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

I knew it was something along those lines [emoji14]

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

I don't think it could be justified; both Go North East and Arriva operate services from Newcastle to Durham, and Arriva link Durham and Darlington with their ''Sapphire'' 7 service. For example, Go North East's 21 operates at a frequency of every 15 minutes Mondays-Saturdays, and Arriva's 7 operates at the same frequency. Passengers wouldn't be waiting long between connections. 

You also have to consider the train; which, while more expensive, links Newcastle and Darlington in about a third of the time that the bus would. I can't see it working.

I agree with the last couple of posts, the train will always blow any competing bus service out the water...

Did the 722/723 have reliability problems at times as well, I cant really remember the reasons, but I always got the idea it was not the most reliable service

I agree with the last couple of posts, the train will always blow any competing bus service out the water...

Did the 722/723 have reliability problems at times as well, I cant really remember the reasons, but I always got the idea it was not the most reliable service

Can't really comment on the reliability of the 722/723 as I almost never used the service when it used to run all the way to Newcastle. As I frequently travel to/from Darlington and Durham on the 7 I'd personally rather have a service terminating in Durham and change to continue to Newcastle on the odd trip rather than have a bus run late due for various traffic related reasons in the Newcastle area when I need to travel to Durham.

Also as this is a suggestion for GNE I don't think it would really work competing with the Arriva service 7 as the 7 is more frequent and you'd struggle to make the service much faster than the 7 as although you can miss the likes of Ferryhill, Chilton and Newton Aycliffe out you could be left with a service that picks up next to zero passengers between Durham and Darlington.

Been quite bored this evening so decided to do this "Malarkey Marathon" as you guys like to call it, note this is a serious suggestion.   

81 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Barmston - Concord

82 - Doxford International - Moorside - Doxford Park - Tunstall Village - Ryhope Green - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Hastings Hill - Penshaw - Barnwell - Fatfield - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Barmston Village Centre - Concord

83 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Waterview Park - Barmston Court - Washington Village - Glebe - Sainsburys Car Park - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - B&Q - Concord

84 - Doxford International - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Hastings Hill - Waterview Park - Peel Retail Park - Sulgrave - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Brady Square

Operating a combined 6/7 Minutes
Merging of Services 2/2A/39/82/82A/85 & 86

85 - Birtley - Portmeads - Portobello - Rickleton - Harraton - Washington Galleries
Every 30 Minutes

Been quite bored this evening so decided to do this "Malarkey Marathon" as you guys like to call it, note this is a serious suggestion.   

81 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Shiney Row - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Barmston - Concord

82 - Doxford International - Moorside - Doxford Park - Tunstall Village - Ryhope Green - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Hastings Hill - Penshaw - Barnwell - Fatfield - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Barmston Village Centre - Concord

83 - Silksworth - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Waterview Park - Barmston Court - Washington Village - Glebe - Sainsburys Car Park - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - B&Q - Concord

84 - Doxford International - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Hastings Hill - Waterview Park - Peel Retail Park - Sulgrave - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Brady Square

Operating a combined 6/7 Minutes
Merging of Services 2/2A/39/82/82A/85 & 86

85 - Birtley - Portmeads - Portobello - Rickleton - Harraton - Washington Galleries
Every 30 Minutes

We know how well combined cross town services work. Just look at the 43/44/44a!

And the X88 - couldn't make it to Concord, this morning, because of the A1(M) roadworks. Ended up with a PVR of 2 to keep time - manager found the spare driver before the spare bus.

