Why don't they just do the following and sod the 'easy peazy 10 minute frequency' shite:

- Sapphire X31 every 30 mins Monday to Saturday / 60 minutes evenings and Sundays serving: Current X21 route from Newbiggin to Bedlington Red Lion then current X22 route from there to Newcastle.

- Sapphire X32 every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday serving: Newbiggin Cresswell Arms and Seacrest Road, North Seaton Fairfield Drive / NSC, Ashington Bus Station then same route as X31 to Newcastle.

- MAX+ X33 every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday / 60 minutes evenings and Sundays serving: X22 route to Glebe Road, then down to the roundabout next to the Red Lion then the current X21 route from there to Newcastle. Buses would serve all stops between Ashington and Seaton Burn Services then calling at Brunton Lane, Polwarth Drive and Regent Centre then only Gosforth High Street (Brandling Arms) with buses also serving Barras Bridge into Newcastle only. Evening and Sunday services would extend to North Seaton Demesne. The PVR for this service Monday to Saturday daytime would be 5 using the five not so good 57 plate E400s. Seats retrimmed to MAX specification and all NSA screens and announcements ripped out. Buses would still offer free Wi-Fi and power sockets.

- Sapphire X31 / X32 would combine to form a 15 minute frequency Monday to Saturday daytime from Newbiggin and between Ashington and Newcastle with all buses operating via Hartford Road between Bedlington and Newcastle. Only the Regent Centre and Gosforth High Street (Brandling Arms) would be served after Seaton Burn Services with buses also serving Barras Bridge into Newcastle only. During evenings and Sundays however, service X31 would also call at Brunton Lane and Polwarth Drive. The PVR for these two services would be 11 consisting of 7x 14 plate Enviro 400s, 1x 09 plate E400 and 3x of the best 57 plate E400s with the latter three being reconfigured to acccommodate a buggy bay. All Monday to Saturday daytime journeys would be driven by a team of dedicated Sapphire Drivers with good on time records (through legal driving and making an effort) and good customer care skills.

- During evenings and Sundays, services X31 and X33 would combine to give a bus approximately every 30 minutes from Ashington, Bedlington (either Glebe Road or Red Lion) and between A1068 / Plessey Woods and Newcastle. The combined PVR for services X31 / X33 and 35 would be 7 using 7522 - 7528. NSA's would be turned off on services X33 and 35. The interworking pattern from North Seaton would go X33 NCL, X31 NBIGG, 35 MOR, 35 NBIGG, X31 NCL, X33 NSEAT.

And yes, these services might not 'combine' (bar the X31 and X32) however, it's all down to brand perception. Remember that time I thought that the TEN was a faster option than Toon Link service 11 between the Tyne Valley / Ryton corridor and Newcastle? That was down to one thing and that's branding. If passengers want a fast service between Newcastle and Ashington, then they'd know to use the X20, X31 or X32 and if they needed the 'local links' along route, then they'd use the X33.

(25 Jul 2015, 2:10 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Why don't they just do the following and sod the 'easy peazy 10 minute frequency' shite:

What I'm trying to do is keep things simple while changing the perception of Sapphire X21/X22. Having the X31/32/33 return is going to earn feck all as it will confuse passengers and drive them away from the bus.

Having my plan will see the X21/22 change to X41/42 with a revised Sapphire brand which will be easy to apply to the existing 14-plates! 

The thing about having three normal routes to Newcastle is if there is capacity in Ashington and Haymarket bus stations.

Also why can't the 57-reg E400s upgrade the 35 after upping the service to a 10 minute frequency and refurbishing the StreetLites if need be?

(25 Jul 2015, 1:05 pm)mb134 wrote But 7505...  

I think one of the best bits of branding I've ever seen was 'the express' branding applied to 7410-13, and the R-CKO DAF's, simple but very effective. If they could incorporate that into Sapphire, then that would be brilliant, I think the fact it is an express service needs to be promoted a bit more. There is a distinct impression that, especially with the people I talk to, the buses to Newcastle from Ashington and Bedlington are slow and they may as well take the car, promoting the service as 'the express' again may help?

