(23 Jul 2021, 12:38 pm)Storx wrote Yeah agreed with that if I had to be honest, the services in parts of Whitley are a disgrace and it's no wonder bus usage is high. Monkseaton, Marden and Red House Farm must have some of the worst services in the North East especially the Southern Parts of Monkseaton which has the 57/57A and that's pretty much your lot, similar with Red House Farm which has the hourly 51 and that's your lot it's no wonder car usage is through the roof.

That's why I don't see the point in more expresses to add to the other 7 buses doing the same route through Whitley to Newcastle/Blyth (308 / 309) or the 5 buses between Whitley and Tynemouth doing pretty much the same route (1 / 306).

It's crazy how difficult it is to get to Silverlink, Tynemouth / Shields Morrison's, Monkseaton Sainsbury's and Norham Road Tesco from pretty much everywhere in East North Tyneside, argubly places where people need to get to if they want to shop. Sadly services which used to exist until not too long ago with the 75/76/85/86 before the 310/311 came along which are no better than the services they replaced (or in the case of the 311 cart around fresh air).

• First Bus from Newcastle (Eldon Square): 08:08.
  
• Last Bus from Newcastle (Eldon Square): 20:08 (to Consett), 21:08 (to Stanley).
  
• Departures from Newcastle generally at 08.
  

• First Bus from Washington MotoHub: 07:36 (towards Newcastle) & 07:30 (towards Stanley & Consett).
  
• Last Bus from Washington MotoHub: 20:30 (towards Consett, 21:30 terminates at Stanley) & 20:36 (towards Newcastle).
  

• Departures from Washington MotoHub generally at 30 (towards Stanley & Consett) & 36 (towards Newcastle).
  

• First Bus from Beamish Museum (Main Gates): 07:23 (towards Newcastle) & 07:43 (towards Stanley & Consett).
  
• Last Bus from Washington MotoHub: 20:43 (towards Consett, 21:43 terminates at Stanley) & 20:23 (towards Newcastle, 21:23 terminates at Washington MotoHub).
  

• Departures from Beamish Museum (Main Gates) generally at 43 (towards Stanley & Consett) & 23 (towards Newcastle).
  

• First Bus from Stanley (to Consett): 06:54.
  
• First Bus from Stanley (to Newcastle): 07:15.
  
• Last Bus from Stanley (to Consett): 20:54.
  
• Last Bus from Stanley (to Newcastle): 2015, 2115 (only to Washington MotoHub).
  
• Departures from Stanley generally at 15 towards Newcastle & 54 towards Consett.
  
• First Bus from Consett: 07:40
  
• Last Bus from Consett: 1940 (to Newcastle), 2040 (to Washington MotoHub), 2140 (to Stanley)
  
• Departures from Consett generally at 40. 
  
• Buses to Run Monday to Saturdays only at the moment.
  
• Buses to be operated with a 36-ish seater single deck vehicle.
  

(25 Jul 2021, 3:32 pm)MurdnunoC wrote 478 Venus - Saturn via The Moon, Earth (Washington MotoHub), Mars (Perseverance Landing Site), Asteroid Belt Hub, Io, Europa, and Titan.

(25 Jul 2021, 4:06 pm)Washingtonian wrote Ah well that will be very useful for those of us living in Washington who wish to visit space at some point in the future

(27 Jul 2021, 12:14 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was humming and harring about the idea of this MotoHub.

As the network stands, I don't think it could work.
However, if operators and local authorities actually spoke with each other, I think there's some potential. 
Particularly with the rumoured P&R sites just a few miles down the road.

There's very few routes that go anywhere near the services as it stands. 82 and 25 along Portobello Road and the 81/82 and 50 (can't remember what route it takes out of Washington this week) in Ayton. Plus those services which head along the motorway. 
If this hub was developed, multi-story carparking introduced (see Durham Station for an example of how that was done), routes were adapted and it was used not only as a hub to connect services - but also as a potential P&R site for places like Newcastle, Gateshead, Metrocentre, Chester le Street and Sunderland (it is on the border of three county boundaries) - I think there is potential.

