The problem with Low Fell is the road layout and traffic light system.

When the Western Bypass was finished off in the mid-80's, Gateshead Council made the concious decision to set out the road system in such a way that it would encourage drivers to miss the town out. Paint was thrown about with wild abondon, bridges demolished and pedestrian crossings introduced.
However, because the Western Bypass was so badly designed, traffic still continued to flow through Low Fell. The amount of traffic coupled with the design of the road system just creates problems and no matter how many bus lanes and bollards are introduced along the dualed part of Durham Road between the Angel and Jolly Miller, buses are still going to hit a bottle neck once they hit the traffic light hell that is Low Fell.

Some suggestions I have regards servicesbin Murton...

My idea would be change the 61 by introducing a 61A, keep the 15 minute weekday frequency out of Park Lane, but have 2 61s which goes on the present clockwise route round Murton and 2 61A going anti-clockwise round Murton

It would be 61: from Murton: Woods Terrace, Williams Road, Cenotaph, Station Road, Station Estate North, Wellfield Road, Barnes Road, Webb Avenue, Burnip Road, Mann Crescent, Truro Avenue, Bude Square with 61A going in Reverse to that on it's circular run round the Village.

I also think GNE made a big booboo pulling Seaham and Durham bound services from Cornwall Estate, what i would suggest there is not necessarily re-introducing the Durham service, but maybe ammending the 202 in both directions to serve Cornwall Estate.

My other ideas are as Captain Mainwaring used to say to Corporal Jones on Dads Army "delving into the realms of fantasy"

I would love to one day see Newcastle services back to Murton, possibly extend 1 bus bus per hour on the X1 to Dalton Park

Also, extend the X7 and X9 or X10 into Dalton Park to give a half hourly service to Middlesbrough and Newcastle respectively, Dalton Park is extremely popular and is heaving at times, surely a joint initiative between Dalton Park and a bus company could only be a good thing to encourage passengers from Teesside and Tyneside to come in and shop there...

Just a thought

My route for the 73 - Park lane - Fawcett Street - St Mary's way - Queen Alexandra Bridge,Sunderland Enterprise Park east end, Hylton Riverside Retail Park,Sunderland Ent Pk, Defender Ct, Castletown,Sunrise Enterprise Park, Waterview Park,Teal Farm estate,Washington District 15 Exit,Peel Retail Park, Sulgrave,Washington Concord Bus Station,Coach Road Estate - Washington Galleries

I know i posted it earlier in the thread but im bringing all my idea's as 1 post.
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My post for my idea of the 73.. seems my email worked to nexus worked as from June its going to the galleries =)

Post is on Page 3 and was posted on... 12-25-2012 @ 05:33

It definitely seems as though Go North East are listening to these suggestions. I suggested that the X9/X10 were diverted to serve Sunderland because Sunderland would benefit from a direct service to Peterlee and Middlesbrough, rather than the current non-direct services we previously had, and they went one step better... The X7!

(14 Apr 2013, 10:28 am)Michael wrote My route for the 73 - Park lane - Fawcett Street - St Mary's way - Queen Alexandra Bridge,Sunderland Enterprise Park east end, Hylton Riverside Retail Park,Sunderland Ent Pk, Defender Ct, Castletown,Sunrise Enterprise Park, Waterview Park,Teal Farm estate,Washington District 15 Exit,Peel Retail Park, Sulgrave,Washington Concord Bus Station,Coach Road Estate - Washington Galleries

I know i posted it earlier in the thread but im bringing all my idea's as 1 post.
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My post for my idea of the 73.. seems my email worked to nexus worked as from June its going to the galleries =)

Post is on Page 3 and was posted on... 12-25-2012 @ 05:33

What is going on with the 73, that service has changed operators more times than a tramps underpants lately

(14 Apr 2013, 10:30 am)fozzovmurton wrote

(14 Apr 2013, 10:28 am)Michael wrote My route for the 73 - Park lane - Fawcett Street - St Mary's way - Queen Alexandra Bridge,Sunderland Enterprise Park east end, Hylton Riverside Retail Park,Sunderland Ent Pk, Defender Ct, Castletown,Sunrise Enterprise Park, Waterview Park,Teal Farm estate,Washington District 15 Exit,Peel Retail Park, Sulgrave,Washington Concord Bus Station,Coach Road Estate - Washington Galleries

I know i posted it earlier in the thread but im bringing all my idea's as 1 post.
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My post for my idea of the 73.. seems my email worked to nexus worked as from June its going to the galleries =)

Post is on Page 3 and was posted on... 12-25-2012 @ 05:33

What is going on with the 73, that service has changed operators more times than a tramps underpants lately

One board is being operated by Compass Community Transport and the other, by Go North East (or rather, that's what I'm led to believe by VOSA registrations)!

