(22 Aug 2014, 12:01 pm)mb134 wrote Sat behind 7620 (Not In Service) on the A1 going south, this had been on since at least the Seaton Burn roundabout junction, thought this was allocated to Durham, any idea where it's been?
Edit: A Pulsar, can't see which one, is in front of it also

The Pulsar will have been 1468 as both this and 7620 were up at Blyth being tested yesterday.

Arriva geminis have now gained Max livery at least 2 have been done got photos

(23 Aug 2014, 12:30 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Arriva geminis have now gained Max livery at least 2 have been done got photos

Was reported last week along with photos...

(23 Aug 2014, 12:52 pm)Robert wrote Was reported last week along with photos...

Should be all done more or less as I think the launch is next week... Will check when I get home later !

(23 Aug 2014, 1:31 pm)tyresmoke wrote Should be all done more or less as I think the launch is next week... Will check when I get home later !

They have started branding the E400s in Yorkshire for service 268(?).

For the X21 and X22, they should bring back something similar to the old X31 / X32 / X33 format. I'll post it in the service suggestions area later.

(23 Aug 2014, 2:36 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote For the X21 and X22, they should bring back something similar to the old X31 / X32 / X33 format. I'll post it in the service suggestions area later.

No, they shouldn't - there's 2 simplified routes running every 20 minutes each, instead of 3 complicated ones running every god knows what.

(23 Aug 2014, 1:31 pm)tyresmoke wrote Should be all done more or less as I think the launch is next week... Will check when I get home later !

And what's more - every single MAX Gemini is on X10/X11 today.

(23 Aug 2014, 4:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And what's more - every single MAX Gemini is on X10/X11 today.

Am I dreaming here..? Have I just read that Blyth has actually managed to allocate branded vehicles to the correct services today?

We best put this in our calendars, everyone...

(23 Aug 2014, 5:19 pm)Dan wrote Am I dreaming here..? Have I just read that Blyth has actually managed to allocate branded vehicles to the correct services today?

We best put this in our calendars, everyone...

I only said they got the MAX deckers on the right routes - they were joined by a Quorum liveried sister (given they are 4 deckers missing).

(23 Aug 2014, 5:37 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I only said they got the MAX deckers on the right routes - they were joined by a Quorum liveried sister (given they are 4 deckers missing).

I saw a Pulsar on the 308 this morning, along with one on the X10/X11.

(23 Aug 2014, 5:45 pm)Tom wrote I saw a Pulsar on the 308 this morning, along with one on the X10/X11.

Was a Pulsar on 308 but didn't see any X10/X11 - 7475 7601 7601 7609 were the non-MAX cover vehicles on there this afternoon.

(23 Aug 2014, 5:49 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Was a Pulsar on 308 but didn't see any X10/X11 - 7475 7601 7601 7609 were the non-MAX cover vehicles on there this afternoon.

Might have been changed over as it was quite early.

(23 Aug 2014, 2:39 pm)Kuyoyo wrote No, they shouldn't - there's 2 simplified routes running every 20 minutes each, instead of 3 complicated ones running every god knows what.

Ok then, here's my suggestion. Please note that this is just a suggestion timetable created for NEB and not an official publication by Arriva North East!

Anyway, here's the main points:
- Faster journeys from Newbiggin to Newcastle.

- Main 15 minute combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle with reasonable journey times with another 30 minute standalone service.

- More buses for North Seaton with evening and Sunday journeys also included avoiding a change in Ashington and providing an alternative to the hourly X20.

- The two main services would have a PVR of 11 with 7522-7528 and 7506 to 7509 under Sapphire. For the standalone service, 7501 to 7505 could operate under a brand called MAX+ which is basically Sapphire but a different name.

- Minimal idle times during nights and Sundays with one main service and the standalone service interworking. A relatively combined frequency would still remain during nights and Sundays from Ashington Bus Stn, Bedlington from either Red Lion or Glebe Bank and between Hartford Bank and Newcastle.

And just on another note, ignore the 2305 journey from Newcastle on a Sunday Night as that would terminate in Ashington and not Newbiggin.

