North East Buses

(21 Jan 2019, 5:59 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]A few Express Suggestions

X12 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Doxford International - Doxford Park Shops - Farringdon - Gilley Law - Silksworth - Sunderland
X13 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon - Town End Farm - Downhill - Hylton Red House - Southwick - Stadium Of Light - Sunderland
X14 - Newcastle - Gateshead - East Herrington (The Board Inn) - Durham Road - Sunderland
X23 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon - East Boldon - Seaburn - Roker - Sunderland

(21 Jan 2019, 7:20 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Go North East already tried this route and failed, can't see Stagecoach trying it.

(21 Jan 2019, 8:39 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]But the X36 failed as it went through Stagecoach territory and passengers were having to pay more to travel, with Stagecoach you would have a cheaper fare offering without the need to change on to the X24 or the Metro in the city centre.

(22 Jan 2019, 9:45 pm)Gonorth91 wrote [ -> ]I would like to see a stagecoach bus from boldon to sunderland it be cheaper than go northeast

(21 Jan 2019, 11:54 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]It would be easier extending the 4 to Boldon and passengers connecting to the X34.

(22 Jan 2019, 11:19 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]Not for the passengers!

(22 Jan 2019, 11:58 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Boldon is quite a safe place, and with service X34 operating up to Every 30 Minutes they won't be waiting too long...

(23 Jan 2019, 6:06 am)ifm001 wrote [ -> ]Problem is the X34 is already busy enough the way it is at present, with passengers standing on arrival at Asda Boldon and that is without the additional custom it would incur from the North Estates of it was to be used as a connecting service. 

I do agree that there is a need for such a service but not by using the existing service X34. 

Don't forget, they also extended the old Stagecoach service 5 a while back that ran from Sunderland - Downhill - Asda Boldon   and that got withdrawn.

(23 Jan 2019, 8:12 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Wasn't the Stagecoach 5 Doxford Park to the Docks?

(23 Jan 2019, 8:12 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Wasn't the Stagecoach 5 Doxford Park to the Docks?

(25 May 2013, 12:39 pm)Acky81 wrote [ -> ]Well that would make more of a ghost town if another bus to newcastle hope this doesn't happen. Stagecoach could do with a totally new service refresh with some new routes

(02 Feb 2019, 11:37 am)big mac wrote [ -> ]I don't understand how it would be stagecoach's fault for making Sunderland a ghost town by introducing more services to Newcastle  If Sunderland had a city centre worth going to, people would go to it. As it is doesn't  people will go to Newcastle and stagecoach are just responding to that demand.

(02 Feb 2019, 11:55 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]I live in Sunderland and i agree 100% on the above.... its rubbish compared to Newcastle and the Metrocentre, can't remember the last time i went in to Sunderland city centre to buy anything.... 

If anything, would be nice to a direct bus to the Metrocentre from Sunderland once again...  X25 - Sunderland - Hastings Hill - A19 - Gateshead - Metrocentre  (hourly - 


I think it would work more for Stagecoach than Go North East due to the Tyne and Wear Day ticket being £4.20 and can use it on any Stagecoach bus.

With it raining this evening when I finished work I it would be good idea to get on the 1 from the Cobalt into the City Centre rather getting the 309 like I usually would, worst choice I have ever made given the length of the journey which was approximately 50 minutes with it not being a particularly smooth one either.

The journey was alright until we reached Heaton Estate where navigation of the street became very challenging for the driver due to badly parked cars across several streets, this resulted in the driver having to stop and reverse on more than one occasion.

This made me question whether a double/full sized single decker is a suitable vehicle of choice on this section of the route, would of been no bother if the driver was driving a minibus. These black spots on this section must have a big impact on reliability, I'll be honest I have never seen an area so highly populated by cars.

I personally think Stagecoach need to review this section of the 1 before a major accident happens, best option would be to split the 1 in half at City Centre and again split the City Centre to Cobalt section into two routes given the current number 1 a more easy to navigate route, with the Heaton estate being served by a highly frequent minibus service between the City Centre and Coach Lane Campus.

So the routes would be as follows.

1 - Slatyford - Buddle Road - Central Station - City Centre

37 - Coach Lane Campus - Heaton Estate - Jesmond - City Centre

23 - Cobalt - Holystone - Benton Asda - Coast Road - Cradlewell - City Centre

(15 Jun 2019, 9:11 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]

With it raining this evening when I finished work I it would be good idea to get on the 1 from the Cobalt into the City Centre rather getting the 309 like I usually would, worst choice I have ever made given the length of the journey which was approximately 50 minutes with it not being a particularly smooth one either.

