(01 Aug 2023, 4:36 am)Dan wrote Imagine these could be BSIP funded.

Northumberland County Council are currently tendering an additional hourly 57A service to run during the day Mon-Sat from Ashington to Cramlington (so it is a combined half hourly service) and they are also tendering the X16 service which is being reinstated.


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If the X16 was tendered to another operator other than Arriva.....would Transport North East / Nexus and Northumberland CC have powers to agree mutual ticket acceptance & coordinated timetabling between the tendered service and the X14/X15/X18?

(01 Aug 2023, 4:36 am)Dan wrote Imagine these could be BSIP funded.

Northumberland County Council are currently tendering an additional hourly 57A service to run during the day Mon-Sat from Ashington to Cramlington (so it is a combined half hourly service) and they are also tendering the X16 service which is being reinstated.


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Wow the X16 is making a return

(01 Aug 2023, 6:45 am)L469 YVK wrote If the X16 was tendered to another operator other than Arriva.....would Transport North East / Nexus and Northumberland CC have powers to agree mutual ticket acceptance & coordinated timetabling between the tendered service and the X14/X15/X18?

It would make sense to have mutual ticket acceptance and a coordinated timetable, but unless Arriva are somehow compensated, I cannot see any benefit to them to accept tickets issued on the X16.

(01 Aug 2023, 6:45 am)L469 YVK wrote If the X16 was tendered to another operator other than Arriva.....would Transport North East / Nexus and Northumberland CC have powers to agree mutual ticket acceptance & coordinated timetabling between the tendered service and the X14/X15/X18?

They wouldn't have powers to do that with commercial products and current schedules, no.

It would need Arriva to agree to it, which may be tricky if they are not the winner of the tender.

(01 Aug 2023, 8:59 am)Bazza wrote It would make sense to have mutual ticket acceptance and a coordinated timetable, but unless Arriva are somehow compensated, I cannot see any benefit to them to accept tickets issued on the X16.

Won't the new BSIP inspired multi operator tickets work out cheaper anyway? So in theory, people will have the correct ticket anyway?

(02 Aug 2023, 11:56 am)Ambassador wrote Won't the new BSIP inspired multi operator tickets work out cheaper anyway? So in theory, people will have the correct ticket anyway?

Only for day tickets. Nothing planned for weekly or longer, which isn't great.

Will the X16 go back up to Kirkhill or just terminate at Morpeth?

553 will be allocated NK12 FLL 1499 from September now. Check the Flickr link I took today. Its been re-branded from 47 to 553
https://flic.kr/p/2oTuJYc

Arriva changes are live. New 434 and other changes


https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...e-and-wear

(08 Aug 2023, 1:24 pm)Busu284 wrote Arriva changes are live. New 434 and other changes


https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...e-and-wear

The layover at Bedlington Station on that 07:26 trip seems a tad excessive...


Glad they've taken action to sort out the 43/44/45 by putting an extra bus into it, the Morpeth 43s in particular seem to struggle to make up any time. I guess if their decision when leaving Newcastle was to choose the GNR services over the 50s, it makes sense to ensure they're operated properly to improve reliability and customer satisfaction.

(08 Aug 2023, 6:35 pm)mb134 wrote The layover at Bedlington Station on that 07:26 trip seems a tad excessive...


Glad they've taken action to sort out the 43/44/45 by putting an extra bus into it, the Morpeth 43s in particular seem to struggle to make up any time. I guess if their decision when leaving Newcastle was to choose the GNR services over the 50s, it makes sense to ensure they're operated properly to improve reliability and customer satisfaction.

Putting the ABTRL aside, Arriva are missing a trick withthe X8 and 43. Could speed the X9 up at the same time too.

