North East Buses

I would like to see some enviro 400 on some service on teesside road  not just school run.I like double deckers has well as Single deckers.

(15 Apr 2016, 5:35 pm)glen wrote [ -> ]I would like to see some enviro 400 on some service on teesside road  not just school run.I like double deckers has well as Single deckers.

Some services in Stockton would definitely benifit from E400s on some routes

I have some service/allocation suggestions for Stagecoach:
21 E400MMCs are coming for Slatyford/Walkergate for services 62/63. This can replace 19141-19156 at Slatyford with the other buses being replaced are 19194, 19196, 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. This means that 22408-22412 can be replaced by 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. 22408-22412 can replace 22462, 22674, 22675, 22210 and 21037 in Driver Training. 19194 and 19196 would replace 16834 and 16836. 19141-19146 would replace 17025-17029 and 17032 at Stockton. 19147-19151 would be converted to open top to replace the CitySightseeing olympians. 19152-19156 would replace 22021-22025 at Slatyford with them going to driver training allowing extra capacity on X77, X78, X79, X82, X87 and X88.
17 E200MMCs are coming to Slatyford. This would allow for 35163, 35172, 35173, 35188-35195, 39702-39705, 397715-39717 to be withdrawn. This means that 39717 could replace 34401 at South Shields, 39716 would replace 34550 at Hartlepool, 39715 would replace 34561 at Stockton. 34562 would be replaced at Sunderland by 39705. 34563 and 34564 would be replaced by 39703 and 39704 at Hartlepool. 39702, 35194 and 35195 would go to Sunderland to replace 34565, 34567 and 34605. 35193 would replace 34611 at South Shields. All the other darts would either be reserve vehicles at Slatyford, South Shields, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool or would go to another region. 
10 E300s could come for Slatyford for services 6/7/8 which could be branded connect the dots meaning that 39718-39720 and 22021-22027 could be replaced. 22021-22027 could be withdrawn and 39718-39720 could move to Walkergate as spares for the 15/15A.

(02 May 2016, 9:13 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I have some service/allocation suggestions for Stagecoach:
21 E400MMCs are coming for Slatyford/Walkergate for services 62/63. This can replace 19141-19156 at Slatyford with the other buses being replaced are 19194, 19196, 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. This means that 22408-22412 can be replaced by 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. 22408-22412 can replace 22462, 22674, 22675, 22210 and 21037 in Driver Training. 19194 and 19196 would replace 16834 and 16836. 19141-19146 would replace 17025-17029 and 17032 at Stockton. 19147-19151 would be converted to open top to replace the CitySightseeing olympians. 19152-19156 would replace 22021-22025 at Slatyford with them going to driver training allowing extra capacity on X77, X78, X79, X82, X87 and X88.
17 E200MMCs are coming to Slatyford. This would allow for 35163, 35172, 35173, 35188-35195, 39702-39705, 397715-39717 to be withdrawn. This means that 39717 could replace 34401 at South Shields, 39716 would replace 34550 at Hartlepool, 39715 would replace 34561 at Stockton. 34562 would be replaced at Sunderland by 39705. 34563 and 34564 would be replaced by 39703 and 39704 at Hartlepool. 39702, 35194 and 35195 would go to Sunderland to replace 34565, 34567 and 34605. 35193 would replace 34611 at South Shields. All the other darts would either be reserve vehicles at Slatyford, South Shields, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool or would go to another region. 
10 E300s could come for Slatyford for services 6/7/8 which could be branded connect the dots meaning that 39718-39720 and 22021-22027 could be replaced. 22021-22027 could be withdrawn and 39718-39720 could move to Walkergate as spares for the 15/15A.

Where will the 10 E300s which are moving to the 6/7/8 come from?
I felt last year they should've got a batch brand new for that route, Though Quality Contracts was still in the pipeline then.

