(27 Jan 2014, 4:50 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Doesn't surprise me either knowing Arriva, though its a sorry state of affairs when an hourly service is missed out just like that (Though no doubt Mr Volvo the Arriva apologist will disagree)

(27 Jan 2014, 4:53 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Which hourly service?

(27 Jan 2014, 2:28 pm)tyresmoke wrote We'll be down to an hourly service up Durham Road soon and if I got my way the 21A would run limited stop out of the town too as there's no need for it to call everywhere, but that's me. If you've ever been on a Sunday X1 you'd know they are tight for time and I do wonder how the Durham drivers seem to cope using their Geminis on a night, having said that they've had to re-time them on a night already.

(28 Jan 2014, 7:33 am)Davey Bowyer wrote Just spoke to the driver on the 43 and apparantly, 10 new Pualsar 2's are being ordered therefore making the 43, 44 and 45 a full Pulsar 2 operation.

(28 Jan 2014, 5:52 pm)Michael wrote Alot of changes on VOSA today:

PB0002032/9 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Brunswick given service number 45 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/11 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Newcastle given service number X4 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/252 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Newcastle given service number X5 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/337 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bltyh and Newcastle given service number X10/X11 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/338 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Cobalt Business Park given service number X9 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/341 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Newcastle given service number X13 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/345 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Widdrington Estate given service number 1 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/346 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Morpeth Abbey Meadow Shops given service number 2 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.
PB0002032/396 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Morpeth given service number X14 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/450 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Blyth and Newcastle given service number 308 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/452 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Whitly Bay given service number 306 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.
PB0002032/457 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Whitley Bay and Newcastle given service number 54 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/459 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Cramlington and Newcastle given service number 52 effective from 23-Mar-2014. To amend Timetable.

PB0002032/465 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Amble by the Sea and Amble by the Sea given service number 471 effective from 23-Mar-2014.

PB0002032/467 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Blyth
Finish Point: Newcastle
Via:
Service Number: X30
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: Peak time Express Monday - Friday

PB0002032/468 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Sacred Heart School Fenham
Finish Point: Brunton Lane Gosforth
Via:
Service Number: 135
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: Monday - Friday Schooldays

PB0002032/469 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Newburn
Finish Point: Walbottle Campus
Via:
Service Number: 137
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: Monday - Friday schools

PB0002032/470 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Walbottle Campus
Finish Point: General Hospital
Via:
Service Number: 155
Service Type: School or Works
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: Monday - Friday Schools

PB0002717/54 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Darlington and Barnard Castle given service number 76A/75/76 effective from 08-Feb-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

(28 Jan 2014, 6:46 pm)citaro5284 wrote With more to come I believe....and they say GNE have too many service changes, how many has South East Northumberland had in the past couple of years??

(28 Jan 2014, 5:52 pm)Michael wrote PB0002032/467 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Blyth
Finish Point: Newcastle
Via:
Service Number: X30
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 23-MAR-2014
Other Details: Peak time Express Monday - Friday

(28 Jan 2014, 6:50 pm)Dan wrote I wonder if that has anything to do with the Cobalt Clipper..........?

(28 Jan 2014, 6:50 pm)Dan wrote I wonder if that has anything to do with the Cobalt Clipper..........?

(28 Jan 2014, 7:17 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote I don't think so, it'll either be a supplemenetary express for the X10 / X11 or 308.

(28 Jan 2014, 6:50 pm)Dan wrote I wonder if that has anything to do with the Cobalt Clipper..........?

(28 Jan 2014, 9:10 pm)busman101 wrote Bugger all as the X10/X11 is being reduced at the peaks and the X30 replaces them, running a similar route to what the old X12 did of avoiding Cramlington.

(28 Jan 2014, 9:10 pm)busman101 wrote Bugger all as the X10/X11 is being reduced at the peaks and the X30 replaces them, running a similar route to what the old X12 did of avoiding Cramlington.

(28 Jan 2014, 9:47 pm)andreos1 wrote Any idea of timings point to point for the x30 and the GNE offering?

(28 Jan 2014, 10:22 pm)busman101 wrote The X30 will be a lot quicker than the 309 as the old X12 was - it's non-stop from Newsham to Regent Centre, so it'll be pretty quick. The old X12 was always really busy, so quite surprised that it was taken off in the first place.

