Been thinking about a Coversation we had a Month or so ago about the Biddick/Fatfield Corridor of Service in Washington, So I have came up with these Suggestions to re-jig the Washington Area.

2 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries
Frequency Increased to Every 15 Minutes

2A - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Penshaw - Barnwell - Fatfield - Biddick - Washington Galleries
Frequency Decreased to Every 30 Minutes, Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined with Service 2

4 - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
4A - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined

8 - Sunderland - Hylton Riverside/Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield Fallowfield Way - Fatfield Riverside - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village - Chester le Street - Pelton - Beamish - Stanley
Operating Every 30 Minutes

81 - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Brady Square - Barmston Court - Station Road - Barmston Road - Teal Farm - Waterview Park
Merge of Services 85/86 Re-Numbered Service 81 Operating Every 20 Minutes, Would be restricted to Single Decker Vehicles due to Height Restriction(Railway Bridge) on Station Road.

82 - Birtley - Birtley Northside - Portmeads - Portobello - Rickleton - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Washington Village - Barmston Horsley Road - Barmston Village Centre - Concord - Donwell - Usworth College - Wardley - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth
Operating Every 20 Minutes between Birtley and Concord, Every 30 Minutes between Birtley and Heworth

(07 May 2015, 1:27 pm)Malarkey wrote Been thinking about a Coversation we had a Month or so ago about the Biddick/Fatfield Corridor of Service in Washington, So I have came up with these Suggestions to re-jig the Washington Area.

2 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries
Frequency Increased to Every 15 Minutes

2A - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Penshaw - Barnwell - Fatfield - Biddick - Washington Galleries
Frequency Decreased to Every 30 Minutes, Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined with Service 2

4 - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
4A - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined

8 - Sunderland - Hylton Riverside/Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield Fallowfield Way - Fatfield Riverside - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village - Chester le Street - Pelton - Beamish - Stanley
Operating Every 30 Minutes

81 - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Brady Square - Barmston Court - Station Road - Barmston Road - Teal Farm - Waterview Park
Merge of Services 85/86 Re-Numbered Service 81 Operating Every 20 Minutes, Would be restricted to Single Decker Vehicles due to Height Restriction(Railway Bridge) on Station Road.

82 - Birtley - Birtley Northside - Portmeads - Portobello - Rickleton - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Washington Village - Barmston Horsley Road - Barmston Village Centre - Concord - Donwell - Usworth College - Wardley - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth
Operating Every 20 Minutes between Birtley and Concord, Every 30 Minutes between Birtley and Heworth

Interesting...

What do you think of the ideas I posted mate

(07 May 2015, 1:30 pm)MrFozz wrote Interesting...

What do you think of the ideas I posted mate

I have never been on any of the East Durham Services nor am I familiar with there Routes or Passenger Number etc, so I wouldnt want to comment and say if they were bad or not, it is nice to someone else coming with a few suggestions rather than just me for once though.

(07 May 2015, 8:07 am)MrFozz wrote New 238
Seaham-Station Road-Mill Inn-Seaton Lane-Houghton-A690-West Rainton-Carville-Belmont-Gilesgate-Durham

Modified 265
Same Durham-Murton Station...
Station Road-Barnes Road-Webb Avenue-Burnip Road-Cornwall Estate - Woods Terrace - Dalton Park-Deneside-The Avenue-Seaham

238 and 265 would interwork, also interworking with the 204/208 out of Durham

Modified 202
As Is...Only send it over to Wembley(East Moor Estate)

New 203
Houghton-Hetton-Murton Station Estate - Woods Terrace-Dalton Park-Easington Village-Peterlee

New 60A
Dalton Park-Fox Cover-Byron Place-Dene House Road-Seaham Coast Road-Toll Bar-Grangetown-Sunderland

The 60A would be half hourly, it would see a decrease on the 60, every 15 mins, but it would be every 10 minutes combined at Byron Place...

