I don't see where any of the X73-78 have come from. If anything, I'd speculate 44/44A keeps its number (and route) between Newcastle and Stanley and the X43 will renumbered to 43 to reflect an increase in stopping places.

Basically what I have done is split the 43/44/44A Three times, between Durham and Stanley the current routes are maintained with the current service number, then I have split them again this twice between Stanley and Newcastle, so that you would have a Bus Every 15 Minutes Direct to the MetroCentre where they would terminate, and again a Bus Every 15 Minutes providing a quicker more direct link to Newcastle which is where the X73-78 have come from, thus greatly improving reliability, not only that but offering an improved level of service between Stanley and Whickham also.

Basically what I have done is split the 43/44/44A Three times, between Durham and Stanley the current routes are maintained with the current service number, then I have split them again this twice between Stanley and Newcastle, so that you would have a Bus Every 15 Minutes Direct to the MetroCentre where they would terminate, and again a Bus Every 15 Minutes providing a quicker more direct link to Newcastle which is where the X73-78 have come from, thus greatly improving reliability, not only that but offering an improved level of service between Stanley and Whickham also.

But a quicker, direct link between Newcastle and Stanley already exists in the form of services X30 and X31. These are the services likely to see a frequency increase to every 15 minutes if proposals in the consultation are carried out. 

You're unnecessarily overcomplicating things.

But a quicker, direct link between Newcastle and Stanley already exists in the form of services X30 and X31. These are the services likely to see a frequency increase to every 15 minutes if proposals in the consultation are carried out. 

You're unnecessarily overcomplicating things.

I think it would be best to have the Stanley express services in the X3- series (steeping into 40s if needed) and then all the consett services in the X7- series (with the current X78) being kept as it is.

In response to Jimmi's point about the Malarkeys proposed X78 not going anywhere near the current 78 route...does the X31 run along the 31 route? Does the X9 and X10 run along the routes of the services of the same number (without the X of course)?

Just because the number on its own already exists, doesn't mean that the number can't be used with an 'X' that runs nowhere along the route of the number without the X.

I reckon you will be quite surprised at the new service numbers.....keep looking on VOSA!!

I reckon you will be quite surprised at the new service numbers.....keep looking on VOSA!!

Hopefully they don't confuse the OAP's? 

Hopefully they don't confuse the OAP's? 

or you 

Hopefully they don't confuse the OAP's? 

It happens anyway with OAP's.

or you 

Hopefully not 

I just hope they aren't going to have 2 routes with the same numbers... even in different locations, some people can get confused

Simple suggestion that would only need the timetable editing...

34/34A do opposite loops around Urpeth Grange rather than both going the same way.

Simple suggestion that would only need the timetable editing...

34/34A do opposite loops around Urpeth Grange rather than both going the same way.

Apparently, the reason the anti-clockwise loop is used, is due to the lack of footpaths and quite a few people being knocked down. Not by bus though.
There was a major campaign a few years ago, after a young lass was hit by a van and left permanently brain damaged.

The provision of footpaths on the side away from the houses, is virtually nil.
No idea why this hasn't been changed over the years.
There may be something hidden in here (http://parishes.durham.gov.uk/ouston/Pages/Minutes.aspx

There was a variation of the 34 a few years ago, following the 2006 changes - that went in the clockwise direction. Prior to that, I think the 733 was the last clockwise service.

Right, do you remember my previous suggestion timetable for the Cobalt Clipper earlier on in the year. Now, I have created another one taking into account the following to solve some of the problems facing the services including:

- Tight turnaround times for some journeys at particular times.
- Further changes to combat congestion issues at Cobalt Park.
- Improved reliability on service 310 and also service 309.
- Not achieving potential high passenger numbers due to running behind the 306 / 308 on the Newcastle - Station Road Corridor and also through Battle Hill Drive (306 only).
- Spare buses having to be used on Services 309 / X39 which not only serve the primary market of the 'Cobalt' Clipper, but also with the former having to compete with other services unlike service 310 which benefits from having the monopoly through High Farm.
- Buses being 'docked' during the afternoons causing passengers to use competing other services.