7505 my bottom, it's that bus that's broken down about fifty times in one year.

What I was thinking was having the usual Sapphire logo, but in the same font as "brought to you by Arriva" having "E X P R E S S" where the Arriva tagline was...

(25 Jul 2015, 2:29 pm)GX03 SVC wrote What I'm trying to do is keep things simple while changing the perception of Sapphire X21/X22. Having the X31/32/33 return is going to earn feck all as it will confuse passengers and drive them away from the bus.

Having my plan will see the X21/22 change to X41/42 with a revised Sapphire brand which will be easy to apply to the existing 14-plates! 

The thing about having three normal routes to Newcastle is if there is capacity in Ashington and Haymarket bus stations.

Well, the X31 and X32 would use stand P and the X33 would fall in between a departing Sapphire service and the next one due to come in for a 7-8 minute layover. Got to remember that people know it's supposedly an express service however, a straight through route from Ashington to Newcastle would take just over 50 minutes as opposed to nearly an hour through trying to balance the books with one service taking the longer route between Ashington and Bedlington with the other doing the same between Bedlington and Newcastle. That is what is turning people off the X21 / X22 services and a clear rebrand and restructure is needed so people know the difference which would put things right. People on the Ryton corridor have no problem with a combined 10 minute service as well as a standalone 30 minute service. They know that if they need to get into Newcastle quickly, they can use Toon Link 11 and if they just want the first bus that comes, then they've got 8 services per hour to choose from.

(25 Jul 2015, 2:35 pm)GX03 SVC wrote 7505 my bottom, it's that bus that's broken down about fifty times in one year.

What I was thinking was having the usual Sapphire logo, but in the same font as "brought to you by Arriva" having "E X P R E S S" where the Arriva tagline was...

Thought 7504 was the unreliable one, along with 7501? Don't take 7505 away from me, undoubtedly the best 57-plate I've been on in a while ;

That seems alright actually, as long as you keep 7505 in it

(25 Jul 2015, 2:37 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well, the X31 and X32 would use stand P and the X33 would fall in between a departing Sapphire service and the next one due to come in for a 7-8 minute layover. Got to remember that people know it's supposedly an express service however, a straight through route from Ashington to Newcastle would take just over 50 minutes as opposed to nearly an hour through trying to balance the books with one service taking the longer route between Ashington and Bedlington with the other doing the same between Bedlington and Newcastle. That is what is turning people off the X21 / X22 services and a clear rebrand and restructure is needed so people know the difference which would put things right. People on the Ryton corridor have no problem with a combined 10 minute service as well as a standalone 30 minute service. They know that if they need to get into Newcastle quickly, they can use Toon Link 11 and if they just want the first bus that comes, then they've got 8 services per hour to choose from.

And that is exactly why you don't work for any bus company. Why make things complicated - all I can see in Tommy's suggestion is a simple renumbering, which is easy to communicate to the passengers. Your backwards step would just confuse people and likely make the Ashington Sapphire the worse performing of the branding by actually losing trade! How many times - today it's about simplicating networks (hence the current ongoing consultation on Teesside to simplify the Netherfields services).

(25 Jul 2015, 3:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And that is exactly why you don't work for any bus company. Why make things complicated - all I can see in Tommy's suggestion is a simple renumbering, which is easy to communicate to the passengers. Your backwards step would just confuse people and likely make the Ashington Sapphire the worse performing of the branding by actually losing trade! How many times - today it's about simplicating networks (hence the current ongoing consultation on Teesside to simplify the Netherfields services).

Do you know if the X21/22 have picked up since a few months ago? I've noticed definite increases in passengers on certain trips, but I'm unsure on others?

(25 Jul 2015, 2:32 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Also why can't the 57-reg E400s upgrade the 35 after upping the service to a 10 minute frequency and refurbishing the StreetLites if need be?

Now I've found one I like, are you purposely trying to take it away from me?!