New X89
Murton Station-Woods Terrace-Dalton Park-A19-The Galleries-Metrocentre-Eldon Square
Start it off as a commuter service with a couple of peak time runs during the day, and have it compliment the X88 on weekends between The Galleries and The Metrocentre

New X78
Consett-Stanley-Chester-le-Fencehouses-Houghton-Hetton-Murton-Dalton Park-A19-Ryhope-Grangetown-Sunderland

This would come under the coast and country brand

New X8
Sunderland-Grangetown-Ryhope-Deneside-Dalton Park-Peterlee-Billingham-Middlesbrough

This would compliment the WTX Brand

The idea for 60A, X8, X78, X89, would be in my mind, 12-18 months away in my mind, I am thinking about when Phase 2 is completed at DP...

My X78 idea verges on me suffering with Double M disorder

I cant see the demand there when phase 2 opens, its more catered for people with cars, Morrisons would be more traffic by car than on foot and it will be mostly locals that would go to Morrisons if their use the public transport of GNE 61 service. Cant see passengers from Newcastle and Gateshead going to Dalton Park to shop at morrisons

new Hotel:  l cant see majority of their guests coming by bus.
new morrisons: more catered for cars etc...
new cinema: their are local transport links, probably must will arrive by taxi, parents taxi lol or car ownership etc...
new KFC: yes I be going their by car, saves me trailing all the way to Belmont for my bucket of chicken

your new 238 its mostly 2 existing GNE bus services with service 20 on a high frequency on part of the section of route.

your new 60A, passengers from seaham can get service 60 then service 61 from the main road at Seaham. 

I wouldn't like to do the full route on your X78 suggestion, it will be morning when you leave Consett and night time when you get to Sunderland lol.

After the phase 2 completion GNE said that will look to see what the demand is like, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
I be waiting for phase 3 to finish so I can take the murton bypass road, the tarmac roads in murton is terrible, thought the car was going to get swallowed up by a hole lol.

Is their a demand for a express service from Murton to Gateshead and Newcastle, just passengers can travel on the 202/265 then jump on service X1 where it meets service 202/265.

GNE might put on the 202 back on evenings and sundays if the trade picks up after phase 2 with children etc.. going to the cinema.


don't take offence on my post, just I live in the East Durham area and want GNE to branch out more but theres not much their can branch out to to make a profit and there not going to take on Arriva routes unless their want a backwash from Arriva.

(07 May 2015, 2:55 pm)cbma06 wrote I cant see the demand there when phase 2 opens, its more catered for people with cars, Morrisons would be more traffic by car than on foot and it will be mostly locals that would go to Morrisons if their use the public transport of GNE 61 service. Cant see passengers from Newcastle and Gateshead going to Dalton Park to shop at morrisons

new Hotel:  l cant see majority of their guests coming by bus.
new morrisons: more catered for cars etc...
new cinema: their are local transport links, probably must will arrive by taxi, parents taxi lol or car ownership etc...
new KFC: yes I be going their by car, saves me trailing all the way to Belmont for my bucket of chicken

your new 238 its mostly 2 existing GNE bus services with service 20 on a high frequency on part of the section of route.

your new 60A, passengers from seaham can get service 60 then service 61 from the main road at Seaham. 

I wouldn't like to do the full route on your X78 suggestion, it will be morning when you leave Consett and night time when you get to Sunderland lol.

After the phase 2 completion GNE said that will look to see what the demand is like, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
I be waiting for phase 3 to finish so I can take the murton bypass road, the tarmac roads in murton is terrible, thought the car was going to get swallowed up by a hole lol.

Is their a demand for a express service from Murton to Gateshead and Newcastle, just passengers can travel on the 202/265 then jump on service X1 where it meets service 202/265.

GNE might put on the 202 back on evenings and sundays if the trade picks up after phase 2 with children etc.. going to the cinema.


don't take offence on my post, just I live in the East Durham area and want GNE to branch out more but theres not much their can branch out to to make a profit and there not going to take on Arriva routes unless their want a backwash from Arriva.

I am deeply offended and heartbroken

Nah seriously, no offence taken mate...

You fairly picked that apart lol...

I reckoned my X78 would take a similar amount of time than the 78 if it ran express between Consett-Chester and express between Houghton-Dalton Park with the rest of the journey being along the A19...

When I get a new computer I am going to try and knock up some timetables for my suggested journeys...

