Unless Ashington mechanics are staying true to "Sunday is the day of rest"??  

Arri va va voom  

I think that with regards to the sheds at Ashington (57 plates), one of these two will happen:

Option 1:
- If replaced this year or very early next year, 8x ADL E400s for X21 / X22 with another 6 for the 7 if growth continues.
- 7518 sent as a spare for the 7 and 2 of the best of 7501 - 7509 kept as Ashington spares with the rest being dispersed around the country.

Option 2:
- If replaced next year, 15x ADL E400 MMCs for X21 / X22 with 1 of the best of 7501 - 7509 kept as spare alongside 7522.
- 7523 - 7528 for service 7 with 7518 acting as spare.

I think that with regards to the sheds at Ashington (57 plates), one of these two will happen:

Option 2:
- If replaced next year, 15x ADL E400 MMCs for X21 / X22 with 1 of the best of 7501 - 7509 kept as spare alongside 7522.
- 7523 - 7528 for service 7 with 7518 acting as spare.

I would keep 7518 here as it is comfier than the 57 sheds.

I would keep 7518 here as it is comfier than the 57 sheds.

I'd prefer to see 7523/4 stay, the only two with everything working from what I can tell...

I would keep 7518 here as it is comfier than the 57 sheds.

It would have to be 7518 as for the sort of low bridges on the 7 that the full height versions can't handle. It wouldn't be too bad having them as a spare if the X21 / X22 was to consist of new to 18 month old vehicles.

It would have to be 7518 as for the sort of low bridges on the 7 that the full height versions can't handle. It wouldn't be too bad having them as a spare if the X21 / X22 was to consist of new to 18 month old vehicles.

They can have a Pulsar spare then?!

It would have to be 7518 as for the sort of low bridges on the 7 that the full height versions can't handle. It wouldn't be too bad having them as a spare if the X21 / X22 was to consist of new to 18 month old vehicles.

Think they should do this:

7522-8 along with 7518 and 9 brand new E400's for the X21/22, giving 17 vehicles for a PVR of 15.

7501-9 should have their seats taken out and put into storage for any future refurbishments, as well as their NSA's. They should then gain Civic V2's and be placed onto local services such as the 35, around the region- WiFi and sockets would provide a good upgrade for services that don't justify brand new vehicles. 

Think they should do this:

7522-8 along with 7518 and 9 brand new E400's for the X21/22, giving 17 vehicles for a PVR of 15.

7501-9 should have their seats taken out and put into storage for any future refurbishments, as well as their NSA's. They should then gain Civic V2's and be placed onto local services such as the 35, around the region- WiFi and sockets would provide a good upgrade for services that don't justify brand new vehicles. 

What other services require 9 buses? 35-100/35A (7. 3 SL, 4 E400) scrap some of them.

What other services require 9 buses? 35-100/35A (7. 3 SL, 4 E400) scrap some of them.

I'm sure you could find a service that only needs 5 buses 

Something I noticed yesterday while in Morpeth, but forgot to note:
The 9.12 (?) X15 to Berwick was pretty full, quite a few on both decks of 7511

The 9.23 X18 to Newcastle was also reasonably busy, downstairs looked very full, with a fair few upstairs as well. Quite a few passengers boarded at Morpeth, which made me think, if this had been the X14 operated by the Dart that had just arrived on an X14, it would have been very uncomfortable. I think this allocation needs to be looked at, because every time I see a MPD on the X14 it is packed, maybe some Volvo B8RLE's? 

Something I noticed yesterday while in Morpeth, but forgot to note:
The 9.12 (?) X15 to Berwick was pretty full, quite a few on both decks of 7511

The 9.23 X18 to Newcastle was also reasonably busy, downstairs looked very full, with a fair few upstairs as well. Quite a few passengers boarded at Morpeth, which made me think, if this had been the X14 operated by the Dart that had just arrived on an X14, it would have been very uncomfortable. I think this allocation needs to be looked at, because every time I see a MPD on the X14 it is packed, maybe some Volvo B8RLE's? 

Yeah I agree.

