North East Buses
Disruptions and driver shortages - Printable Version

+- North East Buses (https://northeastbuses.co.uk)
+-- Forum: Local Bus Scene (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Management & Infrastructure (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Disruptions and driver shortages (/showthread.php?tid=3532)



RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:49 pm)Dan wrote I didn't say that a full service would be operated - but cancellations should be far less in number given the company will be over-staffed overall.

Drivers' holidays are likely to have been deferred from pre-24 July to post-24 July to enable fewer cancellations currently, sickness I'm sure will still be incredibly high post-24 July, and drivers will still be coming off duty to undertake route learning.

But yes, I'm sure these posts will be quoted on Sunday evening when Monday's journey cancellations go online, stating how much of a shitshow it is, ya'da, ya'da.

In other news, I believe Arriva North East are going onto emergency timetables shortly due to their staffing situation getting increasingly worse, which will include services 22/23/24 all running hourly.

Are the 61 being allocated Deckers to Peterlee, aswell as the X6 (which could be an OmniDekka)

The One time GNE might be able to take some competiton and they cancel the 55, please bring it back for this.


Disruptions and driver shortages - cbma06 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:53 pm)Unber43 wrote Are the 61 being allocated Deckers to Peterlee, aswell as the X6 (which could be an OmniDekka)

The One time GNE might be able to take some competiton and they cancel the 55, please bring it back for this.


Eh, the 61 going to be operated by the violets citarios from service 55, why would it be omnidekka?

If service 22/23/24 do go hourly, then there still be a half hourly service between Peterlee and Sunderland for Arriva


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 2:06 pm)cbma06 wrote Eh, the 61 going to be operated by the violets citarios from service 55, why would it be omnidekka?

If service 22/23/24 do go hourly, then there still be a half hourly service between Peterlee and Sunderland for Arriva


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
For the extra people, however the 23/22 is probably only need a every 30 min service between Peterlee & Sunderland


Disruptions and driver shortages - cbma06 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 2:12 pm)Unber43 wrote For the extra people, however the 23/22 is probably only need a every 30 min service between Peterlee & Sunderland


Don’t think there’s going to be much difference really along that corridor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - F114TML - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:53 pm)Unber43 wrote Are the 61 being allocated Deckers to Peterlee, aswell as the X6 (which could be an OmniDekka)

The One time GNE might be able to take some competiton and they cancel the 55, please bring it back for this.
Can an OmniDekka fit under that bridge near Ryhope? (14ft 3in)

(22 Jul 2022, 1:49 pm)Dan wrote I didn't say that a full service would be operated - but cancellations should be far less in number given the company will be over-staffed overall.

Drivers' holidays are likely to have been deferred from pre-24 July to post-24 July to enable fewer cancellations currently, sickness I'm sure will still be incredibly high post-24 July, and drivers will still be coming off duty to undertake route learning.

But yes, I'm sure these posts will be quoted on Sunday evening when Monday's journey cancellations go online, stating how much of a shitshow it is, ya'da, ya'da.

In other news, I believe Arriva North East are going onto emergency timetables shortly due to their staffing situation getting increasingly worse, which will include services 22/23/24 all running hourly.
Brilliant idea. Why didn't GNE think of doing this earlier? Idk about anyone else, but I'd much rather have an emergency timetable that's reliable than a normal timetable that's just a lottery as to whether or not the bus turns up.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Rob44 - 22 Jul 2022

Have suffered from excessive alcohol intake due to a 4 hour gap on a 28b service i would much rather they say sorry we need to reduce your service to a bus every 2 hours but we guarantee it will run


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 3:02 pm)F114TML wrote Can an OmniDekka fit under that bridge near Ryhope? (14ft 3in)


Brilliant idea. Why didn't GNE think of doing this earlier? Idk about anyone else, but I'd much rather have an emergency timetable that's reliable than a normal timetable that's just a lottery as to whether or not the bus turns up.
Yep, so can an E400


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Ambassador - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:49 pm)Dan wrote But yes, I'm sure these posts will be quoted on Sunday evening when Monday's journey cancellations go online, stating how much of a shitshow it is, ya'da, ya'da.

