5 new E400MMCs,if these are GOLD & are replacing the five oldest Scania/E400s in the fleet (15533 - 7),could they be heading up here for this new route (maybe after quick interior fresh up,adding USB Ports beforehand?)

(25 Mar 2017, 8:18 pm)Pulsar wrote [ -> ]Newcastle Changes April 30th

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-up...:34:06:433

Makes you wonder why they went through the charade of consultation

Now, to be totally fair, they scrapped the re-routing of the 63 as it will continue to serve Fenham Hall Drive. The new 36 route via the RVI is a welcome one, too. The PVR of the 62/63 is increasing by 1 and I suspect the 39/40 will stay the same as the end to end journeys will be longer. From my point of view, the X82 once again observing all stops on the A69 is a major improvement! Even with the lower frequency. However, 2 buses won't be enough to operate it as I think the round trip is being extended to 65 minutes so some interworking will be necessary. I don't think these changes see as big a PVR reduction as initially thought.

(25 Mar 2017, 11:41 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]Now, to be totally fair, they scrapped the re-routing of the 63 as it will continue to serve Fenham Hall Drive. The new 36 route via the RVI is a welcome one, too. The PVR of the 62/63 is increasing by 1 and I suspect the 39/40 will stay the same as the end to end journeys will be longer. From my point of view, the X82 once again observing all stops on the A69 is a major improvement! Even with the lower frequency. However, 2 buses won't be enough to operate it as I think the round trip is being extended to 65 minutes so some interworking will be necessary. I don't think these changes see as big a PVR reduction as initially thought.

Except the extra journey lengths on the 62/63 and 39/40 are operational decisions and won't have been made in response to the consultation, the abandoned re-routing of the 63 was hinted at in the original consultation question suggesting it was never likely to actually happen and the additional stopping points on the X82 don't represent any material change (though the extra stops along the route may be welcomed by some passengers I suspect the 33% reduction in frequency and increase in journey times outweighs any benefit).  Fundamentally, none of the services suffering major changes differ from what was proposed - probably reflecting the fact the key decisions had already been taken and subissions made to the Traffic Commissioner while the "consulation" was still ongoing.

The submissions were made to the traffic commissioner a few day after the consultation closed, actually. The X82 suffered and has continued to suffer from chronic unreliability. Peak services were already half hourly to try and negate this with little to no success. The only real solution was extending journey times. Don't misunderstand me, no one likes cuts. But the change to route 36 was not part of the original proposals and was a direct result of a number of concerns regarding the loss of the 15/15A along Fenham Hall Drive. The cut I don't agree with is the complete withdrawal of the 32/32A between North Kenton - South Gosforth - FLE - Heaton - Byker - City Centre. I used to use it semi-regularly to and from Benton Park Road from the west and it always seemed to have passengers, no matter what the time of day. They were never going to make more than a few tweaks here and there to the proposals. The daytime frequency of the 72 and X82 til 20:00 was one of them.

service X55 is only 3 journeys in each direction during the day with only 1 journey each way commencing and terminating at Stockton, with the other 2 journeys commencing and terminating at Greatham, bull and dog.

Stockton-Norton-Billingham-Greatham-Rifthouse-hartlepool-Hart- Dalton Park-Testos roundabout-pilgrim street

(27 Mar 2017, 2:41 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]service X55 is only 3 journeys in each direction during the day with only 1 journey each way commencing and terminating at Stockton, with the other 2 journeys commencing and terminating at Greatham, bull and dog.

Stockton-Norton-Billingham-Greatham-Rifthouse-hartlepool-Hart- Dalton Park-Testos roundabout-pilgrim street

Any idea on the timings of these journeys?

(27 Mar 2017, 3:37 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Any idea on the timings of these journeys?

Saturday only aswell.





