I agree the interdecks are the right choice for the X10 right now. Just hope it works out for GNE as it’ll be hard to spin a future downgrade to buses should the need occur.

I'd imagine this is likely one of the biggest worries about the X9/X10 at the moment. Going forward, post-Covid, will it be able to justify new coaches a few years down the line once these ones start showing their age (bearing in mind they're already 5)?

I'd suspect not, and I also think it unlikely that they'd find 7 in good enough nick on the second hand market as they have this time around. So then it's back to deckers, and I wouldn't like to think what's going to be on the market then - a 1.2 litre engine from a Corsa with 10 turbochargers trying to power a decker seems likely going from the trends of the past decade. 

Of course, I definitely believe the coaches going on will improve reliability and it's what the service has been crying out for for years. It's just whether post-Covid there will be sufficient passenger numbers to justify similar investment in the future, especially given the improving rail network along the same corridor.

I wonder what GNE's stance be on seatbelts for X9/X10 passengers once the coaches are rolled out

If they're fitted with seatbelts then there is no stance other than the law - the onus is on you to wear them.

What's the situation for under-14s to wear them? I know I'd be liable for any action caused by them not wearing them in my car, would the same apply to a PSV driver?

If they're fitted with seatbelts then there is no stance other than the law - the onus is on you to wear them.

What's the situation for under-14s to wear them? I know I'd be liable for any action caused by them not wearing them in my car, would the same apply to a PSV driver?

Under 14s should generally be under supervision especially on an inter-urban express service, so the onus should be on their parents.

I'd imagine this is likely one of the biggest worries about the X9/X10 at the moment. Going forward, post-Covid, will it be able to justify new coaches a few years down the line once these ones start showing their age (bearing in mind they're already 5)?

I'd suspect not, and I also think it unlikely that they'd find 7 in good enough nick on the second hand market as they have this time around. So then it's back to deckers, and I wouldn't like to think what's going to be on the market then - a 1.2 litre engine from a Corsa with 10 turbochargers trying to power a decker seems likely going from the trends of the past decade. 

Of course, I definitely believe the coaches going on will improve reliability and it's what the service has been crying out for for years. It's just whether post-Covid there will be sufficient passenger numbers to justify similar investment in the future, especially given the improving rail network along the same corridor.

Coaches have quite a long shelf life compared  to normal double deck buses. They're designed for long distance work. I reckon GoNE will keep them until they're at least 10-12 year old.

Coaches have quite a long shelf life compared  to normal double deck buses. They're designed for long distance work. I reckon GoNE will keep them until they're at least 10-12 year old.

Yes, which is what I mean. In a few years time, companies will have had time to determine whether or not office/home working is preferable, as well as punters deciding whether they prefer the improving rail service etc. Bring all that together and I very much doubt that by 2025, say, the X9/X10 will be in a position to command brand new coaching stock - although I'd love for the route to prove me wrong on that!

Yes, which is what I mean. In a few years time, companies will have had time to determine whether or not office/home working is preferable, as well as punters deciding whether they prefer the improving rail service etc. Bring all that together and I very much doubt that by 2025, say, the X9/X10 will be in a position to command brand new coaching stock - although I'd love for the route to prove me wrong on that!

Though there's a sound logic to justifying investment in 7 coaches every 12 years rather than 7 buses every 7 years. If Northern Coaching is here to stay then this could be a steady outlet fo semi-retiring the coaches coming off the X10 in future years.

Registration for X9/X10 with date for service change.

PB0003954/823 Registered (Short notice)
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Newcastle Newgate Street to Peterlee Bus Station
Service number: X9 (X10)
Service type: Flexible Registration, Limited Stop, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 05 Sep 2020

Flexible registration? Does that mean different routes because of traffic congestion?

Registration for X9/X10 with date for service change.

PB0003954/823 Registered (Short notice)
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Newcastle Newgate Street to Peterlee Bus Station
Service number: X9 (X10)
Service type: Flexible Registration, Limited Stop, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 05 Sep 2020

Chance to be starting outside Laus202 restaurant.

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Flexible registration? Does that mean different routes because of traffic congestion?

More than likely or does evening X10 cover both routes?

Chance to be starting outside Laus202 restaurant.

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More than likely or does evening X10 cover both routes?

I can't see the change of terminus doing very much positive for passenger loadings - lack of interchange opportunities, nowhere for the large queue to wait under cover etc

I can't see the change of terminus doing very much positive for passenger loadings - lack of interchange opportunities, nowhere for the large queue to wait under cover etc

Maybe a shelter might be erected by the council. Plenty on the opposite side of the road not being used.