(02 May 2016, 9:13 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I have some service/allocation suggestions for Stagecoach:
21 E400MMCs are coming for Slatyford/Walkergate for services 62/63. This can replace 19141-19156 at Slatyford with the other buses being replaced are 19194, 19196, 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. This means that 22408-22412 can be replaced by 19197, 19439, 19647, 19670 and 19671. 22408-22412 can replace 22462, 22674, 22675, 22210 and 21037 in Driver Training. 19194 and 19196 would replace 16834 and 16836. 19141-19146 would replace 17025-17029 and 17032 at Stockton. 19147-19151 would be converted to open top to replace the CitySightseeing olympians. 19152-19156 would replace 22021-22025 at Slatyford with them going to driver training allowing extra capacity on X77, X78, X79, X82, X87 and X88.
17 E200MMCs are coming to Slatyford. This would allow for 35163, 35172, 35173, 35188-35195, 39702-39705, 397715-39717 to be withdrawn. This means that 39717 could replace 34401 at South Shields, 39716 would replace 34550 at Hartlepool, 39715 would replace 34561 at Stockton. 34562 would be replaced at Sunderland by 39705. 34563 and 34564 would be replaced by 39703 and 39704 at Hartlepool. 39702, 35194 and 35195 would go to Sunderland to replace 34565, 34567 and 34605. 35193 would replace 34611 at South Shields. All the other darts would either be reserve vehicles at Slatyford, South Shields, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool or would go to another region. 
10 E300s could come for Slatyford for services 6/7/8 which could be branded connect the dots meaning that 39718-39720 and 22021-22027 could be replaced. 22021-22027 could be withdrawn and 39718-39720 could move to Walkergate as spares for the 15/15A.

It's 24 E400MMCs not 21. Stockton's deckers are being withdrawn without replacement however there are rumours that Stockton are to get some of the displaced E400s from Newcastle. 22408-413 are newer than the oldest MAN/ALX300s so why would you convert them to training vehicles. Of those vehicles you've listed in the training fleet - 21037 is now replaced and preserved and all the MANs are either awaiting disposal or already in the scrapyard.
18 E200MMCs of the 11.8M length are heading for Slatyford. That would mean MAN/ALX300s replaced not Darts and MANViros. 34561 is now back at Hartlepool anyway.
The E300 is no longer available and how can you replace 5 MANs with both this fictional batch of E300s and E400s.

And yet again, this is the 'Service Suggestions' thread. Do we not have an 'order predictions' thread for Stagecoach for this sort of thing

I think ever if school run service stop does not mean that there cant have some E400 from Newcastle because the trident on service 13/39 all the time and I thank also would help out on 36 service in the summer holiday kids been bean off. and it would be nice see some on Teesside roads.

(02 May 2016, 11:07 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]And yet again, this is the 'Service Suggestions' thread. Do we not have an 'order predictions' thread for Stagecoach for this sort of thing

Are you confusing 'service' with 'route' perhaps?

As I read the situation, NK53 TKT is keeping on topic by discussing which vehicles Stagecoach use to provide service to their passengers.

There are at least two uses of the word 'service' in our hobby. One is the registered routes a company runs and another is their customer-facing operation as a whole.

(02 May 2016, 12:12 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Are you confusing 'service' with 'route' perhaps?

As I read the situation, NK53 TKT is keeping on topic by discussing which vehicles Stagecoach use to provide service to their passengers.

There are at least two uses of the word 'service' in our hobby. One is the registered routes a company runs and another is their customer-facing operation as a whole.

This thread was set up to discuss 'service suggestions' as in the services the company operates with their vehicles. Not a 'vehicle reallocation suggestion' thread.

(02 May 2016, 12:24 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]This thread was set up to discuss 'service suggestions' as in the services the company operates with their vehicles. Not a 'vehicle reallocation suggestion' thread.

If that's the case then fair enough. I've never seen anything on this thread to say that it's intended only for discussion of registered services/routes. Maybe that's where confusion can occur.

