So the X22 will go MAX??? What's the logic in that???

The logic is that the X21 becomes the main service between Newbiggin, Ashington, Stakeford, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Front Street and Newcastle running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with Sapphire spec buses running the most direct route with the only differences being the faster route between Bedlington and Newcastle and the Monday to Saturday daytime stopping arrangements between Seaton Burn Services and Newcastle. The X22 then becomes Ashington's own version of a 'slow Toon Link' on the Ashington to Newcastle corridor running every 30 minutes via the slower route through Guide Post and Nedderton.

What is with all the 'change the username to a bus registration in quotes'?

The logic is that the X21 becomes the main service between Newbiggin, Ashington, Stakeford, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Front Street and Newcastle running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with Sapphire spec buses running the most direct route with the only differences being the faster route between Bedlington and Newcastle and the Monday to Saturday daytime stopping arrangements between Seaton Burn Services and Newcastle. The X22 then becomes Ashington's own version of a 'slow Toon Link' on the Ashington to Newcastle corridor running every 30 minutes via the slower route through Guide Post and Nedderton.

So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?

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So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?

Jesus that's terrible, worse than Go North East's one, plain and boring haha

So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?

That's a livery that Midlands are using for two routes that serve the MIRA site... Not a new corporate scheme!
2 of Tamworths Scanias and Hinckley's 4 new E200s have been painted for it

That's a livery that Midlands are using for two routes that serve the MIRA site... Not a new corporate scheme!
2 of Tamworths Scanias and Hinckley's 4 new E200s have been painted for it

Bloody buses magazine...!

Bloody buses magazine...!

To be fair, that is very similar to the Arriva livery that the interurban livery is replacing. Why would they want to go back to it (or something extremely similar)?

Right then, how about this:

SAPPHIRE Service X21:
- Revised to operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.
- Will also be revised to operate via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton Lane.
- All Monday to Saturday daytime journeys omit Brunton Lane and Polwarth Drive.
- Will operate with a team of dedicated Sapphire drivers Monday to Saturday daytime with 11x ADL E400MMCs with plug sockets, free Wi-Fi, Buggy Bays, NSA's and similar high back coach seating like what Stagecoach Gold services use.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- 5 x 14 plate E400s alongside 7518 as a spare could then go to Darlington and Belmont to make the 7 fully double deck if passenger growth continues. 1x 14 plate will remain at Ashington as a 'dedicated' spare for the X21 and if needed, the other one can float between the three depots (long term PVR shortgaes, severe roadworks etc).
- The 57 plate E400s could then be refurbished to MAX spec (with no NSA's, just simple headrest re-trim) and allocated to service 35 with whatevers left being used as spare.
- The 3x Streetlites currently on the 35 will be refurbished to MAX spec (free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, leather Civic V3 seating) to be joined alongside further 4x new ones for MAX Service X22.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAX Service X22:
- Will operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.
- Will operate current X22 route to Glebe Road then instead of serving Bedlington Front Street, will serve the stop on Glebe Road before the Red Lion Roundabout then after there, the current X21 route to Newcastle via Nedderton.
- Evening and Sunday journeys also extend to North Seaton Demesne.
- Will operate with 7x MAX Spec Streetlites (3x refurbished, 4x new) with free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, leather Civic V3 seating.

During evenings and Sundays, the combined PVR for services X21, X22 and Service 35 would be 6 vehicles using 6x E400MMCs.
Information will be included in X22 timetable clearly stating that if you want a faster journey from Ashington, Stakeford or Bedlington to Newcastle to use SAPPHIRE service X21. Services X21 and X22 during evenings and Sundays would combine to give a bus approximately every 30 minutes from Ashington, Bedlington (either Red Lion or Glebe Road) and between A1068 and Newcastle.

For stand arrangements at Haymarket, Services X20, X21 and 51 would use stand P. Service X22 would use stand N during Monday to Saturday daytime and Stand P during evenings and Sundays.

Now we're getting new ADL Enviro400MMCs?????!!!!

My suggestion was: 9 new buses, rebrand to X41/42 and Sapphire Express, release 7501-9 to 35 route and upgraded frequency with StreetLite refurbishment optional (or StreetLites released to other depots)...

They didn't buy 8 new buses for another route?

Now we're getting new ADL Enviro400MMCs?????!!!!

My suggestion was: 9 new buses, rebrand to X41/42 and Sapphire Express, release 7501-9 to 35 route and upgraded frequency with StreetLite refurbishment optional (or StreetLites released to other depots)...

They didn't buy 8 new buses for another route?

