(16 Jul 2016, 7:50 pm)Ambassador wrote I do think there's aomething in giving Dalton Park some decent links from further afield. Although it's designed as car user outlet style, itt could certainly benefit from better options, especially with the new development

(16 Jul 2016, 8:04 pm)Malarkey wrote Same with Doxford International despite being a Business Park, the service Washington and other areas is dreadful, making hard to get to. Compared to going to the Quorum Business Park which has an excellent bus service, as does the Cobalt also.

(16 Jul 2016, 8:23 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Quorom and Cobalt support most of the services that run through their Business Parks though, The 309/310 being branded Cobalt Clipper and the former Cobalt Connect brand on the 19 are prime examples, Aswell as Stagecoach's recent Service 22 extension there.
I don't think Doxford Park support any services that run through there, Which leaves the operator to decide for themselves which services/ how frequent run there.

(16 Jul 2016, 8:04 pm)Malarkey wrote Same with Doxford International despite being a Business Park, the service Washington and other areas is dreadful, making hard to get to. Compared to going to the Quorum Business Park which has an excellent bus service, as does the Cobalt also.

(16 Jul 2016, 8:23 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Quorom and Cobalt support most of the services that run through their Business Parks though, The 309/310 being branded Cobalt Clipper and the former Cobalt Connect brand on the 19 are prime examples, Aswell as Stagecoach's recent Service 22 extension there.
I don't think Doxford Park support any services that run through there, Which leaves the operator to decide for themselves which services/ how frequent run there.

(16 Jul 2016, 8:44 pm)Andreos1 wrote It wasn't that long ago that Washington were sending the X3 (or variation of the X94) through there. It was the Fencehouses express anyway and it terminated at Ryhope Green.
It offered a combined 30 min frequency with the X35 and carried fresh air during the day.

I certainly think a peak service is called for, not sure about all day.

(16 Jul 2016, 9:04 pm)Malarkey wrote Something like the Stagecoach X1 would do the trick heading towards Washington, Gateshead and Newcastle from Doxford International, could have it run off the GNE 4 & X1, 

So you have could have for example.

X2 - Doxford International - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Concord - Springwell - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle
Operating upto Every 30 Minutes at Peak Times (6am to 10am) and (3pm to 7pm).

(16 Jul 2016, 8:37 pm)Malarkey wrote Which is a shame, as from Washington you only have the 37 once an hour, otherwise you have to either go to Sunderland or Houghton-le-Spring and then jump on the X35 to get there.

(16 Jul 2016, 8:44 pm)Andreos1 wrote It wasn't that long ago that Washington were sending the X3 (or variation of the X94) through there. It was the Fencehouses express anyway and it terminated at Ryhope Green.
It offered a combined 30 min frequency with the X35 and carried fresh air during the day.

I certainly think a peak service is called for, not sure about all day.

(16 Jul 2016, 9:01 pm)L469 YVK wrote
http://cobaltpark.co.uk/articles/cobaltclipper-goes-up-in-the-world

Bar some brief input from NCC when the journey getting into Cobalt before 7am from Blyth was briefly withdrawn in 2013, GNE don't seem to have got any funding for the Cobalt Clipper services since 2010 from Cobalt Park, partly down to the reason why the Cobalt Clipper brand was amalgamated into the Battle Hill Drive corridor with the Centurion brand being cleared followed by a revised North Shields - Newcastle service in the form of the 310.

I think the 19 (R19 in former guise) has had some good funding but in around 2009/10 similar to the time when GNE cleaned up the Centurion / Cobalt Clipper brands and merged them under one brand, the funding was cut for the 19. I don't know whether or not it was ever eventually fully cut although NCC has had some input over recent years with the 19.

Ironically about the first note though, GNE did eventually add an additional journey departing Blyth at around 6:30 back in September 2014 (a year later) which was the same time when the frequency increase happened between Blyth and Whitley Bay.

(16 Jul 2016, 11:07 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Similar situation for us in South Tyneside, Our only direct connection to ANY Business Park in Tyne and Wear is the once daily GNE 960 to Waterview Park.
We did have the short lived 939 to Cobalt but that finished literally after it just started.