But the 33 or 57A aren't busy enough to justify B8RLE's so the interworking pattern would have to looked at.

Yeah I agree.

But the 33 or 57A aren't busy enough to justify B8RLE's so the interworking pattern would have to looked at.

Yeah, I just think that B8RLE's would be needed, or something with similar power, as being pushed along the A1 all day will need a decent amount of speed. 

Maybe the interworking could cease, with the X14/14 operating with a set of E400's and B8RLE'S

The 57A and 33 operating with MPD's, having driver breaks at Morpeth, I've noticed some very late (20+) 57A's recently, a long layover may help?

I think frequency /vehicle size on the 57 needs to be looked at as well, observed some canny loads in the holidays. 

Edit: A.side point, referring to MPD's, I was on 1770 yesterday and it seemed like it was struggling, similarly 1771 drove past me the other day and sounded horrible. They all sound rough to be honest..

Yeah, I just think that B8RLE's would be needed, or something with similar power, as being pushed along the A1 all day will need a decent amount of speed. 

Maybe the interworking could cease, with the X14/14 operating with a set of E400's and B8RLE'S

The 57A and 33 operating with MPD's, having driver breaks at Morpeth, I've noticed some very late (20+) 57A's recently, a long layover may help?

I think frequency /vehicle size on the 57 needs to be looked at as well, observed some canny loads in the holidays. 

There could be some big changes made to Morpeth services I've I have noticed a few problems with them.

The 57 seems to be pretty reliable but I agree the 57A isn't the best. There isn't enough layover time on the route, I think the interworking pattern works like this so for example...

33 0927 Morpeth Bus Station to Lancaster Park Terminus 0933
33 0934 Lancaster Park Terminus to Morpeth Bus Station 0940 
57A 0944 Morpeth Bus Station to Whitley Bay Town Centre 1051
57A 1056 Whitley Bay Town Centre to Morpeth Bus Station 1203
X14 1208 Morpeth Bus Station to Newcastle Haymarket 1241
X14 1248 Newcastle Haymarket to Morpeth Bus Station 1321

I definitley don't think that is sufficent layover for those services, and also there isn't enough time at Cramlington to allow people to board/alight as the loadings are generally pretty good there. Also, the Blyth workings have driver changeovers at Whitley Bay so five minutes is surely not enough!

Another thing I noticed is the 44 and 57A departing at more or less the same time at Morpeth. They should really be timed to provide a half hourly service combined as they follow the same route to Hepscott. 

Maybe tyresmoke can pass our comments on if possible?

There could be some big changes made to Morpeth services I've I have noticed a few problems with them.

The 57 seems to be pretty reliable but I agree the 57A isn't the best. There isn't enough layover time on the route, I think the interworking pattern works like this so for example...

33 0927 Morpeth Bus Station to Lancaster Park Terminus 0933
33 0934 Lancaster Park Terminus to Morpeth Bus Station 0940 
57A 0944 Morpeth Bus Station to Whitley Bay Town Centre 1051
57A 1056 Whitley Bay Town Centre to Morpeth Bus Station 1203
X14 1208 Morpeth Bus Station to Newcastle Haymarket 1241
X14 1248 Newcastle Haymarket to Morpeth Bus Station 1321

I definitley don't think that is sufficent layover for those services, and also there isn't enough time at Cramlington to allow people to board/alight as the loadings are generally pretty good there. Also, the Blyth workings have driver changeovers at Whitley Bay so five minutes is surely not enough!

Another thing I noticed is the 44 and 57A departing at more or less the same time at Morpeth. They should really be timed to provide a half hourly service combined as they follow the same route to Hepscott. 

Maybe tyresmoke can pass our comments on if possible?

That would be really good if he could, customer services do nothing! 

He might get them to fork out for some B8RLE's as well..   *hopes* 

That would be really good if he could, customer services do nothing! 

He might get them to fork out for some B8RLE's as well..   *hopes* 

Yeah I've sent suggestions in the past but don't bother now as they don't do anything!!

Not sure what the X14 could interwork with though? Maybe the 2 if a local town service was introduced?

