(18 Jul 2026, 10:49 am)Busadvocate wrote If we can find the time to read the documents, it's actually clear what is proposed for X10 and other similar services.

In the Franchising Scheme Assessment/Commercial case, pages 388 to 392 show maps of the services  in the proposed sequence of depot packages and small contracts. Although the services are not actually listed, it is clear from the routes what is intended.  (It seems odd there is not an Appendix listing the services - or is it just I have not found it?)

X10 is in the first round of depot contracts, in Package A (Riverside).

Arriva's services into Tees Valley come in the second round, mostly as separate smaller contracts, but 23/24, X12 and X22 are included in Package C (Belmont and Consett).

Comment: It is most unlikely that Permits would be granted for any additional services running into the franchised area on these corridors, so it is hard to see any realistic scope for such services. Obviously, there are potential issues for how the franchised services fit with and affect local services in Darlington etc, but that does not seem insuperable.

(20 Jul 2026, 6:33 pm)Adrian wrote It's important to read this with section 5.4 of the Commercial Case (pg.364 onwards). They might be provisionally part of the packages, but from what I read, it's not 100% decided what will happen with regard to any cross-boundary service yet.

Cross boundary services with a majority of their journey time inside the North East will generally be provided as franchised services (legally operating as a secured service outside the MSA area), unless:

• the service is procured by a neighbouring local transport authority; or
  
• including the service in the franchising scheme risks an adverse impact on the commercial network in the neighbouring local transport authority area.
  

(22 Jul 2026, 12:12 pm)Superman wrote ... I think the second exception is deliberately included to provide flexibility if operators challenge the proposals (and I wholly expect them to do so). It appears aimed at situations where, for example, Arriva could argue that franchising services into or around Darlington would have a detrimental impact on its wider commercial network in Darlington (i.e. loss of services via franchise would push full depot overheads onto a small town network and likely make it unsustainable). The wording suggests they are anticipating that argument and have left themselves room to exclude services if necessary.

(22 Jul 2026, 9:34 pm)Busadvocate wrote I understand your point, but IMO it would be controversial if Arriva's concern became decisive, as it would seem to leave the south west of the region with a second class service. 

(23 Jul 2026, 2:49 pm)Superman wrote A permit system would apply the same requirements on the services operating inst it as the franchise would, otherwise the permit to operate within would be revoked. There would be no difference, on the ground, except for the bus livery.

(17 Jul 2026, 7:11 pm)Storx wrote They might decline it on rail grounds though mind, depending on what devolution comes along.

Personally can't see where the demand is coming from anyway as the vast majority of people are going to use the hourly semi express train anyway to the Metrocentre since it's a special treat. 

Mind I hope medium term they can get the Durham Coast, Morpeth and Tyne Valley services under the POP Network like the Northumberland Line. Would be a game changer for public transport imo.

(24 Jul 2026, 9:58 pm)col87 wrote So in that case then does the NECA have the power to say it has to be 3-4 carriages as at the moment they is usually only 2 which can already be quite full by the time it gets to Hartlepool.  An express bus service could mean a more comfortable ride.

(24 Jul 2026, 9:58 pm)col87 wrote So in that case then does the NECA have the power to say it has to be 3-4 carriages as at the moment they is usually only 2 which can already be quite full by the time it gets to Hartlepool.  An express bus service could mean a more comfortable ride.

(25 Jul 2026, 4:20 am)tyresmoke wrote Simple answer is no… but maybe if rail revolution kicks off then maybe? You’re looking at the far future there though.

As for longer distance bus services from Hartlepool. There’s a reason they don’t exist already. The ones that did in the past have gradually disappeared. There’s probably a reason for that.

I have to say at Coatham we started doing a bit of work from Hartlepool when the coach operators there disappeared. There wasn’t a huge amount though… and the lack of decent operators in East Durham (Peterlee etc) area tells you there is limited demand other than home to school.

People just don’t travel long distance, and what demand there is - is swept up by the train these days, especially since they doubled the service up the coast it’s covering the demand most of the time.

(27 Sep 2026, 5:58 pm)Adrian wrote Consultation closes at 9am tomorrow. If you haven't done so already, the quickest way is via their survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/haveyoursayonbuses

Not sure what to add? The NEPTUG have produced some suggested prompts for your response: https://betterbusesne.org.uk/consultation-reponses/

(27 Sep 2026, 6:01 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Still dont see what its gonna achieve. An area where our mayor seems to be doing to many things at once

(27 Sep 2026, 6:38 pm)Adrian wrote Put that in your consultation response then? Obviously with a bit more rationale behind it.

It's not just the Mayor sitting there doing all the work herself... she has a team of directors who then have their own departments that carry out work, along with external partners.

