14: Throckley - Lemington - Blaydon - Winlaton - Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Stanley.
New route offering a new link to Stanley from Blaydon and Winlaton.

X19: Alnwick - Amble - Ashington - Bedlington - Blyth - Seaton Sluice - Whitley Bay - North Shields - Royal Quays. New route to offer a faster link to North Shields from Ashington and Bedlington. Also allow Blyth a new link to North Shields and Royal Quays.

14: Throckley - Lemington - Blaydon - Winlaton - Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Stanley.
New route offering a new link to Stanley from Blaydon and Winlaton.

X19: Alnwick - Amble - Ashington - Bedlington - Blyth - Seaton Sluice - Whitley Bay - North Shields - Royal Quays. New route to offer a faster link to North Shields from Ashington and Bedlington. Also allow Blyth a new link to North Shields and Royal Quays.

I like the 14 idea

Am I the only person that thinks it would make more sense for the X9/X10 to serve Bolden cinema surely it get more passengers then it does from testos roundabout

Am I the only person that thinks it would make more sense for the X9/X10 to serve Bolden cinema surely it get more passengers then it does from testos roundabout

It would be good for it to serve boldon cinema but the only problem this would have is it would take away the ability to divert the x9/10 off the A19 due to bad delays, especially around testo's roundabout, which will get worse once the major project starts later this year/start of next year to create a flyover

14: Throckley - Lemington - Blaydon - Winlaton - Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Stanley.
New route offering a new link to Stanley from Blaydon and Winlaton.

X19: Alnwick - Amble - Ashington - Bedlington - Blyth - Seaton Sluice - Whitley Bay - North Shields - Royal Quays. New route to offer a faster link to North Shields from Ashington and Bedlington. Also allow Blyth a new link to North Shields and Royal Quays.

X19 is a good one,but it would be better ending at jarrow bus station.if it runs every 30 mins, it can replace service 5 as cross Tyne service,which would give new customers more destinations direct from south Tyneside.at present all travel for north services we have to travel thru newcastle ,changing and walking across newcastle.a one bus direct service as suggested x19 would be a brilliant service

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Am I the only person that thinks it would make more sense for the X9/X10 to serve Bolden cinema surely it get more passengers then it does from testos roundabout

If it served the bold on cinema area the diversion used thru Washington could not happen.testos is too busy an area and gets congested regularly.

Am I the only person that thinks it would make more sense for the X9/X10 to serve Bolden cinema surely it get more passengers then it does from testos roundabout

It would be good for it to serve boldon cinema but the only problem this would have is it would take away the ability to divert the x9/10 off the A19 due to bad delays, especially around testo's roundabout, which will get worse once the major project starts later this year/start of next year to create a flyover

I don't see why it would need to serve Boldon Cinema? It would only increase a journey time that is long enough, now that some detour into Dalton Park.

I don't see why it would need to serve Boldon Cinema? It would only increase a journey time that is long enough, now that some detour into Dalton Park.

I agree, I like the length of the routes at the moment time. It's a balance between serving key points and journey time. I still prefer it to driving all of the way there, nice trip out. Not sure I'd be saying the same if I had to use it every day end-to-end, but there's another debate for another day!

Tynedale Links 74 increased frequency to every 2 hours instead of every 3.

New service 75, Newcastle Airport - Kingston Park - Cowgate - Newcastle Blackett Street - Killingworth

Crusader express to compete with the Metro.

Crusader express to compete with the Metro.
[/quote]

That could work but GNE would have to have cheaper price to to get people to switch.

However H1 could change into Express still serving South Tyneside Hospital  as town centres only/near metro station and GNE will need to provide Double Deckers for it to cope.

Crusader express to compete with the Metro.

That could work but GNE would have to have cheaper price to to get people to switch.