One thing that should be done at Dalton Park is create better links on to the site, I dunno move the bus stop further up and create a new entrance for buses at the top near Maccy D's, Murton buses could use it as a bus only link and drive straight through without using the bus turning circle

Thanks for your input anyway pal

(07 May 2015, 3:17 pm)MrFozz wrote I am deeply offended and heartbroken

Nah seriously, no offence taken mate...

You fairly picked that apart lol...

I reckoned my X78 would take a similar amount of time than the 78 if it ran express between Consett-Chester and express between Houghton-Dalton Park with the rest of the journey being along the A19...

When I get a new computer I am going to try and knock up some timetables for my suggested journeys...

One thing that should be done at Dalton Park is create better links on to the site, I dunno move the bus stop further up and create a new entrance for buses at the top near Maccy D's, Murton buses could use it as a bus only link and drive straight through without using the bus turning circle

Thanks for your input anyway pal

Their supposed to be making a new south entrance on Dalton park from the murton bypass road, since the new entrance wasn't included in the plans for phase 2, then it probably be in the plans for phase 3. even though the un opened road section from the A19 to along south side of Dalton park is already been tarmac for a long time and barried off.

yes their could run the buses straight through next to Mc Donalds onto Mathews Road, but that may open a can of worms, and cause more traffic problems for the local residents in that area with other vehicles coming in and out of that exit, and theirs only a T junction to get back onto the main road.  Is their any bus services still goes down Mathews Road behind Dalton park?.


to make a bus link onto Mathews road, it will probably cost about 50K for 2 white collar workers from the council to come out and shake their heads at each over and rub their own chins, and the cost of opening up the junction, realigning the curbs, marking the road, purchasing and installing a barrier or raised bollard, and also price of labour, and health and safety gone mad which will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

(07 May 2015, 3:46 pm)cbma06 wrote Their supposed to be making a new south entrance on Dalton park from the murton bypass road, since the new entrance wasn't included in the plans for phase 2, then it probably be in the plans for phase 3. even though the un opened road section from the A19 to along south side of Dalton park is already been tarmac for a long time and barried off.

I never knew a phase 3 was in the plans, it would make sense for a Southern End Road into Dalton Park

(07 May 2015, 3:46 pm)cbma06 wrote yes their could run the buses straight through next to Mc Donalds onto Mathews Road, but that may open a can of worms, and cause more traffic problems for the local residents in that area with other vehicles coming in and out of that exit, and theirs only a T junction to get back onto the main road.  Is their any bus services still goes down Mathews Road behind Dalton park?.

Only the 265 goes over Wembley these days, I also thought, could the loading bay at the back of Dalton Park be modified to include new bus stops for Murton bound buses and drive straight through

(07 May 2015, 1:27 pm)Malarkey wrote Been thinking about a Coversation we had a Month or so ago about the Biddick/Fatfield Corridor of Service in Washington, So I have came up with these Suggestions to re-jig the Washington Area.

2 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries
Frequency Increased to Every 15 Minutes

2A - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Penshaw - Barnwell - Fatfield - Biddick - Washington Galleries
Frequency Decreased to Every 30 Minutes, Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined with Service 2

4 - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
4A - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Albany - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Fencehouses - Houghton le Spring
Operating Every 10 Minutes Combined

8 - Sunderland - Hylton Riverside/Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield Fallowfield Way - Fatfield Riverside - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village - Chester le Street - Pelton - Beamish - Stanley
Operating Every 30 Minutes

81 - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Brady Square - Barmston Court - Station Road - Barmston Road - Teal Farm - Waterview Park
Merge of Services 85/86 Re-Numbered Service 81 Operating Every 20 Minutes, Would be restricted to Single Decker Vehicles due to Height Restriction(Railway Bridge) on Station Road.

82 - Birtley - Birtley Northside - Portmeads - Portobello - Rickleton - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Washington Village - Barmston Horsley Road - Barmston Village Centre - Concord - Donwell - Usworth College - Wardley - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth
Operating Every 20 Minutes between Birtley and Concord, Every 30 Minutes between Birtley and Heworth

I don't think your suggestions for service 81 between Brady Square and Teal Farm would work mate. I'm sure I remember reading that Go North East stopped running services from Brady Square to Barmston Court as the junction on Station Road is very tight even for a minibus to get round, plus the buildings on either side at the end of the junction obstruct the drivers view when turning. It may be ok on an evening though when its not so busy. Barmston Road between Barmston Court and Teal Farm is still closed due to the construction work going on in the area.