Not specific to this service, But ANE used to send a Pulsar up to Doxford from Eldon Sqaure on a Peak Time Service up to there, With the return in the evening.
Forgot what the number is, But I remember it having a X prefix before the number.


I think GNE still have some sort of Partnership with Cobalt regardless of how much funding they provide, Cobalt branding is visible on most/all GNE services that pass through there.
Arriva used/still have a similar partnership with Qurom, Though I don't know If that still exists as other operators have creeped into there. ( Stagecoach Etc )

(17 Jul 2016, 5:52 am)Andreos1 wrote re Business Parks - what about Boldon Business Park? ; There's Rainton Business Park too and other decent sized ones that I can think of within spitting distance of stops, such as Doxford and Belmont.


re ANE service to Doxford Park (and their only service which served their HQ). It was the X19 off memory.

(17 Jul 2016, 9:37 am)V514DFT wrote I was the X19 i think it was 2012 it started but got scrapped a year later,quorums not an easy one from anywhere in the wallsend area without having to change bus,then youve got the metro which has been in a state recently,just to add it was the 919  gne ran albeit breifly

(17 Jul 2016, 5:52 am)Andreos1 wrote re Business Parks - what about Boldon Business Park? ; There's Rainton Business Park too and other decent sized ones that I can think of within spitting distance of stops, such as Doxford and Belmont.


re ANE service to Doxford Park (and their only service which served their HQ). It was the X19 off memory.

(17 Jul 2016, 9:37 am)V514DFT wrote I was the X19 i think it was 2012 it started but got scrapped a year later,quorums not an easy one from anywhere in the wallsend area without having to change bus,then youve got the metro which has been in a state recently,just to add it was the 919  gne ran albeit breifly

(17 Jul 2016, 10:39 am)South Tyne Lad wrote What's there at Bolden for people to work at?   Always looks deserted when I pass on the X34 etc
Just thought of another one in South Tyneside, Monkton Business Park. Only connections it has is 2 Peak time 558s to Seaburn and Heworth, Which isn't really ideal considering it has Peak Time buses to other boroughs, but not the one its located in.




Cheers both, Remember it now. And apologies for calling it the 939.
And regarding the Metro, Andreos posted a link about NECA's plan for a bigger network, New Trains etc. If there was a Killingworth extension ( which I think is mentioned in the article )
It could connect Qurom with further places in Tyne and Wear. I think a Cobalt extension is also planned.

CoastCityLinks_Centurion.xlsx (Size 55.65 KB | Downloads 21)

(17 Jul 2016, 10:39 am)South Tyne Lad wrote What's there at Bolden for people to work at?   Always looks deserted when I pass on the X34 etc
Just thought of another one in South Tyneside, Monkton Business Park. Only connections it has is 2 Peak time 558s to Seaburn and Heworth, Which isn't really ideal considering it has Peak Time buses to other boroughs, but not the one its located in.




Cheers both, Remember it now. And apologies for calling it the 939.
And regarding the Metro, Andreos posted a link about NECA's plan for a bigger network, New Trains etc. If there was a Killingworth extension ( which I think is mentioned in the article )
It could connect Qurom with further places in Tyne and Wear. I think a Cobalt extension is also planned.

(16 Jul 2016, 9:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote No Lambton?

I wonder if a route variation to the 37 would work -  operating via Houghton and/or Newbottle and shadowing the X1, covering and filling gaps in its provision caused by rush hour delays.
Then punters have a choice of two services operating two different routes, rather than the X2 and 37 having a similar route.

(18 Jul 2016, 7:03 pm)Andreos1 wrote You may see why I was searching for the 168 timetable now...

Just had a quick look at the timetables, but I reckon it is doable.
As well as freeing up a Merc, it maintains the 30min frequency between Houghton and Chester.

Service 168 extended to Chester, replacing one 36 ph.
The other 36 ph from Castletown, will terminate at Houghton.

168 - Easington Lane - East Rainton. Extends via A690 to Houghton and picks up current 36 route to Chester.

