(30 Jan 2025, 9:17 pm)Storx wrote 353 -> 354 -> 356 -> 356 -> 355 -> 355 -> 354 -> 353 ... is the new interworking pattern, can tell by the timings and stands their going into.

Had a feeling it would go like that

(29 Jan 2025, 10:40 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote I’m a driver at Slatyford I had heard we’d lost the 35 I didn’t think we’d lose the 32 as well. Stagecoach not getting anything either bar the X78 back on an evening

I believe Gateshead Central Taxis were awarded the 32, but have refused to accept the contract. Next bidder in-line was Stagecoach.

It doesn't give you a whole level of confidence that an organisation that will likely take the lead on bus franchising, is awarding contracts that its boss and local MPs are all over social media criticising for not being able to run existing services.

(31 Jan 2025, 4:18 pm)Dan wrote I believe Gateshead Central Taxis were awarded the 32, but have refused to accept the contract. Next bidder in-line was Stagecoach.

I believe it’s because they couldn’t guarantee they’d have enough drivers to fulfill the service so had to turn it down. They are still taking the 35 from Stagecoach though.

(30 Jan 2025, 9:06 pm)V514DFT wrote Wonder if the 353 will go standalone if the 352 gets axed, likewise will the 317/340/341/342 all interwork, but nice to see the return of old route numbers the 40(41/41A) (was the 340)  41 (was the 341), the 356 is an interesting one, is it going to go along Great Lime Road from Meadway/Feetham Avenue to get to Killingworth (was the evening 350/351 back in the day), but Forest Hall will be pleased to have its link to the Hospital and Whitley Bay, a link that was severed in 2016 when the 17 was withdrawn, 4 buses to Killingworth though, bit overkill especially with the 63 being every 15 minutes, be interesting to see how it copes with the 342/353/356 following it to Killingworth

The other thing I’m confused about is what will happen on the 356 return journey from Whitley Bay as it will serve the stop at Clousden Drive twice as it wont reverse the loop it will still follow the one way loop. The exact route doesn’t seem too clear could do a figure eight to avoid confusion

(01 Feb 2025, 5:15 pm)Coastliner700 wrote The other thing I’m confused about is what will happen on the 356 return journey from Whitley Bay as it will serve the stop at Clousden Drive twice as it wont reverse the loop it will still follow the one way loop. The exact route doesn’t seem too clear could do a figure eight to avoid confusion

When the 350/351 used to do it in the evenings the 351 used to stop at the same stop as the 350, but on the opposite side of the road, Clousden Drive is a funny one though as its basically a through road, but bus stop wise, one end is Clousden Hill (Great Lime Road) and the other is Clousden Drive (Forest Hall Road), but it would be silly if it turned onto Forest Hall Road to then do Meadway/Feetham Avenue when the easy solution is starring them in the face, I feel like the 352 has been a missed opportunity I a way, like it was destined to fail all along when something could of been done with it that the 37 doesn't do, makes me wonder though about the 38, this might light a fire under GNE for them to change the 355 to run later and on Sundays

(01 Feb 2025, 6:28 pm)V514DFT wrote When the 350/351 used to do it in the evenings the 351 used to stop at the same stop as the 350, but on the opposite side of the road, Clousden Drive is a funny one though as its basically a through road, but bus stop wise, one end is Clousden Hill (Great Lime Road) and the other is Clousden Drive (Forest Hall Road), but it would be silly if it turned onto Forest Hall Road to then do Meadway/Feetham Avenue when the easy solution is starring them in the face, I feel like the 352 has been a missed opportunity I a way, like it was destined to fail all along when something could of been done with it that the 37 doesn't do, makes me wonder though about the 38, this might light a fire under GNE for them to change the 355 to run later and on Sundays

See at least Stagecoach kept it simple for people and not done a gne and just went and done it for there own good

37 actually follows & runs the same frequency the 52 did. Was told the change of the route was for it to have more stops. Of which the 37 servers 8 stops more than the 2 it used to (4 towards Cramlington/4 towards Newcastle)

38 is only Forest Hall cause gne throught it would be a great idea to change the route of the 355 to send it via Longbenton. If the 355 had of went via the old 55. Bet u now the 38 wouldn't go to Forest Hall

(01 Feb 2025, 5:15 pm)Coastliner700 wrote The other thing I’m confused about is what will happen on the 356 return journey from Whitley Bay as it will serve the stop at Clousden Drive twice as it wont reverse the loop it will still follow the one way loop. The exact route doesn’t seem too clear could do a figure eight to avoid confusion

I'm not sure whether there's stops on both sides of the road on the loop but the sensible thing would be to reverse the loop towards Newcastle. Wouldn't be any issues then.

(01 Feb 2025, 8:37 pm)Storx wrote I'm not sure whether there's stops on both sides of the road on the loop but the sensible thing would be to reverse the loop towards Newcastle. Wouldn't be any issues then.

