(21 Nov 2014, 1:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote They shouldn't be far off. Just need the buses back from Blackburn...

From some of todays loadings on the X1 best one..... I,m a little concerned that the max streetlites  ordered  may not be the answer!

(22 Nov 2014, 5:56 pm)Jimmi wrote The Streetlite's have 44 seats (same as the Pulsars). Was there lots of standees, perhaps this route should at least be considered for double deckers.

(22 Nov 2014, 5:56 pm)Jimmi wrote The Streetlite's have 44 seats (same as the Pulsars). Was there lots of standees, perhaps this route should at least be considered for double deckers.

I would like to see a frequency increase before deckers, but we'll see what will happen. The Streetlites won't give much room for growth if so

(22 Nov 2014, 6:08 pm)aureolin wrote With the Stockton boards not being able to be allocated deckers, due to them not fitting on the maintenance ramps, it's unlikely to happen. The only other option would be a 15 minute frequency on the X1 during the day I think. Would mean only half of them continuing to the X2 towards Newcastle.

But yes, the loadings on Stockton/Durham's X1 are also concerning. Today's departure leaving Stockton at 10:50am arrived into Durham with standees (with a Pulsar allocated). I'm thankful I don't have to experience the peak time runs on weekdays...

(22 Nov 2014, 6:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote I would like to see a frequency increase before deckers, but we'll see what will happen. The Streetlites won't give much room for growth if so

(22 Nov 2014, 10:30 pm)John_R wrote The Pulsars on the X1 do get full or close to full at peak times during the week, but the last few weeks, Saturdays have seen the biggest loadings with many standees on the service into Darlo. I can see a frequency increase happening especially given the large amount of people coming from Bishop & Shildon into Darlo due in part to the decline of Bishop Auckland and also because Tindale Crescent is also becoming a more popular destination - it was very busy when I was there today.

It would also be good to see a Sunday X1 service.

(22 Nov 2014, 10:57 pm)Jimmi wrote Something will probably have to be done soon with the X1, whether it be a frequency increase or being upgraded to double decker operation.

Not sure if we're likely to see a Sunday X1, I'm not sure what the loads are like on the 1B on a Sunday. You Could possibly have the X1 run to Crook on a Sunday and have service 1B run as far as Bishop Auckland and possibly divert it to run via Middleton Road, St John's Road, Central Parade and Church Street (Service 5 route) to King William then run the normal daytime service 1 route to Bishop Auckland.

Passed an X24 on the way home from Newcastle Airport that was heading for the Metrocentre, with about 3 or 4 passengers on a Pulsar. Hardly surprising that it's being dropped on a Sunday after Xmas.

In regards to Service X24 - I was on the 13:55 run from the Metrocentre to Chester-le-Street yesterday. I'd say we left with no more than half a dozen people on.

 I'd hate to know what it's like on a Sunday! However, I'm of a fervent belief that Service X22 is more popular purely because of it's frequency, and route. Service X24 always hit traffic on the several times I've used it to and from the Metrocentre, and the result is a constant delay throughout the route.

Remmember when service 1 stood alone and 5's were coupled to 35 and 36

(23 Nov 2014, 4:33 pm)Jimmi wrote Sadly yes! The 5/5A was always late and sometimes never turned up, it became so bad at one point I started getting the Scarlet Band 16 instead.

Thankfully the 5/5A is much better now, but still does run late sometimes.

The 1 does seem better too since the timetable changes and no longer using Enviro 400s.

The X1 has been okay when I've used it but I have seen it arrive in Bishop Auckland Bus Station and Darlington a few minutes a few times and I think the Streetlite's will cause problems on this service.

(23 Nov 2014, 5:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote Stockton are trialling a Streetlite that has had it's gearbox re-mapped (by Voith) at present to see what effect it has on performance, reliability, and punctuality. Hopefully if successful it will be used across the fleet. I've been on holiday for the last 2 weeks so haven't had chance to drive it yet but hopefully this week I will... It's 1550 anyway being used as the trial vehicle.

(23 Nov 2014, 5:24 pm)citaro5284 wrote And how much extra fuel it is using

(24 Nov 2014, 5:11 pm)Jimmi wrote Whilst waiting for service 5 to Darlington today, I overheard someone say that the 5/5A may be going down to operate only once an hour. Can anyone shed some light on this as I use this service and so does other members of my family and carries many elderly passengers and would leave many places with only one bus an hour. I imagine this will turn out to not be true as it is usually quite busy when I've used it but if this did happen I would probably send an email off to Durham County Council to see if they could reroute The Eden's Town Service 17 to miss out Alston Crescent and run Straight along Greenfield Way then via Meadowfield Way then rejoin the route at Burnhill Way.