In other news, I believe Arriva North East are going onto emergency timetables shortly due to their staffing situation getting increasingly worse, which will include services 22/23/24 all running hourly.
I mean, that sounds incredibly sensible and something GNE should have done ages ago since they clearly can’t  run their current timetable. At least passengers could plan or make good choices versus the current as you say…shit show.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - BusLoverMum - 22 Jul 2022

"22/23/24 all running hourly."

Measures like this, while a pain in the arse for passengers, are far preferable to the current mess of some buses cancelled, some doing one half of a route, some doing the other half, with the resultant huge and unpredictable gaps, often coinciding with similar gaps on alternative services, leaving people stranded for long periods.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

Just look at the 21, there is about 50% of the vehicles on that there should be.
From Newcastle: 05:15, 19:02, 20:06, 21:26, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:35, 19:05.
From Durham: 06:13, 07:00, 22:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle: 04:37, 18:18, 20:44.

Considering that was all that was listed, why won't GNE give us the full cancellation? Are they too embarrassed at them?


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - stagecoachbusdepot - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 5:00 pm)BusLoverMum wrote "22/23/24 all running hourly."

Measures like this, while a pain in the arse for passengers, are far preferable to the current mess of some buses cancelled, some doing one half of a route, some doing the other half, with the resultant huge and unpredictable gaps, often coinciding with similar gaps on alternative services, leaving people stranded for long periods.

Interesting the level of unanimity here in terms of preference for reduced but predictable timetable (approach of SNE and apparently soon to be ANE) to the attempt to run a full timetable unreliably (GNEs approach for several months now). 

It seems obvious to me which would be preferable to customers and appears to be borne out here too … but does anyone take the opposite view? 

And if not, and it is as obvious as it appears that operating emergency timetables is better than – to use the phrase of the day – the shitshow that is GNE’s offering, why have GNE persisted with this failing approach for so long? 

Would introduction of emergency timetables across the board have reduced inconvenience to customers and potentially done less damage to the GNE brand? 

Seems really odd they took the emergency timetable approach to a minority of services but not the rest, despite very obvious chronic failures in delivery across the business.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Andreos1 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 5:08 pm)Unber43 wrote Just look at the 21, there is about 50% of the vehicles on that there should be.
From Newcastle: 05:15, 19:02, 20:06, 21:26, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:35, 19:05.
From Durham: 06:13, 07:00, 22:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle: 04:37, 18:18, 20:44.

Considering that was all that was listed, why won't GNE give us the full cancellation? Are they too embarrassed at them?
A cynic may say the list of published cancellations vs unannounced or 'unscheduled' cancellations is done deliberately and has all sorts of things to do with funding eligibility. 
Of course, I'm not a cynical chap. So wouldn't dare suggest it.

(22 Jul 2022, 5:19 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Interesting the level of unanimity here in terms of preference for reduced but predictable timetable (approach of SNE and apparently soon to be ANE) to the attempt to run a full timetable unreliably (GNEs approach for several months now). 

It seems obvious to me which would be preferable to customers and appears to be borne out here too … but does anyone take the opposite view? 

And if not, and it is as obvious as it appears that operating emergency timetables is better than – to use the phrase of the day – the shitshow that is GNE’s offering, why have GNE persisted with this failing approach for so long? 

Would introduction of emergency timetables across the board have reduced inconvenience to customers and potentially done less damage to the GNE brand? 

Seems really odd they took the emergency timetable approach to a minority of services but not the rest, despite very obvious chronic failures in delivery across the business.
I think most want some sort of stability or predictability.
It means they can make plans and can actually achieve something, rather than end up like Rob44 and half cut!




RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - BusLoverMum - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 5:08 pm)Unber43 wrote Just look at the 21, there is about 50% of the vehicles on that there should be.
From Newcastle: 05:15, 19:02, 20:06, 21:26, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:35, 19:05.
From Durham: 06:13, 07:00, 22:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle: 04:37, 18:18, 20:44.

Considering that was all that was listed, why won't GNE give us the full cancellation? Are they too embarrassed at them?
There's an orchestra of angels
Failing to depart....

And as someone whose buses home from Chester and beyond are the 21, X21 and 50, it's not hard to see why I'm in the "would appreciate some consistency and predictability" camp.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Storx - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:53 pm)Unber43 wrote Are the 61 being allocated Deckers to Peterlee, aswell as the X6 (which could be an OmniDekka)

The One time GNE might be able to take some competiton and they cancel the 55, please bring it back for this.

Why would anyone want to use the 55 it's a magical mystery tour between the two and as infrequent.

Mind I do think Arriva would be better running the Sunday timetable at double the frequency.

22 (Every 30 Minutes additionally via Easington)
24 (Every 30 Minutes)
23 (No Service)

Would provide everyone with a 30 minute service even known the PVR would be slightly higher but not by much, be cleaner. Hourly services are unusable imo with the Sunderland to Hartlepool link not around for a bit but there's the train anyway.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

Well...if you thought previous days where a shi*t show, you've seen nothing like it, Deptford Small Bus Rota & Peterlee Rota Have Cancellations for the first time in a while, aswell as Percy Main.

- Xlines X1 - What A Mess
It has no bus running to Easington Lane from Newcastle, from 14:23, 14:35 | 15:47, 15:59 | 16:23, 16:47 | 17:23, 17:35, the 17:47 will only run as far as Washington. Meaning where it is roughly 17:11 to 18:00 wait for an X1 past Washington.
Furthermore GNE cancelling 55 in order for people to use the X1, seems to have backfired when they have a 2 hour wait for one with : 14:14, 14:38, 15:14, cancelled.

- Peterlee Purples X6: 
From Peterlee: 15:47
From Sunderland: 15:06


-X-lines X20: 
From Langley Park: 11:13
From Sunderland: 09:43

- Xlines X21
From Bishop Auckland - Last Service to Newcastle from Bishop Auckland (20:45) is cancelled. Last Bishop Auckland to ClS (22:45) is cancelled.

- Coaster 1
From Whitley Bay - Final 1 (23:36) is cancelled

- Connections 4
From Heworth - 10:01, 10:13, 10:25 three in a row are cancelled (48 Min Wait)

- Coast & Country 8 (what a DISASTER)
From Stanley 16:19, 16:49 | Last 5 from Stanley Cancelled 19:22, 20:22, 21:22, 22:22, 23:22.
From Sunderland  18:57, 20:57, 21:57, 22:57.

- Tyne Valley Ten(A)
From Blackhall Mill 16:44, 17:46, 18:45, 19:38 (4 in a row)

- Angel 21
From Newcastle: 17:16, 18:26, 19:26, 20:06, 20:26, 21:26, 22:26, 22:46, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:37.
From Durham: 21:40, 22:27, 23:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle:  18:39, 19:44, 20:44, 21:44. (Quadruple this amount will probably get you close to the amount of cancellations)

- Go North East 26
From South Shields - Final 26 (23:16) is cancelled

- Go North East 28
From Newcastle - I guess some of you have got your wish the 28 is every two hours from 8am -  07:23, 07:59, 09:59, 11:59, 13:59, 15:59
From Chester-Le-Street - 09:14, 11:14, 13:14

- Go North East 28A
From Newcastle Every 2 hours - 08:22, 10:22, 12:22, 14:22,
From CLS - 07:10, 09:08, 11:08, 13:08, 15:08, 18:08.