Compass Community Transport are only going to run the service to Concord, but Go North East are extending their service to The Galleries. This could mean that an additional board will be required (as opposed to the current 2) but I'm not sure. Could be proved or disproved by looking at current timings and such, I guess.

Changed to half hourly maybe with 1 a hour to galleries with GNE running it and current route with compass?

I've always thought the Washington Street Shuttle has loads of potential, but the current services just don't work. The Metrolink M2/M3 suffer because it's quicker to jump off at the Galleries or Concord, and get the M1 across to Heworth, and the W5/W6 don't really serve anyone.

I think some sort of circular could work well in Washington - similar to the 51/52 in Gateshead. I've drew something up on Google Maps in the form of a route. (Ignore the fact it's 'Bicycle Directions' - it's just to get round the bus links in the route) : here

There used to be circular services throughout Washington.

The 192/193/198/199 was once such example, operating on a combined ten minute frequency from Heworth Metro to Barmston (192/193 went via the Bus-Link; 198/199 went via Waskerley Road), Washington Village, The Galleries, Oxclose, Ayton, Emerson DHSS, Rickleton, Lambton, Galleries, Concord, and Donwell.

I believe these services were replaced, in part, by the 291 and 292 sometime after de-regulation in 1986.

I'm sure the W2/W3 and W5/W6 used to circular services at one point too.

Given the layout, Washington is perfect circular services. It does make you wonder why they ceased.

Here is my Spin on how I think the Bus Services in Washington should be.


M1 Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

M1A Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

X1 Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1A Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring – Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1B Picktree Village – Washington Hospital – Rickleton – Harraton – Glebe - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle – Peak Times Only

M2 Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes

M2A Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave – Heworth – Every 1 Hour

M3 Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Biddick – Washington Galleries – Glebe – Washington Village Barmston Court – Barmston Loop – Sulgrave – Concord – Blackfell – Oxclose – Ayton – Portobello – Birtley - Every 20 Minutes

X4 – Birtley – Chester le Street – Washington Galleries – Heworth – Every 30 Minutes

New Links provided by M1A Between Lambton and Houghton le Spring and also providing a quicker more direct service to Heworth.

New Links provided by X1A Between Fence Houses and Easington Lane/Newcastle

New Links on the M2/M3 to Many Areas of Washington that were previously not served by these Services.

The M2A maintains an Hourly Link across the M2 service between Birtley and Heworth

New Service X4 Delievers a Fast Xpress Service between Birtley and Heworth and also re-establishes the old Link between Chester le Street and Heworth.

(15 May 2013, 2:33 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Here is my Spin on how I think the Bus Services in Washington should be.


M1 Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

M1A Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

X1 Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1A Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring – Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1B Picktree Village – Washington Hospital – Rickleton – Harraton – Glebe - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle – Peak Times Only

M2 Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes

M2A Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave – Heworth – Every 1 Hour

M3 Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Biddick – Washington Galleries – Glebe – Washington Village Barmston Court – Barmston Loop – Sulgrave – Concord – Blackfell – Oxclose – Ayton – Portobello – Birtley - Every 20 Minutes

X4 – Birtley – Chester le Street – Washington Galleries – Heworth – Every 30 Minutes

New Links provided by M1A Between Lambton and Houghton le Spring and also providing a quicker more direct service to Heworth.

New Links provided by X1A Between Fence Houses and Easington Lane/Newcastle

New Links on the M2/M3 to Many Areas of Washington that were previously not served by these Services.

The M2A maintains an Hourly Link across the M2 service between Birtley and Heworth

New Service X4 Delievers a Fast Xpress Service between Birtley and Heworth and also re-establishes the old Link between Chester le Street and Heworth.

