North East Buses

(23 Sep 2020, 9:48 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]From experience, the Eastern section of the route is. Haven't been beyond Durham on the western portion. 
To be honest, it surprised me when the frequency and capacity was reduced from the days of the purple streetlites.

3942 is one of the vehicles allocated to the X20 today.

Although the frequency from Durham to Langley Park has doubled since the X20 replaced the 14. Maybe they think a 30 frequency with Optare Solo buses on this section is enough, but not sure about Durham to Sunderland.

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(23 Sep 2020, 10:56 am)big mac wrote [ -> ]Although the frequency from Durham to Langley Park has doubled since the X20 replaced the 14.  Maybe they think a 30 frequency with Optare Solo buses on this section is enough, but not sure about Durham to Sunderland.

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Wasnt the 14 allocated a decker sometimes as well or have i got wrong

(23 Sep 2020, 1:27 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]Wasnt the 14 allocated a decker sometimes as well or have i got wrong

It was a mixture of doubles and singles that appeared on it but there were double deckers on the 14 fairly often. It used to interwork with the x22.

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(23 Sep 2020, 5:50 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Yes, that’s been the case since the service changes in June.


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Strange decision imo. X6/X7 fit Xlines pretty well, and they’ll be the only X routes unbranded, I hope this isn’t the case of a slow death, remove branding/no promotion before them being withdrawn. 
Also as pointed out above, the Langley Park-Durham section had three buses an hour with the 13/14, which were full sized single deckers and sometimes double deckers. Having two of those buses as solos seems like a bit of a decrease, have passenger numbers dropped significantly? Or were GNE carrying fresh air for years?

(23 Sep 2020, 10:56 am)big mac wrote [ -> ]Although the frequency from Durham to Langley Park has doubled since the X20 replaced the 14.  Maybe they think a 30 frequency with Optare Solo buses on this section is enough, but not sure about Durham to Sunderland.

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I honestly think that the allocation of Solo's to the X20 and interworking patterns with the X6/7 was more of a convenience, than actually part of a long term strategy or plan.
Particularly as they seemed to encourage use of the X20 over the 20. Timetables mentioned how it was faster/quicker than the 20 and some would say the on-board experience nicer than the 20.
I may be wrong.

The 20A was allocated the purple streetlites and worked a 20min frequency. From experience, loads were decent.
To reduce the vehicle size and frequency, whilst encouraging use didn't add up.
Obviously now it is extended beyond Durham on the western portion, a Solo may suffice. Seems strange to allocate vehicles on the entire route, based on a recent extension though.

(23 Sep 2020, 10:56 am)big mac wrote [ -> ]Although the frequency from Durham to Langley Park has doubled since the X20 replaced the 14.  Maybe they think a 30 frequency with Optare Solo buses on this section is enough, but not sure about Durham to Sunderland.

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The capacity from Durham to Langley Park has decreased just saying, the 13 used to be every 30 minutes (now hourly) all operated by full size buses.

(23 Sep 2020, 5:37 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]The capacity from Durham to Langley Park has decreased just saying, the 13 used to be every 30 minutes (now hourly) all operated by full size buses.

Seeing as you mention the 13 I think it's only a matter of time before that service gets withdrawn altogether. There's alternatives to it on a lot of the route e.g. the 16 and 16a between Sacriston and Durham and the X20 between Langley Park and Sacriston to Durham. The way they are reducing of it and not having it start until after 9 in the morning on the Westbound journeys makes it looks like they want to phase it out eventually.

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(23 Sep 2020, 5:59 pm)big mac wrote [ -> ]Seeing as you mention the 13 I think it's only a matter of time before that service gets withdrawn altogether.    There's alternatives to it on a lot of the route e.g. the 16 and 16a between Sacriston and Durham and the X20 between Langley Park and Sacriston to Durham.  The way they are reducing of it and not having it start until after 9 in the morning on the Westbound journeys makes it looks like they want to phase it out eventually.

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Yeah agreed there maybe, instead of larger buses, we might a service increase across the whole route? Then at same time finally bin off the 13, Langley Park is still 3x buses an hour which are more clockwork then you have a more frequent service across the rest of the route.

Think the main reason for allocations of larger single deckers and doubles was for school/peak time loadings more than anything and of course interworking with the X22 and later service 25 got added to the mix. Can see Solos being a suitable fit to the off peak service at least.

Personally, since the 11 only go's as far as Wallsend i'd swap the 11 and 41, have the 11 do the old 17 route through Rosehill and Holy Cross (Simonside Terrace Edward Road/Savory Road) during the day then via Archer Street in the Evening,then the 41 can continue its 1 way circular of Howdon but instead head straight down Churchill Street (although my previous suggestion of the 40/41 still stands), i'd also possibly re-number the 11 to 43 and the 19 to 44 to show that theyre all part of the same brand

(30 Sep 2020, 10:33 am)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Personally, since the 11 only go's as far as Wallsend i'd swap the 11 and 41, have the 11 do the old 17 route through Rosehill and Holy Cross (Simonside Terrace Edward Road/Savory Road) during the day then via Archer Street in the Evening,then the 41 can continue its 1 way circular of Howdon but instead head straight down Churchill Street (although my previous suggestion of the 40/41 still stands), i'd also possibly re-number the 11 to 43 and the 19 to 44 to show that theyre all part of the same brand

Personally I'd extend the Q3 to Hadrian Park and then extend the 42 to do the rest of the 41 route. Least it creates some more connections can't imagine there's much demand for people doing the horseshoe route of the 41.

