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Go North East: Service Suggestions | North East Buses

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Go North East: Service Suggestions

Go North East: Service Suggestions

RE: Service Suggestions
I would like to see more use made of the Cross Tyne links such as the Pedestrian and Vehicle Tunnel. A decent bus terminal at either end of the pedestrian tunnel with services to Cobalt and North Shields on the north side and Sunderland and Washington on the south side.
RE: Service Suggestions
On the North Side you already have the 9 which goes North Shields to Sunderland via The Tyne Tunnel.

GNE could introduce a new 9A service which would do the 9 service from North Shields to Jarrow then have it go to Heworth and then Express no stops between there and Washington Galleries.

Basically the 922 Between Washington and Heworth.

Overall a very good idea in my Opinion. Would be worth GNE testing it out for a couple of month, obviously have it advertised on Facebook/Twitter, on the Buses and on Simplygo.com, also have leaflets provided on the bus also.

It would be worth passing this onto GNE to see what they think of the Idea.
NEB Admin Team
Unregistered
RE: Service Suggestions
The ITA are supposed to be refurbishing the pedestrian and cycle tunnels sometime in the near future. It would be brilliant if this included some kind of dedicated bus stop/turning circle at the north end for service 17, and at the south end for service 27. The 17/27 cover extensive areas of North and South Tyneside, and bringing these directly to dedicated bus stops at the north and south ends of the pedestrian/cycle tunnels would be absolutely brilliant in my eyes. I agree Adam - the 9 is a brilliant route already; but I'd love to see more services using the tunnel Smile

Two massive superstores are opening in North Sunderland in the coming months - Tesco at Wheatsheaf and Sainsbury's just outside of Castletown. These stores are going to be in direct competition with the existing Morrisons at Seaburn and will actually be far easier and quicker to reach by public transport.

I think the 99's days are numbered to be honest. I'd be quite happy to see the return of the 36A/36C instead - every 30 minutes Park Lane, Hospital, Castletown, Witherwack, Carley Hill, Southwick, Wheatsheaf, Park Lane. Then cut the existing 36 route to every 30 minutes. On 36 and 36A/36C combined, there would be a bus every 15 minutes between Sunderland, Southwick, Hylton Red House, Downhill, and Town End Farm. This is down from every 12 minutes at present, but I think a 15 minute frequency would better match demand. A lot of people were upset when Go North East withdrew their direct service from Witherwack and Carley Hill to Sunderland, but this would return that link as well as retaining existing 36 route on Ramsgate Road which has no other bus service. Perhaps the 36 could even run to Boldon ASDA instead of Town End Farm, providing faster connections with X3 to Gateshead and Newcastle.

Regarding the Seaburn section of route that would be lost, I think it's about time that the 700 was extended up the coast from St Peters to Seaburn. It already goes as far as Roker during the summer, but I think a year-round service up Dame Dorothy Street (which again has no other bus service) and up to Morrisons at Seaburn would be very well received. St Peters Campus could be served in both directions - there is a way around the one-way road at St Peter's Way that Redby once took advantage of.
RE: Service Suggestions
9B or 9X something like that would do, Honestly I don't it's a bad Idea that BusStop has come up with, Think I might make a list of potential new services. and then post them on here and then pass them onto GNE
RE: Service Suggestions
I didn't know about the 9. I just think that there would be benefits creating hubs north and south of Tyne that contribute to the network. 30 minutes is a nice frequency but when compared to the Metro, it is just not frequent enough for those who need to connect into other services, which is the reason I am interested in using the pedestrian tunnel as the connection point because you can create interesting hubs.

It will be interesting to see what the bus operators do to take the new Swan Hunters developments into account.

One option might be to extend the short terminating Tyne Estate 19 services across the Tyne to Jarrow.
RE: Service Suggestions
As promised I have came up with few new service, also included are a few already mentioned. So here is what I've came up with.

GNE New Service Ideas

Sunderland Connect 700

Extended to Seaburn Morrisons from St Peter Campus

M1B

Houghton – Fatfield – Harraton – Ayton - Lambton = Washington – Concord – Heworth
Every 20 minutes with the M1 doing its Normal Route every 20 minutes.

9A

The service would do the 9 service from North Shields to Jarrow then have it go to Heworth and then Express no stops between there and Washington Galleries, Basically the 922 Between Washington and Heworth.