(08 May 2015, 5:47 pm)Washingtonian wrote I don't think your suggestions for service 81 between Brady Square and Teal Farm would work mate. I'm sure I remember reading that Go North East stopped running services from Brady Square to Barmston Court as the junction on Station Road  is very tight even for a minibus to get round, plus the buildings on either side at the end of the junction obstruct the drivers view when turning. It may be ok on an evening though when its not so busy. Barmston Road between Barmston Court and Teal Farm is still closed due to the construction work going on in the area.

Yes I see what you mean now and the reasons behind the split of service between Brady Square and Barmston Court, Oak Street which leads onto Oxclose/Station Road is also quite a narrow road to turn onto, and is obstructed at the Junction by Parked Cars also which would horrendous for Buses, Wasnt aware of any construction work either between Barmston Road and Barmston Court either.

(07 May 2015, 3:57 pm)MrFozz wrote I never knew a phase 3 was in the plans, it would make sense for a Southern End Road into Dalton Park


Only the 265 goes over Wembley these days, I also thought, could the loading bay at the back of Dalton Park be modified to include new bus stops for Murton bound buses and drive straight through

I think the health and Safety rules would come into play.

(08 May 2015, 3:48 pm)aureolin wrote It's not like the two schools popped up out of nowhere though? GNE used to run short 194s from Biddick School carpark towards Easington Lane to take away quite a bit of congestion. It's obviously not as easy now though, when a lot of people have to first go to the Galleries for a connection.

I will blame you aureolin for this idea  .

Reduce the X1 in frequency to "Every 12 Minutes", Improving reliability along with making those runs with fluctuated Passenger Number look more busy and in turn more profitable.

This will then free up 2 or 3 Volvo B9TLs off the X1, They would be allocated to the Peak Time runs on the 4, operating on one of the runs which go past St Roberts/Biddick Comp between 3pm and 3.30pm.

The Route for these Runs would be amended between Shiney Row and Fatfield due Low Bridges on Fatfield Riverside and Station Road, operating via Washington Highway(A182), Bonemill Lane, Biddick Lane to Fallowfield Way where normal route will recommence towards Washington Galleries and Heworth.

The normal route of the 4 between Shiney Row and Fatfield would be maintained at a Frequency of Every 15 Minutes, with 2/2A operating alongside the 4 Every 10 Minutes.

Furthermore from looking at Google Maps it takes 10 Minutes to from Shiney Row to Fallowfield Way driving, whereas the alternate route for the Deckers would only take half that at 5 Minutes, meaning the Decker runs would have 5 Minutes of built in Layover which would utilised at Various Timing Points, ensuring the current frequency and level of service is maintained.

(09 May 2015, 12:48 pm)Malarkey wrote I will blame you aureolin for this idea  .

Reduce the X1 in frequency to "Every 12 Minutes", Improving reliability along with making those runs with fluctuated Passenger Number look more busy and in turn more profitable.

This will then free up 2 or 3 Volvo B9TLs off the X1, They would be allocated to the Peak Time runs on the 4, operating on one of the runs which go past St Roberts/Biddick Comp between 3pm and 3.30pm.

The Route for these Runs would be amended between Shiney Row and Fatfield due Low Bridges on Fatfield Riverside and Station Road, operating via Washington Highway(A182), Bonemill Lane, Biddick Lane to Fallowfield Way where normal route will recommence towards Washington Galleries and Heworth.

The normal route of the 4 between Shiney Row and Fatfield would be maintained at a Frequency of Every 15 Minutes, with 2/2A operating alongside the 4 Every 10 Minutes.

Furthermore from looking at Google Maps it takes 10 Minutes to from Shiney Row to Fallowfield Way driving, whereas the alternate route for the Deckers would only take half that at 5 Minutes, meaning the Decker runs would have 5 Minutes of built in Layover which would utilised at Various Timing Points, ensuring the current frequency and level of service is maintained.