However H1 could change into Express still serving South Tyneside Hospital  as town centres only/near metro station and GNE will need to provide Double Deckers for it to cope.
[/quote]

GNE is cheaper than Metro if only using their services and not using bus and Metro in the same day. Metro is only cheaper if you don't need a bus all day. Between Newcastle and South Shields on GNE would be £6.50 for the day. Crusader is £5 return which is quite expensive when compared to £4 all day on the Metro. £6.50 all day in two zones (Purple and Red) is a good deal from GNE. Currently I pay £7.20 for a Day Rover to get to South Shields, and that is going up at the end of this month. I don't especially like the Metro and only use it because it gets me there much quicker. I much prefer the Crusader 27.  

I think Crusader express could seriously compete with the Metro.  Even part of the route express would be a good move from GNE. There are so many stops on the route.

Could the 74 operate more frequently? I have been on a few trips on the 74 now, and it looks to be reasonably popular.

53/54 to merge with the 29.
Haven't quite been able to work out the best way of doing it yet.

Feel free to offer help or advice.

53/54 to merge with the 29.
Haven't quite been able to work out the best way of doing it yet.

Feel free to offer help or advice.

Could just join it onto 33s. There's a fair amount of layover on either and wouldn't be half as confusing to figure it out.

333- extended all along the coast to Whitley Bay Metro after reaching the broadway. Not cutting into Whitley until Spanish city. Increased PVR to 2

I fixed the 9 in the evenings.

This is before:


This is after:


This means there's only one journey with no proper connection (arriving sunderland from Murton at 18:27)

Streetlites did enter service at 18:36, 18:41 19:06, 19:36, 20:06
Streetlites now enter service at 17:44, 18:15, 19:19, 19:47, 20:11

If streetlites aren't avaliable at the earlier times then it would mean only 3 halves depart before the other arrives at Sunderland. I don't know when the Streetlites are available in depth to draw conclusions, but I think this would make the timetable more sensible. A key to show a connection isn't guaranteed would be useful but hopefully is clear enough.

Could this service not go on through Tyne tunnel to jarrow and South Shields.this would open a new transport area from south Tyneside into Northumberland without having to travel to Newcastle .

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Crusader express to compete with the Metro.

That could work but GNE would have to have cheaper price to to get people to switch.

However H1 could change into Express still serving South Tyneside Hospital  as town centres only/near metro station and GNE will need to provide Double Deckers for it to cope.
[/quote]

H1 was just set up by GNE to pacify councillors etc.the way it is set up to run,is for it to deliberately fail.it is on a 6 month trial, and after seeing its loading are,I will bet it is going to be withdrawn later. I do not think GNE will make 27 an express,as it will interfere with their income on this route,and costs would increase.

Service Suggestion:
2: Silksworth - Tunstall - Hollycarside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Fulwell The Grange - Cleadon - Harton Nook - South Shields. 
Service increased to Every 12 minutes, extended to South Shields to replace services 20/20A/X20. The service will no longer serve Toward Road and will instead operate direct to the interchange. Service 2A will be withdrawn.

X4: Seaham - Mill Inn - Seaton - Hall Lane - Houghton - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Non Stop - Washington Galleries - Heworth - Gateshead Interchange - Newcastle. New Express Service from Seaham to Newcastle, the route will operate to Houghton replacing service 238, the service will then operate segments of the 4 route missing out The Arts Centre and Concord. The service will also drop into Rainton Bridge at peak times allowing service 921 to be withdrawn.

X6/7: Revised to serve all stops on Coast Road and the Village Memorial Stop, it will not serve Hollycarside and will operate straight to Grangetown. It will also no longer serve Burdon Road.

20/A/X: Revised to operate Sunderland to Durham only.

33: Silksworth - Barnes - Royal Hospital - Sunderland City Centre - Ashbrooke - Leechmere Asda - Hollycarside - Esdale Estate - Tunstall Bank. Service revised to serve the Hospital, no longer serve Durham Road and The Docks. The service will recieve a new 30 minute frequency and operate the old 38/238 route aswell. 33A withdrawn.

