North East Buses

£3million investment into new, clean buses for express route between Easington Lane, Washington and Newcastle


Go North East, the region’s largest bus operator, has invested £3million into 13 new, clean, safe and super comfy buses for its express X1 service that runs between Easington Lane and Newcastle, serving Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring, Shiney Row, Washington Galleries, Wrekenton and Gateshead.

These brand new, state-of-the-art low emission buses will see the X1 route become part of the company’s premium X-lines brand of interurban express services across the North East, and will be instantly recognisable with their striking gold and red colour scheme.

Six of the new buses have already arrived, with more to follow for the route over the next few weeks and they come with all the latest mod-cons.

Features include free Wi-Fi, USB and wireless charging, luxury interiors, next-stop audio-visual announcements and tables on the upper-deck.

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/ps3million...-newcastle

(29 Sep 2020, 1:14 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]

Anyone know which other photos have been used for the staircases?

(29 Sep 2020, 1:25 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]Anyone know which other photos have been used for the staircases?

Gateshead Town Hall & The Sage, Newcastle City Centre x2, Penshaw Monument & Herrington Country Park (the latter two bit of a stretch but a bit difficult to come by decent photos of the bits after Washington!)

(29 Sep 2020, 3:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Gateshead Town Hall & The Sage, Newcastle City Centre x2, Penshaw Monument & Herrington Country Park (the latter two bit of a stretch but a bit difficult to come by decent photos of the bits after Washington!)

There’s quite a few potential photos after Washington which you pass on the route and not have to get off the bus and walk to or get another bus to get to penshaw Monument, Herrington Park. A couple of examples you could of have had was St Michaels church in Houghton , The clock tower at Easington Lane in which the bus terminates at. Even pics of the heritage of Washington/Houghton/Hetton to show the pits, can’t see passengers from Houghton/Hetton/Washington bothered about the Gateshead Town hall


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(29 Sep 2020, 3:16 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]There’s quite a few potential photos after Washington which you pass on the route and not have to get off the bus and walk to or get another bus to get to penshaw Monument, Herrington Park. A couple of examples you could of have had was St Michaels church  in Houghton , The clock tower at Easington Lane in which the bus terminates at. Even pics of the heritage of Washington/Houghton/Hetton to show the pits, can’t see passengers from Houghton/Hetton/Washington bothered about the Gateshead Town hall


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Yes, you're totally right - but it's very very difficult to find suitable photos which are high quality enough to be blown up to the scale required, and they of course have to fit the shape of the staircase too.

We tried both St Michael's Church and Easington Lane Clock Tower, but there weren't any suitable photos of either. To make sure it wasn't completely Newcastle/Gateshead-focused, the ones of Penshaw & Herrington Country Park were a compromise.

Heritage photos, as nice as they are, are probably something more suited to coves if they were to be included - these stringer panel images really have to be eye-catching, bright and glossy images.

(29 Sep 2020, 3:16 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]There’s quite a few potential photos after Washington which you pass on the route and not have to get off the bus and walk to or get another bus to get to penshaw Monument, Herrington Park. A couple of examples you could of have had was St Michaels church  in Houghton , The clock tower at Easington Lane in which the bus terminates at. Even pics of the heritage of Washington/Houghton/Hetton to show the pits, can’t see passengers from Houghton/Hetton/Washington bothered about the Gateshead Town hall

Of course not all passengers will be residents of Houghton/Hetton/Washington. Some passengers using the service will reside at the Newcastle/Gateshead end of the route or Wrekenton, who equally may not be bothered about Houghton/Hetton/Washington.
You can't please everyone all of the time. And it'd probably only be bus enthusiasts who'd know if they'd travelled on every vehicle and that a certain place hadn't been featured, and they'll make up a tiny percentage of the population.

(29 Sep 2020, 1:14 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]£3million investment into new, clean buses for express route between Easington Lane, Washington and Newcastle

Not having ‘Shiney New Buses’ as the headline is a massive disappointment here

(29 Sep 2020, 6:38 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Not having ‘Shiney New Buses’ as the headline is a massive disappointment here

I reckon 'Shiney New Appliances' and 'Shiney Apple' already have play on words sewn up.

(29 Sep 2020, 6:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I reckon 'Shiney New Appliances' and 'Shiney Apple' already have play on words sewn up.

Can’t ever have too much of a good pun.

(29 Sep 2020, 7:35 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Can’t ever have too much of a good pun.

In this case, it definitely would have added some sparkle!

