Are most services at present not full of pensioners

I agree with that statement to the hilt.

(02 Aug 2013, 10:41 am)ifm001 wrote Are most services at present not full of pensioners

I agree with that statement to the hilt.

They may be, but they've got enough fare paying passengers to make them justifiable as a commercial service. Without being too critical of any operator and the ways they operate services, I do believe Go North East evaluate how many fare paying passengers are on each service as opposed to an overall profit level made by both fare paying passengers and those that aren't travelling at full rate (child fares, concessionary passes etc). Conversely, I believe that Stagecoach in Sunderland (I'd assume it's universal for all depots within the Stagecoach North East subsidiary) look at overall profit levels made by all passengers.
There are some exceptions when it comes to Go North East though. Look at the 21/24. The 24 relieves the 21 when it comes to passengers, and you'll find that a significant number of passengers on the 24 are passengers who aren't travelling at the full rate. They'd prefer even more passengers who use the 21 to be full fare paying customers, and the 24 hopefully helps out with that on the somewhat prestigious Durham Road corridor. That said, service changes are going to commence from September. Could this suggest that GNE weren't even happy with this 'exception'? The passengers on the current "Coaster" 1 service may make up for the number of those travelling at a cheaper rate on the Gateshead - Wrekenton (24)/Kibblesworth (24A) section.

I'd love to give official numbers rather than observations made, but obviously as customers, we don't get to see them! :p

Thanks to Daniel for the defence.

In monetary and service terms, I do think an hourly service is enough. I've lived in area for a long time (Beamish) that has an equally poor, if not worse, service than Kibblesworth but there's a reason for that. Beamish has a tiny population. I'm moving shortly to Low Fell which has 7 times the population of Kibblesworth and 9 times that of Beamish so it has a much better service.

Kibblesworth has a population of around 1110 (last Census)

It has a better service than Ouston which has a larger population than Kibblesworth and is frankly lucky to be near large areas such as Low Fell, Birtley and the Team Valley to even get an hourly service. There are villages and towns of larger sizes which have worse services by far.

I do use the 28A regularly at peak and off and the loadings are dismal in Kibblesworth, 2-3 people at most, less when the kids are off

It may be frustrating for you to have a perceived poor service, but you don't for your population. The last bus to Kibblesworth tonight from Newcastle is 22.48. The first on a morning is 6.39 (with a connection in Low Fell to the 21) you then have a half hourly bus to Gateshead. If Kibblesworth had been in Durham you'd be walking everywhere

(01 Aug 2013, 9:04 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Picking up from your ideas Adam..
X2 I'm not sure if it could be justified another Sun-New express.
Like the ideas of the X4 & X8.
The X5 & X11 merge. To create an X5 Newcastle-Gateshead-Heworth-Washington-Shiney Row-Doxford International-Ryhope-Seaham-Peterlee-Hartlepool

Yeah I wasn't sure on the X4 either, As for the X2 it would justified if the X1 was reduced to Every 15 Minutes, even if kept at Every 10 Minutes with the X2 at Every 30 Minutes providing an a Bus Every 5/6 Minutes, possibly less between Washington Galleries and Newcastle Eldon Square, I still think it could work.

As for the X8 that would be a Faster Limited Stopping Service working alongside the 8/78, so it would skip Sunderland Royal Hospital - Chester Road - Shiney Row - Durham Cricket Ground - Glebe - Biddick - Fatfield - Harraton - Rickleton - Picktree Village, it would skip all those areas to provide a fast express link between Sunderland and Stanley/Consett. It takes what like 2 Hours maybe longer on the 78 Sunderland to Consett, the X8 would take a just over an Hour.

Not knocking the idea about the faster service to Stanley/Consett - but is there enough demand to introduce a service, that doesn't pick up at many other points to increase revenue and would be relying heavily on point to point passengers?

Also, can anyone explain why ALL Kibblesworth services use the turning circle?
As far as I'm aware, the road beyond Kibblesworth which comes out just near the Tanfield Railway/Potters Wheel would be suitable for a bus.
Is it worth considering an extension from Kibblesworth to either Stanley or via Sunniside to Whickham/Metrocentre?

Stop the 28a from calling into the village.