Then at the same time renumber the 42 to 18 and 11 back to the 17. The 17 and 19 have a bit of a history whereas the 42 etc don't wasn't that the 319 anyway at one point so it's kinda close with the 18. The 40's to me are the slow non express Gosforth services.

(30 Sep 2020, 8:35 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Personally I'd extend the Q3 to Hadrian Park and then extend the 42 to do the rest of the 41 route. Least it creates some more connections can't imagine there's much demand for people doing the horseshoe route of the 41.

Then at the same time renumber the 42 to 18 and 11 back to the 17. The 17 and 19 have a bit of a history whereas the 42 etc don't wasn't that the 319 anyway at one point so it's kinda close with the 18. The 40's to me are the slow non express Gosforth services.

Why not extend the 11 to Hadrian Park, return the links to north shields lost years ago (Was it the 300 that did that).

(30 Sep 2020, 10:22 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]Why not extend the 11 to Hadrian Park, return the links to north shields lost years ago (Was it the 300 that did that).

It's not frequent enough, it's only every 30 mins the 11 and it's every 15 mins between Wallsend and Hadrian Park so you'll end up having shorts which are confusing where as the Q3 is every 15 minutes so kinda just works - that was my thinking anyway.

The 335 does Hadrian Park to Shields btw.

New Service H2:
Could Replace Nexus 93A & TB29

(30 Sep 2020, 10:39 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]It's not frequent enough, it's only every 30 mins the 11 and it's every 15 mins between Wallsend and Hadrian Park so you'll end up having shorts which are confusing where as the Q3 is every 15 minutes so kinda just works - that was my thinking anyway.

The 335 does Hadrian Park to Shields btw.

I don't think the 41 should be changed just add the 11 as well. The 340 used to run every ten minutes.

Does anyone have a copy of the 638, 776 and/or 777 Timetables from about 1980-1985 as I cant access the bygone era at the moment.

Hi, does anyone have a copy of the 1X and the 91(when it ran during off peak) timetables in pdf format i could have.

Heres a crazy suggestion
Would there be a way of making this work
Merging the 11 with the Hadrian Park-Wallsend section of the 41, number it 40,then the 41 can continue to operate the Wallsend-Holy Cross-Rosehill-Howdon Hadrian Park section like it used to,then the 40 does Hadrian Park-Battle Hill-High Farm-Wallsend the every 30 mins does the current 11, and the 41 could interwork with the 40 that would do the current 11, crazy suggestion but thought i'd put it out there

(09 Oct 2020, 5:31 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Heres a crazy suggestion
Would there be a way of making this work
Merging the 11 with the Hadrian Park-Wallsend section of the 41, number it 40,then the 41 can continue to operate the Wallsend-Holy Cross-Rosehill-Howdon Hadrian Park section like it used to,then the 40 does Hadrian Park-Battle Hill-High Farm-Wallsend the every 30 mins does the current 11, and the 41 could interwork with the 40 that would do the current 11, crazy suggestion but thought i'd put it out there

You'd be better off merging the 11 and 42/42A if anything. Or extending 311 to Wallsend.

What is the patronage like on service 25 between Langley Park and Chester Le Street? Might help with one of my service suggestions.

If someone else ran competing services to their hourly only routes 71, 925, 938, H2 etc do you think GNE would withdraw them.

(16 Dec 2020, 12:11 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]If someone else ran competing services to their hourly only routes  71, 925, 938, H2 etc do you think GNE would withdraw them.

They're subsidised by council tender, due to a shortfall in commercial stability. It'd be economic suicide to run most of these contracts commercially.

(16 Dec 2020, 12:11 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]If someone else ran competing services to their hourly only routes  71, 925, 938, H2 etc do you think GNE would withdraw them.

If they're subsidised and someone commercially operated a rival service there is a chance the local authority will withdraw the service as its more cost effective if there's a commercial service rather than both a subsidised and commercially ran service on the same passage, that's what NCC done with the 472 when travelsure introduced the TO1 commercially which follows the 472 route.

I have working on some suggestions to improve and consolidate the current network of Go North East's services whilst also reinstating some old lost links from years gone by while also opening up new links and opportunities once Covid-19 is over as I feel the majority of the network if things remain as they are service level wise is unsustainable.

I know Martijn Gilbert said in a recent Facebook Live session there was no plans to expand the X-Lines Network beyond what we see now but there is no harm in a few suggestions is there.

Not all of these suggestions have to be used as there is few that cross with each other leading to 30 plus buses an hour in certain areas cough...cough Low Fell but I did struggle to find a way to route these any other way on my suggestions for the 2/2A and 34/34A for example.

Again not all may even work some of you are quite good at tearing service suggestions apart so feel free to sink your teeth into these. 