Fab Fifty Six

Have go via Peel Retail Park and then do a loop of Barmston every 20 minutes to provide an improved service and provide Barmston with a Direct link to Sunderland (Old 185) and Newcastle (X85) and then have it do it's Normal Service.

Or

New X56 Service (Every 30 Minutes) 56 (Every 15 Minutes doing it Normal Service)

X56 Sunderland - Queen Alexandra Bridge - Sunderland Enterprise Park – Castletown – Waterview Park – Peel Retail Park – Concord then Non Stopping service to Gateshead going down Heworth Bypass straight to Gateshead (Same Route as Stagecoach X34) Gateshead – Newcastle.

Basically this Service would bring back the Old X4/X85 Service Between Newcastle and Sunderland and also Replace the 73 Between Sunderland and Concord.

924

Rainton Bridge Npower – Chester le Street via The Angel of the North to the MetroCentre

This would provide a New Link to Rainton Bridge and a Link for those travelling to NPOWER if they live Blaydon/Hexham way. And also those who work in the MetroCentre and live in Chester le Street


Ashington

Now Arriva operate X20/X22 From Newcastle Haymarket to Ashington, Note GNE used to Operate services to Ashington before the Depot/Bus Swap with Arriva a few years back. These service operate every 30 minutes with a combined every 15 frequency, which isn't bad tbh.

Now I think GNE should operate an Express Service between Newcastle and Ashington and perhaps Operate a few other services that would Start in Ashington and operate to the MetroCentre/North Shields to provide Competition with Arriva and also create new links.

I think this would be worth looking into also.

Another Service Idea I've just had would be reinstating the old 638 but a new service number Between Washington and Winlaton and perhaps extend it to Hexham to provide a New/Old Link.

I would also reinstate the link between Sunderland and Bishop Auckland on an Hourly basis, Also I think maybe setting up more services in the Bishop Auckland Area to Other areas in County Durham which don't have a good service would be a good idea.
RE: Service Suggestions
Just been looking at a few Services on simplygo.com they Include

Quaylink Q1/Q2

Currently this Service uses 9 Optare Versa's and operates every 10 Minutes during the day and every 20 minutes after 17.00pm, and provides a every 5 minutes frequency between the Quayside and Monument/Market Street. Now when I'm in Newcastle or Gateshead I quite often use these services as I like to have a walk along the Quayside and have have look in the Baltic etc, Now I've noticed when using these services that not many people really got on it.

So I would suggest that the frequency is pushed back to Every 20 Minutes to ensure got on the service. this would also bring the PVR for service down aswell to then provide more spare buses for other services.

The Loop 93/94

This another service I use when going down to Saltmeadows to take a few photos, that I think could do with a change in frequency and instead of operating every 15 minutes in each direction. Now I've noticed this service is Always late and can be quite busy at times.

So I have 2 Suggestions for the Service:
A.) An Increase in Frequency to Every 10 Minutes from 15
or
B.) GNE buy some new deckers for the service to ease capacity issues

Orbit 51/52

Again like the 93/94 this operates every 15 minutes in each direction, now I havent used this service but I know that the 24 which operates every 20 minutes does the same route Wrekenton as the 52 does.

So here is the suggestion I have. Incorporate the 24 into the Orbit brand maintaining the services every 15 minute frequency. and do away with the 24 during the day.

But have the 24 operate on Mornings and Evenings like it Currently does going from Wrekenton to Newcastle, this would result in more buses being available during the day to cover brake downs etc.
RE: Service Suggestions
(26 Feb 2013, 6:10 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Just been looking at a few Services on simplygo.com they Include

Orbit 51/52

Again like the 93/94 this operates every 15 minutes in each direction, now I havent used this service but I know that the 24 which operates every 20 minutes does the same route Wrekenton as the 52 does.

So here is the suggestion I have. Incorporate the 24 into the Orbit brand maintaining the services every 15 minute frequency. and do away with the 24 during the day.

But have the 24 operate on Mornings and Evenings like it Currently does going from Wrekenton to Newcastle, this would result in more buses being available during the day to cover brake downs etc.

The 24 does a completely different route from Gateshead to Wrekenton than the 52. The 24 goes along Low Fell and then through the Allerdene and Harlow Green estates, where there can be queues of around 15 people at some stops throughout the day. The only other service to serve the Allerdene area is the 29 but that runs every hour through daytime only. The 52 meanwhile serves many places whilst heading to Wrekenton, including Dryden Road, Kells Lane and Easedale Gardens.