I like your suggestions Adam! - I think rather than having the X1/X1A the way you said, the X1 could continue it's same route every 15 minutes, and X1A every 30 mins to Seaham (Newcastle-Gateshead-then express to Washington, Fence Houses, Houghton, Hetton, Dalton Park and Seaham). This would provide additional links!
Also, not sure about the X4, won't be used enough in my opinion!
Overall, well done though! - I love your thinking!

I like your suggestions Adam! - I think rather than having the X1/X1A the way you said, the X1 could continue it's same route every 15 minutes, and X1A every 30 mins to Seaham (Newcastle-Gateshead-then express to Washington, Fence Houses, Houghton, Hetton, Dalton Park and Seaham). This would provide additional links!
Also, not sure about the X4, won't be used enough in my opinion!
Overall, well done though! - I love your thinking!
[/quote]

Thanks, I spent about an Hour in a bit looking through the Timetables and then putting it all together to provide the best solution around it, The Current M2/M3/W5/W6 was the Nightmare Part to try and get to work correctly. Obviously in the form I've put it in the Service loses the Connection to Heworth. So by putting in the X4 that connexion is then maintained, I think a quicker service would be welcomed also.

In it's current form I think the M2/M3 take just over an Hour to do Birtley to Heworth, whereas my new X4 would take Half that.

I'm not sure about the Seaham Link as we've had it in the past with the X90/X94 in the Early 2000's and also the old X4 which ran in 2009 I believe when the Service ran via Concord and Heworth, and was Withdrawn due to Low Passenger Numbers.

But I think in my head when working it all out and if it was to Interwork, it work very well. I'll try and come up with some other regarding the M2/M3/W5/W6 over the next few days.

Yeah! - It would be a benefit having the X4!

Service suggestion involving OK1,X7.

Short Journey on the OK1 Bishop Auckland to Darlington, to be renumbered OK2 route: Bishop Auckland-Darlington-Direct to Newton Aycliffe-then almost same route as Arriva 21 all the way to Wingate then X7 route from Wingate to Sunderland, re connecting passengers to Sunderland from Arriva where there have withdrawn their direct link and opening new connections from Bishop Auckland/Darlington to Sunderland. Divert the X7 between Peterlee and Middlesbrough via Hartlepool, and also to gain passengers off Arriva service 23 between Hartlepool and Sunderland.

With fast buses connecting the majority of the regions towns and cities, the only additional service I can think of is something coming from Darlington heading North.
There was the 723 and Arriva have a service which follows a similar route, but apart from the train, there isn't any other option.

Heading North out of Darlington, the service could join the A1 (M) (or serve parts of Newton Aycliffe and then join the motorway) and when it reaches Bowburn, follow the route of the X1 into Durham. It can then complement the X21 to Newcastle.

It will fill a massive gap in the GNE provision and increase presence in an area they are obviously keen on exploiting.

Re the Washington idea above, instead of serving Crowther, would it be better diverting via Ayton and Lambton, turning left uptowards Oxclose and picking up the suggested oute from there?

I think that would be a better option Andreos1

Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes

So basically instead of going along the top of Crowther it'll do the Old 638 route between Lambton and Blackfell via Washington Galleries instead of the way I had if before which was.

Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes

Liking the ideas, not sure why Birtley needs a fast link to Heworth though? Heworth is nigh on the same distance from Birtley as Birtley-Newcastle. I can see more services through little Washington outposts when the new Morrisons opens in Birtley as alternatives to ASDA/Sainsburys

A few suggestions for me (apologies if I've mentioned these previously)

30 - Chester Le Street - Picktree - Barley Mow (not the Estate) Birtley - Birtley Station Lane - Ouston - Pelton - Pelaw - Chester Le Street (basically the old 734?)

Air1 - Durham Bus Station - Chester Le Street - Birtley - A1 - Newcastle Airport (hourly in the summer)

Revision to 28A route
As current to Kibblesworth then Team Valley Retail Park - Maingate then current route from Bensham

Revision to X22
As current to Birtley then via Lamesley or A1 to Retail World then to Metrocentre at driver discretion route

Air1 - Durham Bus Station - Chester Le Street - Birtley - A1 - Newcastle Airport (hourly in the summer)

Would not be better for it to go from Durham to Durham Tees Valley Airport instead of Newcastle, I've noticed there has been alot of GNE Airport Shuttle talk in recent weeks.

