Wow. Looks like some radical changes are being made.



Curiously, the X66 one intrigues me the most.

Think it may be it not serving the Coach Park at peak times.

Slightly drifting away from the current discussion; with regards to the evening diversions in Chester-le-Street because of some roadworks on Ropery Lane, I was absolutely amazed at how messed up Ropery Lane looked today when I was walking to school. A friend commented that it looked like something from the 1920s; all cobbled and covered in little rocks.

Wonder if the 706/707 will be merged with another service... seems the best idea...

Hopefully the 8 doesn't have loads of changes....

Doubt it - didn't expect them to keep it for long. Its done well to get to October from January. All it gets on is OAPs from Fines Park and Hamsterley Gardens.

Think it may be it not serving the Coach Park at peak times.

Also, extra later buses for Christmas.

Wow. Looks like some radical changes are being made.

Curiously, the X66 one intrigues me the most.

How do you change the X66?

How do you change the X66?

By planning it, then putting a VOSA registration through 

So as the V8 has been cancelled, the extension to Durham could be on the cards. Still don't understand how a 30 minute service can be merged with a every 15 minute service combined (Craghead-Durham section of current 43/44/44A).

Jimmi i hope you don't mind (if you do, i'll delete it!) but i have made a list to make it easier for people to read the changes which have appeared so far: (also saves people re-posting them)

VOSA changes for 25th October 2015:

Timetable/route changes:
8/8A
X66
47
49/49A/49C/64
97/97A/X97
X70/X71/X72

Cancelations:
64/64/95/96/96A
X30/130/X31
43/43b/44/836/843/844
31/32
V8/808
X43
131
706/707

New Services:

16

So as the V8 has been cancelled, the extension to Durham could be on the cards. Still don't understand how a 30 minute service can be merged with a every 15 minute service combined (Craghead-Durham section of current 43/44/44A).

Just been thinking about this:

I'm don't think that the Solo's are big enough for the Stanley - Durham section of the Diamonds and i don't think that vehicles the size of the Citaros are small enough for the Stanley - Castleside section of the V8 (in whatever form it may be - may just go as far as Consett). Loads of possibilities - could include the 131 being merged with another route but the East Stanley circular has been changed so much over the last few years. Too much imo.

I'm going to guess that the 31 and 32 will be possibly renumbered 12/13 or something like that to match with the 11 and the current 31 will be rerouted to go along Scotswood Road as proposed in the consultation. 32 should remain as normal.

Just been thinking about this:

I'm don't think that the Solo's are big enough for the Stanley - Durham section of the Diamonds and i don't think that vehicles the size of the Citaros are small enough for the Stanley - Castleside section of the V8 (in whatever form it may be - may just go as far as Consett). Loads of possibilities - could include the 131 being merged with another route but the East Stanley circular has been changed so much over the last few years. Too much imo.

Outside the peaks, what are loads like on the Durham-Stanley section?
Admittedly I haven't been over that way for a while, but whenever I have, the stops are few and far between - even excluding the rural sections.

Outside the peaks, what are loads like on the Durham-Stanley section?
Admittedly I haven't been over that way for a while, but whenever I have, the stops are few and far between - even excluding the rural sections.

Suppose they aren't too big but very few journeys have fewer than 13 passengers on at any point over the course of the section. Suppose it could manage fine but its the Peak Times which could prove a problem.

Outside the peaks, what are loads like on the Durham-Stanley section?
Admittedly I haven't been over that way for a while, but whenever I have, the stops are few and far between - even excluding the rural sections.

It seems the Durham-Sacriston and Craghead-Stanley parts of the route are the key corridors in both directions.

Does the X31 variation of the X30/X31 need to run, as the 78 follows the same route to Greencroft, but not sure if it serves anywhere without a bus service.

If not, the 130 could be extended to Lanchester, half-hourly.

I'm going to guess that the 31 and 32 will be possibly renumbered 12/13 or something like that to match with the 11 and the current 31 will be rerouted to go along Scotswood Road as proposed in the consultation. 32 should remain as normal.

I think having same route numbers will confuse a lot of people although they aren't in the same area's...


