North East Buses

(06 Mar 2021, 5:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I highly doubt the X11 will be included in any of the current ticket options, it's just too long of a journey.

I wonder if it'll be run under the 'Northern Coaching' brand rather than the either GNE or X-Lines, possibly with the Omnidekkas that have the coach style seats.

Hope not, GNE should be advertising that it has all the perks on... such as /WIFIUSB ports etc to attract customers on to the service.


Still think it'll be a coach allocated, hopefully its successful so it warrants new bus(es) in the future.

(06 Mar 2021, 5:13 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]There will be aiming at the staycation market too, no doubt a cheap way for families to go on holiday to a seaside resort like Scarborough.

I think that is exactly what this is. Making the most out of the current situation with a no-go on overseas travel.

Whether the service will still have a leg to stand on when full restrictions are eventually lifted in a year or however long's time, we'll just have to wait that one out.

It's actually a good opportunity for GNE this. Takes advantage of where demand will be during current climate and gives GNE exposure to some real long distance stuff.

If 6377 proves itself with few hitches, no doubt the OM936 StreetDeck will be Go Ahead's heavy duty vehicle of choice.

(06 Mar 2021, 3:50 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]I am sure you can take credit for suggesting this a couple of years ago, although there's no confirmation that it'll serve Lambton Village Centre yet #missedopportunity 

Unfortunately I no longer live at Lamton, haven't done so for 2 years.

They should've considered going via Low Fell/A1 as it would've provided a quicker service to Washington Galleries rather than going via Heworth.

(06 Mar 2021, 5:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]I think that is exactly what this is. Making the most out of the current situation with a no-go on overseas travel.

Whether the service will still have a leg to stand on when full restrictions are eventually lifted in a year or however long's time, we'll just have to wait that one out.

If the pricing isn't too unreasonable (especially if it's included in the 5-25 ticket like the X9/X10 is), and as long as they don't use shitboxes on it, it might become my new place to go for a play.

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(06 Mar 2021, 6:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]If the pricing isn't too unreasonable (especially if it's included in the 5-25 ticket like the X9/X10 is), and as long as they don't use shitboxes on it, it might become my new place to go for a play.

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See you in the middle earth tavern 

(06 Mar 2021, 5:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I highly doubt the X11 will be included in any of the current ticket options, it's just too long of a journey.

I wonder if it'll be run under the 'Northern Coaching' brand rather than the either GNE or X-Lines, possibly with the Omnidekkas that have the coach style seats.

I agree - an adult return on this X11 will almost certainly cost more than the current GNE X9/X10 day ticket.

But it might be less than the East Yorkshire day ticket (which is £12.50) - so it could be included within that zone. I wouldn't be surprised if they did this, or at least allowed onwards travel with an X11 ticket, because then they could mention their local network in any route marketing. Being able to use the EY open top services in Scarborough, or continue onwards to Bridlington, might persuade visitors onto the X11 instead of changing onto the X93 at Middlesbrough.

Might it be included within the Explorer? I'm too young to really remember the X60/X61, which would be the nearest thing to this new route - were they included?

(06 Mar 2021, 7:42 pm)BoroLad wrote [ -> ]Might it be included within the Explorer? I'm too young to really remember the X60/X61, which would be the nearest thing to this new route - were they included?

Explorers were only valid on the X60 between Middlesbrough and Scarborough, and on the X61 between Stockton and Scarborough.

(06 Mar 2021, 7:42 pm)BoroLad wrote [ -> ]I agree - an adult return on this X11 will almost certainly cost more than the current GNE X9/X10 day ticket.

But it might be less than the East Yorkshire day ticket (which is £12.50) - so it could be included within that zone. I wouldn't be surprised if they did this, or at least allowed onwards travel with an X11 ticket, because then they could mention their local network in any route marketing. Being able to use the EY open top services in Scarborough, or continue onwards to Bridlington, might persuade visitors onto the X11 instead of changing onto the X93 at Middlesbrough.

Might it be included within the Explorer? I'm too young to really remember the X60/X61, which would be the nearest thing to this new route - were they included?

There's no reason it shouldn't be included in the explorer, Arriva's competing service is. I'd imagine GNE would want to poach their passengers. 

Having said that, Arriva's regionwide ticket is only £8.50 a day, so already cheaper than GNE's and it covers Carlisle, Berwick and Scarborough, so if you're in an Arriva area, they'll probably be the best value still

(06 Mar 2021, 8:23 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]There's no reason it shouldn't be included in the explorer, Arriva's competing service is. I'd imagine GNE would want to poach their passengers. 

