Does anyone know which journeys the tour is on? I asked Arriva on Facebook and they just responded “unfortunately the sightseeing tour isn’t operating this year” although they are promoting it on Facebook

Should be the 0750 (M-F only), 1205 and 1615 Alnwick to Berwick, and the approx 10am and 2pm departures back from Berwick. Sat/Sun timings vary by 10 mins or so.

They have been running audio-visual buses on the majority of the above services, but with the vehicle issues recently it probably isn't wise to be promoting something they can only deliver half the time.

(23 May 2022, 11:04 am)omnicity4659 wrote Should be the 0750 (M-F only), 1205 and 1615 Alnwick to Berwick, and the approx 10am and 2pm departures back from Berwick. Sat/Sun timings vary by 10 mins or so.

They have been running audio-visual buses on the majority of the above services, but with the vehicle issues recently it probably isn't wise to be promoting something they can only deliver half the time.

Thanks and it isn’t wise to be telling people it aren’t operating when they are promoting it

Travelsure YJ10 OAE by kieron mathews, on Flickr

it appears that Travelsure have taken over the Alnwick to Berwick stretch of the X18 as Arriva have been terminating at Alnwick and going back to Newcastle.

(26 May 2022, 8:32 pm)TEN 6083 wrote Travelsure YJ10 OAE by kieron mathews, on Flickr

it appears that Travelsure have taken over the Alnwick to Berwick stretch of the X18 as Arriva have been terminating at Alnwick and going back to Newcastle.

Not correct, Travelsure are operating the summer extra journeys only. Arriva are still running X18, albeit very I frequently North of Alnwick.

(26 May 2022, 8:55 pm)RobinHood wrote Not correct, Travelsure are operating the summer extra journeys only. Arriva are still running X18, albeit very I frequently North of Alnwick.

Arriva run to Berwick 3x a day, Travelsure have been awarded the contract for the summer extra journeys from Northumberland Council, combining to provide roughly a bus every 2 hours.

How on earth can Arriva not run more summer bus services between Alnwick and Bamburgh on a commercial basis during the Summer? Its pathetic compared with similar tourist/coastal areas elsewhere in England. For example the Stagecoach services out of Exeter all the way to Sidmouth, Seaton and Lyme Regis.

You'd almost wish someone else would run an express bus from Newcastle to Seahouses and Bamburgh in a similar fashion to the X11

(29 May 2022, 8:00 am)DeltaMan wrote How on earth can Arriva not run more summer bus services between Alnwick and Bamburgh on a commercial basis during the Summer? Its pathetic compared with similar tourist/coastal areas elsewhere in England. For example the Stagecoach services out of Exeter all the way to Sidmouth, Seaton and Lyme Regis.

You'd almost wish someone else would run an express bus from Newcastle to Seahouses and Bamburgh in a similar fashion to the X11

Perhaps it's due to the driver shortage this year - running extra "seasonal services" whilst failing to operate all your normal local services for your regular passengers might not be something that Arriva wishes to do.

(29 May 2022, 8:43 am)busmanT wrote Perhaps it's due to the driver shortage this year - running extra "seasonal services" whilst failing to operate all your normal local services for your regular passengers might not be something that Arriva wishes to do.

That's a fair point with regards a daily service. But I assume they have a pool of part time or school drivers that could be persuaded to work a few Saturdays in August for a round trip in the style of the old 714 and 508. There is always one driver that will.