Then if possible try and get the 57/57A interworking. 

Yeah I've sent suggestions in the past but don't bother now as they don't do anything!!

Not sure what the X14 could interwork with though? Maybe the 2 if a local town service was introduced?

Then if possible try and get the 57/57A interworking. 

I reckon they could possibly do something like this:

Give Ashington all of the X14/14 vehicles, and let them run that, with a 30 minute frequency from Morpeth, however they would need to look at timetables, as it takes 33 minutes from Morpeth to Newcastle. 

I think Ashington and Blyth should both run the 1 and 2, as well as the 57/A as they do at present. I think it would aid reliability and ease the strain on one depot. 

I reckon they could possibly do something like this:

Give Ashington all of the X14/14 vehicles, and let them run that, with a 30 minute frequency from Morpeth, however they would need to look at timetables, as it takes 33 minutes from Morpeth to Newcastle. 

I think Ashington and Blyth should both run the 1 and 2, as well as the 57/A as they do at present. I think it would aid reliability and ease the strain on one depot. 

Does the 57 really need to serve North Seaton? They have the 35/35A at a regular frequency going there so I don't see the need to have it running there? You'll know better than me though.

Does the 57 really need to serve North Seaton? They have the 35/35A at a regular frequency going there so I don't see the need to have it running there? You'll know better than me though.

Not sure, I know before the 2010 changes they had the 35, X30 (which I seem to remember ran more frequently than it does at present),  and the X31.

I think to reduce the service to a temperamental 35 and an hourly X20 would be going too far although if they increased the frequency of that? (This may help with our last problem...) 

X14 Morpeth to Newcastle (B8RLE)
X20 Newcastle to Ashington 
X20 Ashington to Newcastle 
X14 Newcastle to Morpeth 
and repeat..

Would increase the X20 frequency, allow for easier driver changes at Ashington, as well as vehicle changes if need be, additionally both services would more than justify B8RLE's 

Not sure, I know before the 2010 changes they had the 35, X30 (which I seem to remember ran more frequently than it does at present),  and the X31.

I think to reduce the service to a temperamental 35 and an hourly X20 would be going too far although if they increased the frequency of that? (This may help with our last problem...) 

X14 Morpeth to Newcastle (B8RLE)
X20 Newcastle to Ashington 
X20 Ashington to Newcastle 
X14 Newcastle to Morpeth 
and repeat..

Would increase the X20 frequency, allow for easier driver changes at Ashington, as well as vehicle changes if need be, additionally both services would more than justify B8RLE's 

Sounds good. 

Another suggestion would be:
2 Blyth to Morpeth 
X14 Morpeth to Newcastle 
X14 Morpeth to Newcastle
2 Morpeth to Blyth

This would allow for bigger buses on the 2 which I think it needs. To replace the Kirkhill-Morpeth section a half-hourly Kirkhill-Lancaster Park service would be introduced, using MPDs. 

Then, I would propose this for the 1/20 services:
-1 increased to every 15 minutes between Ashington and Blyth, and 30 minutes between Blyth and Amble.
- 20 withdrawn, replaced with improved 1. 
- 1 decreased to every 30 minutes between Ashington and Wansbeck due to low passenger numbers.
- Improved service for Cresswell, Hadson and Amble. 

I don't think there is much through traffic on the 20/X20 so I think this could work well?

Not sure what could happen with the 57/57A as I can't find a decent way for them to interwork. 

Sounds good. 

Another suggestion would be:
2 Blyth to Morpeth 
X14 Morpeth to Newcastle 
X14 Morpeth to Newcastle
2 Morpeth to Blyth

This would allow for bigger buses on the 2 which I think it needs. To replace the Kirkhill-Morpeth section a half-hourly Kirkhill-Lancaster Park service would be introduced, using MPDs. 

Then, I would propose this for the 1/20 services:
-1 increased to every 15 minutes between Ashington and Blyth, and 30 minutes between Blyth and Amble.
- 20 withdrawn, replaced with improved 1. 
- 1 decreased to every 30 minutes between Ashington and Wansbeck due to low passenger numbers.
- Improved service for Cresswell, Hadson and Amble. 