Outbound, Saturday



X551 X551 X551



Stockton, High Street Stand S, S 07:16



Norton, Army Reserve Centre, A 07:22



Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand E 07:31



Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 07:42 10:12 15:46



Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, B 07:50 10:20 15:54



Hartlepool, Victoria Road Stand H, Stand H 07:58 10:32 16:02



Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:21 10:55 16:25



1 Journey does not run New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day




Outbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:22 10:56 16:26

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, W-Bound 08:36 11:10 16:40

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 08:54 11:28 16:58


Dalton Park - Newcastle, Pilgrim Street

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 09:00 14:30 17:15

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, E-Bound 09:13 14:43 17:28

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:31 15:01 17:46


Stockton High Street - Dalton Park

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:32 15:02 17:47

Hartlepool, Grand Hotel Stand K, Stand K 09:55 15:25 18:10

Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, A 10:02 15:32 18:17

Greatham, Bull and Dog, B 18:26

Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 10:11 15:41

Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand B 18:36

Norton, Army Reserve Centre, B 18:45

Stockton, High Street Stand G, G 18:51

(27 Mar 2017, 3:47 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]Saturday only aswell.





Outbound, Saturday



X551 X551 X551



Stockton, High Street Stand S, S 07:16



Norton, Army Reserve Centre, A 07:22



Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand E 07:31



Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 07:42 10:12 15:46



Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, B 07:50 10:20 15:54



Hartlepool, Victoria Road Stand H, Stand H 07:58 10:32 16:02



Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:21 10:55 16:25



1 Journey does not run New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day




Outbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:22 10:56 16:26

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, W-Bound 08:36 11:10 16:40

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 08:54 11:28 16:58


Dalton Park - Newcastle, Pilgrim Street

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 09:00 14:30 17:15

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, E-Bound 09:13 14:43 17:28

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:31 15:01 17:46


Stockton High Street - Dalton Park

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:32 15:02 17:47

Hartlepool, Grand Hotel Stand K, Stand K 09:55 15:25 18:10

Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, A 10:02 15:32 18:17

Greatham, Bull and Dog, B 18:26

Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 10:11 15:41

Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand B 18:36

Norton, Army Reserve Centre, B 18:45

Stockton, High Street Stand G, G 18:51

Great, cheers

(27 Mar 2017, 3:47 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]Saturday only aswell.





Outbound, Saturday



X551 X551 X551



Stockton, High Street Stand S, S 07:16



Norton, Army Reserve Centre, A 07:22



Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand E 07:31



Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 07:42 10:12 15:46



Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, B 07:50 10:20 15:54



Hartlepool, Victoria Road Stand H, Stand H 07:58 10:32 16:02



Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:21 10:55 16:25



1 Journey does not run New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day




Outbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 08:22 10:56 16:26

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, W-Bound 08:36 11:10 16:40

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 08:54 11:28 16:58


Dalton Park - Newcastle, Pilgrim Street

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Newcastle upon Tyne, Monument Pilgrim 09:00 14:30 17:15

Boldon, Newcastle Road-Testo's, E-Bound 09:13 14:43 17:28

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:31 15:01 17:46


Stockton High Street - Dalton Park

Service operates from 20/05/2017 until further notice

Service operates Saturday

Inbound, Saturday

X551 X551 X551

Dalton Park, Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound 09:32 15:02 17:47

Hartlepool, Grand Hotel Stand K, Stand K 09:55 15:25 18:10

Rifthouse, Chaucer Avenue, A 10:02 15:32 18:17

Greatham, Bull and Dog, B 18:26

Greatham, Bull and Dog, A 10:11 15:41

Billingham, Town Centre - Asda, Stand B 18:36

Norton, Army Reserve Centre, B 18:45

Stockton, High Street Stand G, G 18:51

So not direct competition to the X10 then. Interesting.
It may knock the 'Gold' idea on the head for the time being.

(27 Mar 2017, 7:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]So not direct competition to the X10 then. Interesting.
It may knock the 'Gold' idea on the head for the time being.

I like the ambition from Stagecoach, could be a long way to go on a E300 though! It will be interesting how it fits in with the pricing structure, I doubt it'll automatically be included in the Megarider+ zone which already covers Teesside and Hartlepool - but it would be good if there was a discounted fare for megarider holders.  

Greatham is a rather obscure place to terminate, though I see why. For a small village it'll boast some impressive bus connections!