(19 Jul 2016, 11:59 am)MrFozz wrote Is Peterlee taking on the 168 in the near future?

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(19 Jul 2016, 12:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes. The contract commences next Sunday

• Operating upto Every 10 Minutes combined Monday to Saturday, Every 30 Minutes on a Sunday
  
• No Sunday Service X43
  
• Services provide quick new links from Wallsend to Four Lane Ends, Quorum Business Park and Killingworth
  

(20 Jul 2016, 9:01 pm)V514DFT wrote 43-Four lane Ends-Quorum-West Moor-Forest Hall-Palmersville Metro-Benton Asda-Holystone-Northumberland Park Interchange-Shiremoor-New York-Rake lane hospital-Whitley Bay
44-Four lane Ends-Quorum-West Moor-West Bailey-Killingworth Bus station-East Bailey-Backworth-Northumberland Park Interchange-New York-Rake Lane Hospital-Preston Grange Morrisons-North Shields

Thank you for reading

(23 Jul 2016, 7:05 am)NK53 TKT wrote I have decided to do another one of my allocation/service suggestions, I appreciate some of these suggestions may not be realistic immediately following recent cascades/repaints will make sense for the long run:
3995, 3996, Red Arrows and TTX: 13 new streetdecks (including one spare) come for Riverside/Peterlee for services X9/X10 allowing for dual depot operation, every 15 minute combined operation and it also allows Peterlee to have a spare decker. The X1 would be reduced to an every 20 minute frequency while new X2 would also run every ten minutes but would run to Murton instead of Easington Lane with no PVR increase. The Red Arrows buses would be given sockets and the ex TTX buses would get NSAs.
This would allow for the following allocation changes:
6043-6048 and 6084 are cascaded to Washington for use on Red Arrows service X1/X2. 
3943, 6001 and 6002 would be cascaded to Riverside to replace 3818, 3819 and 3824.
6003-6005, 3995 and 3996 would transfer to Stanley to replace 3814, 3822 and 3830-3832.
6006 and 6007 would be red spares for the X1/X2

Blaydon Racers, service 64 and LOOP: 15 streetlites would come for services 49/49A/NEW 49B (including two red spares with tachographs for the X9/X10.) The NEW 49B would be exactly the same as the current 49C thus replacing the current 64. This would allow for the following allocation plans:
5275-5283 would be branded LOOP (5275 would be a red spare) 

5331 would replace 5167.

5219-5221 would be painted red for use on new service 95

5222 would transfer to Staley to replace 4896.

5223-5226 would stay at Riverside to replace 4897-4900.



QuayLink Q1/Q2/Q3, CityLink 57 and CityLink 58: 
8316-8318 would be branded for the Q3.

8329 would be a red spare for the Q3.

5377-5389 would be branded QuayLink for the Q1/Q2.

5390 would be a red spare for the Q1/Q2.

8331-8338 would be branded CityLink orange for the 58 with 8330 being a red spare.
5322-5324 would be branded CityLink blue a long with 5293-5297.

Wagonway, NEXUS Solos, BYKER ASDA bus and InDiGo Peterlee: 11 streetlites would come for Wagonway 28/28A services (including one red spare.) Service 265 would leave the InDiGo brand as would service 59, however this service would run Monday-Friday. Service 204 would be revised to run via Sherburn Road missing out Belmont and Low Pittington and instead running down Sherburn Road. The new service would take just under 1 hour with a PVR of one. 208 would run as a standalone service.
4956 and 4957 would come to Peterlee for service 265 (both would be fitted with tachographs for the X9/X10)
4958-4960 would replace 5322-5324 at Riverside.
5320 and 5321 would become tachographed as single deck spares for the X9/X10.
625 would transfer to Peterlee for service 59
626 would stay at Riverside for use on the 13/33A.
631 and 632 would transfer to Riverside for the new contract for the 33.

