(07 Apr 2014, 4:52 pm)aureolin wrote The lack of connections is a massive problem for Arriva when they venture outside of their comfort zone. Look at the Durham-Newcastle X2 for example. It has a wealth of connections at each end of the route, but nothing in between. It is their only service between Durham and Newcastle. No connections in Chester le Street, Birtley, Gateshead, etc.

How do people use this service?

By this, I mean are there many passengers boarding/alighting in places like Chester, Birtley or Gateshead or is do passengers mainly use the service point-to-point?

(08 Apr 2014, 12:02 pm)AdamY wrote How do people use this service?

By this, I mean are there many passengers boarding/alighting in places like Chester, Birtley or Gateshead or is do passengers mainly use the service point-to-point?

Its mostly people traveling through from the X1 and connecting from other services in Durham Bus Station.

Most passengers who board after Framwellgate Moor are Concession passes.

(08 Apr 2014, 3:07 pm)Jimmi wrote Its mostly people traveling through from the X1 and connecting from other services in Durham Bus Station.

Most passengers who board after Framwellgate Moor are Concession passes.

If this is indeed the case, would there be any merit in making this service non-stop between Durham Bus Station (or Framwellgate Moor/Arnison Centre) and Chester; and then from Chester and Gateshead?

A faster alternative to GNE's X21 perhaps?

(08 Apr 2014, 6:43 pm)AdamY wrote If this is indeed the case, would there be any merit in making this service non-stop between Durham Bus Station (or Framwellgate Moor/Arnison Centre) and Chester; and then from Chester and Gateshead?

A faster alternative to GNE's X21 perhaps?

They do pick up/drop off quite a bit between Pity Me and Durham or I did last time I did one (admittedly not very often!) - especially at college times at Fram Moor. It's pretty much nonstop to Chester after Pity Me with the stops in between rarely stopped at anyway. Quite a few use it from Birtley and Low Fell into Gateshead, not sure why as its hardly much quicker really, just doesn't stop at every stop I suppose.
No denying the loads are lighter on the X2 but yes it does sell weekly tickets on various Durham routes so some revenue from those should be attributed to it I suppose.

There is a lack of services stopping at Belsay, its a nice place and it definitely needs bus services. A Belsay-Ponteland-Newcastle and a Belsay-Morpeth service could be possible.

(06 Apr 2014, 7:48 am)Acky81 wrote What do people think? Can you suggest any good routes

Couple of suggestions for Sunderland:

Arriva could extend service 23 from Sunderland to Durham via Durham Road-Doxford International-Houghton (but miss out Hall Lane Estate where GNE service 20 goes, but could go via Raintion Bridge then straight onto A690 to Durham or via East or West Rainton), this will help with driver changeover and not waiting over 30 minutes for the next driver to turn up with the service 24 coming in at the same time. Also workers from Hartlepool and East Durham area who has Arriva tickets to go to Doxford International.

Arriva could extend service half of the 7 from Durham to Sunderland while the other half of the 7 continue its full route. via the same proposed route as service 23 above. which will give more opportunity for Arriva day or week tickets for passengers having already purchased tickets from other Arriva services in Durham surrounding areas and having to purchased GNE tickets to get to Sunderland or Doxford International workers.

I think service 23 should be extended to Middlesbrough, resolving the changover issues, and would be operated by Stockton, while a new route the X32 would be introduced from Sunderland to Durham via the same route cbma06 said, as I really like that idea.

(10 Apr 2014, 10:22 am)Tom wrote I think service 23 should be extended to Middlesbrough, resolving the changover issues, and would be operated by Stockton, while a new route the X32 would be introduced from Sunderland to Durham via the same route cbma06 said, as I really like that idea.

I don't think Arriva would do a suggested Hartlepool to Middlesbrough service as it will get up stagecoach noses, When Stagecoach took over Hartlepool and Cleveland transit, Arriva made a deal with Stagecoach: Arriva gived Hartlepool services to Stagecoach (Hartlepool to Stockton and Billingham area but kept Hartlepool to Durham area (now 23/22 etc..) and in return Arriva gained areas in Cleveland from Stagecoach.

