Have it serve Market Street rather than Pilgrim Street and then Gateshead Interchange and Extend it through to Jarrow from Hebburn. This would obviously add a bit of time to the Journey and increase the PVR, But it's the only way it'll work I think, as currently it doesn't cater to the Crusader 27 Passengers who live along that Route.

And then maybe extend it from Jarrow to Washington Galleries eh Adam

Have it serve Market Street rather than Pilgrim Street and then Gateshead Interchange and Extend it through to Jarrow from Hebburn. This would obviously add a bit of time to the Journey and increase the PVR, But it's the only way it'll work I think, as currently it doesn't cater to the Crusader 27 Passengers who live along that Route.

If it served Market Street, then at least it has a chance of picking up passengers who are waiting for the 27.
At the moment, passengers have to decide between two different parts of the town.

And then maybe extend it from Jarrow to Washington Galleries eh Adam

Nah cause then it would be a "citaro5284 Marathon"

To be fair I saw the 1630ish departure and that had about 8 or 9 on it, that was at Pilgrim St. Not commercially viable but possibly worth running if they can get the funding. Agree with previous posters saying it needs to be moved to Market St, if there is a massive gap in 27s there's a chance people will give it a try, whereas at the moment people won't walk round the corner in the hope an hourly service turns up

V10 - Consett - Castleside - Tow Law - Crook - Fir Tree - Toft Hill - West Auckland - Bishop Auckland

15/15A - Increase Frequency on the 15 to Every 30 Minutes with the 15A remaining Hourly to make a Frequency of Every 20 Minutes

The service below would provide competition to Arriva's X10,X11 and X13. Service X89 would operate between Blyth and Newcastle via Plessey Road, Twelfth Avenue, Eigth Avenue, First Avenue, Newsham Road, Wharton Street, Winship Street, Newcastle Road and South Newsham Road. From there, buses would operate strictly non stop to Newcastle Haymarket via the following depending on the traffic:

- A1061, A189 and B1318
- A1061, A189, A19, A1, A167, Claremount Road and B1318
- A1061, A189, A19, A1 and B1318
- A1061, A189, A188, A1058, B1307.

Buses would operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday with evening and Sunday buses operating hourly. Service X89 would be operated by a PVR of three Mercedes Benz Citaro's with high back seating and free Wi-Fi. Journey times would be in the region of 35-40 minutes.

V10 - Consett - Castleside - Tow Law - Crook - Fir Tree - Toft Hill - West Auckland - Bishop Auckland

That might reqiure something a bit bigger than a Solo SR but it sounds like a good trip. Thats the good thing about the Consett area, its nice and got a load of rural areas around it so people can truely 'Venture' out into the countryside eventhough they are actually going to Hexham or wherever.

V10 - Consett - Castleside - Tow Law - Crook - Fir Tree - Toft Hill - West Auckland - Bishop Auckland

15/15A - Increase Frequency on the 15 to Every 30 Minutes with the 15A remaining Hourly to make a Frequency of Every 20 Minutes

Love the idea of a V10 doing that route. Those places are so isolated at the moment and getting from Consett to Bishop is a right ol' chore. There aren't a lot of decent links to get around County Durham without having to go through the city.

V10 - Consett - Castleside - Tow Law - Crook - Fir Tree - Toft Hill - West Auckland - Bishop Auckland

15/15A - Increase Frequency on the 15 to Every 30 Minutes with the 15A remaining Hourly to make a Frequency of Every 20 Minutes

Love the idea of the V10! - You should send it to GNE!

As it is currently in County Durham and you wanted to go to Bishop Auckland from Consett, You'd have to endure a 45 Minutes trip into Durham on the 15/15A and then another 45 Minutes on the X21, So in total a 3 Hour Trip if you were going there and back in a Day. Whereas if the V10 was Introduced if would take half that time to do a round trip.

After my trip out around Durham on Thursday I would say there is plenty of room for improvement in the County Durham Network and more specifically in those Isolated Areas.

As it is currently in County Durham and you wanted to go to Bishop Auckland from Consett, You'd have to endure a 45 Minutes trip into Durham on the 15/15A and then another 45 Minutes on the X21, So in total a 3 Hour Trip if you were going there and back in a Day. Whereas if the V10 was Introduced if would take half that time to do a round trip.

After my trip out around Durham on Thursday I would say there is plenty of room for improvement in the County Durham Network and more specifically in those Isolated Areas.

Theirs loads of services in the GNE network which can be merged, more in the:
Venture
East Durham brands.....which looks happening January by the changes posted on VOSA.
Tynedale links could also be changed.

As it is currently in County Durham and you wanted to go to Bishop Auckland from Consett, You'd have to endure a 45 Minutes trip into Durham on the 15/15A and then another 45 Minutes on the X21, So in total a 3 Hour Trip if you were going there and back in a Day. Whereas if the V10 was Introduced if would take half that time to do a round trip.

After my trip out around Durham on Thursday I would say there is plenty of room for improvement in the County Durham Network and more specifically in those Isolated Areas.