The journey was alright until we reached Heaton Estate where navigation of the street became very challenging for the driver due to badly parked cars across several streets, this resulted in the driver having to stop and reverse on more than one occasion.

This made me question whether a double/full sized single decker is a suitable vehicle of choice on this section of the route, would of been no bother if the driver was driving a minibus. These black spots on this section must have a big impact on reliability, I'll be honest I have never seen an area so highly populated by cars.

I personally think Stagecoach need to review this section of the 1 before a major accident happens, best option would be to split the 1 in half at City Centre and again split the City Centre to Cobalt section into two routes given the current number 1 a more easy to navigate route, with the Heaton estate being served by a highly frequent minibus service between the City Centre and Coach Lane Campus.

So the routes would be as follows.

1 - Slatyford - Buddle Road - Central Station - City Centre

37 - Coach Lane Campus - Heaton Estate - Jesmond - City Centre

23 - Cobalt - Holystone - Benton Asda - Coast Road - Cradlewell - City Centre

No that wouldnt work sorry to say,but i do wish they would review the 62 and 63

(15 Jun 2019, 11:20 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]Well, that’s a good laugh. You want to go from a 7 to 8 minute double deck service to a ‘highly frequent’ minibus? That’s ridiculous. The extra staffing costs would be prohibitive before we even get to the fact that there’s a reason deckers are used in the first place. The number 1 has coped just fine with all the cars round that estate for many years. The extension to Cobalt was to provide Heaton, High Heaton, etc with a direct link. Why on earth would Stagecoach want to introduce a coast road route on an already well-bussed corridor and abandon Heaton and High Heaton?

Do you have better suggestions than what I have come up with, just to note I only the "suggested route 37" would be operated by a minibus with other services remaining double decker operated and from my suggestions have I abandoned the people of Heaton/High Heaton, no I haven't, might want to re-read my post first!

Furthermore I appreciate that the extension to the cobalt was to offer a direct link from Heaton/High Heaton however it doesn't matter what time of day I see the 1 on the Cobalt it runs around empty, last night when I got on it I was the only one it between the Cobalt and Heaton as it didn't pick up a single passenger.

Also given the 1 also goes via Holystone/Benton Asda along the main roads of newly built estates is it going to pick anyone up when all those areas much like Heaton have a high amount of cars users with people living in those areas who are clearly have quite a lot of money. Are those people really going stop taking the car to work in order to get on the bus, I don't think they are if I am totally honest.

As a result of the above is the extension to the Cobalt really financially sustainable for Stagecoach to run throughout the day going forward as I do think it maybe better to have a few journey's extended during peak times only.

(16 Jun 2019, 1:52 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]

Do you have better suggestions than what I have come up with, just to note I only the "suggested route 37" would be operated by a minibus with other services remaining double decker operated and from my suggestions have I abandoned the people of Heaton/High Heaton, no I haven't, might want to re-read my post first!

Furthermore I appreciate that the extension to the cobalt was to offer a direct link from Heaton/High Heaton however it doesn't matter what time of day I see the 1 on the Cobalt it runs around empty, last night when I got on it I was the only one it between the Cobalt and Heaton as it didn't pick up a single passenger.

Also given the 1 also goes via Holystone/Benton Asda along the main roads of newly built estates is it going to pick anyone up when all those areas much like Heaton have a high amount of cars users with people living in those areas who are clearly have quite a lot of money. Are those people really going stop taking the car to work in order to get on the bus, I don't think they are if I am totally honest.

As a result of the above is the extension to the Cobalt really financially sustainable for Stagecoach to run throughout the day going forward as I do think it maybe better to have a few journey's extended during peak times only.

Maybe introduce a 1X,bit like the 22X,i also dont see why the 1 cant interwork with the 22,all they would need to do is rearrange the way they stop round silver fox way

(16 Jun 2019, 1:52 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]

Do you have better suggestions than what I have come
up with, just to note I only the "suggested route 37" would be operated
by a minibus with other services remaining double decker operated and
from my suggestions have I abandoned the people of Heaton/High Heaton,
no I haven't, might want to re-read my post first!

Furthermore
I appreciate that the extension to the cobalt was to offer a direct
link from Heaton/High Heaton however it doesn't matter what time of day I
see the 1 on the Cobalt it runs around empty, last night when I got on
it I was the only one it between the Cobalt and Heaton as it didn't pick
up a single passenger.

