I finished work at 8pm and got my usual 309 into Newcastle without issue getting into Eldon Square at around 20:35 just missing the 21 departure around this time due to Percy Main's very slow drivers changes as always at New York the driver thereafter being in James May mode into town knowing he/she will leave town on the 310 on time, does not help those needing a connecting service.

As has been the case since Tuesday the 20:45 (21) was cancelled which would be the one i'd usually get home, I knew at this point the next one was 21:00 with a 28B at the same with both cancelled at this point the next bus was the X21 at 21:15 by which time I decided to get a Taxi as I did want to wait any longer as did a number other potential passengers, there was around 20 people waiting when I got into Eldon Square by the time I decided to leave there was 6 left waiting, one bloke was going to get a 21 to Chester-Le-Street and then from there the 8 to Stanley, I advised him to go up the top and wait for one of the expresses as would get home quicker.

I personally think it is quite shocking that whilst I understand there is so called "Driver Shortage" that it is unacceptable for the operator to allow so many services to be cancelled along one corridor in the late evening, more so when you 52,000 Mags watching Newcastle at home this evening against Leeds, how are they getting home this evening I wonder?

I think the independent operators were possible like we seen in Manchester during the Go North West strike need to be drafted in to keep services operating as these sort of cancellations simply cannot continue, more so when on a day by day basis it is different journey's that are being cancelled left, right and centre.

(17 Sep 2021, 10:08 pm)Malarkey wrote I finished work at 8pm and got my usual 309 into Newcastle without issue getting into Eldon Square at around 20:35 just missing the 21 departure around this time due to Percy Main's very slow drivers changes as always at New York the driver thereafter being in James May mode into town knowing he/she will leave town on the 310 on time, does not help those needing a connecting service.

As has been the case since Tuesday the 20:45 (21) was cancelled which would be the one i'd usually get home, I knew at this point the next one was 21:00 with a 28B at the same with both cancelled at this point the next bus was the X21 at 21:15 by which time I decided to get a Taxi as I did want to wait any longer as did a number other potential passengers, there was around 20 people waiting when I got into Eldon Square by the time I decided to leave there was 6 left waiting, one bloke was going to get a 21 to Chester-Le-Street and then from there the 8 to Stanley, I advised him to go up the top and wait for one of the expresses as would get home quicker.

I personally think it is quite shocking that whilst I understand there is so called "Driver Shortage" that it is unacceptable for the operator to allow so many services to be cancelled along one corridor in the late evening, more so when you 52,000 Mags watching Newcastle at home this evening against Leeds, how are they getting home this evening I wonder?

I think the independent operators were possible like we seen in Manchester during the Go North West strike need to be drafted in to keep services operating as these sort of cancellations simply cannot continue, more so when on a day by day basis it is different journey's that are being cancelled left, right and centre.

It's not a "so called driver shortage", there's a national shortage of labour. It's been experienced across multiple industries, especially those with lower pay and conditions, such as transport and hospitality. It's also been reported over the media for months now: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po...14605.html

I agree that its poor to have multiple services cancelled around the same time on one corridor, but given how tightly/'efficiently' operators seem to schedule (with duty boards are scheduled to the minute in terms of start times, finish times and legal breaks), I'd imagine it removes much flexibility in terms of asking Joe Bloggs to cover a 21 instead of a 34. With any leading drivers most likely already on the road.

As I understand CBBSG ended in August, I doubt trying to sub-contract commercial work out on a larger basis is affordable. Of course, that's on the assumption that independent operators aren't in the same boat... GCT seemed to hit this problem a few month ago.

I do however think there's been a lack of foresight here. As mentioned, national labour shortages have been in the media for months now, so I'd be really surprised if these so-called industry insiders weren't briefing operators even before then. I'm more surprised that we haven't seen the implementation of a reduced/emergency timetable by operators yet, reducing some of the high frequency services to allow some staff to be used as 'hot spares' to cover short-notice sickness etc. It would feel like a better solution than the current firefighting.

(17 Sep 2021, 10:08 pm)Malarkey wrote I finished work at 8pm and got my usual 309 into Newcastle without issue getting into Eldon Square at around 20:35 just missing the 21 departure around this time due to Percy Main's very slow drivers changes as always at New York the driver thereafter being in James May mode into town knowing he/she will leave town on the 310 on time, does not help those needing a connecting service.