No doubt it would cost money and it is totally different to anything seen before, but if LA's and operators want to see people make the modal switch, I do think they need to think outside the box.
A redesign of the dated services along with a change to the road structure either side of the motorway and this MotoHub, could be 'outside the box.

From a commercial perspective, Moto could be licking their lips! Footfall (and spending) could increase massively within the concessions.

(27 Jul 2021, 2:17 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Just a quick question, have GNE every had a 3 axle demonstrator?
I was thinking, maybe use a tri-axle single deckers on busy routes with low bridges, but the only ones that spring to mind that would be busy enough would be the 4 or the 8/8A/78/78A.

---

You would also have the X21 from The A1 and you could divert the X32 that way. Unless you think the X21 should go into Washington Galleries

(27 Jul 2021, 2:17 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Just a quick question, have GNE every had a 3 axle demonstrator?
I was thinking, maybe use a tri-axle single deckers on busy routes with low bridges, but the only ones that spring to mind that would be busy enough would be the 4 or the 8/8A/78/78A.

---

You would also have the X21 from The A1 and you could divert the X32 that way. Unless you think the X21 should go into Washington Galleries

(27 Jul 2021, 2:22 pm)JP6004 wrote The had tr-axle omnicity (might be called different) on trial on the then M1 in 2009ish

(27 Jul 2021, 2:33 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The X21 shouldn't even go through Low Fell never mind the bloody Galleries. It already takes long enough as it is!

(27 Jul 2021, 2:17 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Just a quick question, have GNE every had a 3 axle demonstrator?
I was thinking, maybe use a tri-axle single deckers on busy routes with low bridges, but the only ones that spring to mind that would be busy enough would be the 4 or the 8/8A/78/78A.

---

You would also have the X21 from The A1 and you could divert the X32 that way. Unless you think the X21 should go into Washington Galleries 

(27 Jul 2021, 3:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote If you're keeping the network as is, I'd do the following:

I'd keep the X21 as it is, but divert it in to the hub.
There's 2 buses an hour in to Gateshead Newcastle and Durham with the X21. 
I would also divert the X1 via this hub and have it omit Springwell.
There's 5 buses an hour in to Gateshead, Newcastle, Washington and beyond. 

I'd also have the 81/82 and 50 serve the hub.

In addition, I would divert the 8 away from Harraton and Fatfield to serve the hub. There is already a fair few buses between those two places to Washington Town Centre and Sunderland. Not sure the 8 actually needs to operate through those areas. 

There's a number of existing services and with slight tweaks, I think they would complement each other. 

The only concerns I would have, is that the 8 and 50 aren't fast or frequent enough to appeal to those wanting a P&R to/from Sunderland City Centre nor the manufacturing/business parks. 
Ditto with the X1 and the coalfields areas, Rainton Bridge etc. Obviously there's nothing towards TVTE or Doxford Park either.
Key employment locations, which are chronically under-served.

(27 Jul 2021, 4:05 pm)Storx wrote You'd have problems with the 8, 50 and X1 because you can't get off the A1(M) without a massive detour. There's no route from the A1(M) to the A1231 so the X1 would have to travel to the Angel then head the wrong way back to Wrekenton and it's on the wrong side of the A195 for the 8 and 50 Northbound so they would have to go on a massive detour up to the A182 and head back down.

The Park and Ride is also in the wrong place for heading to Sunderland as anyone going to Sunderland will already be travelling along the A1231, A690, A183 or A194/A19 depending where they've come from and it's going 'the wrong way'.

Personally I don't understand what links your making though tbh.

X1 users can change at Houghton for Sunderland / Durham / South Shields / Rainton / Doxford Park or Washington for South Shields / Chester Le Street / Stanley
X21 users can change at Durham for Sunderland / Rainton / Stanley / Doxford Park or Chester Le Street for Washington / South Shields / Stanley
8 / 50 users can change at Washington or Chester Le Street for Newcastle / Gateshead / Sunderland / Durham / Stanley

(27 Jul 2021, 4:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote That's why I said earlier on, that there would need to be massive changes to the road infrastructure/layout.
But if that's what gets people to make that modal switch, then it might be needed.
If it isn't, the X21 is going to be stuck behind traffic heading to TVTE whilst it battles its way to Low Fell.