Good Idea but those sheds on the Pronto need to go first and all shortfalls at Riverside, Hexham, Chester and Percy Main need clearing up as well.

(09 May 2015, 1:44 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Good Idea but those sheds on the Pronto need to go first and all shortfalls at Riverside, Hexham, Chester and Percy Main need clearing up as well.

Sorry Davey but their are no "buts" about it, those B9TLs are not moving from Washington Depot to Crook for the X21.

Why would they decrease the frequency of the X1? It tends to run without any major issues, and if anything, could do with a frequency increase between the Galleries and Newcastle.

Im surprised he didn't like your suggestion more than he did. It involves getting rid of the B9s on the X1

(09 May 2015, 2:03 pm)aureolin wrote Why would they decrease the frequency of the X1? It tends to run without any major issues, and if anything, could do with a frequency increase between the Galleries and Newcastle.

At peak times it does, i use the Galleries on Mondays and Tuesdays, between 8am and 9am, and every bus leaves full.

(09 May 2015, 2:09 pm)Michael wrote At peak times it does, i use the Galleries on Mondays and Tuesdays, between 8am and 9am, and every bus leaves full.

Same during the day. Whatever time I seem to wait for it, it's always got a massive queue at the Galleries.

(09 May 2015, 2:10 pm)aureolin wrote Same during the day. Whatever time I seem to wait for it, it's always got a massive queue at the Galleries.

There is always a massive queue on that Stand at The Galleries, due to the 4 and the X1 using it, doesnt mean that all of that massive queue get on the X1 though.

(09 May 2015, 12:48 pm)Malarkey wrote I will blame you aureolin for this idea  .

Reduce the X1 in frequency to "Every 12 Minutes", Improving reliability along with making those runs with fluctuated Passenger Number look more busy and in turn more profitable.

This will then free up 2 or 3 Volvo B9TLs off the X1, They would be allocated to the Peak Time runs on the 4, operating on one of the runs which go past St Roberts/Biddick Comp between 3pm and 3.30pm.

The Route for these Runs would be amended between Shiney Row and Fatfield due Low Bridges on Fatfield Riverside and Station Road, operating via Washington Highway(A182), Bonemill Lane, Biddick Lane to Fallowfield Way where normal route will recommence towards Washington Galleries and Heworth.

The normal route of the 4 between Shiney Row and Fatfield would be maintained at a Frequency of Every 15 Minutes, with 2/2A operating alongside the 4 Every 10 Minutes.

Furthermore from looking at Google Maps it takes 10 Minutes to from Shiney Row to Fallowfield Way driving, whereas the alternate route for the Deckers would only take half that at 5 Minutes, meaning the Decker runs would have 5 Minutes of built in Layover which would utilised at Various Timing Points, ensuring the current frequency and level of service is maintained.

Were those 'via' points chosen at random?
Good choice, either way

(09 May 2015, 6:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote Were those 'via' points chosen at random?
Good choice, either way

Common Knowledge Andreos1, I could of alternatively opted to continue along Bonemill Lane and up Worm Hill Terrace to Fallowfield Way which takes a mighty 2 Minutes longer.

(09 May 2015, 7:21 pm)Malarkey wrote Common Knowledge Andreos1, I could of alternatively opted to continue along Bonemill Lane and up Worm Hill Terrace to Fallowfield Way which takes a mighty 2 Minutes longer.

Sorry - should have been clearer.
I meant the via points on the front blinds.

(10 May 2015, 4:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote Sorry - should have been clearer.
I meant the via points on the front blinds.

I understand now haha, was sat for half hour last night trying to figure out what you meant before making my post.

(09 May 2015, 2:03 pm)aureolin wrote Why would they decrease the frequency of the X1? It tends to run without any major issues, and if anything, could do with a frequency increase between the Galleries and Newcastle.

Yeah I agree that an increase in buses between The Galleries and Newcastle may be needed but I wouldn't increase the frequency of the X1. The frequency that the X1 provides between Easington Lane and The Galleries is more than enough as it is now and doesn't justify any more buses. I think there could be a case to bring back the old X4 route again on a half hourly freqeuncy. Not only would this provide an extra 2 buses an hour between The Galleries and Newcastle, it would also re-instate a direct link from parts of North Sunderland to the Galleries and also help make up for the reduction in frequency of the 56. The 73 would possibly no longer need to serve Castletown as a result, making that route a bit more direct as well.