So how have the StreetDecks performed on the X1? Are they more fuel efficient than the E400MMC demonstrator trialled?

(29 Sep 2020, 6:38 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Not having ‘Shiney New Buses’ as the headline is a massive disappointment here

Love it
Post of the year contender there.

Does anyone know the Fleet numbers of washingtons Street decks please?

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(29 Sep 2020, 3:21 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Yes, you're totally right - but it's very very difficult to find suitable photos which are high quality enough to be blown up to the scale required, and they of course have to fit the shape of the staircase too.

We tried both St Michael's Church and Easington Lane Clock Tower, but there weren't any suitable photos of either. To make sure it wasn't completely Newcastle/Gateshead-focused, the ones of Penshaw & Herrington Country Park were a compromise.

Heritage photos, as nice as they are, are probably something more suited to coves if they were to be included - these stringer panel images really have to be eye-catching, bright and glossy images.

Houghton Church always looks like it's out of place. On a nice day it's rather picturesque, and then next thing you know you're getting an egg lobbed at you as you're minding your own business just to bring you back to reality [emoji23]

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Another Streetdeck has arrived. Could this be the OM936 example?

Photo posted by Daniel Picken onto The Real UK Bus Enthusiasts group on Facebook.


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(01 Oct 2020, 3:42 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]
Another Streetdeck has arrived. Could this be the OM936 example?

Photo posted by Daniel Picken onto The Real UK Bus Enthusiasts group on Facebook.


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Should be. Only other generic Xlines is washys which has already arrived

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(01 Oct 2020, 3:42 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]
Another Streetdeck has arrived. Could this be the OM936 example?

Photo posted by Daniel Picken onto The Real UK Bus Enthusiasts group on Facebook.


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Wonder if anymore arrived today?

(01 Oct 2020, 3:42 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]
Another Streetdeck has arrived. Could this be the OM936 example?

Photo posted by Daniel Picken onto The Real UK Bus Enthusiasts group on Facebook.


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Rear overhang looks longer to me but hard to tell as it's a poor quality photo, also look like the engine vents on the side are of a different style compared to the current Streetdecks.

Length wise looks similar to that of a Volvo B5LH Wright Gemini 3.

(01 Oct 2020, 5:59 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Rear overhang looks longer to me but hard to tell as it's a poor quality photo, also look like the engine vents on the side are of a different style compared to the current Streetdecks.

Length wise looks similar to that of a Volvo B5LH Wright Gemini 3.

I'm not sure, it looks roughly the same to me, but it looks like the rearmost window upstairs is split into two smaller panes rather than just the one.

Have any of the new Xlines vehicles started announcing they are Xlines services, rather than Red Kites or Red Arrows?

I see all buses are still saying Next Stop Hills Street, rather than Askew Road.

(02 Oct 2020, 8:09 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Have any of the new Xlines vehicles started announcing they are Xlines services, rather than Red Kites or Red Arrows?

I see all buses are still saying Next Stop Hills Street, rather than Askew Road.

I wonder what sort of impact buses omitting Hills St will have on businesses round there?
As an example, I only knew about the redevelopment of the area because I passed through on the bus. 
If the bus hadn't gone along there, I'd be none the wiser that the shops and pubs were 'acceptable' these days.

Businesses in the arches are struggling due to the increase in rents and some have closed.
I hope that isn't just the start and any passing footfall starts to slow down too.

(02 Oct 2020, 9:45 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I wonder what sort of impact buses omitting Hills St will have on businesses round there?
As an example, I only knew about the redevelopment of the area because I passed through on the bus. 
If the bus hadn't gone along there, I'd be none the wiser that the shops and pubs were 'acceptable' these days.

Businesses in the arches are struggling due to the increase in rents and some have closed.
I hope that isn't just the start and any passing footfall starts to slow down too.

Theres a new stop on askew road before turning left onto tyne bridge

(02 Oct 2020, 9:45 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I wonder what sort of impact buses omitting Hills St will have on businesses round there?
As an example, I only knew about the redevelopment of the area because I passed through on the bus. 
If the bus hadn't gone along there, I'd be none the wiser that the shops and pubs were 'acceptable' these days.

Businesses in the arches are struggling due to the increase in rents and some have closed.
I hope that isn't just the start and any passing footfall starts to slow down too.

Southbound buses still pass the arches on Wellington Street. But yes, its a shame several of the businesses have gone. This was before any alterations to bus stops and road layout, so that can't be blamed. As you say I believe it was due to the rent and other things by landlord The Arch Co.