A busway over the motorway (similar to the one at the Metrocentre) would be an effective way of getting the 8 from the northbound MotoHub back in to Washington (Holiday Inn/Chevies/Ayton).
I don't see the issue with the X1, as it would head up/down Fell Bank to the Angel to/from Wrekenton and it would still have easy access to the A195/A182.

Someone wanting to get to Rainton Bridge or Doxford Park from Birtley isn't likely to make the modal switch if they can get down to Picktree and drive through Fencehouses in 10mins.
As it stands, it's the best part of 30mins to the Galleries on the 82, another 30mins on the X1 to Houghton and another 10/15mins to either of the business parks. 

Similarly, someone going from Harraton to TVTE can jump straight on the motorway or head through Birtley and Lamesley. Or they can get a bus to the Galleries (10/15mins), jump on an X1 and gamble on connecting to a 94 at the QE (30mins+ depending on connections).
If this idea was ever going to come off (which to be honest, it's not likely to) the MotoHub journeys could be just as quick as they would be in the car.

Replicate those journeys tenfold and car is going to continue to be king. 
Make hard improvements to infrastructure and the network and people will realise public transport is not so such of a chew on after all.

(27 Jul 2021, 6:21 pm)Storx wrote I know what your trying to say and can't really disagree but it sounds rather expensive building bridges etc to force a hub in a place which might not work. 

Imo you'd be better off spending the money on reopening the Leamside Line which means you can have quick efficient trains taking traffic away from the roads and also trains from the ECML so you could potentially run a railway service between Durham and Newcastle with stations at Newton Hall, CLS, Birtley, Team Valley (P&R), Lobley Hill (P&R), Newcastle. Then the same at Follingsby (P&R), Washington, Penshaw (Bus to Doxford Park), Fencehouses (Bus to Rainton) and just end it there. 

With a good bus service to the railway station and decent connections ticketing and timings in Birtley you'd take much more traffic away from the roads. 

Obviously neither will happen though since there's no money for them.

(27 Jul 2021, 2:33 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The X21 shouldn't even go through Low Fell never mind the bloody Galleries. It already takes long enough as it is!

(27 Jul 2021, 8:20 pm)big mac wrote Does it really make much difference the x21 serving the one stop on Low Fell to the overall journey time? Before the x21 started stopping on Low Fell and was non stop between Gateshead and Chester it used to go that way most of the time anyway, so why not pick up some more passengers for the sake of an extra minute, if that. It's not like it serves every stop on Durham Road.

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

(29 Jul 2021, 10:29 pm)Train8261 wrote Since Go North East have done well with the X11 to Scarborough. Would another one say to Edinburgh work

(29 Jul 2021, 10:45 pm)peter wrote Don't think you could compete with the train on a direct route like that tbh...if Wright Bros gave up on the 888 to Keswick, I do think a service to the Lakes would be worth a try.

(29 Jul 2021, 10:57 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It depends on the pricing, if it was only £15-20 for a return to Edinburgh I'd definitely consider it over the train

(30 Jul 2021, 12:26 am)Economic505 wrote Hell would freeze over before I’d consider a non train journey between NE Eng and Scotland. The roads in north Northumberland are terrible.

• 1 (as route from September) to be renumbered 301).
  
• 2 & 2A will be renumbered to 124 (Via Shiney Co-Op, Biddick Woods & Glebe) 125 (Old 2A, will serve Fallowfield Way) & 126 (Current 2)
  
• 10 to become standalone and renumbered X83 (will be non-stop from Central Station to Handy Drive again).
  

• 10A & 10B to be renumbered 12 & 12A with new Service 12B replacing Nexus R1 & R4.
  
• Existing 12 & 12A to be renumbered 31 & 32.
  
• 20 renumbered to 534.
  
• 21 renumbered to A1.
  
• 33 Replaces 39 between Sunderland & Pennywell. Also Extends from Silksworth to Doxford Park & Doxford International. (Will operate every 15 Mins as Service 133). 
  

