(23 Aug 2015, 9:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote There are many more up and down the country.
The X62 between Hull and Leeds jumps out. Although it is Stagecoach.

There was also the short lived X19 to Doxford Park. Which was Arriva.

BINGO,

Top man, keep the X30 route number for the Blyth express and call the Newbiggin to Newcastle express the X19.

X15, X18, X19, X20 = PERFECT!

Just need to fill the X17 now  

(23 Aug 2015, 9:35 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote BINGO,

Top man, keep the X30 route number for the Blyth express and call the Newbiggin to Newcastle express the X19.

X15, X18, X19, X20 = PERFECT!

Just need to fill the X17 now  

X17 already exists within the North East - on Teesside. Hence the X16 for the Kirkhall service.

(23 Aug 2015, 9:38 pm)Kuyoyo wrote X17 already exists within the North East - on Teesside. Hence the X16 for the Kirkhall service.

There is the 64 in Durham and the 64 (albeit with 64A) on Teesside. Kind of defeats your point.

(23 Aug 2015, 9:42 pm)R852 PRG wrote There is the 64 in Durham and the 64 (albeit with 64A) on Teesside. Kind of defeats your point.

Think there was something about not wanting to duplicate 'X' services, hence why the X12 was renumbered so throughout.

(23 Aug 2015, 9:42 pm)R852 PRG wrote There is the 64 in Durham and the 64 (albeit with 64A) on Teesside. Kind of defeats your point.

They are seemingly trying to remove duplication of Express Services

(23 Aug 2015, 9:53 pm)mb134 wrote Think there was something about not wanting to duplicate 'X' services, hence why the X12 was renumbered so throughout.

Exactly, however it's more why Blyth's X4/X5 are being renumbered - as we have an X4/X5 on Teesside and it's easier to renumber the Blyth ones as there's no other linked services to renumber (likewise the X12 - was easier to renumber the 'original' X1 than the 'Best One' X1)

Could Arriva ask Northumberland County Council to place a couple of bus stops along Schalkschmule Road in Bedlington, outside of Morrisons (and the upcoming Lidl), currently a steep bank faces anyone needing to pop to Morrisons. (Not just for a quick trip from the Red Lion to the shop obviously, but if people need to get a pint of milk on their way home they won't have to walk as far etc)

(23 Aug 2015, 10:13 pm)mb134 wrote Could Arriva ask Northumberland County Council to place a couple of bus stops along Schalkschmule Road in Bedlington, outside of Morrisons (and the upcoming Lidl), currently a steep bank faces anyone needing to pop to Morrisons. (Not just for a quick trip from the Red Lion to the shop obviously, but if people need to get a pint of milk on their way home they won't have to walk as far etc)

I'm aware that certain parts of the X21/X22 are funded by Northumberland County Council, I don't know if Schalkschmule Road is part of the funded section. 

NCC needs to sort out bus stops in the North Seaton Industrial Estate first! The poor driver who does the 30 must have got a bollocking for being helpful and dropping me off on the top of Armstrong Way. If it was to call at fixed bus stops only, I'd have to walk almost half a mile to the postal office...

(26 Aug 2015, 11:02 am)GX03 SVC wrote I'm aware that certain parts of the X21/X22 are funded by Northumberland County Council, I don't know if Schalkschmule Road is part of the funded section. 

NCC needs to sort out bus stops in the North Seaton Industrial Estate first! The poor driver who does the 30 must have got a bollocking for being helpful and dropping me off on the top of Armstrong Way. If it was to call at fixed bus stops only, I'd have to walk almost half a mile to the postal office...

Not completely sure on this, but I think it was Arriva's decision to send it that way, to ensure that the Red Lion had a bus every 10 minutes. I think the NCC funded section may be the Wansbeck Estate (between Stakeford and Guide Post).

(23 Aug 2015, 9:42 pm)R852 PRG wrote There is the 64 in Durham and the 64 (albeit with 64A) on Teesside. Kind of defeats your point.

There is the X21/X22 in Ashington and the X21/X22 in Sunderland...

(26 Aug 2015, 11:56 am)GX03 SVC wrote There is the X21/X22 in Ashington and the X21/X22 in Sunderland...

Indeed but none of these are MAX branded, which is the reason... removing duplicate numbers from the MAX branded routes, hence X12.

Not sure where to put this, as it's Kingsley Coaches and Arriva, but how about merging the 33/33A and 84/84A? Both are Nexus secured, and it could open up new cross-city links.

84 - Red House Farm to Metrocentre
via Kingston Park Road, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Jesmond, City Centre, St James' Park, CAV, Elswick, Benwell, Denton Burn and Scotswood

84A - Hollywood Avenue to West Denton Shops
via Regent Centre, Gosforth, Jesmond, City Centre, RVI, Spital Tongues, Fenham, Slatyford and Denton Burn

(18 Sep 2015, 1:47 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Not sure where to put this, as it's Kingsley Coaches and Arriva, but how about merging the 33/33A and 84/84A? Both are Nexus secured, and it could open up new cross-city links.