Services aren't heading into Eldon Square from Central Ststion at the minute, hasn't been any complaints at the moment tbh either.

Maybe a shelter might be erected by the council. Plenty on the opposite side of the road not being used.

Services aren't heading into Eldon Square from Central Ststion at the minute, hasn't been any complaints at the moment tbh either. 

Any or none that you're aware of? 
Either way, it is the summer and the majority of punters will be essential workers (I was having a conversation with a mate who lives in western Gateshead about his mooch up to the work now versus walking up from Eldon Square and straight up St Thomas St).
As it stands, it's not a cold, windy December with people carting about a boat load of Christmas shopping about.
Time will tell whether the move to 'on street' stops will work. It might be worth seeing what the punters on Market St or Grainger St think about a shelter vs a covered bus station.

Is it a case that it is out of GNE's hands and that Nexus are not allowing the coaches in for some reason

Is it a case that it is out of GNE's hands and that Nexus are not allowing the coaches in for some reason

But they allow a certain operator to continually breach the terms of their contract. Weird.

Is it a case that it is out of GNE's hands and that Nexus are not allowing the coaches in for some reason

I can imagine it's because their too long so they'd either block other stands with the first few or block the road altogether on the right stands. There's also nowhere for them to layover so it would mean you'd have to have a stand dedicated to them and with the amount of buses that use Eldon Square it'll cause problems.

Maybe a shelter might be erected by the council. Plenty on the opposite side of the road not being used.

Services aren't heading into Eldon Square from Central Station at the minute, hasn't been any complaints at the moment tbh either.

From my observations, there aren't that many travelling to get any realistic feedback about being set down at Newgate Street. Of course, having been set down you go off to your destination quickly.

Being picked up is a different matter, having to arrive early and stand waiting for your bus. No seats and no shelter must put passengers off, especially the elderly -  as will having to go upstairs on the coach.

From my observations, there aren't that many travelling to get any realistic feedback about being set down at Newgate Street. Of course, having been set down you go off to your destination quickly.

Being picked up is a different matter, having to arrive early and stand waiting for your bus. No seats and no shelter must put passengers off, especially the elderly -  as will having to go upstairs on the coach.

It's not that many steps to get upstairs though is it, or at least not as bad as a regular decker, and are there not a few seats downstairs anyway for those who can't get up the stairs?
Plus, the fact the staircase is right beside the driver might stop them driving away whilst you're still on the stairs, which seems to be the main issue with older people. 

I'd guess that the elderly who use the X9/X10 (which, tbh I haven't seen that many) would just travel to Gateshead and catch it from there instead. That's what I'd do anyway

From my observations, there aren't that many travelling to get any realistic feedback about being set down at Newgate Street. Of course, having been set down you go off to your destination quickly.

Being picked up is a different matter, having to arrive early and stand waiting for your bus. No seats and no shelter must put passengers off, especially the elderly -  as will having to go upstairs on the coach.

If the service is picking up and dropping off opposite St Andrew's Church, then this is a double bus-stop, and the coach will presumably be able to set down here for the entire duration of its layover period (approx 20 mins) and let people on as soon as it arrives. I doubt many passengers turn up more than 20 minutes early to the bus stop.

If the service is picking up and dropping off opposite St Andrew's Church, then this is a double bus-stop, and the coach will presumably be able to set down here for the entire duration of its layover period (approx 20 mins) and let people on as soon as it arrives. I doubt many passengers turn up more than 20 minutes early to the bus stop.

I suppose it depends if they're making a connection and the times just don't line up (as is always the case!), but then again it's not as if it's in the middle of nowhere, you can just have a walk about until it arrives. I usually go and get a coffee if I have more than a 5 minute wait.

It's not that many steps to get upstairs though is it, or at least not as bad as a regular decker, and are there not a few seats downstairs anyway for those who can't get up the stairs?
Plus, the fact the staircase is right beside the driver might stop them driving away whilst you're still on the stairs, which seems to be the main issue with older people. 

I'd guess that the elderly who use the X9/X10 (which, tbh I haven't seen that many) would just travel to Gateshead and catch it from there instead. That's what I'd do anyway

Not too many steps, no, but the staircase is quite steep which is generally the main complaint about the ones operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. 

There are seats downstairs yes, but from memory only three and I'm not sure if they'll currently be in use due to Covid.

I suppose it depends if they're making a connection and the times just don't line up (as is always the case!), but then again it's not as if it's in the middle of nowhere, you can just have a walk about until it arrives. I usually go and get a coffee if I have more than a 5 minute wait.

Indeed, The Gate is nearby which provides an indoor area for passengers.

