Another idea for down the line, if the later X9 journeys prove to be popular, would there be scope for the addition of a 23:35 departure Mondays-Saturdays?

Quite a few areas served nearby by the X10/X11 but also some other areas including new build developments where the later service could prove popular.

I'm probably jumping the gun a bit to be fair haha, but if Arriva do it properly including marketing particularly around Cowpen & Bebside to win over the punters who have been extremely p****d off with 10 years of s***e with the X5/X8 including those who've perhaps walked away, they could be on a nice little goldmine. Obviously not as big money as the X10/X11 but will be extremely popular. Very exciting times!

Thinking about it, Arriva could actually get rid of the X8. And although it wouldn't reduce the total PVR, it would streamline the 'X' routes as well as creating a few handy links. See screenshot for timing sample, don't know how the evening & Sunday interworking patterns would happen with the 52/53:

Timing Sample - 

- X9 (as of 27/03) - interworks with X10/X11 - combined PVR of 13x

- X7 - Monday to Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minutes, no route change - PVR of 7x

- X8 - withdrawn and replaced in parts by X7/42/43A

- 42 - Same route as current 43 between Newcastle and Dudley Weetslade Road then to Cramlington via Fern Drive, Annitsford and High Pit. Every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, hourly evenings & Sundays - PVR of 4x

- 43 - Same route as current 43 to Morpeth (Cramlington only evenings & Sundays). Will operate hourly 7 days per week (combining up to every 30 minutes with 43A and up to every 15 minutes with 42 & 43A). - PVR of 5x (43/43A)

- 43A - Same route as current 43 to Cramlington then same route as the X8 (as of 27/03) to Blyth. Will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytime (combining up to every 30 minutes with 43 and up to every 15 minutes with 42 & 43). Mid evening journeys & Sunday daytime journeys will also operate hourly but only between Blyth & Cramlington, with special through-fares available for journeys to and from Newcastle with changes at Cramlington. - PVR of 5x (43/43A)

---

With the slack timing on the 42, they could even be naughty and serve the entrance of the Northumbria Emergency Care Hospital, creating even more links!

Would be easier to divert the 43 from Bedlington/Morpeth to just run half hourly to Blyth via Bebside, Cowpen and Isabella.

I'd also extend the 57A from Cramlington to Bedlington, or even onwards to Morpeth via Red House Farm, to provide a half hourly frequency between the Bedlington and Cramlington. Perhaps send the 57A via Shankhouse and Bedlington Bank.

There's the timetables btw. The X8 really is a bizarre route imo I still think it's setup to fail. Not serving Eastfield Drive in Cramlington, not serving Amersham Drive in Blyth to name 2. They're definitely trying to push people to the X7/X9.

(24 Feb 2022, 7:19 pm)Storx wrote There's the timetables btw. The X8 really is a bizarre route imo I still think it's setup to fail. Not serving Eastfield Drive in Cramlington, not serving Amersham Drive in Blyth to name 2. They're definitely trying to push people to the X7/X9.

IMO, the X8 is deadwood and it could do with replacement to streamline the Blyth 'X' routes and actually open up some handy links. The 42/43/43A would open up:

- High Pit, NSECH, Annitsford to Dudley, Seaton Burn, Wideopen, Gosforth and Newcastle. Also there being a 'direct' service from Newcastle to NESCH. Could even add an extra stop on the hospital approach road to attract residents living in the Barley Meadows Estate.

- Blyth, South Beach, Shankhouse and Parkside to Dudley, Seaton Burn and Wideopen.

The 42 would also have a hell of a lot of time to play with even serving NESCH meaning most conjestion at Moor Farm roundabout shouldn't be a problem.

NOTE: Apologies to the mods for posting a suggestion in this thread. However, I did feel it was relevant given the changes to the X8

(24 Feb 2022, 7:37 pm)L469 YVK wrote IMO, the X8 is deadwood and it could do with replacement to streamline the Blyth 'X' routes and actually open up some handy links. The 42/43/43A would open up:

- High Pit, NSECH, Annitsford to Dudley, Seaton Burn, Wideopen, Gosforth and Newcastle. Also there being a 'direct' service from Newcastle to NESCH. Could even add an extra stop on the hospital approach road to attract residents living in the Barley Meadows Estate.

- Blyth, South Beach, Shankhouse and Parkside to Dudley, Seaton Burn and Wideopen.

