(26 Dec 2014, 9:22 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Do you guys think that next year, GNE could try and run some counterparts to the Blyth and Ashington Express services that don't get provided by Arriva on Boxing Day? It wouldn't hurt giving it a try with a few leftover Blaydon Racer and Crusader Mercs.

Highly doubt it - I don't see the network changing drastically.

Bus drivers, by and large, don't like working Boxing Day. Members of this forum who are bus drivers, whether they work for Go North East or not, will be able to give their views (indeed, nk55 did mention that what is classed as 'triple time' isn't really that, and doesn't make working on Boxing Day worth it). Whilst out and about today, I recognised one or two familiar faces from Bensham working for Riverside... Says a lot when your staff who aren't even normal drivers (although do hold PCV licenses - to make that clear) make appearances on days like this instead!

The extension of one 4 per hour to Houghton instead of all terminating at Fallowfield Way is a start, and I'd imagine that we'll only see subtle differences like this in the future too. For example, if each and every 20 service was rammed today as the first few morning arrivals into Sunderland were, then there'd be scope for a 20 minute frequency instead of half-hourly, even if it was just part of the route (ie Sunderland - Houghton, or similar).