Suggested changes to withdraw X8:
- 42 (every 30 mins)
Cramlington - High Pit - Annitsford - Fern Drive - Dudley then as per current 43

- 43 (every 30 mins NCL > Cramlington then hourly to Blyth)
Blyth - as per X8 to Shankhouse - then as per X9 to Cramlington - Beacon Hill - Fisher Lane - Seaton Burn then as per current 43 - note that X21/X22 offer fast alternatives for the new builds around Fisher Lane

- X7 (every 30 mins)
Same route as now, maybe an increase to every 20 minutes

- X9 (every 30 mins)
As per current X9 Blyth to Shankhouse then as per X10 to Newcastle

- X10/X11 (every 30 mins each)
Coordinated to provide bus up to every 10 mins from Blyth and between Parkside and Newcastle alongside service X9. More evenly coordinated gap between X10/X11 in Newsham

Small section off the 43 (upper part of Dudley Lane) will loose the direct Newcastle link although alternatives provided by 37/352 and in short walking distance with the 42/X9/X10/X11

(08 Aug 2023, 6:35 pm)mb134 wrote The layover at Bedlington Station on that 07:26 trip seems a tad excessive...


Glad they've taken action to sort out the 43/44/45 by putting an extra bus into it, the Morpeth 43s in particular seem to struggle to make up any time. I guess if their decision when leaving Newcastle was to choose the GNR services over the 50s, it makes sense to ensure they're operated properly to improve reliability and customer satisfaction.

Wonder if it might drop into a local school bus somewhere - not sure what mind but it's about the right time to do one.

Not sure it's just about timekeeping though, if I'm looking at it right they all appear to be interworking now so I guess the extra bus will save the time for driver's having to drive to I'd assume the Regent Centre to make changeovers on the 44/45.

(08 Aug 2023, 6:57 pm)Storx wrote Wonder if it might drop into a local school bus somewhere - not sure what mind but it's about the right time to do one.

Not sure it's just about timekeeping though, if I'm looking at it right they all appear to be interworking now so I guess the extra bus will save the time for driver's having to drive to I'd assume the Regent Centre to make changeovers on the 44/45.

The 448 is the current schoolbus linked to the 434, but currently it is timed to arrive at Bedlington Station at the exact same time as the 434 is now timed to arrive there. I assume the school may start at 08:30? So there'd be no time for it to drop onto that. It may be timed as such to get kids from Cambois to Bedlington Station for school start, and ensuring the return is fully in ENCTS scope?

It looks like it is to get them interworking, but I don't think they'd ever need to go to Regent Centre for changeovers? Either way, there's now 14 minutes layover at Morpeth which is much needed.

(08 Aug 2023, 6:57 pm)Storx wrote Wonder if it might drop into a local school bus somewhere - not sure what mind but it's about the right time to do one.

Not sure it's just about timekeeping though, if I'm looking at it right they all appear to be interworking now so I guess the extra bus will save the time for driver's having to drive to I'd assume the Regent Centre to make changeovers on the 44/45.

Trying to work out from the timetable, will the 44 and 45 do return journeys now, rather than doing Newcastle to Dinnington as 44 and returning to Newcastle as 45 and vice versa as they do currently? I'm guessing that will be the case, or long layovers at Dinnington?

(08 Aug 2023, 8:01 pm)Shrek wrote Trying to work out from the timetable, will the 44 and 45 do return journeys now, rather than doing Newcastle to Dinnington as 44 and returning to Newcastle as 45 and vice versa as they do currently? I'm guessing that will be the case, or long layovers at Dinnington?

Looks that way as it does for the 43 in Cramlington.

How will Arriva do remote changeovers in Cramlington? Do they have ancillary vehicles like Go North East such as vans?

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On another note......although it could potentially be catastrophic with Haddricks Mill, could the 'long layovers' at Dinnington and Cramlington not allow the 43/44/45 to interwork with the X7/X8/X10/X11 to reduce dead mileage?

(08 Aug 2023, 8:01 pm)Shrek wrote Trying to work out from the timetable, will the 44 and 45 do return journeys now, rather than doing Newcastle to Dinnington as 44 and returning to Newcastle as 45 and vice versa as they do currently? I'm guessing that will be the case, or long layovers at Dinnington?