(25 Jul 2015, 3:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And that is exactly why you don't work for any bus company. Why make things complicated - all I can see in Tommy's suggestion is a simple renumbering, which is easy to communicate to the passengers. Your backwards step would just confuse people and likely make the Ashington Sapphire the worse performing of the branding by actually losing trade! How many times - today it's about simplicating networks (hence the current ongoing consultation on Teesside to simplify the Netherfields services).

Ok then, but how about a 52 minute journey on the X31 / X32 from Ashington to Newcastle with improved reliability across all three routes and also taking into account that the X33 wouldn't need to go past the Police Station to get onto Bedlington Front Street thus actually reducing delays. People want quick journeys from A to B and if passengers were to travel from Newcastle to Bedlington, parts of Stakeford and Ashington, they'd know that:

X20 = Very quick

Sapphire X31 / X32 = Relatively quick, frequent, well equipped, punctual.

MAX+ X33 = Slow, less frequent, local links if needed, punctual.

A just over 10 minute difference between the journey time on the X20 and X31 / X32 would encourage customers but at nearly 20 minutes more sometimes with delays, then that begs to differ. The X21 / X22 are good in the fact that they're simple but they're simply not quick enough and the quality of the vehicles used (some of the 57 plates) don't help either.

And lets not forget that people know that the X21 / X22 are express services. Rebranding them to X41 / X42 and cleaning up the image of the fleet might do some good.

But what you've got to remember is that most people know they're both express service but they're slow. And don't forget the poor reputation that still sticks from when the X21 / X22 were first revised back in September 2012 with buses not turning up and the disgust of the former X21 and X31 / X32 users having to detour through Nedderton adding time onto their journey.

(25 Jul 2015, 3:16 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Ok then, but how about a 52 minute journey on the X31 / X32 from Ashington to Newcastle with improved reliability across all three routes and also taking into account that the X33 wouldn't need to go past the Police Station to get onto Bedlington Front Street thus actually reducing delays. People want quick journeys from A to B and if passengers were to travel from Newcastle to Bedlington, parts of Stakeford and Ashington, they'd know that:

X20 = Very quick

Sapphire X31 / X32 = Relatively quick, frequent, well equipped, punctual.

MAX+ X33 = Slow, less frequent, local links if needed, punctual.

A just over 10 minute difference between the journey time on the X20 and X31 / X32 would encourage customers but at nearly 20 minutes more sometimes with delays, then that begs to differ. The X21 / X22 are good in the fact that they're simple but they're simply not quick enough and the quality of the vehicles used (some of the 57 plates) don't help either.

I'll be grateful if I'm able to get to Newcastle without getting confused on which bus that I should use...

(25 Jul 2015, 3:16 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Ok then, but how about a 52 minute journey on the X31 / X32 from Ashington to Newcastle with improved reliability across all three routes and also taking into account that the X33 wouldn't need to go past the Police Station to get onto Bedlington Front Street thus actually reducing delays. People want quick journeys from A to B and if passengers were to travel from Newcastle to Bedlington, parts of Stakeford and Ashington, they'd know that:

X20 = Very quick

Sapphire X31 / X32 = Relatively quick, frequent, well equipped, punctual.

MAX+ X33 = Slow, less frequent, local links if needed, punctual.

A just over 10 minute difference between the journey time on the X20 and X31 / X32 would encourage customers but at nearly 20 minutes more sometimes with delays, then that begs to differ. The X21 / X22 are good in the fact that they're simple but they're simply not quick enough and the quality of the vehicles used (some of the 57 plates) don't help either.

Do you never engage your brain and realise that all you come out with the same things time and time again and everytime we say the same thing!? Your 'proposals' are basically ruining a simple-to-remember 10 minutely combined Ashington-Bedlington-Newcastle service because you think everyone wants them to be faster. Sorry, but these days networks need to be simple and effective - not over complicated and hard to remember.

(25 Jul 2015, 3:31 pm)GX03 SVC wrote I'll be grateful if I'm able to get to Newcastle without getting confused on which bus that I should use...