As has been the case since Tuesday the 20:45 (21) was cancelled which would be the one i'd usually get home, I knew at this point the next one was 21:00 with a 28B at the same with both cancelled at this point the next bus was the X21 at 21:15 by which time I decided to get a Taxi as I did want to wait any longer as did a number other potential passengers, there was around 20 people waiting when I got into Eldon Square by the time I decided to leave there was 6 left waiting, one bloke was going to get a 21 to Chester-Le-Street and then from there the 8 to Stanley, I advised him to go up the top and wait for one of the expresses as would get home quicker.

I personally think it is quite shocking that whilst I understand there is so called "Driver Shortage" that it is unacceptable for the operator to allow so many services to be cancelled along one corridor in the late evening, more so when you 52,000 Mags watching Newcastle at home this evening against Leeds, how are they getting home this evening I wonder?

Tbh, although several services were seemingly cancelled along a similar corridor, it was at worst a 40 minute wait...which while no doubt annoying after a day at work is not really that bad for the time of night (many services operating a 30 min or less evening frequency).  I suspect this may be why there is nothing stated as to when or if taxi fares would be refunded etc - clearly the absence of the last run of the day would be a clear cut case, but when it comes to delays the line of what's acceptable becomes very subjective.

(17 Sep 2021, 10:35 pm)Adrian wrote I'm more surprised that we haven't seen the implementation of a reduced/emergency timetable by operators yet, reducing some of the high frequency services to allow some staff to be used as 'hot spares' to cover short-notice sickness etc. It would feel like a better solution than the current firefighting.

I guess the closest we have seen so far is Stagecoach in Newcastle with the reduced frequency on the 30/31/36 and temp cancellation of the 100.  Entirely subjective based on what I've noticed on bustimes (not detailed analysis!) it seems Stagecoach arent experiencing anything like the level of missing journeys - may just be that it's less visible/they may be lucky with staff absence & retention/the reduced timetables may be helping or more likely a combination of these factors.

I think it's been happening for a week or so now so GNE should have in place that all early morning and evening services run and the affected routes should be high frequency routes during the day.

(17 Sep 2021, 10:35 pm)Adrian wrote It's not a "so called driver shortage", there's a national shortage of labour. It's been experienced across multiple industries, especially those with lower pay and conditions, such as transport and hospitality. It's also been reported over the media for months now: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po...14605.html

I agree that its poor to have multiple services cancelled around the same time on one corridor, but given how tightly/'efficiently' operators seem to schedule (with duty boards are scheduled to the minute in terms of start times, finish times and legal breaks), I'd imagine it removes much flexibility in terms of asking Joe Bloggs to cover a 21 instead of a 34. With any leading drivers most likely already on the road.

As I understand CBBSG ended in August, I doubt trying to sub-contract commercial work out on a larger basis is affordable. Of course, that's on the assumption that independent operators aren't in the same boat... GCT seemed to hit this problem a few month ago.

I do however think there's been a lack of foresight here. As mentioned, national labour shortages have been in the media for months now, so I'd be really surprised if these so-called industry insiders weren't briefing operators even before then. I'm more surprised that we haven't seen the implementation of a reduced/emergency timetable by operators yet, reducing some of the high frequency services to allow some staff to be used as 'hot spares' to cover short-notice sickness etc. It would feel like a better solution than the current firefighting.

The problem is, when CBSSG ended and the new BRG funding started, one of the hurdles is maintaining at least 90% of scheduled mileage (Vs before COVID).

This is why operators are reluctant to reduce mileage as they will get reduced funding if they do. Yes, reducing mileage will reduce costs somewhat, but certainly not im correlation.

(17 Sep 2021, 10:35 pm)Adrian wrote I do however think there's been a lack of foresight here. As mentioned, national labour shortages have been in the media for months now, so I'd be really surprised if these so-called industry insiders weren't briefing operators even before then. I'm more surprised that we haven't seen the implementation of a reduced/emergency timetable by operators yet, reducing some of the high frequency services to allow some staff to be used as 'hot spares' to cover short-notice sickness etc. It would feel like a better solution than the current firefighting.

I wonder, in GNEs case, if it would have been a better idea to postpone some of the service extensions at the start of September. Things like the X1 extensions to Peterlee and Dalton Park, and the 21 extension to Brandon will no doubt increase driver requirements for those depots - and the 21 in particular seems to be getting cancelled with some frequency. In other words, look after the network they have and try to expand when they have sufficient resources to do so.

(18 Sep 2021, 9:56 am)mb134 wrote I wonder, in GNEs case, if it would have been a better idea to postpone some of the service extensions at the start of September. Things like the X1 extensions to Peterlee and Dalton Park, and the 21 extension to Brandon will no doubt increase driver requirements for those depots - and the 21 in particular seems to be getting cancelled with some frequency. In other words, look after the network they have and try to expand when they have sufficient resources to do so.

