weren't they supposed to start like 7 months ago, but due to adverse weather conditions they didn't

No

Work was meant to start a while back, looking at original articles from the time planning permission was granted:
http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-new...-31070465/
They suggest the depot would be open by late Summer 2013. Considering that land works have just begun, it is unlikely to be complete until Winter 2013/2014 at the earliest.

Taking ages =(

More VOSA changes..

PB0002400/288 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Hartlepool, Marina Way given service number X35/835 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/222 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Blackhall Mill given service number 47 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/296 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Winlation Bus Station and Gateshead Interchange given service number 49/49A/49B/49C effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/357 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Wallsend, Metro and Wallsend, Metro given service number 40/41 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0003954/380 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blackhall Mill, Chopwell Road and Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station given service number 31/32 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/436 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between HEXHAM BUS STATION and NEWCASTLE ELDON SQUARE BS given service number 602, 604, X12 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0003954/559 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Hexham Bus Station
Finish Point: Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: 10
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Limited Stop
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Daily.

PB0003954/560 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Blackhall Mill, River View
Finish Point: Newcastle, Eldon Square Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: 11
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

X35/835 sounds interesting!
Hoping that the X35 will be limited stop, while the 835 will cover the current route.

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

Yeah I would think so, they're introducing a school bus in Peterlee too, 807 which I presume covers part of the 207

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

Yeah I would think so, they're introducing a school bus in Peterlee too, 807 which I presume covers part of the 207

yes, the 835 is a scholars service from Easington (usually operated by red northern double decker), the 807 (ex 207 journey) is a scholars service one journey at 3pm from the top of Shotton Hall school at Passfield Way. I wouldnt be surprised if the X35 will be terminating at Peterlee bus station and the new X7 be going from Peterlee to Hartlepool (instead of the X35) and then through and out of the other side of Hartlepool and then onto the A19.

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

Yeah I would think so, they're introducing a school bus in Peterlee too, 807 which I presume covers part of the 207

yes, the 835 is a scholars service from Easington (usually operated by red northern double decker), the 807 (ex 207 journey) is a scholars service one journey at 3pm from the top of Shotton Hall school at Passfield Way. I wouldnt be surprised if the X35 will be terminating at Peterlee bus station and the new X7 be going from Peterlee to Hartlepool (instead of the X35) and then through and out of the other side of Hartlepool and then onto the A19.

Dont get your hopes on about that X7 route. You will be disappointed.

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

Yeah I would think so, they're introducing a school bus in Peterlee too, 807 which I presume covers part of the 207

yes, the 835 is a scholars service from Easington (usually operated by red northern double decker), the 807 (ex 207 journey) is a scholars service one journey at 3pm from the top of Shotton Hall school at Passfield Way. I wouldnt be surprised if the X35 will be terminating at Peterlee bus station and the new X7 be going from Peterlee to Hartlepool (instead of the X35) and then through and out of the other side of Hartlepool and then onto the A19.

Dont get your hopes on about that X7 route. You will be disappointed.

I'm happy with it going to Middlesbrough. I'm not fussed about it going to Hartlepool!
I guess we'll be left in the dark for at least another two months yet though...

On a slightly different topic, does anyone know if Go North East are having a Quayside event for the 10 yet? (Like the one they had for the X9/X10).

And on yet another different topic:
"Highwayman" branded Scania L94UB/Wright Solar (4947) pictured on "The Loop" service 94 on 27th January:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgraha...otostream/

I think the 835 is a school bus, not sure.

Looks like the plans for the TEN etc have being sorted

Yeah I would think so, they're introducing a school bus in Peterlee too, 807 which I presume covers part of the 207

yes, the 835 is a scholars service from Easington (usually operated by red northern double decker), the 807 (ex 207 journey) is a scholars service one journey at 3pm from the top of Shotton Hall school at Passfield Way. I wouldnt be surprised if the X35 will be terminating at Peterlee bus station and the new X7 be going from Peterlee to Hartlepool (instead of the X35) and then through and out of the other side of Hartlepool and then onto the A19.

Dont get your hopes on about that X7 route. You will be disappointed.

I'm happy with it going to Middlesbrough. I'm not fussed about it going to Hartlepool!
I guess we'll be left in the dark for at least another two months yet though...

Apparently, Sunderland to Peterlee Bus Station via Ryhope and A19. Then pretty much an X10 to Middlesbrough, but via Wingate in a small diversion off the A19. Hourly.

