(29 Jun 2026, 7:33 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Exactly which operators were 'bounced out' by the introduction of the X84 and X85? Can you please provide examples? 

With Jesmond closing, it really wasn't feasible for Arriva to operate the 685 from Blyth, so you can't argue that they were 'bounced out'.

Admittedly, it was GNE in the end who withdrew the X85 after covid due to travel pattern changes and also the need for normal service buses back on the X10 rather than coaches. But GNE did have the upper hand with the X84/X85 over the 685 before covid.

(29 Jun 2026, 9:01 pm)L469 YVK wrote Admittedly, it was GNE in the end who withdrew the X85 after covid due to travel pattern changes and also the need for normal service buses back on the X10 rather than coaches. But GNE did have the upper hand with the X84/X85 over the 685 before covid.

So, to summarise, no operator was 'bounced out' due to the introduction of the X84 or X85.

Don't know how true this is because I've just made it up, but I've heard a rumour that Northstar are planning to do a 'Farewell to the X22' running day (a bit like GNE's Farewell to the X85 event a few years back I'm guessing) on its last day of operation in two weeks time.

Has anyone else heard anything about this?

(Yesterday, 2:53 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Don't know how true this is because I've just made it up, but I've heard a rumour that Northstar are planning to do a 'Farewell to the X22' running day (a bit like GNE's Farewell to the X85 event a few years back I'm guessing) on its last day of operation in two weeks time.

Has anyone else heard anything about this?

I heard this on Facebook a few hours ago, farewell fare of a quid as well. Bargain if you ask me. Would be good to get a Trident bash in!

With Northstar getting the 643 back from Go North East I feel it would be a good opportunity to plug a gap in the market "Lobley Hill Estate", so I propose extending the 643 from Sunniside via Gateshead Road, Consett Road, Lobley Hill Estate, A1, Team Valley (Retail World) / Kingsway South, Team Valley Kings Way North, Team Valley Main Gate, Lobley Hill Road, Bensham Bank and Gateshead Interchange. 

(Yesterday, 5:53 pm)Malarkey wrote With Northstar getting the 643 back from Go North East I feel it would be a good opportunity to plug a gap in the market "Lobley Hill Estate", so I propose extending the 643 from Sunniside via Gateshead Road, Consett Road, Lobley Hill Estate, A1, Team Valley (Retail World) / Kingsway South, Team Valley Kings Way North, Team Valley Main Gate, Lobley Hill Road, Bensham Bank and Gateshead Interchange. 

That's not really up to Northstar though is it? 

The 643 is secured by Nexus, meaning Northstar are only contracted, at present, to operate the service. It's not commercial, as you are probably well aware, and considering it appears to carry fresh air for most of the day, that's unlikely to change. 

Furthermore, a Sunniside to Gateshead via Lobley Hill Estate link already exists in the form of the X32, and Team Valley to Gateshead is also covered by the 93/94. At peak times, Sunniside to Team Valley (and vice-versa) also exists in the form of the 933, so unless there's a massive demand for a Sunniside (or Whickham) to Team Valley Retail World service during the day (again unlikely), then it's just duplicating routes which already exist

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(Yesterday, 5:41 pm)northern156 wrote I heard this on Facebook a few hours ago, farewell fare of a quid as well. Bargain if you ask me. Would be good to get a Trident bash in!

Excellent. Well worth a bin-lid a pop in a couple of weeks time