Another point to raise is that if the 24 was incorporated into the Orbit brand, the name "Orbit" would seem a rubbish name considering it will lose its connotations of being a circular service.
RE: Service Suggestions
Yeah but you have the 21 every few minutes along low fell so therefore the 24 would be useless until it turns off half way along, plus after that it follows the 52 to Wrekenton.

Basically stop the 24 running and have the 52 run it's place, and the 52 would still operate it's normal service Orbit of Gateshead.
RE: Service Suggestions
(26 Feb 2013, 6:37 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Yeah but you have the 21 every few minutes along low fell so therefore the 24 would be useless until it turns off half way along, plus after that it follows the 52 to Wrekenton.

Basically stop the 24 running and have the 52 run it's place, and the 52 would still operate it's normal service Orbit of Gateshead.

I can sort of see where you're coming from with the 21 running every few mins, but there are many elderly people that use the 24, so having to traipse up to the A167 for the 21 wouldn't go down too well.
Also, the only time when the 24 and 52 run the same route is from Gateshead Interchange up to the traffic lights outside the opticians, and then from the junction of Waverley Road and Easedale Gardens up to Wrekenton, which is just walking distance.
RE: Service Suggestions
AFAIK, you can't change the Q1/Q2 unless Nexus approve since they pay for it.

Some of my (bad) ideas generally focused on the unreliability I find on services.

Re - 24.

I'd bring in the 24A as a weekday hourly service but from Kibblesworth use Smithy Lane straight to up to Wrekenton and continue as 24 from there maintaing links to Allerdene and if anyone wants a quicker Newcastle service, get off at Allerdene Bridge and switch to the 21 OR X2. Nexus service 29 retains links to the bottom of Allerdene and Team Valley Sainsburys.

As a result of the above change the 28A would no longer travel to Kibblesworth and revert to its old route hopefully increasing reliability (avoiding Coalhouse Roundabout!)

ALTERNATIVE

Service 28A runs direct from Ouston to Kibblesworth omitting Birtley. Birtley - Ouston Local service we'll call it the 30 (can't remember the number of what it used to be) using an MPD maintains link (similar to what 28B does now)

The walk in centre is no longer located at Bensham Hospital and links to Saltwell Road can be maintained through a change onto the 69 at Low Fell or a short walk through Saltwell Park to reach Saltwell Crem from the 21.

- - - - - - - -

X22, extend the service into Low Fell and then go non-stop from Low Fell Cannon (possibly down Belle Vue Bank then onto Team Valley to Metrocentre) as the loading is really weak at times.

ALTERNATIVE possibility.

X22 maintains current route but after Birtley serves Team Valley Retail Park to create echoes of part of the old 809 route.

---------------

Peak time short working 21 to Allerdene. The 21 is a nightmare at peak time and most users will notice bus empties heavily after leaving Low Fell Lyndhurst. So peak time evening journey runs to Allerdene School, under the bridge and back over to Newcastle. Possible Gateshead operation? Relieve pressure on Durham/Chester service

-- --- --- --- ---
A bus from Birtley to Washington that doesn't take forever. M(Collection) take about 25 minutes on average and NexusBus 23 takes equally long on its magical mystery tour.
RE: Service Suggestions
M2/M3 run every 15 minutes from Birtley to Washington and it only takes 20 Minutes which isn't long tbh. I doubt GNE would introduce anything faster between the 2 areas.

As for the 24 thats not a bad idea, better than mine I think, I'd still reduce the frequency of the service though to every 20 minutes
RE: Service Suggestions
(26 Feb 2013, 10:34 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote M2/M3 run every 15 minutes from Birtley to Washington and it only takes 20 Minutes which isn't long tbh. I doubt GNE would introduce anything faster between the 2 areas.

As for the 24 thats not a bad idea, better than mine I think, I'd still reduce the frequency of the service though to every 20 minutes

I think I get into the perspective of when I use the car it takes about 5 minutes!
RE: Service Suggestions
I cannot understand why the Quaylink buses cannot do one loop of the city centre.

If they enter town up Grey Street, follow the Q2 route round to Haymarket and then turn towards the station when they reach Grainger Street.
RE: Service Suggestions
Just racking my brains and trying to come up with services filling employment, education, medical and social needs that don't exist or need improving.

