(19 Jun 2018, 9:46 pm)callum2015 wrote Extending the current 128 service might be an option - extending from its current terminus of Helmsley along the A170 Into Thirsk,then either run direct via A19/Via Northallerton or Via Stokesley into Middlesbrough. Run from Scarborough depot with maybe 1 or 2 buses outstationed at Peterlee to allow earlier journeys from Middlesbrough

(20 Jun 2018, 7:09 am)Andreos1 wrote I'm not sure if buses are allowed on Sutton Bank. If they are, it would be a heck of a ride! 
There is a diversionary route for caravans, but if the bus followed that, it would be half-way back to York.

(20 Jun 2018, 7:50 am)Jimmi wrote Think Arriva currently have a Moorsbus working that goes down Sutton Bank but not up it.

(20 Jun 2018, 8:44 am)Andreos1 wrote https://bustimes.org/services/m4-helmsley-thirsk

Yeah, it doesnt appear to have a return journey up the bank.

Tried to work out what it did on arriving in Thirsk, but nothing obvious jumps out.
That's probably a discussion for another thread

(20 Jun 2018, 11:17 am)Jimmi wrote Heads back to Helmsley (and onto Rievaulx Abbey) as Moorsbus service M5 via Coxwold, Byland Abbey and Ampleforth: https://bustimes.org/services/m5-thirsk-helmsley-2

(20 Jun 2018, 11:28 am)Andreos1 wrote So back up, but without a load?
Might try and catch a look to see how it does next time I'm over that way.

(20 Jun 2018, 11:49 am)Jimmi wrote Only goes down Sutton Bank on that one afternoon M4 trip that extends beyond Sutton Bank Visitors Centre to Thirsk. The return journey is a M5 which doesn't go near Sutton Bank.

Would be interesting to see how a Streetlite would fare getting up there but we'll just have to use our imaginations on that one.

(20 Jun 2018, 11:49 am)Jimmi wrote Only goes down Sutton Bank on that one afternoon M4 trip that extends beyond Sutton Bank Visitors Centre to Thirsk. The return journey is a M5 which doesn't go near Sutton Bank.

Would be interesting to see how a Streetlite would fare getting up there but we'll just have to use our imaginations on that one.

(19 Jun 2018, 6:33 pm)Andreos1 wrote I think the Whitby/Scarborough - Teesside corridor is pretty much boxed off now the X4 and X93 appear sorted.
Not sure there is enough demand all year round or enough interest to offer any competition.

• The X93, over recent years has improved significantly. Journeys tend to be reliable compared to 4 or 5 years ago (as well as they can be for a long distance service) and the kit that tends to run is up to the job. Its not a simple case of providing the basics to gain abstraction due to poor customer confidence.
  
  
• Barring the main summer, in which Arriva have just implemented a 20 minute frequency on the X93, there isnt much to pinch from off peak (perhaps summer only competition?).
  
  
• GNE Management will remember the OK1 and the retaliation that Arriva swept into almost immediately when that came on stream - eventually suffocating it by means of timetable changes and introduction of the X1. I would not expect Arriva to sit tight and do nothing if EYMS/GNE simply compete like for like on the X93. Whilst obvious passenger benefit would be great, lets not forget these are businesses and their high earners are the ones they will push hard to protect. X93 almost certainly is one of them for Arriva I suspect.
  
  
• Arriva are generally not known for pulling the first punch in situations where competition exists or is created - most of the time it intiailly instigates from another bus operator and Arriva tend to be the ones to react, but I think competition with the X93/X4 services would provoke more than a like for like response (perhaps retaliation by means of a direct Teesside to Newcastle non-stop to cream off the X9/X10 or even more X12 up Durham Road for example).
  
  

(20 Jun 2018, 9:37 pm)RobinHood wrote I have to admit, when the EYMS announcement was made, I thought competition on the X93 would be first choice, however on reflection I think GNE bosses may have a good think about it before committing (if it was on the agenda to begin with). My thoughts behind this are presumably the kind of points that would be discussed;

• The X93, over recent years has improved significantly. Journeys tend to be reliable compared to 4 or 5 years ago (as well as they can be for a long distance service) and the kit that tends to run is up to the job. Its not a simple case of providing the basics to gain abstraction due to poor customer confidence.
  
  
• Barring the main summer, in which Arriva have just implemented a 20 minute frequency on the X93, there isnt much to pinch from off peak (perhaps summer only competition?).
  
  
• GNE Management will remember the OK1 and the retaliation that Arriva swept into almost immediately when that came on stream - eventually suffocating it by means of timetable changes and introduction of the X1. I would not expect Arriva to sit tight and do nothing if EYMS/GNE simply compete like for like on the X93. Whilst obvious passenger benefit would be great, lets not forget these are businesses and their high earners are the ones they will push hard to protect. X93 almost certainly is one of them for Arriva I suspect.
  