Had a rethink of my previous allocation plans, this could happen:
6 Streetdecks for the TTX
6 12-REG B9s to Washington displacing 5 11-REG examples to Stanley replacing the Olympians there and the one left to Riverside displacing 3818.
16 Streetdecks for Percy Main for the Cobalt Clipper
6116 could go to Washington displacing 6007 to Riverside displacing 3819.
6101 could go to Riverside replacing 3824. 6102-6105 go to Stanley replacing all Stanley's remaining Lolynes. 6106-6111 could replace Chester-le-Street's Lolynes. 6112-6115 could stay put and go on the DFDS buses. 
13 Streetdecks for the TEN.
6071 could go to Percy Main replacing 3859. 6072-6074 and 6081 could stay at Riverside for the 47, displacing 3941 at Washington to Percy Main replacing 6008, 6119 and 6120 could replace 3962 and 3965 at Chester-le-street, they could also go to Percy Main replacing 6010 and 6015, 6121 could travel to Percy Main directly replacing 6023.
6082, 6083, 6075 and 6076 replacing Percy Main's presidents. 6077-6080 could replace Washington's presidents apart from 6032. 
8 Streetdecks for Crook replacing all Pronto presidents and 6038.
2 solos could go to Crook displacing 571 and 572 one to Stanley replacing 547 and the other to Deptford replacing 548. 
7 solos and 2 versas could go to Hexham displacing 5210 to Percy Main replacing 5151 and 618 and 619 to Deptford replacing 560 and 562. The others (excluding 561) could go to scrap/ensign, 561 could go to Percy Main as a spare. 2 solos could be ordered for either spare or AD122 operation. 5210 could go to Chester-le-Street to replace 4926.
9 solos could go to Percy Main for the North Tyne Links, allowing 8 for scrap/ensign and 569 could replace 563 on the NHS bus. 
7 streetlites and 5 solos could go to Washington merging the 82,82A,85 and 86 in a brand with a combined P.V.R of 12. The 2 cadets and 5 merits could go to Percy Main replacing 5152-5158, 8266 could go from Riverside replacing 5159. 603 and 604 could jointly replace 8266 at Riverside allowing for an every 7-8 minutes S1. 570, 605 and 606 could replace 564, 565 and 573 at Deptford. 
10 streetlites could go to Deptford for the Fast Cats. 4955 could go to Percy Main replacing 5166. The other 9 could replace 4896-4903 and 4906 at Riverside. 
20 eclipses like 9108 could go to Deptford for the Prince Bishops, 4945, 4946, 4954, 4968-4971 could replace Riverside's remaining renowns.  4972, 4989-4992, 5204 and 5211 could replace Percy Main's single door renowns. The remaining 6 could replace Chester-le-Street's other Y-REG Solars. 
10 streetlites could go to Deptford moving the 33, 33A and 39 into a brand allowing 8258-8260 and 8267-8270 to stay put for the purpose of replacing Deptford's renowns. The remaining three could go to Washington replacing 4935, 4961 and 4962. 
5 streetlites could go to Chester-le-Street for the Wagonway allowing 4956 and 4957 could replace 570 and 574 at Deptford, the other two could go to Riverside to replace 4932, 4933 and 4960 could replace 4936 at Deptford.
5293-5297 could replace 5167-5171 on the 57.

I don't think it could be justified; both Go North East and Arriva operate services from Newcastle to Durham, and Arriva link Durham and Darlington with their ''Sapphire'' 7 service. For example, Go North East's 21 operates at a frequency of every 15 minutes Mondays-Saturdays, and Arriva's 7 operates at the same frequency. Passengers wouldn't be waiting long between connections. 

You also have to consider the train; which, while more expensive, links Newcastle and Darlington in about a third of the time that the bus would. I can't see it working.

There is everyone in between though

There have been a few suggestions in the past about the 82 (and its predecessors) in here, both before and after its changes.

One link that was lost in the last lot of changes, was the one between Rickleton and Birtley - only existing now in the form of Lord Lawson scholars.

Rather than re-introduce a new service, I am thinking the 36 could be extended, operating via Picktree Lane in both directions. It would operate via Portobello Road to Birtley (opposite direction to the 82 around Mount Pleasant) and then via Durham Road and Vigo Lane.

It would also reinstate the link between the northern part of Birtley to the town centre, also lost in the last round of changes.