84 - Red House Farm to Metrocentre
via Kingston Park Road, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Jesmond, City Centre, St James' Park, CAV, Elswick, Benwell, Denton Burn and Scotswood

84A - Hollywood Avenue to West Denton Shops
via Regent Centre, Gosforth, Jesmond, City Centre, RVI, Spital Tongues, Fenham, Slatyford and Denton Burn

I would use them both on a regular basis

Service X13
Billy Mill to MetroCentre
limited stop via Coast Road, Newcastle Haymarket and Teams
every 20 minutes

This service will provide connections to the MetroCentre from the Newcastle and SE Northumberland areas, without having to change onto another operators' service.

(01 Oct 2015, 3:25 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Service X13
Billy Mill to MetroCentre
limited stop via Coast Road, Newcastle Haymarket and Teams
every 20 minutes

This service will provide connections to the MetroCentre from the Newcastle and SE Northumberland areas, without having to change onto another operators' service.

A service like that would make a lot of sense.

I think Arriva do lose out a fair bit by not having a very big presence in Gateshead (only really the X12 and the barely worth having X24, these days. They had more a decade or so ago, when some services were shared) or Sunderland (just the Peterlee services from the South - all of which have strong competition from GNE)

(01 Oct 2015, 9:10 pm)BusLoverMum wrote A service like that would make a lot of sense.

I think Arriva do lose out a fair bit by not having a very big presence in Gateshead (only really the X12 and the barely worth having X24, these days. They had more a decade or so ago, when some services were shared) or Sunderland (just the Peterlee services from the South - all of which have strong competition from GNE)

I think a service from Newcastle and the Metrocentre like the Stagecoach 100 would be a good idea with many Arriva services serving Haymarket Bus Station so there is plenty of services to connect to. Haymarket would probably be the best place for it to leave from as pretty much all Arriva services in Newcastle leave from Haymarket (the 85, X12 from Eldon Square) although there would be difficulties entering Haymarket Bus Station on a service from the Metrocentre.

(01 Oct 2015, 9:21 pm)Jimmi wrote I think a service from Newcastle and the Metrocentre like the Stagecoach 100 would be a good idea with many Arriva services serving Haymarket Bus Station so there is plenty of services to connect to. Haymarket would probably be the best place for it to leave from as pretty much all Arriva services in Newcastle leave from Haymarket (the 85, X12 from Eldon Square) although there would be difficulties entering Haymarket Bus Station on a service from the Metrocentre.

I think they could loop around, watched 7517 do it a few weeks ago, and seemed to be able to pull into Haymarket no problem.

(01 Oct 2015, 9:21 pm)Jimmi wrote I think a service from Newcastle and the Metrocentre like the Stagecoach 100 would be a good idea with many Arriva services serving Haymarket Bus Station so there is plenty of services to connect to. Haymarket would probably be the best place for it to leave from as pretty much all Arriva services in Newcastle leave from Haymarket (the 85, X12 from Eldon Square) although there would be difficulties entering Haymarket Bus Station on a service from the Metrocentre.

Turning left out of Eldon Square and right out of Haymarket  (and vice versa) does seem to be the limiting factor. I would suggest that's historical, but I used to wait at Haymarket for the odd service to Low Fell. I suspect it's been tidied up by not having services crossing over.

(01 Oct 2015, 10:21 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Turning left out of Eldon Square and right out of Haymarket  (and vice versa) does seem to be the limiting factor. I would suggest that's historical, but I used to wait at Haymarket for the odd service to Low Fell. I suspect it's been tidied up by not having services crossing over.

Biggest problem with my plan of having a Metrocentre service to Haymarket would be entering Haymarket from Percy Street as you obviously can't enter via the exit and I don't think you can enter Haymarket by turning right on Percy Street and if you can that would cause tailbacks because of the bus waiting to turn right, ideally heading to Haymarket it would have to loop round Newcastle probably along John Dobson Street and St Mary's Place to reach Haymarket. Yeah it might also be tricky turning left out of Haymarket especially as traffic often stays backed up to the yellow box and sometimes in the yellow box, you could get round it by going through Eldon Square Bus Station.

I would like to see Arriva offering a faster service between Durham and Sunderland than the 22 which takes nearly an hour and a half, possibly a express competing with the Go North East 20/20A although GNE have done a few forms of express services between Durham and Sunderland over the years and they were dropped. Doubt my suggestion will happen anytime soon though.

could make a Newcastle to Darlington to York Service would be nice

(07 Oct 2015, 5:58 pm)Diamond One wrote could make a Newcastle to Darlington to York Service would be nice

Didn't Stagecoach do a service like that in the past? It wasn't that successful from what I heard.