Coaster 1A 1B
1A - Metrocentre to Whitley Bay via Lobley Hill, Gateshead, Newcastle, Byker, Wallsend, Howdon, North Shields and Tynemouth
1B - Metrocentre to Whitley Bay via Lobley Hill, Gateshead, Newcastle, Byker, Wallsend, Howdon, Percy Main, Royal Quays, North Shields and North Tyneside Hospital
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes combined and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday
Service 1B & 11 merge together with the 11 withdrawn

Newcastle & Sunderland City Link 2 2A 2S
2 - Sunderland to Newcastle via Royal Hospital, Grindon, Hastings Hill, Penshaw, Barnwell, Fatfield, Biddick, Washington Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Harraton, Rickleton, Portobello, Barley Mow, Birtley, Wrekenton, Q.E. Hospital, Gateshead, Newcastle
2A - Sunderland to Newcastle via Royal Hospital, Grindon, Hastings Hill, Penshaw, Barnwell, Fatfield, Biddick, Washington Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Harraton, Rickleton, Portobello, Barley Mow, Birtley, Low Fell, Gateshead, Newcastle
Merging of services 2/2A and 81/82 with a cross city extension to Newcastle Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Connections 4 4A
4 - Heworth to Houghton-le-Spring via Usworth College, Concord, Washington, Glebe, Biddick, Fatfield, Shiney Row, Bournmoor and Fence Houses
4A - Heworth to Houghton-le-Spring via Usworth College, Donwell, Concord, Washington, Lambton, Harraton, Fatfield, Shiney Row, Philedelphia Success Road and Sunniside
Both services operate Every 20 Minutes, Every 10 Minutes combined
4 unchanged however with a reduced frequency
New Service 4A which is a partial combination of the old M2/294 which in turn reinstates old lost links from years ago.
Current

Go North East 8
Washington Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village - Chester-Le-Street
Hourly Monday to Saturday interworking with service 71 at Chester-Le-Street

Go North East 9
Lukes Lane Estate to Silksworth via Monkton Lane Estate, Hebburn, Jarrow, York Avenue, Boldon Colliery, West Boldon, East Boldon, Fulwell, Sunderland City Centre & Barnes Park
Go North East 9A
Lukes Lane Estate to Silksworth via Monkton Lane Estate, Hebburn, Jarrow, York Avenue, Boldon Colliery, West Boldon, East Boldon, Fulwell, Sunderland City Centre, Grangetown, Ryhope & Hollycarrside
Operating Every 15 Minutes on a Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop between Sunderland & Silksworth Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Little Coasters 18 19
North Shields to North Shields via Royal Quays, Percy Main, Silverlink, Cobalt Park, Northumberland Park, Earsdon, Monkseaton Sainsbury's, Beaumont Drive, Bournemouth Gardens Car Park, Whitley Bay Town Centre, Cullercoates and Tynemouth
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on a Sunday, this service operates on a Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop

Prince Bishops 20 20S
Durham to Sunderland via Gilesgate, Belmont, West Rainton, East Rainton, Houghton-le-Spring & East Herrington
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Black Cats 33/33A
Sunderland to Sunderland via Grangetown, Hollycarrside, Silksworth and Barnes Park
Reintroduction of the old 42/42A operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes and Every 30 Minutes on Sundays

Go North East 34 34A
Durham to Newcastle via Framwellgate Moor, Arnison Centre, Sacriston, Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street, Pelaw Estate, Pelton, Ouston (34), Urpeth Grange (34A), Birtley, Low Fell (34), Wrekenton & Q.E. Hospital (34A) and Gateshead
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Go North East 36
Sunderland to South Shields via Fulwell, Cleadon and Harton Nook
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Gateshead Connect 49 49A 49C 49S
Winlaton to Gateshead via Blaydon, Swalwell, Metrocentre, Dunston, Bensham, Gateshead, Carr Hill, Heworth, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton and Dryden Road
The 49's and Q1/Q2 merge together Operating Every 7/8 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 15 Minutes on a Sunday
Q1/Q2 Withdrawn

Voltra 53 54
Newcastle Market Street West (clockwise) to Newcastle via Quayside, Gateshead, Coatsworth Road, Saltwell Park, Saltwell Road and Central Station
Operating Every 10 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 20 Minutes on Sunday additionally serving Quayside replacing Q1/Q2

Go North East 55 55A
Hartlepool to Sunderland via Hart Station (55A), Hart (55), Wingate (55), Hutton Henry (55), High Hesleden (55), Horden, Peterlee, South Hetton, Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring and Doxford International
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 30 Minutes Combined with only service 55 operating Hourly on Sundays - Current 55 split into 55/55A and extended back to Hartlepool

CityLink 57 57A 57S
South Shields to Newcastle via Chichester, Hedworth, Fellgate Metro (57), Fellgate Durnhem Way Peterborough Gardens (57A), Wardley Leam Lane (57), Wardley Manor Gardens (57A), Heworth, Leam Lane Estate, Beacon Lough Estate, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Gateshead
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on Sundays

Prince Bishops Swift 61 61S
Sunderland to Durham via Grangetown, Ryhope Green, New Seaham, Dalton Park, Murton, Hetton-Le Hole, Low Moorsley, Low Pittington and Gilesgate
Merging of the 61/61S and 265/265S operating Monday to Saturday Every 20 Minutes and Every 1 Hour on a Sunday