I think it is a cracking idea - but learning the lessons from the ok1 and the lack of integration at Bishop, do you think there could be another service that could tie in at any point?
I dunno, something that followed part of your v10 route to Tow Law and then cross country via old 725 route around Esh Winning, Cornsay Colliery, East Hedleyhope and onto Durham via Langley Park?

It may encourage uptake of buzzfares in those areas if there was an alternative.

Am not knocking you fella, Consett-Bishop looks good on paper, but would it really work, some of them far away villages only have a population of about 3 elderly people and a dachsund named Colin...

As has been pointed out we all know what happened with the OK1, so how about this mate

V10 Consett-Castleside-Tow Law-Stanley Crook-Willington-Hunwick-Bishop

Is there actually any services that serves Willington-Bishop via Hunwick???

I think it is a cracking idea - but learning the lessons from the ok1 and the lack of integration at Bishop, do you think there could be another service that could tie in at any point?
I dunno, something that followed part of your v10 route to Tow Law and then cross country via old 725 route around Esh Winning, Cornsay Colliery, East Hedleyhope and onto Durham via Langley Park?

It may encourage uptake of buzzfares in those areas if there was an alternative.

They should bring the Gypsy Queen name back, wasn't that based around Langley Park?

You'd have to endure a 45 Minutes trip into Durham on the 15/15A and then another 45 Minutes on the X21, So in total a 3 Hour Trip if you were going there and back in a Day.

Leaves Durham at 55/25, arrives at Bishop 27/57, don't know which school you went to Adam, but that is only 32 minutes, not 45

And the 15/15A only takes 40, not 45, so I have just shaved off 18 minutes off the journey.

They should bring the Gypsy Queen name back, wasn't that based around Langley Park?

Why? GNE only operate 3 services in the Langley Park area (13,14,X25) don't they?

Why? GNE only operate 3 services in the Langley Park area (13,14,X25) don't they?

I was on about GNE introducing Gypsy Queen as a brand, revive its name

Have it serve Market Street rather than Pilgrim Street and then Gateshead Interchange and Extend it through to Jarrow from Hebburn. This would obviously add a bit of time to the Journey and increase the PVR, But it's the only way it'll work I think, as currently it doesn't cater to the Crusader 27 Passengers who live along that Route.

I think its time to replace 27X with old 532 from Fellgate to Newcastle Via Jarrow, Hebburn, Heworth & Gateshead Interchange.

I think this will help 27 route and push back timetable to 30mins & 532 also 30mins, so it be every 15 mins from Jarrow to Newcastle. Also it will stop 27 running it 2s.

Leaves Durham at 55/25, arrives at Bishop 27/57, don't know which school you went to Adam, but that is only 32 minutes, not 45

And the 15/15A only takes 40, not 45, so I have just shaved off 18 minutes off the journey.

Thanks for the corrections Citaro5284, I used the 15 from Durham to Consett on Thursday and took 45 Mins, Obviously was running a little late coming into Consett. X21 I knew was between 30 and 45 Minutes to Bishop, I couldn't remember so I guessed at 45 Minutes. But despite these Calculations it would still take 2 and a half hours to do a round trip.

I think sticking around the Villages Between Bishop Auckland/Consett and Durham would be the Smartest move for GNE to make as we know Arriva will just up the Frequency or Extend on one of there Routes anyway hence why the OK1 was axed.

Perhaps introducing the V10 and Extending the 18 as has been discussed previously would be a good idea for starters.

Love the idea of the V10! - You should send it to GNE!

I still haven't heard back about my Q3 Idea, which I emailed GNE like 6 Months ago.

16 – Lanchester – Esh - Esh Winning – Brancepeth – Stockley Lane – Willington – Bishop Auckland – West Auckland – Every 30 Minutes

18 – Shildon - Woodhouse Close – Cockton Hill Road - Bishop Auckland – Canney Hill - Coundon – Spennymoor – Every 30 Minutes

18A - Shildon - Woodhouse Close – Cockton Hill Road - Bishop Auckland – Canney Hill - Coundon – Spennymoor – Croxdale – Durham - Hourly

V10 - Consett - Castleside - Tow Law - Crook - Fir Tree - Toft Hill - West Auckland - Bishop Auckland – Every 30 Minutes

Quickly put together, but I think it would plug a gap in those Isolated Areas, feel free to make some ammendments

I still haven't heard back about my Q3 Idea, which I emailed GNE like 6 Months ago.

I wonder why?

They should bring the Gypsy Queen name back, wasn't that based around Langley Park?

Aye, I belive it was.
They could rename The Diamond as the Bob Smith Expressway after the well known coach firm in Sacriston too!

Aye, I belive it was.
They could rename The Diamond as the Bob Smith Expressway after the well known coach firm in Sacriston too!

Christ on a bike, you've made some of my favourite quotes this year (do we have awards?) but this is absolutely my favourite quote this year (time yet...)

Aye, I belive it was.
They could rename The Diamond as the Bob Smith Expressway after the well known coach firm in Sacriston too!

Lolz

Why? GNE only operate 3 services in the Langley Park area (13,14,X25) don't they?

Only three services in Bishop - didn't stop them reviving OK on two of them...