My X4 idea would cut the journey time on the current M2/M3 by over 30 minutes and obviously re-instate the link between Chester le Street and Heworth. I was think of having it going the Gateshead way but opted against it due to the competition of the 21 going in that direction.

There's nowt flying from Teesside at the mo apart from the odd tourist flight and the Amsterdam shuttles. Even the trains don't stop there anymore

Sending it to Teesside would be as useful as sending it to Birtley Train Station

And, anyyway, Newcastle is closer to Durham than DTV is and there'd be a market. Your looking at about £20+ from Birtley to NCL Airport in a cab

Do you think there would be a market for the airport buses?
I couldn't be chewed faffing on getting on and off buses with luggage etc.

As far as students go, they're always on the train and can use their railcard. Even in a taxi, a group of people would make it cheaper than the bus.
Business people, whatever is the quickest and easiest.

(15 May 2013, 8:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do you think there would be a market for the airport buses?
I couldn't be chewed faffing on getting on and off buses with luggage etc.

As far as students go, they're always on the train and can use their railcard. Even in a taxi, a group of people would make it cheaper than the bus.
Business people, whatever is the quickest and easiest.

I think they do work to a degree because Newcastle is one of the only airports in the country that doesn't have a regular scheduled coach service to anywhere (aside the odd National Express which is on request only)

I know it has the Metro which probably makes it a bit more difficult.

But whether they will work at an airport that's business is predominantly leisure bucket and spade is probably a good question

(15 May 2013, 2:33 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Here is my Spin on how I think the Bus Services in Washington should be.


M1 Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

M1A Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

X1 Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1A Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring – Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes

X1B Picktree Village – Washington Hospital – Rickleton – Harraton – Glebe - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle – Peak Times Only

M2 Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes

M2A Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave – Heworth – Every 1 Hour

M3 Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Biddick – Washington Galleries – Glebe – Washington Village Barmston Court – Barmston Loop – Sulgrave – Concord – Blackfell – Oxclose – Ayton – Portobello – Birtley - Every 20 Minutes

X4 – Birtley – Chester le Street – Washington Galleries – Heworth – Every 30 Minutes

New Links provided by M1A Between Lambton and Houghton le Spring and also providing a quicker more direct service to Heworth.

New Links provided by X1A Between Fence Houses and Easington Lane/Newcastle

New Links on the M2/M3 to Many Areas of Washington that were previously not served by these Services.

The M2A maintains an Hourly Link across the M2 service between Birtley and Heworth

New Service X4 Delievers a Fast Xpress Service between Birtley and Heworth and also re-establishes the old Link between Chester le Street and Heworth.

Really like the suggestions Adam. Only two things I'd add would be;

• Washington to Sunderland services split to include more areas, e.g. The old X85 route.
  
• X2 reintroduced
  

I really dislike A,B,C routes. I think they're confusing for people and.much prefer the system of a number per service.

(15 May 2013, 7:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote With fast buses connecting the majority of the regions towns and cities, the only additional service I can think of is something coming from Darlington heading North.
There was the 723 and Arriva have a service which follows a similar route, but apart from the train, there isn't any other option.

Heading North out of Darlington, the service could join the A1 (M) (or serve parts of Newton Aycliffe and then join the motorway) and when it reaches Bowburn, follow the route of the X1 into Durham. It can then complement the X21 to Newcastle.

It will fill a massive gap in the GNE provision and increase presence in an area they are obviously keen on exploiting.

Re the Washington idea above, instead of serving Crowther, would it be better diverting via Ayton and Lambton, turning left uptowards Oxclose and picking up the suggested oute from there?

The main reason I included crowther is because its nothing short of a crime that the place has no bus service whatsoever. Public transport should be readily available in employment areas. Doubt it'd get much traffic through the day, so would allow for catch up time.

(15 May 2013, 8:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do you think there would be a market for the airport buses?
I couldn't be chewed faffing on getting on and off buses with luggage etc.