Probably means that Arriva would go back on their deal with Stagecoach.

I remember when United used to do bus services from Hartlepool to Bishop Auckland etc... but over the years the service just got shorter and shorter then eventually got withdrawn.

(10 Apr 2014, 10:45 am)cbma06 wrote I don't think Arriva would do a suggested Hartlepool to Middlesbrough service as it will get up stagecoach noses, When Stagecoach took over Hartlepool and Cleveland transit, Arriva made a deal with Stagecoach: Arriva gived Hartlepool services to Stagecoach (Hartlepool to Stockton and Billingham area but kept Hartlepool to Durham area (now 23/22 etc..) and in return Arriva gained areas in Cleveland from Stagecoach.

Probably means that Arriva would go back on their deal with Stagecoach.

I remember when United used to do bus services from Hartlepool to Bishop Auckland etc... but over the years the service just got shorter and shorter then eventually got withdrawn.

A non-stop service surely wouldn't do any harm?

Here is my suggestion to improve the ''Coast and Castles'' services:

Service X14: This service would continue to connect with service 14 at Morpeth, however would only run hourly.

Service X15: A new, faster link would be introduced from Newcastle to Berwick and Alnwick. This service would omit Felton and Shillbottle to improve reliability on this service. From Alnwick to Berwick, this service would operate via it's normal route, with some timetables improvements to assist with reliability, including longer loading times at Alnwick, and a increased layover at Berwick, and Newcastle.

New Service X16: This service would operate hourly, from Newcastle to Alnwick. It would operate via Regent Centre, Stannington Village, Hepscott Village, Morpeth, Pegswood, Widdrington, Amble and Alnmouth. This would provide a increased hourly service for residents of Hepscott Village, and an improved faster link from Stannington Village to Newcastle. This would replace service X18 around Widdrington and Amble, and make the service more reliable. Combined with the X14, X15 and X18, it would provide a service between Morpeth and Newcastle every 15 minutes, albeit the X16 taking around 10 minutes longer.

Service X18: Service X18 would see significant changes to route, and timetable. To speed journeys up, service X18 would omit Widdrington, Amble and Alnmouth, which would be replaced by new service X16. This service would run via it's current route to Morpeth from Newcastle and Regent Centre, then would operate to Alnwick via the A1, Felton and Shilbottle, to replace the links previously provided on service X15. Then it would operate via it's current route from Alnwick to Berwick, but all services will serve Howick to improve links for tourists wanting to visit Howick and Dunstunburgh Castle. The timetable would be changed significantly, and be coordinated with the X14, X15 and X16 to provide a service every 15 minutes from Morpeth to Newcastle, and coordinated with the X15 and X16 to provide a service up to every 20 minutes from Alnwick to Newcastle.

Services 57A and 33 would also be affected by this change. Reliability would be improved significantly, however, 33 journeys would be slightly re-timed by 5-7 minutes. The increased layover time at Morpeth would allow the 57/57A journeys to be slightly re timed to improve reliability.

Overview:
*Faster journeys from Newcastle to Alnwick and Berwick.
*Improved reliability.
*More frequent services from Alnwick to Newcastle.
*Improved links for villages such as Howick, Hepscott and Stannington.

I sent this suggestion to Arriva, and was surprised to find I actually got two replies, on confirming they'd pass it onto the commercial team, then another thanking me for the suggestion. Having read comments that they don't reply to emails, I was surprised to get two replies.

Good Afternoon,

Our commercial team wished to thank you for your suggestions, which are always welcome.

Although I cannot promise any short-term resolution to this problem, I can assure you that comments such as yours are looked upon favourably and acted upon where possible.

Kind Regards

(15 Apr 2014, 4:49 pm)Tom wrote I sent this suggestion to Arriva, and was surprised to find I actually got two replies, on confirming they'd pass it onto the commercial team, then another thanking me for the suggestion. Having read comments that they don't reply to emails, I was surprised to get two replies.