I think it's fairly obvious that Go North East wouldn't wish to come out of Eldon Square Bus Station, if they had a choice in the matter.

Not too many steps, no, but the staircase is quite steep which is generally the main complaint about the ones operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. 

There are seats downstairs yes, but from memory only three and I'm not sure if they'll currently be in use due to Covid.

If the seats are out of use, then surely they'd have to block off disabled access as well which would be a big no-no

Indeed, The Gate is nearby which provides an indoor area for passengers.

I think it's fairly obvious that Go North East wouldn't wish to come out of Eldon Square Bus Station, if they had a choice in the matter.

Perhaps it's time for a dedicated X-Lines lounge!

So is it down to the length that they've had to leave because they seem to navigate about alright?

If the seats are out of use, then surely they'd have to block off disabled access as well which would be a big no-no

I'd imagine that the wheelchair space would be fine - I can't remember exactly if it was all 3, but I'm sure on Twitter posts from Bluebird when they were put back into service the seats behind the cab were marked out of use.

i wouldn't like to try turning left out of Eldon sq bus station in one of those. the front end with encroach quite a bit onto the other side of the road i would think

If the service is picking up and dropping off opposite St Andrew's Church, then this is a double bus-stop, and the coach will presumably be able to set down here for the entire duration of its layover period (approx 20 mins) and let people on as soon as it arrives. I doubt many passengers turn up more than 20 minutes early to the bus stop.

Having used the X9/X10 numerous times over the years I beg to differ on this point  Quite often the queue is at least 20 people by 15-20 mins before departure on the peak journeys at Eldon Square. Of course there's enough seats for everyone so it's never an issue for me but people do seem to get there earlier for longer distance (and less frequent I guess) services.

i wouldn't like to try turning left out of Eldon sq bus station in one of those. the front end with encroach quite a bit onto the other side of the road i would think

I'd not like to try it either, the tailswing would more than likely get close to the lights on the island unless you went right onto the other side of the road, and that's not always possible at Eldon Sq!

Having used the X9/X10 numerous times over the years I beg to differ on this point  Quite often the queue is at least 20 people by 15-20 mins before departure on the peak journeys at Eldon Square. Of course there's enough seats for everyone so it's never an issue for me but people do seem to get there earlier for longer distance (and less frequent I guess) services.

That's a pre-COVID experience, though, don't forget. The evening peak is not the same as what it was, and I dare say it'll never be the same again. There'll be a lot of companies that close down offices and encourage staff to work from home permanently now.

The main reason people would turn up 20 minutes early for a service is to make sure they get a seat. You'd see the same happen in Middlesbrough on the X93 over the summer months too. Presuming that capacity returns to 100% in time, I'd suggest that it'll be a long time before we're in that situation again.

Realistically anyone waiting more than 20 minutes would probably be on the service which ran 30 minutes prior. You're not going to get many that start waiting five minutes after the previous service departed.

That's a pre-COVID experience, though, don't forget. The evening peak is not the same as what it was, and I dare say it'll never be the same again. There'll be a lot of companies that close down offices and encourage staff to work from home permanently now.

The main reason people would turn up 20 minutes early for a service is to make sure they get a seat. You'd see the same happen in Middlesbrough on the X93 over the summer months too. Presuming that capacity returns to 100% in time, I'd suggest that it'll be a long time before we're in that situation again.

Realistically anyone waiting more than 20 minutes would probably be on the service which ran 30 minutes prior. You're not going to get many that start waiting five minutes after the previous service departed.

I used to do exactly that with the X21, if I'm sitting 2 hours on a bus, there's no way am I not having a table (especially with the lack of legroom on the StreetDecks)

If the service is picking up and dropping off opposite St Andrew's Church, then this is a double bus-stop, and the coach will presumably be able to set down here for the entire duration of its layover period (approx 20 mins) and let people on as soon as it arrives. I doubt many passengers turn up more than 20 minutes early to the bus stop.

I'm assuming it will use stop 08NC20 then, already used by the 21 and Q3. Are these still going to use it as well?

I'm assuming it will use stop 08NC20 then, already used by the 21 and Q3. Are these still going to use it as well?

Would be interesting if so. I've been on a 21 a few times approaching there when a Quaylink is sat laying over, blocking the view of any would-be passengers and the driver hasn't slowed to check if anyone was stood there wanting a 21.

Would be interesting if so. I've been on a 21 a few times approaching there when a Quaylink is sat laying over, blocking the view of any would-be passengers and the driver hasn't slowed to check if anyone was stood there wanting a 21.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I'm waiting at a stop that's used by several services, and a vehicle is already at the stop, I always wait at the back of the vehicle so I can see when my bus is arriving.