35: Revised to serve Silksworth instead of Durham Road and the Hospital. The 33/35/36 combined will offer 6 buses an hour between Silksworth and Sunderland.

38/238: Withdrawn

39: Doxford International - Ryhope - Grangetown - Toward Road - Sunderland City - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Shiney Row - Lambton - Galleries. Frequency decreased to Every 20 minutes, in Pennywell the service will operate Anti Clockwise but cut out at the Industrial Estate. The service will then operate the 2 route to the Galleries. 

60: Revised to operate Every 15 minutes and serve Toward Road.

77/77A: The Docks - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Chester Road - Barnwell - Biddick - Galleries. 
New daytime services revised to replace segments of service 2A and 33.

238 Revised to operate Hall Lane to Barnwell only.

PVR Weekday Daytime:
2: 11
X4: 3
X6/7: 4
20s: 13
33: 4
35: 8
39: 9
60: 6
77/A: 4
238: 1

Allocations: 
2: (5463 - 5473) 
X4: Any Spare Vehicle from Washington
X6/X7: (691 - 694)
20s: (5420 - 5432)
33s: (697 - 700)
35s: Retain Solars
39s: (5433 - 5441)
60s: (5369 - 5374)
77s: (5474 - 5477)
238: 689
516: 681
Spare Buses:
5478 - 5480 (Corporate Livery)
5375, 5376 (Corporate Livery)
690 (Black Cats Spare)

5478 - 5480 will be spares for the 2 and 20.
5375, 5376 will be spares for services 39 and 60.
690 will be spare for all Midi Bus operated services.

Service Suggestion:
2: Silksworth - Tunstall - Hollycarside - Grangetown - Sunderland City Centre - Fulwell The Grange - Cleadon - Harton Nook - South Shields. 
Service increased to Every 12 minutes, extended to South Shields to replace services 20/20A/X20. The service will no longer serve Toward Road and will instead operate direct to the interchange. Service 2A will be withdrawn.

X4: Seaham - Mill Inn - Seaton - Hall Lane - Houghton - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Non Stop - Washington Galleries - Heworth - Gateshead Interchange - Newcastle. New Express Service from Seaham to Newcastle, the route will operate to Houghton replacing service 238, the service will then operate segments of the 4 route missing out The Arts Centre and Concord. The service will also drop into Rainton Bridge at peak times allowing service 921 to be withdrawn.

X6/7: Revised to serve all stops on Coast Road and the Village Memorial Stop, it will not serve Hollycarside and will operate straight to Grangetown. It will also no longer serve Burdon Road.

20/A/X: Revised to operate Sunderland to Durham only.

33: Silksworth - Barnes - Royal Hospital - Sunderland City Centre - Ashbrooke - Leechmere Asda - Hollycarside - Esdale Estate - Tunstall Bank. Service revised to serve the Hospital, no longer serve Durham Road and The Docks. The service will recieve a new 30 minute frequency and operate the old 38/238 route aswell. 33A withdrawn.

35: Revised to serve Silksworth instead of Durham Road and the Hospital. The 33/35/36 combined will offer 6 buses an hour between Silksworth and Sunderland.

38/238: Withdrawn

39: Doxford International - Ryhope - Grangetown - Toward Road - Sunderland City - Royal Hospital - Pennywell - Shiney Row - Lambton - Galleries. Frequency decreased to Every 20 minutes, in Pennywell the service will operate Anti Clockwise but cut out at the Industrial Estate. The service will then operate the 2 route to the Galleries. 

60: Revised to operate Every 15 minutes and serve Toward Road.

77/77A: The Docks - Sunderland City Centre - Royal Hospital - Chester Road - Barnwell - Biddick - Galleries. 
New daytime services revised to replace segments of service 2A and 33.