The orders would mean the following:

- 11x SAPPHIRE Spec E400MMCs for Ashington with coach seating like what Stagecoach Gold services have.

- 5 additional E400s (7522-7526) alongside 7527 as a 'dedicated' spare could then go to Darlington and Belmont for SAPPHIRE service 7.

- 1x SAPPHIRE E400 (7528) will remain at Ashington as a 'dedicated' spare.

- 1x SAPPHIRE E400 (7518) becomes a floater spare for all double deck SAPPHIRE services covering for long term VOR's and Roadworks etc.

- 6x SAPPHIRE E400s (best of 7501-7509) get NSA's ripped out, seats re-trimed to MAX and allocated to services 35/35A.

- The other three can just be used where and when needed (double deck capacity for X22 when Toon is playing on a Saturday etc).

- 3x Streetlites of the 35 get refurbished to MAX spec (as in suggestion) and with 4 new ones in MAX spec (as in suggestion), these then get allocated to MAX Service X22 during Monday to Saturday daytime. This means that a 20 minute frequency can be maintained without the expense of having to operate deckers and benefiting from the reduced fuel costs that the Streetlite offers. All evening and Sunday services on the X22 use double deckers anyways for operational reasons which isn't a bad thing due to the reduced frequency, the relatively combined frequency with the X21 and if the Toon is playing on a Sunday etc.

You know what it is? Why don't they just re-route the X21 between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle to run via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton but otherwise, keep everything else the same including the X22. Another service could be introduced to serve Nedderton.

Service X21:
- Re-routed via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton Lane between Bedlington and Newcastle to speed up journey times and improve reliability. Still every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Service X22:
- Same route and still every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Services X21 / X22 from Ashington to Bedlington and Newcastle:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday with a bus on average every 10 minutes (5-15 minutes) with the X21 offering the slightly quicker journey time out of the 2 between Ashington and Bedlington. Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus on average every 30 minutes (25-35 minutes).

Services X21 / X22 from Bedlington to Newcastle:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime with a bus every 10 minutes combined running the same route between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus every 30 minutes.

Services X21 / X22 from Newcastle and Bedlington to Ashington:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime with a bus every 10 minutes combined from Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion to Ashington with the X21 offering the slightly quicker journey time out of the 2 between Bedlington and Ashington. Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus every 30 minutes from Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion to Ashington.

You know what it is? Why don't they just re-route the X21 between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle to run via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton but otherwise, keep everything else the same including the X22. Another service could be introduced to serve Nedderton.

Service X21:
- Re-routed via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton Lane between Bedlington and Newcastle to speed up journey times and improve reliability. Still every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Service X22:
- Same route and still every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Services X21 / X22 from Ashington to Bedlington and Newcastle:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday with a bus on average every 10 minutes (5-15 minutes) with the X21 offering the slightly quicker journey time out of the 2 between Ashington and Bedlington.  Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus on average every 30 minutes (25-35 minutes).

Services X21 / X22 from Bedlington to Newcastle:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime with a bus every 10 minutes combined running the same route between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus every 30 minutes.

Services X21 / X22 from Newcastle and Bedlington to Ashington:
- Still 6 buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime with a bus every 10 minutes combined from Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion to Ashington with the X21 offering the slightly quicker journey time out of the 2 between Bedlington and Ashington. Still 2 buses per hour during evenings and on Sundays with a bus every 30 minutes from Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion to Ashington.

The Nedderton section of the X21 route helps maintain the 10 minute frequency though, if you have them both running down past the Hartlands, there will be a five, then 15 minute gap when arriving in Newcastle, which isn't much good, the current route allows the 10 minute frequency for majority of the routes (Newcastle, Regent Centre, Northumberlandia, Ashington). Because the X21 route from Ashington to Bedlington Red Lion is faster, it can never truly be every 10 minutes exactly in Bedlington, changing routes after Bedlington isn't going to change that.

The Nedderton section of the X21 route helps maintain the 10 minute frequency though, if you have them both running down past the Hartlands, there will be a five, then 15 minute gap when arriving in Newcastle, which isn't much good, the current route allows the 10 minute frequency for majority of the routes (Newcastle, Regent Centre, Northumberlandia, Ashington). Because the X21 route from Ashington to Bedlington Red Lion is faster, it can never truly be every 10 minutes exactly in Bedlington, changing routes after Bedlington isn't going to change that.

If you read my post carefully, you'd actually find that both would leave and arrive in Ashington with 5/15 gaps but otherwise, they would both run every 10 minutes commonly combined between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. Think of if the way that the Tynedale Express works with buses leaving Hexham at uneven intervals but commonly combining between the West End of Newcastle and Eldon Square.