For North Tyneside, would this not be a good idea:

- All Cobalt Clipper services running with a PVR of 16 Monday to Saturday with no extra buses thrown in at all. No X39's (bar one in the afternoon) would be provided by either the 309 / 310 but the 310 during the PM peak could provide some extra 309's through Cobalt Park like now. Evening services increased to every 30 minutes and Sunday daytime frequency unchanged but during Bank Holidays (Compensatory Christmas Day's, Boxing Days and New Years Days that fall during the week, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Mayday, Whitsun and Princess of Wales), both services would run every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during the evenings.

- Service X39 bar 1 journey would fall under the Coaster brand.

- Coaster PVR increased to 17 with new service X38 introduced. All Gateshead journeys would continue from Whitley Bay HSBC to Newcastle via the 308 route to Billy Mill then limited stop to Newcastle Haymarket only calling at Norham Road and Willington Square. Buses would run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime. Buses in Whitley Bay would terminate at Park Avenue before heading back to Gateshead as Coaster 1 from York Road. Also, through fares would be accepted between Marden and Newcastle providing competition with Service 306.

* With reference to the above, all morning eastbound journeys Monday to Friday until about 8:30-9:00 would run as Service X39 between Newcastle and Cobalt before re-joining the Coaster board back in Whitley Bay. Also, the last journey from Whitley Bay to Newcastle would be at around 15:45 - 16:00 and the other 2 buses would operate from Whitley Bay to Cobalt to operate Service X39 between Cobalt and Newcastle.

(07 May 2015, 11:48 am)Andreos1 wrote Following the chewing of the fat of Chester services in the annoying thread, I had a look at the timetables of all services arriving/departing Chester AFTER 2000 on a normal weekday evening.

Not sure what can be done (apart from introducing new services) other than tweaking timetables, but here is a list of services arriving/departing.

20:08 - 21 to Durham
20:19 - 34 to Ouston
20:21 - 21 from Newcastle. Terminates (t)
20:25 - 21 to Newcastle
20:29 - 78 to Sunderland
20:37 - 50 from Shields. (t)
20:38 - 21 to Durham
20:40 - 50 to Shields
20:45 - 28 from Grange Villa (t)
20:49 - 78 to Consett
20:50 - 28 to Birtley
20:51 - 21 from Newcastle (t)
20:52 - 34 to Waldridge Park
20:55 - 21 to Newcastle
21:08 - 21 to Durham
21:19 - 34 to Ouston
21:25 - 21 to Newcastle
21:26 - 21 from Newcastle (t)
21:29 - 78 to Sunderland and repeat until close of play.

This isn't GNE bashing at all. Hopefully by pointing out these timings, someone could suggest alternatives or improvements, post 8pm - which to be fair, isn't late at all.
Or, it has identified something that may not have been thought about at GNE towers.

Gambling on a 2/3 minute connection, is risky. Yet, there are a number of examples of that in the timetables listed - for those connecting to a 21, from one of the less regular services. Vice versa, if getting off a 21.
Sometimes, the connection time (for a perfectly reasonable trip), is the total opposite and involves waiting for quite a period.

This isn't something new at all - having been unfortunate to have missed a number of tight connections, prior to the DCC cutbacks.

Also, there is a 36 due in to Chester le Street, gone 2100.
Any idea why this travels light from Chester back to Deptford, rather than carry a load back to Houghton and onwards to Deptford (or Park Lane) from there?
Appreciate hours are tight for drivers, but I think that is a missed opportunity.

Think the evening Service through Chester le Street is proven to be even more dreadful, when the last bus through to Washington is the 50 at 21:40, means that on Friday when I finish work at 10pm I will have to get the 21 to Gateshead then the X1 to The Galleries followed by a 10 Minute walk home, or Alternatively I stop at my Dads in Low Fell unless I can get a lift back to Washington.

(13 May 2015, 5:54 pm)Malarkey wrote Think the evening Service through Chester le Street is proven to be even more dreadful, when the last bus through to Washington is the 50 at 21:40, means that on Friday when I finish work at 10pm I will have to get the 21 to Gateshead then the X1 to The Galleries followed by a 10 Minute walk home, or Alternatively I stop at my Dads in Low Fell unless I can get a lift back to Washington.

