Service 1A Whitley Bay, Marsden, Tynemouth, North Shields, Wallsend, Byker, Newcastle, Gateshead, Team Valley, Dunston, MetroCentre

Connections with service 96

Not a suggestion as such but maybe one of you service creators could come up with something but I'm surprised GNE have never tried anything from the Coast Road onto Chillingham Road and then Shields Road into the City Centre. Heaton has a large student community and Byker is a popular shopping area with Morrisons and Asda.

Not a suggestion as such but maybe one of you service creators could come up with something but I'm surprised GNE have never tried anything from the Coast Road onto Chillingham Road and then Shields Road into the City Centre. Heaton has a large student community and Byker is a popular shopping area with Morrisons and Asda.

It would also open up places like Cobalt for employment and Silverlink for shopping and entertainment although, I'm guessing, some will argue that bus stops on the Coast Road are well within walking distance from Chillingham Rd and the multiple streets which intersect it. 

Plus the people of the Chillingham Road area have a Metro station.

Plus the people of the Chillingham Road area have a Metro station.

But the service would be aimed at people travelling into and out of the area from the Coast Road and the area the service would start from so the Chillingham Road Metro Station is of no use to them, anyone traveling from even Chillingham Road to Byker uses the bus at the moment, thats why Stagecoach services 62 and 63 do very well from Chillingham Road to Byker and the City Centre.

Not a suggestion as such but maybe one of you service creators could come up with something but I'm surprised GNE have never tried anything from the Coast Road onto Chillingham Road and then Shields Road into the City Centre. Heaton has a large student community and Byker is a popular shopping area with Morrisons and Asda.

Hows about this.

16 - North Shields - North Tyneside Hospital - Middle Engine Lane - Silverlink - Coast Road - Chillingham Road - Simonside Terrace - Heaton Road - Byker - Newcastle City Centre

Without going into any details, is there any possibility of GNE being able to gather together a selection of vehicles to attempt to compete with ANE in South East Northumberland?

I think if they pretty much copied Arriva's old X31/2/3 routes, as I think Davey has suggested in the past, they'd be onto something:

X31- Newcastle- Bedlington- Bedlington Station- Ashington - North Seaton- Newbiggin Cresswell Arms
X32- Newcastle- Bedlington- Bedlington Station- Ashington- Wansbeck Hospital- Newbiggin Seacrest Road- Newbiggin Cresswell Arms
X33- Newcastle- Nedderton- Bedlington- Guide Post- Ashington (some extended to Cresswell and Ellington)

Without going into any details, is there any possibility of GNE being able to gather together a selection of vehicles to attempt to compete with ANE in South East Northumberland?

I think if they pretty much copied Arriva's old X31/2/3 routes, as I think Davey has suggested in the past, they'd be onto something:

X31- Newcastle- Bedlington- Bedlington Station- Ashington - North Seaton- Newbiggin Cresswell Arms
X32- Newcastle- Bedlington- Bedlington Station- Ashington- Wansbeck Hospital- Newbiggin Seacrest Road- Newbiggin Cresswell Arms
X33- Newcastle- Nedderton- Bedlington- Guide Post- Ashington (some extended to Cresswell and Ellington)

I would certainly use GNE, nice clean and bright buses. 

The X32 would that go via Elephant?

This won't ever happen, but Go north east 96
Wrekenton, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Bensham bank, Lobely Hill, Knightside Gardens, Dunston, Metrocentre

This won't ever happen, but Go north east 96
Wrekenton, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Bensham bank, Lobely Hill, Knightside Gardens, Dunston, Metrocentre

How many buses (on a high frequency) do we have between Wrekenton and Gateshead?

How many buses (on a high frequency) do we have between Wrekenton and Gateshead?

It was to get a bus service from Wrekenton to Metrocentre 

It was to get a bus service from Wrekenton to Metrocentre 

Is a 56 or an X1 to Gateshead, then a quick 10 minute journey on the X66 not enough?

I would certainly use GNE, nice clean and bright buses. 

The X32 would that go via Elephant?

Yeah, from what I remember the X31 and X32 provided a 15 minute frequency, following each other on that route (current X21 route between Ashington and Bedlington Red Lion), with the X33 running every half an hour on the current X22 route to Bedlington, then the X21 route to Newcastle.

They could maybe bring back this branding, might be a bit too simple for GNE though
Arriva North East: 7413 P413CCU Volvo Olympian/NCME by emdjt42, on Flickr

Is a 56 or an X1 to Gateshead, then a quick 10 minute journey on the X66 not enough?

A bit of a more direct service, as some people may not use the X66 because it gets packed.

A bit of a more direct service, as some people may not use the X66 because it gets packed.

So 25-30 minutes is more direct in comparison to 10 minutes on a shuttle service. I'd hate to hear your definition of indirect....