That was good of them, never know what they might come up with but the commercial team are always open to suggestions I know that.
The evening times implemented in February on the 5 Middlesbrough-Easington were created by me and a mate at Stockton depot (as an example).

(15 Apr 2014, 6:19 pm)tyresmoke wrote That was good of them, never know what they might come up with but the commercial team are always open to suggestions I know that.
The evening times implemented in February on the 5 Middlesbrough-Easington were created by me and a mate at Stockton depot (as an example).

Might be the reason why the order for the X18 has been decreased

(15 Apr 2014, 6:19 pm)tyresmoke wrote The evening times implemented in February on the 5 Middlesbrough-Easington were created by me and a mate at Stockton depot (as an example).

So do you get the blame if it went tits up

(15 Apr 2014, 6:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote So do you get the blame if it went tits up

Probably I've done them and they're much better than they used to be. Used to be sat waiting at every timing point for 2 or 3 minutes, it was soul destroying doing them on a night. So we took 15 mins out of a round trip, runs to standard times all night now instead of departures at 2000, 2100, 2215 and 2315...

Here's one of my ideas for perhaps a new service in North Tyneside

Numbered 56 - North shields - Meadowell - Tynemouth road - Churchill street) - Battle Hill - Benton Asda - Four lane ends - West moor - Killingworth east bailey, or just straight to the bus station.

My suggestion would be for the 306 to operate only between Tynemouth and Newcastle with the same frequency and replaced by the following:

- Service X38 would operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during Sunday daytime. Buses would observe all stops that the original 44 observed between Whitley Bay and Rake Lane. From Rake Lane, buses would observe all stops that the 308 serves to Billy Mill and from there, it would then operate non stop to Newcastle only calling at Willington Square. A PVR of 3 would be required and the timings would be as follows:

Peak Time:
- Haymarket = 00
- St Mary's Place = 02
- Willington Square = 18
- Billy Mill = 23
- St Thomas Moore = 25
- Murton Farm = 27
- Rake Lane Hosp = 30
- Hartington Road = 35
- Ennerdale Road = 37
- Farrington Road = 39
- Broadway = 42
- Whitley Bay = 47

Off Peak:
- Haymarket = 00
- St Mary's Place = 02
- Willington Square = 15
- Billy Mill = 19
- St Thomas Moore = 21
- Murton Farm = 23
- Rake Lane = 25
- Hartington Road = 29
- Ennerdale Road = 31
- Farrington Road = 33
- Broadway = 35
- Whitley Bay = 40

Do you think Arriva will ever try to compete with Go North East's services in and around the Newcastle area? Maybe if they offered low fares and decent buses?

(19 Apr 2014, 6:27 pm)mb134 wrote Do you think Arriva will ever try to compete with Go North East's services in and around the Newcastle area? Maybe if they offered low fares and decent buses?

Vice versa has successfully happened on the 685 as far as Hexham! Arriva have tried to bite back but shooting themselves (or should I say, their customers) in the foot at the same time.

I'd say that it would be very unlikely not out of spite but simply down to the fact that GNE have a very tight knit network with many connections on offer. I know people who live in Arriva's turf in Northumberland and if GNE were to ever launch a service up that way, it would already be at an advantage due to the fact that many GNE services go to their Universities. Also, GNE have connections to the Metrocentre unlike Arriva and despite Arriva dominating Quorum and running the X9 to Cobalt, GNE offer more choice and convenience between Newcastle and Cobalt. I wonder how the Bargain Bus operation would've turned out if GNE had've accquired the Hexham operation alone and kept the Bargain Bus low cost unit from Ashington. Would it have turned into a fully fledged depot with B9TL's and Citaro's rolling out and on the road across Northumberland? Who knows.

(19 Apr 2014, 8:26 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Also, GNE have connections to the Metrocentre unlike Arriva

Although I've been told I'm wrong on many occasion, I still think some Arriva operated service between Newcastle and the Metrocentre (perhaps an half-hourly extension of one of services currently terminating at the Haymarket) would be beneficial for both Arriva customers and the network in general.

Hope you're not suggesting bus operators have 'turf', Mr Bowyer.