Service a) Newcastle, Gateshead, Low Fell, Harlow Green, Allerdene, Sainsburys, Lamesely, Kibblesworth, Shield Row, Stanley

OR

Service b) Newcastle, Gateshead, Bensham, Team Valley North End, Team Valley South End, Lamesley, Kibblesworth, Shield Row, Stanley

AND

Service c) Galleries, Lambton, Ayton, Birtley, Kibblesworth, Sunniside, Whickham, Metrocentre

Then the residents of Kibblesworth aren't relying on a service which terminates in the village.
Loadings may be light from Kibblesworth, too light to justify a half hourly service, but with two of the services above, GNE are able to offer alternatives for people living beyond the village as well as opening up additional destinations for residents - rather than having to go to Gateshead to change, wherever they're heading.

There used to be an X8 back in 2008 I think it was but was withdrawn, basically it was the current 8 route but instead of serving Glebe - Fatfield - Harraton and Rickleton, it went through Lambton Instead.

Which even in that form was faster then current form by around 10 Minutes maybe 15 Max.

The old X8 took between 50 and 60 to go from Stanley to Sunderland
The current 8 takes 67 Minutes to go from Stanley to Sunderland
The current 78 takes 107 Minutes to go from Consett to Sunderland

So either way my X8 idea is going to be quicker than both combined, even if it was just once an Hour, plus it opens a new link between Waterview Park/Washington and Consett.

(02 Aug 2013, 5:44 pm)Andreos1 wrote Also, can anyone explain why ALL Kibblesworth services use the turning circle?
As far as I'm aware, the road beyond Kibblesworth which comes out just near the Tanfield Railway/Potters Wheel would be suitable for a bus.
Is it worth considering an extension from Kibblesworth to either Stanley or via Sunniside to Whickham/Metrocentre?

The road beyond Kibblesworth climbs up a bank and joins a road running between High Urpeth and Sunniside. I use that road quite often as a shortcut while at work. Between the Kibblesworth junction and Sunniside, I can't see any reason as to why (apart from being scarcely populated) buses would be unable to use that road. There are a few bends here and there (and a few potholes) but the road bi-directional and certainly wide enough to accommodate large vehicles. In contrast, Folly Lane in Greenside is an unmarked single lane that most would consider unsuitable for large vehicles, but, as we all know, buses use that.

It might be useful to have a bus running towards Sunniside and towards the Metrocentre using that road. However, I would be less inclined to route a bus to Stanley because it has to double back on itself at Sunniside before heading towards its destination. There would be no opportunity to pick-up passengers between Kibblesworth and Kip Hill with the exception of Tanfield Railway, or at a push, Birkhead Secret Gardens.

How about instead of a New Service, Why not have the X30/X31 or X70/X71 or a mix of the X30/X70 running via Kibblesworth for example.

(02 Aug 2013, 6:41 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote How about instead of a New Service, Why not have the X30/X31 or X70/X71 or a mix of the X30/X70 running via Kibblesworth for example.

It wouldn't work. Being conservative, I would estimate the travelling time to be anywhere from 10-15 minutes between Sunniside and Kibblesworth. Then you have add on the time it takes to travel between Kibblesworth and Newcastle. I doubt existing passengers from either Consett, Stanley or Lanchester would be thrilled about an increased journey time.

As I said, maybe a Kibblesworth - Sunniside - Whickham - Metrocentre service would work (perhaps, as an extension of the 643), but I wouldn't divert any existing service from Sunniside through Kibblesworth.

@AdamMalarkey I thought about that, but by diverting those services, passengers in Sunniside will loose out.

@AdamY There aren't many stopping places along there for the X30/X31 either .

The idea came about because as far as buses go, Kibblesworth is a dead end, in both senses of the word.
There seems no logic for a resident, to go 8/9 miles out of their way, wherever they're going - when the potential destination is in the total opposite direction and only a couple of miles away. Hence bus patronage will be low...

Rather than essentially offer residents the same service (all be it with a different number and an alternative colour of the rainbow), surely it makes sense to look at an alternative solution.
1100 residents (I think that's what GTomlinson) quoted are 1100 potential passengers. 1100 residents don't all want to go to Gateshead (or the other option GNE seem to love forcing on them - Chester).
Where do those 1100 go to school, work or to socialise? I can guarantee they won't all be getting educated at Joseph Swan, work in Tesco nor all 1100 of them pop to the Duke of Gloucester for a pint!

(02 Aug 2013, 6:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote @AdamY There aren't many stopping places along there for the X30/X31 either .

I know. But the X30/X31 serves a purpose in giving passengers, in theory, a direct link between Newcastle, Gateshead and Stanley via the shortest route possible. I just think that any deviation via Kibblesworth would deter from the purpose of that particular service and that any additional service to Stanley (via Kibblesworth) would see little patronage beyond Kibblesworth therefore it might as well just terminate there.

