(02 Jul 2026, 8:12 am)Storx wrote Yeah I know, I was just saying that X6 came later than when the X4/X5/X10/X11/X13 were around. That X6 was withdrawn with COVID. 

The X4/X5/X13 changed numbers when they turned MAX in circa 2015. Actually just looking think that was when they renumbered that the X6 (used to be X9)

The X8/X9 used to be parts of the old 355/43 which then turned into the 51/51A and the other half binned off completely bar the peak extras to Cobalt. Arriva from 2010 -> 2015 were just a mess, felt like every week everything was changing.

Just to put in context for South Gosforth to pick one place: 
363: X4 Direct/X4 via Gosforth/X4 Direct Again/X7
X5/X6 via A189: X5/X6 via Fern Drive/X5 omitting Fern Drive/X5 via Freeman/X5 Direct Again/X8
355: Withdrawn (Replaced by X8 via Coast Road)
356: 56/X6 to North Shields/54
342: 52 Freeman to Ashington/Withdrawn (Replaced by X5)/52 Newcastle to Cramlington
M55: 55

I've probably missed something aswell. 


Aye was a complete mess. Not sure if it was then when the 57 got to Ashington, but you might be right. I know it went to Morpeth for a bit aswell before that got chucked onto the 43 instead. The East Cramlington change was later though, as the Ashington bus definitely ran 2 BPH through Seghill for a bit because I can remember them doing a dirty survey and asking the 5 people who used to bus from Ashington if they'd preferred a bus to the hospital and totally ignored Seghill being cut in half.

(02 Jul 2026, 9:04 am)Nerd4321 wrote I kinda wish the X7/X8 were routed back to serve Freeman Hospital would give a link for people

(15 Jul 2026, 3:38 pm)Shrek wrote Local Councillors have confirmed Arriva will be running the morning and afternoon school bus 120 from Wideopen via Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to Great Park from September. Interesting to see if that means a further cut to one of their commercial services which happened for the last school contract they took on.

(15 Jul 2026, 3:38 pm)Shrek wrote Local Councillors have confirmed Arriva will be running the morning and afternoon school bus 120 from Wideopen via Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to Great Park from September. Interesting to see if that means a further cut to one of their commercial services which happened for the last school contract they took on.

(15 Jul 2026, 7:55 pm)Superman wrote Will it not just fit in one of the gaps for one of the scholars services lost? Like for like surely?

(20 Jul 2026, 4:48 pm)Nerd4321 wrote 30th August

Northumbria
553, revised timetable

County Durham
ED1/2/3/5 withdrawn
ED4 revised timetable

(20 Jul 2026, 8:15 pm)Jimmi wrote Believe the ED4 is cancelled too but if you look on bustimes it shows "revised timetable" unsure as to why the EDC services have been cancelled.

There's also timetable variations for Redcar services 62, 63, 64/64B, 65 & X4/X4A along with Durham service 56/56A.

For Northumbria, some scholars services are cancelled (contract changes) and others registered (again, contract changes) with the contract for service 392 also lost - Saturday service 419 via Wallington & Scots Gap is withdrawn.

All effective August 30th.

(20 Jul 2026, 9:26 pm)220631612 wrote I’m led to believe the 419 has been awarded to another operator as Arriva couldn’t supply the extra journeys NCC wanted. EDC services most likely withdrawn due to funding pulled and lower than anticipated ridership

(20 Jul 2026, 9:26 pm)220631612 wrote I’m led to believe the 419 has been awarded to another operator as Arriva couldn’t supply the extra journeys NCC wanted. EDC services most likely withdrawn due to funding pulled and lower than anticipated ridership

(20 Jul 2026, 4:48 pm)Nerd4321 wrote ED1/2/3/4/5 withdrawn

(15 Aug 2026, 4:35 am)gc802002 wrote Will the 86 and 87 be operated by Darlington or Stockton Depot?

(15 Aug 2026, 6:51 am)operating tyresmoke wrote Likely Darlington I would’ve thought, Stockton will have enough driver issues absorbing Redcar’s operation never mind throwing extra work at them.

(15 Aug 2026, 12:06 am)Jimmi wrote The following Darlington services have variations registered, effective 27 September:
1, 3, 7, 8/8A, 9, 10, 17, 18/18A, 19, X66/X67

Includes the 17 being extended to Darlington Arena, 18 being merged with and replacing the 16 running from West Park to Harrowgate Hill (18A being an evening and Sunday variation which I think includes elements of the daytime 17 route) and the 19 being extended to Newton Aycliffe.

86/87 Darlington to Stockton via Stillington introduced, 27 September

28 & X2/X3/X3A also has variations, effective 27 September.

Whitby Park & Ride P1/P2 has a variation from 1 October before the 2026 season ends a month later.

(15 Aug 2026, 2:00 pm)Kuyoyo wrote In terms of the Mowden area contract:
The 17 is as now Town Centre-Mowden-Hummerknott-Mowden-Town Centre. It then extends to the Arena via Neasham Road and Geneva Crescent to the Arena.
The 18 is as now Harrowgate Hill to the Town but additionally serves Glebe Road. From the town centre it follows the 16 route to Mowden Shops before serving Edgecombe Road in both directions to them resume the route to West Park.
The 18A is the evening and Sunday version - this is West Park to Arena.

As mentioned, the 86/87 will be solely operated by Darlington depot - but as I understand it, the two X66 workings previously worked by Stockton will be returning there to free up resources at Darlington.

(17 Aug 2026, 1:20 pm)Jimmi wrote Service Changes in Northumberland & Tyne and Wear August 2026 - Arriva UK Bus https://share.google/SiENKHvzyN43dI9jk

Effective August 30th, Basically just highlights that the 392 and 419 will now by ran by different operators [DM Motor Services and Northumberland Travel] and some changes to scholars services.

(18 Aug 2026, 9:57 pm)peter wrote The Northumberland changes page has now been updated to mention the revised timetable on the 553. 

Arriva have also posted details of the changes to the X2/X3 and 28 in late September https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/service-changes-redcar-and-east-cleveland-area

X2/X3 journeys that start/terminate at Dormanstown will extend to/from Middlesbrough. 
28 sees two new journeys at 07:50 from Guisborough to Redcar and 16:00 from Marske Estate to Guisborough