I've also thrown in a new potnetial service that could operate too.

Included is:
- Passenger timetable
- Operational boards
- Operational info and a few business analytics

309_310_X38_X39 boards.pdf (Size 1.01 MB Downloads 40)

309_310_X38_X39 times.pdf (Size 509.37 KB Downloads 31)

309_310_X38_X39 ops and business info.pdf (Size 90.57 KB Downloads 258)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FROM GO AHEAD NORTH EAST AND MUST NOT BE MISUSED OR DISTRIBUTED IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM WHICH COULD MISLEAD ACTUAL PASSENGERS OR CONFLICT WITH GO AHEAD NORTH EAST'S ACTUAL OFFICIAL PUBLICATION!

Right, do you remember my previous suggestion timetable for the Cobalt Clipper earlier on in the year. Now, I have created another one taking into account the following to solve some of the problems facing the services including:

- Tight turnaround times for some journeys at particular times.
- Further changes to combat congestion issues at Cobalt Park.
- Improved reliability on service 310 and also service 309.
- Not achieving potential high passenger numbers due to running behind the 306 / 308 on the Newcastle - Station Road Corridor and also through Battle Hill Drive (306 only).
- Spare buses having to be used on Services 309 / X39 which not only serve the primary market of the 'Cobalt' Clipper, but also with the former having to compete with other services unlike service 310 which benefits from having the monopoly through High Farm.
- Buses being 'docked' during the afternoons causing passengers to use competing other services.

I've also thrown in a new potnetial service that could operate too.

Included is:
- Passenger timetable
- Operational boards
- Operational info and a few business analytics





PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FROM GO AHEAD NORTH EAST AND MUST NOT BE MISUSED OR DISTRIBUTED IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM WHICH COULD MISLEAD ACTUAL PASSENGERS OR CONFLICT WITH GO AHEAD NORTH EAST'S ACTUAL OFFICIAL PUBLICATION!

Got to admire the work you put into these DaveyB.

Must have taken you hours!

Got to admire the work you put into these DaveyB.

Must have taken you hours!

To be honest, the actual production ain't too bad. It's more working the following out that's a bit of a headache:

- Morning Peak Time runs.
- Afternoon Peak Time runs.
- Evening and Sunday journeys.
- Total PVR.

The times where they don't change much can be done in bulk using =REF+TIME(hh,mm,ss) etc. The afternoon peak times were the ones that gave me the most headaches working out what to do with the 310s as although I didn't want to dock the full PM NCL bound journeys to half hourly, I wanted to try and keep the 309 / 310 relatively frequent in the afternoons unlike now where they're being cut upto every 30-35 minutes between Norham Rd and Newcastle as well as between Blyth and Cobalt. Also, there were some daft times of the 309 that I wanted to stamp out such as:

- No buses to Cobalt for 8am starts unless waiting around for 30 mimutes (excluding X39).

- 25 minute gap on Saturday mornings.

- Journey that positions from Blyth to Newcastle as a 309 then takes the 1930 310 to Shields.

- Journey leaving Whitley Bay Cemetery at 2228 on a Sunday night? (Who would want to use that!)

- Later journey to Blyth on a Saturday than what there is on a Monday to Friday evening.

why not have a direct bus from Newcastle to Hartlepool they could try it on a trial basis

why not have a direct bus from Newcastle to Hartlepool they could try it on a trial basis

I think they did, shoppers service X11. Also, many years ago, service X5 used to. Good idea though.

I think they did, shoppers service X11. Also, many years ago, service X5 used to. Good idea though.

Yeah, there was a X11 a few years back which ran two journeys in each direction on Saturday's only.

Think it was the X5 from Newcastle to Hartlepool, think I saw some old photos of that service on Flickr recently.

