Why are scholars buses provided, when scholars can board normal public buses, and before the pandemic anybody could board a scholars bid anyway.

In many cases normal public services don't follow a route that goes from a school to a place where many of the kids that go to that school live.

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Plus in that case. Round mine. The only route from Seaton Burn college (or north goesforth academy) to Killingworth is the 42A which is ran by solos and does not even run along with the school finishing

Plus in that case. Round mine. The only route from Seaton Burn college (or north goesforth academy) to Killingworth is the 42A which is ran by solos and does not even run along with the school finishing

You honestly contribute nothing in any of your posts. 42A this, 42A that. Nobody cares. The 42A goes to Killingworth, the 42A is operated with Solos, the 42A doesn't run for school finishing, the 42A is small, the 42A is one bus an hour, the 42A is blue, the 42A makes your brother late for school, the 42A has 4 wheels, yeah we know!

Everyone knows the Solo-operated 42A goes from Kingston Park to Wallsend, is your only Go North East bus, runs once an hour and is blue with 4 wheels. Lucky for you Arriva is an option, Four Lane Ends has all of the operators and isn't that far. Go North East is practically all I use, which is great fun ON Sundays when the 42A starts after 10am!

You honestly contribute nothing in any of your posts. 42A this, 42A that. Nobody cares. The 42A goes to Killingworth, the 42A is operated with Solos, the 42A doesn't run for school finishing, the 42A is small, the 42A is one bus an hour, the 42A is blue, the 42A makes your brother late for school, the 42A has 4 wheels, yeah we know!

Everyone knows the Solo-operated 42A goes from Kingston Park to Wallsend, is your only Go North East bus, runs once an hour and is blue with 4 wheels. Lucky for you Arriva is an option, Four Lane Ends has all of the operators and isn't that far. Go North East is practically all I use, which is great fun ON Sundays when the 42A starts after 10am!

No I was responding to a post about why school buses are needed

You honestly contribute nothing in any of your posts. 42A this, 42A that. Nobody cares. The 42A goes to Killingworth, the 42A is operated with Solos, the 42A doesn't run for school finishing, the 42A is small, the 42A is one bus an hour, the 42A is blue, the 42A makes your brother late for school, the 42A has 4 wheels, yeah we know!

Everyone knows the Solo-operated 42A goes from Kingston Park to Wallsend, is your only Go North East bus, runs once an hour and is blue with 4 wheels. Lucky for you Arriva is an option, Four Lane Ends has all of the operators and isn't that far. Go North East is practically all I use, which is great fun ON Sundays when the 42A starts after 10am!

The 42A has six wheels, not four.

The 42A has six wheels, not four.

7 if you include the steering wheel!   

The 42A has six wheels, not four.

Good point. I actually knew that. Just bored of his obsession with the 42A, plus his lack of useful insight in any of his posts. Responding for the sake of responding. Nothing he says promotes discussion. The 42A has precisely nothing to do with scholars buses, duplicates or suggestions for new or improved services in GNE's network. Obviously scholars buses are needed for scholars, but have been previously open to all passengers, and therefore could possibly be merged into a number public service, like works services don't just take people to and fron work, but pick up other passengers along the way.

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7 if you include the steering wheel!   

Another good point. Interesting how vehicles have a steering wheel and wheels! Can be confusing.

Would it be possible to merge the 42A and Q3?

Benton - Four Lane Ends - Killingworth - Dudley - Seaton Burn - Wideopen - Hazlerigg - Dinnington - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Kingston Park - Great Park - Regent Centre & Gosforth - Newcastle City Centre & Quayside - Walker - Wallsend - Hadrian Park

Perhaps a half-hourly service?

Obviously scholars buses are needed for scholars, but have been previously open to all passengers, and therefore could possibly be merged into a number public service, like works services don't just take people to and fron work, but pick up other passengers along the way.

Even though scholars services were officially available for everybody to use, in practice when does that ever actually happen? Thinking back to using a scholars bus myself, I never once seen a member of the public ever get on one.

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Even though scholars services were officially available for everybody to use, in practice when does that ever actually happen?  Thinking back to using a scholars bus myself, I never once seen a member of the public ever get on one. 