(27 Sep 2026, 10:36 pm)Malarkey wrote As the old saying goes....You have two hopes. Bob Hope and No Hope Mr Fairchild!

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Why are so admit behind Kim and this fantasies shes got planned. 

"Simple tickets & better value for money"

How can that be your first point when you scrapped the £6 t&w day rover and then made everyone buy the £6.80 tne day saver then up the price to £7.50. And then say "better value for money" cause it aint. One point on this thing already a lie

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "Route & timetable would be planned more consistent to help connect buses & reduce cuts"

Okay so what if they do this and cut routes that dont serve a purpose. Thats not improvement thats going back on yourself. She's done naff all about services being cut recently. Yeah she made a post but has she gone to councils and said anything. Course she hasn't. 

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "Consistent & increase safety measurements"

Clearly aint working as Meadow Well is a war zone most day & nights now. Travelling on the metro is a death sentence at nights & Haymarket & Eldon & Metrocentre are rammed with chaos with chavs messing about & druggy people shouting causing arguments and even fighting. Wheres the staff where you need them or even the police. Nowhere so why propose it if its not already here

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "One place to find information" 

Its here and its the worst thing to navigate. What was wrong with the nexus page before. It was updated constantly and on time. Half the diversions that happen aint even mentioned and even some timetable changes aint shown either

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "One recognise brand to help passenger travel with confidence"

Yeah like passenger give a care about how there bus looks. Most people be lucky to get a bus service these days yet there promises that a new one brand will help all. Aye course it will. Course it wont. Passengers want a bus not a bloody clown bus livery turning up. Long as it runs thats all they care about 

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "Greater ability for people to have a say on there network"

They do its called consultations. And so what. The company's dont care. Also they want to withdraw a service if nobody's using it. Take the M71 for example. Was supposed to be cut in March but was saved due to an infulux of people using it. Dont use the service then whys it there to begin with. A waste of money yet they winge its gone when they dont actually use it. While on this topic. The grace everyone wanted the metro to Washington. Plans came out and ive not seen one postive cause why would it be. It servers the out skirts of Washington and servers no reason to be there. If and if franchising was to come in. What would be the point in the metro if you state in the one point of show is "make transport easier and better" well that makes the Metro to Washington completely useless as more bus routes will just be introduced to combat the metro like the airport section. One bus route from Newcastle to Airport and it doesn't even serve inside the grounds cause the metros there

(27 Sep 2026, 7:29 pm)Nerd4321 wrote "More public control over how buses are planned & delivered for the public not for profit"

So buses aint allowed to make a profit and should be for the people where more these days people are driving because transport in the North East is shocking yet some people have the mind set that Kim is the 2nd coming of Jesus to save the North East when so far shes killing it and then promise all these things. She said she would cut metro fares. She didn't. Only if you have that stupid plastic blue card then its the fare you asked for. Same with the bus fare. It should be affordable. So why cut one of the tickets then increase the price again. Thats not helping your case in being in the public eye. But no wheres Kim when that happens. Nowhere cause shes failed at a promise she made

Disagree all yours want. But read the signs in front of you. Franchising will not work until a sustainable network happens up here. Will it ever. Course it wont. All these buses paid for by the government & Kim. Yet they aint even allocated to what they should be. Constant non electrics on the Voltra routes. The 43s cant even have BYD on all day cause of the milage. So whats the point 

Disagree or agree with this but this consultations is complete and utter waste of time. Plus how can we have Franchising & a Metro to Washington & an extension of the Northumberland Line. All at the same time. Yeah two out the 3 projects or all 3 will be cancelled or changed in some way

(27 Sep 2026, 10:36 pm)Malarkey wrote As the old saying goes....You have two hopes. Bob Hope and No Hope Mr Fairchild!

(Yesterday, 10:36 am)Adrian wrote As Ambassador points out, this is a policing issue that you're complaining about. Even if you have a staffing presence, which the franchising scheme will deliver, they're still going to be limited in what action or intervention they can make. 

(Yesterday, 11:34 am)Storx wrote In fairness, just on this point they've made the point buses will be safer. I agree it's a policing issue, but putting that statement out now invites people to criticise them because they said they'd be safer.

It was a stupid claim and should've never been made.

It's better to under promise and over deliver rather than over promise and under deliver and a lot of the public claims are pretty bold - borderline fantasy, especially things like reliability which is again outside their control unless they stop backing out at every bus priority measure and scale them back to some traffic lights (which usually are worse ironically).

(Yesterday, 4:15 pm)Kimlfixit wrote Maybe the Mayor can ask the previous Police and Crime Commissioner how the 'Safer Transport Northumbria" app is going?

She has a record to defend on this sort of thing....and its pretty woeful