627 would transfer to Peterlee for use on the 168 contract.
633 which has been freed up by the loss of the 29 contract would be branded for the Byker ASDA bus contract.
557 would be withdrawn.
665 and 666 will be outlined below:

18, InDiGo North Tyne and InDiGo Washington: 31 Solos would come for the InDiGo North Tyne (including three red spares) allowing it to expand. The InDiGo North Tyne would get some new routes added comprising of: (Red Kite Routes would be renumbered 62/63/64)
40/41 Current route as of 24/7/16 PVR 8 (All journies would operate a full loop)
42 Current route as of 24/7/16 except all journies would extend to Cramlington. PVR 8
NEW 43 would run North Shields Town Centre Rudyerd Street-Percy Park Road-Tynemouth Seafront-Grand Parade-Cullercoats-Whitley Bay Metro-Whitley Bay Town Centre-Monkseaton Metro-North Tyneside Hospital-New York-Chirton Industrial Estate-Verne Road-North Shields Town Centre Rudyerd Street, the 44 would run in reverse (PVR 5-Interworking)
NEW 45 would run North Shields Town Centre Rudyerd Street-Verne Road-Chirton Industrial Estate-Coast Road to Billy Mill-Queen Alexandra Road-Trevor Terrace-Linskill Terrace-King Edward Road- ANE 306 route to Whitley Bay Town Centre- ANE 54 route to North Tyneside Hospital-Murton Village-Silver Fox Way East-Silver Fox Way-Northumberland Park Metro-Holystone-Benton ASDA-Forest Hall-Great Lime Road-West Lane to Killingworth Village-B1317-Simonside Way-East Bailey-West Bailey-Killingworth Bus Station (PVR 6-Every 30 minutes)
NEW 46 Jarrow Bus Station-Percy Main Metro-High Howdon-Howdon-Jarrow Bus Station PVR 1
This would allow for the following allocation plans:
665, 666 and 672-680 would be transferred to Washington for use on the 82/82A/82B/83/85/86 allowing them to become InDiGo Washington.
5170, 4909, 570 and 8267 would be withdrawn.
8263-8265 would transfer to Crook for use on service 18
571 and 572 would be withdrawn
603 and 604 would go to Stanley replacing 547 and 553.
605 would replace 549 at Deptford
606 would transfer to Riverside for service 554 allowing it to run Regent Centre-Quorum hourly throughout the day.
8261 and 8262 would replace 4898 and 4899 at Riverside.

Angel, Crusader, WTX and NEW Airport bus 737: 21 streetdecks (including two red spares) without tables for use on the ANGEL 21. This would allow for an every 12 minute full route frequency and an every 6 minute frequency Newcastle-Chester-le-Street. New airport service 737 would run every 15 minutes Newcastle Airport-Eldon Square rivalling the metro. The WTX would become half-hourly.

This allow for the following allocation plans:
6057-6070 would transfer to Riverside for use on the Crusader 27 with 6057 being a red spare.
6056 would transfer to Stanley for replacing 3864.
3962 and 3965 would stay at Chester-le-Street for replacing 3869 and 3872.
5328-5330 would be branded WTX and would transfer to Deptford for use on service X7 allowing for an every 30 minute frequency and dual depot operation, 5336 would also be given a tachograph.
5310-5314 would be branded for new airport service 737. 5310 would be a branded spare.
5315 and 5316 would replace 4900 and 4901.
5317 would replace 4902.
5318 would replace 4907.
5332 would replace 4918.