Dalton Park: For a major retail and employment provider, so close to the A19, it's amazing how poorly served it is or hard to get there from anywhere other than Peterlee, Sunderland or Seaham. I don't understand the insistence in running multiple services to Dalton Park, from the same places.

Doxford Park: When the fairly recent development of Rainton Bridge, Quroum business parks and also Team Valley can attract investment and partnership working with Arriva, Nexus and GNE, it baffles me as to why (apart from the odd exception) it is so difficult to get a direct route to the place from beyond Sunderland or Houghton.

As mentioned earlier, I believe the M1 and X1 should operate a circular route between Houghton and Shiney Row. X1 runs as is to Easington Lane from Newcastle and returns to Newcastle via the current M1 route to Shiney Row. The M1 would run on its old route from Houghton towards Shiney Row.

Some sort of spacing of services running between Chester and Washington. It is frustrating seeing a Lime 8 and Whey Aye 50 following each other in and out of the two town centres.
RE: Service Suggestions
(01 Mar 2013, 4:57 pm)Rob wrote Admittedly the 28/28A needs work. It doesn't operate as successfully as would be anticipated. The aim at the minute is very much to remove those vehicles from the fleet. I would anticipate changes to the service to follow in time.

They anticipated making the Magical Mystery Tour longer might be a success? Big Grin

As a passenger, aside my suggestions above, I can see them scrapping the 28A and just doubling up on the 28. There is no need for the 28A whereas at least the 28 serves a supermarket at Wrekenton, the mini interchange at Wrekenton for onward travel to Sunderland and Washington (X1, 56 etc) and Gateshead (Orbit, 24) and importantly the QE Hospital.

Kibblesworth is served by Nexus and doesn't justify anything more during the day and Ouston and Birtley do not need links Saltwell Road and Bensham. There's more than enough buses to interchange on to either at Gateshead or Low Fell (93/94/29/69) and there are scholars buses to Joseph Swan School from Birtley

If they implemented my suggested 24A change then it'd help the above

re -any new buses. The 28 routes are a punisher for any bus, massive climbs,country roads, just not the best roads in general. Can't think of a bus that has handled it.
tom.robinson206
Unregistered
RE: Service Suggestions
(01 Mar 2013, 7:34 pm)gtomlinson wrote As a passenger, aside my suggestions above, I can see them scrapping the 28A and just doubling up on the 28. There is no need for the 28A whereas at least the 28 serves a supermarket at Wrekenton, the mini interchange at Wrekenton for onward travel to Sunderland and Washington (X1, 56 etc) and Gateshead (Orbit, 24) and importantly the QE Hospital.

Team Valley Sainsbury's?
RE: Service Suggestions
(01 Mar 2013, 8:11 pm)tom.robinson206 wrote Team Valley Sainsbury's?

Served by the 93/94 from other areas and from Kibblesworth Nexus bus 29 (a GNE op so you can use Buzzfare etc on it)

28A only started serving Team Valley during the last change

Kibblesworth doesn't need a direct Newcastle bus. the 29 runs from 06.39 in the morning to 17.45 to Gateshead then the 24A kicks on in an evening.
tom.robinson206
Unregistered
RE: Service Suggestions
(01 Mar 2013, 8:28 pm)gtomlinson wrote
(01 Mar 2013, 8:11 pm)tom.robinson206 wrote Team Valley Sainsbury's?

Served by the 93/94 from other areas and from Kibblesworth Nexus bus 29 (a GNE op so you can use Buzzfare etc on it)

28A only started serving Team Valley during the last change

Kibblesworth doesn't need a direct Newcastle bus. the 29 runs from 06.39 in the morning to 17.45 to Gateshead then the 24A kicks on in an evening.

Yeah, suppose. I don't see the point in the 24A at all, it's usually a decker in the evenings, which is pointless. I don't see why they can't just run the 29 later and on a Sunday?
RE: Service Suggestions
(01 Mar 2013, 8:34 pm)tom.robinson206 wrote Yeah, suppose. I don't see the point in the 24A at all, it's usually a decker in the evenings, which is pointless. I don't see why they can't just run the 29 later and on a Sunday?

I am only guessing but it's probably not commercially viable, hence why Nexus are securing it in the first place, I imagine if GNE pulled the 24 Nexus might act but it would be horrible PR though at least GNE wouldn't be leaving it unserved.