(27 Mar 2017, 11:10 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]I like the ambition from Stagecoach, could be a long way to go on a E300 though! It will be interesting how it fits in with the pricing structure, I doubt it'll automatically be included in the Megarider+ zone which already covers Teesside and Hartlepool - but it would be good if there was a discounted fare for megarider holders.  

Greatham is a rather obscure place to terminate, though I see why. For a small village it'll boast some impressive bus connections!

If there was still a major employer in the area, it would probably justify the impressive bus connections.
I haven't compared existing timetables, but I am wondering if there is some sort of interworking going on with an existing service. The arrival times in Greatham, don't really work too efficiently with departure times.

(28 Mar 2017, 6:53 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]If there was still a  major employer in the area, it would probably justify the impressive bus connections.
I haven't compared existing timetables, but I am wondering if there is some sort of interworking going on with an existing service. The arrival times in Greatham, don't really work too efficiently with departure times.

Of course the 527 used to terminate within the grounds of the Sharwoods factory. In the final years of the service, under Arriva operation, the factory had long since been abandoned & demolished but the route remained the same. Combined with the remains of the dissused Greatham train station the area certainly has a post apocalyptic feel to it and makes for an unusual bus terminus. I wonder if anyone got a photo of a bus there?

I presume the new X55 will terminate by way of a one way loop around the village/A689. It seems like a 1 bus operation, though the middle journey gets just a 1 minute layover.

(28 Mar 2017, 9:40 am)James101 wrote [ -> ]Of course the 527 used to terminate within the grounds of the Sharwoods factory. In the final years of the service, under Arriva operation, the factory had long since been abandoned & demolished but the route remained the same. Combined with the remains of the dissused Greatham train station the area certainly has a post apocalyptic feel to it and makes for an unusual bus terminus. I wonder if anyone got a photo of a bus there?

I presume the new X55 will terminate by way of a one way loop around the village/A689. It seems like a 1 bus operation, though the middle journey gets just a 1 minute layover.

It gets much longer break in Newcastle. A couple of hours at one point.
1min layover when dealing with potential hot spots up and down the route, doesn't seem like much at all.

(27 Mar 2017, 11:10 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]I like the ambition from Stagecoach, could be a long way to go on a E300 though! It will be interesting how it fits in with the pricing structure, I doubt it'll automatically be included in the Megarider+ zone which already covers Teesside and Hartlepool - but it would be good if there was a discounted fare for megarider holders.  

Greatham is a rather obscure place to terminate, though I see why. For a small village it'll boast some impressive bus connections!

Won't be a E300 though?

---

(28 Mar 2017, 9:40 am)James101 wrote [ -> ]Of course the 527 used to terminate within the grounds of the Sharwoods factory. In the final years of the service, under Arriva operation, the factory had long since been abandoned & demolished but the route remained the same. Combined with the remains of the dissused Greatham train station the area certainly has a post apocalyptic feel to it and makes for an unusual bus terminus. I wonder if anyone got a photo of a bus there?

I presume the new X55 will terminate by way of a one way loop around the village/A689. It seems like a 1 bus operation, though the middle journey gets just a 1 minute layover.

When did the factory shut? Sure I have some photos of 527s there but not sure if the factory had shut. The last 527s were Arriva MPDs weren't they?

(28 Mar 2017, 1:44 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]Won't be a E300 though?

---

When did the factory shut? Sure I have some photos of 527s there but not sure if the factory had shut. The last 527s were Arriva MPDs weren't they?

I expect it probably will be an E300 - makes up the majority of Stockton's fleet now.
There were rumours of it being a coach but one day a week won't make sense for that.
What is interesting is the PVR is not reduced on a weekend at Stockton... though there is a change to the 36/37/38 2 weeks prior to this starting, if they're possibly saving some resource there.

(28 Mar 2017, 1:54 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I expect it probably will be an E300 - makes up the majority of Stockton's fleet now.
There were rumours of it being a coach but one day a week won't make sense for that.
What is interesting is the PVR is not reduced on a weekend at Stockton... though there is a change to the 36/37/38 2 weeks prior to this starting, if they're possibly saving some resource there.