That doesn't really have much to do with the point Andreos was making at all. As Chester-le-Street is a hub, customers are expected to use this as a connection point from main services (such as the 21) to other more local services (such as the 34). The disadvantage to this comes on a night, when services do not run as frequently, meaning that customers have to rely on tight connections or have to wait around for long periods of time to ensure they meet their connection.

On to the point you're trying to make... Perhaps if the demand existed for services from Chester-le-Street to Washington at that hour, they'd exist? The majority of the evening 50A services are secured by a third party, which suggests a lot about the profitability of these routes before 22:00 to begin with...

(13 May 2015, 5:54 pm)Malarkey wrote Think the evening Service through Chester le Street is proven to be even more dreadful, when the last bus through to Washington is the 50 at 21:40, means that on Friday when I finish work at 10pm I will have to get the 21 to Gateshead then the X1 to The Galleries followed by a 10 Minute walk home, or Alternatively I stop at my Dads in Low Fell unless I can get a lift back to Washington.

A 78 to Shiney/Penshaw and then a 2?

The connections and services in Chester are poor on a night, but hopefully the shifts tie in with a 78.

Mind, maybe with all of the crowds (who won't all be in cars), operators are missing an opportunity?

(13 May 2015, 6:24 pm)Andreos1 wrote A 78 to Shiney/Penshaw and then a 2?

The connections and services in Chester are poor on a night, but hopefully the shifts tie in with a 78.

Mind, maybe with all of the crowds (who won't all be in cars), operators are missing an opportunity?

I would have Half Hour to wait in Chester for the 78 which departs Chester at 22:29 and gets to Shiney Row at 22:49, with the 2 arriving at Shiney Row at 23:02 towards Washington.

Wouldnt be so bad if their was another 50 at 22:40 and 23:40 going as far as Washington Galleries where it would Terminate, would imagine quite a few people would use it, those who have went out for a few Drinks, or are returning home from Work in Chester/Durham etc, these journeys might not be profitable and might not have a full load of passengers on board, but atleast GNE would be providing a Service to those who otherwise be left to find a alternative way back home.

(13 May 2015, 7:23 pm)Malarkey wrote these journeys might not be profitable and might not have a full load of passengers on board, but atleast GNE would be providing a Service to those who otherwise be left to find a alternative way back home.

Sadly, I don't think those responsible for designing services for bus operators can have this sort of attitude. If they did, the bus operators wouldn't be here to provide a service at all, never mind at 22:00 to get you home easier than the alternatives available.

I'm just waiting for all of the service suggestions for Arriva and Stagecoach for all of their services that finish completely for the night prior to midnight, too? After all, it's not like any of the big three have trialled additional services on a night and have had to withdraw them due to low use, is it?

(13 May 2015, 7:23 pm)Malarkey wrote I would have Half Hour to wait in Chester for the 78 which departs Chester at 22:29 and gets to Shiney Row at 22:49, with the 2 arriving at Shiney Row at 23:02 towards Washington.

Wouldnt be so bad if their was another 50 at 22:40 and 23:40 going as far as Washington Galleries where it would Terminate, would imagine quite a few people would use it, those who have went out for a few Drinks, or are returning home from Work in Chester/Durham etc, these journeys might not be profitable and might not have a full load of passengers on board, but atleast GNE would be providing a Service to those who otherwise be left to find a alternative way back home.

25min wait and a 21 to Low Fell or Gateshead (followed by a 20min? wait and a walk) or a 30 min wait and 2 to the front door. No brainer .

Aye, unfortunately operators run the services to suit their 'investors', rather than customers.

My own opinion (whether right or not), is that people are put off going via Chester and using it as a hub on a night - not only because facilities are exposed to the elements, but because the connections are poor.
Poor connections = disgruntled passengers = lower numbers = curtailed and reduced services.

Conversely... Good connections = happy customers = increased numbers = extended and increased services.

I would love to see buses to here there and everywhere, but it won't happen. Good connections will at the very least appease some people and maybe encourage growth.