Partly inspired by seeing a photo on FB of the X10 using Durham Road through Shipcote and seeing the current X10 displaying 'Bus Full' as it left Wolviston heading north yesterday evening, it got me thinking about Express Services of yesteryear.

Tried filling in the gaps, using my knowledge and memories. 
But if anyone can help a man out, it would be appreciated. 

X1 (Newcastle to Middlesbrough). Now ANE X12.
X2 (Sunderland to Bishop?). Doesn't exist. 
X3 (?) 
X4 (Newcastle to Sunderland). Partly replaced by GNE 56.
X5 (Newcastle to Hartlepool). Partly replaced by GNE X1
X6 (Langley Park to Sunderland). Doesn't exist.
X7/8 (Consett to Sunderland/Washington services?). Partly replaced by 8/78.
X9 (?)
X10 (Newcastle to Middlesbrough (now operates via A19). Was joint op. Now fully GNE.

There were a load of Expresses from various parts of Durham to Newcastle and Metrocentre for a period in the late 80s early 90s and were operated by a number of companies.
Ditto the ones from South Shields, such as the X22. But I'm sure they were in the VFM days. 

I can also remember the following, but unsure if they ran in the 80s. Or came after. 
X85 
X88
X89
X90
X94
X95/96

I vaguely remember some X90 'somethings' running to Whickham/Lobley Hill for a period too. 

Any help in filling in the blanks would be appreciated!

Does anyone know when Reading Buses are planning on putting there ADL Enviro 400EV's into service for the Purple 17 & Claret 21's?

15-20 of the batch had been fully built when I visited in ADL in July.

Page 129 onwards of the latest NECA Cabinet agenda pack for tomorrow has an update on the Mayor's (NECA) fares. 

Confirmation that the period is extended to 31st March 2027 now, and that includes the £2.50 singles.

Northumberland ticket remains at £6, Durham ticket increases by £1 to £6, and the Tyne and Wear only ticket is proposed to be quietly scrapped. So you'll have even more of a postcode lottery of £7.50 in Tyne and Wear or £6 in each of the other two counties, as users will be forced to pay for a lot more coverage than they need.

There's also a proposal to agree that "tickets for young people aged 21 and under will only be available to those in possession of a “Pop Blue” smartcard, in a change to be introduced over the course of the next financial year.". So that's likely to cause some issues, as I think a lot of people have just got their ID on the Go North East app? I guess they have to try and justify this nonsensical crusade with Pop 2.0 in some way though...

Cost of subsidised fares is expected to be in the region of £32m for the year.

Bus routes costing more than £100 a passenger are to be scrapped - BBC News https://share.google/MKfbN12n5ONsvKaPS

There's quotes in there about extending once a day services to P&R sites amongst others.
The thing that gets me most, is that there's absolutely nothing in there about what passengers want nor anything about how much has been spent marketing, advertising or promoting the services. 

The mantra of 'we know what's best and the passengers will come' is failing the industry and failing passengers.

I see on busesnortheast facebook page, there is a picture of one of the new BYD double deckers parked up at Blyth

PB0003954/1221
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 301 (301A) Whitley Bay Metrocentre


PB0003954/285
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 53 (54) Newcastle Newcastle

GNE are running the X10/X11 and X22 on Boxing day:

PB0003954/1487
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X22 Newcastle Ashington

PB0003954/1486
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X10 (X11) Blyth Newcastle

Nexus have today launched a consultation on planned changes to secured services in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Further details available at www.nexus.org.uk/consultation

https://www.shieldsgazette.com/business/...de-5407439

A clean-energy agreement signed on the other side of the world is set to boost jobs and economic prospects on South Tyneside for years to come.Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, has signed two international agreements in Japan, bringing together the Port of Tyne’s growing role as a clean energy and low-carbon logistics hub with Hitachi’s global expertise in mobility and energy.

The agreements will boost the bus network, create new green jobs, and accelerate the North East’s green transition.

