North East Buses

(31 Dec 2019, 5:15 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]I think if it’s a success, which I think it will, then it probably will get extended. Time will tell.

If the 24 hour ticket is a success, I wonder if they'll roll it out for all GoZone tickets.
Most people probably don't need an All Zone ticket, and although it's still cheaper than buying 2 single zone day tickets, I think £8.50 is probably going to put a lot of people off from using it, especially if they aren't using the bus already to travel to work

With the introduction of the 24 hour ticket could GNE reintroduce a 24 hour service on select routes i.e. Angel 21.

(01 Jan 2020, 12:45 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]With the introduction of the 24 hour ticket could GNE reintroduce a 24 hour service on select routes i.e. Angel 21.

Maybe but not every day of the week as they might not be that well used

(01 Jan 2020, 2:03 pm)michaelb wrote [ -> ]Maybe but not every day of the week as they might not be that well used

Yes, they did initially try the N21 seven days a week when it was first introduced but the weeknight services got withdrawn due to low passenger numbers.

(01 Jan 2020, 4:19 pm)big mac wrote [ -> ]Yes, they did initially try the N21 seven days a week when it was first introduced but the weeknight services got withdrawn due to low passenger numbers.

The issue is that unless you live on the route of the 21, the N21 is pretty useless as there are no connections at either end, so no wonder there were low passenger numbers. 
The only reason I can see the N21 being busy is to reduce the taxi fare if you're travelling back from Newcastle on a night out

I think introducing a couple of other night buses on a Saturday would be better, I'm desperate for an N27.

I'd love to see a bigger push with night buses, but its ultimately going to be down to the passenger numbers being there. I cannot see that beyond Newcastle City Centre and the immediate surrounding area. Similar to what Stagecoach are doing. Maybe a short N21 would work as far as the Angel or something?

Mind, I also think they miss a trick not operating on the two biggest night outs of the year - Boxing Day and New Years Eve.

(01 Jan 2020, 8:24 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]I think introducing a couple of other night buses on a Saturday would be better, I'm desperate for an N27.

A network of them would be ideal, similar to what existed with the N21 and N20.
Streetdeckfan made a point that the N21 is only worthwhile if you live on the route and to be honest, I tend to agree to an extent. 
If you live between the N56 and N21 corridors, you're struggling. 
Stick something on which connects the two and I think the potential to grow the market, is greater than having standalone services. 
Not only would they be opening up new markets, but they would also be extending the existing offer to passengers otherwise excluded. Assuming pricing and connections were attractive. 

I would argue the night time economy of Newcastle, isn't the only source of passengers and not all services need to radiate out from there, as seen previously.

(01 Jan 2020, 8:36 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]I'd love to see a bigger push with night buses, but its ultimately going to be down to the passenger numbers being there. I cannot see that beyond Newcastle City Centre and the immediate surrounding area. Similar to what Stagecoach are doing. Maybe a short N21 would work as far as the Angel or something?

Mind, I also think they miss a trick not operating on the two biggest night outs of the year - Boxing Day and New Years Eve.

I can sort of understand them not operating on Boxing Day (although I 100% disagree with it), but cutting services early on New Years Eve and running no services at all on New Years Day makes absolutely no sense to me.

Is there a reason they don't just run to a Sunday timetable like they do on a regular bank holiday?

(01 Jan 2020, 8:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]A network of them would be ideal, similar to what existed with the N21 and N20.
Streetdeckfan made a point that the N21 is only worthwhile if you live on the route and to be honest, I tend to agree to an extent. 
If you live between the N56 and N21 corridors, you're struggling. 
Stick something on which connects the two and I think the potential to grow the market, is greater than having standalone services. 
Not only would they be opening up new markets, but they would also be extending the existing offer to passengers otherwise excluded. Assuming pricing and connections were attractive. 

I would argue the night time economy of Newcastle, isn't the only source of passengers and not all services need to radiate out from there, as seen previously.

I feel like they're missing out not having an X21 night service, if there's one thing I know about the people of Bishop, it's that they like going out.
One of the worst things about travelling up to Newcastle on a Friday/Saturday evening is having a bus full of already drunk 15 year olds for a 90 minute journey

(01 Jan 2020, 9:03 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I can sort of understand them not operating on Boxing Day (although I 100% disagree with it), but cutting services early on New Years Eve and running no services at all on New Years Day makes absolutely no sense to me.

Is there a reason they don't just run to a Sunday timetable like they do on a regular bank holiday?