24A, not sure if thats secured too. If its commercial it must only be to keep up frequency of an evening and a weekend along the Durham Rd Corridor/Low Fell when the Angel is reduced in frequency
RE: Service Suggestions
I've had an Idea regarding the M1/X1

Every 20 Minutes both Services go in the Direction of the current X1 into Houghton.And then Every 20 Minutes both services go in the direction of the current M1 service through Burnmoor into Houghton. Basically the they'd do a Loop in both directions. Obviously one direction would need renumbering so passengers don't get confused, so would have to M1A/X1A and then renumbered the current X1A that goes to Picktree the 1A/1X/X1B or something like that.

Another Idea is regarding the Laser 35/35A/35B/35C

35 South Shields - Sunderland - Every 20 Minutes

35A - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Silksworth - Doxford Park - Houghton-le-Spring - Hetton le Hole - Easington Lane - Every 20 Minutes

35B Sunderland - Silksworth - East Herrington - Herrington Burn - Newbottle - Houghton-le-Spring - Hetton le Hole - Low Moorsley - South Hetton - Every 30 Minutes

20A Sunderland - Doxford Park - Houghton - Rainton Bridge - Durham - Every 20 Minutes

35C gets withdrawn

And that change regarding Stagecoach 8/20 I'd do that but have the service operate using some Enviro 400's because the 20 is always packed going to/from Town to my Grandparents house. and perhaps decrease the frequency as you also have the 10 every 15 Minutes. along that way also.
RE: Service Suggestions
Just reading complaints about the 21 on the Quality Contracts page and I've left this comment on it, so I'm post it on here to.

The problem with the 21 is A.) The 7/8 Minutes Frequency and B.) The 21 which terminates at Chester le Street if that is running late then obviously there is going to be 2/3 coming together and also the swap over can cause even more lateness would also lead to 2/3 buses coming together.

So here is my suggestion.

21 Durham - Chester le Street - Gateshead - Newcastle - Every 10 Minutes

Then Re-Route the one as far Chester le Street and Re-Number it 21A, The route would then be.

21A Chester le Street - Birtley - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - QE Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle Pilgrim Street - Every 15 Minutes

Perhaps a possible extension to Langley Park would then displace the X25 also the 28 between Chester le Street and Newcastle. Which then lead to the 28 following the 28A route and also increasing the frequency to every 15 minutes along the current 28A route.

This would also free up some buses on the PVR for the X25
RE: Service Suggestions
(02 Mar 2013, 11:49 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Just reading complaints about the 21 on the Quality Contracts page and I've left this comment on it, so I'm post it on here to.

The problem with the 21 is A.) The 7/8 Minutes Frequency and B.) The 21 which terminates at Chester le Street if that is running late then obviously there is going to be 2/3 coming together and also the swap over can cause even more lateness would also lead to 2/3 buses coming together.

So here is my suggestion.

21 Durham - Chester le Street - Gateshead - Newcastle - Every 10 Minutes

Then Re-Route the one as far Chester le Street and Re-Number it 21A, The route would then be.

21A Chester le Street - Birtley - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - QE Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle Pilgrim Street - Every 15 Minutes

Perhaps a possible extension to Langley Park would then displace the X25 also the 28 between Chester le Street and Newcastle. Which then lead to the 28 following the 28A route and also increasing the frequency to every 15 minutes along the current 28A route.

This would also free up some buses on the PVR for the X25

GNE aren't going to divert buses away from Durham Road corridor if they can help it. It's a money pit.

The problem is that there isn't enough leeway in the timetable to achieve 7/8min frequency. All it takes is a slight delay and the timetable goes to pot then you get the usual termination at Gateshead, Sorry Not In Service runs and buses just being pulled altogether.

The traffic problems throughout Birtley (20mph speed limit) and Low Fell (just a nightmare really) are not GNE's fault but its only going to get worse when major construction starts shortly in Birtley on the new supermarket which will introduce more traffic signals...but timetabling is. People would be far more understanding if they said every 15 minutes as opposed to waiting nigh on half hour for a 7/8 min service.

Diverting a 21A up through Wrekenton won't alleviate the delay in Birtley and when the weather gets bad the Long Bank up to Eighton Banks becomes impassable anyway.

Durham doesn't require a service every 10 minutes, especially with Pronto and the X2 and National Rail services

I'm showing my age here but the 21 has only ever run on time when it was run by Classic during the mini bus war, GNE's opposing 221 never actually ran on time, hence the Classic success
RE: Service Suggestions
well keep the 21 on it's current frequency to Durham to Newcastle.

