(17 Jul 2013, 6:22 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Ive herd the X84 is to rival the 685 using the scania's off the ok1's

(17 Jul 2013, 6:25 pm)Michael wrote

(17 Jul 2013, 6:22 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote Ive herd the X84 is to rival the 685 using the scania's off the ok1's

oooo interesting, hopefully if they brand it then its decent!

(17 Jul 2013, 7:07 pm)Cosminaut wrote wonder if its gonna be a branded route im thinking Tynedale Links Express could possibly in regards to 685 it is now no longer operated by coaches for arriva its gonna be run by ominicities when ive been to newcastle it is always a pulsar or a ominicity i think these are ideal for 685 problem is it cannot use a decker but X84 should be a fine service

(17 Jul 2013, 9:00 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Shame this X84 isn't going to Carlisle otherwise I can't really how it can actually compete with the 685

(17 Jul 2013, 9:43 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is the 685 still joint operated by Arriva and Stagecoach?
If those two wanted the 685 to keep going - they would make sure it kept going.

Does anyone know current prices between the two points for comparison?

(17 Jul 2013, 7:30 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Go North East used to run a 687 service along what appears to be a similar route as far as Corbridge.

http://www.travelnortheast.co.uk/downloads/bustimetables/gonortheast/gne684-687.pdf

(17 Jul 2013, 9:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do Hexham have space in their depot for these Scanias?

(17 Jul 2013, 9:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was wondering what Stagecoach were using, bearing in mind Arriva are using their 'newer' buses.

(18 Jul 2013, 12:43 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Sunderland/Washington/Heworth and Newcastle Area

Yesterday I decided to Sunderland via Heworth using a Red/Purple Pass so I couldn't use the Metro and I decided go this way so I could a photo of Red Arrows Gemini 6006 on the M2/M3. To which I found after missing the 12:20 X3 to Sunderland and Instead of Waiting 30 Minutes for the X36 which takes 40 Minutes to Sunderland from Heworth, which would of lead to it taking an 70 Minutes from A to B, So I would of been in Sunderland for 13:30.

So instead of waiting 30 Minutes and Paying the extra in Metro Fare I got back on the M1 to Concord and got the 56 to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange which only took 45 Minutes, that 25 Minutes quicker due timing the changing of buses perfectly. this resulted in me arriving into Sunderland at 13:05 and a mere 5 minutes after the X3 in which I had missed at Heworth which I seen coming into Park Lane.

So I have found that it is just as quick if not quicker depending on traffic etc to get the M1 from Heworth to Concord and then the 56 from Concord to Sunderland instead of getting the X3 or waiting a further half hour for the X36.

So now i'm asking myself as passenger is the X3/X36 really that reliable as an Xpress Bus Service.

I'm going to take more of look at this area this afternoon and draw up a few service suggestions as I think the service really isn't that great to be honest. I have also posted this in the Service Suggestions also.

(18 Jul 2013, 1:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Its finding the balance between speed and generating enough revenue/custom to make the service viable.

They obviously feel Newcastle Road and North Sunderland is their best option, rather than sending anything direct via say the A19 and Felling Bypass (which would be quicker).

If enough people use the service point to point ie Park Lane to Newcastle, then it would be beneficial.
If the loadings are low from Park Lane, then the only other way to generate custom is for the service to operate as a local service upto a certain point and then an express for the rest of the journey.

(18 Jul 2013, 2:22 pm)cbma06 wrote

(18 Jul 2013, 1:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Its finding the balance between speed and generating enough revenue/custom to make the service viable.

They obviously feel Newcastle Road and North Sunderland is their best option, rather than sending anything direct via say the A19 and Felling Bypass (which would be quicker).

If enough people use the service point to point ie Park Lane to Newcastle, then it would be beneficial.
If the loadings are low from Park Lane, then the only other way to generate custom is for the service to operate as a local service upto a certain point and then an express for the rest of the journey.

When Go North East was doing the Sunderland North Estates proposal for the X36, I did mention in an email to GNE that there should do 4 expresses per hour on a 15 minute interval, have 1 bus as X3, 1 bus as proposed X36 and have the other 2 as X56 same route as 56 between Sunderland and Concord then direct from Concord to Heworth then Gateshead and Newcastle.

(18 Jul 2013, 4:15 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote

(18 Jul 2013, 2:22 pm)cbma06 wrote

(18 Jul 2013, 1:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Its finding the balance between speed and generating enough revenue/custom to make the service viable.

They obviously feel Newcastle Road and North Sunderland is their best option, rather than sending anything direct via say the A19 and Felling Bypass (which would be quicker).

If enough people use the service point to point ie Park Lane to Newcastle, then it would be beneficial.
If the loadings are low from Park Lane, then the only other way to generate custom is for the service to operate as a local service upto a certain point and then an express for the rest of the journey.

When Go North East was doing the Sunderland North Estates proposal for the X36, I did mention in an email to GNE that there should do 4 expresses per hour on a 15 minute interval, have 1 bus as X3, 1 bus as proposed X36 and have the other 2 as X56 same route as 56 between Sunderland and Concord then direct from Concord to Heworth then Gateshead and Newcastle.

I agree, why there isn't an express service through that corridor is beyond me, the fact it took 45 Minutes instead of 70 Minutes to get from Heworth to Sunderland is quite amazing considering I had half hour wait for the X36. Even if got the Metro, that's about 25-30 Minutes from Heworth to Sunderland.