Think Stagecoach should have a 22A and have it running to Hadrian Park every 20 minutes instead of all of them going to Cobalt as not many people use it outside of peak times. Or even just have it terminating at Wallsend every 20 minutes as passenger numbers aren't that great beyond Wallsend.

(02 May 2016, 6:00 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Think Stagecoach should have a 22A and have it running to Hadrian Park every 20 minutes instead of all of them going to Cobalt as not many people use it outside of peak times. Or even just have it terminating at Wallsend every 20 minutes as passenger numbers aren't that great beyond Wallsend.

Even at peak times, I find it's touch and go. Most tend to opt for the first bus that turns up - regardless of whether that's Arriva, Go North East or Stagecoach. Only those with tickets loyal to one operator stick to that respective operator.

(02 May 2016, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Even at peak times, I find it's touch and go. Most tend to opt for the first bus that turns up - regardless of whether that's Arriva, Go North East or Stagecoach. Only those with tickets loyal to one operator stick to that respective operator.

Yeah and it's not the most reliable service - often have 3 turning up together now on an afternoon from Newcastle. A lot of people from Howdon/Rosehill have a GNE weekly ticket too probably because you can use it on any service around Wallsend (17, 40, 80 etc.), and the 1 is a lot more reliable than the 22. I can't see it lasting much longer at every 10 minutes.

I think on a Sunday and on a night the service 36 should be shared with hartlepool and Stockton Hartlepool could run E200 on a night and Sunday

(09 May 2016, 2:54 pm)jaimzm wrote [ -> ]I think on a Sunday and on a night the service 36 should be shared with hartlepool and Stockton Hartlepool could run E200 on a night and Sunday

No as people wont get wifi

(09 May 2016, 3:07 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote [ -> ]No as people wont get wifi

they could if the upgrade the E200s in Hartlepool

(10 May 2016, 6:00 am)jaimzm wrote [ -> ]they could if the upgrade the E200s in Hartlepool

I think the only way hartlepool can operate is to use stockton buses

(09 May 2016, 2:54 pm)jaimzm wrote [ -> ]I think on a Sunday and on a night the service 36 should be shared with hartlepool and Stockton Hartlepool could run E200 on a night and Sunday

Hartlepool depot is shut most evenings (while there are two buses out on the 7 Sunday to Thursday, they effectively fall under Stockton depot control). Sunday daytimes, the 36 interworks with the 37 and 38.

Should also point out that only one working on the 36 that terminates in Hartlepool - which reaches Hartlepool at 1932 and leaves at 1946 (one of the last to the Marina).

(10 May 2016, 8:42 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Hartlepool depot is shut most evenings (while there are two buses out on the 7 Sunday to Thursday, they effectively fall under Stockton depot control). Sunday daytimes, the 36 interworks with the 37 and 38.

Should also point out that only one working on the 36 that terminates in Hartlepool - which reaches Hartlepool at 1932 and leaves at 1946 (one of the last to the Marina).

That's a good point I didn't think about that lol my bad

(10 May 2016, 8:42 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Hartlepool depot is shut most evenings (while there are two buses out on the 7 Sunday to Thursday, they effectively fall under Stockton depot control). Sunday daytimes, the 36 interworks with the 37 and 38.

Should also point out that only one working on the 36 that terminates in Hartlepool - which reaches Hartlepool at 1932 and leaves at 1946 (one of the last to the Marina).

So does this mean stockton use e300s on the 7?

(10 May 2016, 6:35 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote [ -> ]So does this mean stockton use e300s on the 7?

No, Hartlepool drivers and Hartlepool vehicles work the 7 at all times. On Sunday to Thursday nights, they are the only vehicles out so the backroom support is provided by Stockton's backroom staff (ie Stockton's Backshift Spare Driver also acts as Hartlepool's spare on those nights) to keep costs at a minimum.

https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=Hartlepoolbus&lat=54.704715421172835&lng=-1.221530526519814&z=14&t=custom_style

Been having a think about Hartlepool local routes and how they could better serve the town. For a small town, the town centre is spread out over a large area when it is considered more & more shopping and leisure facilities are moving across the marina. At the same time, there is still development in the centre with the shopping centre, large colleges and One Life Hospital. 