(07 Oct 2015, 6:04 pm)Jimmi wrote Didn't Stagecoach do a service like that in the past? It wasn't that successful from what I heard.

X90 i think it was but you never know could get revived

To combat the reliability issues facing Blyth's services, here is an outline of my suggestion, I will upload the full one at a later time with some timing samples showing the improvements in action including evening and Sunday PVRs:

Quroum Express services X7 / X8:

- X7 remaining as it is
- X8 Newcastle to Cramlington only
- PVR of X7 / X8 = 8 vehicles interworking in Newcastle
- Combined frequencies still the same and frequencies unchanged

Coastliner Services 306 / 308 / X6:

- 308 PVR increased to 10 vehicles.
- 306 PVR increased to 9 vehicles.
- Combined frequencies still the same and frequencies unchanged
- X6 renumbered 9X

New MAX X9 and MAX X10 / X11:
- X9 serving same route as current X8 between Blyth and Cramlington then same route as X10 / X11 to Newcastle every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during evenings and Sundays
- X10 reduced to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime
- X11 reduced to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime
- PVR of X9 / X10 / X11 = 14 vehicles
- All three will operate roughly every 10 minutes (20 minutes evenings and Sundays)combined from Blyth and between Cramlington and Newcastle
- X10 / X11 will operate every 15 minutes combined from the Black Diamond towards Blyth and towards Cramlington, Regular services too during evenings and Sundays

(07 Oct 2015, 7:10 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Coastliner Services 306 / 308 / X6:

- 308 PVR increased to 10 vehicles.

And where are Arriva going to source the vehicles for this from?

(25 Oct 2015, 10:26 am)Lm2606 wrote And where are Arriva going to source the vehicles for this from?

There's one dedicated spare Volvo B5LH at Blyth for when there is disruption or vehicle faults.

Services X21/X22 get 9 new ADL Enviro400 (EURO 5!).
7501-9 transfer to services 35/35a which will be upgraded to every 20 minutes, combined 10 minutes between Newbiggin Leisure Centre and Morpeth. Upgraded to Sapphire.
1579-1581 transfer to Jesmond for service 306 to ensure that Whitley Bay gets later services to Newcastle.

• X21/X22 get a fleet of reliable vehicles for the express services
  
• 35/35A get extra comfort with Free WiFi and power sockets with Sapphire. New 10-minute combined frequency.
  
• 306 serves Whitley Bay to Newcastle for longer on evenings
  

(25 Oct 2015, 1:02 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Services X21/X22 get 9 new ADL Enviro400 (EURO 5!).
7501-9 transfer to services 35/35a which will be upgraded to every 20 minutes, combined 10 minutes between Newbiggin Leisure Centre and Morpeth. Upgraded to Sapphire.
1579-1581 transfer to Jesmond for service 306 to ensure that Whitley Bay gets later services to Newcastle.

• X21/X22 get a fleet of reliable vehicles for the express services
  
• 35/35A get extra comfort with Free WiFi and power sockets with Sapphire. New 10-minute combined frequency.
  
• 306 serves Whitley Bay to Newcastle for longer on evenings
  

Why does the 306 stop so earlyy anyway?

(07 Oct 2015, 7:10 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote To combat the reliability issues facing Blyth's services, here is an outline of my suggestion, I will upload the full one at a later time with some timing samples showing the improvements in action including evening and Sunday PVRs:

Quroum Express services X7 / X8:

- X7 remaining as it is
- X8 Newcastle to Cramlington only
- PVR of X7 / X8 = 8 vehicles interworking in Newcastle
- Combined frequencies still the same and frequencies unchanged

Coastliner Services 306 / 308 / X6:

- 308 PVR increased to 10 vehicles.
- 306 PVR increased to 9 vehicles.
- Combined frequencies still the same and frequencies unchanged
- X6 renumbered 9X

New MAX X9 and MAX X10 / X11:
- X9 serving same route as current X8 between Blyth and Cramlington then same route as X10 / X11 to Newcastle every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during evenings and Sundays
- X10 reduced to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime
- X11 reduced to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime
- PVR of X9 / X10 / X11 = 14 vehicles
- All three will operate roughly every 10 minutes (20 minutes evenings and Sundays)combined from Blyth and between Cramlington and Newcastle
- X10 / X11 will operate every 15 minutes combined from the Black Diamond towards Blyth and towards Cramlington, Regular services too during evenings and Sundays

I always use the X9 to get to Cramlington, even though it takes longer BECAUSE it avoids the A19. That would annoy me and the people in Beacon Hill would have no bus to Newcastle. The rest I like

(25 Oct 2015, 12:56 pm)GX03 SVC wrote There's one dedicated spare Volvo B5LH at Blyth for when there is disruption or vehicle faults.

What bus will then become the spare?

(25 Oct 2015, 1:14 pm)DanPicken wrote Why does the 306 stop so earlyy anyway?

Not enough vehicles in the fleet.