The people of Brandon seem to be pretty happy that the 21 is running - as the 49 rarely turns up, by all accounts!


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I was at the match last night and against my better judgement decided to use the bus.

Went out for the 28a to town at 530. App said running on time until I git to stop and it suddenly became 15 minutes late. It also said on the app the bus was "quiet". When me and Mrs got on no a double seat available and by Saltwell road people were standing. Thankfully on the way back all was good. $1 to Gateshead on 27 which also was almost fill at 1020 several quick pints in the Britex blokes bar the an onetime 28b home. So thanks for getting home gne in these testing times

(18 Sep 2021, 10:09 am)Dan wrote The people of Brandon seem to be pretty happy that the 21 is running - as the 49 rarely turns up, by all accounts!


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Granted Bustimes can be inaccurate, but looking over the past few days there appears to be only a handful of 49 journeys missing. Not exactly "rarely" turning up! I also note today that GNE have posted that multiple Brandon journeys are starting at CLS - those in glass houses...

That said, I don't see how that helps the passengers on the rest of the 21 route, or other services that CLS are dropping such as the 28.

265/65 seems to be getting a lot of breakdowns since the new streetlites came

(18 Sep 2021, 10:31 am)mb134 wrote Granted Bustimes can be inaccurate, but looking over the past few days there appears to be only a handful of 49 journeys missing. Not exactly "rarely" turning up! I also note today that GNE have posted that multiple Brandon journeys are starting at CLS - those in glass houses...

That said, I don't see how that helps the passengers on the rest of the 21 route, or other services that CLS are dropping such as the 28.

Always so serious!


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Arriva have already reduced some county Durham services. The 64 is down to 4 buses an hour from 6 and even they're not all turning up. It's put me off buying a return ticket on it.

Rumour has it GNE were meant to turn up at some food festival today but didn't...

It appears disruptions are even affecting PR opportunities now!

(17 Sep 2021, 10:08 pm)Malarkey wrote I finished work at 8pm and got my usual 309 into Newcastle without issue getting into Eldon Square at around 20:35 just missing the 21 departure around this time due to Percy Main's very slow drivers changes as always at New York the driver thereafter being in James May mode into town knowing he/she will leave town on the 310 on time, does not help those needing a connecting service.

"Toading" was one of my pet hates when I had to use the bus for work although I still do use buses casually.

Fair enough if:
- Road & traffic conditions are unfavourable
- Prevent early running for stops en-route but not the terminus
- Bus has driveable defect

Other than that, it's extremely annoying when passengers could've avoidably not been delayed. Thankfully, I haven't experienced it too many times with GNE and most drivers do try to keep to time within permitted safety & running boundaries.

(18 Sep 2021, 7:06 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Rumour has it GNE were meant to turn up at some food festival today but didn't...

It appears disruptions are even affecting PR opportunities now!

This was also obvious with the absence of the them on the ECML rail replacement instead the Northern journeys were operated by Garnett's, LNERs were various independent operators and XCs were whitestar travel.

Starting to think I'm really unlucky, but almost every time I go for this X1 extension to Dalton Park, its cancelled or doesn't run!

Another customer has just been asking about it at Newbottle, saying it was also the case earlier in the week for her.

Oh well. Only an hour until the next one might turn up.

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(10 Dec 2021, 9:45 am)Adrian wrote Starting to think I'm really unlucky, but almost every time I go for this X1 extension to Dalton Park, its cancelled or doesn't run!

Another customer has just been asking about it at Newbottle, saying it was also the case earlier in the week for her.

Oh well. Only an hour until the next one might turn up.

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You could get any x1 to Hetton then get the half hourly service 65 from Hetton to Dalton park


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(10 Dec 2021, 9:45 am)Adrian wrote Starting to think I'm really unlucky, but almost every time I go for this X1 extension to Dalton Park, its cancelled or doesn't run!

Another customer has just been asking about it at Newbottle, saying it was also the case earlier in the week for her.

Oh well. Only an hour until the next one might turn up.

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Owt on social media about it not running?

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(10 Dec 2021, 10:27 am)cbma06 wrote You could get any x1 to Hetton then get the half hourly service 65 from Hetton to Dalton park


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It's an option I suppose, but could end up leaving customers out of pocket due to not being able to buy a single/return and depending on connection times, more than inconvenienced or delayed too.

(10 Dec 2021, 11:13 am)Andreos1 wrote Owt on social media about it not running?