The 5/15 gaps would only affect Ashington departures and arrivals. Plus, a big benefit for anybody travelling Northbound from Newcastle to Ashington (if they miss the X20 or else), is that both still technically run every 10 minutes but one is 5 mimutes quicker. This therefore avoids confusion whilst making sure that the services are kept relatively simple and easy to understand.

If you read my post carefully, you'd actually find that both would leave and arrive in Ashington with 5/15 gaps but otherwise, they would both run every 10 minutes commonly combined between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. Think of if the way that the Tynedale Express works with buses leaving Hexham at uneven intervals but commonly combining between the West End of Newcastle and Eldon Square.

Ah I was under the impression that you were still having the gap at Bedlington  

However, the West end of Bedlington still needs a bus service, and from what I've seen, the X21 is well used along that section of route. I've boarded there before, each time with at least one other person when Newcastle bound. The routes have been like that for nearly 3 years now, changing that would be massively confusing in my opinion, especially when the Sapphire X21/22 has been very well promoted with leaflets through doors etc.

Ah I was under the impression that you were still having the gap at Bedlington  

However, the West end of Bedlington still needs a bus service, and from what I've seen, the X21 is well used along that section of route. I've boarded there before, each time with at least one other person when Newcastle bound. The routes have been like that for nearly 3 years now, changing that would be massively confusing in my opinion, especially when the Sapphire X21/22 has been very well promoted with leaflets through doors etc.

If Arriva could do something with the 44 to avoid it loosing money (run it 5 minutes after the 43 between the bottom of Coach Lane and Newcastle , they could introduce a 42 service running from Bedlington to Newcastle like this:

- Bedlington, Nedderton, A1068, Seaton Burn Front Street, Wide Open Lockey Park then same route as the 43 / 45 to Newcastle. Services 42, 43, 45 would then combine every 7-8 minutes (15 evenings and Sundays between Wide Open (not just Gosforth Park) and Newcastle.

The 5/15 gaps would only affect Ashington departures and arrivals. Plus, a big benefit for anybody travelling Northbound from Newcastle to Ashington (if they miss the X20 or else), is that both still technically run every 10 minutes but one is 5 mimutes quicker. This therefore avoids confusion whilst making sure that the services are kept relatively simple and easy to understand.

Yet, Ashington is the place where most people use the bus? 

The "easy peasy" 10minute frequency at Ashington & Newcastle is so its easy for Arriva staff to get across to passengers and easy for passengers to remember. 

The X21/X22 need to be left alone now, there is no problem with the routes. The Nedderton extension should stay as it will leave the area around Ridge Farm without a frequent bus service.

If Arriva could do something with the 44 to avoid it loosing money (run it 5 minutes after the 43 between the bottom of Coach Lane and Newcastle , they could introduce a 42 service running from Bedlington to Newcastle like this:

- Bedlington, Nedderton, A1068, Seaton Burn Front Street, Wide Open Lockey Park then same route as the 43 / 45 to Newcastle. Services 42, 43, 45 would then combine every 7-8 minutes (15 evenings and Sundays between Wide Open (not just Gosforth Park) and Newcastle.

I don't really know how long that route would take, however, it looks as though it would take longer than the X21 currently does, can't see that being awfully appealing to residents. When Arriva are trying to improve services, that would be a massive step back. It would also be a bit of a bad move to take Sapphire away from those passengers, and instead use pretty much what used to be used on the X21- ALX400's, B10BLE's and Pulsars...

Yet, Ashington is the place where most people use the bus? 

The "easy peasy" 10minute frequency at Ashington & Newcastle is so its easy for Arriva staff to get across to passengers and easy for passengers to remember. 

The X21/X22 need to be left alone now, there is no problem with the routes. The Nedderton extension should stay as it will leave the area around Ridge Farm without a frequent bus service.

Well it's certainly not going to help create growth and now the X20 is being extended to Alnwick, there needs to be another quick or at least relatively quick bus that passengers can depend upon without being taken around the world.

People between Billy Mill and Willington Square have no problem with the 308 running 10 minutes after the 306 on that section of both routes and vice versa.

The only noticable difference to joe public is the 5/15 gaps from ONLY Ashington for journeys to Bedlington Newcastle. Other than that, it's a case of that they run every 10 minutes combined even Northbound from Newcastle and Bedlington unless people actually sat there and timed it.

I don't really know how long that route would take, however, it looks as though it would take longer than the X21 currently does, can't see that being awfully appealing to residents. When Arriva are trying to improve services, that would be a massive step back. It would also be a bit of a bad move to take Sapphire away from those passengers, and instead use pretty much what used to be used on the X21- ALX400's, B10BLE's and Pulsars...