I can't say for certain, but I have a feeling they'll still do the 44/45 swap. Seems like they've got a 15 minute layover now. There's no extra time at the Newcastle end, and 7 minutes added at the Morpeth / Cramlington end which would leave 30 minutes of the extra bus left so would work out.

(08 Aug 2023, 7:09 pm)mb134 wrote The 448 is the current schoolbus linked to the 434, but currently it is timed to arrive at Bedlington Station at the exact same time as the 434 is now timed to arrive there. I assume the school may start at 08:30? So there'd be no time for it to drop onto that. It may be timed as such to get kids from Cambois to Bedlington Station for school start, and ensuring the return is fully in ENCTS scope?
It looks like it is to get them interworking, but I don't think they'd ever need to go to Regent Centre for changeovers? Either way, there's now 14 minutes layover at Morpeth which is much needed.

Just had a check of the school times and you're right so probably the reason why then. Wonder if the timetable might be to connect with the new train at Ashington / Bedlington Station either though, I'm sure they'll all be planned now pretty much and it seems to be the aim of it. Linton -> Ashington Station -> Train to Newcastle or Cambois / Stakeford -> Bedlington Station -> Train to Newcastle.

(08 Aug 2023, 8:23 pm)L469 YVK wrote Looks that way as it does for the 43 in Cramlington.

How will Arriva do remote changeovers in Cramlington? Do they have ancillary vehicles like Go North East such as vans?

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On another note......although it could potentially be catastrophic with Haddricks Mill, could the 'long layovers' at Dinnington and Cramlington not allow the 43/44/45 to interwork with the X7/X8/X10/X11 to reduce dead mileage?

Might happen in future, but currently due to driver knowledge, the 43/4/5 are scheduled separate to Blyth work.

What services are moving depots between Ashington & Blyth in September

(09 Aug 2023, 11:07 am)RobinHood wrote Might happen in future, but currently due to driver knowledge, the 43/4/5 are scheduled separate to Blyth work.

Assuming it's not possible anyway, because of the electric buses. Unless they want to outright ignore the terms the buses must stay on the route they were bought for.

(09 Aug 2023, 2:45 pm)Storx wrote Assuming it's not possible anyway, because of the electric buses. Unless they want to outright ignore the terms the buses must stay on the route they were bought for.

I'm willing to bet money the electrics will appear on the X7-X11.

(09 Aug 2023, 2:45 pm)Storx wrote Assuming it's not possible anyway, because of the electric buses. Unless they want to outright ignore the terms the buses must stay on the route they were bought for.

Also the fact that involving any of the X7-11 services in the cycles, still likely push the range too high anyway for any electric vehicle currently in the market.

Judging by the timetables service 3 is being reintroduce on a Sunday running between Lingdale and Redcar lock.( Still nothing for new marske)

(09 Aug 2023, 7:42 pm)RobinHood wrote Also the fact that involving any of the X7-11 services in the cycles, still likely push the range too high anyway for any electric vehicle currently in the market.

Yeah that's true aswell mind. Be interesting to see how they'd perform doing express work mind and whether the battery would drain faster since they're not designed for it (yet).

(09 Aug 2023, 8:47 pm)Storx wrote Yeah that's true aswell mind. Be interesting to see how they'd perform doing express work mind and whether the battery would drain faster since they're not designed for it (yet).

I'm not suggesting they should be intentionally placed on such runs, but you know it will likely happen sooner or later, probably with one running out of charge at Haymarket entrance(or exit)/Haddricks Mill/A1/A189 

(09 Aug 2023, 8:27 pm)Ryland wrote Judging by the timetables service 3 is being reintroduce on a Sunday running between Lingdale and Redcar lock.( Still nothing for new marske)

Yes it’s a TVCA contract until 30th March, much like the evening & Sunday 29s also reintroduced with the same dates


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(09 Aug 2023, 2:45 pm)Storx wrote Assuming it's not possible anyway, because of the electric buses. Unless they want to outright ignore the terms the buses must stay on the route they were bought for.