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My point exactly. Which means we have students on public services and scholars buses. Scholars buses aren't terribly useful to other passengers, and they'd stand out a mile if they did get on.

I think all buses should be open to everyone (when there isn't a pandemic) to make best use of the resources and provide the best service possible.

As well as taking students to school, and then home again, these services could be day trip services to other places (for example the 112 could do scholars West Jesmond - Arthur's Hill service and be a day trip to Benton in the morning and Blaydon on the afternoon, like we see with the works buses like the Henry Cooper 392 and the A-line 792, they provide a bus to and from work and could be a day trip to Benton and back or to Marden Estate/Blackhall Mill and get another bus to get back again).

Even though scholars services were officially available for everybody to use, in practice when does that ever actually happen?  Thinking back to using a scholars bus myself, I never once seen a member of the public ever get on one. 

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I haven't seen anyone use it or if I have. It's been years

42A in my opinion is strange alongside the airport part. Here's what confusing me. Before Covid hit. I saw a few deckers operate at the airport (obviously for flights) it makes me confusing how you have one bus service an hour between Kingston Park and the airport 

I don't see why you'd need more than one bus an hour to the airport? People travelling from an airport have set departure times and need to get there in advance, so they'll be able to decide which 42A to get accordingly. Alternatively, they've got the 52/53/54 to Four Lane Ends, then they have access to a more regular service to the airport (changing at South Gosforth)

This is a point I ain't slating GNE at all. The 42A is a strange route in my opinion. Plus why move the times in the morning. It makes my brother late for school now. As he's due in at 8.40 where as the 42A gets to Wide-open for 8.50 or later (if its running late) that's the only problem I have with GNE about the 42A running time

Looking at the timetable, there's a 42A before that one. So whilst the timing could perhaps be a bit better (if its used for school traffic), it's not making him late when there's an alternative.

You honestly contribute nothing in any of your posts. 42A this, 42A that. Nobody cares. The 42A goes to Killingworth, the 42A is operated with Solos, the 42A doesn't run for school finishing, the 42A is small, the 42A is one bus an hour, the 42A is blue, the 42A makes your brother late for school, the 42A has 4 wheels, yeah we know!

Everyone knows the Solo-operated 42A goes from Kingston Park to Wallsend, is your only Go North East bus, runs once an hour and is blue with 4 wheels. Lucky for you Arriva is an option, Four Lane Ends has all of the operators and isn't that far. Go North East is practically all I use, which is great fun ON Sundays when the 42A starts after 10am!

I think we're all suffering from 42A overload at the moment, but try and be nice

@Michael - I appreciate that some of us can become a bit passionate about our local services, but sadly it becomes a bit repetitive over time. Unlike some operators, Go North East tend to increase the size of the vehicles in use, when there's sufficient demand for this. Whenever you've mentioned the 42A though, I've checked bustimes and it's usually carrying nothing but fresh air. So the level of service probably matches the level of demand in this case, but you can always raise your concerns to the operator directly: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/get-in-touch

I don't see why you'd need more than one bus an hour to the airport? People travelling from an airport have set departure times and need to get there in advance, so they'll be able to decide which 42A to get accordingly. Alternatively, they've got the 52/53/54 to Four Lane Ends, then they have access to a more regular service to the airport (changing at South Gosforth)


Looking at the timetable, there's a 42A before that one. So whilst the timing could perhaps be a bit better (if its used for school traffic), it's not making him late when there's an alternative.


I think we're all suffering from 42A overload at the moment, but try and be nice

@Michael - I appreciate that some of us can become a bit passionate about our local services, but sadly it becomes a bit repetitive over time. Unlike some operators, Go North East tend to increase the size of the vehicles in use, when there's sufficient demand for this. Whenever you've mentioned the 42A though, I've checked bustimes and it's usually carrying nothing but fresh air. So the level of service probably matches the level of demand in this case, but you can always raise your concerns to the operator directly: https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/get-in-touch

I understand. I'll calm down and not mention it again. Sorry

Even though scholars services were officially available for everybody to use, in practice when does that ever actually happen?  Thinking back to using a scholars bus myself, I never once seen a member of the public ever get on one. 

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Back when I was at school I remember on quite a few occasions members of the public (typically older people) using the scholars, mostly just travelling a few stops between Chopwell and High Spen.

