29/03/2013 Metro Replacement Services Operated by Go North East were numbered X901 and operated from Gateshead Interchange to Hebburn/Brockley Whins and Sunderland resulting in a severe affect to other GNE services today most notably the Crusader 27 Newcastle - South Shields which picked up quite alot of passengers between Gateshead and Heworth which caused delays to the service as the Metro Replacements services seemed to running rather slowly to say the least despite the amount of buses being used by GNE/Arriva.

Today Chester le Street operated Metro Replacement Services with usage of ELC Loynes and Plaxton Presidents.

3863 W863 PNL
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3879 W189 SCU
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3885 NK51 UCN
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Also the 26A was operating between Heworth and Sunderland at a Half Hourly Frequency but zero passengers seemed to be using there logic in using this service as no one got on it at all in the hour I spent in Heworth. I put it down to the Metro Inspectors not pointing out that this was perhaps a Faster Option for those going to Sunderland.

8322 NK11 FXE
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No doubt Metro Replacement Services will be even worse tomorrow with the Sunderland vs Manchester United Match being a Lunchtime kick off. Metro Replacement services also due to run on Sunday and Monday also I believe.

In other news from today the Angel 21 was once again severely affected by road works and a contraflow at Low Fell, I got on the 11.33am at Birtley which didn't turn up until 11.50am and didn't get into Newcastle until 12.50pm, so basically 1 Hour in what is supposed to be 25 minute journey, in that time 3 other 21's passed empty as the Driver was constantly stopping at every stop and giving way for traffic and Hitting every sets of Traffic Lights along the way.

Now I understand why Passengers constantly complain about this particular service.