(12 Aug 2017, 9:03 pm)L469 YVK wrote Totally agree. They'll happily run them packed and sometimes late (going by previous comments on Facebook left by disgrunted passengers ) in the peak times but will happily consider withdrawing a socially beneficial service without at least trying to make it more profitable first. Could even arrange a vehicle swap at Blyth and reduce it to a single decker before doing the outbound X11 and inbound X10 to reduce fuel costs.

Another example of them making stuff up is the excuse they had for the withdrawal of 494, "low passenger usage". The bus was leaving Benton full and standing?! The actual reason was it tied up a vehicle in the mornings that would go on to work a Scholars service, and was always late...

(13 Aug 2017, 9:38 am)omnicity4659 wrote Another example of them making stuff up is the excuse they had for the withdrawal of 494, "low passenger usage". The bus was leaving Benton full and standing?! The actual reason was it tied up a vehicle in the mornings that would go on to work a Scholars service, and was always late...

It's the same as boxing day gone. Fair enough if they couldn't get the drivers to work until late on but there would've clearly been demand for a few specials to be put on after the match.

Even moving the 23:10 departure to 23:15 / 23:20 and giving the driver an extra 5/10 minutes pay would be better than nothing.

PB0002032/452 Registered (Short notice)
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Newcastle to Whitley Bay
Service number: 306 (306)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2017

PB0002032/252 Registered (Short notice)
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Blyth to Newcastle
Service number: X8 (X8)
Service type: Limited Stop
Effective date: 03 Sep 2017

PB0002032/11 Registered (Short notice)
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Blyth to Newcastle
Service number: X7 (X7)
Service type: Limited Stop
Effective date: 03 Sep 2017

PB0002032/450 Registered (Short notice)
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Blyth to Newcastle
Service number: 308 (308)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2017

Press release regarding service changes in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear from the 3rd of September is now available here.

Blyth depot and Jesmond depot disruptions for the Tour of Britain 4th Sept are also now on the Arriva website. The Ashington ones were posted some time ago (and are also earlier in this thread).

Link to all 3 here- https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/L...Bike-Race/

PB0002032/452 Registered
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Newcastle to Whitley Bay
Service number: 306 (306)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 29 Oct 2017

• PB0002717/15 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Esh Winning 
  Service number: 43 (43) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/220 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Hartlepool to Sunderland 
  Service number: 23 (23) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/433 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Horden to Durham Framwellgate Moor 
  Service number: X24 (X24) 
  Service type: Limited Stop 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/383 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Hartlepool 
  Service number: 24 (24) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/382 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Sunderland 
  Service number: 22 (22) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/30 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Bishop Auckland 
  Service number: 56 (56, 56A) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/256 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Hartlepool 
  Service number: 57A (57, 57A) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/206 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Darlington to Springfield/Whinfield 
  Service number: 9 (10, 9) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/258 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Durham to Cockfield 
  Service number: 6 (6) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017 
  
  
• PB0002717/203 Registered 
  ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD
  Route: Darlington to Minors Crescent 
  Service number: 4 (4) 
  Service type: Normal Stopping 
  Effective date: 29 Oct 2017
  

CSV data reveals:

4/9/10 are revised timetable on Saturdays
X24 is culled back to just one journey in each direction on weekdays and withdrawn completely on Saturdays

(05 Sep 2017, 4:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote CSV data reveals:

4/9/10 are revised timetable on Saturdays
X24 is culled back to just one journey in each direction on weekdays and withdrawn completely on Saturdays

Not suprised about the X24 rarely has passengers on.

(05 Sep 2017, 4:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote CSV data reveals:

4/9/10 are revised timetable on Saturdays
X24 is culled back to just one journey in each direction on weekdays and withdrawn completely on Saturdays

I have seen passengers on service X24, but it should be withdrawn totally, it's not worth running it, there's 4 buses per hour running between peterlee and Durham as it is without having a so called express service which it's only a little tiny bit faster than the normally 24.


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(05 Sep 2017, 4:47 pm)cbma06 wrote I have seen passengers on service X24, but it should be withdrawn totally, it's not worth running it, there's 4 buses per hour running between peterlee and Durham as it is without having a so called express service which it's only a little tiny bit faster than the normally 24.


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I was told at a meeting that the is X24 is safe and the last run was being cut.
On a similar note Arriva have said they where going too cutting the last X21 journey from Sunderland that leaves at 1946. It was put for a factory shift then they went and changed the shift pattern making the run obsolete.


