It's a smart livery, wonder if Northstar was inspired by the pub in North Shields called Northstar (was the Powburn) or a huge coincidence

(25 Jun 2024, 4:23 am)NEbushopper wrote I’m guessing the E200s will be allocated to all services?

The two E200s will be route branded for, and allocated to, the 599 service.

Nothing else at this stage will be route branded, though allocations will still be fairly fixed.

(26 Jun 2024, 7:35 am)Dan wrote The two E200s will be route branded for, and allocated to, the 599 service.

Nothing else at this stage will be route branded, though allocations will still be fairly fixed.

Any idea what your allocation to the Mouth of Tyne festival. Decekr or E200

(26 Jun 2024, 7:56 am)Aaron21 wrote Any idea what your allocation to the Mouth of Tyne festival. Decekr or E200

If I was a Tory MP, I'd bet on it being one of those options.

The launch of the 599, 643 and 939 services has now been publicly announced on Northstar's website and social media channels:
https://northstarbus.co.uk/news/article.php?id=19

Note the inclusion of timetables on its own website - fairly uncommon for SMEs in the region, especially on contracted services. Downloadable PDFs to follow.


Bus & Coach Buyer also covered a story on the launch of these services last week:
https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/start-u...us-routes/

(01 Jul 2024, 7:12 am)Dan wrote The launch of the 599, 643 and 939 services has now been publicly announced on Northstar's website and social media channels:
https://northstarbus.co.uk/news/article.php?id=19

Note the inclusion of timetables on its own website - fairly uncommon for SMEs in the region, especially on contracted services. Downloadable PDFs to follow.


Bus & Coach Buyer also covered a story on the launch of these services last week:
https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/start-u...us-routes/

Dan, can we use our Staff Passes please?

(01 Jul 2024, 2:01 pm)Retro Nero wrote Dan, can we use our Staff Passes please?

Yes, all operator and Nexus staff passes are valid.

(01 Jul 2024, 5:46 pm)Thanks Dan wrote Yes, all operator and Nexus staff passes are valid.

Thanks Dan, looking forward to getting on board and seeing your fleet,

Advertising on Facebook for drivers. £14.67 an hour (plus enhancements for overtime)

Wonder how many school contracts they've won, if they need more drivers.

Northstar are featured in the Route One bus livery competition under the small bus operator category.

https://www.route-one.net/livery-competition/voting/

(12 Jul 2024, 3:58 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Northstar are featured in the Route One bus livery competition under the small bus operator category.

https://www.route-one.net/livery-competition/voting/

Mind the Stenning stuff stands out like a sore thumb!

(12 Jul 2024, 8:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote Mind the Stenning stuff stands out like a sore thumb!

Actually looks quite dated too. 

Onto Northstar, was nice and somewhat unique to see photos on twitter from some local engagement events around the 599 service

I am fairly sure this idea of engaging your market and promoting your services might catch on

(12 Jul 2024, 10:28 pm)Ambassador wrote Actually looks quite dated too. 

Onto Northstar, was nice and somewhat unique to see photos on twitter from some local engagement events around the 599 service

I am fairly sure this idea of engaging your market and promoting your services might catch on

As long as there's no MG style photos of our very own Daniel standing there arms outstretched and showing off a huge grin the Cheshire cat would be proud of, I'm all for it.

PB2060918/5
New NORTHSTAR CONSTELLATION LIMITED 28S Pelton Schools, Pelton Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, Gateshead

Do we have a fleetlist for North Star?

Video now on Nexus website for launch of the 599

(06 Jul 2024, 7:35 pm)Michael wrote Wonder how many school contracts they've won, if they need more drivers.

Northstar will be running the 28S (currently Go North East) and 801 (currently Stanley Travel). The former is part-subsidised by Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, but the funding has been re-allocated from Go North East to Northstar from September. The latter was withdrawn by Stanley Travel but will be operated by Northstar 100% commercially.

Other school contracts awarded to Northstar from September, under contract to Nexus, are the 448, 460, 831, 840, 847 and 894, as well as one morning and afternoon journey on Team Valley works service 937. From memory all of these are currently operated by Go North East (albeit the 448, 460 and 831 sub-contracted to L&G Coaches).

(18 Jul 2024, 7:10 am)Retro Nero wrote Video now on Nexus website for launch of the 599

Is the 599 a good route or is the Metro still quicker?

Over the moon to hear your taking on a commercial route. Good luck Dan.

(18 Jul 2024, 11:35 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote Is the 599 a good route or is the Metro still quicker?

A lot of the route is nowhere near the Metro
https://bustimes.org/services/599-sunder...ge-hebburn

(18 Jul 2024, 12:07 pm)BusLoverMum wrote A lot of the route is nowhere near the Metro
https://bustimes.org/services/599-sunder...ge-hebburn

I know. Thanks. Just curious for the full route between Jarrow and Sunderland of the Metro or the 599 would be quicker with the Metro changeover required.

---

(18 Jul 2024, 12:13 pm)Thomas12 wrote The 9 is the quickest route - without checking it's probably a comparable journey time to the Metro. (but without the hassle of changing)

Oh yeah, of course. That's a shame as I wanted to ride the new 599, but the 9 is a lot quicker. It will be good to see the 599 anyway.

If I'm right - it's not designed to take you from Sunderland to Hebburn.

It's designed to get you to key employment and services (like hospital sites - with Sunderland royal taking on an increasing number of south of tyne medical services) and to shopping areas without having to interchange at Gateshead or somewhere similar (or use your car/taxi)

It's a bit like what we've been saying for Team Valley being chronically underserved (aside from archaic and poorly used workers services) and a positive step to get people to leave their cars if you can prpovide a reliable direct bus link

NorthStar starts tomorrow, no doubt every enthusiast will be at Park Lane for the first departure.

Good Luck Dan!

All the best for tomorrow morning, looking forward to seeing you and waving as we pass. Good luck for tomorrow Dan

Anyone try the 599 today?

What was the passenger numbers like?

(22 Jul 2024, 5:58 pm)Michael wrote Anyone try the 599 today?

What was the passenger numbers like?

Judging by their fb posts, every man and his dog has been on it. 

Hopefully, they managed to avoid the curse of the wingmirrors.

(22 Jul 2024, 6:32 pm)Andreos1 wrote Judging by their fb posts, every man and his dog has been on it. 

Hopefully, they managed to avoid the curse of the wingmirrors.

I haven't been on it, because I haven't been out today! Probably won't ride the 599 because it doesn't go anywhere I want to go in the quickest time. Looking forward to going on the 643 at some point.

Just saw our lovely Dan helping out on the 900 during the line suspension between South Gosforth and Shiremoor, thats the first time ive seen in public, so i got a bit excited and shouted "alright Dan" (sorry bout that btw Dan)

(25 Jul 2024, 6:54 pm)V514DFT wrote Just saw our lovely Dan helping out on the 900 during the line suspension between South Gosforth and Shiremoor, thats the first time ive seen in public, so i got a bit excited and shouted "alright Dan" (sorry bout that btw Dan)

https://youtu.be/fOad90BvvjM?feature=shared