- Go North East 28B
From CLS : 23:05 (Final Service) is cancelled

- Go North East 34
From Waldridge Park - 09:40, 10:20, 10:40, 11:20, 11:40, 12:00 - Meaning the route is basically every hour, with a 60 minute gap, twice. With the 11:00 only running as far as CLS meaning you could be in for about Two Hour Wait | 21:02, 22:02, meaning there is a 3 hour wait, for the next bus which is the last bus
From Outson - 09:11, 09:51, 10:11, 10:51, 11:11, 11:31, 12:11 | 21:32, 22:32 Three Hour Wait

- Sunderland & District Graphite 39-39A
From Pennywell - 08:13, 08:32 (45 min wait) | 09:47, 10:17, 10:47 (Two Hour Wait for 39) | 11:02, 11:32, 12:02 (Two hour wait for 39A), between 10:32 - 11:17 there are no buses running from Pennywell
From Doxford Park - 09:04, 09:34, 10:04 (Two Hour Wait 39A), 10:17, 10:41, 11:17, 11:47 (Two Hour Wait for 39A), 12:04 (with a 45 min wait here)

- Peterlee Purples 62 
From Sunderland -17:02.
From Peterlee - 18:26.

- Peterlee Purples 201 
From Peterlee: 15:15, 16:15, 17:15. (Every Hour, instead of every 30 mins)
From Bracken Hill: 15:27, 16:27, 17:27 (Every Hour instead of every 30 mins)

- Peterlee Purples 209 
From Peterlee: 14:43, 15:43, 16:43. (4 Hour Wait)
From Horden Hall: 14:53, 15:53, 16:53. (4 Hour Wait)


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - F114TML - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 7:29 pm)Unber43 wrote Peterlee Depot Have Cancellations FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
1) Peterlee depot no longer exists
2) I've definitely seen calncellations listed for the Peterlee Purples routes, though iirc it was only a couple.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 7:38 pm)F114TML wrote 1) Peterlee depot no longer exists
2) I've definitely seen calncellations listed for the Peterlee Purples routes, though iirc it was only a couple.
I meant peterlee rota.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - F114TML - 22 Jul 2022

So there's 1 journey on the 38, the 1630 from Sunderland, but the return journey is still penciled in - seems very odd to me. Are they changing a driver's rota and having them drive the bus empty from the city centre to Tunstall Bank?


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - stagecoachbusdepot - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 7:29 pm)Unber43 wrote Well...if you thought previous days where a shi*t show, you've seen nothing like it, Deptford Small Bus Rota & Peterlee Rota Have Cancellations for the first time in a while, aswell as Percy Main.

- Xlines X1 - What A Mess
It has no bus running to Easington Lane from Newcastle, from 14:23, 14:35 | 15:47, 15:59 | 16:23, 16:47 | 17:23, 17:35, the 17:47 will only run as far as Washington. Meaning where it is roughly 17:11 to 18:00 wait for an X1 past Washington.
Furthermore GNE cancelling 55 in order for people to use the X1, seems to have backfired when they have a 2 hour wait for one with : 14:14, 14:38, 15:14, cancelled.

- Peterlee Purples X6: 
From Peterlee: 15:47
From Sunderland: 15:06


-X-lines X20: 
From Langley Park: 11:13
From Sunderland: 09:43

- Xlines X21
From Bishop Auckland - Last Service to Newcastle from Bishop Auckland (20:45) is cancelled. Last Bishop Auckland to ClS (22:45) is cancelled.

- Coaster 1
From Whitley Bay - Final 1 (23:36) is cancelled

- Connections 4
From Heworth - 10:01, 10:13, 10:25 three in a row are cancelled (48 Min Wait)

- Coast & Country 8 (what a DISASTER)
From Stanley 16:19, 16:49 | Last 5 from Stanley Cancelled 19:22, 20:22, 21:22, 22:22, 23:22.
From Sunderland  18:57, 20:57, 21:57, 22:57.