Yeah, from what I remember the X31 and X32 provided a 15 minute frequency, following each other on that route (current X21 route between Ashington and Bedlington Red Lion), with the X33 running every half an hour on the current X22 route to Bedlington, then the X21 route to Newcastle.

They could maybe bring back this branding, might be a bit too simple for GNE though
Arriva North East: 7413 P413CCU Volvo Olympian/NCME by emdjt42, on Flickr

I remember the P-CCU Olympians. 

Maybe bring some simple fares along too. It's ridiculous paying £1.50 just to go to the bus station from the Elephant. 

I remember the P-CCU Olympians. 

Maybe bring some simple fares along too. It's ridiculous paying £1.50 just to go to the bus station from the Elephant. 

Loved the P-CCU Olympians, so sad when they left the fleet, brilliant machines

The fare advertised on the side of 7413 there looks very nice  ( £6 cheaper than the current alternative)

So 25-30 minutes is more direct in comparison to 10 minutes on a shuttle service. I'd hate to hear your definition of indirect....

Services that go from Wrekenton to Gateshead and their journey times:

• 56 takes 14 minutes
  
• X1 takes 10 minutes
  
• 1 takes 24 minutes
  
• X25 takes 11 minutes
  
• 28 takes 13 minutes
  

Can't be bothered to do anymore but as can be seen above, the times between the Interchange and Wrekenton vary. If you add the X66 journey which is 10 minutes the maximum journey time from Wrekenton to Metrocentre is 34 minutes and the minimum journey time is 20 minutes. 
The current 96 takes 28 minutes to get from Metrocentre to Gateshead via its currect route. If it were to be extended to Wrekenton via the QE Hospital, i would maybe add 13 minutes onto that bringing the total route up to 41 minutes - a 21 minute difference between the quickest option listed above. I don't know if the service would be commercially viable but some people may prefer a longer journey time with no connections required as opposed to a shorter journey time with a connection which will probably add a couple of minutes anyway.

Services that go from Wrekenton to Gateshead and their journey times:

• 56 takes 14 minutes
  
• X1 takes 10 minutes
  
• 1 takes 24 minutes
  
• X25 takes 11 minutes
  
• 28 takes 13 minutes
  

Can't be bothered to do anymore but as can be seen above, the times between the Interchange and Wrekenton vary. If you add the X66 journey which is 10 minutes the maximum journey time from Wrekenton to Metrocentre is 34 minutes and the minimum journey time is 20 minutes. 
The current 96 takes 28 minutes to get from Metrocentre to Gateshead via its currect route. If it were to be extended to Wrekenton via the QE Hospital, i would maybe add 13 minutes onto that bringing the total route up to 41 minutes - a 21 minute difference between the quickest option listed above. I don't know if the service would be commercially viable but some people may prefer a longer journey time with no connections required as opposed to a shorter journey time with a connection which will probably add a couple of minutes anyway.

I'm not sure about service 52 but the 51 takes around 35 minutes because it goes through Deckham, Heworth, Leam Lane estate and Springwell estate

I'm not sure about service 52 but the 51 takes around 35 minutes because it goes through Deckham, Heworth, Leam Lane estate and Springwell estate

Between Wrekenton and Gateshead, the 51 goes via Easedale Gardens, Kells Lane, Dryden Road and Shipcote before getting to Gateshead, taking around 20 minutes.

The 52 meanwhile goes round Springwell Estate, Leam Lane, Fewster Square, more of Leam Lane, Heworth, Felling Square, Carr Hill and Deckham before getting to Gateshead, taking about 40 minutes

Between Wrekenton and Gateshead, the 51 goes via Easedale Gardens, Kells Lane, Dryden Road and Shipcote before getting to Gateshead, taking around 20 minutes.

The 52 meanwhile goes round Springwell Estate, Leam Lane, Fewster Square, more of Leam Lane, Heworth, Felling Square, Carr Hill and Deckham before getting to Gateshead, taking about 40 minutes

I made that error once:

I made that error once:

haha you're not the first to make it. It is confusing as both the 51 and 52 are due at the exact same time, stopping on the same side of the road at the same stop, i.e. outside the Co-op.

And a tour of Gateshead as you got on the 54 instead of 53....think you want to give Gateshead a miss Marcus! 

Chester Moor Shuttle, bit of an adventure around Sunderland then over to Washington/Heworth next week!

Been having yet another think this evening on the Washington Local Services, as a few members been having a minor discussion on them. 


82 - Birtley - Portmeads - Portobello - Washington Galleries - Albany - Concord - Donwell - Springwell - Springwell Village - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth

• Will no longer serve the Housing Estates around Washington, This will be covered by the New 83/84/85/86 below.
  
• Provides a Faster more Direct Service between Birtley and Washington Galleries
  
• Quicker Connections to Newcastle/Gateshead and Sunderland
  
• New Links provided between Washington Galleries and Heworth.
  