[attachment=5849

]

(23 Aug 2014, 9:25 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Ok then, here's my suggestion. Please note that this is just a suggestion timetable created for NEB and not an official publication by Arriva North East!

Anyway, here's the main points:
- Faster journeys from Newbiggin to Newcastle.

- Main 15 minute combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle with reasonable journey times with another 30 minute standalone service.

- More buses for North Seaton with evening and Sunday journeys also included avoiding a change in Ashington and providing an alternative to the hourly X20.

- The two main services would have a PVR of 11 with 7522-7528 and 7506 to 7509 under Sapphire. For the standalone service, 7501 to 7505 could operate under a brand called MAX+ which is basically Sapphire but a different name.

- Minimal idle times during nights and Sundays with one main service and the standalone service interworking. A relatively combined frequency would still remain during nights and Sundays from Ashington Bus Stn, Bedlington from either Red Lion or Glebe Bank and between Hartford Bank and Newcastle.

And just on another note, ignore the 2305 journey from Newcastle on a Sunday Night as that would terminate in Ashington and not Newbiggin.

[attachment=5849

]

I agree that there should be more services through North Seaton, it seems gradually they've had everything taken away, I'm sure at one point they had the 35, X31 and X30 going through there, now they have a pretty unreliable 35, X20 that on the morning I've heard is packed by the time it gets there and a 57 which is only hourly.

In addition to this, if you live in North Seaton and want to get to, for example, Bedlington Station you'll have to change at Ashington which is inconvenient especially if the first bus is late and you miss your connection.

(24 Aug 2014, 9:29 am)mb134 wrote I agree that there should be more services through North Seaton, it seems gradually they've had everything taken away, I'm sure at one point they had the 35, X31 and X30 going through there, now they have a pretty unreliable 35, X20 that on the morning I've heard is packed by the time it gets there and a 57 which is only hourly.

In addition to this, if you live in North Seaton and want to get to, for example, Bedlington Station you'll have to change at Ashington which is inconvenient especially if the first bus is late and you miss your connection.

Absolutely and I don't live in Newbigggin but why should passengers further away suffer from a detour via Ridge Farm and Nedderton? They were angry about it at the time and rightly so all just for the sake of a 10 minute combined frequency that goes off at Bedlington with 15 minute gaps. The old format was far better for passengers and far quicker too.

(24 Aug 2014, 9:53 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Absolutely and I don't live in Newbigggin but why should passengers further away suffer from a detour via Ridge Farm and Nedderton? They were angry about it at the time and rightly so all just for the sake of a 10 minute combined frequency that goes off at Bedlington with 15 minute gaps. The old format was far better for passengers and far quicker too.

I can see why the Nedderton bit is in place: school kids, from the estate at the roundabout on the road into Bedlington from Nedderton, I've seen kids get on here before and then off at Bedlington Station where I believe the high school is, I've also seen more do this on the return journey.

(24 Aug 2014, 10:01 am)mb134 wrote I can see why the Nedderton bit is in place: school kids, from the estate at the roundabout on the road into Bedlington from Nedderton, I've seen kids get on here before and then off at Bedlington Station where I believe the high school is, I've also seen more do this on the return journey.

The Nedderton bit is not only there because of the school, it's there to form a combined frequency of every 10 minutes from Ashington and between Hartford Bank and Newcastle. Before 2010, it was like this between Ashington and Newcastle:

X31 / X32 every 15 mins Mon to Sat / eve and Sun every 60 mins (X31) serving: The current X21 route to the Red Lion then the current X22 route from there to Newcastle. Evening X31's also operated via Glebe Bank past the Police Station to connect with the X33.

X33 excluding Cresswell every 30 mins Mon to Sat and eve and Sun every 60 minutes but only operating to Glebe Bank during evenings and Sundays. Operated between Ashington and Glebe Bank via the current X22 route then up to the roundabout then the current X21 route from there to Newcastle.

(24 Aug 2014, 10:45 am)DaveyBowyer wrote The Nedderton bit is not only there because of the school, it's there to form a combined frequency of every 10 minutes from Ashington and between Hartford Bank and Newcastle. Before 2010, it was like this between Ashington and Newcastle:

X31 / X32 every 15 mins Mon to Sat / eve and Sun every 60 mins (X31) serving: The current X21 route to the Red Lion then the current X22 route from there to Newcastle. Evening X31's also operated via Glebe Bank past the Police Station to connect with the X33.