Just looked on Google maps: the estimated time between the Potters Wheel and Kibblesworth is 7 minutes.

Do you not think it would open up alternatives for residents in both areas and other places?

Someone living in Low Fell, but needing/wanting to go to Derwentside?

Someone living in Kibby, wanting to get to Durham?

Someone in Stanley working at the bottom end of Team Valley?

Totally agree with what you say about the X30/X31 in theory using the shortest route between Stanley and Gateshead/Newcastle, but how many need to change at Gateshead/Team Valley or how many use their cars because those two buses don't meet their needs?
How many get that fed up being stuck in traffic at the Marquis of Granby, they have given up on the bus (and use the lanes around Kibby as a shortcut in their car)?

I can't see patronage increasing massively from Kibblesworth, but through passengers and an increase could make it viable.

If the Potters Wheel to Kibblesworth is 7 mins, then there would be an addition of approx 25 mins to get into Gateshead. What is it from the Potters Wheel to Stanley? 10 mins -15 mins tops? That cant be much different than the X30/X31 from Stanley to Gateshead...

(02 Aug 2013, 6:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote Rather than essentially offer residents the same service (all be it with a different number and an alternative colour of the rainbow), surely it makes sense to look at an alternative solution.
1100 residents (I think that's what GTomlinson) quoted are 1100 potential passengers. 1100 residents don't all want to go to Gateshead (or the other option GNE seem to love forcing on them - Chester).
Where do those 1100 go to school, work or to socialise? I can guarantee they won't all be getting educated at Joseph Swan, work in Tesco nor all 1100 of them pop to the Duke of Gloucester for a pint!

The school catchment is Lord Lawson not Joseph Swan, they operate scholars services from Kibblesworth. (not sure on the Catholic option) The primary school is in the village.

1100 residents might not want to go to Gateshead or Newcastle but logically, they are the 2 large population centres where the vast majority of employment and shopping/leisure happens. If you live fairly rural as I have done all my life, you'll find the majority will own a car, out of habit, those who move to the area will own cars because they'll be aware of the area. Those reliant on public transport will make employment choices based on transport options the same way a car user would (current JobCentre requirements are 90 minutes travelling time)

I think we have to be realistic, as much as this thread is a bit of fun and fantasy. You can't offer everything to everyone, perhaps in an ideal world you'd have countless buses to numerous destinations but reality is a different thing. At the end of the day Kibblesworth is a village with a small population in rural Gateshead that is served to the 4 nearest major population centres of Low Fell, Gateshead, Birtley and Newcastle.

Personally, I think all destination options should be opened up in whichever area one resides. Living in Rowlands Gill, I once had a direct link to Westerhope and Stanley and would love to have those travelling options again. I would also love to have a bus that goes to Whickham, Durham, Washington or Whitley Bay without having the need to change. So I'm all for opening up new possibilities for people living in Kibblesworth to travel to destinations other than Chester or Newcastle. So I'm in total agreement with you there, always have been.

But, unfortunately, a more rational side of my personality starts to kick in and I start to analyse this argument from a business perspective. On one hand, I would love to present people with a wider range of travelling options, but on the other hand, would people take advantage of them? In the case of Kibblesworth, I fear that residents have been conditioned to accept that their village has largely been a terminus for bus routes operating primarily to/from Newcastle and Gateshead. Would people accept Stanley or Consett as an alternative travelling option? Probably not. However, I would like to improve Kibblesworth bus service. But I would personally opt for an increase in frequency to the destinations it current has rather starting untested services.

[quote='Andreos1' pid='8799' dateline='1375469801']
@AdamMalarkey I thought about that, but by diverting those services, passengers in Sunniside will loose out.

Thats why I suggested a Mixture of the X30/X70 running through Kibblesworth, then the X31/X71 running the normal route via Sunniside

@GTomlinson - I was being a tad facetious with the Joseph Swan thing. Plenty buses going to a school, which isn't one kids from Kibblesworth will primarily attend - but apart from a scholars service, nowt to Lord Lawson (that is probably due to the siting of the school when it replaced Birtley East as the Secondary School in the town, rather than public transport).
Totally disagree with the comments on employment though - where is the biggest shopping centre in Europe, offering a massive source of employment? How long does it take for a part-time member of staff (who probably wont have a car) to get there from Kibblesworth?