I reckon it would only need to operate on an hourly frequency, so only one 36 would need to be extended.

There have been a few suggestions in the past about the 82 (and its predecessors) in here, both before and after its changes.

One link that was lost in the last lot of changes, was the one between Rickleton and Birtley - only existing now in the form of Lord Lawson scholars.

Rather than re-introduce a new service, I am thinking the 36 could be extended, operating via Picktree Lane in both directions. It would operate via Portobello Road to Birtley (opposite direction to the 82 around Mount Pleasant) and then via Durham Road and Vigo Lane.

It would also reinstate the link between the northern part of Birtley to the town centre, also lost in the last round of changes.

I reckon it would only need to operate on an hourly frequency, so only one 36 would need to be extended.

I don't know enough about the 82 to have suggested route changes

This will be about your suggestions for services...

A: A bus between Newcastle and Barley Mow, via Gateshead, Q.E Hospital, Wrekenton and Birtley?

B: A bus between North Tyneside and the MetroCentre?

Yes I agree, it would be good if we could have a service 1B from Whitley Bay to Metrocentre via Gateshead.

Yes I agree, it would be good if we could have a service 1B from Whitley Bay to Metrocentre via Gateshead.

Would be far quicker just to change and get the X66. Said this before but if the short runs were extended to Blyth every 30 mins Monday to Saturday via Ridley Park, they'd get good loads particularly on Saturdays and during the summer for families and anyonelse who wants a day out in both directions. Only thing that would have to change is that the evening and Sunday runs to Kibblesworth get renumbered 1B and the Blyth to Gateshead runs operate as 1A to comply with EU regs.

3/3A - Heworth Metro - Leam Lane Estate - Wardley - Usworth College - Donwell - Concord - Washington Galleries - Glebe - Fatfield - Harratton - Rickleton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Donwell - Usworth College - Wardley - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth Metro

X8 - Stanley - Beamish - Pelton - Ouston - Birtley - Portmeads - Portobello - Washington Galleries - Waterview Park - Grindon - Royal Hospital - Sunderland

Go north east could possibally do a run from Blyth-Cramlington-Newcastle

Cramlington-Whitley Bay via Killingworth, Great lime road , holystone, west allotment, northumberland park, shiremoor, cobalt, New York then rake lane.

Why not give 19 extea time and instead of going along shiremoor bypass all the wAy why not turn at grey horse then go along past the petrol garage towards northumberland park metro to and from ashington

---

Even an express ashington-newcAstle vis bedlington and cramlington maybe

Go north east could possibally do a run from Blyth-Cramlington-Newcastle

Cramlington-Whitley Bay via Killingworth, Great lime road , holystone, west allotment, northumberland park, shiremoor, cobalt, New York then rake lane.

Why not give 19 extea time and instead of going along shiremoor bypass all the wAy why not turn at grey horse then go along past the petrol garage towards northumberland park metro to and from ashington

---

Even an express ashington-newcAstle vis bedlington and cramlington maybe

As long as these services have new-ish buses with Free WiFi, power sockets and e-leather seating... and cheaper fares than Arriva's £7 return.


How much is an Orange+Blue Buzzfare?

As long as these services have new-ish buses with Free WiFi, power sockets and e-leather seating... and cheaper fares than Arriva's £7 return.


How much is an Orange+Blue Buzzfare?

£6.30 for two zones.

£6.30 for two zones.

So its £7 for a return and DaySaver on Arriva giving unlimited travel on the X20/X21/X22 between Newbiggin/Ashington and Newcastle.

Whereas, Go North East offers £6.30 for unlimited travel on all buses in the Orange and Blue zones including buses to MetroCentre.

70p cheaper for more.

So its £7 for a return and DaySaver on Arriva giving unlimited travel on the X20/X21/X22 between Newbiggin/Ashington and Newcastle.

Whereas, Go North East offers £6.30 for unlimited travel on all buses in the Orange and Blue zones including buses to MetroCentre.