As far as students go, they're always on the train and can use their railcard. Even in a taxi, a group of people would make it cheaper than the bus.
Business people, whatever is the quickest and easiest.

I'd never personally use a bus to or from an airport. Too much faff on with luggage.

Since everyone else is having a go, I might as well have a crack at Washington. Admittedly, I've done this off the top of my head without any consideration given to frequencies, PVR's, timings, or inter-workings. My main goal was to try and provide a comprehensive transport system for Washington. So please feel free to rip my ideas apart or add to what I've done

First of all, services 23/M2/M3/W5/W6/2a/2c will all be withdrawn, replaced by the following. Services 8, 50/50a and M1 would stay in their present form.

71 - Waterview Park - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Ayton - Barley Mow - Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Fencehouses - Houghton-le-Spring

72 - Heworth - Sulgrave - Barmston - Washington Village - Washigton Galleries - Lambton - Harraton - Rickleton - Barley Mow - Portobello - Birtley

72a - Heworth - Usworth - Concord - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Parsons - Springwell Village - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Birtley

73 - Sunderland - Hylton Riverside - Castletown - Waterview Park - Teal Farm - Brady Square - Washington Galleries

73a - Sunderland - Hylton Riverside - Castletown - Waterview Park - Usworth - Concord - Washington Galleries

74 - Sunderland - The Herringtons - Shiney Row - Penshaw - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries

74a - Sunderland - Chester Road - Penshaw - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries

75 - Washington Galleries - Washington Village - Brady Square - Barmston - Sulgrave - Stephenson - Coach Raod Estate - Concord - Donwell - Parsons - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries

75a - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Parsons - Donwell - Concord - Coach Road Estate - Stephenson - Sulgrave - Barmston - Brady Square - Washington Village - Washington Galleries

76 - Heworth - Usworth - Donwell - Albany - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Harraton - Rickleton

Washington does seem flavour of the month!
Here's my suggestions.
I'd reduce all services to Heworth, apart from the M1 (and a new express) but have regular buses connecting at key points along the out like Concord and The Galleries.

I like the idea of circular services, maybe having an inner circular and an outer circular, with the M1 operating through the core, North to south and the 8 & 50 East to West.
Inner circular 15 min frequency. Galleries, Albany Village, Blue House Lane, Concord, Spout Lane, Barmston Centre, Village, Brady Square, Biddick, Galleries
Outer circular 15 min frequency. Concord, Blue House Lane, Blackfell, Oxclose, Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Rickleton, Harraton, Fatfield, Biddick, Galleries, Glebe, Barmston Court, Teal Farm, Waterview Park, Nissan Service Roads, Sulgrave, Concord.
New express 30 min frequency. Newcastle, Heworth, Concord, Sulgrave, Glover, Waterview Park, Castletown, Sunderland

Birtley connections (20 min frequency) maintained by a Chester, Birtley, Portobello, Vigo, Barley Mow, Ayton, Lambton, Galleries (peak time via Crowther and Oxclose to Galleries and onward to Waterview Park).

This maintains the hub and spoke method GNE favour whilst opening up new links to key employment sites. All villages have a service, with regular onward connections to town and city centres from Concord, Galleries, Nissan and Waterview Park

50X - Durham - Chester le Street - Washington - Waterview Park - Boldon - South Shields

It would come under the Wheyaye50 Brand and operate non-stop between these stops above to provide a faster service and also upping the frequency to every 20 minutes to parts of the route. Basically a re-introduction of the old service when it worked alongside the X20.

W5
Sunderland Enterprise Park - Castletown - Waterview Park - Barmston - Brady Square - Biddick - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Concord

W6
Sunderland Enterprise Park - Castletown - Waterview Park - Barmston Circular - Concord - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries - Washington Village - Barmston Court

M2
Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Albany - Concord - Donwell - Heworth - Luke's Lane Estate - Hebburn - Jarrow

M3
Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Albany - Concord - Sulgrave - Heworth - Luke's Lane Estate - Hebburn - Jarrow

or extend the 88/88A to Washington

*New Service 89*
Washington Galleries - Albany - Concord - Heworth - Jarrow - Tyne Tunnel - Percy Main - Royal Quays - North Shields

Scrap the two things i've came up with, although the first one was very good as people have said.