There's not, but in the days of the 350/351 the 351 used to use the stops for the 350 (and M55) as a stop for itself despite the stop (with the timetable in it) on the other side of the road

Surprised they didn't take the opportunity to number the 1 back to 301, it means the 1 is the odd one out (pun not intended) having no 3 prefix like the rest of their services

(01 Feb 2025, 9:55 pm)V514DFT wrote There's not, but in the days of the 350/351 the 351 used to use the stops for the 350 (and M55) as a stop for itself despite the stop (with the timetable in it) on the other side of the road

Aye seems the best thing tbh, could always be an example of the bus partnership working and there's some added. We're all first to jump at the bus operators but if there's a real partnership then surely it's Nexus / North Tyneside's job to do their part aswell and how much can a few flag poles cost..?

(02 Feb 2025, 10:19 am)Storx wrote Aye seems the best thing tbh, could always be an example of the bus partnership working and there's some added. We're all first to jump at the bus operators but if there's a real partnership then surely it's Nexus / North Tyneside's job to do their part aswell and how much can a few flag poles cost..?

Totally agree, I remember when the 22 was first extended to the Cobalt from Wallsend, there wasn't a pole on Churchill Street near the High School (towards the Cobalt), it took Nexus well into 2016 to rectify it even though the changes took effect in October/November 2015

Feedback from the 35 consulation is now shown on the consultation page, at the bottom:

We will therefore introduce a revised route/timetable for service 35 with effect from Sunday 23 March 2025. The service will continue to operate half-hourly Monday – Saturday daytime and hourly during evening and Sunday hours. The revised route will operate between Newcastle Pilgrim Street – Fawdon Red House direct via Great North Road and Gosforth High Street. To improve reliability, trips towards Red House Farm will no longer serve Coxlodge (Welford Avenue), but customers will be able to use the adjacent stop on Kenton Road, or alternatively remain on the bus and alight on Welford Avenue during the return trip back towards Newcastle.

The new contract for service 35 has been awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis. Stagecoach tickets/passes will no longer be sold/accepted on this route. However, there will be a grace period for the first 4 weeks, to allow customers to transition to the new arrangements.

https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...230325.pdf

https://www.nexus.org.uk/consultation/it...-newcastle

So from this date it will stop serving Osbourne Road, more tinkering with the Q3 then?

(04 Feb 2025, 10:27 pm)Michael wrote Feedback from the 35 consulation is now shown on the consultation page, at the bottom:

We will therefore introduce a revised route/timetable for service 35 with effect from Sunday 23 March 2025.  The service will continue to operate half-hourly Monday – Saturday daytime and hourly during evening and Sunday hours.  The revised route will operate between Newcastle Pilgrim Street  – Fawdon Red House direct via Great North Road and Gosforth High Street.  To improve reliability, trips towards Red House Farm will no longer serve Coxlodge (Welford Avenue), but customers will be able to use the adjacent stop on Kenton Road, or alternatively remain on the bus and alight on Welford Avenue during the return trip back towards Newcastle.

The new contract for service 35 has been awarded to Gateshead Central Taxis.  Stagecoach tickets/passes will no longer be sold/accepted on this route.  However, there will be a grace period for the first 4 weeks, to allow customers to transition to the new arrangements.

https://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/f...230325.pdf

https://www.nexus.org.uk/consultation/it...-newcastle

Probably a sensible outcome given GNE's about turn re Q3 but it's a shame Nexus wasted resource on the charade of a consultation for a done deal.  When more than 50% of respondents oppose your proposal and you crack on regardless, it suggests the resource that went into said consultation could have been better directed, or even just pissed directly down a drain.

Was looking at the changes again yesterday and I wonder

Why the hell is the 41 (340) still a service. At this point the 41A (341) should just go every 15 minutes as since the 342 is now doing a pointless trip to benton rise for some unknown reason. Like just why does this 41 still exist. Once the 342 goes to Benton Rise every 30 watch the 41 passenger numbers drop. 41A has always been the better of the two since u do not need the 41 to exist since it's a 2-5 minute walk from the bus stops of the 41 to the bus stops of the 41A. Plus why bother with the 41 if it just follows the 307 into Hadrian Park. It's stupid they are keeping this service and makes zero sense

(05 Feb 2025, 10:01 am)Aaron21 wrote Was looking at the changes again yesterday and I wonder

Why the hell is the 41 (340) still a service. At this point the 41A (341) should just go every 15 minutes as since the 342 is now doing a pointless trip to benton rise for some unknown reason. Like just why does this 41 still exist. Once the 342 goes to Benton Rise every 30 watch the 41 passenger numbers drop. 41A has always been the better of the two since u do not need the 41 to exist since it's a 2-5 minute walk from the bus stops of the 41 to the bus stops of the 41A. Plus why bother with the 41 if it just follows the 307 into Hadrian Park. It's stupid they are keeping this service and makes zero sense

The 41/41A go in via Station Road and the 342 go in via West Street. They're two completely different bus services, bar 2 bus stops on Station Road.