Back when I was at school I remember on quite a few occasions members of the public (typically older people) using the scholars, mostly just travelling a few stops between Chopwell and High Spen.

I saw the odd few when I was at school. But that was mainly we had 6 schoo buses. 3 towards Killingworth/Annitsford. 3 towards Dinnington
Even then that was 6 odd 7 years ago

Back when I was at school I remember on quite a few occasions members of the public (typically older people) using the scholars, mostly just travelling a few stops between Chopwell and High Spen.

Genuinely surprised at that. What did you think about it back then?

I think all passengers should be welcome to use the scholars buses to go a few stops. These services could be much better utilized, particularly in GNE areas where there is usually a bit of a walk between their buses (for example the Coaster 1A/1B services and the  Q3 in Byker) so a service could run between them as part of a scholars route.

Genuinely surprised at that. What did you think about it back then?

I think all passengers should be welcome to use the scholars buses to go a few stops. These services could be much better utilized, particularly in GNE areas where there is usually a bit of a walk between their buses (for example the Coaster 1A/1B services and the  Q3 in Byker) so a service could run between them as part of a scholars route.

Honestly, I didn't like it. It felt weird.

I couldn't imagine getting on a bus full of kids, it's bad enough when I forget that schools are still a thing and get the X21 through Durham at 3pm!

The way I see it, if schools (or LAs) are paying for an operator to run the service, it should be reserved exclusively for the students to use.

Honestly, I didn't like it. It felt weird.

I couldn't imagine getting on a bus full of kids, it's bad enough when I forget that schools are still a thing and get the X21 through Durham at 3pm!

The way I see it, if schools (or LAs) are paying for an operator to run the service, it should be reserved exclusively for the students to use.

Well, I would agree with you, other than if there are services exclusively for students to use, then shouldn't kids be excluded from normal public services? Just seems unfair they have 2 choices, and ordinary passengers have just one. This means a public bus could be full, and yet a scholars bus could (in theory) be completely empty!

Well, I would agree with you, other than if there are services exclusively for students to use, then shouldn't kids be excluded from normal public services? Just seems unfair they have 2 choices, and ordinary passengers have just one. This means a public bus could be full, and yet a scholars bus could (in theory) be completely empty!

Yes, very yes!

Having said that, 90% of the time I took the public bus to school because other students at my school were, how do I put this kindly, scum.

Seriously though, the whole point of a scholars service is to get students to school, not to add extra capacity to an operators commercial operation.
If the public bus is full, then the operator should sort that out rather than filling up a scholars bus, taking up seats that schools/LAs have already paid for.

Back when I was at school I remember on quite a few occasions members of the public (typically older people) using the scholars, mostly just travelling a few stops between Chopwell and High Spen.

That does surprise me. I would have thought the prospect of getting on a bus full of loud, unruly school children would be one that wouldn't appeal to many people. I thought they would be more likely to just let the scholars go and wait for the next normal service.

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Yes, very yes!

Having said that, 90% of the time I took the public bus to school because other students at my school were, how do I put this kindly, scum.

Seriously though, the whole point of a scholars service is to get students to school, not to add extra capacity to an operators commercial operation.
If the public bus is full, then the operator should sort that out rather than filling up a scholars bus, taking up seats that schools/LAs have already paid for.

Very funny! 

I'm sure the other students at your school weren't that bad... (Surely not as bad as you anyway! Joke )

Fair point. But I do seriously think if schools/LAs have paid for a scholars bus, the students really should be on there and not on the public bus.

Could you make a few nice livery concepts up for me streetdeckfan? You are talented at them.

Very funny! 

I'm sure the other students at your school weren't that bad... (Surely not as bad as you anyway! Joke )

Fair point. But I do seriously think if schools/LAs have paid for a scholars bus, the students really should be on there and not on the public bus.

Could you make a few nice livery concepts up for me streetdeckfan? You are talented at them.

Oh trust me, they were awful. I was so glad to have moved away!

Send me a PM with some more info and I'll see what I can do

You honestly contribute nothing in any of your posts. 42A this, 42A that. Nobody cares. The 42A goes to Killingworth, the 42A is operated with Solos, the 42A doesn't run for school finishing, the 42A is small, the 42A is one bus an hour, the 42A is blue, the 42A makes your brother late for school, the 42A has 4 wheels, yeah we know!