- Tyne Valley Ten(A)
From Blackhall Mill 16:44, 17:46, 18:45, 19:38 (4 in a row)

- Angel 21
From Newcastle: 17:16, 18:26, 19:26, 20:06, 20:26, 21:26, 22:26, 22:46, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:37.
From Durham: 21:40, 22:27, 23:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle:  18:39, 19:44, 20:44, 21:44. (Quadruple this amount will probably get you close to the amount of cancellations)

- Go North East 26
From South Shields - Final 26 (23:16) is cancelled

- Go North East 28
From Newcastle - I guess some of you have got your wish the 28 is every two hours from 8am -  07:23, 07:59, 09:59, 11:59, 13:59, 15:59
From Chester-Le-Street - 09:14, 11:14, 13:14

- Go North East 28A
From Newcastle Every 2 hours - 08:22, 10:22, 12:22, 14:22,
From CLS - 07:10, 09:08, 11:08, 13:08, 15:08, 18:08.

- Go North East 28B
From CLS : 23:05 (Final Service) is cancelled

- Go North East 34
From Waldridge Park - 09:40, 10:20, 10:40, 11:20, 11:40, 12:00 - Meaning the route is basically every hour, with a 60 minute gap, twice. With the 11:00 only running as far as CLS meaning you could be in for about Two Hour Wait | 21:02, 22:02, meaning there is a 3 hour wait, for the next bus which is the last bus
From Outson - 09:11, 09:51, 10:11, 10:51, 11:11, 11:31, 12:11 | 21:32, 22:32 Three Hour Wait

- Sunderland & District Graphite 39-39A
From Pennywell - 08:13, 08:32 (45 min wait) | 09:47, 10:17, 10:47 (Two Hour Wait for 39) | 11:02, 11:32, 12:02 (Two hour wait for 39A), between 10:32 - 11:17 there are no buses running from Pennywell
From Doxford Park - 09:04, 09:34, 10:04 (Two Hour Wait 39A), 10:17, 10:41, 11:17, 11:47 (Two Hour Wait for 39A), 12:04 (with a 45 min wait here)

- Peterlee Purples 62 
From Sunderland -17:02.
From Peterlee - 18:26.

- Peterlee Purples 201 
From Peterlee: 15:15, 16:15, 17:15. (Every Hour, instead of every 30 mins)
From Bracken Hill: 15:27, 16:27, 17:27 (Every Hour instead of every 30 mins)

- Peterlee Purples 209 
From Peterlee: 14:43, 15:43, 16:43. (4 Hour Wait)
From Horden Hall: 14:53, 15:53, 16:53. (4 Hour Wait)

Christ even I think this is getting a bit obsessive now ... you must spend a LOT of time comparing all the cancellations to the published timetables to work out the size of the gaps.  We all know GNE have a ridiculous amount of lost mileage atm and they are seeking to address it (albeit by slashing services)... surely we need to give it a chance, after the changes, to see if it works out.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 7:53 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Christ even I think this is getting a bit obsessive now ... you must spend a LOT of time comparing all the cancellations to the published timetables to work out the size of the gaps.  We all know GNE have a ridiculous amount of lost mileage atm and they are seeking to address it (albeit by slashing services)... surely we need to give it a chance, after the changes, to see if it works out.
I mean it took me about 15 mins.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - DeltaMan - 22 Jul 2022

I believe the section of the 10A between Blackhall Mill and Rockwood Hill is paid for by Nexus. So, I assume a penalty is incoming?


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Adrian - 22 Jul 2022

Just a suggestion, but would it not be easier if they started listing what will be running?


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - omnicity4659 - 22 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 9:21 pm)Adrian wrote Just a suggestion, but would it not be easier if they started listing what will be running?

Would be a shorter list to copy and paste onto the forum!