@AdamY. We would all want a service from our front door, to wherever we wanted to go. We all know it's never going to happen. But when the same public transport option has existed for 30+ years and is seeing a slow decline from two deckers an hour, to one single decker and a minibus an hour...
I'm not saying these ideas are perfect (far from it), but when the roads are suitable, journey times aren't too different from what exists currently and the services operating from the village are being reduced to an extent that the taxpayer has to subsidise an hourly minibus, then maybe it is time for an operator to offer an alternative?

Whey, it makes a change from Fencehouses, you have to give me that :p

(02 Aug 2013, 8:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote @GTomlinson - I was being a tad facetious with the Joseph Swan thing. Plenty buses going to a school, which isn't one kids from Kibblesworth will primarily attend - but apart from a scholars service, nowt to Lord Lawson (that is probably due to the siting of the school when it replaced Birtley East as the Secondary School in the town, rather than public transport).

The 28A goes close enough. It's only a 10 minute walk from the stop at Dunelm Walk in Birtley.

(02 Aug 2013, 8:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote Totally disagree with the comments on employment though - where is the biggest shopping centre in Europe, offering a massive source of employment? How long does it take for a part-time member of staff (who probably wont have a car) to get there from Kibblesworth?

Not that long, 24, 28 or 29 to Gateshead or Bensham then hop on an X66, the same as most of Gateshead has to do. Or get the 28A to Birtley and hop on the X24 or X22 from Birtley for an even quicker journey.

Kibblesworth had a link to the Metrocentre, it was withdrawn due to poor usage, other areas on the route had their link restored, Kibblesworth can't support it

Considering the job centre dictates 90 minutes each way is an acceptable public transport journey length for a job seeker, I think the short journey to Gateshead is acceptable.

The Metrocentre is a big employer but it pales into emptiness when compared to even the Team Valley, Gateshead or Newcastle as areas themselves

(02 Aug 2013, 4:38 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:04 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Picking up from your ideas Adam..
X2 I'm not sure if it could be justified another Sun-New express.
Like the ideas of the X4 & X8.
The X5 & X11 merge. To create an X5 Newcastle-Gateshead-Heworth-Washington-Shiney Row-Doxford International-Ryhope-Seaham-Peterlee-Hartlepool

Yeah I wasn't sure on the X4 either, As for the X2 it would justified if the X1 was reduced to Every 15 Minutes, even if kept at Every 10 Minutes with the X2 at Every 30 Minutes providing an a Bus Every 5/6 Minutes, possibly less between Washington Galleries and Newcastle Eldon Square, I still think it could work.

The X1 doesn't go to Sunderland.
There are currently two express buses per hour between Newcastle and Sunderland (one X3 and one X36).
The reason the X2 was withdrawn is because GNE are obsessed with 10 minute turn up and go frequency on a small number of routes, at the expense of choice. Meaning customers who don't live on the main route have to wait for 2 buses, instead of one, so the superb 10 minute frequency on the main link means an overall longer journey for many. Hopefully Nexus will reverse this "progress" if the QCS goes ahead.

(02 Aug 2013, 8:28 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote

(02 Aug 2013, 4:38 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:04 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Picking up from your ideas Adam..
X2 I'm not sure if it could be justified another Sun-New express.
Like the ideas of the X4 & X8.
The X5 & X11 merge. To create an X5 Newcastle-Gateshead-Heworth-Washington-Shiney Row-Doxford International-Ryhope-Seaham-Peterlee-Hartlepool

Yeah I wasn't sure on the X4 either, As for the X2 it would justified if the X1 was reduced to Every 15 Minutes, even if kept at Every 10 Minutes with the X2 at Every 30 Minutes providing an a Bus Every 5/6 Minutes, possibly less between Washington Galleries and Newcastle Eldon Square, I still think it could work.

The X1 doesn't go to Sunderland.
There are currently two express buses per hour between Newcastle and Sunderland (one X3 and one X36).
The reason the X2 was withdrawn is because GNE are obsessed with 10 minute turn up and go frequency on a small number of routes, at the expense of choice. Meaning customers who don't live on the main route have to wait for 2 buses, instead of one, so the superb 10 minute frequency on the main link means an overall longer journey for many. Hopefully Nexus will reverse this "progress" if the QCS goes ahead.

I meant X1 Current Route Newcastle - Easington Lane - Every 15 Minutes then the X2 Sunderland - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes or Alternatively keep the X1 as it is at Every 10 Minutes and Have the X2 Every 30 Minutes to then provide a Every 5/6 Minute Service Between Washington and Newcastle.

Apologies I should of been a bit more clearer.