I believe its a legacy agreement with most operators, possibly even stemming from something that existed pre-1986. But times change, and nobody can dispute Boxing Day and New Years Eve are the two biggest nights out of the year.

I've just worked this out. After the 26th January and once 6099 becomes available with 6084 taking its place, Percy Main will have 3x spare B9TL's (6099, 6100 plus a spare C&C branded vehicle). Is the extra B9TL in place to help compensate with the Coaster PVR increase or is this a measure to improve the quality of service as well as a bit of forward planning incase a future PVR increase is required?

(01 Jan 2020, 9:03 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I can sort of understand them not operating on Boxing Day (although I 100% disagree with it), but cutting services early on New Years Eve and running no services at all on New Years Day makes absolutely no sense to me.

Is there a reason they don't just run to a Sunday timetable like they do on a regular bank holiday?


I feel like they're missing out not having an X21 night service, if there's one thing I know about the people of Bishop, it's that they like going out.
One of the worst things about travelling up to Newcastle on a Friday/Saturday evening is having a bus full of already drunk 15 year olds for a 90 minute journey 

Not sure a nightbus version of the X21 will fix that mind.

(02 Jan 2020, 11:11 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Not sure a nightbus version of the X21 will fix that mind.

I'm not saying it would fix anything, only that if there's that many people travelling up, how do they get back down? At the minute, the last X21 to Bishop leaves Newcastle at 23:10

https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/12...1612973059

"Delighted to announce that we will shortly commence a trial of season tickets for part-time workers here @gonortheast, building upon our Better Fares initiatives (prices of which are frozen and we’ve introduce new evening and 24 hour tickets from today)?
Check back for news soon"

From the replies it looks as though it'll be a 3 day season ticket

Noted that NatEx Coach 7145 has entered service today, saw it in Middlesbrough this afternoon, sadly no photo as I was arriving on the X9 at the time.

Rapidsnap wroteNoted that NatEx Coach 7145 has entered service today, saw it in Middlesbrough this afternoon, sadly no photo as I was arriving on the X9 at the time.

If "BusTimes" is to be believed, and the reported registrations are correct, 7146 has also entered service, working the 332 to Swindon yesterday.

(03 Jan 2020, 7:13 am)Ianthegoon wrote [ -> ]If "BusTimes" is to be believed, and the reported registrations are correct, 7146 has also entered service, working the 332 to Swindon yesterday.

That’s correct - 7105, 7106, 7108, 7110 and 7111 are the displaced twin-axle coaches from the National Express coaching unit, which are departing Go North East this morning for rail replacement duties in Peterborough each weekend until March.


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Dan wroteThat’s correct - 7105, 7106, 7108, 7110 and 7111 are the displaced twin-axle coaches from the National Express coaching unit, which are departing Go North East this morning for rail replacement duties in Peterborough each weekend until March.


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"BusTimes" also now showing 7148 in service.

I guess if five older vehicles have gone down to Peterborough then 7147 and 7149 may well also have entered service, but they haven't shown up on the tracker yet - possibly later departures that won't show up until they actually leave on their first journey.

Argh 7111 is one I need. Was gonna pop to CLS to see if it was parked up but if it already left.

I do hope when the the NSAs for the X21 come back there's a greater emphasis that it's an express service. Yet another passenger has thought they could get off on Durham Road and had ended up in Chester le Street

Perhaps something along the lines of "This is the Xlines X21 service to Durham, this is a limited stop service between Newcastle and Chester le Street, stopping only at Gateshead Interchange and Low Fell - The Canon."
Then for the Bishop bound services it could continue
"This service will carry on to West Auckland, calling at Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and Tindale Crescent Retail Park"


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(03 Jan 2020, 2:40 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I do hope when the the NSAs for the X21 come back there's a greater emphasis that it's an express service. Yet another passenger has thought they could get off on Durham Road and had ended up in Chester le Street

Perhaps something along the lines of "This is the Xlines X21 service to Durham, this is a limited stop service between Newcastle and Chester le Street, stopping only at Gateshead Interchange and Low Fell - The Canon."
Then for the Bishop bound services it could continue
"This service will carry on to West Auckland, calling at Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and Tindale Crescent Retail Park"


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The X-Lines NSAs do that on the X6/X7, and similar on the X9|X10 so it’s possible that will happen.

(03 Jan 2020, 3:11 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]The X-Lines NSAs do that on the X6/X7, and similar on the X9|X10 so it’s possible that will happen.