(19 Apr 2014, 9:23 pm)aureolin wrote Hope you're not suggesting bus operators have 'turf', Mr Bowyer.

Well in an essence, Arriva have always dominated Northumberland but it's a free market out there. GNE could easily go into Northumberland and start a new express service but on the other hand, Arriva could re enter the Tyne Valley and launch a 7-8 minute combined frequency with a fleet of VDL Pulsars between Crawcrook and Newcastle taking on GNE's TEN and SNE's 100. Anything could happen. Whether operators turf or not, that's just business and if they make their money, then so be it. But with a free market out there, competitors can easily compete at their own risk or in some instances, gain.

Would it be beneficial for Arriva to start Night Bus services on selected,most used, routes, as GNE do?

Does anyone remember the Arriva Darlington 30/31 route? This was a great route and had lots of connections, it's a shame it was packed in.

I think that Arriva should run night services at weekends in Darlo (Friday to Sunday night) as it is a pretty vibrant place.

I suggest:
N1: Starting from the town centre and running to Cockerton/Branksome/Minors Crescent/Faverdale then the 1 or 19 route to the town centre.
N2: Town Centre to North Road to Springfield to Whinfield then the 10 route back to town.
N3: Town Centre to FirthMoor back to the town to Skerne Park and Blackwell and to town via the 12 route.

All using Solo's or MPD's and running every 1 1/2 hour

(05 May 2014, 5:59 pm)JoshP wrote Does anyone remember the Arriva Darlington 30/31 route? This was a great route and had lots of connections, it's a shame it was packed in.

I think that Arriva should run night services at weekends in Darlo (Friday to Sunday night) as it is a pretty vibrant place.

I suggest:
N1: Starting from the town centre and running to Cockerton/Branksome/Minors Crescent/Faverdale then the 1 or 19 route to the town centre.
N2: Town Centre to North Road to Springfield to Whinfield then the 10 route back to town.
N3: Town Centre to FirthMoor back to the town to Skerne Park and Blackwell and to town via the 12 route.

All using Solo's or MPD's and running every 1 1/2 hour

I remember the evening and Sunday Services 30A/31A, which I imagine was withdrawn due to low passenger numbers as I can't imagine the Mowden OAPs were down Inside Out necking Jägerbombs.

Late night bus services will probably never happen in Darlington but here is another suggestion:

N7 Darlington - Newton Aycliffe Woodham Village.

(05 May 2014, 8:21 pm)Jimmi wrote I remember the evening and Sunday Services 30A/31A, which I imagine was withdrawn due to low passenger numbers as I can't imagine the Mowden OAPs were down Inside Out necking Jägerbombs.

Late night bus services will probably never happen in Darlington but here is another suggestion:

N7 Darlington - Newton Aycliffe Woodham Village.

I remember the weekday version, I used to get it to school and back each day. I think the 3 and the 16 replaced the route to make it simpler. And haha that's a quality comment!

Would you suggest the N7 use sapphire vehicles on night duties? How about an N1 service?

(05 May 2014, 8:35 pm)JoshP wrote I remember the weekday version, I used to get it to school and back each day. I think the 3 and the 16 replaced the route to make it simpler. And haha that's a quality comment!

Would you suggest the N7 use sapphire vehicles on night duties? How about an N1 service?

Sapphire vehicles on a night bus- lovely sick coated leather for the next day's services

(05 May 2014, 8:35 pm)JoshP wrote I remember the weekday version, I used to get it to school and back each day. I think the 3 and the 16 replaced the route to make it simpler. And haha that's a quality comment!

Would you suggest the N7 use sapphire vehicles on night duties? How about an N1 service?

I'd possibly allocate a Solo for the N7 suggestion.

Not sure about an N1 service and where it would run.

(05 May 2014, 8:48 pm)Jimmi wrote I'd possibly allocate a Solo for the N7 suggestion.

Not sure about an N1 service and where it would run.

Realised this is the 2nd N1 I've mentioned but if we are doing out of town services my N1 would be Darlo to Bishop only and back.