Still looks to be coach, coming off Megabus cycles. Upcoming changes somehow release a spare on a Saturday, but not clued up how.

bus stops for service X55 between Stockton and Dalton park. then at testos roundabout then newcastle

Existing Stops Used

Stockton High Street Stand S, S
Stockton High Street Stand W, W
Norton (Stockton) Army Reserve Centre, A
Billingham Billingham Green, A
Billingham Town Centre - Asda, Stand E
Billingham Barnard Road, A
Billingham Parkside, A
Billingham Corfe Crescent, B
Billingham Dunster Road, B
(Billingham) Bede Sixth Form, B
Low Grange (Billingham) The Merlin, B
Low Grange (Billingham) Wallington Way, B
Low Grange (Billingham) Herrington Road, B
High Grange (Billingham) Wolviston Roundabout - Seal Sands Link
Road, B
Newton Bewley Newton Bewley, A
Claxton Dalton Back Lane, A
Greatham Bull and Dog, A
Greatham Sappers Corner Garage, A
The Fens (Hartlepool) Queens Meadow, B
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Dawlish Drive, 3
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Dawlish Drive, 1
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Owton Lodge, 4
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Braemar Road, A
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) The Rossmere, A
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Baptist Church, D
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Wynyard Road Shops, 1
Owton Manor (Hartlepool) Farmfoods, B
Rifthouse (Hartlepool) Macaulay Road, A
Rifthouse (Hartlepool) Chaucer Avenue, B
Rifthouse (Hartlepool) Tristram Avenue, A
Foggy Furze (Hartlepool) Shakespeare Avenue, A
Foggy Furze (Hartlepool) Wolviston Road, A
Foggy Furze (Hartlepool) St Aidan's, 2
Foggy Furze (Hartlepool) Burn Valley Roundabout, A
Hartlepool Shopping Centre Stand A, Stand R
Hartlepool Avenue Road, Stand N
Hartlepool Victoria Road Stand H, Stand H
Marina (Hartlepool) Interchange Stand F, F
Marina (Hartlepool) Asda, A
Hart Whellyhill Farm, B
Dalton Park Dalton Park Flats, NE-bound

(28 Mar 2017, 1:54 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I expect it probably will be an E300 - makes up the majority of Stockton's fleet now.
There were rumours of it being a coach but one day a week won't make sense for that.
What is interesting is the PVR is not reduced on a weekend at Stockton... though there is a change to the 36/37/38 2 weeks prior to this starting, if they're possibly saving some resource there.

A variation to one of those services, such as the 36, could give opportunities for interworking or replacement in part. There's a lot of shadowing between the 36 and X55 between Greatham and Hartlepool otherwise.

(28 Mar 2017, 6:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]A variation to one of those services, such as the 36, could give opportunities for interworking or replacement in part. There's a lot of shadowing between the 36 and X55 between Greatham and Hartlepool otherwise.

so this new service only runs saturdays would of  been nice if had came through wingate then back onto a19 at wellfield which of given us a newcastle bus we havent had for years when the old x27 ran

(28 Mar 2017, 9:23 pm)johnwingate wrote [ -> ]so this new service only runs saturdays would of  been nice if had came through wingate then back onto a19 at wellfield which of given us a newcastle bus we havent had for years when the old x27 ran

The counter argument could be, that an operator in the area still provides a link to Newcastle. It just means a change at Peterlee.

Not ideal if connections don't work mind.

(29 Mar 2017, 9:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]The counter argument could be, that an operator in the area still provides a link to Newcastle. It just means a change at Peterlee.

Not ideal if connections don't work mind.

It wasn't too long about (2012 maybe?) that GNE had a go at a Hartlepool - Newcastle service by way of the X11. It was the X35 route to Peterlee then the X9 to Newcastle. I guess it didn't work as it didn't offer anything new that wasn't available by making a change at Peterlee. When it was withdrawn there was separate timetable available online dedicated to X35/X9 connections as a replacement. 

Hopefully the X55 will hold more appeal due to to it's more direct route, established Stagecoach presence and the word going around about coach operation?