(02 Oct 2020, 9:48 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Theres a new stop on askew road before turning left onto tyne bridge

Dunno about you, but if I'm on Askew Road and looking towards the pubs and shops on Hills Street, all I see is the old Robin Reliant dealership  

(02 Oct 2020, 9:51 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Southbound buses still pass the arches on Wellington Street. But yes, its a shame several of the businesses have gone. This was before any alterations to bus stops and road layout, so that can't be blamed. As you say I believe it was due to the rent and other things by landlord The Arch Co.

Yeah, agree that the rent increases happened before the road closures. 
However, I can't see how the road closures will help those business relying on passing traffic and people becoming aware they're there by accident. 

As an example, passing on a bus would allow passengers to see that the Central had re-opened and might encourage them to call in for a swift pint. 
As the bus doesn't pass there now - it may lead to 'out of sight, out of mind mentality' or a "oh, I forgot that was there. They served a nice beer before it closed". 

I only know it has reopened due to social media. If I'd passed on the bus, I'd have known straight away. 

Another short sighted, poor decision by the paint obsessed, traffic light fanatics in the traffic department of the council imo.

(02 Oct 2020, 10:56 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Dunno about you, but if I'm on Askew Road and looking towards the pubs and shops on Hills Street, all I see is the old Robin Reliant dealership  

Yeah, agree that the rent increases happened before the road closures. 
However, I can't see how the road closures will help those business relying on passing traffic and people becoming aware they're there by accident. 

As an example, passing on a bus would allow passengers to see that the Central had re-opened and might encourage them to call in for a swift pint. 
As the bus doesn't pass there now - it may lead to 'out of sight, out of mind mentality' or a "oh, I forgot that was there. They served a nice beer before it closed". 

I only know it has reopened due to social media. If I'd passed on the bus, I'd have known straight away. 

Another short sighted, poor decision by the paint obsessed, traffic light fanatics in the traffic department of the council imo.

Well the flip side of that is theres now a chance for Hills Street to have wider pavements & outdoor seating areas for the two pubs, where once people were banished to the narrow pavements either side while a stream of diesel buses hurtled through the middle, which would have been unpleasant to sit alongside. 
Anyway, we're getting off topic from new Xlines vehicles.

I wasn't expecting to see a rounded Hong Kong style rear upper window.


https://twitter.com/Dan3942/status/13119...59680?s=20

(02 Oct 2020, 11:20 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]I wasn't expecting to see a rounded Hong Kong style rear upper window.


https://twitter.com/Dan3942/status/13119...59680?s=20

It looks awful IMO, I'm sure it lets in a load more light at the back, but from the outside it goes up too high. Would have looked better keeping the border the same width at the top that it is at the sides

Something a bit like this 

(02 Oct 2020, 11:08 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Well the flip side of that is theres now a chance for Hills Street to have wider pavements & outdoor seating areas for the two pubs, where once people were banished to the narrow pavements either side while a stream of diesel buses hurtled through the middle, which would have been unpleasant to sit alongside. 
Anyway, we're getting off topic from new Xlines vehicles.

Assuming people return or find the area now it's all pedestrianised. 

The whole Gateshead traffic management system is doing my head in and has done for a while. No doubt the powers that be within the operators who serve Gateshead are of a similar mindset. 
It will be interesting to see what the impact of the changes are on Prince Consort Road or past the Civic Centre - with traffic heading up and around there, rather than along the short stretch of Askew Road.
New buses or not, I can only see congestion across Gateshead Town centre.

(02 Oct 2020, 4:17 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Assuming people return or find the area now it's all pedestrianised. 

The whole Gateshead traffic management system is doing my head in and has done for a while. No doubt the powers that be within the operators who serve Gateshead are of a similar mindset. 
It will be interesting to see what the impact of the changes are on Prince Consort Road or past the Civic Centre - with traffic heading up and around there, rather than along the short stretch of Askew Road.
New buses or not, I can only see congestion across Gateshead Town centre.

It's already noticeable now around the Regent Terrace area and that roundabout. It's not even just at peak times, either. If that's what it is like now, imagine when traffic returns to "normal", whenever that may be.

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(02 Oct 2020, 11:32 am)And streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]It looks awful IMO, I'm sure it lets in a load more light at the back, but from the outside it goes up too high. Would have looked better keeping the border the same width at the top that it is at the sides

Something a bit like this 

Awful!? Wow, that’s a very strong opinion for an upstairs rear window of a bus. 
Try not to let it upset you too much.  There’s bigger things going on.