From Washington Galleries we/will come 1st June 2013 the following services to the following areas.

X1/X1A - Newcastle
M1/M2/M3/922 and 994 - Heworth
M1/M2/M3/W5/W6/73/939 and 994 - Concord
50/50A and 960 - South Shields
2A/2C/8 and 73 - Sunderland
50/50A - Durham
50/50A and 8 - Chester le Street
8 - Stanley
M2/M3/23 - Birtley
M1/X1 and 922 - Houghton le Spring
X1 - Easington Lane
X1A/8 - Picktree Village
37 - Doxford Park

Now I think this area should be expanded on to then make it a Major Transport Hub as it doesn't have a Metro System and the only link being through the M1/M2/M3/922 and 994.

So I propose an expansion of Bus Services Operating through Washington to Current Areas Served and Many New Areas. Which would probably lead to an extension to Washington Galleries Bus Station.

Here is a few examples of *New Services* I'd like to see.

M1A Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes

X4 – Birtley – Chester le Street – Washington Galleries – Heworth – Every 30 Minutes

89 - Washington Galleries - Albany - Concord - Heworth - Jarrow - Tyne Tunnel - Percy Main - Royal Quays - North Shields - Every 20 Minutes

33 - Washington Galleries - Waterview Park - Sunderland Enterprise Park
33A - Washington Galleries - Houghton le Spring - Doxford Park - Every 15 minutes Combined.

50 - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Arnison Centre - Waldridge Park - Chester-le-Street - Washington Galleries - Concord - Boldon - West Harton - South Shields
50X - Durham - Chester le Street - Washington Galleries - Waterview Park - Boldon - South Shields
Combined Every 20 Minutes across parts of the route.

X8 - Washington Galleries - Houghton le Spring - Doxford International - Peterlee - Middlesbrough - Hartlepool - Every 1 Hour

I was also thinking of having a Half Hourly service to the Cobalt and Quorum Business Parks.

My Cobalt Service

311 – Washington – Heworth - Jarrow - Tyne Tunnel - Percy Main - Royal Quays - North Shields - Meadow
Well - West Chirton – Cobalt

Current Timings without the 311 and a breakdown of how it could be a faster link.

922 - Washington – Heworth – 15 Minutes
27 – Heworth – Jarrow – 27 Minutes – Halfed by doing a Non-Stop Service
9 - Jarrow – North Shields – 13 Minutes – Can be cut down to 8-9 Minutes if service misses out Jarrow
310 - North Shields – Cobalt – 17 Minutes – Can be cut down again by running Non-Stop

Journey Time without Non-Stop Service = 62 Minutes – With Non Stop Between 35 and 50 Minutes

M1 - Washington – Heworth – 25 Minutes
Metro – Heworth – Monument – 10 Minutes
Metro – Monument – North Shields – 15 Minutes
310 – North Shields – Cobalt – 17 Minutes

Journey Time - 67 Minutes

X1 – Washington – Newcastle – 35 Minutes
309/310 Newcastle – Cobalt - 29 Minutes

Journey Time – 64 Minutes

IDEAS FOR CHANGES TO SERVICES X40/40A/58/309/310

• Service X40 will be renumbered 58 and service 58 will be renumbered service 58A. New services 58 and 58A will operate a combined 6-7 minute frequency Monday to Saturday Daytime between Heworth and Newcastle Pilgrim Street via the current 58 route. New service 58 will then operate the current X40 route between Newcastle Blackett Street and Great Park every 20 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime. During Evenings and Sundays, new services 58,58A and X58 will provide a combined 20 minute frequency between Heworth Metro and Newcastle Pilgrim street and then, new service 58 will continue to Great Park every 60 minutes via the current 40A route.

• New service X58 will provide new and fast links throughout the Blyth Valley, North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead. New service X58 will operate the same route as the 309 between Blyth and Rake Lane with the exception of Rotary Way. Ridley Park will be served instead. From Rake Lane, buses will serve Lynn Road and Billy Mill roundabout. Buses will then call at Norham Road and Willington Square and from Willington Square, buses will then operate non-stop to John Dobson Street and from there, buses will then operate via the current 58 route between John Dobson Street and Heworth Metro. Buses will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday Daytime. Evening and Sunday buses will operate every 60 minutes.