X33 excluding Cresswell every 30 mins Mon to Sat and eve and Sun every 60 minutes but only operating to Glebe Bank during evenings and Sundays. Operated between Ashington and Glebe Bank via the current X22 route then up to the roundabout then the current X21 route from there to Newcastle.

Except the present X21/X22 is far better - yes they may be 15/5 minutes gap between them at Bedlington Red Lion and Stakeford, at each end of the route they are combined every 10 minutes compared to the old X31/X32/X33 where they were 7/7/15 minutes gaps. Add to the expensive re-branding of the E400s and you'll see why they won't take a step back into the past.

(24 Aug 2014, 11:34 am)Kuyoyo wrote Except the present X21/X22 is far better - yes they may be 15/5 minutes gap between them at Bedlington Red Lion and Stakeford, at each end of the route they are combined every 10 minutes compared to the old X31/X32/X33 where they were 7/7/15 minutes gaps. Add to the expensive re-branding of the E400s and you'll see why they won't take a step back into the past.

The gaps weren't that bad with a core 15 minute service between Newcastle and Ashington via the current X22 route to Bedlington then current X21 route to Ashington, the X33 operating in other areas as a standalone service and the X30 providing fast amd frequent links.

Just me that thinks that it would better if the X24 started an hour later and finish an hour earlier on Sundays, as I can't imagine many people board the 0910 journey from Durham which arrives an hour before the shops open where if it left at 1010 it would arrive as the shops open at 11am and the last journey would leave 5 minutes before the shops shut although the cinema and restaurants are open later.

Also think the X24 would do better if it stopped at all stops between Durham and Birtley.

Arriva were providing a 900 Metro replacement service between North Shields and Shiremoor today. I noticed 7471, 7473, 7445, 7446, 7612 & 7613.

I wonder how long Ashingtons three new Streetlites will stay there before being moved along, just like the last three sets of single deckers new there have been (1923/4 1404-7 and 1480-83).
Is there any reason why they keep getting them taken away?

Are blyth due some 05 darts to replace the dda buses

(24 Aug 2014, 5:17 pm)mb134 wrote I wonder how long Ashingtons three new Streetlites will stay there before being moved along, just like the last three sets of single deckers new there have been (1923/4 1404-7 and 1480-83).
Is there any reason why they keep getting them taken away?

I remember back in 2011 when 7616 - 7627 was delivered that 4 out of the 12 were supposed to be going to Ashington (presumably for the X18 known as the 518 back then).

(24 Aug 2014, 5:45 pm)Philly rf wrote Are blyth due some 05 darts to replace the dda buses

Yes they are down to receive 5 05 plate MPD's once Durham's Streetlites arrive towards the end of next month.

(24 Aug 2014, 5:17 pm)mb134 wrote I wonder how long Ashingtons three new Streetlites will stay there before being moved along, just like the last three sets of single deckers new there have been (1923/4 1404-7 and 1480-83).
Is there any reason why they keep getting them taken away?

Its not just Ashington. Look at Durham with the Omnicities and late MPDs, Darlington Solos to Northumberland, Stockton X6 Omnicities....

(23 Aug 2014, 11:29 am)Jimmi wrote The 7 became single decker operated when it ran every 15 minutes as the 713/723 although double deckers still appeared until August 2011 when double deckers were banned from the 7/7A when the 7A was extended to Brasside.

The X1 is very busy especially as the 1 no longer runs to Crook anymore.

You get timetables from the Dolphin Centre in Darlington and I think the library has some too.

Can't remember how long the 213 used to take but I remember it used to go via Woodham.

Bishop Auckland Tourist Information in the Market Place.

(24 Aug 2014, 6:14 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Its not just Ashington. Look at Durham with the Omnicities and late MPDs, Darlington Solos to Northumberland, Stockton X6 Omnicities....

Is there any point giving the buses to these depots in the first place if they're going to be moved on quickly?

1571-3 have been spotted at Heysham Docks today(1571/2 in the photo)

Information and photo @ Paul Jenkinson