From Ashington:

- If you want to get there quickly, use the X20

- If you don't mind an extra 10 minutes, use the X31 / X32 which run every 15 minutes

Forget the X33, you wouldn't need it from Ashington

(25 Jul 2015, 3:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And that is exactly why you don't work for any bus company. Why make things complicated - all I can see in Tommy's suggestion is a simple renumbering, which is easy to communicate to the passengers. Your backwards step would just confuse people and likely make the Ashington Sapphire the worse performing of the branding by actually losing trade! How many times - today it's about simplicating networks (hence the current ongoing consultation on Teesside to simplify the Netherfields services).

Is there any need for such rudeness?

(25 Jul 2015, 3:33 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Do you never engage your brain and realise that all you come out with the same things time and time again and everytime we say the same thing!? Your 'proposals' are basically ruining a simple-to-remember 10 minutely combined Ashington-Bedlington-Newcastle service because you think everyone wants them to be faster. Sorry, but these days networks need to be simple and effective - not over complicated and hard to remember.

Well technically, the X31 / X32 would be 1 route between Ashington and Newcastle. The only difference between them would be that one serves Wansbeck Hospital and the other serves North Seaton between Newbiggin and Ashington.

(25 Jul 2015, 3:37 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well technically, the X31 / X32 would be 1 route between Ashington and Newcastle. The only difference between them would be that one serves Wansbeck Hospital and the other serves North Seaton between Newbiggin and Ashington.

On a reduced frequency however between Ashington and Newcastle. It doesn't need changing beyond a renumbering as per the X4/X5/X9/X13 becoming X7/X8/X6/X9 to avoid duplication of numbers. Having used them before, I don't hear moans about how long they take. People are use to things, why changing the network (and reduce the frequency) just because you think people want a faster service?

(25 Jul 2015, 3:42 pm)Kuyoyo wrote On a reduced frequency however between Ashington and Newcastle. It doesn't need changing beyond a renumbering as per the X4/X5/X9/X13 becoming X7/X8/X6/X9 to avoid duplication of numbers. Having used them before, I don't hear moans about how long they take. People are use to things, why changing the network (and reduce the frequency) just because you think people want a faster service?

Well technically, it would increase the frequency from Bedlington and Stakeford as the 5/15 gaps would be eliminated. Not remember the uproar when the X21 first got rerouted?

(25 Jul 2015, 3:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And that is exactly why you don't work for any bus company. Why make things complicated - all I can see in Tommy's suggestion is a simple renumbering, which is easy to communicate to the passengers. Your backwards step would just confuse people and likely make the Ashington Sapphire the worse performing of the branding by actually losing trade! How many times - today it's about simplicating networks (hence the current ongoing consultation on Teesside to simplify the Netherfields services).

But neither do you? If you were such a commercial wiz yourself, then you'd be getting head-hunted by bus companies left right and centre. 

Davey's ideas may be a bit OTT, but at least he's taking the time to think them out, and trying to put some justification behind it.

The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?

My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.

• Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
  
• Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
  
• Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
  

(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)NK57 GWX wrote The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?

My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.

• Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
  
• Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
  
• Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
  

I fully agree that something needs to be done to clear up the image of the X21/22, be it a new 'express' tagline, which I think would help promote the service, or more timetables posted through people's letterboxes. I don't think people know how frequent the service is, or how quick it is, the X22 is 57 minutes start to finish, with the X21 being similar from Newcastle to Ashington. 

I know this will sound unbelievably hypocritical, BUT, I think 7501-9 should be kept on for the time being. I see the next few weeks as a perfect opportunity to give each of them a good look over mechanically, and get one of the NW Pulsars on loan to cover?

(25 Jul 2015, 4:24 pm)NK64 EEH wrote I fully agree that something needs to be done to clear up the image of the X21/22, be it a new 'express' tagline, which I think would help promote the service, or more timetables posted through people's letterboxes. I don't think people know how frequent the service is, or how quick it is, the X22 is 57 minutes start to finish, with the X21 being similar from Newcastle to Ashington. 

I know this will sound unbelievably hypocritical, BUT, I think 7501-9 should be kept on for the time being. I see the next few weeks as a perfect opportunity to give each of them a good look over mechanically, and get one of the NW Pulsars on loan to cover?