Various areas of the town have had their bus service taken away to focus on key corridors. The issue I've found however, is when your bus only serves either the town or the marina, as you need to visit both on different days. Regardless of this, the busiest part of the marina, Navigation Point, as well as the residential developments have no service at all. 

Thinking outside the box, on a big scale, I believe there's scope to create a small bus station (3 stands) on Navigation Point using the car park of the Sea Cadets unit. I know from experience the car park and the building are leased separately and a bus station would add more value to the development as a whole for Mandale (the owners of the land) than a barely used car-park. This location would also avoid buses having to negotiate the busy car park area further along the road. 

Leading on from the above, I think the following proposals could work, though I'd love your opinions. Important to note, if I've worked this out right, this is done with the same PVR.

Link to colour map of proposals to provide better understanding:
https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=Hartlepoolbus&lat=54.704715421172835&lng=-1.221530526519814&z=14&t=custom_style

Route 1: High Tunstall - Throston Grange - Hartlepool - Seaton Carew - Middlesbrough Every 20 Mins - PVR 8 Red Line
So not off to an exciting start, this is just the current route 1 now running every 20 minutes all the way through to Middlesbrough. If the demand was low for the upped frequency to Boro there could be just 2 per hour all the way but would lead to an 'uneven' timetable when one terminates in Seaton Carew so not ideal. 

Route 2: Seaton Carew - Hartlepool - Marina & Navigation Point Every 20 Mins PVR 2.5 (interworks with route 3 to total PVR 5) Orange Line
This route shares that of route 1 between Seaton and Hartlepool to maintain a 10 minute frequency as per now. Route 2 buses then continue to the Marina and through the Vision Retail Park to Navigation Point. This provides a new link between Seaton and the Marina. 

Route 3: Clavering - Bishop Cuthbert - Duke Street - Town Centre - Marina & Navigation Point Every 20 Mins PVR 2.5 (interworks with route 2) Blue Line
Starts off in Clavering and runs across to Bishop Cuthbert. This seems more sensible than the current situation of having two routes for these locations. Runs into Throston Grange Terminus to provide Throston with a bus to the Marina. Then runs current 3 route to Hart Lane, but then quicker into town via Duke Street and Grange Road to restore a bus service to this area. Runs through the Town Centre to Marina & Navigation point as per route 2. 

Route 4: Fens - Brierton - Rift House - Hartlepool - Marina & Maritime Ave Every 15 Mins PVR 4 Black Line
Runs in a loop from Easkdale Road - St Patricks - Fens - Wynyard Rd Shops to reduce running time and provide more links; not too dissimilar to now. Runs along current 4 route though past Brinkburn College to tap into student market. Runs to Town & Marina but then to Maritime Ave to restore links to this area which is still close to Navigation Point but avoids over bussing that area.  

Route 5: South Fens - Catcote Road - Oxford Road - Hartlepool - Marina & Navigation Point Every 10 Mins PVR 5 Turquoise Line
Think as this route as the southern part of current route 6, though it now goes to South Fens again. Provides frequent buses along this busy corridor but opens up access to Marina which the current 6 does not. 

Route 6: Clavering - Brus - Hartlepool - Marina - Brus - Clavering  Every 10 Mins PVR 5 Green Line
Now this is the norther part of the current 6 but now runs in a terminal loop like the 2005 era route 8. The loop will cover both the Town Centre & Marina unlike the current 6; open to debate about which way round the loop is best. 

Route 7: Headland - Marina - Town Centre - Foggy Furze - Rossmere - Owton Manor Every 10 Mins PVR 6 Purple Line
This is little change to the current route 7, just a change on the Owton Manor end to reflect the other new routes in this area. As one of the few current routes that covers the Town and Marina already; if it ain't broke don't fix it!


