What do you feel are the most boring or the most interesting routes on the GNE network? I currently dislike the trip on any service between Metrocentre and Eldon Square (via station) since it takes forever.
I currently like the X72 morning trip or the 689 (picturesque) the most, the 74 would be if it didn't take nearly 2 hours.
(03 Apr 2016, 9:20 am)Jamie M wrote [ -> ]What do you feel are the most boring or the most interesting routes on the GNE network? I currently dislike the trip on any service between Metrocentre and Eldon Square (via station) since it takes forever.
I currently like the X72 morning trip or the 689 (picturesque) the most, the 74 would be if it didn't take nearly 2 hours.
Most of the routes are quite varied but I was bored witless on the fab56
The most interesting routes for me are the 689, X71 and the X7.
The 689 is the obvious one for me. The scenic nature of the route, and the fact it serves Slaley Hall, makes it a 'must do' on a Summer's day. The route isn't too long too, which is a bonus.
I like the X71 because of the bendy/windy nature of the route. Especially the section through Meadomsley, Hamsterley Mill, and Lintz Green.
I like the X7 for the fast sections through the East Durham countryside. Again, it's another 'must do' on a Summer's day.
Boring routes would be the likes of the 93/94, 56, 2/2A, and the 33/33A. They all serve a purpose, but I find you can't really enjoy a route that stops every minute or two.
(03 Apr 2016, 11:21 am)Adrian wrote [ -> ]The most interesting routes for me are the 689, X71 and the X7.
The 689 is the obvious one for me. The scenic nature of the route, and the fact it serves Slaley Hall, makes it a 'must do' on a Summer's day. The route isn't too long too, which is a bonus.
I like the X71 because of the bendy/windy nature of the route. Especially the section through Meadomsley, Hamsterley Mill, and Lintz Green.
I like the X7 for the fast sections through the East Durham countryside. Again, it's another 'must do' on a Summer's day.
Boring routes would be the likes of the 93/94, 56, 2/2A, and the 33/33A. They all serve a purpose, but I find you can't really enjoy a route that stops every minute or two.
Have to agree with those, quite like the X71 route especially with its twisty hilly nature, need to sample a OmniDekka on there as I've only had the Volvo Olympian's on there.
My nominations for most boring routes are again stop, start services: 2/2A, 21, 56, X22. Also X9/X10 as I find plodding down the A19 all the way from Testo's Roundabout until you get towards Billingham totally boring, don't mind the X7 as Citaro's perform brilliantly on that route and you spend less time on the A19 than it's TTX counterparts.
The 689 tops my list too.
The views over Derwent Reservoir are great.
Not too many others grab my attention as much, although if I can work out a round trip down the Tyne and Allen Valleys, then I may come back on that one.
Routes I haven't done before are always interesting. Even if the views aren't the best.
Examples could include the times I did the dual carriageway/motorway sections of the X9/10 and X21 for the first time.
Still need to do the coastal part of the X7.
I dislike the routes I use the most.
The streamlining of services reducing the variations a passenger could take between points, has taken away a lot of the options I used to reduce the boredom as a passenger on a regular service.
As an example - the different routes of the 194 or 294 in Washington, or the X5 and X94 between Shiney and Houghton. Similarly there was the 26 or 721/777 between Barley Mow and Newcastle
Even the dictat that means the X1 mustn't use the A1231 when entering/exiting the Galleries frustrates me.
I agree with the 689, I also like the 688 (Hexham - Allenheads) and the AD122 due to the great scenery. My current favourite though is the Haltwhistle - Alston - Hexham run which has the most amazing views.
Most boring has to be the 67 Wardley - Metrocentre. Useful though if your travelling up the Tyne Valley.
Charles
Again it's the 689 for me
Followed closely by the 47
The best section of the 47 is the Rowlands Gill to Blackhall Mill section.
The X7 with Citaros is brilliant.
The indigo 265 is Also quite interesting
Though the most boring route will be the good old 88 for me
My favourite's are the 689, 74, X7, X84, X85 and 6.
The most boring ones are the 5, X66, 56, X9, X10, 96 and 97.
Forgot about the AD122, did it last week and it is a cracking route.
There's a few routes that has some nice intresting stretches but also has some painfully boring stretches.
(03 Apr 2016, 12:00 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Forgot about the AD122, did it last week and it is a cracking route.
here's a few routes that has some nice intresting stretches but also has some painfully boring stretches.
The 15 and 45 fall in to those categories for me.
X88 springs to mind as boring. The 10 after Prudhoe going to Newcastle, it's much nicer going the other direction to Hexham
(03 Apr 2016, 11:59 am)Davie wrote [ -> ]My favourite's are the 689, 74, X7, X84, X85 and 6.
The most boring ones are the 5, X66, 56, X9, X10, 96 and 97.
Love the 6 past sunniside, but that can take upto 50 minutes at peak..
x30/x31 past tanfield the scenery is lovely
I've slated it before and I'll slate it again - the X35 is possibly the most boring route I've travelled on.
Not really interesting per se but I like how quick the journey between Newcastle and Morpeth on the X15/X18.
I guess I might find the 689 interesting if travelling on those particular roads wasn't a common occurrence for me.
(03 Apr 2016, 6:24 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I've slated it before and I'll slate it again - the X35 is possibly the most boring route I've travelled on.
Not really interesting per se but I like how quick the journey between Newcastle and Morpeth on the X15/X18.