I always thought it was strange they didn't have something like that on the X21 when it was Castles Express as that part of the route hasn't changed.

I heard something similar on the X9/X10 back when I could use it. Although iirc on there they say how long the journey takes, I'd imagine they wouldn't want to say it takes 2 hours to get to West Auckland

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Solo 641 is on X46's today. A shortage of full size buses at Consett perhaps?

When does the 3-4 day ticket for part-time workers trial start? I can't find the discussion on it on here, but read it recently. I assume this is for 3-4 consecutive days?

(03 Jan 2020, 5:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]When does the 3-4 day ticket for part-time workers trial start? I can't find the discussion on it on here, but read it recently. I assume this is for 3-4 consecutive days?

We don't know, it hasn't been formally announced yet, just something MG tweeted about it coming soon

(03 Jan 2020, 5:33 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]We don't know, it hasn't been formally announced yet, just something MG tweeted about it coming soon

Where is the post on here about it? I can't find it! Hopefully it will be another improvement by GNE. I have no idea why they haven't implemented the idea of buying numbers of trips like Reading Buses does, and did under MG before he became MD at GNE. I think it makes sense, rather than consecutive days, for many weeks, months or all year - just a number of trips for days passengers want to actually use the bus. I regularly travel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so the current ticket offer does not adequately cater to my needs. I currently buy day tickets, or returns with GNE, Stagecoach and Stanley Travel. In Reading, I would be able to purchase blocks of trips, say 10, to go out Monday, Wednesday, Friday three weeks consecutively and  maybe a Thursday or a Saturday one week. The new 3-day ticket or whatever might help on a week I am out and travelling with GNE on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but a number of trips system would still be much better, and it works very well in Reading. Perhaps if GNE offered a 3 or 4 day ticket and the days could be any 3 or 4 days in the week that would be a good idea. I fully support the 24-hour ticket which helps with travelling on 2 consecutive days, and offers better value for passengers who travel later in the day. I think introducing the 24 hour ticket, which covers 2 consecutive days means a 3 or 4 day ticket being valid for travel on a 3 or 4 days in 7 in sensible. Peter Hogg offers a 10 journey ticket, which is sensible, and this could work on GNE, for days rather than journeys.

GNE is the best ever bus operator, great service, very smart and tidy buses with excellent features, and great value for money. The 74 has become very unreliable of late, having previously been very reliable, so it would be great if GNE could sort that out. It has been unreliable for a good few months now, I think since around September. 

I see the X85 has changed time on just one trip from Newcastle from 26th January, meaning an X85 and then X84 are just 10 minutes apart, strange idea. 

Hopefully GNE will introduce more services in the West End of Newcastle in the future - but I am proud of GNE not saturating the market and making the roads busy with too many buses. On the West Road they only have the X84 and X85 (plus the workers service 941), whereas Stagecoach has 7 services: 1, 10/11, 39/40, 685 and X82, plus the 38A and 991. When I travel from Denton Burn, a Stagecoach bus always comes first because they put too many buses on the road. I respect GNE running less buses, even though it means a longer wait. GNE is better value for money for my travel needs, so is worth the wait. I don't remember GNE operating through Denton Burn prior to services X84/X85 being introduced.

(03 Jan 2020, 8:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Where is the post on here about it? I can't find it! Hopefully it will be another improvement by GNE. I have no idea why they haven't implemented the idea of buying numbers of trips like Reading Buses does, and did under MG before he became MD at GNE. I think it makes sense, rather than consecutive days, for many weeks, months or all year - just a number of trips for days passengers want to actually use the bus. I regularly travel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so the current ticket offer does not adequately cater to my needs. I currently buy day tickets, or returns with GNE, Stagecoach and Stanley Travel. In Reading, I would be able to purchase blocks of trips, say 10, to go out Monday, Wednesday, Friday three weeks consecutively and  maybe a Thursday or a Saturday one week. The new 3-day ticket or whatever might help on a week I am out and travelling with GNE on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but a number of trips system would still be much better, and it works very well in Reading. Perhaps if GNE offered a 3 or 4 day ticket and the days could be any 3 or 4 days in the week that would be a good idea. I fully support the 24-hour ticket which helps with travelling on 2 consecutive days, and offers better value for passengers who travel later in the day. I think introducing the 24 hour ticket, which covers 2 consecutive days means a 3 or 4 day ticket being valid for travel on a 3 or 4 days in 7 in sensible. Peter Hogg offers a 10 journey ticket, which is sensible, and this could work on GNE, for days rather than journeys.