I'm aware there some individual roads which would be bus-less if this were a reality. In an ideal world a small operator (Pauls Travel?) could run a secured hourly service: Hartfields Retirement Village - Hospital - Challenor Road - Brougham Terrace - Marina - Town Centre - Tesco - Westbrooke Avenue - Fens - Truro Drive - South Greatham. With a PVR of 2 it could be viably funded as it runs through many wards were councillors could contribute a small amount each from their budgets.  

Just a couple of things to ask here:
1 Is it only services 1 & 7 that are going to be cross town services, with other services requiring a change of bus in the town or marina?
2 Would a bus station of any size be of any use on Navigation Point? Can't really see any scope for any bus service down there unfortunately, kind of like the Interchange in Church Square.
3 Not a question so much as an observation, Service 3 was removed from Duke Street and re-routed down Chatham Road and later Challoner Road due to passenger feedback wanting a direct bus to the marina and 'Charlie's Corner' and the layout of the road on Duke Street/Sheriff Street/Mulgrave Road meaning it wasn't particularly safe for a bus to navigate

(16 May 2016, 10:30 pm)beefcake wrote [ -> ]Just a couple of things to ask here:
1 Is it only services 1 & 7 that are going to be cross town services, with other services requiring a change of bus in the town or marina?
2 Would a bus station of any size be of any use on Navigation Point? Can't really see any scope for any bus service down there unfortunately, kind of like the Interchange in Church Square.
3 Not a question so much as an observation, Service 3 was removed from Duke Street and re-routed down Chatham Road and later Challoner Road due to passenger feedback wanting a direct bus to the marina and 'Charlie's Corner' and the layout of the road on Duke Street/Sheriff Street/Mulgrave Road meaning it wasn't particularly safe for a bus to navigate

1) From the years I used all of the existing services, cross-town passengers were few & far between. Mainly school children but only a few journeys at peak. Since the General Hospital has been severely downgraded theres no real pull at one side of the town for through passengers. The exception could be the coastal areas on summer days but theres are where the remaining cross town routes 1 & 7 come in. 

2) I think its clear there's far more going on at Navigation Point than at Church Square where the ghost interchange is. On Sundays Navigation Point is the busiest area of the entire town! The council ran explorer bus calls here as it's a main town attraction. The Marina/Naviagtion Point area is a key location for development in the council's 15 year plan; introduction of bus services would compliment this. Progress is already underway at the Vision Retail Park and there's hope yet for Jackson's Landing. The mini-bus station would make the office and residential space entirely more attractive.

3) I've covered a service for Challoner Road through the possible subsidised service. I found it annoying when I used to get the 3/8 from Throston to town that it got as far as Duke Street then went further away from town to occasionally pick someone up on Challoner Road before going back in the right direction. There have also been improvements to the carriageway along Duke Street since buses last ran down there. Although Charlies Corner is slightly tricky, we were talking lenghty B10Ms last time there was a bus through there. I don't think it's any tighter than, say, Queen Street in Seaton Carew where the 1 currently runs.

(16 May 2016, 10:07 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=Hartlepoolbus&lat=54.704715421172835&lng=-1.221530526519814&z=14&t=custom_style

Been having a think about Hartlepool local routes and how they could better serve the town. For a small town, the town centre is spread out over a large area when it is considered more & more shopping and leisure facilities are moving across the marina. At the same time, there is still development in the centre with the shopping centre, large colleges and One Life Hospital. 

Various areas of the town have had their bus service taken away to focus on key corridors. The issue I've found however, is when your bus only serves either the town or the marina, as you need to visit both on different days. Regardless of this, the busiest part of the marina, Navigation Point, as well as the residential developments have no service at all. 

Thinking outside the box, on a big scale, I believe there's scope to create a small bus station (3 stands) on Navigation Point using the car park of the Sea Cadets unit. I know from experience the car park and the building are leased separately and a bus station would add more value to the development as a whole for Mandale (the owners of the land) than a barely used car-park. This location would also avoid buses having to negotiate the busy car park area further along the road. 