SimpliCity 2/2A/39/NEW 2B, Lambton Worm, South Tyne, Green Arrow, NEW 95 and Blue Arrow: 28 streetlites (including three red spares) would come for Deptford for SimpliCity services 2/2A/2B/39, the new 2B would run Washington-Biddick-Barmston-A1231-A19-Hylton Road-Kayll Road (Sunderland Royal Hospital)-A183-A690-Park Lane-then the current 61 to Murton taking 52 minutes. 10 streetlites (including one red spare) for Riverside for the 88/88A. 5 optare solos would come for Lambton Worm 34/34A (including one red spare). NEW 95 would run following the current 95 route from Lobley Hill-Gaeshead, then the current 93 route to Heworth via Saltmeadows and then finally the current 57 route to Wardley taking approximately 41 minutes. 
This would allow for the following allocation changes:
8320-8327 would be branded Blue Arrow for the 11/11A/11X for Percy Main, 8319 would be a red spare
8297-8309 would transfer to Riverside for Green Arrow 97/97A/X97 (8297 would be a red spare), the X97 would run throughout the day.
8294-8296 would allow a new service 95 to run.
4969 and 4976 would transfer to Riverside for replacing 4919 and 4920.
4990 and 4991 would replace 4922 and 4923.
4992 would be tachographed and would move to Peterlee as a single deck X9/X10 spare
5212 and 5213 would be part of Washington's spare fleet.
4938, 4940, 4941 and 4944 would be withdrawn.
5227 and 5228 would withdraw 4928 and 4929  at Chester-le-Street
4967 and 5218 would withdraw 4930 and 4931.
4948 and 4947 would withdraw 4932 and 4933.
4968, 4970-4975 and 5203 would be used on the 9 allowing it to be every 15 minutes full route.
3978-3980 would replace 3878 and 3876 with one being a float vehicle.
5248, 5249 and 5273 and 5274 would be mentioned below:

See it Do It, TOONLINK X84/X85, Cobalt Connect and NEW 12B, Riverside PVR Drop: 17 streetlites would come for See It Do It services at Deptford (including two red spares.)
A new service 19/19A would run at Percy Main with the current long 19s staying hourly while new service 19A would run the current route to Manor Walks and then would follow the Arriva 43 to Morpeth taking just under 90 mins. NEW 12B would run the 12 route Newcastle-Blaydon-49 route to Winlaton-Winlaton Mil, via Barlow Lane, Knobbyends Lane, West Lane, Coldstream Drive, Scotland Head, Mill Lane-A694-Sherburn Towers Estate. 12/12A would lave the TOON Link brand and the X84/X85 would join.
This would allow for the following changes:
5298-5308 would transfer to Percy Main for Cobalt Connect 19/19A (5298 would be a red spare)
4978-4981 will replace 4912 and 4915-4917.
4982 would be tachographed and sent to Peterlee.
5326 and 5327 would also gain a tachograph each allowing Peterlee to have 6 single deckers as X9/X10 backup.
5309 and 5325 would replace 4926 and 4927 at Chester-le-Street
4949, 4964 and 4966 would be used on the 12B
5234-5238 and 5248 and 5249 + 5273 and 5274 would be used on the X84/X85 allowing 4 buses per hour, 5234 would be a red spare.
5229-5233 would be used on the 12/12A.

Coaster and TOON Link: 27 new streetlites (including three red spares) would come for Percy Main to allow an upgrade of Coaster 1/1A/NEW 1B. 1 would run half hourly full route. 1A would be half hourly full route everyday. NEW 1B would run Gateshead-Blyth following the 1/1A Gateshead-Whitley Bay then the 309 to Blyth, the services would be every 10 minutes combined. The X32 would run all day half-hourly and new X33 would be the same-8bph Newcastle-Stanley using Toon Link. It would use the following route taking 45 minutes:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Eldon+Square+Stand+J+(W
Bound),+Newcastle+upon+Tyne/Stanley+Bus+Station,+A693,+Stanley+DH9+0HU/@54.9395664,-1.6511116,10598m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m39!4m38!1m30!1m1!1s0x487e70cbcea578ed:0x24a1f73e55a8f789!2m2!1d-1.614818!2d54.975742!3m4!1m2!1d-1.6041959!2d54.9620242!3s0x487e70bab3c5a3e3:0x9ea0dabb5a89603e!3m4!1m2!1d-1.6103025!2d54.9586177!3s0x487e70afab47292b:0xbac25a503bec626d!3m4!1m2!1d-1.6207573!2d54.9356034!3s0x487e79f659c25845:0x6c23ed53e5327f48!3m4!1m2!1d-1.6230282!2d54.9045756!3s0x487e7978cc1c436b:0x14b1935811998e28!3m4!1m2!1d-1.673837!2d54.9127643!3s0x487e78531c611427:0x9a221ce5041261de!1m5!1m1!1s0x487e78b653d1bd93:0xd4c93f5ef4ea3745!2m2!1d-1.6986683!2d54.8691987!3e0.
This would allow for the following allocation changes:
5261-5268 would transfer to Stanley for TOON Link with 5261 being a red spare.
5251, 5252 and 5269-5272 would be branded TOON Link X27 running Newcastle Haymarket-Cradlewell-Jarrow Bus Station-South Shields taking 27 minutes rivalling the metro.