34/34A - Durham - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Blackhouse - Grange Villa - West Pelton - Beamish Museum – Ouston – Urpeth Grange – Chester le Street - Waldridge Park = Arnison Centre – Framwellgate Moor – Durham

Every 30 Minutes Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop

Little change for the 39..Current route but..add St Cuthbert's RC Primary School turning circle on.

People not familiar with the place..

Comes from Pennywell, it heads down Pennywell road untill chester road (Grindon Mill) then heads over and down the the turning circle at St Cuthbert's RC Primary School on Grindon Lane, comes back up and Joins it route back at Nookside..


Won't let me put on attachment..

75 - Hexham - Oakwood - Great Whittington - Matfen - Stamfordham - Newcastle International Airport - Darras Hall - Ponteland - Cowgate - Newcastle

Every 30 Minutes Mon-Sat - Hourly on Sundays or Alternatively have the New X84/X85 run via Newcastle International Airport

Changes for the 9...

North Shields - Jarrow - South Shields - Fulwell - Sunderland - stick it to every 30 mins.

Air Force One (because you know GNE would)
Durham - Chester Le Street- A1M - Newcastle Airport

Changes for services 1, 2, 24, 41, 58, 309, 310

- Service 24 will operate the same route as now but will continue to Newcastle

- Service 41 will be withdrawn and replaced by services 80 and 305

- Service 58 will now operate between Newcastle Eldon Square and Heworth. Journeys will continue beyond Newcastle as Service X58 alternatively.

- SERVICE X58 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: NEWCASTLE ELDON SQUARE - ST MARY'S PLACE THEN LIMITED STOP TO BILLY MILL CALLING AT WILLINGTON SQUARE AND NORHAM ROAD. FROM BILLY MILL, BUSES WILL USE THE CURRENT 308 ROUTE BETWEEN LYNN ROAD AND SOUTH BEACH THEN THE 309 ROUTE BETWEEN SOUTH BEACH AND BLYTH BUS STATION.

- SERVICE 80 WILL OPERATE AS NOW ALSO SERVING HADRIAN PARK BUT IN THE EVENINGS, WILL OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES BETWEEN WALLSEND AND HADRIAN PARK VIA THE CURRENT 41 ROUTE

- SERVICE 300 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: WHITLEY BAY - BROADWAY - MARDEN HARTINGTON ROAD - PRESTON GRANGE MORRISONS - PRESTON GRANGE - RAKE LANE HOSPITAL - WESTMINSTER AVENUE - MIDDLE ENGINE LANE THEN THE CURRENT 310 ROUTE TO NEWCASTLE

- SERVICE 305 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES / EVENINGS EVERY 60 MINUTES BETWEEN HADRIAN PARK AND NEWCASTLE) SERVING: THE CURRENT 41 ROUTE TO HADRIAN PARK THEN THE 310 ROUTE TO NEWCASTLE. SUNDAY DAYTIME JOURNEYS BETWEEN HADRIAN PARK AND NEWCASTLE WILL BE SERVED BY SERVICE 310. SERVICE 310 WILL ALSO SERVE HADRIAN PARK DURING THE EVENINGS MAINTAINING A 30 MINUTE FREQUENCY ALL DAY EVERYDAY

- SERVICE 309 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 10 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT 309 ROUTE BETWEEN BLYTH AND NEWCASTLE

- SERVICE 310 (MONDAY - SUNDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES / EVENINGS EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT 310 ROUTE BETWEEN NORTH SHIELDS AND NEWCASTLE. BUSES WILL ALSO SERVE HADRIAN PARK ON EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS.

SERVICE 1 (MONDAY - SUNDAY ALL DAY EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT 1 ROUTE BETWEEN WHITLEY BAY AND GATESHEAD

SERVICE 2 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT 1 ROUTE BETWEEN NORTH SHIELDS AND GATESHEAD

SERVICE 325 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE ORIGINAL 325 ROUTE

SERVICE 326 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE ORIGINAL 326 ROUTE

Current Form

51/52 - Gateshead - Carr Hill - Felling Square - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Springwell Estate - Wrekenton - Easedale Gardens - Dryden Road - Gateshead

53 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Coatsworth Road - Saltwell Park - Bensham Road - Newcastle
54 - Newcastle - Bensham Road - Saltwell Park - Coatsworth Road - Gateshead - Newcastle