Leading on from the above, I think the following proposals could work, though I'd love your opinions. Important to note, if I've worked this out right, this is done with the same PVR.

Link to colour map of proposals to provide better understanding:
https://www.scribblemaps.com/create/#id=Hartlepoolbus&lat=54.704715421172835&lng=-1.221530526519814&z=14&t=custom_style

Route 1: High Tunstall - Throston Grange - Hartlepool - Seaton Carew - Middlesbrough Every 20 Mins - PVR 8 Red Line
So not off to an exciting start, this is just the current route 1 now running every 20 minutes all the way through to Middlesbrough. If the demand was low for the upped frequency to Boro there could be just 2 per hour all the way but would lead to an 'uneven' timetable when one terminates in Seaton Carew so not ideal. 

Route 2: Seaton Carew - Hartlepool - Marina & Navigation Point Every 20 Mins PVR 2.5 (interworks with route 3 to total PVR 5) Orange Line
This route shares that of route 1 between Seaton and Hartlepool to maintain a 10 minute frequency as per now. Route 2 buses then continue to the Marina and through the Vision Retail Park to Navigation Point. This provides a new link between Seaton and the Marina. 

Route 3: Clavering - Bishop Cuthbert - Duke Street - Town Centre - Marina & Navigation Point Every 20 Mins PVR 2.5 (interworks with route 2) Blue Line
Starts off in Clavering and runs across to Bishop Cuthbert. This seems more sensible than the current situation of having two routes for these locations. Runs into Throston Grange Terminus to provide Throston with a bus to the Marina. Then runs current 3 route to Hart Lane, but then quicker into town via Duke Street and Grange Road to restore a bus service to this area. Runs through the Town Centre to Marina & Navigation point as per route 2. 

Route 4: Fens - Brierton - Rift House - Hartlepool - Marina & Maritime Ave Every 15 Mins PVR 4 Black Line
Runs in a loop from Easkdale Road - St Patricks - Fens - Wynyard Rd Shops to reduce running time and provide more links; not too dissimilar to now. Runs along current 4 route though past Brinkburn College to tap into student market. Runs to Town & Marina but then to Maritime Ave to restore links to this area which is still close to Navigation Point but avoids over bussing that area.  

Route 5: South Fens - Catcote Road - Oxford Road - Hartlepool - Marina & Navigation Point Every 10 Mins PVR 5 Turquoise Line
Think as this route as the southern part of current route 6, though it now goes to South Fens again. Provides frequent buses along this busy corridor but opens up access to Marina which the current 6 does not. 

Route 6: Clavering - Brus - Hartlepool - Marina - Brus - Clavering  Every 10 Mins PVR 5 Green Line
Now this is the norther part of the current 6 but now runs in a terminal loop like the 2005 era route 8. The loop will cover both the Town Centre & Marina unlike the current 6; open to debate about which way round the loop is best. 

Route 7: Headland - Marina - Town Centre - Foggy Furze - Rossmere - Owton Manor Every 10 Mins PVR 6 Purple Line
This is little change to the current route 7, just a change on the Owton Manor end to reflect the other new routes in this area. As one of the few current routes that covers the Town and Marina already; if it ain't broke don't fix it!


I'm aware there some individual roads which would be bus-less if this were a reality. In an ideal world a small operator (Pauls Travel?) could run a secured hourly service: Hartfields Retirement Village - Hospital - Challenor Road - Brougham Terrace - Marina - Town Centre - Tesco - Westbrooke Avenue - Fens - Truro Drive - South Greatham. With a PVR of 2 it could be viably funded as it runs through many wards were councillors could contribute a small amount each from their budgets.  

they also could do a tesco bus

Just had a couple more thoughts as to your suggestions last night. As your services 2&3 would be using the same buses, could there be the possibility of merging the 2 services into 1 cross town, therefore still keeping the 6 buses an hour from Throston - Seaton, with half of them serving the marina as you suggested? Also, if the routes were merged, rather than run down Duke Street, the bus could continue straight down Hart Lane, onto Middleton Road before serving the marina, continuing to town then onto Seaton.