How many is that now?

Wonder if the branding will change because it seems now by VOSA, that the changes will happen

11 so far.

Is that out of 13?

Just noticed these have red head rests like the Angel Hybrids and one the Tyne Tees Xpress Geminis do.

Can't wait to see these in service next month.

Just noticed these have red head rests like the Angel Hybrids and one the Tyne Tees Xpress Geminis do.

Can't wait to see these in service next month.

I personally think the red headrests look horrid, but without them, Go North East can't claim they have 'luxury seating'.

http://d.pr/i/Oz4n

What's funny about the above though, is that the photo they have on their website for the brand to accompany the marvellous claims about their prestigious "Tyne Tees eXpress" service, does not in fact have the ever so luxurious headrests - it has the normal headrests which were later changed.

Update for new service X7:

A change has been registered for the X35, but it only affects a few journeys which do not come in to Hartlepool. X7 is basically an hourly daytime Monday to Saturday service from Middlesbrough to Sunderland via Teesdale, Stockton, Norton, Station Town, Wingate, Peterlee, Seaham & Grangetown.

Apparantly, 6078 (NK62FHE) is branded in the new Ten livery. I actually cannot wait to see it. It should be fantastic, considering the Ten is one of GNE's most popular routes.

Update for new service X7:

A change has been registered for the X35, but it only affects a few journeys which do not come in to Hartlepool. X7 is basically an hourly daytime Monday to Saturday service from Middlesbrough to Sunderland via Teesdale, Stockton, Norton, Station Town, Wingate, Peterlee, Seaham & Grangetown.

Looks like the journey time of the new X7 will be within 1 hour and 30 minutes from Sunderland to Middlesbrough and the proposed new 259 Peterlee to Durham will be an hourly daytime service

Looks as if two more Gemini 2's for the Ten have arrived. NK62FHY and NK62FJE were both spotted at Heysham Docks on Sunday. I believe that brings the total up to 10 of 13 (please correct me if I'm wrong).

http://61reg.blogspot.co.uk/

Looks as if two more Gemini 2's for the Ten have arrived. NK62FHY and NK62FJE were both spotted at Heysham Docks on Sunday. I believe that brings the total up to 10 of 13 (please correct me if I'm wrong).

http://61reg.blogspot.co.uk/

When I was at Saltmeadows on Friday, 8 had been delivered, so with these 2 that would make 10.

Details of service changes from 24th March now available on http://www.simplygo.com/news/bus-service...march-2013

An unidentified "SimpliCity" Versa was on the X20 today: 16:05 departure.

Sad to see that the X7 will indeed fall under the "East Durham" brand. It was obvious, but hope still remained.
They really can't be expecting a high demand for the service if it's only going to use MPDs (or the dual door Renowns in fact, if they're to be transferred over).
Could this be why Peterlee are having a lot of "East Durham" MPDs out on Deptford services, do you think? Rather than them actually being there for maintenance/repair-work? Testing out how well they cope on a variety of routes - both short and long distance - for the entirety of the day?

An unidentified "SimpliCity" Versa was on the X20 today: 16:05 departure.

Sad to see that the X7 will indeed fall under the "East Durham" brand. It was obvious, but hope still remained.
They really can't be expecting a high demand for the service if it's only going to use MPDs (or the dual door Renowns in fact, if they're to be transferred over).
Could this be why Peterlee are having a lot of "East Durham" MPDs out on Deptford services, do you think? Rather than them actually being there for maintenance/repair-work? Testing out how well they cope on a variety of routes - both short and long distance - for the entirety of the day?

I think all of Deptfords/Peterlee's allocations that are all over the place have nothing to do with trialling busses out in Peterlee. The MPDs are currently in the process of having their seats recovered- so could well be at Deptford for that or just repair work off the bad weather

An unidentified "SimpliCity" Versa was on the X20 today: 16:05 departure.

Sad to see that the X7 will indeed fall under the "East Durham" brand. It was obvious, but hope still remained.
They really can't be expecting a high demand for the service if it's only going to use MPDs (or the dual door Renowns in fact, if they're to be transferred over).
Could this be why Peterlee are having a lot of "East Durham" MPDs out on Deptford services, do you think? Rather than them actually being there for maintenance/repair-work? Testing out how well they cope on a variety of routes - both short and long distance - for the entirety of the day?