I guess I might find the 689 interesting if travelling on those particular roads wasn't a common occurrence for me.
The X36 is potentially dull but proved to be entertaining in the same way that standing at the Majestic bus stop in Durham can be. Who needs Jeremy Kyle?!
Anything - especially the 21 - that goes through Birtley!!!
(03 Apr 2016, 6:24 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I've slated it before and I'll slate it again - the X35 is possibly the most boring route I've travelled on.
Not really interesting per se but I like how quick the journey between Newcastle and Morpeth on the X15/X18.
I guess I might find the 689 interesting if travelling on those particular roads wasn't a common occurrence for me.
It is MurdnunoC... I've had to use it a few times and every time its depressing.
(03 Apr 2016, 7:26 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]Anything - especially the 21 - that goes through Birtley!!!
It's the most painful experience ever! Stops about every 10 yards and then there is the 20mph speed limit. Wish the Arriva X12 went straight along the A1(M) like the X21 usually does.
I also find the 1/Q1/Q2 and 58 boring.
(03 Apr 2016, 6:33 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]The X36 is potentially dull but proved to be entertaining in the same way that standing at the Majestic bus stop in Durham can be. Who needs Jeremy Kyle?!
(03 Apr 2016, 7:26 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]Anything - especially the 21 - that goes through Birtley!!!
On a similar note to BusLoverMum, I had an 'entertaining' Jeremy Kyle-espque on the 21 recently.
I boarded at Gateshead and two others - a man and a woman - quickly boarded and ran upstairs.
The man proceeded to make a telephone to his mate where I learned, on his way to pick up his Methadone prescription in Birtley, that he's bumped the Metro and racially abused the Customer Service/Revenue Protection Assistant who stopped and challenged him. Somehow, he managed to get away and, as well as giving it big-licks on the phones, he was resigned to the fact that the police were probably going to be calling at his door later that day as the afore-mentioned incident breached the terms of his parole licence. He also mentioned he had relieved his mother of some Valium until he got his script.
A charming individual to say the least!!
The 17 is boring. Takes far to long to get from Whitley Bay-Cramlington etc.
(03 Apr 2016, 9:40 pm)dannygee wrote [ -> ]The 17 is boring. Takes far to long to get from Whitley Bay-Cramlington etc.
Atleast it has one advantage using renowns
(03 Apr 2016, 7:31 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]It's the most painful experience ever! Stops about every 10 yards and then there is the 20mph speed limit. Wish the Arriva X12 went straight along the A1(M) like the X21 usually does.
There's not a single vehicle that actually adheres to that 20 limit tho!
Including Barley Mow,there's 9 stops through Birtley. I get bored on the 21 mind, probably fatigue or hearing the bloody awful NSA.
X66 my nod for the dullest
(03 Apr 2016, 11:05 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]There's not a single vehicle that actually adheres to that 20 limit tho!
Including Barley Mow,there's 9 stops through Birtley. I get bored on the 21 mind, probably fatigue or hearing the bloody awful NSA.
X66 my nod for the dullest
I quite like the 21 for probably the same reason why I like London bus routes, I like busy services and traffic!
Though most country routes are brilliant too. GNEs 74 and 689
Any routes at night are interesting...especially the X9(or X10) as it makes its way across the Portrack flyover.
19 has to be the dullest route I've been on. Takes ages to get anywhere.
(03 Apr 2016, 11:10 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote [ -> ]I quite like the 21 for probably the same reason why I like London bus routes, I like busy services and traffic!
Though most country routes are brilliant too. GNEs 74 and 689
The 74, as I stated is just too long to enjoy for me. The first time was great fun, but the second time I fell asleep for a whole hour and was nowhere near anywhere, took another hour to get to town. I wouldn't take it again.
Best: 74 (my Grandma lives on the route), 15 (except the presidents), 46 gives good views, X84 goes round the smallest roads in the world for a solar, 265 and X30 now it has been rerouted.
Dullest: 17, 21, 57 (was appalling but now good with Citaros), 58, Q3, 96, X66 when it doesn't use the CentreLink, 900 between Gateshead and Heworth, 27 and the X1.
I have never been able to try the 689 but I may get a chance this weekend
(04 Apr 2016, 9:30 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]Best: 74 (my Grandma lives on the route), 15 (except the presidents), 46 gives good views, X84 goes round the smallest roads in the world for a solar, 265 and X30 now it has been rerouted.
Dullest: 17, 21, 57 (was appalling but now good with Citaros), 58, Q3, 96, X66 when it doesn't use the CentreLink, 900 between Gateshead and Heworth, 27 and the X1.
I have never been able to try the 689 but I may get a chance this weekend
We planned on the 689 last weekend but the weather was poor and we didn't want to risk not being able to see anything out of the window. Want to sample the 74, but it's too short a gap for a decent "comfort" break between the two services for me. I think we'll need to split the two journeys up over different weekends.
(04 Apr 2016, 11:17 am)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]We planned on the 689 last weekend but the weather was poor and we didn't want to risk not being able to see anything out of the window. Want to sample the 74, but it's too short a gap for a decent "comfort" break between the two services for me. I think we'll need to split the two journeys up over different weekends.
If it gives you much comfort, I have used the 74 countless times over the past few years and very, very rarely is it on time
(04 Apr 2016, 11:44 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]If it gives you much comfort, I have used the 74 countless times over the past few years and very, very rarely is it on time
It was 56 minutes late on match day.