(29 Jan 2014, 6:24 pm)busman101 wrote After this statement last night and my journey this morning on the X11 to get to Blyth, my money might just be on the 309 being quicker ! The 8.15 X11 from Newcastle eventually arrived in Blyth at 9.38 (due at 9.09) with the driver in no rush to get to Blyth - am wondering if eco scores are the focus for not doing more than 35mph on the A1 rather than trying to get people from A to B on time. The App must have been created to monitor just how late your bus is as there wasn't much on time in the Haymarket this morning - most over 10 late & bus juggling (still) with 43, 45 & 55

(29 Jan 2014, 7:40 pm)G-CPTN wrote About ten years ago I needed to get to Ashington to pick up a new (secondhand) car.
I waited at the Haymarket stand, but the bus didn't show, then arrived a good twenty minutes late.

The driver 'drove like the wind' (though safely) - taking every advantage possible and slowing for the cameras where necessary.

When we arrived in Ashington he was back on schedule!

(29 Jan 2014, 8:09 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote There are some good drivers in Ashingtom Depot actually. The X15 was running late by 10 or so minutes so I got of the 43 and jumped on that one and he drove it like the wind and was even brave enough in his coach to overtake a Volvo B10 ALX 300 near Barras Bridge. Excellent driving!

I like the drivers from both GNE and Arriva who:
- Close the doors on time
- Drive quickly whilst being safe
- Don't take pitty on people who turn up at the last minute and start banging on the door
- Have a good moan at the inconsiderate little muppets who turn up with 10 and 20 quid notes for a £1.40 fare during peak times

I remember once this right old school driver from Blyth with a deep voice was driving the 308 and he gave two of the Benfield Road crowd at St Mary's stick. One for running at the last minute with no fare ready and farting around in his bag holding the bus up. And the girl who got on after due to him holding the bus up, trying to pay the £1.40 fare to Benfield Road with a note. I was thinking good on him for doing so and he was spot on. I can totally understand how the good drivers feel though at times.

(30 Jan 2014, 7:44 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Picked up some of the new timetable leaflets. They certainly know how to confuse people. If it's hard for us to understand how do they expect the average passenger to? They should never re-use the same service number for a new service immediately after an old service finishes.
Anomolies - why is the 28B variation round Cypress Road in white while round Easterside its turquoise?
Some downright lies - 8 buses combined 9/27A Monday to Saturday? By my reckoning its 7 on a Saturday. And stretching it to call the 64A a quarter hourly service on a Mon-Fri when its actually 10, 20, 10, 20 !

(29 Jan 2014, 6:24 pm)busman101 wrote After this statement last night and my journey this morning on the X11 to get to Blyth, my money might just be on the 309 being quicker ! The 8.15 X11 from Newcastle eventually arrived in Blyth at 9.38 (due at 9.09) with the driver in no rush to get to Blyth - am wondering if eco scores are the focus for not doing more than 35mph on the A1 rather than trying to get people from A to B on time. The App must have been created to monitor just how late your bus is as there wasn't much on time in the Haymarket this morning - most over 10 late & bus juggling (still) with 43, 45 & 55

(30 Jan 2014, 8:01 pm)andreos1 wrote You should do a top gear type challenge and find out for sure!

(30 Jan 2014, 8:09 pm)busman101 wrote That would be a laugh - always wanted to do a video comparison of a journey from a well known geet big Teesside housing area to Middlesbrough in a bus v car kind of way to promote the Express service, you know the one, it's coming off in a few weeks !

(30 Jan 2014, 7:44 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Picked up some of the new timetable leaflets. They certainly know how to confuse people. If it's hard for us to understand how do they expect the average passenger to? They should never re-use the same service number for a new service immediately after an old service finishes.
Anomolies - why is the 28B variation round Cypress Road in white while round Easterside its turquoise?
Some downright lies - 8 buses combined 9/27A Monday to Saturday? By my reckoning its 7 on a Saturday. And stretching it to call the 64A a quarter hourly service on a Mon-Fri when its actually 10, 20, 10, 20 !