Having said that, Arriva's regionwide ticket is only £8.50 a day, so already cheaper than GNE's and it covers Carlisle, Berwick and Scarborough, so if you're in an Arriva area, they'll probably be the best value still

I'd imagine explorers, but another individual ticket that gets you on the EYMS open toppers and local services too.

York to Whitby on the Yorkshire Coastliner is about £12 single / £15 return. I'd be surprised if this isn't similar priced, which still represents excellent value.

One for Daniel to answer. Woukdn't it be preferable for them to use 6377 as opposed to a coach because of the higher euro rating thus a better BSOG return, all them miles with rack up the pennys.

(06 Mar 2021, 9:46 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]One for Daniel to answer. Woukdn't it be preferable for them to use 6377 as opposed to a coach because of the higher euro rating thus a better BSOG return, all them miles with rack up the pennys.

The OM936 doesn't qualify for BSOG payments (correct me if wrong Dan). Only option if they wanted BSOG would be to use one of 6338-40 but I think Scarborough would be a tough mission for the integral ADL E400MMC.

(06 Mar 2021, 10:30 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]The OM936 doesn't qualify for BSOG payments (correct me if wrong Dan). Only option if they wanted BSOG would be to use one of 6338-40 but I think Scarborough would be a tough mission for the integral ADL E400MMC.

I believe it still qualifies for some BSOG payments, but not the enhanced payments that the 4 cylinders get

(06 Mar 2021, 1:38 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Just spotted this on VOSA...


Start point: Newcastle, John Dobson Street

Finish point: Scarborough, Rail Station

Via Gateshead, Washington, Middlesbrough, Whitby

---------

Starts 17th April 2021

Someone reads here, then

---

(06 Mar 2021, 4:44 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]You'd have to be dedicated to do the X93/X12 combination. The quickest way from Scarborough to Newcastle is Scarborough -> York -> Newcastle via train and still will be after this by a considerable margin aswell, doubt any commuters would go any other way.

Definitely aimed at leisure passengers.

Edit: Maybe not actually it's £100 for a return on the train or £55 splitting it at York, ouch.

I actually looked at tickets for getting from Durham to Scarborough for the bus festival and (OK, it was Sunday) the bus was no slower than the train and a fraction of the cost with an explorer.

(06 Mar 2021, 6:01 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Unfortunately I no longer live at Lamton, haven't done so for 2 years.

They should've considered going via Low Fell/A1 as it would've provided a quicker service to Washington Galleries rather than going via Heworth.

Not if it's not planning on stopping. Low fell gets horribly snarled up (and is all orange barriers, these days)

Interesting development. I’d wondered if they’d have taken on JH on its Blackpool route (considering Blackpool is a pain in the arse to get to via train)

You’d have to be a fairly dedicated bus fan to use a coach to Scarbados over TPEs delightful new train toys (which booked in advance are dirt cheap)

It is pleasing to see some intraregional express services though, infact any sort of express service.

(06 Mar 2021, 11:12 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]I actually looked at tickets for getting from Durham to Scarborough for the bus festival and (OK, it was Sunday) the bus was no slower than the train and a fraction of the cost with an explorer.

Ah really? Surprised at that, I looked at Newcastle to Scarborough and was getting just over 2 hours via train like and like nearly 5 hours by bus. Even for Whitby it was doing X93 to Scarborough then train and that was neck and neck. Fares were a joke paying full price tho mind on the train.

Just checked Durham and getting the same now but things might've changed since then, possibly some engineering or something that weekend somewhere.

Bus: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.77049...e0!3e3!5i3 - 4 Hours, 30 Mins
Train: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.77049...e0!5e2!3e3 - 2 Hours, 30 Mins

(06 Mar 2021, 1:50 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]Looks suspiciously like the X93 south of Middlesbrough

Agreed - with the omission of Guisborough and Robin Hood's Bay.

The route in Scarborough looks pretty similar to the X94 - so serving the water park, North Bay, and Peasholm Park instead of the X93 route (Newby, Hospital, Falsgrave Road). Probably sensible, the former are more of the tourist destinations while the latter aren't.

Not sure why it’s suspicious. There are only so many ways of going between Middlesbrough and Scarborough via Whitby and the A171 will be the fastest.

In any event, I’m not sure that this service has been designed with any form competition in mind. It’s unlikely to be frequent enough to put a dent in Arriva’s service.