(27 Mar 2017, 2:41 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]service X55 is only 3 journeys in each direction during the day with only 1 journey each way commencing and terminating at Stockton, with the other 2 journeys commencing and terminating at Greatham, bull and dog.

Stockton-Norton-Billingham-Greatham-Rifthouse-hartlepool-Hart- Dalton Park-Testos roundabout-pilgrim street

That'll be a flop, then. People don't like buying day or return tickets for a service that's infrequent. They'll not make the money it needs to make out of concessionary passes and people using already purchased explorers. It's not like Hartlepool don't already have links to Dalton Park.

(29 Mar 2017, 9:42 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]It wasn't too long about (2012 maybe?) that GNE had a go at a Hartlepool - Newcastle service by way of the X11. It was the X35 route to Peterlee then the X9 to Newcastle. I guess it didn't work as it didn't offer anything new that wasn't available by making a change at Peterlee. When it was withdrawn there was separate timetable available online dedicated to X35/X9 connections as a replacement. 

Hopefully the X55 will hold more appeal due to to it's more direct route, established Stagecoach presence and the word going around about coach operation?

Yeah, I can remember the X11. Wasn't that Saturdays only too?

I do think the Stagecoach 'feeder' network in Stockton and Hartlepool will have some effect on the service.
My only concerns are around the Saturday only, limited schedule.
Do they go for broke and invest heavily in a risky venture, or play it safe and hope for a gradual success?

The train north on a Saturday afternoon, is heaving on leaving Hartlepool, with people off for a day out.
Some of them are drinking and presumably, get the last train back. A bus there and train back, will probably cost more than a return ticket on the train.
If they aren't the target audience, is there enough demand for shoppers?

The X11 was a Saturday only service, leaving the interchange around 10 minutes after the train iirc. Unfortunately, I can see the X55 been as short lived due to the infrequency of it, and I can only see it been used as it's the first bus that arrives and people decide to use their concessionary pass to go somewhere different, which was the case the only time I used the X11. It's going to be a shame as, in my opinion if marketed properly, could've offered real competition to the train, as both will take around 50 minutes from Hartlepool, and adding WiFi could've been a clincher. It'd be interesting to see how the TTX compares to the train from Middlesbrough as an example, as they take a similar time to complete the route, with the bus being £19 a week cheaper, and offering onward connections with other services.

Didn't the X11 run between Heworth and Hartlepool only?

The X55 isn't a new idea. A similar service with the same number (operated by United) ran between Newcastle and Hartlepool (with later extensions to Metrocentre and Billingham) in the late 80s/early 90s.

(29 Mar 2017, 10:30 pm)beefcake wrote [ -> ]The X11 was a Saturday only service, leaving the interchange around 10 minutes after the train iirc. Unfortunately, I can see the X55 been as short lived due to the infrequency of it, and I can only see it been used as it's the first bus that arrives and people decide to use their concessionary pass to go somewhere different, which was the case the only time I used the X11. It's going to be a shame as, in my opinion if marketed properly, could've offered real competition to the train, as both will take around 50 minutes from Hartlepool, and adding WiFi could've been a clincher. It'd be interesting to see how the TTX compares to the train from Middlesbrough as an example, as they take a similar time to complete the route, with the bus being £19 a week cheaper, and offering onward connections with other services.

I'm gunna hold my breath and hope Stagecoach but in a bit of effort with the marketing here. Towns of a smaller size support occasional
services to Newcastle. A rail return to Newcastle costs £8.50 from Hartlepool. I'd imagine Stagecoach would pitch a return on the X55 around £6, hopefully with some group discounts and introductory offers. The route through south-west Hartlepool means it should pick up a few passengers directly from their homes rather than them having to travel to the train station first. 

The journey time competes with the train, but it is ambitious. Google Maps has the journey down as 47 minutes from Hartlepool centre to Newcastle, Stagecoach have given 58. If I were in Stagecoach I'd push 'Hartlepool to Newcastle in under an hour' as my selling point. If passenger's on Victoria Road are used to only getting as far as Sunderland or Durham in such a time, I can see them being tempted onto the X55.