GNE is the best ever bus operator, great service, very smart and tidy buses with excellent features, and great value for money. The 74 has become very unreliable of late, having previously been very reliable, so it would be great if GNE could sort that out. It has been unreliable for a good few months now, I think since around September. 

I see the X85 has changed time on just one trip from Newcastle from 26th January, meaning an X85 and then X84 are just 10 minutes apart, strange idea. 

Hopefully GNE will introduce more services in the West End of Newcastle in the future - but I am proud of GNE not saturating the market and making the roads busy with too many buses. On the West Road they only have the X84 and X85 (plus the workers service 941), whereas Stagecoach has 7 services: 1, 10/11, 39/40, 685 and X82, plus the 38A and 991. When I travel from Denton Burn, a Stagecoach bus always comes first because they put too many buses on the road. I respect GNE running less buses, even though it means a longer wait. GNE is better value for money for my travel needs, so is worth the wait. I don't remember GNE operating through Denton Burn prior to services X84/X85 being introduced.

GNE used to offer such a ticket for young people a few years back on either the key or on the old app as I used to buy it regularly when I wasn't travelling every day
Going through my old receipts it looks like it was £10.38 for 3 separate day tickets, at a time when a day ticket was £3.75

(04 Jan 2020, 1:15 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]GNE used to offer such a ticket for young people a few years back on either the key or on the old app as I used to buy it regularly when I wasn't travelling every day
Going through my old receipts it looks like it was £10.38 for 3 separate day tickets, at a time when a day ticket was £3.75

I wonder if they will offer such a ticket again in the future...

I would like to see GNE introduce a multiple day ticket discount, it would be an incentive for passengers to loyally travel with them every day they go out, rather than buying a day ticket on Arriva or Stagecoach. Admittedly as you sometimes need a particular operator to go to a particular destination it won't always work, but I think something between a day ticket and weekly pass is sorely needed. Bus operators appear to rip off the occasional commuter, only caring about regular bus users or charging infrequent users every day for a day ticket, which soon adds up.

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(04 Jan 2020, 2:07 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]I wonder if they will offer such a ticket again in the future...

I would like to see GNE introduce a multiple day ticket discount, it would be an incentive for passengers to loyally travel with them every day they go out, rather than buying a day ticket on Arriva or Stagecoach. Admittedly as you sometimes need a particular operator to go to a particular destination it won't always work, but I think something between a day ticket and weekly pass is sorely needed. Bus operators appear to rip off the occasional commuter, only caring about regular bus users or charging infrequent users every day for a day ticket, which soon adds up.

EDIT - infrequent bus users and quite frequent bus users, but not 5 or more days in 7. Bus fares are certainly not fair!

Pffft i wouldnt count on Stagecoach introducing any new services in the West End, its like gold dust when it comes to them introducing new services now

(04 Jan 2020, 2:07 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]I wonder if they will offer such a ticket again in the future...

I would like to see GNE introduce a multiple day ticket discount, it would be an incentive for passengers to loyally travel with them every day they go out, rather than buying a day ticket on Arriva or Stagecoach. Admittedly as you sometimes need a particular operator to go to a particular destination it won't always work, but I think something between a day ticket and weekly pass is sorely needed. Bus operators appear to rip off the occasional commuter, only caring about regular bus users or charging infrequent users every day for a day ticket, which soon adds up.

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EDIT - infrequent bus users and quite frequent bus users, but not 5 or more days in 7. Bus fares are certainly not fair!

I use GNE services pretty much every day as I don't drive. The issue that I have is that I happen to live in the middle of Arriva territory, and frequently travel to the middle of GNE territory, so for me it's lucky that GNE still run the X21! If GNE start to run the X21 to West Auckland on a Sunday, that will basically cut my reliance on Arriva to visiting family in Crook, but as it stands I have no choice but to travel Arriva.

At the minute, a travelling within a single zone 3 times a week costs £15.90, which is £63.60 a month. If you travel 4 days a week in a single zone, it's cheaper to buy a 28 day ticket for £75 a month.

What I can see happening is the One Zone 3 day ticket costing £12 and the All Zone 3 day ticket costing £16. That would represent a saving of around 25% over the price of the day tickets.
Although MG said the discount would be proportional, I can't see the price being any lower as that would make the cost of a 3 day ticket less than 2 day tickets