Do you mind not changing the name in my post? 

Time-being: until the new orders  

The 14-reg batch have had the Eco systems fixed, if they can sort 7501-7509 (INCLUDING 7505!!!) they'll still be going on the 35... 

Why don't you go and catch your improved number 2 to go and find 7505... 

(25 Jul 2015, 4:34 pm)NK14 GFU wrote Do you mind not changing the name in my post? 

Time-being: until the new orders  

The 14-reg batch have had the Eco systems fixed, if they can sort 7501-7509 (INCLUDING 7505!!!) they'll still be going on the 35... 

Why don't you go and catch your improved number 2 to go and find 7505... 

Have the 14-plates always had them fitted, I was on 7524 on Tuesday and it felt as powerful as ever? 

Think they could put 7501-4 on the 35 along with 1579-81 (would that cover the PVR?), 7505/7 could stay on the X21/22, with 7506/8/9 acting as spares for both?

The 'improved number 2' is now further away from my house than the current number 2! I'll get the X21 and hope it's 7524....

(25 Jul 2015, 4:55 pm)Y258 KNB wrote Have the 14-plates always had them fitted, I was on 7524 on Tuesday and it felt as powerful as ever? 

Think they could put 7501-4 on the 35 along with 1579-81 (would that cover the PVR?), 7505/7 could stay on the X21/22, with 7506/8/9 acting as spares for both?

The 'improved number 2' is now further away from my house than the current number 2! I'll get the X21 and hope it's 7524....

What I've been told, yes. They had the system tweaked a few weeks ago.

7505 needs to break down and never start up again... 

Aww, what a pity... 

(25 Jul 2015, 5:09 pm)D178 FYM wrote What I've been told, yes. They had the system tweaked a few weeks ago.

7505 needs to break down and never start up again... 

Aww, what a pity... 

Ahh, fair enough  

Leave 7505 alone! Once Ashington fix it, get yourself on it, you'll regret wanting it to 'never start up' ;

Didn't like the allocation on the 2 anyway...


With the X20 now extending to Alnwick, will the vehicle requirement increase by one or two? Also, is the frequency between Ashington and Newcastle increasing?

(25 Jul 2015, 5:15 pm)V213 DJR wrote Ahh, fair enough  

Leave 7505 alone! Once Ashington fix it, get yourself on it, you'll regret wanting it to 'never start up' ;

Didn't like the allocation on the 2 anyway...


With the X20 now extending to Alnwick, will the vehicle requirement increase by one or two? Also, is the frequency between Ashington and Newcastle increasing?

I've been on 7505, it broke down before it opened its doors and broke down again in Ashington bus station. I'd assume that the PVR will be 4, so 7453-6...

D178 FYM is a brilliant bus, much better than the DLAs

(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?

My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.

• Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
  
• Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
  
• Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
  

Actually, the changes would entail the following:

- Re-introducing a simple 15 minute core frequency Monday to Saturday daytime with quick links from Newbiggin, Ashington, Stakeford, Bedlington and Newcastle using the most direct route (current X21 route to Bedlington then X22 route from there to Newcastle).

- Improve reliability reducing gaps (20 minutes by the time the time difference between the X21 and X22 is taken into account from Stakeford and Bedlington) and having a simple 15 minute frequency with 4 buses per hour Monday to Saturday daytime improving reliability and customer satisfaction.

- Improving the stock used on Sapphire X31 / X32 with 7x 14 reg vehicles, 1x 09 reg vehicle and 3x of the best of 57 plate vehicles all to Sapphire spec with free wi-fi, plug sockets, NSAs , buggy bays on all vehicles as standard.

- Speeding up journey times on X31 / X32 omitting Polwarth Drive and Brunton Park stops Monday to Saturday daytime.

- Reducing pressure on the X20 due to the faster and technically more frequent journeys between Ashington and Newcastle

- Dedicated team of drivers for all Monday to Saturday daytime journeys on services X31 / X32.

- Improving reliability on all three services.