A number of variations loosely based on the V10 idea have been tried in the past by various independent operators. None of them have proven successful enough to facilitate a viable service between Consett and the rest of the Durham area with the exception of Weardale's 764 between Consett and Wolsingham which, I believe, is partially funded by DCC. I don't see anything changing in the immediate future - if there are commuters travelling between Consett and Bishop Auckland then it's unlikely that they're currently using (or likely to be persuaded to use) buses as there is no immediate advantage to doing so.

Although I have done some of this type of work in the past after seeing a couple of posts about the FAB FIFTY SIX being most popular at each end of the route and with it currently being the star attraction I though what could be done with this to generate a bit more revenue.

Right here goes with the suggestion. I've just done a basic timetable of the core section of the day to give an idea of what I would do with it.

A quick look at it and I think the benefits of doing this are. Gives better access to Waterview Park and Washington Galleries from the North Side of Sunderland and will give a bit of help to the X1 between Washington and Newcastle with the added bonus of serving more stops on this section of the route.

Basic Timetable Between Sunderland and Newcastle. Running on the same times as current between Sunderland Interchange and Nissan, and between Springwell Village and Newcastle with the same PVR.

Sunderland Interchange........ 03 13 23 33 43 53
Southwick Green............... 15 25 35 45 55 05
Hylton Castle Health Centre... 21 31 41 51 01 11
NISSAN UK Car Factory......... 26 36 46 56 06 16
Waterview Park................ .. 40 .. 00 .. 20
Washington Galleries.......... .. 48 .. 08 .. 28
Sulgrave Village Centre....... 31 .. 51 .. 11
Concord Bus Station........... 37 .. 57 .. 17 ..
Donwell Village Centre........ 40 .. 00 .. 20 ..
Springwell Village............ 45 55 05 15 25 35
Wrekenton High Street......... 50 00 10 20 30 40
Queen Elizabeth Hospital...... 55 05 15 25 35 45
Gateshead Interchange......... 06 16 26 36 46 56
Newcastle City Centre......... 13 23 33 43 53 03

Fire away and pick any faults you can find lad's.

I think the 56 would get good passengers if it went to the galleries

Although I have done some of this type of work in the past after seeing a couple of posts about the FAB FIFTY SIX being most popular at each end of the route and with it currently being the star attraction I though what could be done with this to generate a bit more revenue.

Right here goes with the suggestion. I've just done a basic timetable of the core section of the day to give an idea of what I would do with it.

A quick look at it and I think the benefits of doing this are. Gives better access to Waterview Park and Washington Galleries from the North Side of Sunderland and will give a bit of help to the X1 between Washington and Newcastle with the added bonus of serving more stops on this section of the route.

Basic Timetable Between Sunderland and Newcastle. Running on the same times as current between Sunderland Interchange and Nissan, and between Springwell Village and Newcastle with the same PVR.

Sunderland Interchange........ 03 13 23 33 43 53
Southwick Green............... 15 25 35 45 55 05
Hylton Castle Health Centre... 21 31 41 51 01 11
NISSAN UK Car Factory......... 26 36 46 56 06 16
Waterview Park................ .. 40 .. 00 .. 20
Washington Galleries.......... .. 48 .. 08 .. 28
Sulgrave Village Centre....... 31 .. 51 .. 11
Concord Bus Station........... 37 .. 57 .. 17 ..
Donwell Village Centre........ 40 .. 00 .. 20 ..
Springwell Village............ 45 55 05 15 25 35
Wrekenton High Street......... 50 00 10 20 30 40
Queen Elizabeth Hospital...... 55 05 15 25 35 45
Gateshead Interchange......... 06 16 26 36 46 56
Newcastle City Centre......... 13 23 33 43 53 03

Fire away and pick any faults you can find lad's.

Step Forward Mr Malarkey, sure you will have an opinion on this my friend

I reckon GNE should start a new express service(s) from Newcastle to Morpeth and the surrounding areas. This is due to the pathetic and crap service by Arriva, and I reckon these services could be profitable:

X7
Newcastle Haymarket.... 57
Gosforth Brandling Arms. 05
Regent Centre Metro..... 08
Nthland County Hall....... 23
Morpeth Bus Stn........... 34
Pegswood Stores.......... 41
Widdrington Estate circle 54

Widdrington Estate circle 57
Pegswood Stores.......... 11
Morpeth Bus Stn........... 23
Nthland County Hall....... 28
Regent Centre Metro..... 37
Gosforth Brandling Arms. 40
Newcastle Haymarket... 48

X8
Newcastle Haymarket.... 27
Gosforth Brandling Arms. 35
Regent Centre Metro..... 38
Nthland County Hall....... 53
Morpeth Bus Stn........... 03
Alnwick Bus Stn............ 34
Alnmouth Station.......... 45
Alnmouth Argyle Street.. 50

Alnmouth Argyle Street.. 55
Alnmouth Station.......... 00
Alnwick Bus Stn............ 12
Morpeth Bus Stn........... 46
Nthland County Hall....... 51
Regent Centre Metro..... 00
Gosforth Brandling Arms. 04
Newcastle Haymarket... 12