Yeah, there was a X11 a few years back which ran two journeys in each direction on Saturday's only.

Think it was the X5 from Newcastle to Hartlepool, think I saw some old photos of that service on Flickr recently.

The X5 ran for years.

Yeah, there was a X11 a few years back which ran two journeys in each direction on Saturday's only.

Think it was the X5 from Newcastle to Hartlepool, think I saw some old photos of that service on Flickr recently.

It basically ran the route of the current X1 from Newcastle - Easington Lane and what is now the X35 between Easington Lane - Hartlepool.

Not sure what the interworking patterns were, but from what I remember, it saw everything from coaches, to VR's, Metrobuses and ECW Olympians on it.

Used to be a regular on the X5 between 2003 and 2007 as I was seeing a lass from Peterlee.

Did the 231 used to goto Hartlepool at one point...I remember getting it from Newcastle to E.Lane one day, it took that long I had to have another shave once I got off

It did indeed. A quick google search brings up this timetable https://oldtwbustime.wordpress.com/2011/...artlepool/

X38/X39 - Newcastle City Centre - Coast Road - Silverlink - Cobalt Business Park - West Allotment - Holystone - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Quorum Business Park - Balliol Business Park - South Gosforth - Newcastle City Centre

• Operating 7/8 Minutes Combined
  
• Linking various Business Parks to Newcastle City Centre
  

X83 - Newcastle - MetroCentre - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Prudoe - Branch End - Riding Mill - Corbridge - Hexham

• Service 10 Re-Numbered X83 joining Tynedale Express Brand
  
• No Changes to Route or Frequency
  

10 - Newcastle - MetroCentre - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Prudoe - Low Prudoe
11 - Newcastle - Scotswood Road - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Greenside - High Spen - Chopwell - Blackhall Mill
11A - Newcastle - Scotswood Road - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Prudoe - Low Prudoe

• Rebranded Derwent Ranger
  
• Services 10 and 11 Operate Every 10 Minutes Combined
  
• Service 10B Re-Numbered 10, No Changes to Service
  
• Service 10A Merged into Service 11
  
• Peak Time 11A remains unchanged
  

Mine is simple: Rerouting the X70 via Hobson rather than Burnopfield as, after the changes, Hobson will be without a bus.

We all saw this coming

434
Bedlington Station to Linton - every 90 minutes - same timetable as now but without Wednesday variations

430
North Seaton Colliery to Guide Post Shops via Ashington - every 60 minutes - NSC 00, Ash 10, GP 25. GP 30, Ash 45, NSC 55. Interworks with 448.

Been having a look at the PVRs and I have worked out GNE could do this:

Give the TTX StreetDecks 7 (including 1 spare) give the ex TTX ones to the Red Arrows, cascading the 11-reg B9TLS for the Stanley (5) replacing these Olympians and one to Chester-le-Street allowing 3983 to move to Percy Main for the 434 (replacing 3859) and the last one to go to stay at Washington as a spare moving 3943 to Percy Main for DFDS replacing a Lolyne. Then Streetdecks could come for the Cobalt Clipper meaning 3 could go to DFDS to replace the B7TLs, and two could go to Chester le Street replacing 3962 and 3965, the rest could replace lolynes (six at Chester-le-Street the remainder replacing Stanley's lolynes
3962 would go to Hexham as a spare and Riverside would get 3965.
4 Streetdecks could come for the 47 bringing it up to 45/46 sta 6118-6120 would go to sent to Percy Main, replacing 6008 (for Riverside replacing 3818) the same thing happening with 6015 and 6023. 6121 would go to Crook getting rid of 6038 getting rid of 3874. 7 more Streetdecks would go to Crook for the X21. Removing 7 presidents from the fleet.
Streetlites could be ordered for the Fast Cats allowing ten solars to replace 5151-5159 and 5165. They could also get get some for the Wear Tees Express to allow citaros to replace 5229-5233 on the Tynedale Express, one could go to Percy Main (5229) to replace 5166 and the other four to Riverside for the 57. 4936 could also be allocated. 5332 could be a Tynedale Express spare. All dual-door renowns could be replaced. 4897 could replace 5160. Contrary to opinion, 5293 to 5297 would travel to Deptford to replace five Deptford renowns. 4978-4982 could replace the five solars on the Wagonway. These could become spares. 6116 and 6117 could go to Deptford to replace 6020 and 6042 due to them not being needed at Percy Main. Streetlites could be ordered for the loop allowing 4909 and 4910 to be withdrawn with two Solars moving to Deptford. Others could replace 4896, 4899-4903. Eclipses like 9108 could replace Price Bishop solars. Half of the Solars could replace Riversides's B10s. Three could go to Percy Main to replace 4912-4914. Six would transfer to Chester-le-Street to replace their Y-Reg solars (bar one) the other to replace 4897.
This allows for a Lolyne, Olympian and B10 free bus company, the oldest buses would be presidents and 51-REG solars. 12 Presidents could also be removed from service, the majority if not all the fleet would be DDA.
Copied from latest news and disscussion