- X33 would be downgraded to MAX spec with normal Arriva livery but would keep free wi-fi and plug sockets. Seats would be re-trimmed with Arriva logo on headrests and NSAs and screens ripped out. X33 would use 5x E400s.

- New evening and Sunday service for North Seaton provided by service X33.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is what the service would look like between Ashington and Newcastle Monday to Saturday daytime:

- X20 (could be MAX?) = Current route every 60 minutes with journeys to Alnwick.

- SAPPHIRE X31 / X32 every 15 minutes combined serving Newbiggin, North Seaton (X32), Wansbeck Hospital (X31), Ashington, Stakeford Half Moon, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Red Lion, Hartford Road, A1068 then limited stop to Newcastle calling at the Regent Centre, Gosforth Brandling Arms and Barras Bridge (NCL only). PVR = 11x Sapphire Spec E400s.

- Arriva (MAX Spec) X33 every 30 minutes serving Ashington, Ashington Park, Briardene, Stakeford Ashington Dr, Wansbeck Glendale Ave, Guide Post, Bedlington Glebe Road, Nedderton, A1068, Brunton Lane then limited stop to Newcastle only calling at, Polwarth Drive, Regent Centre, Gosforth Brandling and Barras Bridge (NCL only).

And this is what the service would look like between Ashington and Newcastle during evenings and Sundays:

- SAPPHIRE X31 every 60 minutes serving Newbiggin, Wansbeck Hospital, Ashington, Stakeford Half Moon, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Red Lion, Hartford Road, A1068, Brunton Lane then limited stop to Newcastle only calling at, Polwarth Drive, Regent Centre, Gosforth Brandling and Barras Bridge (NCL only).

- Arriva (MAX Spec) X33 every 60 minutes serving North Seaton Demesne, Ashington, Ashington Park, Briardene, Stakeford Ashington Dr, Wansbeck Glendale Ave, Guide Post, Bedlington Glebe Road, Nedderton, A1068, Brunton Lane then limited stop to Newcastle only calling at, Polwarth Drive, Regent Centre, Gosforth Brandling and Barras Bridge (NCL only).

- The combined frequency with the X31 / X33 will be 'approximately' every 30 minutes from Ashington, Bedlington (either Glebe Road or Red Lion) and between A1068 and Newcastle.

- The combined PVR of the X31 / X33 and 35 would be 7x 14 reg SAPPHIRE spec E400s.

(25 Jul 2015, 3:59 pm)aureolin wrote But neither do you? If you were such a commercial wiz yourself, then you'd be getting head-hunted by bus companies left right and centre. 

Davey's ideas may be a bit OTT, but at least he's taking the time to think them out, and trying to put some justification behind it.

Thank You aureolin and Kuyoyo, please DO NOT say that just because a bus is loud when idle means it's powerful, the Streetdecks are miles behind the E400, E400MMC and Volvo B9TL and are absolutely dire!

Or, if you don't want to make things complicated and instead just have three services:

- X20 = As it is
- X33 = Simply keep it has X22 but with the suggestion that I made above with Arriva (MAX) spec.

For the X31 / X32, keep it as the X21 but with the new route between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. The 35 and X20 currently serve North Seaton well enough. But for the X21, same ideas as the suggestion above but all journeys via Wansbeck Hospital and running as X21 under SAPPHIRE brand. The X21 would then be the 'main' service between Newcastle and Ashington with the X20 providing super fast links as now and the X22 providing local links.

It would then work like this:

- X20 = As now

- X21 = Same route as now but via Hartford Road rather than Neddderton and only calling at Regent Centre, Gosforth and Barras Bridge (to NCL) after Seaton Burn Services. Revised to operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with a PVR of 11 SAPPHIRE Spec E400s. Evening and Sunday journeys operate every 60 minutes and additionally serve Brunton Lane and Polwarth Drive.

- X22 = Same route and stopping arrrangements as X33 suggestion above with evening and Sunday extension to North Seaton Demesne. PVR of 5 Arriva (MAX) spec E400s operating every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.

- X21 / X22 / 35 with a combined PVR of 7 during evenings and Sundays.

So the X22 will go MAX??? What's the logic in that???