I think all of Deptfords/Peterlee's allocations that are all over the place have nothing to do with trialling busses out in Peterlee. The MPDs are currently in the process of having their seats recovered- so could well be at Deptford for that or just repair work off the bad weather

I was meaning quite the opposite - if you wish to read the full 'idea' I had (rather than the condensed version as placed here), scroll down to the bottom of the comments on this photo.
It seems to be just me who had this theory and who does agree with this theory. I understand, from what Lee said on that photo, that Go North East do in fact know what the MPDs are like on routes, but road conditions have changed in the past 5 years. A solid example of this is the new road developments in the Gateshead area, of course. Things are being done to make sure that cars no longer use bus lanes, less likely for delays etc.
I'm sure there are countless more examples. A lot of roads have been resurfaced and all the rest too. It may not make much of a difference, but I believe it will make some sort of a difference. I can't agree with the second thing he came up with, as these vehicles have been allocated from very early stages in the day (I've seen one or two of them before 8am, which could potentially be their first duty of the day). Even if this was not so, Deptford's depot have 25 "Northern" branded vehicles by my count - but it must be noted I'm working with an outdated fleetlist produced by myself which could contain inaccuracies and it is to my understanding that Deptford have inherited a few more vehicles since I last updated that part of it. I do understand that these "Northern" branded vehicles often make their way out onto services they literally are allocated to (that have no brand), but this adds up to around 15 vehicles at the most. 10 vehicles could then be allocated to services which need the vehicles owing to a Deptford-based vehicle failure.

Nevertheless, it was an idea and could be wrong. Conversely, it could also be correct. Like all of our ideas regarding a particular reason why something is happening at the moment with Go North East, the chances of it being correct are slim. Go North East are just that unpredictable, huh?
To my knowledge, none of us work for Go North East, so we're not to know - are we?

R.E Seat covers: The numbers of Peterlee-based MPDs making their way onto Deptford services is quite high at the moment, whereas the number of vehicles that have gained the new-style moquette are quite low. As can be seen clearly in all of the photos I've taken of them recently, they still retain the old-style moquette. Surely Deptford would get the vehicles repaired first and then send them out on their services to cover for vehicles, if Lee was to be correct?

Glad to see changes being posted. shame the X7 looks like its gonna be a MPD service, ive read they were to get the yellow duel doors but im sure i read they going to be for the 17

GNE looks to have done some decent changes to the East Durham services, im not sure if the new 265 service (the old 65) would cope with MPD's, im sure GNE put deckers on there because it had a good level of passenger numbers.

The changes to the TEN and 11, might confuse people at first but it all seems good, hopefully they are right and the deckers will cope with a reduced frequacy.


Timetables will be intresting when they are uploaded... any idea when?

Glad to see changes being posted. shame the X7 looks like its gonna be a MPD service, ive read they were to get the yellow duel doors but im sure i read they going to be for the 17

GNE looks to have done some decent changes to the East Durham services, im not sure if the new 265 service (the old 65) would cope with MPD's, im sure GNE put deckers on there because it had a good level of passenger numbers.

The changes to the TEN and 11, might confuse people at first but it all seems good, hopefully they are right and the deckers will cope with a reduced frequacy.


Timetables will be intresting when they are uploaded... any idea when?

I'm rather impressed too! Not sure if 238 and 265 will be operated by Peterlee though? ...because they won't be passing through Peterlee Town Centre. I think the existing 65 is operated by Chester at the moment? You'll also be able to catch a bus to Seaham from Burdon Road or Holmeside in Sunderland instead of only at Park Lane - if that tickles your fancy!

The frequency of 206 is to be reduced, but it already only operates hourly, so might go down to every two hours. Thankfully new X7 will provide alternative buses to Wingate. Glad to see that a couple of journeys on X35 will be diverting via Castle Eden also to make up for the reduction in frequency of 206.

It'll be good on 265 to get a consistent route in New Seaham because the existing 65 route changes during the early evening for some daft reason. From what I've seen personally a couple of times, peak-time loadings on 65 seem too high for MPD's at peak times for students travelling to Durham College at Framwellgate Moor. Perhaps the yellow two-door Volvos at Percy Main may go on to X7 and 265, and the Crusader B10BLE's on the 17 instead? We'll have to wait and see!