Cobalt & Coast 310
Newcastle to North Shields via Coast Road, High Farm, Hadrian Park, Cobalt South, Verne Road and Meadowell
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes and Every 30 Minutes on Sundays - 309/311 Withdrawn

Quaycity Q3
Hadrian Park to Great Park via Battle Hill, High Farm, Wallsend, Walker, St Peter's Basin, Ouseburn, Quayside, Newcastle, Gosforth and Regent Centre
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday
Services 40/41 & 311 Withdrawn

X-lines X1 X1A X1S X2
Newcastle to Easington Lane via Gateshead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wrekenton, Springwell Village, Washington, Shiney Row, Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole
Newcastle to Sunderland via Gateshead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wrekenton, Springwell Village, Washington, Shiney Row, Hastings Hill, Chester Road and Royal Hospital

X-lines X5 X15
Sunderland to Consett via Doxford International, Houghton-Le-Spring, Rainton Bridge, Belmont, Durham, University Hospital Of Durham, Witton Gilbert, Lanchester, Delves, Consett & Shotley Bridge
Hourly Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sunday between Durham and Shotley Bridge

X-Lines X6
Darlington to Sunderland via Stockton, Billingham, Peterlee, Easington, Dalton Park, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, Ryhope and Grangetown
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays

X-Lines X7
Middlesbrough to Sunderland via Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Blackhall Colliery, Peterlee, South Hetton, Easington Lane, Murton, Dalton Park, Spectrum Business Park, Dawdon, Seaham, Ryhope and Grangetown
Operating 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays - Indigo 202 withdrawn

X-lines X8 X8A
Lanchester to Sunderland via Maiden Law, Burnhope, Quaking Houses, South Moor, Stanley, Beamish, Grange Villa, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, Washington, Waterview Park, Castletown and Sunderland Enterprise Park
Services 8 and 30 merged together with the service no longer serving Harraton and Rickleton in order to provide faster Xpress Links and operating current frequency of Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday.
New Hourly Service on a Sunday accross the full route also introduced.

X-Lines X23
Newcastle to Darlington via Gateshead - Low Fell - Chester-Le-Street - Durham - Croxdale - Ferryhill - Newton Aycliffe - Darlington
Hourly Monday to Sunday

X-lines X32
Consett to Newcastle via Delves, Lanchester, Maiden Law, Burnhope, Quaking Houses, South Moor, Stanley, Beamish, High Handenhold, Perkinsville, Ouston, Lamesley, Team Valley, Bensham & Gateshead
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-Lines X33
Newcastle to Stanley via Central Station, MetroCentre, Whickham, Crookgate, Burnopfield (X33/X34), Tantobie, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Acton Dene, Sheridan Drive and Stanley Hall Estate
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Hourly on a Sunday - Service Merged between Service 30/M6/M7 with an Extension to Newcastle - Services 30/M6/M7 Withdrawn

X-Lines X34
Newcastle to Stanley via Central Station, MetroCentre, Whickham, Crookgate, Tanfield Village, Tantobie, Tanfield Lea, Harperley, West Kyo, Catchgate, Fines Park Estate, Annfield Plain, New Kyo and Oxhill
Operating Hourly Monday to Saturday, Hourly on a Sunday - Service Merged between Services 31/32/M8 with an extension to Newcastle - Services 31/32/M8 Withdrawn

X-Lines X39 -
Newcastle to Blyth via Cobalt Business Park - New York - Whitley Bay & Seaton Sluice
Monday to Saturday operating Every 20 Minutes, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

X-Lines X40
Newcastle to Ashington via Silverlink, Cobalt Business Park, Northumberland Park, Cramlington and Bedlington

X-Lines X48
Bishop Auckland to Newcastle via Crook, Tow Law, Castleside, Consett, Medomesley, Rowlands Gill, Swalwell, MetroCentre and Central Station
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-lines X50
South Shields to Durham via Boldon Colliery, Washington, Chester-le-Street and Arnison Centre
Current service 50 no longer serves Sulgrave, Nissan, Lambton, Ayton and Waldridge Estate
Service runs non stop between Boldon and Washington Galleries, Washington Galleries through to Chester-Le-Street and Chester to Arnison Centre shaving 25 Minutes off the total journey time.

X-lines X83
Newborough to Newcastle via Hexham, Corbridge, Ovington, Wylam, Heddon-On-The-Wall, Denton Burn, MetroCentre and Central Station
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-lines X86
Hexham to Newcastle via Corbridge, Ovington, Ovingham, Prudoe Station, Tyneview Retail Park, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon, MetroCentre and Central Station
Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays - Service 10B and 686 withdrawn

AD122 X122
Hexham to Birdoswald Roman Fort via Chesters Fort, Housesteads, Vindolanda, Haltwhistle, Walltown Roman Fort, Greenhead Hotel and Gisland
Hourly Monday to Sunday

Washington Minilink W1 W2
Washington Galleries to Washington Galleries via Oxclose, Blackfell, Concord, Sulgrave (W2), Peel Retail Park (W2), Barmston, Barmston Court (W1), Brady Square (W1), Biddick (W1) or Washington Village and Glebe (W2)
Services 83/84/85/86 merged to provide a circular service around Washington Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

(01 Jan 2021, 3:23 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I have working on some suggestions to improve and consolidate the current network of Go North East's services whilst also reinstating some old lost links from years gone by while also opening up new links and opportunities once Covid-19 is over as I feel the majority of the network if things remain as they are service level wise is unsustainable.