(17 May 2016, 9:36 am)beefcake wrote [ -> ]Just had a couple more thoughts as to your suggestions last night. As your services 2&3 would be using the same buses, could there be the possibility of merging the 2 services into 1 cross town, therefore still keeping the 6 buses an hour from Throston - Seaton, with half of them serving the marina as you suggested? Also, if the routes were merged, rather than run down Duke Street, the bus could continue straight down Hart Lane, onto Middleton Road before serving the marina, continuing to town then onto Seaton.

Considering Stagecoach's preference for cross town routes, I'd say your suggestion is probably more likely. The only thing that inclined me to split them was if it was one through route it would involve the bus double backing on itself around Navigation point which gets hard to explain in maps, timetables etc. Suppose it's no more confusing than the 1 going both ways along Elizabeth Way as per now.

(17 May 2016, 9:48 am)James101 wrote [ -> ]Considering Stagecoach's preference for cross town routes, I'd say your suggestion is probably more likely. The only thing that inclined me to split them was if it was one through route it would involve the bus double backing on itself around Navigation point which gets hard to explain in maps, timetables etc. Suppose it's no more confusing than the 1 going both ways along Elizabeth Way as per now.

Also your network has a higher PVR than currently - not certain how profitable Hartlepool is as a division to justify this, but would imagine it unlikely given the current cost-saving exercises being undertaken elsewhere in SNE.

(17 May 2016, 6:59 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]Also your network has a higher PVR than currently - not certain how profitable Hartlepool is as a division to justify this, but would imagine it unlikely given the current cost-saving exercises being undertaken elsewhere in SNE.

I'm not entirely certain but the PVR increases are only by 2/3 buses max? I'm lead to believe Hartlepool isn't the most profitable depot. The suggestions, of course, are aimed entirely at increasing profitability. Keeping the PVR low and starving the depot from investment will ensure it will never grow as a company.

(17 May 2016, 7:04 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]I'm not entirely certain but the PVR increases are only by 2/3 buses max? I'm lead to believe Hartlepool isn't the most profitable depot. The suggestions, of course, are aimed entirely at increasing profitability. Keeping the PVR low and starving the depot from investment will ensure it will never grow as a company.

Current PVR is 30 so your network would need an extra 3 (or 4 possibly depending if they want to reatin a ludicrously high spare %) vehicles.

Aoart from the recent extension to the 22 in Newcastle and increase in frequency on the X34, I don't think Stagecoach have made any significant expansions in their networks since they took over Busways and Transit!  Plenty of examples of reduced reduced frequencies and lost links in all areas though.

(17 May 2016, 7:08 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]Current PVR is 30 so your network would need an extra 3 (or 4 possibly depending if they want to reatin a ludicrously high spare %) vehicles.

Aoart from the recent extension to the 22 in Newcastle and increase in frequency on the X34, I don't think Stagecoach have made any significant expansions in their networks since they took over Busways and Transit!  Plenty of examples of reduced reduced frequencies and lost links in all areas though.

If it were a reality I'm sure the timetabling boffins at Stagecoach could work out the PVRs better than me to be more efficient. My route 3 suggestion, for example, could be every 30 mins rather than 20 but my quick workings left it with a lot of layover time. 

I agree Stagecoach have been reluctant to innovate with their NE networks. Perhaps a safe method but these recent cutbacks may be a sign they're not keeping up with how the towns they operate in are changing? It appears to be a trait just of the North East; my experience of Stagecoach Manchester is of a more risk taking, innovative company. Examples include the commercially operated park and ride for the 192 and the expansion into North Manchester.

Leaving reality completely for a moment I'd love to see Go North East open up in Hartlepool. Possibly taking over from Stagecoach with a refreshed town network and using the depot as a hub for new inter-Tees-Durham longer routes.