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - User2613 - 23 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 7:29 pm)Unber43 wrote - Angel 21
From Newcastle: 17:16, 18:26, 19:26, 20:06, 20:26, 21:26, 22:26, 22:46, 23:26.
From Brandon: 18:37.
From Durham: 21:40, 22:27, 23:27.
From Chester-le-Street to Newcastle:  18:39, 19:44, 20:44, 21:44. (Quadruple this amount will probably get you close to the amount of cancellations)

Someone should make a full list of the actual 21 cancellations today and compare to the published list. I will start seen as I am now walking home from work rather P'd off

6:33 from Chester to Newcastle Cancelled


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Storx - 23 Jul 2022

The services are going to be much much worse than what's reported as Pride is on which always wrecks havoc without cancellations.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Andreos1 - 23 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 9:21 pm)Adrian wrote Just a suggestion, but would it not be easier if they started listing what will be running?
I could see it being easier for passengers doing it that way.
After all, that is how normal timetables are set out.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 23 Jul 2022

(23 Jul 2022, 5:45 am)User2613 wrote Someone should make a full list of the actual 21 cancellations today and compare to the published list. I will start seen as I am now walking home from work rather P'd off

6:33 from Chester to Newcastle Cancelled
I will work out all the ones which did not run from Newcastle today, ill work it out later today.


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Unber43 - 23 Jul 2022

Cancellations From Newcastle on 21 Friday 22nd July 2022. 

05:15 - 05:40 - 06:10B - 06:25 - 06:38B - 06:53 - 07:03B - 07:13 - 07:23 - 07:33B - 07:43 - 07:53 - 08:03 - 08:13B - 08:23 - 08:33 - 08:43B - 08:53 - 09:03 - 09:13B - 09:23 - 09:33 - 09:43B - 09:53 - 10:03 - 10:13B - 10:23 - 10:33 - 10:43B - 10:53 - 11:03 - 11:13B - 11:23 - 11:33 - 11:43B - 11:53 - 12:03 - 12:13B - 12:23 - 12:33 - 12:43B - 12:53 - 13:03 - 13:13 - 13:23 - 13:33 - 13:43B - 13:53 - 14:03 - 14:13B - 14:23 - 14:33 - 14:43B - 14:53 - 15:03G - 15:13B - 15:23 - 15:34G - 15:45B - 15:55 - 16:02 - 16:12B - 16:22 - 16:32 - 16:42B - 16:52 - 17:02 - 17:12B - 17:22 - 17:32 - 17:42B - 17:52 - 18:02 - 18:12 - 18:22D - 18:32 - 18:42D - 18:52 - 19:02 - 19:12 - 19:25D - 19:36 - 19:46D - 20:06 - 20:26D - 20:46D - 21:06 - 21:26D - 21:46D - 22:06 - 22:26 - 22:46 - 23:02 - 23:26 - 23:46


Bold - Didn’t Run 
B/D - Extended to Brandon & Durham
C - Ran from CLS to Durham/Brandon
G - Ran just not from Newcastle


Note - This probably has some incorrect labeled running/cancelled service. These are only services from Newcastle, they do not count if it ran from Gatesehad/Chester Le Street

From my count 40/100 services didn't run, which is 2/5

These are the ones listed not to run
From Newcastle: 05:15, 19:02, 20:06, 21:26, 23:26 - Thats 5 out of 40


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - Ambassador - 23 Jul 2022

Hopefully the changes do help recover things with football starting up, the next two weekends have Newcastle home games to contend with


RE: Disruptions and driver shortages - peter - 23 Jul 2022

(22 Jul 2022, 1:49 pm)Dan wrote In other news, I believe Arriva North East are going onto emergency timetables shortly due to their staffing situation getting increasingly worse, which will include services 22/23/24 all running hourly.

According to Arriva's website it's just the 22/23 between Peterlee and Sunderland reduced to hourly on each service. The only other affected service is the 49/49A reducing from every 15 to 20 minutes combined. You can see the very short article here - the key phrase being "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey, these changes are put in place to ensure we can provide the best possible service."

I suppose Arriva also deserve some credit here for reducing services that have alternatives provided by GNE (compared to at one point when the 56 from Durham to Bishop was reduced to hourly with no other options available).