I know Martijn Gilbert said in a recent Facebook Live session there was no plans to expand the X-Lines Network beyond what we see now but there is no harm in a few suggestions is there.

Not all of these suggestions have to be used as there is few that cross with each other leading to 30 plus buses an hour in certain areas cough...cough Low Fell but I did struggle to find a way to route these any other way on my suggestions for the 2/2A and 34/34A for example.

Again not all may even work some of you are quite good at tearing service suggestions apart so feel free to sink your teeth into these. 


Coaster 1A 1B
1A - Metrocentre to Whitley Bay via Lobley Hill, Gateshead, Newcastle, Byker, Wallsend, Howdon, North Shields and Tynemouth
1B - Metrocentre to Whitley Bay via Lobley Hill, Gateshead, Newcastle, Byker, Wallsend, Howdon, Percy Main, Royal Quays, North Shields and North Tyneside Hospital
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes combined and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday
Service 1B & 11 merge together with the 11 withdrawn

Newcastle & Sunderland City Link 2 2A 2S
2 - Sunderland to Newcastle via Royal Hospital, Grindon, Hastings Hill, Penshaw, Barnwell, Fatfield, Biddick, Washington Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Harraton, Rickleton, Portobello, Barley Mow, Birtley, Wrekenton, Q.E. Hospital, Gateshead, Newcastle
2A - Sunderland to Newcastle via Royal Hospital, Grindon, Hastings Hill, Penshaw, Barnwell, Fatfield, Biddick, Washington Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Harraton, Rickleton, Portobello, Barley Mow, Birtley, Low Fell, Gateshead, Newcastle
Merging of services 2/2A and 81/82 with a cross city extension to Newcastle Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Connections 4 4A
4 - Heworth to Houghton-le-Spring via Usworth College, Concord, Washington, Glebe, Biddick, Fatfield, Shiney Row, Bournmoor and Fence Houses
4A - Heworth to Houghton-le-Spring via Usworth College, Donwell, Concord, Washington, Lambton, Harraton, Fatfield, Shiney Row, Philedelphia Success Road and Sunniside
Both services operate Every 20 Minutes, Every 10 Minutes combined
4 unchanged however with a reduced frequency
New Service 4A which is a partial combination of the old M2/294 which in turn reinstates old lost links from years ago.
Current

Go North East 8
Washington Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village - Chester-Le-Street
Hourly Monday to Saturday interworking with service 71 at Chester-Le-Street

Go North East 9
Lukes Lane Estate to Silksworth via Monkton Lane Estate, Hebburn, Jarrow, York Avenue, Boldon Colliery, West Boldon, East Boldon, Fulwell, Sunderland City Centre & Barnes Park
Go North East 9A
Lukes Lane Estate to Silksworth via Monkton Lane Estate, Hebburn, Jarrow, York Avenue, Boldon Colliery, West Boldon, East Boldon, Fulwell, Sunderland City Centre, Grangetown, Ryhope & Hollycarrside
Operating Every 15 Minutes on a Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop between Sunderland & Silksworth Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Little Coasters 18 19
North Shields to North Shields via Royal Quays, Percy Main, Silverlink, Cobalt Park, Northumberland Park, Earsdon, Monkseaton Sainsbury's, Beaumont Drive, Bournemouth Gardens Car Park, Whitley Bay Town Centre, Cullercoates and Tynemouth
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on a Sunday, this service operates on a Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop

Prince Bishops 20 20S
Durham to Sunderland via Gilesgate, Belmont, West Rainton, East Rainton, Houghton-le-Spring & East Herrington
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Black Cats 33/33A
Sunderland to Sunderland via Grangetown, Hollycarrside, Silksworth and Barnes Park
Reintroduction of the old 42/42A operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes and Every 30 Minutes on Sundays

Go North East 34 34A
Durham to Newcastle via Framwellgate Moor, Arnison Centre, Sacriston, Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street, Pelaw Estate, Pelton, Ouston (34), Urpeth Grange (34A), Birtley, Low Fell (34), Wrekenton & Q.E. Hospital (34A) and Gateshead
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Go North East 36
Sunderland to South Shields via Fulwell, Cleadon and Harton Nook
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

Gateshead Connect 49 49A 49C 49S
Winlaton to Gateshead via Blaydon, Swalwell, Metrocentre, Dunston, Bensham, Gateshead, Carr Hill, Heworth, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton and Dryden Road
The 49's and Q1/Q2 merge together Operating Every 7/8 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 15 Minutes on a Sunday
Q1/Q2 Withdrawn

Voltra 53 54
Newcastle Market Street West (clockwise) to Newcastle via Quayside, Gateshead, Coatsworth Road, Saltwell Park, Saltwell Road and Central Station
Operating Every 10 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 20 Minutes on Sunday additionally serving Quayside replacing Q1/Q2