Signed today in Tokyo, the agreements underscore the growing partnerships between the parties and their commitment to innovation, decarbonization, and job creation.

The first agreement will see Hitachi support the transformation of public transport in the North East, including a plan to reduce emissions of every local bus in the region to zero within a decade.

Bus passengers across the North East will benefit from Hitachi’s global expertise in advanced technology and charging solutions for zero-emission fleets.

With the North East recognised as the UK’s first AI Growth Zone, this strategic partnership will also explore how AI can enhance digital monitoring of transport vehicles and infrastructure across the region.

A second green jobs agreement will see Hitachi work with the North East Combined Authority and Port of Tyne to develop the ‘Smart Port of the Future’ through a dedicated clean e-fuels hub.

Together, they will assess the viability of on-site production and use of e-fuels to help decarbonise maritime transport and boost the regional economy.

The partners will also collaborate on innovation, digital transformation, clean energy infrastructure and skills development.

The cornerstone of the agreement between the North East Combined Authority, Port of Tyne and Hitachi is a shared commitment to sustainable transport and clean energy.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Japan’s investment in North East England continues and I’m pleased to be meeting the senior leadership team of Hitachi Ltd. and signing two new agreements which will see Hitachi back our plans to transform buses in the North East and boost our clean energy sector.

“We know the Hitachi team well and continue to support the team at the factory in Newton Aycliffe.

“These new agreements will see us work even more closely in the future, so that our region can tap into global best practice and learn from other projects and systems to create a truly world-class transport system which puts the needs of passengers first.

“Hitachi’s leadership in sustainable mobility and green energy will be invaluable as we deliver on our vision for a cleaner, fairer transport system.

“We have big plans for our region’s public transport and I’m determined to transform our transport, bringing buses back into public control and upgrading buses across the region so passengers will be able to see a fully electric fleet within a decade.

Matt Beeton, CEO of the Port of Tyne welcomed the Memorandums of Understanding as the first step in creating a new clean e-fuels site, saying: “Today’s agreement strengthens Port of Tyne’s position as a leader in low-carbon logistics, combining Hitachi’s global expertise with our ambition for a world-class hub for passengers and freight.

“It is a decisive step towards creating the UK’s first zero-emissions port, powered by smart technology and green innovation, driving new investment and sustainable growth for the region.”

Andrew Barr, President of Hitachi Europe Ltd, said: “Across Europe and around the world, we’re using our strengths in sustainable mobility and clean energy to help cities and regions tackle their biggest challenges — from decarbonising transport to creating the green jobs of the future.

“Working closely with forward-thinking local governments like the North East Mayoral Combined Authority allows us to combine global expertise with local ambition.

“Public-private partnership and knowledge sharing is how we believe devolution will deliver tangible benefits in the region, while also taking a regional approach to Industrial Strategy."

“To make this a reality, we need to work closely with partners like Hitachi to ensure we learn what has worked well elsewhere in the world and how we might take advantage of the tech in the North East.

“We’re also looking at a new e-fuels hub at Port of Tyne, which will help to reduce carbon emissions massively.

“The North East is the home of the green energy revolution and I’m delighted to be working closely with Hitachi and Port of Tyne to drive further growth in the clean energy sector, which could create up to 200 new jobs in our region.”

Hi All, 

I am new here my name is Peter for some reason I put T instead of R in my username opps. I thought this may be the place to ask if anybody has any surviving photos of Arriva Northumbria V724 DNL when it was in it's shortish lived blue livery the Manor Walks Shopping Centre one? After spening years looking on the internet for a picture of it in said livery to no avail I seen some pictures here from bygone days and wondered if it may be worth asking other's to note would be the earlier NMS special liveries and 1701 in it's Tesco express livery though there is a few of that about you never know unless you ask other's of note would be 1702 in it's Go Wansbeck wrap and the Red and Blue Pennine livery that 372 carried?. Other's such as 855 in the blue livery and hugo the hippo and who could forget Seaside Sammy! 

Thanks for taking time to read this if anybody could help would be amazing! 

Regardsm Pete.