New Form

Newcastle - Bensham Road - Saltwell Park - Coatsworth Road - Gateshead - Carr Hill - Felling Square - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Springwell Estate - Wrekenton - Easedale Gardens - Dryden Road - Gateshead - Coatsworth Road - Saltwell Park - Bensham Road - Newcastle
----------------------------------------------------------------------
71 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Team Valley - Team Valley Retail Park - Team Valley Sainsbury's - Angel of the North - Birtley - Chester le Street - Great Lumley - Fence Houses - Houghton-le-Spring - Hetton-le-Hole - Murton - Dalton Park - Seaham

Apart from extending the Orbit to Newcastle, how about the following:

Adapt the 1: .Whitley Bay - Newcastle - Gateshead - Old Durham Rd - Valley Drive - Dryden Road - Kells Lane - Durham Road - Chowdene Bank - Allerdene - Harlow Green - Wrekenton

or a new service: Newcastle - Gateshead - Dryden Road - Beaconsfield Road - Belle Vue Bank - Saltwell Road - Coatsworth Road - Gateshead - Newcastle

Whether either of those combinations would work, I'm not sure - but the increasing congestion through Low Fell and the continued insistence to ignore the other roads in the area, seems strange.

With regards to the earlier post of mine, ignore it. Only a few of the routes would need changing I think.

SERVICE 58 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 10 MINUTES / EVENINGS EVERY 20 MINUTES AND SUNDAY DAYTIME EVERY 15 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT 58 ROUTE BETWEEN HEWORTH METRO AND NEWCASTLE. BUSES IN NEWCASTLE WILL TERMINATE AT ELDON SQUARE BUS STATION. BUSES EVERY HALF HOUR MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME WILL CONTINUE AS SERVICE X58 TO BLYTH. BUSES EVERY HOUR DURING EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS WILL CONTINUE AS SERVICE X58 TO BLYTH. PEAK TIME COBALT EXPRESS BUSES WILL BE RE-NUMBERED X39 AND WILL CONTINUE ON FROM SERVICE 58 HALF HOURLY DURING THE PEAK TIMES TO COBALT.

SERVICE X58 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: NEWCASTLE ELDON SQUARE - ST MARY'S PLACE THEN LIMITED STOP TO BILLY MILL VIA WILLINGTON SQUARE AND FORMICA. BUSES WILL THEN CONTINUE TO SOUTH BEACH VIA THE ARRIVA 308 ROUTE THEN FROM THERE TO BLYTH VIA THE CURRENT 309 ROUTE.

SERVICE X39 (MONDAY - FRIDAY PEAK TIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: NEWCASTLE ELDON SQUARE - ST MARY'S PLACE THEN LIMITED STOP TO WILLINGTON SQUARE - MIDDLE ENGINE LANE - COBALT ATMEL - COBALT P&G

SERVICE 300 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 20 MINUTES / EVENINGS EVERY 60 MINUTES / SUNDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES TO HADRIAN PARK THEN EVERY 60 MINUTES TO WHITLEY BAY) SERVING: WHITLEY BAY - BROADWAY - HARTINGTON ROAD - PRESTON GRANGE MORRISONS - PRESTON GRANGE - BARNSTAPLE ROAD - JACKSON'S FARM - WESTMINSTER AVENUE - MIDDLE ENGINE LANE - HADRIAN PARK THEN THE CURRENT 310 ROUTE TO NEWCASTLE.

SERVICE 309 ROUTE WILL REMAIN THE SAME. BUSES HOWEVER WILL OPERATE EVERY 10 MINUTES MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME. EVENING AND SUNDAY BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES.

SERVICE 310 ROUTE WILL REMAIN THE SAME. HOWEVER, ALL EVENING JOURNEYS WILL SERVE HADRIAN PARK. BUSES WILL NOW RUN EVERY 20 MINUTES MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME. EVENING BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 60 MINUTES AND SUNDAY DAYTIME BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES.

This provides slightly more direct links to Gateshead Leisure Centre and Libraries, a number of schools including the Jewish school as well as the healthcare site at Dryden Road from the South of Gateshead and a direct service to Trinity Square (as opposed to using the well served Interchange)

22

Chester Le Street - Barley Mow - Birtley - Harlow Green Bridge - Stone Trough - Low Fell Lyndhurst - Kells Lane - Joicey Road - Dryden Road - Shipcote - Prince Consort Road - Arthur Street - High Street - Trinity Square and Vue Cinema - Newcastle John Dobson - Newcastle Pilgrim Street (alternative of Swan House - Tyne Bridge or Grainger St then High Level OR service terminates in Gateshead)