Also given the 1 also goes via
Holystone/Benton Asda along the main roads of newly built estates is it
going to pick anyone up when all those areas much like Heaton have a
high amount of cars users with people living in those areas who are
clearly have quite a lot of money. Are those people really going stop
taking the car to work in order to get on the bus, I don't think they
are if I am totally honest.

As a result of the above is
the extension to the Cobalt really financially sustainable for
Stagecoach to run throughout the day going forward as I do think it
maybe better to have a few journey's extended during peak times only.

Just browse the forums usually but your 37 idea really wouldn't work well. The problem is usually with the buses meeting in the street on Whitfield Terrace so if you ran more down there it would make it worse, minibus, single or double decker as they struggle to get by especially on the corner at the end.

I used to live down there and the better way to sort it would be probably to actually reduce the buses to every 10 minutes but give them more running time so it actually runs every 10 minutes instead of 3 following each other with 1 full and 2 following it behind empty not being able to get past because of the narrow streets with the first one getting later by picking everyone up.

Use the 1 between Coach Lane and Northumbria Uni during term time and you'll understand why the deckers are there - it's always dead during the holidays. Can't comment on the cobalt extension but it always seemed a weird one.

The 62 and 63 are just as bad along Chillingham Road half the time for stacking.

(16 Jun 2019, 1:52 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]

Do you have better suggestions than what I have come up with, just to note I only the "suggested route 37" would be operated by a minibus with other services remaining double decker operated and from my suggestions have I abandoned the people of Heaton/High Heaton, no I haven't, might want to re-read my post first!

Furthermore I appreciate that the extension to the cobalt was to offer a direct link from Heaton/High Heaton however it doesn't matter what time of day I see the 1 on the Cobalt it runs around empty, last night when I got on it I was the only one it between the Cobalt and Heaton as it didn't pick up a single passenger.

Also given the 1 also goes via Holystone/Benton Asda along the main roads of newly built estates is it going to pick anyone up when all those areas much like Heaton have a high amount of cars users with people living in those areas who are clearly have quite a lot of money. Are those people really going stop taking the car to work in order to get on the bus, I don't think they are if I am totally honest.

As a result of the above is the extension to the Cobalt really financially sustainable for Stagecoach to run throughout the day going forward as I do think it maybe better to have a few journey's extended during peak times only.

Do I have a better suggestion? Yes, it’s fine as it is. Your minibus suggestion is a solution looking for a problem that would create problems. The number 1 has deckers (and had them even when the rest of Newcastle went single around when the 22 got 55 reg MANs in 2005) precisely because of the City Centre to Coach Lane numbers. You’d need minibuses operating every 2-3 minutes to replace the capacity. That’s just not realistic.

I also said that the Cobalt extension was to give Heaton and High Heaton a Cobalt link. You propose scrapping it and replacing it with a Coast Road route which bypasses both of these. It’s nonsensical.

(17 Jun 2019, 12:12 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]

Do I have a better suggestion? Yes, it’s fine as it is. Your minibus suggestion is a solution looking for a problem that would create problems. The number 1 has deckers (and had them even when the rest of Newcastle went single around when the 22 got 55 reg MANs in 2005) precisely because of the City Centre to Coach Lane numbers. You’d need minibuses operating every 2-3 minutes to replace the capacity. That’s just not realistic.

I also said that the Cobalt extension was to give Heaton and High Heaton a Cobalt link. You propose scrapping it and replacing it with a Coast Road route which bypasses both of these. It’s nonsensical.

I'd also like to add to Markydh's comments, that Northumbria University have an established agreement with Stagecoach which entitles free transport for students at five designated stops along the eastern side of the route - Civic Centre, Sandyford Road-Portland Terrace, Portland Road-Warwick Street, Warwick Street-City Stadium and the corner of Simonside Terrace-Chillingham Road. The University pay Stagecoach a substantial amount of money for the privilege, as Stagecoach are losing out to UniRider sales with this. 

I agree too that mini-buses isn't a goer, after all, university lectures, seminars etc finish at specific times, the 1 doesn't see a steady stream of passengers - more like student stampede. 

(15 Jun 2019, 9:11 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]

The journey was alright until we reached Heaton Estate where navigation of the street became very challenging for the driver due to badly parked cars across several streets, this resulted in the driver having to stop and reverse on more than one occasion.

This made me question whether a double/full sized single decker is a suitable vehicle of choice on this section of the route, would of been no bother if the driver was driving a minibus. These black spots on this section must have a big impact on reliability, I'll be honest I have never seen an area so highly populated by cars.