70p cheaper for more.

I think the next operator which will take a punt at competing with Arriva will be Stagecoach. If the new junction at Cowgate was to work well, they could serve a few stops down Ponteland Rd between Bedlington or the A1068 and Newcastle rather than serve Gosforth. Changeovers excluding the peak times could be done there too if Slatyford was to run the service due to the close proximity to the A1.


Don't know about competing with Blyth's routs but if it was one of Ashington's, it would probably be something down these lines:

- Same route as X21 to Bedlington Red Lion, then limited stop to Haymarket only calling at a  few stops on Ponteland Road.

Chances of you all thinking WTF are 100%, but I'm pretty happy with my little route and timetable.  

It is effectively a combination of the 23/23A, 82/82A, 183 and 77.

287 timetable.PNG (Size 43.06 KB Downloads 54)

Chances of you all thinking WTF are 100%, but I'm pretty happy with my little route and timetable.  

It is effectively a combination of the 23/23A, 82/82A, 183 and 77.

Why would even dare think about omitting Lambton, why not Harraton & Rickleton.

Be careful with your response 

Why would even dare think about omitting Lambton, why not Harraton & Rickleton.

Be careful with your response 

Well as you can see, it does enter Lambton... but only slightly.

Probably something to do with the close proximity of some people that live there

Chances of you all thinking WTF are 100%, but I'm pretty happy with my little route and timetable.  

It is effectively a combination of the 23/23A, 82/82A, 183 and 77.

Some good ideas Lee, although I would remove the first number, so it becomes the 87; to go in sequence with the established 82, 85, 86, and so on.

How about:

Morning;  Haltwhistle - Alston - Whitfield - Hexham.

Return late afternoon.

Ive been having a little think,Hadrian Park doesnt really have a bus to North Shields so what about re number the 80 to 42 so it co insides with the 40/41 and allow it to ommit Hadrian Park and possibly a slightly later finish than what it does now and also ive been thinking about the 17/17A,why not have both run to cramlington but have the 17A run straight up great lime road to Asda then down station road to Wallsend the resume its normal current evening/sunday route and just as a joke re brand it the explorer

I cant post my suggestion

I think the 37 should go back to Sunderland - We don't have a NEXUS service suggestion thread so GNE will do (it would be ran by NEXUS)

37 - Sunderland - Barnes Park - Silksworth - Doxford Shops/International - Herrington Burn – Washington – Concord – Coach Road Estate - Concord – Waterview Park – Enterprise Park – Sunderland - Hourly

37A - Other way

Each will take 100 minutes on a hourly bases with a PVR of 4.

Monday - Saturday Service only.

Michael - http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1485

Michael - http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1485

Thanks Davie, i didn't even know we had one!

I'll copy and paste it over to the thread and remove the post from here.

On boxing day people are putting on the arriva facebook annoyence as they are not running on boxing day for the match. Why dont GNE take chance and take some if there runs. Some from ashington etc

On boxing day people are putting on the arriva facebook annoyence as they are not running on boxing day for the match. Why dont GNE take chance and take some if there runs. Some from ashington etc

While I may agree about the lack of Boxing Day Services, would it be worth GNEs time to do that for 1 day...

Most of the region has a non-existant service on Boxing Day...Being from Murton, I have to walk to Deneside in Seaham if I want to go to the Town

On boxing day people are putting on the arriva facebook annoyence as they are not running on boxing day for the match. Why dont GNE take chance and take some if there runs. Some from ashington etc

Is there enough time to register a service for Boxing Day?
Obviously there will be route learning for the drivers to do too.

If they can get it all turned around in the timeframe left, between now and the 26th, then I would have thought it worth doing on some routes. Now they know ANE aren't bothering.

The Coast Road is covered by GNE (who hopefully stick more than Versas on the 58. But other areas aren't and I reckon the demand will be there, if only because of the match.