I can't say this 100%, but my understanding is that because this money comes from the central government levelling up fund, there will be very strict checks on how the vehicles are used and if those buses aren't used for the services they were acquired for, it could cause issues.

That said, knowing how central government works, they'll probably be moved to London before they even get here.

Been thinking about the 434.....but could this not be merged into the X20 post ABTRL if numbers drop off between Ashington & Newcastle?

(09 Aug 2023, 9:28 pm)solsburian wrote I'm not suggesting they should be intentionally placed on such runs, but you know it will likely happen sooner or later, probably with one running out of charge at Haymarket entrance(or exit)/Haddricks Mill/A1/A189 

Oh don't worry, they'll be on the other routes before long knowing Arriva Blyth.

(09 Aug 2023, 9:38 pm)Shrek wrote I can't say this 100%, but my understanding is that because this money comes from the central government levelling up fund, there will be very strict checks on how the vehicles are used and if those buses aren't used for the services they were acquired for, it could cause issues.

That said, knowing how central government works, they'll probably be moved to London before they even get here.

Yeah your right, mind I believe the hybrids they had there last time had a similar rule, but that didn't stop them wandering onto the expresses. GoNorthEast generally keep things on the right routes though, don't think their hybrids went anywhere else and the Q3, 53 and 54 are generally full Voltra allocation.

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(10 Aug 2023, 5:50 am)L469 YVK wrote Been thinking about the 434.....but could this not be merged into the X20 post ABTRL if numbers drop off between Ashington & Newcastle?

No, as you'd still need the X20 to run from North Seaton to Ashington and you'd omit Lynemouth which is one of the main sections of it if it omitted it.

You could extend the 1 though and resurrect the old Blyth to Alnwick bus that used to exist.

(10 Aug 2023, 5:50 am)L469 YVK wrote Been thinking about the 434.....but could this not be merged into the X20 post ABTRL if numbers drop off between Ashington & Newcastle?

I’m all for railway reopenings and I hope the ABT does well but I’m still wondering whether people who live on the estates in Ashington / Blyth will want to catch a bus or walk to the station and have a further wait for a train. Also they will be dropped at Central or have to change at Northumberland Park Metro which again takes time. The other thing is cost - will the new NECA tickets cover the railway and will there be ‘Transfares’ (by the way a single Transfare to Haymarket on bus /Metro is considerably more a return bus fare for us) onto the Metro. If the new tickets can be used will they also be valid on the Morpeth train service or even or even Berwick and Alnmouth? It will be an interesting time! 
I recently travelled on the reopened Okehampton line in Devon which was very well used but didn’t have a good bus service to Exeter previously.  At certain times of the day they had connecting minibuses to certain other towns which seemed to be used.

(10 Aug 2023, 2:58 pm)RMF1254 wrote I’m all for railway reopenings and I hope the ABT does well but I’m still wondering whether people who live on the estates in Ashington / Blyth will want to catch a bus or walk to the station and have a further wait for a train. Also they will be dropped at Central or have to change at Northumberland Park Metro which again takes time. The other thing is cost - will the new NECA  tickets cover the railway and will there be ‘Transfares’ (by the way a single Transfare to Haymarket on bus /Metro is considerably more a return bus fare for us) onto the Metro. If the new tickets can be used will they also be valid on the Morpeth train service or even or even Berwick and Alnmouth? It will be an interesting time! 
I recently travelled on the reopened Okehampton line in Devon which was very well used but didn’t have a good bus service to Exeter previously.  At certain times of the day they had connecting minibuses to certain other towns which seemed to be used.

I know it hasn't officially been announced but there's been talk that it's going to be part of the Metro Zones similar to being able to use tickets between Sunderland and Newcastle. 

Can't remember where I read but it's been kinda mentioned still relatively recently and it was definitely part of the early plans.