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(06 Sep 2017, 3:17 pm)2bagstew wrote I was told at a meeting that the is X24 is safe and the last run was being cut.
On a similar note Arriva have said they where going too cutting the last X21 journey from Sunderland that leaves at 1946. It was put for a factory shift then they went and changed the shift pattern making the run obsolete.


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It would be simple if the X22 operated to Sunderland. It used to as the 21A/31A.

(06 Sep 2017, 4:44 pm)S830OFT wrote It would be simple if the X22 operated to Sunderland. It used to as the 21A/31A.

There was talk about the X22 going to Sunderland when they going too make the X22 a MAX service but it all gone quiet again.


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Arriva will be providing additional services to Middlesbrough College from Monday. Including the present MC1 (Ingleby Barwick) and MC2 (Easington), a total of 6 routes will be in operation.

http://www.mbro.ac.uk/Home/index/student...ravel.aspx

23:40 308 being withdrawn from 29th October?

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

Oh, they'll happily pack the Blyth - Newcastle routes in during the peak times running them god knows how many minutes late taking peoples money YET, they'll withdraw a late service on a bus (barring any Busways registered service) that most likely sits only second to the Angel in terms of popularity and profit across the whole of the North East!

Ok, a reduction to Friday and Saturday nights only would seem sensible but come on man, even GNE still run the booze buses to Blaydon / Winlaton on a Friday and Saturday night on a route that is nowhere near the 308 in terms of profability and passenger numbers!

(20 Sep 2017, 5:36 pm)L469 YVK wrote 23:40 308 being withdrawn from 29th October?

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

Oh, they'll happily pack the Blyth - Newcastle routes in during the peak times running them god knows how many minutes late taking peoples money YET, they'll withdraw a late service on a bus (barring any Busways registered service) that most likely sits only second to the Angel in terms of popularity and profit across the whole of the North East!

Ok, a reduction to Friday and Saturday nights only would seem sensible but come on man, even GNE still run the booze buses to Blaydon / Winlaton on a Friday and Saturday night on a route that is nowhere near the 308 in terms of profability and passenger numbers!

This is what happens when bus companies are all for profit and not for passenger needs, just like when the council has to fund the gap as the bus company can't be bothered to run not to profit evening services, council should withdraw there funding and let the passengers vent there anger towards the bus companies.


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(20 Sep 2017, 5:43 pm)cbma06 wrote This is what happens when bus companies are all for profit and not for passenger needs, just like when the council has to fund the gap as the bus company can't be bothered to run not to profit evening services, council should withdraw there funding and let the passengers vent there anger towards the bus companies.


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PROFIT!????

Barring a Monday - Thursday and a Sunday, the 23:40 service does fairly decent and can get some decent loads particularly around payday weekend!

(20 Sep 2017, 5:36 pm)L469 YVK wrote 23:40 308 being withdrawn from 29th October?

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!

Oh, they'll happily pack the Blyth - Newcastle routes in during the peak times running them god knows how many minutes late taking peoples money YET, they'll withdraw a late service on a bus (barring any Busways registered service) that most likely sits only second to the Angel in terms of popularity and profit across the whole of the North East!

Ok, a reduction to Friday and Saturday nights only would seem sensible but come on man, even GNE still run the booze buses to Blaydon / Winlaton on a Friday and Saturday night on a route that is nowhere near the 308 in terms of profability and passenger numbers!

Well said.

I just find it amusing that they're still running non-profit making extensions/services yet cut the journeys that make profit.

35s to Woodhorn, 64s to High Pittington, 52s to Ashington/Newbiggin etc...

(21 Sep 2017, 2:55 pm)omnicity4659 wrote I just find it amusing that they're still running non-profit making extensions/services yet cut the journeys that make profit.

35s to Woodhorn, 64s to High Pittington, 52s to Ashington/Newbiggin etc...

The only reason I could see ANE withdrawing the late 308 for is becuase they'll be able to close Blyth depot at 12:15am or 12:30am instead of 12:45am or 1am saving 1/2 an hours pay for the shunters and engineers with it being the only service that comes in late after 12:30am.

Can understand them withdrawing it on a Mon-Thur + Sun but it's absolutely disgusting that they're withdrawing the Friday and Saturday night journeys. I've been on 3x Friday night journeys (only 1x on a NUFC match night unless England playing Australia at the Stadium of S**te also counts) and all had at least 15-20 passengers on and on the night of the England match despite the bus not veing full, me and the old man had to go upstairs for a decent seat!

end of the day...if a service is making a profit it won't be withdrawn.