83/84/85/86 - Concord - Donwell (83/86) - Parsons Industrial Estate (83/84/85/86) - B&Q (84/85) - Blackfell - Blackfell Knoulberry (83/86) - Oxclose Village Centre via Castle Road (83/84/85/86) - Ayton Village Centre (83/84/85/86) - Rickleton (83/86) - Harraton (83/86) - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Glebe (83/86) - Biddick (84/85) - Washington Village (83/86) - Brady Square (84/85) - Barmston Court(84/85) - Barmston Village Centre (83/86) - Barmston Waskley Way (84/85) - Peel Retail Park (83/84/85/86) - Washington School (83/86) - Sulgrave (84/85) - Concord

• Merging of the Short 82 from Rickleton to Concord with Services 85/86.
  
• 83/84 will operate a Clockwise Loop of Washington while 85/86 operate an Anti Clockwise Loop.
  
• Services will operate Every 30 Minutes, Providing a Service Every 15/30 Minutes both Clockwise/Anti Clockwise.
  
• All areas of Washington linked together providing New and Existing Links.
  
• No loss of Service in any Areas as a result of Service Changes.
  
• Less Profitable Services made Profitable.
  
• New Vehicle Investment in Services made more Commercially Viable.
  

Just in case anyone gets confused when looking at the above, here is a Break Down below.

83 - Concord - Washington School - Peel Retail Park - Barmston Village Centre - Washington Village - Glebe - Sainsburys - Washington Galleries - Lambton - Harraton - Rickleton - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell Knoulberry - Parsons - Donwell - Concord

84 - Concord - Sulgrave - Peel Retail Park - Barmston Waskerley Way - Barmston Court - Brady Square - Biddick - Sainsburys - Washington Galleries - Lambton - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell - B&Q - Parsons - Concord

85 - Concord - Parsons Industrial Estate - B&Q - Blackfell - Oxclose - Ayton Village Centre - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys Car Park - Biddick - Brady Square - Barmston Court - Barmston Waskley Way - Peel Retail Park - Sulgrave - Concord

86 - Concord - Donwell - Parsons Industrial Estate - Blackfell Knoulberry - Oxclose - Ayton - Rickleton - Harraton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Sainsburys - Glebe - Washington Village - Barmston Village Centre - Peel Retail Park - Washington School - Concord

barley mow?

barley mow?

It will be served by the 82 lee as it is currently.

I would certainly use GNE, nice clean and bright buses. 

The X32 would that go via Elephant?

It would be like this:

- X70/X71 renumbered X72 / X73.

- X31 every 30 minutes Mon to Sat (60 eve and Sun) serving: Same route as X21 from Seacrest Rd to Bedlington Fromt Street then same route as the X22 from Front Street to Newcastle.

- X32 every 30 minutes Mon to Sat (60 eve and Sun) serving: Seacrest Rd, North Seaton NSC / Fairfield Dr, Ashington Bus Station then same route as X31 from there.

- X31 / X32 every 15 minutes combined Mon to Sat (30 eve and Sun) from Newbiggin Seacrest Rd (13/17 minutes and 29/31 eve and Sun) and between Ashington and Newcastle. The PVR interworking in Newbiggin would be 11 Mon to Sat (5 eve and Sun). Both services would get 12-15 minutes layover at Newbiggin and 10 minutes at Haymarket and on a Sunday, both services would get 7 minutes at Haymarket and either 10 or 11 minutes at Newbiggin.

And these would be the fares:
- Newcastle to Bedlington = £3.20
- Newcastle to Stakeford = £3.80
- Newcastle to Ashington = £4.10
- Newcastle to North Seaton Fairfield Dr = £4.40
- Newcastle to Newbiggin = £4.70
- Ashington Express saver for all parts of all routes = £5.50 or £20.00 for the week. No monthly option available.
- 2 zone buzzfare (Orange and Blue) available for £6.20 or £24.50 for the week allowing travel across S.E Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle City Centre (not Quaylink) and all Eldon Square services to Metrocentre and X66 from Gateshead.
- Cobalt Connect saver changed to allow travel between 07:00 and 09:00 , and 16:00 and end of service  on all X31 / X32 between Ashington and Newcastle and services 309/310/X39 between Newcastle and Cobalt. Would also be valid between 07:00 and 09:00 and after 16:00 until end of service on a Saturday and all day Sunday.

If you were in charge of the buses Davie, there would be a bus in Wrekenton every 30 seconds! (Even though there already is) haha

If you were in charge of the buses Davie, there would be a bus in Wrekenton every 30 seconds! (Even though there already is) haha

And if I was Murton and Dalton Park Transport Co-Ordinator there would be a bus every 9.8 seconds from the Colliery Inn

Davey - how much will it cost from Fifth Avenue to Ashington Bus Station? (Arriva child single 60p, return £1.10, adult single £1.20, return £1.80)