Everyone knows the Solo-operated 42A goes from Kingston Park to Wallsend, is your only Go North East bus, runs once an hour and is blue with 4 wheels. Lucky for you Arriva is an option, Four Lane Ends has all of the operators and isn't that far. Go North East is practically all I use, which is great fun ON Sundays when the 42A starts after 10am!

But what about the 42A  , im joking

But what about the 42A  , im joking

Hilarious! I love the 42A. The journey is quite pleasant and scenic, I like the cute Solo, and it's a relatively local Go North East bus for me (a loyal Go North East customer, practically only using their buses) and would like to see it do something to survive, as currently it's not that popular. Although the route is quite interesting, rural and city and very mixed, the service isn't that interesting that it needs mentioning in response to everything. Just a little rant from me! For me, the only thing about the 42A is only Brunton Lane separates it from the Q3 but it's a very long road, so if the 42A could be linked with the Q3 somehow it would provide a choice and connections to other places, and both serving Wallsend doesn't seem 100% useful.

In order to try a solve the delays on The X1 & 21 I've come up with a couple of ideas

X1: Same Route and Frequency
21: Same Route and Frequency

New Service X2: Newcastle - Bensham - Saltwell Park - Low Fell - Harlow Green - Washington Galleries - Chester-Le-Street - Plawsworth - Framwellgate Moor - Durham (Every 15 Mins to CLS, 30 Mins to Durham) 
Would maybe save the need for the short X21's and would able the 21 to maybe even out a bit as well.

New Service X2: Newcastle - Bensham - Saltwell Park - Low Fell - Harlow Green - Washington Galleries - Chester-Le-Street - Plawsworth - Framwellgate Moor - Durham (Every 15 Mins to CLS, 30 Mins to Durham) 
Would maybe save the need for the short X21's and would able the 21 to maybe even out a bit as well.

The only thing about this is, is that it's not really an express route. Bensham, Saltwell Park, and Wrekenton are awkward parts. And also theres getting from Washington to Chester.

I've come up with a 59 service from Newcastle to Bill Quay via Carr Hill (Broadway), Q.E Hospital, Felling Square, Felling Metro, Friars Goose, Heworth, Pelaw (Gosforth Terrace) & Bill Quay. 

My only issue is getting the service from felling metro to friars goose without doubling back, as the bridges on Carlisle Street and Stoneygate Lane have 7.5T weight limits.

Does anyone have any ideas on any workarounds?

Attached Files

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59 Timetable.pdf (Size 44.23 KB Downloads 25)

So if the b5’s moving to the 16/16a, if there are 5 spares , would the spares cover the 20 if the 20 merged into the 16/16A on a 15 minute frequency between Sunderland and Stanley/consett, with the 60 covering the Sunderland to shields?

Or the extra b5’s when upgraded to euro6 to go on service 25?


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So if the b5’s moving to the 16/16a, if there are 5 spares , would the spares cover the 20 if the 20 merged into the 16/16A on a 15 minute frequency between Sunderland and Stanley/consett, with the 60 covering the Sunderland to shields?

Or the extra b5’s when upgraded to euro6 to go on service 25?


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PVR for Sunderland to Consett via Durham and Stanley would be 14 (if the full route was every 15 minutes)


PVR for the 60 would be 12 on a 12 minute frequency for the full route.


The B5's can't be upgraded to Euro 6 unless they change the engine

So if the b5’s moving to the 16/16a, if there are 5 spares , would the spares cover the 20 if the 20 merged into the 16/16A on a 15 minute frequency between Sunderland and Stanley/consett, with the 60 covering the Sunderland to shields?

Or the extra b5’s when upgraded to euro6 to go on service 25?


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Good luck with extending the 16/16a to Sunderland - that would add 2 hours to each journey and likely make it impossible to work it so all driver reliefs take place at Consett (as currently a full 16/16A cycle is 4 hours 30 minutes). Likewise, they is only 15 B5LHs - Consett will need 10 for the 16/16A (9 branded plus one spare) which leaves 5 - not enough for the 25 (PVR 6).