238 Revised to operate Hall Lane to Barnwell only.

PVR Weekday Daytime:
2: 11
X4: 3
X6/7: 4
20s: 13
33: 4
35: 8
39: 9
60: 6
77/A: 4
238: 1

X4 been done before and didn’t work out.

Service 60 should extend to South Shields on 10 minute service and terminate the 20 at Sunderland.

Keep the x6/x7 via burdon road as it quick access to the city centre than hiking all the way from the interchange.


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X4 been done before and didn’t work out.

Service 60 should extend to South Shields on 10 minute service and terminate the 20 at Sunderland.

Keep the x6/x7 via burdon road as it quick access to the city centre than hiking all the way from the interchange.


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Do they need the 60 to cross the river, when the 9 does the same?
I think offering a cross-river service from a different direction is the best option.

How about the 2? Send that to Shields rather than Silksworth and have the 36 fill the gap left by the 2 between Sunderland and Silksworth.
It would also reinstate the historic connections between Ryhope and Houghton.
The 2 going to Shields would also ensure a direct connection to the hospital for those areas on the north side that lost it a few years back.

Do they need the 60 to cross the river, when the 9 does the same?
I think offering a cross-river service from a different direction is the best option.

How about the 2? Send that to Shields rather than Silksworth and have the 36 fill the gap left by the 2 between Sunderland and Silksworth.
It would also reinstate the historic connections between Ryhope and Houghton.
The 2 going to Shields would also ensure a direct connection to the hospital for those areas on the north side that lost it a few years back.

There wouldn’t of withdrew the 141 if there was a demand of that service between those 2 locations. Service 60 should of been the service which went to shields and not service 20. Between shields and hospital, there’s nothing wrong with passengers changing over between bus services in Sunderland as there’s a high freq service to catch to finish there journey. Can’t see them diverting the 36 via ryhope replacing service 2 on that section.


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There wouldn’t of withdrew the 141 if there was a demand of that service between those 2 locations. Service 60 should of been the service which went to shields and not service 20. Between shields and hospital, there’s nothing wrong with passengers changing over between bus services in Sunderland as there’s a high freq service to catch to finish there journey. Can’t see them diverting the 36 via ryhope replacing service 2 on that section.


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there’s nothing wrong with passengers changing over between bus services in Sunderland as there’s a high freq service to catch to finish there journey.

As for the 141/Ryhope - Houghton.
I dont think there is enough traffic for a service operating purely between those points.
To integrate it in to a route that goes well beyond those points (unlike the 38 that went to Rainton Bridge and continued to do so even when shifts started), I think there would be enough to sustain it.

As for the 141/Ryhope - Houghton.
I dont think there is enough traffic for a service operating purely between those points.
To integrate it in to a route that goes well beyond those points (unlike the 38 that went to Rainton Bridge and continued to do so even when shifts started), I think there would be enough to sustain it.

When GNE took on the 37/38 from Sunderland with the service split at Herrington burn with the 37 going to Washington and the 38 went to houghton, that didn’t last long neither with GNE keeping the small section of the 38 and the 37 went out to tender. Should of never closed philly down, used to be a good set of services until there got streamlined.

Service 4, same route between Heworth and shiny row, then old route to houghton church then service split as 4 and 4A with the 4 going the 36 route to Chester on 20 minute freq and the 4A doing a circular route up hall lane then down rainton indust into fence houses then up to houghton church with the 4 back to heworth.

Service X1 same route but freq is every 20 mins.

Service X2 same as X1 but between shiny row and houghton via old 4 route and then up to hetton bus station terminate and not go between hetton and easington lane.


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1/1A - Kibblesworth (1A) - Wrekenton (1)- Harlow Green - Low Fell - Newcastle City Centre

Monday to Saturday Every 20 Minutes, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday.

