The upcoming cuts got me thinking about how much of a success xlines has or hasn't been. Since it was introduced there have been the following changes.

X6 dropped from the brand.
X21 reduced back to half hourly from every 15 minutes to Durham.
X9 withdrawn.
X10 reduced to 2 hourly on Sundays.
X47 dropped from the brand.
X45/46 reduced from 4bph-3bph then x46 withdrawn. 
X30 extended to Consett then extension withdrawn.
X30/31 frequency reduced from every 15 minutes to half hourly.
X20 upgraded from minibus to full size singles.
X20 Sunday service introduced then withdrawn between Sunderland and Durham.
X72 introduced.

Bearing this in mind I am interested to hear as to whether people believe xlines has been a success or not and to what degree. This is intended as a debate not just a p*ssing contest. Feel free to let me know if I have missed any changes and I will amend the list.

The two week closed line between St James & Tynemouth will not have a single metro replacement running. All tickets and passes will be accepted on all buses that call close to the station. This being routes 

Arriva 306
Go North East 1,19,310
Stagecoach 12,22,39,40,62,63,317

GNE service 1 is the only bus to follow and call near all the stations with the 317 in second. 

With no Metro Replacement for two weeks. Does this mean that these services will be upgraded to decekrs for the two week period while the line is closed

Spotted two coaches belonging to NX Travel Solutions parked up in Riverside earlier, any idea what these are here for? Extras for the NX services to and from Newcastle?

I’ve flown from Newcastle Airport for decades and only just realised there’s a bus stop outside the terminal. I didn’t realise the airport was served by buses at all.

Stagecoach X78 stops on Ponteland Road but I wouldn’t class that as the airport. I wonder why they don’t use the proper airport bus stop? I’m sure people would use the bus over the Metro, workers / people who live in the west end of town. It wouldn’t add much to the journey time and I bet it would make the bus more attractive. No one wants to walk from Ponteland Road with luggage in all weathers.

Does anyone know why 6178/9 are on there way to Houghton from Seaham?

Would appear that GAL's WVL380, WVL382, and WVL384 are currently at Bus and Coach World for refurbishment and transfer to GNE.
WVL380: Go Ahead London WVL380 | Seen at Bus & Coach World, Blackbur… | Flickr
WVL382: Go Ahead London WVL382 | Seen at Bus & Coach Wprld, Blackbur… | Flickr
WVL384: Go Ahead London WVL384 | Seen at Bus & Coach World, Blackbur… | Flickr

Anyone know if GNE have any plans for the Network Rail strike, 

Maybe bring back the X85 aswell an express between Peterlee & Newcastle Via Seaham/Sunderland to cover or upgrade X6 to deckers, for it to connect through at Sunderland to maybe a Temporary X56 an express.

Or if X10 will be getting upgraded in Frequency.

Spotted this on VOSA:

PB0002404/391
New BUSWAYS TRAVEL SERVICES LTD 901 (901) Heworth Metro South Hylton Metro

Effective date 25 Jun 2022

End date 26 Jun 2022


Quite surprised, can't remember the last time Stagecoach had a metro replacement.

I thought I noted an Arriva bus fleet number 7180 in Darlington last month, though not in "standard" Arriva livery. It was a double decker with "Training" highlighted. Was this an Arriva vehicle, did I get the fleet number right, or are these near 80 yo eyes beginning to let me down ?!!?
Thanks for any help. David.

Looks like another round of fare increases underway: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...north-east

From what I can see, increases for a similar area were already made in April and January.