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It's an option I suppose, but could end up leaving customers out of pocket due to not being able to buy a single/return and depending on connection times, more than inconvenienced or delayed too.

This is what gets me too. A number of people on here are quick to say "you could jump on the bus to gateshead" when they are turning buses there for late running leaving Newcastle stranded... but if your just buying a single its 1.80 ( i think) then the same price from gateshead to you destination as it would have been from Newcastle. Now wouldn't it be a good idea to get buses going to town to pick up those waiting and get them to gateshead to catch the bus from there for free?  Just a thought

(10 Dec 2021, 11:13 am)Andreos1 wrote Owt on social media about it not running?

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It's an option I suppose, but could end up leaving customers out of pocket due to not being able to buy a single/return and depending on connection times, more than inconvenienced or delayed too.

Day tickets might be better , depends on the length of journey though, I’m sure GNE would prefer to sell there day tickets etc…

The extensions of x1 to Dalton park and Peterlee might look good through passengers eyes but since there are other services duplicating those extension sections by the same bus company and since the 65 have been turned into a bigger bus and frequency been doubled , GNE could advertise the 65 to Dalton Park connection on there X1 timetables and on the bus to promote the connection, same as the X1 to Easington lane and onward connection with service 55 and 62 to Peterlee, probably more towards service 55 as it’s a bigger bus than the 62, I’m surprised GNE are duplicating there routes since there’s a pandemic on and it’s been said that there still making a loss or the money from the government will shortly be going and there have to start making cut backs?.

The X1 extension that GNE should of looked into was extending some journeys from Easington Lane towards Haswell/Shotton/Wheatley Hill/side of Thornley and Ludworth back up the side of Haswell to Easington Lane, which would of been links between the villages and lost connection to Hetton/Houghton and towards Washington to Newcastle which were lost decades ago.


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(10 Dec 2021, 11:44 am)cbma06 wrote Day tickets might be better , depends on the length of journey though, I’m sure GNE would prefer to sell there day tickets etc…

The extensions of x1 to Dalton park and Peterlee might look good through passengers eyes but since there are other services duplicating those extension sections by the same bus company and since the 65 have been turned into a bigger bus and frequency been doubled , GNE could advertise the 65 to Dalton Park connection on there X1 timetables and on the bus to promote the connection, same as the X1 to Easington lane and onward connection  with service 55 and 62 to Peterlee, probably more towards service 55 as it’s a bigger bus than the 62, I’m surprised GNE are duplicating there routes since there’s a pandemic on and it’s been said that there still making a loss or the money from the  government will shortly be going and there have to start making cut backs?.

The X1 extension that GNE should of looked into was extending some journeys from Easington Lane towards Haswell/Shotton/Wheatley Hill/side of Thornley and Ludworth back up the side of Haswell to Easington Lane, which would of been links between the villages and lost connection to Hetton/Houghton and towards Washington to Newcastle which were lost decades ago.


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Speaking of the X1 - The Dalton Park leg has been a nightmare, most whcih I get run however it runs 3 mins after the X10 to newcaslte (doesn't help) + I tried to get one the other day and it turned around at Easington Lane (It was 3 mins early) and never came. Nothing on any social media. 
I also think the X1 extension to Dp could go further it has a 15 min wait it could extend to Seaham however the Peterlee & DP services are regularly 10-15 mins late. 
Also no one really knows about the X1's to Dalton Park atleast. Whenever I have got it they have askd the driver how long as this been running, as they quickly leave to get onto the X10 which comes 3 mins before it.

(10 Dec 2021, 11:55 am)Keeiajs wrote Speaking of the X1 - The Dalton Park leg has been a nightmare, most whcih I get run however it runs 3 mins after the X10 to newcaslte (doesn't help) + I tried to get one the other day and it turned around at Easington Lane (It was 3 mins early) and never came. Nothing on any social media. 
I also think the X1 extension to Dp could go further it has a 15 min wait it could extend to Seaham however the Peterlee & DP services are regularly 10-15 mins late. 
Also no one really knows about the X1's to Dalton Park atleast. Whenever I have got it they have askd the driver how long as this been running, as they quickly leave to get onto the X10 which comes 3 mins before it.