But I'd still re-route the 21 that goes Chester le Street - Newcastle but have go along the X25 route between Chester and Gateshead.

Plus if you look at it X25/M2 run every 30 mins along the top end of Birtley where Kingsleys are based, with a 2 minute gap in the timetable. So then by re-routing the 21 that starts at chester le street would then bring a better service to that area operating every 15 instead 30 minutes, and would also reduce the time of waiting for the next bus. and you have to admit the X25 is an awful service.

I think scrapping the X25 and replacing it with the re-routed 21 is a good idea and it would provide a much better link between Chester le Street and the QE plus it could also replace the 28 aswell, so there is two services covered by the re-routing. also have the new 21A stop on Pilgrim Street to ease congestion in Eldon Square and also save 2/3 buses coming along through Birtley at the same time.

I rememeber back in 2007 I think it was when one of the 21's run through Birtley/Low Fell and other ran through Wrekenton and the QE. Plus the fact it would free up more buses and it wouldnt change the PVR on the 21 either.
RE: Service Suggestions
There is always going to be problems when you have 'one' service along a particular route or corridoor - however, when the 21 ran alongside the 21a and 21b and had the likes of a 724 and the Arriva X1 and 723 to back it up, how often did you hear of complaints along the Durham Road corridoor? The frequency between Chester and Newcastle was more or less the same as now, but you were sure a bus would turn up, because the routes all deviated at some point South of Chester.
It was the same in the 80's and 90's with the 231, 722, 723, 724, 735 and X1. Granted traffic congestion may not have been as bad in some places, but the route wasnt percieved as one bus, going the same way.

On top of that, there was the 721 which operated Chester to Newcastle via Barley Mow and Wrekenton, the hourly 725 and 726 along Portobello Road and Wrekenton and the 26 between Barley Mow and Newcastle (or the OK 727 which ran via Wrekenton). You also had the 183 between Barley Mow and Low Fell
Each route had its own identity and you could get 'a' bus, regardless of another breaking down or getting stuck in traffic.
RE: Service Suggestions
Good points Andreos.

There was also the 809 and 733 that ran and the 777 with Birtley Local 23.

Do you remember the Classic/GNE 'corridor war' with the 21/221?

Adam, the X25 is pretty much down in the dumps because it doesn't make any money. Pretty sad state of affairs but sadly true.

The 'top end' of Birtley 'Northside' doesn't need any more buses that it has. The new housing is high end with car ownership pretty much 2 per house

Chester Le Street doesn't really need a link to the QE as people from Chester generally wouldn't be referred up to the QE but to Durham Hospital. The terminus on Pilgrim Street wasn't popular with passengers.

I think it's a problem that can't be solved unless GNE focus on actual timetables and service over wi-fi and social networking
RE: Service Suggestions
I can remember those routes, but tended to remember the 777 as a Chester - Sunderland route, rather than going to Newcastle as it did towards the end. I think they re-routed it when the 26 was axed.

The 733 was a funny service. Did it go via Ouston, except on a Sunday when it went via Barley Mow?

There was even a short lived GNE route from Newcastle to somewhere like Spennymoor or Ferryhill along Durham Road in the mid-90's, that had a Gateshead two digit route number. I can't remember too much about that one though.

After I posted that last message, I counted up and reckon there were more buses per hour 15-20+ years ago along Durham Road than there are now... As well as the 26, Gateshead also operated the twice hourly 24, 25, 27 and 28 as far as Low Fell/Harlow Green. Chester tended to operate the hourly routes beyond there - all before Bus Lanes and priority lights were flavour of the month in Gateshead Civic Centre.

If I remember rightly, as well as the cross-Gateshead routes from West to East Gateshead, you had local services around some of the estates in Whickham, Blaydon, Beacon Lough etc running from Gateshead and the MetroCentre.
RE: Service Suggestions
I'm going to take Low Fell as example here for services that operate that way.

21 - Every 7/8 Minutes
24 - Every 20 Minutes
93/93 Every 15 Minutes
69 - Every hour
X21 - Every 30 Minutes - But doesn't stop
Arriva X2 - Every 30 Minutes

That's basically a bus every 1/2 Minutes. I honestly think if GNE do what i've said it would be a better more reliable service, and obviously there would still a frequent every 1/2 minutes service.

Plus it would also result in a much needed upgrade for the X25/ Re-Numbering. Going to put this Idea and others toward GNE at somepoint.