• Service 309 will be renumbered service 75. During Monday to Saturday daytime, buses will operate every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. Buses will continue every 20 minutes to Blyth. Evening buses will operate every 30 minutes to Whitley Bay and every 60 minutes to Blyth. Sunday Daytime buses will operate every 30 minutes between Blyth and Newcastle.

• Service 310 will be renumbered service 76 and 76A. During Monday to Saturday daytime, service 76 will operate the current 310 route to North Shields every 20 minutes. Service 76A will operate the current 310 route between Newcastle and Battle Hill and then, service 76A will also serve Hadrian Park. Service 76A will operate every 20 minutes. Evening buses on both services will operate every 60 minutes and service 76 will also serve Hadrian Park. During Sunday daytime, service 76 will operate every 30 minutes between North Shields and Newcastle and buses will also serve Hadrian Park.

GNE in Sunderland

After my comments earlier today and on reflection of the regular changes imposed on services in Sunderland, I wonder if they should persue a different tactic.

A number of services start/terminate at Park Lane and go via Trimdon Street and the Queen Alexandra Bridge, with reasons given basically saying the route to/from North Sunderland is quicker going this way.
Looking at it as an outsider, having a quicker route to Park Lane might be fantastic for some - but if the most passengers are wanting to be in the 'town centre', chances are it is quicker and easier getting a Stagecoach service to John or Fawcett Street where the majority of shops and ammenities are.
Similarly if you are wanting to go or have been to Tesco, by the laws of averages, which operator are most passengers going to use if they live in the North Sunderland Estates?

The new proposed changes, basically offer a massive circular route around these Estates, with route duplication along the way alongside a number of existing GNE routes whilst, missing out key shopping and employment points (exactly the sorts of places people want and need to be at and which Stagecoach serve).

Would it be better for 'local' services to use the John & Fawcett Street routes for both shoppers and workers, whilst longer distance commuters heading to/from towns and villages on the X3 and X36 use the 'quicker' Trimdon Street route?

(26 May 2013, 4:07 pm)dave2906 wrote IDEAS FOR CHANGES TO SERVICES X40/40A/58/309/310

• Service X40 will be renumbered 58 and service 58 will be renumbered service 58A. New services 58 and 58A will operate a combined 6-7 minute frequency Monday to Saturday Daytime between Heworth and Newcastle Pilgrim Street via the current 58 route. New service 58 will then operate the current X40 route between Newcastle Blackett Street and Great Park every 20 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime. During Evenings and Sundays, new services 58,58A and X58 will provide a combined 20 minute frequency between Heworth Metro and Newcastle Pilgrim street and then, new service 58 will continue to Great Park every 60 minutes via the current 40A route.

• New service X58 will provide new and fast links throughout the Blyth Valley, North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead. New service X58 will operate the same route as the 309 between Blyth and Rake Lane with the exception of Rotary Way. Ridley Park will be served instead. From Rake Lane, buses will serve Lynn Road and Billy Mill roundabout. Buses will then call at Norham Road and Willington Square and from Willington Square, buses will then operate non-stop to John Dobson Street and from there, buses will then operate via the current 58 route between John Dobson Street and Heworth Metro. Buses will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday Daytime. Evening and Sunday buses will operate every 60 minutes.

• Service 309 will be renumbered service 75. During Monday to Saturday daytime, buses will operate every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. Buses will continue every 20 minutes to Blyth. Evening buses will operate every 30 minutes to Whitley Bay and every 60 minutes to Blyth. Sunday Daytime buses will operate every 30 minutes between Blyth and Newcastle.

• Service 310 will be renumbered service 76 and 76A. During Monday to Saturday daytime, service 76 will operate the current 310 route to North Shields every 20 minutes. Service 76A will operate the current 310 route between Newcastle and Battle Hill and then, service 76A will also serve Hadrian Park. Service 76A will operate every 20 minutes. Evening buses on both services will operate every 60 minutes and service 76 will also serve Hadrian Park. During Sunday daytime, service 76 will operate every 30 minutes between North Shields and Newcastle and buses will also serve Hadrian Park.

why renumber x40 58 and current 58 58a just renumber x40 58a