The advantage of the X1 over the X10 is the fact you don't have to buy a more expensive ticket to use it

The Peterlee and Dalton park journeys should be swapped around if they keeping it at 15 minute frequency for most of the route because they come pretty close to the same time as the X9 to Newcastle and Dalton Park with the X10 if Go North East swapped them around it would provide a 30 minuteish service from both places to Newcastle

(10 Dec 2021, 11:44 am)cbma06 wrote Day tickets might be better , depends on the length of journey though, I’m sure GNE would prefer to sell there day tickets etc… 

The extensions of x1 to Dalton park and Peterlee might look good through passengers eyes but since there are other services duplicating those extension sections by the same bus company and since the 65 have been turned into a bigger bus and frequency been doubled , GNE could advertise the 65 to Dalton Park connection on there X1 timetables and on the bus to promote the connection, same as the X1 to Easington lane and onward connection  with service 55 and 62 to Peterlee, probably more towards service 55 as it’s a bigger bus than the 62, I’m surprised GNE are duplicating there routes since there’s a pandemic on and it’s been said that there still making a loss or the money from the  government will shortly be going and there have to start making cut backs?.

The X1 extension that GNE should of looked into was extending some journeys from Easington Lane towards Haswell/Shotton/Wheatley Hill/side of Thornley and Ludworth back up the side of Haswell to Easington Lane, which would of been links between the villages and lost connection to Hetton/Houghton and towards Washington to Newcastle which were lost decades ago.


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Day tickets may not be an option though.
Someone working a late shift at say the cinema, McDonald's or KFC might be working beyond the last bus from Dalton Park - single there and a lift home.

(10 Dec 2021, 12:21 pm)Ds1197 wrote The Peterlee and Dalton park journeys should be swapped around if they keeping it at 15 minute frequency for most of the route because they come pretty close to the same time as the X9 to Newcastle and Dalton Park with the X10 if Go North East swapped them around it would provide a 30 minuteish service from both places to Newcastle

I don’t think the timings is wrong, as I don’t think many passengers going to board the x1 from Peterlee or Dalton Park to Newcastle anyway as the x9/x10 is faster , it’s more or less for passengers along the route ie Washington galleries , Houghton and vice versa


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(10 Dec 2021, 12:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote Day tickets may not be an option though.
Someone working a late shift at say the cinema, McDonald's or KFC might be working beyond the last bus from Dalton Park - single there and a lift home.

After 18:00 it is a pain, 65/61 come within like 10 mins of each other at the end of the hour. 

Its just a nightmare to get from DP on a evening.

(10 Dec 2021, 12:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The advantage of the X1 over the X10 is the fact you don't have to buy a more expensive ticket to use it

The passenger on the x10 will be in Newcastle before the x1 gets to Houghton


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(10 Dec 2021, 11:38 am)Rob44 wrote This is what gets me too. A number of people on here are quick to say "you could jump on the bus to gateshead" when they are turning buses there for late running leaving Newcastle stranded... but if your just buying a single its 1.80 ( i think) then the same price from gateshead to you destination as it would have been from Newcastle. Now wouldn't it be a good idea to get buses going to town to pick up those waiting and get them to gateshead to catch the bus from there for free?  Just a thought

You realise that these buses that are getting turned around in Gateshead are getting dropped out because they're running late for driver's rest periods and driving hours right? So if you send them to Newcastle they're not going to come back in service, they'll just end up missing out more of the route and starting further down the line. It's an unfortunate circumstance but the drivers who are dropped out in Gateshead should be transferring their passengers onto Newcastle bound buses so they don't pay again, but the people stranded in Newcastle are going to be stranded without a bus whether it makes it to Newcastle or not.

(10 Dec 2021, 3:08 pm)deanmachine wrote You realise that these buses that are getting turned around in Gateshead are getting dropped out because they're running late for driver's rest periods and driving hours right? So if you send them to Newcastle they're not going to come back in service, they'll just end up missing out more of the route and starting further down the line. It's an unfortunate circumstance but the drivers who are dropped out in Gateshead should be transferring their passengers onto Newcastle bound buses so they don't pay again, but the people stranded in Newcastle are going to be stranded without a bus whether it makes it to Newcastle or not.

Fair enough... but as this happens more and more maybe GNE and other should look at making sure this doesn't happen or when it does have something in place  so the customer in Newcastle are not " stranded"!!

(10 Dec 2021, 3:08 pm)deanmachine wrote You realise that these buses that are getting turned around in Gateshead are getting dropped out because they're running late for driver's rest periods and driving hours right? So if you send them to Newcastle they're not going to come back in service, they'll just end up missing out more of the route and starting further down the line. It's an unfortunate circumstance but the drivers who are dropped out in Gateshead should be transferring their passengers onto Newcastle bound buses so they don't pay again, but the people stranded in Newcastle are going to be stranded without a bus whether it makes it to Newcastle or not.

My issue is when I see it it normally happens for the X1 to peterlee which means they'll be waiting another 60 mins to get home.