Go North East 55 55A
Hartlepool to Sunderland via Hart Station (55A), Hart (55), Wingate (55), Hutton Henry (55), High Hesleden (55), Horden, Peterlee, South Hetton, Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring and Doxford International
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 30 Minutes Combined with only service 55 operating Hourly on Sundays - Current 55 split into 55/55A and extended back to Hartlepool

CityLink 57 57A 57S
South Shields to Newcastle via Chichester, Hedworth, Fellgate Metro (57), Fellgate Durnhem Way Peterborough Gardens (57A), Wardley Leam Lane (57), Wardley Manor Gardens (57A), Heworth, Leam Lane Estate, Beacon Lough Estate, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Gateshead
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on Sundays

Prince Bishops Swift 61 61S
Sunderland to Durham via Grangetown, Ryhope Green, New Seaham, Dalton Park, Murton, Hetton-Le Hole, Low Moorsley, Low Pittington and Gilesgate
Merging of the 61/61S and 265/265S operating Monday to Saturday Every 20 Minutes and Every 1 Hour on a Sunday

Cobalt & Coast 310
Newcastle to North Shields via Coast Road, High Farm, Hadrian Park, Cobalt South, Verne Road and Meadowell
Operating Monday to Saturday Every 15 Minutes and Every 30 Minutes on Sundays - 309/311 Withdrawn

Quaycity Q3
Hadrian Park to Great Park via Battle Hill, High Farm, Wallsend, Walker, St Peter's Basin, Ouseburn, Quayside, Newcastle, Gosforth and Regent Centre
Operating Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday
Services 40/41 & 311 Withdrawn

X-lines X1 X1A X1S X2
Newcastle to Easington Lane via Gateshead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wrekenton, Springwell Village, Washington, Shiney Row, Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole
Newcastle to Sunderland via Gateshead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wrekenton, Springwell Village, Washington, Shiney Row, Hastings Hill, Chester Road and Royal Hospital

X-lines X5 X15
Sunderland to Consett via Doxford International, Houghton-Le-Spring, Rainton Bridge, Belmont, Durham, University Hospital Of Durham, Witton Gilbert, Lanchester, Delves, Consett & Shotley Bridge
Hourly Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sunday between Durham and Shotley Bridge

X-Lines X6
Darlington to Sunderland via Stockton, Billingham, Peterlee, Easington, Dalton Park, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, Ryhope and Grangetown
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays

X-Lines X7
Middlesbrough to Sunderland via Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Blackhall Colliery, Peterlee, South Hetton, Easington Lane, Murton, Dalton Park, Spectrum Business Park, Dawdon, Seaham, Ryhope and Grangetown
Operating 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays - Indigo 202 withdrawn

X-lines X8 X8A
Lanchester to Sunderland via Maiden Law, Burnhope, Quaking Houses, South Moor, Stanley, Beamish, Grange Villa, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, Washington, Waterview Park, Castletown and Sunderland Enterprise Park
Services 8 and 30 merged together with the service no longer serving Harraton and Rickleton in order to provide faster Xpress Links and operating current frequency of Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday.
New Hourly Service on a Sunday accross the full route also introduced.

X-Lines X23
Newcastle to Darlington via Gateshead - Low Fell - Chester-Le-Street - Durham - Croxdale - Ferryhill - Newton Aycliffe - Darlington
Hourly Monday to Sunday

X-lines X32
Consett to Newcastle via Delves, Lanchester, Maiden Law, Burnhope, Quaking Houses, South Moor, Stanley, Beamish, High Handenhold, Perkinsville, Ouston, Lamesley, Team Valley, Bensham & Gateshead
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-Lines X33
Newcastle to Stanley via Central Station, MetroCentre, Whickham, Crookgate, Burnopfield (X33/X34), Tantobie, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Acton Dene, Sheridan Drive and Stanley Hall Estate
Operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Hourly on a Sunday - Service Merged between Service 30/M6/M7 with an Extension to Newcastle - Services 30/M6/M7 Withdrawn

X-Lines X34
Newcastle to Stanley via Central Station, MetroCentre, Whickham, Crookgate, Tanfield Village, Tantobie, Tanfield Lea, Harperley, West Kyo, Catchgate, Fines Park Estate, Annfield Plain, New Kyo and Oxhill
Operating Hourly Monday to Saturday, Hourly on a Sunday - Service Merged between Services 31/32/M8 with an extension to Newcastle - Services 31/32/M8 Withdrawn

X-Lines X39 -
Newcastle to Blyth via Cobalt Business Park - New York - Whitley Bay & Seaton Sluice
Monday to Saturday operating Every 20 Minutes, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

X-Lines X40
Newcastle to Ashington via Silverlink, Cobalt Business Park, Northumberland Park, Cramlington and Bedlington

X-Lines X48
Bishop Auckland to Newcastle via Crook, Tow Law, Castleside, Consett, Medomesley, Rowlands Gill, Swalwell, MetroCentre and Central Station
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-lines X50
South Shields to Durham via Boldon Colliery, Washington, Chester-le-Street and Arnison Centre
Current service 50 no longer serves Sulgrave, Nissan, Lambton, Ayton and Waldridge Estate
Service runs non stop between Boldon and Washington Galleries, Washington Galleries through to Chester-Le-Street and Chester to Arnison Centre shaving 25 Minutes off the total journey time.