Just noticed that Dan has some pictures of the Voyager Omnidekka up on his Flickr, and the cove vinyls have Scarborough on them.

I guess that basically confirms that they'll end up on the X11?

Go North East: 6172 / YN57FYP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Could this be why 7157 has appeared, which is an ex-East Yorkshire. The Voyager Omnidekker could just be for advertising the route if you see Dan’s pics on Twitters. The internal advertising looks promotional.

(07 Mar 2021, 8:05 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Just noticed that Dan has some pictures of the Voyager Omnidekka up on his Flickr, and the cove vinyls have Scarborough on them.

I guess that basically confirms that they'll end up on the X11?

Go North East: 6172 / YN57FYP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Hope not....

(07 Mar 2021, 8:37 am)DaveyB wrote [ -> ]Could this be why 7157 has appeared, which is an ex-East Yorkshire. The Voyager Omnidekker could just be for advertising the route if you see Dan’s pics on Twitters. The internal advertising looks promotional.

I agree. I doubt they'd use an OmniDekka although Arriva did used to use 13-16 year old Palatines on the X60 back in 2010 & 2011. 

If anything, it will be a coach or 6377.

(06 Mar 2021, 3:55 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Very impressed to see whitby service come to washington and newcastle. Wonder if X9/X10 plus tickets will now incorporate X11

Id hope so. For those travelling between Tyneside and Teesside (or vice versa) , this offers an alternative should the X9/10 be delayed or stuck in traffic. 
I'd want to be able to get on the first bus that arrives and not be turned away by the driver due to having an invalid GNE ticket. 

From a commercial stand-point, having bums on seats for a Middlesbrough - Newcastle run is surely of interest. It only supplements any income from those doing Scarborough - Newcastle.

This route has the potential to complement the X9/10 and also assist in competing against the train in some aspects, regardless of how many times it runs per day.
To alienate passengers further, surely goes against the grain.

(07 Mar 2021, 10:54 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Id hope so. For those travelling between Tyneside and Teesside (or vice versa) , this offers an alternative should the X9/10 be delayed or stuck in traffic. 
I'd want to be able to get on the first bus that arrives and not be turned away by the driver due to having an invalid GNE ticket. 

From a commercial stand-point, having bums on seats for a Middlesbrough - Newcastle run is surely of interest. It only supplements any income from those doing Scarborough - Newcastle.

This route has the potential to complement the X9/10 and also assist in competing against the train in some aspects, regardless of how many times it runs per day.
To alienate passengers further, surely goes against the grain.

I can definately see the service being quite popular. I'll deffo be using it quite a bit over summer

Maybe there making it a service like the X9/X10. I doubt they would make it only a service for summer. It only does a certain amount of stops. Maybe they would idk but it could be a full service

Martijn has confirmed in his live colleague update on Facebook this afternoon that it is a one-bus one-driver shift, commencing next month weekends only and eventually being daily over the summer holidays.

(07 Mar 2021, 8:05 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Just noticed that Dan has some pictures of the Voyager Omnidekka up on his Flickr, and the cove vinyls have Scarborough on them.

I guess that basically confirms that they'll end up on the X11?

Go North East: 6172 / YN57FYP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

His Twitter pics also show a Lindisfarne vinyl, it seems far more likely to just be promoting the region in general.

(06 Mar 2021, 3:07 pm)tvd wrote [ -> ]From the Go North East page, they've registered a new service X11 running from Newcastle to Scarborough.

I think it makes sense for them to try something like this, even if it's an infrequent service.  I'm a big believer that post-lockdown, bus companies need to be thinking of anything they can do to encourage customers back onto the buses, or for new people to try bus travel.  All ideas should be considered, and in this case I think people will want their days out at the coast in the summer months so why not try something that goes down to their other operating area in Scarborough.

In fact I suggested the other day that Arriva could try extending the odd X93 to run down to the holiday camps beyond Scarborough, or make it a new service.

It'll be interesting to see the details of the X11, and if Arriva react to it.

By the looks of it, this X11 is nothing more than a day out for the driver.
A shame, as I do believe it could have not only complemented the X9/10, but also encouraged ANE to do something about the X93.

I genuinely hoped there would be a joint depot operation, with early morning, mid-day and evening runs extending the full way and the rest operating as the X9/10 does now.
Not only would it have been creative and different for day-trippers and holidaymakers, it may have attracted passengers travelling between key points.
I feel it is very half-hearted and almost like SNE's attempt a few years ago between Stockton/Greatham and Newcastle.