Like Dalton Park, Royal Quays is pretty limited when it comes to using the bus to get there (and back away again).
Obviously Royal Quays is a bit more established, with other amenities (at the moment).

Obviously the 9 runs along the A187, so there could be the possibility of running that down Coble Dene - if Nexus would allow it.
The 17 and 19 come from the same neck of the woods in both directions, which obviously places limitations on potential passenger numbers.

Other than that, could there be a variation of the 1?
Maybe operating via Percy Main and Meadowell Metro stations, as part of the extension?

An extension of the Q3, that terminates at Royal Quays?

A new 42 service.
Newcastle - Coast Road - Chillingham Road - Fossway - Wallsend (inc Metro) - Howdon - Howdon Road - Royal Quays - loop around Meadowell - Percy Main - Royal Quays - back to Newcastle.

Like Dalton Park, Royal Quays is pretty limited when it comes to using the bus to get there (and back away again).
Obviously Royal Quays is a bit more established, with other amenities (at the moment).

Obviously the 9 runs along the A187, so there could be the possibility of running that down Coble Dene - if Nexus would allow it.
The 17 and 19 come from the same neck of the woods in both directions, which obviously places limitations on potential passenger numbers.

Other than that, could there be a variation of the 1?
Maybe operating via Percy Main and Meadowell Metro stations, as part of the extension?

An extension of the Q3, that terminates at Royal Quays?

A new 42 service.
Newcastle - Coast Road - Chillingham Road - Fossway - Wallsend (inc Metro) - Howdon - Howdon Road - Royal Quays - loop around Meadowell - Percy Main - Royal Quays - back to Newcastle.

Hopefully that will change next year once Phase 2 is up and running

A service which operates between Newcastle and Darlington like either the 723 or 724 used to.

A service which operates between Newcastle and Darlington like either the 723 or 724 used to.

722 and 723 that was mate, 724 was the OK Travel service between Newcastle and Bishop Auckland...

722 and 723 were jointly operated by GNE and Arriva

A service which operates between Newcastle and Darlington like either the 723 or 724 used to.

724 is basically the X21 as it went to Bishop Auckland, it was the 722/723 that ran Darlington - Newcastle.

Can't see this sort of service happening again anytime soon, especially as from Darlington it has to compete with the train which is more than three times faster than the bus would be. Also judging by the passenger loadings/trends on the 7, most people travel locally eg. Darlington - Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill - Durham don't think that many actually do the full route. Also for Go North East to do a service between these points the times wouldn't really work out well as if it was timed between the X21 you would end up with it having a long layover in Darlington (I've thought of this idea before).

For these reasons I can't see such thing happening anytime soon, especially after the last time GNE tried to launch a competing service to Arriva in the Darlington area (OK1).