In that case, I'm all for it! 

In that case, I'm all for it! 

Haha you still missing 4852?

Haha you still missing 4852?

The grieving process is a harsh and unforgiving route, but I'm getting there. Got my eye on 4920 at the moment. Fast as a bastard.

I don't really know how long that route would take, however, it looks as though it would take longer than the X21 currently does, can't see that being awfully appealing to residents. When Arriva are trying to improve services, that would be a massive step back. It would also be a bit of a bad move to take Sapphire away from those passengers, and instead use pretty much what used to be used on the X21- ALX400's, B10BLE's and Pulsars...

The thing is though is that particular section of the X21 route is only a small part. And although passengers are just tolerating the de-tour now (or even just not using the bus), people from Bedlington Stn, Stakeford, parts of Ashington and particularly Newbiggin were very p****d off with Arriva when they first changed it.

The grieving process is a harsh and unforgiving route, but I'm getting there. Got my eye on 4920 at the moment. Fast as a bastard.

No, no, no!!!

4920 and I will never be on good terms until it's scrapped. I had to put up with it on a daily basis on services 2A/2C for far too long after Deptford forgot they repaired its reverse gear...

No, no, no!!!

4920 and I will never be on good terms until it's scrapped. I had to put up with it on a daily basis on services 2A/2C for far too long after Deptford forgot they repaired its reverse gear...

That's a bit harsh, Dan. That's like saying to somebody ''I won't be happy until you're dead''.

It didn't seem to have any problems when we needed to reverse after taking a wrong turn on the 96. Must be something Riverside had done to it.

The thing is though is that particular section of the X21 route is only a small part. And although passengers are just tolerating the de-tour now (or even just not using the bus), people from Bedlington Stn, Stakeford, parts of Ashington and particularly Newbiggin were very p****d off with Arriva when they first changed it.

I'm tolerating the detour, yes. It doesn't bother me, I should be grateful that I still have a bus service which passes my house which gets me to Newcastle without having to change buses. I also use the X21 to get me to an easily accessible part of Plessey Woods with the family.

Some of your suggestions were to DOWNGRADE service X22 to MAX. This would be a massive step BACKWARDS for Ashington, Stakeford and Bedlington.

I'm tolerating the detour, yes. It doesn't bother me, I should be grateful that I still have a bus service which passes my house which gets me to Newcastle without having to change buses. I also use the X21 to get me to an easily accessible part of Plessey Woods with the family.

Some of your suggestions were to DOWNGRADE service X22 to MAX. This would be a massive step BACKWARDS for Ashington, Stakeford and Bedlington.

''MAX'' is basically just ''Sapphire'' without the plug sockets. Hardly a massive step backwards.

That's a bit harsh, Dan. That's like saying to somebody ''I won't be happy until you're dead''.

It didn't seem to have any problems when we needed to reverse after taking a wrong turn on the 96. Must be something Riverside had done to it.

Please don't tell it that I've been slagging it off on a public forum - it might break down on me next time I am forced to endure a ride on it...

It was placed on services 2A/2C as a temporary measure in 2013 while its reverse gear was repaired (as/when it was in the depot), but an error in communication meant that it was put on there much more long term with the "Silver Arrows" branded Mercedes Citaro allocated to the "Laser" 35 group of services every day instead.

4923 on the other hand - that's one hell of a bus!

I'm tolerating the detour, yes. It doesn't bother me, I should be grateful that I still have a bus service which passes my house which gets me to Newcastle without having to change buses. I also use the X21 to get me to an easily accessible part of Plessey Woods with the family.

Some of your suggestions were to DOWNGRADE service X22 to MAX. This would be a massive step BACKWARDS for Ashington, Stakeford and Bedlington.

I've actually had a rethink about that and I would just keep the X22 as it is now as it has worked well. The X21 however could do with a far quicker route particularly for people who live in Newbiggin again, meaning that they're less likely to add pressure onto the X20 by getting an X21 or 35 and changing in North Seaton or Ashington.

Please don't tell it that I've been slagging it off on a public forum - it might break down on me next time I am forced to endure a ride on it...

It was placed on services 2A/2C as a temporary measure in 2013 while its reverse gear was repaired (as/when it was in the depot), but an error in communication meant that it was put on there much more long term with the "Silver Arrows" branded Mercedes Citaro allocated to the "Laser" 35 group of services every day instead.

4923 on the other hand - that's one hell of a bus!

You work in Gateshead, you tell it yourself.

As for 4923, that, we can agree on. Always a pleasant ride.