Numbers currently not used (Doesn't include letter variations):

3,6,7,12,16,22-26,30,48,51,52,55,62,63,65,66,70-73,75-77,79,81,83,87,89,100 but i doubt well see three number services on all of them - maybe the 131/706/707. 
All those could be used for new numbers....

Does the X31 variation of the X30/X31 need to run, as the 78 follows the same route to Greencroft, but not sure if it serves anywhere without a bus service.

If not, the 130 could be extended to Lanchester, half-hourly.

The X31 serves Greencroft Industrial Estate, a place not served by any other service (apart from scholars service 823). Other than that, it is just another service from Stanley that serves Annfield Plain, Catchgate, Greencroft, Maiden Law and Lanchester.

I think having same route numbers will confuse a lot of people although they aren't in the same area's...


Numbers currently not used (Doesn't include letter variations):

3,6,7,12,16,22-26,30,48,51,52,55,62,63,65,66,70-73,75-77,79,81,83,87,89,100 but i doubt well see three number services on all of them - maybe the 131/706/707. 
All those could be used for new numbers....

Where is the fun when you use new numbers thou Michael

Where is the fun when you use new numbers thou Michael

Well i don't really use any of the Stanley services....only when i'm going to Tanfield

I think having same route numbers will confuse a lot of people although they aren't in the same area's...


Numbers currently not used (Doesn't include letter variations):

3,6,7,12,16,22-26,30,48,51,52,55,62,63,65,66,70-73,75-77,79,81,83,87,89,100 but i doubt well see three number services on all of them - maybe the 131/706/707. 
All those could be used for new numbers...

Forgot about the current 13 like but if they were just changing the route of the 31, they'd just have a 'route amendment' registration in rather than a cancellation. It was that which got me thinking that they must be doing more with it than changing the route slightly.

Suppose they aren't too big but very few journeys have fewer than 13 passengers on at any point over the course of the section. Suppose it could manage fine but its the Peak Times which could prove a problem.

The current Diamond services need at least full size single deckers for peak time journeys in/out of Durham with all the people who work, school kids and New College Durham students using the services at these times, the last one of them three can see a good few get on/off at the stop for New College.

does the X25 interwork with the 28?

does the X25 interwork with the 28?

No.

Forgot about the current 13 like but if they were just changing the route of the 31, they'd just have a 'route amendment' registration in rather than a cancellation. It was that which got me thinking that they must be doing more with it than changing the route slightly.

VOSA should post some more tomorrow, hopefully the new routes etc... 

The only change they wanted for the 31 was - 

Toonlink 31: No longer serving the Metrocentre instead running via Hazel Road, Blaydon Bus Station and Scotswood Road.

Might of made the ToonLink so they don't run off each other, all separate services..?

The X31 serves Greencroft Industrial Estate, a place not served by any other service (apart from scholars service 823). Other than that, it is just another service from Stanley that serves Annfield Plain, Catchgate, Greencroft, Maiden Law and Lanchester.

Ah right does it pick many up there, could it be withdrawn that way and just have the 130?

Ah right does it pick many up there, could it be withdrawn that way and just have the 130?

I'd have thought a service serving an industrial estate at peak times could be a bit busy.

Ah right does it pick many up there, could it be withdrawn that way and just have the 130?

Don't think so. The 07:10 from Newcastle (07:57 from Stanley) and 15:25 from Lanchester get quite busy on that section as those journeys run into St Bede's picking up all the kids who opt not to get on Scholars services 823, 825 or 828. Other than that, doesn't get that busy.

No.

has 4932 gone red

has 4932 gone red

Ye, 4933 is also red.

does the X25 interwork with the 28?

It can't due to there being a low bridge on the 28 route and Lolynes are allocated (For the time being) to the X25 Mondays - Fridays.

Don't think so. The 07:10 from Newcastle (07:57 from Stanley) and 15:25 from Lanchester get quite busy on that section as those journeys run into St Bede's picking up all the kids who opt not to get on Scholars services 823, 825 or 828. Other than that, doesn't get that busy.

So might be worth just having the 130 running Stanley-Lanchester via Burnhope and Quaking Houses and if the V8 won't operate anymore with Solos then that's where the buses could come from, or possibly the 706/707 is that is being withdrawn. It's only a 10 minute walk to the 78 bus stop anyway.