Thanks to a thumbs up from cbma06 - the timetable for GNE's new X7 has been posted online, but sadly the link cannot be found unfortunately. Typical!

http://www.connectteesvalley.com/mobile/buspdf.asp

I think it's worth checking this site again tomorrow to see if the gremlin is fixed when the council staff return to work. Failing that, I'm sure GNE will have their own timetables online soon anyway.

Thanks to a thumbs up from cbma06 - the timetable for GNE's new X7 has been posted online, but sadly the link cannot be found unfortunately. Typical!

http://www.connectteesvalley.com/mobile/buspdf.asp

I think it's worth checking this site again tomorrow to see if the gremlin is fixed when the council staff return to work. Failing that, I'm sure GNE will have their own timetables online soon anyway.

Typical =(

Thanks to a thumbs up from cbma06 - the timetable for GNE's new X7 has been posted online, but sadly the link cannot be found unfortunately. Typical!

http://www.connectteesvalley.com/mobile/buspdf.asp

I think it's worth checking this site again tomorrow to see if the gremlin is fixed when the council staff return to work. Failing that, I'm sure GNE will have their own timetables online soon anyway.

The new timetable link for the X35 is working again, just 1 journey in the morning and one journey in the afternoon commences or terminates at High Heslden. Connect teesvalley replied about the broken link for the X7 timetable "Whilst the Traffic Commissioner granted the original application for service X7, the timetable had to be adjusted in order to comply with the Codes of Conduct at Middlesbrough Bus Station, Peterlee Bus Station and Sunderland Interchange. We are awaiting the grant by the Traffic Commissioner of this variation before we can publish the timetable. However, in essence, the service will run once an hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes between Middlesbrough and Sunderland via Teesdale, Stockton, Norton, Station Town, Wingate, Peterlee, Seaham and Grangetown."

GNE really mustn't expect the service to be a big hit if it's only an hourly service Mon-Sat...

GNE really mustn't expect the service to be a big hit if it's only an hourly service Mon-Sat...

It's called 'setting the bar low' - remember that the X10 only used to be an hourly service on its own before its success lead to the X9 which also exceeded expectations (hence the coaches being replaced by 3962-5 after 6 months). This X7 is likely to be viewed in the same way as both - start with low expectations and hope the growth is there.

GNE really mustn't expect the service to be a big hit if it's only an hourly service Mon-Sat...

It's called 'setting the bar low' - remember that the X10 only used to be an hourly service on its own before its success lead to the X9 which also exceeded expectations (hence the coaches being replaced by 3962-5 after 6 months). This X7 is likely to be viewed in the same way as both - start with low expectations and hope the growth is there.

Just hope GNE advertises this service properly than the orginal 210/211 (Sunderland-Middlesbrough but not going via Billingham this time) sequence. Maybe the OK1 could of done the Middlesbrough to Sunderland section if there get the timing right for the driver (would of been nice to bring the OK name back to Peterlee.

Suggestion:

Just a suggestion tinkering with the X35,X7,206 bus service. Total
withdraw of the 206, run the X35 hourly and introduce a X36 service
running hourly, both providing 30 minute service, but the X36 will be
different between Peterlee bus station and Blackhall Rocks, run the
X36 from Peterlee to the A19 roundabout and have the bus stopping at
East Durham College (which will provide new links for students) and
also have the bus stopping on the A19 layby southbound at the X9 X10
bus stop and then the X36 takes the slip road off the A19 at Castle
Eden and then does the 206 route to Blackhall Rocks then continues
with the X35 to Hartlepool (new key services from Heslden to
Hartlepool and Sunderland etc...) and for the other half of the 206
route the new X7 can provide bus service for passengers at Hutton
Henry, by going down the B1280 to A19 then left turn at A19 then left
again to go into Hutton Henry then back down the B1280 then X7 route
to Middlesbrough, return journey for the X7 can go straight up the A19
and left turn into Hutton Henry then right turn to towards Wingate,
and since service X35 serves the 206 section between Peterlee bus
station and Blackhall Rocks then you be able to withdraw the 206 as
the service is daytime only.
ive just been thinking that diverting the X7 twice round Hutton Henry might cause a longer run, so i was just wondering if GNE extends the 201 from after going round the industrial estate, the bus heads up a19 southbound to Castle Eden and run the 206 route upto Hutton Henry then A19 northbound and instead of coming of at Castle Eden, the bus comes off at Peterlee round the industrial estate then 201 route back to Peterlee bus station.

Any thoughts anyone.