I don't think there is much through traffic on the 20/X20 so I think this could work well?

Not sure what could happen with the 57/57A as I can't find a decent way for them to interwork. 

I think a 1/2 interworking could be better. Purely because I don't think the 2 would be fine with less powerful vehicles, such as Streetlites. 

I do agree with your suggestion about cutting the 2 at MBS, as I think Morpeth should have a town service to go to all of its little estates. 

Could something like this work:
1 Blyth to Ashington 
1 Ashington to Blyth 
2 Blyth to Morpeth 
2 Morpeth to Blyth

However, as an alternative, if you created a "2X" which ran from Blyth to Morpeth via Bedlington main street and Nedderton, I think the B8RLE suggestion with the X14 interworking would be perfect. 

I think a 1/2 interworking could be better. Purely because I don't think the 2 would be fine with less powerful vehicles, such as Streetlites. 

I do agree with your suggestion about cutting the 2 at MBS, as I think Morpeth should have a town service to go to all of its little estates. 

Could something like this work:
1 Blyth to Ashington 
1 Ashington to Blyth 
2 Blyth to Morpeth 
2 Morpeth to Blyth

However, as an alternative, if you created a "2X" which ran from Blyth to Morpeth via Bedlington main street and Nedderton, I think the B8RLE suggestion with the X14 interworking would be perfect. 

Yeah and it would stop drivers having to change at Whitley Bay.

Yeah and it would stop drivers having to change at Whitley Bay.

I think any potential interworking of the 1 and 2 would have to see it operated by both Ashington and Blyth for punctuality, practicality and reliability. 

I don't think Ashington, for example, use any MPD's on a Sunday, whereas Blyth do, the interworking would see the load spread   

(Really hope Tyresmoke likes these suggestions!!)

I think any potential interworking of the 1 and 2 would have to see it operated by both Ashington and Blyth for punctuality, practicality and reliability. 

I don't think Ashington, for example, use any MPD's on a Sunday, whereas Blyth do, the interworking would see the load spread   

(Really hope Tyresmoke likes these suggestions!!)

Yeah I completely agree. But the only problem with that would be more work for Ashington and less for Blyth.

The only problem now is the 57/57a! Cant think of anything for them.

Yeah I completely agree. But the only problem with that would be more work for Ashington and less for Blyth.

The only problem now is the 57/57a! Cant think of anything for them.

To be honest, I can't see that as a bad thing, all of the Ashington buses I've been on sound in much better condition than Blyth's equivalents (yes, even the 57 reg bundles of misery are better than the Gemini's in my opinion)   with allocations probably better at Ashington as well


What do they do at present? (other than at the Morpeth end for the 57A)

To be honest, I can't see that as a bad thing, all of the Ashington buses I've been on sound in much better condition than Blyth's equivalents (yes, even the 57 reg bundles of misery are better than the Gemini's in my opinion)   with allocations probably better at Ashington as well


What do they do at present? (other than at the Morpeth end for the 57A)

57 just works standalone and the 57A interworks with the 33/X14 as you know.

57 just works standalone and the 57A interworks with the 33/X14 as you know.

Hmm, could they operate as standalone services? 

Hmm, could they operate as standalone services? 

The 57 could but the 57A wouldn't work as the layover time would be massive.
Can't find a way to do it.

The 57 could but the 57A wouldn't work as the layover time would be massive.
Can't find a way to do it.

Could that bus go and do the Morpeth town service? 

Could that bus go and do the Morpeth town service? 

If the bus was Kirkhill-Lancaster Park no.


However, the 33 could be included on one 2/X14 board and the 32 (Morpeth-Kirkhill) could inter work with the 57A?

Does the 57 really need to serve North Seaton? They have the 35/35A at a regular frequency going there so I don't see the need to have it running there? You'll know better than me though.

Aye, it uses Alexandra Road instead of Hawthorn/College Road, cutting the 57 service to North Seaton, will leave Hirst without a bus service.