• 35 to be renumbered as 141 and diverted to replace 38 in Ashbrooke & Leechmere then via Silksworth, rejoining normal route at Board Inn, will also now terminate at Houghton-Le-Spring.
  
• 39 to be renumbered as 137 (Continues Hourly to Washington replacing Nexus 37), 138 ( Hourly Return of 160/163 Route between Board Inn & New Lambton) & 139. All 3 Will be extended from Sunderland to Pallion Retail Park via Royal Hospital & St Lukes Cross.
  

• 49B reinstated alongside 49 & 49A.
  

• 55 diverted via Newbottle from A690 and will terminate at South Hetton. Also will be increased to 20 Mins, Merged with Stagecoach E1 & Renumbered as 535.
  
• 57, 58 to be joined by new 59 replacing Nexus 68 between Bill Quay & Q.E Hospital then Extending to Deckham Broadway, Gateshead & Newcastle.
  

• 61 to be merged with Stagecoach E6 and renumbered as the 536.
  
• 97 Will become a Full Circular Again.
  
• Q1 & Q2 renumbered G1 & G2 (G for Gateshead Orbit. Will no longer extend from Gateshead to Sage, Baltic, Quayside & Newcastle City Centre.
  

• X1 renumbered to i1 & i2 ( 3bph on Both Routes Based on Sep Changes). Branded as iToons.
  
• X66 merged with Stagecoach 100 as Circular (Will also replace Q1/Q2 Quayside Section. Renumbered as 66A & 66C.
  

(31 Jul 2021, 8:09 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote I'm currently in the middle of an idea involving redesigning the entire Tyne & Wear Bus Network, plus parts of Tynedale, Northumbria & Durham putting all commerical and contracted services under one roof. 

Standout Ideas based on GNE Routes

• 1 (as route from September) to be renumbered 301).
  
• 2 & 2A will be renumbered to 124 (Via Shiney Co-Op, Biddick Woods & Glebe) 125 (Old 2A, will serve Fallowfield Way) & 126 (Current 2)
  
• 10 to become standalone and renumbered X83 (will be non-stop from Central Station to Handy Drive again).
  

• 10A & 10B to be renumbered 12 & 12A with new Service 12B replacing Nexus R1 & R4.
  
• Existing 12 & 12A to be renumbered 31 & 32.
  
• 20 renumbered to 534.
  
• 21 renumbered to A1.
  
• 33 Replaces 39 between Sunderland & Pennywell. Also Extends from Silksworth to Doxford Park & Doxford International. (Will operate every 15 Mins as Service 133). 
  

• 35 to be renumbered as 141 and diverted to replace 38 in Ashbrooke & Leechmere then via Silksworth, rejoining normal route at Board Inn, will also now terminate at Houghton-Le-Spring.
  
• 39 to be renumbered as 137 (Continues Hourly to Washington replacing Nexus 37), 138 ( Hourly Return of 160/163 Route between Board Inn & New Lambton) & 139. All 3 Will be extended from Sunderland to Pallion Retail Park via Royal Hospital & St Lukes Cross.
  

• 49B reinstated alongside 49 & 49A.
  

• 55 diverted via Newbottle from A690 and will terminate at South Hetton. Also will be increased to 20 Mins, Merged with Stagecoach E1 & Renumbered as 535.
  
• 57, 58 to be joined by new 59 replacing Nexus 68 between Bill Quay & Q.E Hospital then Extending to Deckham Broadway, Gateshead & Newcastle.
  

• 61 to be merged with Stagecoach E6 and renumbered as the 536.
  
• 97 Will become a Full Circular Again.
  
• Q1 & Q2 renumbered G1 & G2 (G for Gateshead Orbit. Will no longer extend from Gateshead to Sage, Baltic, Quayside & Newcastle City Centre.
  

• X1 renumbered to i1 & i2 ( 3bph on Both Routes Based on Sep Changes). Branded as iToons.
  
• X66 merged with Stagecoach 100 as Circular (Will also replace Q1/Q2 Quayside Section. Renumbered as 66A & 66C.