  
• Arriva are generally not known for pulling the first punch in situations where competition exists or is created - most of the time it intiailly instigates from another bus operator and Arriva tend to be the ones to react, but I think competition with the X93/X4 services would provoke more than a like for like response (perhaps retaliation by means of a direct Teesside to Newcastle non-stop to cream off the X9/X10 or even more X12 up Durham Road for example).
  
  

It will be interesting to see what does happen of course, but im not sure GNE bosses will be unlikely to be up for a competitive fight straight away - if at all.

(21 Jun 2018, 10:37 am)Andreos1 wrote Tend to agree with what you have said in this post. 

Of course we know what the nature of both the X4 and X93 routes and I can't see much scope at all for it to grow any further.
I can't see demand for public transport increasing beyond what is seen now on those routes.
They must have plateaued out by now - even with that increase between Whitby and Scarborough.

The moors-road the X93 uses isn't exactly the highway through a bustling metropolis either.
The corridoor up to Guisbrough is boxed off and would leave little scope for any additional stopping service or limited stop.

Go back those few years you mention and I think the opportunity was there to nip in and offer up some competition.
Pretty sure that time has been and gone. For now anyway.
Too much to invest with no guarantee of a return.

(21 Jun 2018, 12:26 pm)Jimmi wrote Middlesbrough - Whitby section of the X93 seems to be busiest on a morning towards Scarborough and back to Middlesbrough in the evening from my observations at least, the busiest section of the X93 seems to be the Whitby - Scarborough stretch and I imagine the fact that EYMS have recently almost completely pulled out of Cloughton and Burniston will only further put Arriva in a better position.

(27 Jul 2018, 11:54 am)L469 YVK wrote Evening service suggestion for 57/309/310 to streamline frequency on Coast Road and increase frequency up to every 15 mins between Newcastle Haymarket and Battle Hill as well as improving competition with Arriva. The total combined PVR of the 57/58/309/310 would remain at 12 vehicles.

57: Wardley to Newcastle only and interworking with 58 using Citylink Versas.

57A: Newcastle Haymarket to Hadrian Park via High Farm using CC B9s departing Newcastle @ xx:05 and xx:35.

309: Retimed to operate 5 minutes later.

310: Retimed to operate 5 minutes later.

(04 Aug 2018, 9:03 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Q4

Wallsend to Metrocentre 

Following Q3 Route to St Peters Basin then operating via Bolam Way towards Byker Metro & Morrisons Shields Road, Continuing Down Byker Bank and refollowing current Q3 route until Haymarket/Eldon Square, Serving Central Station none stop to Metrocentre. 

Hopefully pick up people from the East End of Newcastle who want to go to the Metrocentre, rather than using other Stagecoach services and having to change.

You could argue the 11 already does that, however from what I've seen in other comments it takes a while to get there.

(04 Aug 2018, 10:28 pm)Jamie M wrote Dunno. To get a Q3 then hop straight onto a 10 or 6 seems easy enough. Not sure it needs to be made anymore direct than that.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

(05 Aug 2018, 8:51 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Yeah a do see your point, I always think a direct link is better and there isn't any from the East end of Newcastle. 

I'm sure years ago Stagecoach ran a service from Walker direct to Ikea, with a brander Mercedes Minibus.

(06 Aug 2018, 9:40 am)V514DFT wrote Was it not the number 3

(06 Aug 2018, 1:26 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote I don't think so, from what I remember it was a Newcastle Mercedes Benz 711D all Blue, with Ikea branding and was a dedicated service rather than existing service. 

I didn't last long, although I was young then so may have gotten it wrong. 

(06 Aug 2018, 4:20 pm)westy3738 wrote They ran the S2 from Metrocentre to Ikea, with a dedicated blue liveried Merc. This started at a time before Asda was built or much of the other surrounding shops were developed, so Ikea was out on a limb at the time.

There was some services from the West End of Newcastle, 13 and 17A which made their way to the Metrocentre...think they became the 4/5 before getting the chop.

(08 Aug 2018, 2:24 pm)tcts24 wrote Not sure if this helps? But 20 years ago there was a Blue Bus Services 3 that went to Walker and a Busways 33 / 133 that went to the MetroCentre. Could be where the confusion comes from.

(08 Aug 2018, 2:24 pm)tcts24 wrote Not sure if this helps? But 20 years ago there was a Blue Bus Services 3 that went to Walker and a Busways 33 / 133 that went to the MetroCentre. Could be where the confusion comes from.

(09 Aug 2018, 12:01 pm)tcts24 wrote Seems I missed out service 13 yesterday which went to the MetroCentre via the west end of Newcastle. If you search the net for E447AFT you'll find a blue and cream Mercedes-Benz 709D operating the 13 near Gallowgate by the looks of it. I remember using the shuttle 2 to Ikea with my mother in the late 90's. I recall it being an elderly Mercedes in an absolutely shocking state. It was overall blue lettered up for Ikea and I'd hazard a guess that it would probably have been from the same batch as 1447 but I couldn't be certain.