Whey Aye Five Oh and Blyth TOON Link: 17 streetlites (including two red spares) would come for Washington/Chester-le-Street for the 50/50A allowing it to be every 20 minutes and operated by two separate depots. This would allow for some new Toon Link routes to be created running Blyth-Newcastle, the X86 which would run Haymarket-South Gosforth Roundabout-Balliol Bus Link-Quorum-A189-Annitsford-Cramlington High Pit-Cramlington Manor Walks-Cramlington Eastfield-New Delaval-Newsham-Plessey Road-B1327-Blyth Bus Station, running every 15 minutes taking just under 45 minutes.The NEW X87 would run Haymarket-Gosforth High Street-Regent Centre-Brunton Park-Brunton Lane-A1-A19-Dudley Lane-Cramlington Manor Walks-Cramlington Eastfield-New Delaval-Newsham-Plessey Road-B1327-Blyth Bus Station, running every 15 minutes taking just 39 minutes.
This would allow for the following allocation plans: 
5243-5247 would move to Riverside
5254 now surplus at Stanley would move to Riverside as X86/X87 spare
5255-5260 would transfer to Riverside

TEN, DFDS, 6136-6139, Red Kite and Venture: 17 streetdecks would come to Hexham/Riverside for the TEN (including two red spares.) Service 47 would be extended to Consett following the rote of the V9 thus withdrawing this service and the 45E. Services X84/X85 would have an upgraded frequency and passengers who previously used the 686 Wylam-Ovington could use the TOON Link X84, the 686 would only run Prudhoe-Albemarle Barracks throughout the day. Services V7/V8 would leave the venture brand and would be allocated double deckers. This would allow for the following allocation changes:
6071 and 6072 would transfer to Stanley for the upgraded 47.
6073-6077 would transfer to Percy Main for the DFDS bus.
6083 would also transfer to Percy Main but for the 434/448
As would 6082 which would go to allow 6116 to be branded Cobalt Clipper, allowing the service to have two red spares.
6078-6080 would transfer to Crook allowing the X46 to run all day half-hourly to compete with the ANE 46 and allowing 6079 and 6080 to be branded Castles Express with 6078 replacing 6038 as a red spare.
6081 would replace 6008 at Percy Main.
3941 and 3942 would replace 6010 and 6015 at Percy Main.
3866 and 3867 would be withdrawn
3888 would replace 6023.
3889 and 3890 would replace 6009 and 6012 at Stanley.
641 would move to Hexham for the new 686.
6136 would replace 6011 at Washington
6137-6139 would be used on the V7/V8.
642, 643 and 644 would move to Deptford to replace 550, 559 and 560.


Fast Cats : 13 streetlites would come to Deptford for Fast Cats X35 and NEW X36 (including one red spare.) New X36 would run Newcastle-Gateshead-Heworth-Sunderland only calling at those points taking 45 ish minutes every 20 minutes. The X35 would be unchanged. This would allow for the following allocation changes:
5206-5209 and 5211 would stay at Deptford for replacing 562, 564, 565, 573 and 574.
5204 and 5205 would be branded Tynedale Links allowing the 687 to replace the 682 Beaumont Park-Hexham and then onto Corbridge taking 28 minutes.
556 would be withdrawn.

NORTHERN and DFDS: 11 streetdecks would come to Stanley for use on Northern services (including one red spare.) This would allow for the following allocation changes:
6122-6133 would replace Chester-le-Street's presidents

Thank you for reading

allowing the 687 to replace the 682 Beaumont Park-Hexham and then onto Corbridge taking 28 minutes.

(23 Jul 2016, 11:10 am)MrFozz wrote I love reading your allocation ideas...takes some time, but I get there lol [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

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(23 Jul 2016, 11:16 am)G-CPTN wrote Like it used to be . . .