11 - Whitley Bay - North Tyneside Hospital - North Shields - Royal Quays - Howdon - Wallsend - Newcastle - Gateshead - Lobley Hill - Dunston - Metrocentre
11A - Gateshead - Newcastle - Byker - Wallsend - Howdon - North Shields - Tynemouth - Marden - Whitley Bay

Every 15 Minutes Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on Sundays

X11 - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Chester-Le-Street - Wrekenton - Q.E. Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle City Centre - Coast Road (Limited Stop Express) - Cobalt - Whitley Bay

Monday to Saturday Every 30 Minutes, Hourly on a Sunday

Service Suggestion:
35/35A: Sunderland to Low Moorsley only.

36: Extended back to Town End Farm.

64: Withdrawn 

67: Metrocentre - Bensham - QE Hospital - Fewster Square - Wardley - A184 - Boldon Cinema - Asda - Downhill - Town End Farm - Hylton Castle - Castletown - Southwick - Sunderland. Extended to Sunderland replacing service 35. The service will  no longer operate Sundays but will operate Hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes.

67A: Metrocentre - Bensham - QE Hospital - Felling Square - Heworth - Wardley - A184 - Boldon Cinema - Asda - Downhill - Town End Farm - Hylton Castle - Castletown - Southwick - Sunderland. New service to operate Evenings and Sundays only, it will NOT serve Fewster Square and instead operate via Felling Square to Heworth. It will then replace serve 35A but additionaly serve Wardley. 

69: Extended from Wardley to Fellgate Metro to offer a direct link to QE Hospital. It will also serve Heworth Interchange.

95: Gateshead - Teams - Team Valley - Lobley Hill Road - Lobley Hill. This service will feature services 64 and 95 combined into one route, the service will serve the Teams Estate twice, one for journeys to Lobley Hill and one for journeys to Gateshead.

Analysis: 
Town End Farm getting better buses?
At The Moment there is currently 2 GNE buses an hour to Sunderland (35).
This proposal offers 3 buses an hour to Sunderland Monday to Saturday with that continued on Sunday with the 135/136. However Passengers for Boldon will only have a hourly bus service, with Sunday and Evening journeys put to Hourly aswell. Additionally there will be new links availble and a faster route to QE Hospital without having to get service 56 from Hylton Castle. It will also offer passengers a link to the Metrocentre aswell.

PVR:
35: 4
36: 7
67: 4
67A: 4 Evenings and Sundays only 
69: 3
95: 1

Service Suggestion:
35/35A: Sunderland to Low Moorsley only.

36: Extended back to Town End Farm.

64: Withdrawn 

67: Metrocentre - Bensham - QE Hospital - Fewster Square - Wardley - A184 - Boldon Cinema - Asda - Downhill - Town End Farm - Hylton Castle - Castletown - Southwick - Sunderland. Extended to Sunderland replacing service 35. The service will  no longer operate Sundays but will operate Hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes.

67A: Metrocentre - Bensham - QE Hospital - Felling Square - Heworth - Wardley - A184 - Boldon Cinema - Asda - Downhill - Town End Farm - Hylton Castle - Castletown - Southwick - Sunderland. New service to operate Evenings and Sundays only, it will NOT serve Fewster Square and instead operate via Felling Square to Heworth. It will then replace serve 35A but additionaly serve Wardley. 

69: Extended from Wardley to Fellgate Metro to offer a direct link to QE Hospital. It will also serve Heworth Interchange.

95: Gateshead - Teams - Team Valley - Lobley Hill Road - Lobley Hill. This service will feature services 64 and 95 combined into one route, the service will serve the Teams Estate twice, one for journeys to Lobley Hill and one for journeys to Gateshead.

Analysis: 
Town End Farm getting better buses?
At The Moment there is currently 2 GNE buses an hour to Sunderland (35).
This proposal offers 3 buses an hour to Sunderland Monday to Saturday with that continued on Sunday with the 135/136. However Passengers for Boldon will only have a hourly bus service, with Sunday and Evening journeys put to Hourly aswell. Additionally there will be new links availble and a faster route to QE Hospital without having to get service 56 from Hylton Castle. It will also offer passengers a link to the Metrocentre aswell.