The 42 would also have a hell of a lot of time to play with even serving NESCH meaning most conjestion at Moor Farm roundabout shouldn't be a problem.

NOTE: Apologies to the mods for posting a suggestion in this thread. However, I did feel it was relevant given the changes to the X8

I didn't want to derail another thread but I'd say the 52 would be the better choice it could do it's current route until Fern Drive, run along there to Annitsford then do the new X8 route to Blyth. It's pretty much the same route as it anyway, would help with the interworking patterns when the 52/53/54 move to Blyth. Could do the 52/54 direct from the depot and have the 53 working alone like it did for years as the 343/344. Could possibly extend it to Morpeth again aswell. Would give loads of new links to near the business park at Annitsford which is very heavily rumoured to be another Amazon site soon.

(24 Feb 2022, 7:53 pm)Storx wrote I didn't want to derail another thread but I'd say the 52 would be the better choice it could do it's current route until Fern Drive, run along there to Annitsford then do the new X8 route to Blyth.

Good suggestion. Only issue I can foresee is a significant increase in travel times to and from Newcastle, from the lower parts of High Pit and Annitsford. However, if ticketing & other data showed the demand to and from Newcastle didn't really exist, it wouldn't be a bad shout.

(24 Feb 2022, 9:12 pm)L469 YVK wrote Good suggestion. Only issue I can foresee is a significant increase in travel times to and from Newcastle, from the lower parts of High Pit and Annitsford. However, if ticketing & other data showed the demand to and from Newcastle didn't really exist, it wouldn't be a bad shout.

Aye I was thinking that but possibly could divert the X20 along there similar to the old X25/X26 and give them a proper express hourly or the slow 52 every 30 minutes / hourly evening (better than nothing which what they're getting).

I know it'll add time to the X20 but it's very quiet most the time anyway tbh.

Service Changes Registered on VOSA
Revised timetable: 2, 6, 7 (Durham), 7 (Yarm), 8, 15, 56, 57/57A, 64, 86, X12, X93
As mentioned in the Northumbria Tenders thread: X14, X15, X18 (58 withdrawn or re-contracted)

I wonder if this means a potential end to 40+ minute gaps in service on a route that used to have 6 buses per hour (the 64)

(01 Mar 2022, 9:12 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I wonder if this means a potential end to 40+ minute gaps in service on a route that used to have 6 buses per hour (the 64)

If they crack it, they might be able to give some tips to the depot up the A1 that runs the X1.

(01 Mar 2022, 9:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote If they crack it, they might be able to give some tips to the depot up the A1 that runs the X1.

Give over, man, Andreos… this is the Arriva thread! Not every discussion has to be about Go North East, and you don’t need to use every post as an opportunity to have a pop! People will start to think you’re obsessed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(01 Mar 2022, 9:29 pm)Dan wrote Give over, man, Andreos… this is the Arriva thread! Not every discussion has to be about Go North East, and you don’t need to use every post as an opportunity to have a pop! People will start to think you’re obsessed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Obsessed? Me? Never.

Which part of the x18 route is changing next month.

Diversion of X26/X27 from March 13th 2022 for an estimated 6 weeks: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...ce-x26/x27

Due to the closure of the A6108 between Skeeby and Richmond, owing to an estimated six weeks of electricity works, regrettably we’re forced to revise the route and timetable of Services X26 and X27

During this time, services will operate their usual routes between Darlington and Scotch Corner. However, due to the closure and the inability to safely operate via any other route, all journeys will instead then operate direct to Colburn and Catterick via the A1(M) before continuing to and terminating in Richmond.
As a result of this, a significant revision to the service timetable is required, along with some changes to the routes and stopping locations within Catterick, Kemmel and Colburn.
Due to the increased journey time required to observe this diversion route, this does mean that we’re unable to offer service to everywhere that would normally have access to Service X26 and X27. Areas affected that will not see an Arriva service during this six week closure are: Skeeby, Darlington Road and Queens Road in Richmond, plus Hipswell Village and Catterick Village/Marne Barracks.

Northern Powergrid are expected to arrange a demand responsive taxi service to connect with services at either Richmond or Scotch Corner depending on which section of A6108 is closed. We will update this information as soon we know more.

Newcastle and North Tyneside timetables from 27th March are now available here.