X-lines X83
Newborough to Newcastle via Hexham, Corbridge, Ovington, Wylam, Heddon-On-The-Wall, Denton Burn, MetroCentre and Central Station
Hourly Monday to Saturday

X-lines X86
Hexham to Newcastle via Corbridge, Ovington, Ovingham, Prudoe Station, Tyneview Retail Park, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon, MetroCentre and Central Station
Every 30 Minutes Monday to Saturday and Hourly on Sundays - Service 10B and 686 withdrawn

AD122 X122
Hexham to Birdoswald Roman Fort via Chesters Fort, Housesteads, Vindolanda, Haltwhistle, Walltown Roman Fort, Greenhead Hotel and Gisland
Hourly Monday to Sunday

Washington Minilink W1 W2
Washington Galleries to Washington Galleries via Oxclose, Blackfell, Concord, Sulgrave (W2), Peel Retail Park (W2), Barmston, Barmston Court (W1), Brady Square (W1), Biddick (W1) or Washington Village and Glebe (W2)
Services 83/84/85/86 merged to provide a circular service around Washington Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday

I can't comment on most the routes but I don't really see the point in the X39, there's not really that much demand for an express to Newcastle that they haven't already got especially between Blyth and Whitley. There's already the X7 doing the top half of Sluice and the X7/X9 in the South Beach area and you've really cut the services in Battle Hill to town (9 buses to 4 buses an hour) and GNE will lose the Coast Road battle as passengers will choose the 306 instead as it's cheaper and quicker.

For the X40, it's a bit a strange one as there's no demand North of Northumberland Park for another bus to Newcastle, the X7, X10/X11, X21/X22 already covers it much quicker depending on where you are. On the otherhand currently the 19 is the only bus route to North Shields from everywhere bar Cramlington which has the 53.

The 50 creates a link to Nissan from a lot of communities, I understand what your trying to do by making it quicker, but I highly doubt there's many customers doing the whole length of the route and it's more about the intermediate journeys. Washington to Nissan, South Shields to Nissan, CLS to Washington etc. Maybe have an hourly X50 which compliments the route? and make the 50 potentially longer to serve more areas ie. Barley Mow and Drum Ind. Estate etc.

Also the 34/34A is the only bus connecting the Ouston villages and it's a duplicate of the 25/28/28A in numerous places which will make them commercially unviable. You'd be better playing around with the 21 instead for Waldridge etc as I do believe they should have a direct bus to Newcastle as short local buses are never the most popular. Alternatively, possibly you could do some quick bus along Low Fell maybe express from The Angel, running all stops from there to Chester extended towards Waldridge Park etc. Replacing the 25 south of there and giving them and Birtley etc a quicker service to town. You could potentially then terminate 6 of the short 21's at the Angel instead saving some PVR on there.
Something like
21: Newcastle - Gateshead - Low Fell - Angel (Every 7 Mins) - Birtley - Chester Le Street - Durham (Every 30 Mins)
21X: Newcastle - Gateshead - EXPRESS - Cannon - EXPRESS - Harlow Green - EXPRESS - Coach and Horses - Birtley - Chester Le Street - Waldridge Park (Every 15 Mins) - Sacriston - Langley Park (Every 30 Mins)
Your 2 replaces the 25 with the 50 going via Barley Mow and also Drum Ind. Estate to replace the CLS link partially, it's ridiculous a large work area has no bus service at all. For the 2A I'd be tempted to send it down towards Team Valley via Sainsburys and The Gold Medal then give an all day service to Team Valley skipping Gateshead, Low Fell has more than enough buses and a new link to Team Valley from loads of places.

The X33/X34 should be numbered the 43/44 btw as it's pretty much what they are, why they were withdrawn is still a mystery to me as the routes have struggled ever since when they used to be quite popular.

Agree with the Q3 changes, but you'd need to extend something to cover the other half of the 41, 42 maybe?

(01 Jan 2021, 4:18 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]I can't comment on most the routes but I don't really see the point in the X39, there's not really that much demand for an express to Newcastle that they haven't already got especially between Blyth and Whitley. There's already the X7 doing the top half of Sluice and the X7/X9 in the South Beach area and you've really cut the services in Battle Hill to town (9 buses to 4 buses an hour) and GNE will lose the Coast Road battle as passengers will choose the 306 instead as it's cheaper and quicker.

For the X40, it's a bit a strange one as there's no demand North of Northumberland Park for another bus to Newcastle, the X7, X10/X11, X21/X22 already covers it much quicker depending on where you are. On the otherhand currently the 19 is the only bus route to North Shields from everywhere bar Cramlington which has the 53.

The 50 creates a link to Nissan from a lot of communities, I understand what your trying to do by making it quicker, but I highly doubt there's many customers doing the whole length of the route and it's more about the intermediate journeys. Washington to Nissan, South Shields to Nissan, CLS to Washington etc. Maybe have an hourly X50 which compliments the route? and make the 50 potentially longer to serve more areas ie. Barley Mow and Drum Ind. Estate etc.

