X88 was on time at Southwick at 11:30. I couldn't believe my luck when Red Arrows 3943 turned up! I've never been on one of the former Tyne Tees vehicles so I was over the moon! 3943 seemed in good shape operating on normal roads, but did struggle climbing up the A1231 towards the A1 from Washington. A1 was mighty packed with traffic, and got to MetroCentre almost 10 minutes late. Dan suggested I get a photo of 3943 once I arrived, but sadly my phone battery died on the route
As my bus was arriving into MetroCentre, another bus enthusiast did manage to get a photo though!
I can sort of see why GNE are curtailing the X88 at Concord - it was quite quiet on the Sunderland end of the route, but a load got on at Concord and Galleries and it was full by the time we left Washington. What I would have liked is for the X88 timetable to include connections with 56 at Concord to/from Southwick and Sunderland. Although not ideal changing buses, I'd still be prepared to do it and I think having the connecting times laid out would be grand.
I ended up waiting from 12:30 until 12:50 for a TEN B9 to Eldon Square - plenty of Red Kites and Diamonds came swinging by! It was 6082 that turned up, on a 10 from Hexham. I love the smell that new buses have - and 6082 certainly didn't disappoint - marvellous vehicle!
Trip was quite good too, but I don't think I've ever sat at traffic lights for longer than I ever had when we were waiting to turn right off Redheugh Bridge! Managed to get some errands done around Newcastle, and got the 15:03 metro back to Sunderland. I was thinking of getting off at Seaburn because I would have been able to connect on to the 99, but I decided to stop on till Park Lane to get the 36.
On the 36 back home, there was a customer notice entitled "Service Changes Consultation".
When it was my stop to get off, I tried to read what it said. Go North East would like their views on proposed changes to 26, 36, 99 - I think 9 and X3 were mentioned too but it was a lot to take in. There will be questionnaires handed out to households on the routes. It said if you haven't received one by 22 March, then get in touch with Customer Services. There was a driver who was sitting in the side-ways seats opposite the driver - and it was the first that he had heard of any proposals, so I think they're being kept under wraps for now.
I'm not sure if there are any site members who live on these routes - but I do and when I get mine I'll scan it in and post up here like Liam did with the Prudhoe and West Wylam changes. I can sort of see why GNE don't seem to do the online questionnaires anymore. They must get a lot of time-wasters on there who will just muck them around. There has been online consultations in the past where they've asked the opinion about putting larger or new buses on a route to increase capacity - but you'll get the daft percent of people putting "strongly disagree" - just to be awkward!