Interesting on the 54 into the Cobalt

Don't understand the X7/X8/X9 changes at all

(03 Mar 2022, 11:10 am)Train8261 wrote Interesting on the 54 into the Cobalt

Don't understand the X7/X8/X9 changes at all

I believe it's been suggested that Bebside will get a faster journey to Newcastle at 46 minutes compared to the current 53 minutes to get some groundwork prior to competition from the Northumberland Line.

(03 Mar 2022, 11:23 am)peter wrote I believe it's been suggested that Bebside will get a faster journey to Newcastle at 30 minutes compared to the current 53 minutes to get some groundwork prior to competition from the Northumberland Line.

In the timetable the X9 timed at 46 minutes from Bebeside, if arriva really wanted a fast express they should make it skip cramlington and run it non-stop via A189

(03 Mar 2022, 1:36 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote In the timetable the X9 timed at 46 minutes from Bebeside, if arriva really wanted a fast express they should make it skip cramlington and run it non-stop via A189

So it is, not sure where I plucked 30 minutes from - not that much faster but it's still something I suppose. 

Also worth noting the 46/46A will now interwork with 51/51A

(03 Mar 2022, 1:56 pm)peter wrote So it is, not sure where I plucked 30 minutes from - not that much faster but it's still something I suppose. 

Also worth noting the 46/46A will now interwork with 51/51A

Even with a detour past Coach Lane Campus (Service Suggestion Incoming....), you can still do it in 36 minutes if you avoid Cramlington, Dudley, Annitsford, etc...

Im surprised the havent sent the 51 into the Cobalt by now

(03 Mar 2022, 6:18 pm)V514DFT wrote Im surprised the havent sent the 51 into the Cobalt by now

54 is going into the Cobalt

(03 Mar 2022, 10:08 am)peter wrote Newcastle and North Tyneside timetables from 27th March are now available here.

The 55 is on borrowed time imo. It's only before long it's:

Customers wanting to travel between South Gosforth and Newcastle can use our X7 and X8 services, customers wishing to travel between Four Lane Ends towards Newcastle can use our 52 service (the ministry is closing soon). Customers in other areas have services provided by Stagecoach North East.

Also the X7 and X8 need renumbering as they're less express than they've ever been. Might aswell just number it 363 as that was more express than what it is now.

I keep reading that the 55 is on borrowed time, but I've had to spend a lot of time on it recently and it's always busy. Do I just get unlucky and hit the busy bus every time?

(03 Mar 2022, 8:28 pm)Shrek wrote I keep reading that the 55 is on borrowed time, but I've had to spend a lot of time on it recently and it's always busy. Do I just get unlucky and hit the busy bus every time?

Have a feeling when the ministry goes, not sure when that is exactly, then it might struggle especially now the X7/X8 are doing between South Gosforth and Newcastle whereas now it's the only service along Matthew Bank.

The fact it's only hourly on a Sunday with no evening service won't help it at all either.

The new x9 means all links for bebside/Cowpen to quorum and South Gosforth (freeman hospital) have now been lost if I'm reading it correctly. This appears a backwards step from arriva

(03 Mar 2022, 9:35 pm)rc81 wrote The new x9 means all links for bebside/Cowpen to quorum and South Gosforth (freeman hospital) have now been lost if I'm reading it correctly. This appears a backwards step from arriva

Not exactly, can change at Cramlington onto either the X8 or the 52 depending. I'm sure most will appreciate the faster links to Newcastle too and even though only 8 minutes quicker on paper, will be far more reliable than the 'outgoing' X8.

The current X8 route is a horrible route and the only other route I know off that's come close to topping Arriva's X8 in that category was GNE's 6 in 2015 when it did the old 6A route during Monday-Saturday daytimes via Tantobie & Burnopfield on top of it's usual route.

(03 Mar 2022, 9:35 pm)rc81 wrote The new x9 means all links for bebside/Cowpen to quorum and South Gosforth (freeman hospital) have now been lost if I'm reading it correctly. This appears a backwards step from arriva

I'm not sure Bebside and Cowpen will really care about those links. They also gain a link to the Regent Centre and Gosforth in the process.

The moans are coming from the current X9 more so atm in particular about the loss of the bus from Amersham Drive to Cramlington / Blyth Waterloo Road (X7 misses it) for pensioners and people traveling to the Regent Centre from South Beach which you can't do without traveling in the wrong direction.

Can arriva renumber the X7/X8. There's no need for them now as they serve each stop now