Also the 34/34A is the only bus connecting the Ouston villages and it's a duplicate of the 25/28/28A in numerous places which will make them commercially unviable. You'd be better playing around with the 21 instead for Waldridge etc as I do believe they should have a direct bus to Newcastle as short local buses are never the most popular. Alternatively, possibly you could do some quick bus along Low Fell maybe express from The Angel, running all stops from there to Chester extended towards Waldridge Park etc. Replacing the 25 south of there and giving them and Birtley etc a quicker service to town. You could potentially then terminate 6 of the short 21's at the Angel instead saving some PVR on there.
Something like
21: Newcastle - Gateshead - Low Fell - Angel (Every 7 Mins) - Birtley - Chester Le Street - Durham (Every 30 Mins)
21X: Newcastle - Gateshead - EXPRESS - Cannon - EXPRESS - Harlow Green - EXPRESS - Coach and Horses - Birtley - Chester Le Street - Waldridge Park (Every 15 Mins) - Sacriston - Langley Park (Every 30 Mins)
Your 2 replaces the 25 with the 50 going via Barley Mow and also Drum Ind. Estate to replace the CLS link partially, it's ridiculous a large work area has no bus service at all. For the 2A I'd be tempted to send it down towards Team Valley via Sainsburys and The Gold Medal then give an all day service to Team Valley skipping Gateshead, Low Fell has more than enough buses and a new link to Team Valley from loads of places.

The X33/X34 should be numbered the 43/44 btw as it's pretty much what they are, why they were withdrawn is still a mystery to me as the routes have struggled ever since when they used to be quite popular.

Agree with the Q3 changes, but you'd need to extend something to cover the other half of the 41, 42 maybe?

There have been DCC funded services through Drum over the years, operating an extension of existing services during the peaks. 
It's never worked for some reason. Potentially due to the different companies on there and the various shift patterns they operate.

Car is king and the proximity of the C2C or the public footpaths from Ouston, means that most coming on foot or bike, have a pretty safe way of getting to/from work - sometimes quicker than public transport too. 
If there was more of a retail offering on Drum, I could see further potential in commercial services. 

I'd imagine there's quite a few people on Drum travelling from beyond the local area too, just because of the businesses on there. 
As an example, I know quite a few from the Blaydon area travel there by virtue of the DAF truck place and the Co-op warehouse. Traditionally employed on Tyneside, they've found alternative work or have been transferred following closure of sites closer to home.

56 runs all stops from wrekenton to Q.E Hospital, then fast to gateshead, passengers between q.e and gateshead should use 57 or 28.

61 extended to peterlee as 61A, could compete with ANE's 22 & 23). 

Maybe a service from Kimblesworth & Nettlesworth to CLS (See Attachment)

16B Stanley - East Stanley - Beamish - West Pelton - Grange Villa - Edmonsley - Sacriston - Framwellgate Moor - Durham

(01 Jan 2021, 6:14 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]56 runs all stops from wrekenton to Q.E Hospital, then fast to gateshead, passengers between q.e and gateshead should use 57 or 28.

61 extended to peterlee as 61A, could compete with ANE's 22 & 23). 

Maybe a service from Kimblesworth & Nettlesworth to CLS (See Attachment)

16B Stanley - East Stanley - Beamish - West Pelton - Grange Villa - Edmonsley - Sacriston - Framwellgate Moor - Durham

No need for the suggested 61A as already GNE X6/X7 between Sunderland and Peterlee


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(01 Jan 2021, 6:14 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote [ -> ]Maybe a service from Kimblesworth & Nettlesworth to CLS (See Attachment)

There used to be one for decades with the 725. Why not reroute one of the 25s an hour to go via Nettlesworth between Sacriston and Chester rather than Edmondsley and Waldridge?

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Here’s my 2 pence worth suggestions:

4/X1/ and new X2,

Half the X1 frequency.

New X2 between Newcastle and Hetton, between Newcastle and Concord (old x95 route), between Concord and Galleries via Washington Highway, then from Galleries to Hetton Interchange (old X94 route). X1 and X2 combined 10 minute service.

4 Heworth to Hall Lane estate

4 withdrawn between Shiney row and Houghton by the new X2, from Shiney Row to Newbottle via the old 194 route then down to Burnside estate into Houghton then continue upto Hall Lane estate via Seaham Road/B1260 then along Hall Lane back to Houghton to Heworth, service 4 via Hall Lane estate to replace service 20 in that section.

16/16A/20/60

Service 20/16/16A merged at Durham to provide new cross city links, service will run every 15 minutes.

Service 20 will be withdrawn from Hall Lane estate and go via the old 220 route, also withdrawn between Sunderland and South Shields with that section been replaced by extending service 60.

X20/13/14/204/208/265/X5/X15

Service X5/X15 extended from Durham to Sunderland replacing X20

How busy does service X5/X15 can be, can the service be done using streetlites?

Service numbers might need to be changed, Service 265 extended from Durham to Langley Park via X20 route then do the 13 route back to Durham then the 204 route then vice versa


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