PVR:
35: 4
36: 7
67: 4
67A: 4 Evenings and Sundays only 
69: 3
95: 1

Would like to see the service extended from low moorsley into County Durham to low and high pittington in a circular then back to low moorsley then to houghton and Sunderland, which would open new links from pittington to houghton and Sunderland.


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Service Suggestion:
688: Allenheads - Allendale - Hexham - Acomb - Hexham - Slaley - Whittonstall - Shotley Bridge - Consett. 

Service 688 combined with service 689 to allow some journeys to carry on past Hexham. Journeys from Allenheads will not serve Acomb and will operate to Consett, whilst journeys from Allendale will operate to Acomb. 
The service will operate up to every 2 hours between Allendale and Hexham, whilst Allenheads, Whittonstall and Consett have a bus every 4 hours = 3 or 4 trips. Service 680 from Bellingham will also serve Acomb.

Advantages:
1. Extra buses Monday to Friday between Hexham and Consett
2. Cross Town Connections 
3. More clear timing for the bus instead of it being at random times 
4. Same amount of Saturday journeys between Hexham and Consett 

Disadvantages:
1. Less frequent by several minutes between Allendale to Hexham 
2. No longer serving Hexham Aldi
3. Allenheads looses the afternoon 2 hour frequency

Service Suggestion:
688: Allenheads - Allendale - Hexham - Acomb - Hexham - Slaley - Whittonstall - Shotley Bridge - Consett. 

Service 688 combined with service 689 to allow some journeys to carry on past Hexham. Journeys from Allenheads will not serve Acomb and will operate to Consett, whilst journeys from Allendale will operate to Acomb. 
The service will operate up to every 2 hours between Allendale and Hexham, whilst Allenheads, Whittonstall and Consett have a bus every 4 hours = 3 or 4 trips. Service 680 from Bellingham will also serve Acomb.

Advantages:
1. Extra buses Monday to Friday between Hexham and Consett
2. Cross Town Connections 
3. More clear timing for the bus instead of it being at random times 
4. Same amount of Saturday journeys between Hexham and Consett 

Disadvantages:
1. Less frequent by several minutes between Allendale to Hexham 
2. No longer serving Hexham Aldi
3. Allenheads looses the afternoon 2 hour frequency

Another disadvantage.... it's over 31 miles and would need to be tachograph or split at somewhere logical mid-route!

Another disadvantage.... it's over 31 miles and would need to be tachograph or split at somewhere logical mid-route!

Aye, Hexham for Consett.

688 is now the only service to go to ALDI (also serves Tesco).
It is useful for some elderly passengers to be able to be transported from ALDI with their heavy shopping.
The (686) bus from Corbridge used to go via ALDI leaving 20 minutes to shop before returning to Corbridge but it now doesn't leave enough time to walk from the station and back and catch it again.
It might only assist a few passengers, but it was a useful attraction.

The hike from the bus station to and from ALDI is quite considerable for those who find walking difficult.
When the bus station was at Priestpopple it was convenient to pop into Robbs (now Beales) and Liddels fruitshop (are they now closing? lease up for renewal) - though there are a few buses that can be used between the new bus station and the old one.  

Maybe one of the 'round the town' services 683/684 could be rerouted to ALDI?

You have to consider whether bus services are there to serve the needy or just the bulk of the community.

As far as the suggestion to combine the 688 and 689 (together with the 680) is concerned there is currently the opportunity to change at the bus station (with indoor waiting facilities). 
I can imagine what would happen to a combined service in winter when Allendale and/or Consett are affected by snow.

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Further to the above (688/689), maybe GNE could publish a timetable showing possible links between services?

Oh! I forgot that GNE are no longer going to publish paper timetables . . .