I personally think Stagecoach need to review this section of the 1 before a major accident happens, best option would be to split the 1 in half at City Centre and again split the City Centre to Cobalt section into two routes given the current number 1 a more easy to navigate route, with the Heaton estate being served by a highly frequent minibus service between the City Centre and Coach Lane Campus.

Parked cars have never really been a huge problem for a 'major disaster', no different to anywhere else. Although, recently parking has been little bit relaxed as of late - but why should Stagecoach alter a route because of people who cannot park? The council is well aware and are introducing new enforcement measures around Heaton on the back of feedback from both residents and Stagecoach. Traffic warden patrols have also been stepped up too, there is a satisfying yellow glow of tickets here and there.

Apart from the corner of Whitefield Terrace-Sackville Terrace and Cardigan Terrace-Second Avenue, the route is relatively fine. Whitefield Terrace-Sackville Terrace in can be iffy in the event of two buses meeting on the junction resulting in a little bit of shuffling, apart from that there are passing places marked out for traffic, as it is a well established bus route after all - so I'd be interesting to know where navigation became very challenging - perhaps one for myself to prod the council on if it isn't one of knowledge.

Also as Mark has said the Cobalt extension was purely to give Heaton and High Heaton a Cobalt link - anyone being picked up in between is a bonus. It loosely does okay at peaks I gather... but agree I'm sure it runs to Cobalt a little later than it should really. However, if the extension was such a bad performer it would of been pulled by now, probably at the same time as the Night Buses.

(20 Jun 2019, 7:09 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]A new idea to bring Stagecoach eXpress to the north east

X90
Hexham bus station
Hexham hospital
Corbridge Market Square
Horsley lion & lamb
Heddon on the wall 3 tonnes
Throckley roundabout
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle St Thomas street (5 min layover)
Gateshead High Street
Sunderland park lane interchange

Every hour
PVR=4
Rough journey time=89 mins
Layover= 6 mins Hexham, 5 mins Newcastle, 25 mins Sunderland
Depot=Sunderland
Allocation=4x Volvo B8R/Plaxton leopard coaches
Features:
High backed E-Leather seats
Recliners
USB charging points at every seat
1 3 ping plug at each pair of seats (none at the back middle seat)
Wheelchair bay
Wheelchair ramp at the Rear doors

What are your thoughts?

Unlikely to happen.

(17 Jun 2019, 1:14 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]

I'd also like to add to Markydh's comments, that Northumbria University have an established agreement with Stagecoach which entitles free transport for students at five designated stops along the eastern side of the route - Civic Centre, Sandyford Road-Portland Terrace, Portland Road-Warwick Street, Warwick Street-City Stadium and the corner of Simonside Terrace-Chillingham Road. The University pay Stagecoach a substantial amount of money for the privilege, as Stagecoach are losing out to UniRider sales with this. 

I agree too that mini-buses isn't a goer, after all, university lectures, seminars etc finish at specific times, the 1 doesn't see a steady stream of passengers - more like student stampede. 

As a Heaton resident myself (Whitefield Terrace) I would disagree with the route suggestions. I currently work in the East End and when I don't drive in I get the 1 direct to work from my house, so your suggestions wouldn't be great like..... 
Heaton is a large student area, so losing the link to Central Station wouldn't be great for them going home from uni (from experience...). 

Parked cars have never really been a huge problem for a 'major disaster', no different to anywhere else. Although, recently parking has been little bit relaxed as of late - but why should Stagecoach alter a route because of people who cannot park? The council is well aware and are introducing new enforcement measures around Heaton on the back of feedback from both residents and Stagecoach. Traffic warden patrols have also been stepped up too, there is a satisfying yellow glow of tickets here and there.

Apart from the corner of Whitefield Terrace-Sackville Terrace and Cardigan Terrace-Second Avenue, the route is relatively fine. Whitefield Terrace-Sackville Terrace in can be iffy in the event of two buses meeting on the junction resulting in a little bit of shuffling, apart from that there are passing places marked out for traffic, as it is a well established bus route after all - so I'd be interesting to know where navigation became very challenging - perhaps one for myself to prod the council on if it isn't one of knowledge.

Also as Mark has said the Cobalt extension was purely to give Heaton and High Heaton a Cobalt link - anyone being picked up in between is a bonus. It loosely does okay at peaks I gather... but agree I'm sure it runs to Cobalt a little later than it should really. However, if the extension was such a bad performer it would of been pulled by now, probably at the same time as the Night Buses.

Danby Gardens/Sackville Road and then Sackville Road/Whitefield Terrace were the main two points were the 1 got stuck last saturday evening and had to reverse and renavigate to get down said roads.