And to top it all off, the Toon will be kicking off at 19:45 this year. Wonder if a close enough Sunday service with additional journeys (that don't usually run on a Sunday evening) will be the pecking order this year?

And to top it all off, the Toon will be kicking off at 19:45 this year. Wonder if a close enough Sunday service with additional journeys (that don't usually run on a Sunday evening) will be the pecking order this year?

As far as Arriva goes, I think you can whistle for it! 

I will happily eat my words if proven wrong.

...and nothing from Arriva (probably!).

Hopefully GNE run something to Ashington and Morpeth.

I imagine NUFC will foot the bill (with Sky's input) for additional services as they've done previously.

Hopefully GNE run something to Ashington and Morpeth.

GNE could do the X21 route to Bedlington then X22 route to Newcastle from Ashington with a PVR of 2x on an Hourly Service.

GNE could do the X21 route to Bedlington then X22 route to Newcastle from Ashington with a PVR of 2x on an Hourly Service.

Or the X21 route throughout? Or even extending the 309 to Ashington via Bedlington, Guide Post and The Elephant.

Hopefully Arriva will get their act together this year, and put on some sort of service for Northumberland. 

Running the X10/11, X18 and X21/22 on a Sunday frequency would probably be enough, with one of Jesmonds 'Great North Road' routes. I know that Ashington run duplicates, or at least an extra X22 at the same time as an X21, after League Cup matches with crowds of around 25000, I don't understand how they then continue to neglect Boxing Day, especially when a league match is on.

Or the X21 route throughout? 

Would mean a PVR of 3x vehicles being required if from Newbiggin. Got to bear in mind that even though some sort of a service is fantastic and serving the X21 route throughout would be great, it needs to keep to time too and Ashington to Newcastle via the Elephant, Stakeford, Bedlington Station, Bedlington and the Hartlands would allow a 52 minute journey (using Monday to Saturday timings) either way to run with 10 minutes recovery at Haymarket + 6 minutes at Ashington. The passenger numbers would probably be decent too so some late running would happen meaning good recovery time at either end (particularly Newcastle) would make up for the late running.

Bearing in mind when matches that fall on new years day don't get any offerings or extended services it all looks very highly unlikely

Bearing in mind when matches that fall on new years day don't get any offerings or extended services it all looks very highly unlikely

They paid for extra last year but I imagine it'll be key routes only and if it's anything like last time...GNE only.

Fans travelling home by Metro after the game are advised to allow enough time to make their journey. 

Go North East bus services on routes 10A, 10B, 21, 47, 54, 56, 58, 309, 310, Q3, Q3A, X1 and X30 will also operate extended hours with final services between 7.40pm and 8.20pm. Park and ride services to the MetroCentre Coach Park will also be in operation.

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/nexmas2016

Arriva planning to run Boxing Day services this year in Tyne & Wear.

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/nexmas2016

Arriva planning to run Boxing Day services this year in Tyne & Wear.

Oh wow, they've actually moved into the 21st century =0

Oh wow, they've actually moved into the 21st century =0

Not that far into the 21st century, still nothing for those of us who don't live on Tyneside ... [emoji19]

Hopefully the Tyneside routes will do well and hopefully in future, we could see some services south of the Tyne. Won't hold my breath though...

Finally!!

Not that far into the 21st century, still nothing for those of us who don't live on Tyneside ... [emoji19]

Hopefully the Tyneside routes will do well and hopefully in future, we could see some services south of the Tyne. Won't hold my breath though...

, well its a start haha

Good to see Arriva finally running some services on Boxing Day, even if they are only in Northumberland this year. Will be interesting to see the timetables, and how long the services will run for. Anyone know if all three depots will be running their own routes, or if one depot will be running them all?

Good to see Arriva finally running some services on Boxing Day, even if they are only in Northumberland this year. Will be interesting to see the timetables, and how long the services will run for. Anyone know if all three depots will be running their own routes, or if one depot will be running them all?

As far as I know they'll all be run out of Jesmond, although will be drivers from their own depots.

Clearly nobody works or goes to the sales on Boxing Day, if they live in Durham or Teesside. That is another headache for us in staffing Boxing Day then!

As far as I know they'll all be run out of Jesmond, although will be drivers from their own depots.

So, will all vehicles be supplied by Jesmond? Or will Ashington and Blyth send vehicles to Jesmond on Christmas Eve?

Nothing going west over to Hexham either...!

Nothing going west over to Hexham either...!

Does GNE not run the 10 all route to Hexham on Boxing Day?

So, will all vehicles be supplied by Jesmond? Or will Ashington and Blyth send vehicles to Jesmond on Christmas Eve?

Vehicles would just be from Jesmond I imagine. Its easier if you're trying to run it at low cost.
Hopefully if it is deemed successful they may look at expanding the operation in future years.

Vehicles would just be from Jesmond I imagine. Its easier if you're trying to run it at low cost.
Hopefully if it is deemed successful they may look at expanding the operation in future years.

Ah, so no MAX or Sapphire then. (Bar whatever 1408/11 are allocated to).

Hopefully, I imagine driver permitting that a full Sunday service would still run at a profit in most areas, especially if Newcastle and/or Middlesbrough are playing at home. (Perhaps the lack of a Middlesbrough home game this year is why Arriva didn't take the plunge and operate services south of the Tyne?)

Ah, so no MAX or Sapphire then. (Bar whatever 1408/11 are allocated to).

Hopefully, I imagine driver permitting that a full Sunday service would still run at a profit in most areas, especially if Newcastle and/or Middlesbrough are playing at home. (Perhaps the lack of a Middlesbrough home game this year is why Arriva didn't take the plunge and operate services south of the Tyne?)

Newcastle don't kick off until 7.45, I'd imagine Arriva will have stopped service by then. Only GNE took up the funding offer from altoonative travel last year for a skeleton evening service.

It's still crazy there's no service on New Years Day but there is on Easter Sunday

Newcastle don't kick off until 7.45, I'd imagine Arriva will have stopped service by then. Only GNE took up the funding offer from altoonative travel last year for a skeleton evening service.

It's still crazy there's no service on New Years Day but there is on Easter Sunday

I think the Newcastle match will be a main driver behind Arriva's decision to operate services on Boxing Day this year, it would seriously surprise me if they stopped the services before that game kicked off.

I think the Newcastle match will be a main driver behind Arriva's decision to operate services on Boxing Day this year, it would seriously surprise me if they stopped the services before that game kicked off.

Stagecoach did last year as did GNE on all but a few routes.

With Arriva now running the 308 / 43 on Boxing Day, if NUFC pay out like last year to run extra services after the match, do you think another operator will step in and take the late journeys on with Arriva ceasing to tun between 6pm-7pm? Last year, GNE operated the Boxing Day 309 + Q3 with late journeys but I highly doubt GNE will operate the daytime routes now.

It's still crazy there's no service on New Years Day but there is on Easter Sunday

Too true. Nothing Boxing Day either down here in the backwater.

Timetables have been released for boxing day services from Arriva

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/globalassets...16_web.pdf

Last services leaving Newcastle around 6:30 so none after the match.