Havent long seen this on the Sunderland Antiquarian Society fb page.

https://www.facebook.com/350583321620817...987727913/

It looks like a hand-drawn map of the Corporation (what is now SNE) network in Sunderland in 1959.
Appreciate some of the estates aren't built, but it's quite amazing how much of the network now is pretty much the same as it was then. 
Here's me thinking the network we have now that I similar to 1987 was bad... I'm going to have to refer back to 1959 now!

(09 Mar 2021, 8:10 pm)Andreos1 wrote Havent long seen this on the Sunderland Antiquarian Society fb page.

https://www.facebook.com/350583321620817...987727913/

It looks like a hand-drawn map of the Corporation (what is now SNE) network in Sunderland in 1959.
Appreciate some of the estates aren't built, but it's quite amazing how much of the network now is pretty much the same as it was then. 
Here's me thinking the network we have now that I similar to 1987 was bad... I'm going to have to refer back to 1959 now!

The 'history and survey' booklet which the map comes from is a cracking read for anyone interested in how the Sunderland public transport offering developed and grew over it's first six decades - well worth it if you can get your hands on a copy.  Sadly the detail on the map itself is no easier to read in the printed format in the booklet...clearly the folk of Sunderland had outstanding eyesight back in the 50s!

(11 Mar 2021, 1:08 am)stagecoachbusdepot wrote The 'history and survey' booklet which the map comes from is a cracking read for anyone interested in how the Sunderland public transport offering developed and grew over it's first six decades - well worth it if you can get your hands on a copy.  Sadly the detail on the map itself is no easier to read in the printed format in the booklet...clearly the folk of Sunderland had outstanding eyesight back in the 50s!

I didn't even know such a book existed until the other day.
It does sound an interesting read mind.

(11 Mar 2021, 6:30 pm)Andreos1 wrote I didn't even know such a book existed until the other day.
It does sound an interesting read mind.

Can't remember where I got my copy but local studies in the town will probably have it in the archives (after lockdown, obviously)

Does anyone know when the Busways Sunderland  M39/M40/M41 (Metrocentre services) were withdrawn and why?

Timetables attached for those wondering what the routes were.

(06 Apr 2021, 6:46 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know when the Busways Sunderland  M39/M40/M41 (Metrocentre services) were withdrawn and why?

Timetables attached for those wondering what the routes were.

They ran ones in South Shields at the same time as well, M42/M44 I think maybe?

(06 Apr 2021, 6:53 pm)deanmachine wrote They ran ones in South Shields at the same time as well, M42/M44 I think maybe?

Think so, honestly not sure, I only ever remember the Sunderland ones.

(06 Apr 2021, 6:53 pm)deanmachine wrote They ran ones in South Shields at the same time as well, M42/M44 I think maybe?

South Shields had the M42/M43


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(06 Apr 2021, 6:46 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know when the Busways Sunderland  M39/M40/M41 (Metrocentre services) were withdrawn and why?

Timetables attached for those wondering what the routes were.

I can't recall when, likely 20 years or so ago!

The why - not enough passengers.

Underused I suspect. The thought of going to the Metrcentre was and still is, like a bad dream. Not only that, the road system around that way is awful. The occasions I had to go to the MC, I got the train.

Shame, I think used them a few times.
Eh that long ago!, time flies.

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(07 Apr 2021, 9:43 pm)Economic505 wrote Underused I suspect. The thought of going to the Metrcentre was and still is, like a bad dream. Not only that, the road system around that way is awful.  The occasions I had to go to the MC, I got the train.

I only ever go if i get a lift tbh, no doubt the Metrocentre is going to be packed from the 12th April... everyone getting those bargains.

(07 Apr 2021, 10:00 pm)Michael wrote Shame, I think used them a few times.
Eh that long ago!, time flies.

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I only ever go if i get a lift tbh, no doubt the Metrocentre is going to be packed from the 12th April... everyone getting those bargains. 

Don't think it was a question of being underused. I know the Shields M43 got renumbered to M42 after not long to provide hourly journeys from Shields instead of 2 hourly. More often than not they were full on each duty.
If I remember correctly it was to do with a management change who wanted each division to remain with just local except for Economic and Shields which had introduced the X34.   I believe the Favourite service 33 operated a few more years after the withdrawal of the Busways M services.

Let’s just say when stagecoach took over everything went, same as stagecoach purchased Hartlepool transport and there metrocentre service went aswell eventually, all for profit these days rather than passengers needs.


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Surely the Metro was the killer for having services going direct to the the Metro Centre additionally with direct trains aswell. It's much quicker to get the Metro to Gateshead and then change onto the X66 for those wanting to go through especially when the Metro is every 12 minutes and the X66 every 7 minutes. It's better than fannying around trying to time a 2 hourly service.

(08 Apr 2021, 7:04 pm)Storx wrote Surely the Metro was the killer for having services going direct to the the Metro Centre additionally with direct trains aswell. It's much quicker to get the Metro to Gateshead and then change onto the X66 for those wanting to go through especially when the Metro is every 12 minutes and the X66 every 7 minutes. It's better than fannying around trying to time a 2 hourly service.

Metrocentre has lost is mojo, it was a place to go in the 80’s and early 90’s , but since retail parks have opened up on almost every doorstep, and with the council accepting and approving out of town retail parks which have turned town centres into ghost towns


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(08 Apr 2021, 7:10 pm)cbma06 wrote Metrocentre has lost is mojo, it was a place to go in the 80’s and early 90’s , but since retail parks have opened up on almost every doorstep, and with the council accepting and approving out of town retail parks which have turned town centres into ghost towns


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Yeah your right there mind the Metro Centre itself has to take blame for that aswell, it's just a depressing place nowadays used to be alright when it had the fountains and plants plus Metroland. Was more a day out now it's just the same as every other shopping centre really.

Have you had a look in the Bygone era to see if in there?, hope this helps