Odd observations are fine but there's obviously not a commercially viable level of demand for a service at 23.40.

Much like the 21 used to run 24/7 and GNE culled it to weekend night buses.

commercial profit driven businesses do not axe profitable routes. Simple.

(21 Sep 2017, 10:36 pm)Ambassador wrote end of the day...if a service is making a profit it won't be withdrawn.

Odd observations are fine but there's obviously not a commercially viable level of demand for a service at 23.40.

Much like the 21 used to run 24/7 and GNE culled it to weekend night buses.

commercial profit driven businesses do not axe profitable routes. Simple.

Yes they do. as L469YVK stated above, the journey might be making a profit but the are axing it in order to shut the depot earlier and save on depot staff wages.

(21 Sep 2017, 10:36 pm)Ambassador wrote end of the day...if a service is making a profit it won't be withdrawn.

Odd observations are fine but there's obviously not a commercially viable level of demand for a service at 23.40.

Much like the 21 used to run 24/7 and GNE culled it to weekend night buses.

commercial profit driven businesses do not axe profitable routes. Simple.

But for many many years, the 308 has always had a bus after 11.30pm and GNE before 2008 would (I think) run the last one between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. From what I can see on the changes too looking at the outbound journey, the 10.40pm journey is being withdrawn on Sunday nights leaving an hourly service after 10pm. Now that is a sensible decision as not many people use the bus on a Sunday night even if it did make money. But Arriva withdrawing the 11.40pm service even on a Fri/Sat night is wrong.

(22 Sep 2017, 3:34 pm)L469 YVK wrote But for many many years, the 308 has always had a bus after 11.30pm and GNE before 2008 would (I think) run the last one between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. From what I can see on the changes too looking at the outbound journey, the 10.40pm journey is being withdrawn on Sunday nights leaving an hourly service after 10pm. Now that is a sensible decision as not many people use the bus on a Sunday night even if it did make money. But Arriva withdrawing the 11.40pm service even on a Fri/Sat night is wrong.

Are they saving more money by not operating it (and the service TO Newcastle) and closing the depot for the night, than they are making, running it and keeping the depot open for that half hour or so?

(22 Sep 2017, 4:09 pm)Andreos1 wrote Are they saving more money by not operating it (and the service TO Newcastle) and closing the depot for the night, than they are making, running it and keeping the depot open for that half hour or so?

Well going by a Friday and Saturday night, they would just about cover the costs without facing a big loss not incluidng all the money the 308 makes during the busy peak periods and are very busy that could subsidise the later service too!

At the end of the day, it's completely wrong that a service that has run for many years is being withdrawn! You're not talking about a route with fluctuating loads, you're talking about a route that is well used all times of the day (can often run late as a result and doesn't use 10x buses instead of 9x) and is probably only second behind the Angel in terms of passenger numbers and profit across the whole of the North East (excluding Busways services). This alone is enough to warrant a later service PLUS how much have Arriva saved in fuel since the B5LH's have went MAX meaning they can be used on the Blyth 'X' routes during evenings and Sundays when the full PVR isn't required?

(22 Sep 2017, 4:09 pm)Andreos1 wrote Are they saving more money by not operating it (and the service TO Newcastle) and closing the depot for the night, than they are making, running it and keeping the depot open for that half hour or so?

I suspect that is going to be the answer. You've got an extra half hour (roughly?) of not only fuel & driver but your engineer, cleaners/shunters and other depot costs. If it's only really carrying two days a week that gives 4 days where it's running at a loss, probably quite significantly so!

UPDATE: Have messaged Arriva about this and appears that the last 306 will instead be moved from 11.25pm to 11.40pm 7x days per week. Also, the 308 at 10.40pm from Newcastle (and 9.39pm from Blyth) will be withdrawn on Sundays too. Have checked this out on Traveline.

Appears it must be cheaper to keep the Jesmond depot open later than Blyth as buses from routes such as the 45/306/53 don't get back into the depot until late on anyways plus the new 11.40pm 306 will practially cover the 308 route betwen Newcastle and Billy Mill as well as potentially gaining an edge over GNE's last departure time of 11.15pm from Haymarket.

PB0002032/550 Registered (Short notice)
ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD
Route: Morpeth Bus Station to Morpeth County Hall
Service number: MFF (MFF)
Service type: Limited Stop
Effective date: 07 Oct 2017

Morpeth Food Festival park and ride.