Personally I'd do

341: Every 20 Minutes, Wallsend to Hadrian Park avoiding Wiltshire Drive
342: Every 30 Minutes, Wallsend to Killingworth via Wiltshire Drive, extended to Kingston Park hourly

It's a much better service, which should be doable with the same PVR as you'd just take one PVR off the 340/341 and use it to boost the 342 short from Benton Rise to Killingworth instead.

(05 Feb 2025, 10:29 am)Storx wrote The 41/41A go in via Station Road and the 342 go in via West Street. They're two completely different bus services, bar 2 bus stops on Station Road.

Personally I'd do

341: Every 20 Minutes, Wallsend to Hadrian Park avoiding Wiltshire Drive
342: Every 30 Minutes, Wallsend to Killingworth via Wiltshire Drive, extended to Kingston Park hourly

It's a much better service, which should be doable with the same PVR as you'd just take one PVR off the 340/341 and use it to boost the 342 short from Benton Rise to Killingworth instead.

Definitely a sensible suggestion.....and the frequency reduction could justify a larger vehicle type too improving commonality depending what's available.

(05 Feb 2025, 10:29 am)Storx wrote The 41/41A go in via Station Road and the 342 go in via West Street. They're two completely different bus services, bar 2 bus stops on Station Road.

Personally I'd do

341: Every 20 Minutes, Wallsend to Hadrian Park avoiding Wiltshire Drive
342: Every 30 Minutes, Wallsend to Killingworth via Wiltshire Drive, extended to Kingston Park hourly

It's a much better service, which should be doable with the same PVR as you'd just take one PVR off the 340/341 and use it to boost the 342 short from Benton Rise to Killingworth instead.

Or revert it back to pre 2020 
317 remains the same
340/341 back to being circle's,each 30 mins (15 combined), missing out Holy Cross restoring Tynemouth Road (between Aldi and Churchill Street) with a service
342/343- Wallsend-Cramlington (342) Wallsend-Kingston Park via The Quorum (343)

One area I'm a little surprised (but not) is the lack of engagement with commuters.

There's an ideal opportunity to engage with the forums at Quorum and Cobalt and it doesn't appear to be happening.

These are the markets you should be trying to tempt back, especially with hybrid working

Deadline is today for feedback but I bet, they'll go ahead with the changes anyway by ignoring everyone's opinions on them.

(05 Feb 2025, 10:01 am)Aaron21 wrote Was looking at the changes again yesterday and I wonder

Why the hell is the 41 (340) still a service. At this point the 41A (341) should just go every 15 minutes as since the 342 is now doing a pointless trip to benton rise for some unknown reason. Like just why does this 41 still exist. Once the 342 goes to Benton Rise every 30 watch the 41 passenger numbers drop. 41A has always been the better of the two since u do not need the 41 to exist since it's a 2-5 minute walk from the bus stops of the 41 to the bus stops of the 41A. Plus why bother with the 41 if it just follows the 307 into Hadrian Park. It's stupid they are keeping this service and makes zero sense

I agree the 41 shouldn't exist but the points on this post are slightly off. It's nowt to do with the 342 i reckon, but the fact its just the 41A omitting Wiltshire Drive. Should just send them all that way.

(05 Feb 2025, 1:46 pm)V514DFT wrote Or revert it back to pre 2020 
317 remains the same
340/341 back to being circle's,each 30 mins (15 combined), missing out Holy Cross restoring Tynemouth Road (between Aldi and Churchill Street) with a service
342/343- Wallsend-Cramlington (342) Wallsend-Kingston Park via The Quorum (343)

Aye not a bad idea, I just think there badly needs to be a 30 minute service between Killingworth and Wallsend. There might not be tons of demand but it's two major places where you can connect to other services and hourly is way too infrequent imo.

(05 Feb 2025, 2:42 pm)lewisparker1509 wrote I agree the 41 shouldn't exist but the points on this post are slightly off. It's nowt to do with the 342 i reckon, but the fact its just the 41A omitting Wiltshire Drive. Should just send them all that way.

You can't send them all via Wiltshire Drive without a PVR increase which would never be sustainable. The place doesn't need 4 buses an hour to Wallsend either at the detriment for an extremely long service from Hadrian Park / Battle Hill.

(05 Feb 2025, 3:08 pm)Storx wrote Aye not a bad idea, I just think there badly needs to be a 30 minute service between Killingworth and Wallsend. There might not be tons of demand but it's two major places where you can connect to other services and hourly is way too infrequent imo.


You can't send them all via Wiltshire Drive without a PVR increase which would never be sustainable. The place doesn't need 4 buses an hour to Wallsend either at the detriment for an extremely long service from Hadrian Park / Battle Hill.

I put in the survey the 342 should be half-hourly between Wallsend and Killingworth to connect with other services. Better terminating point than Benton Rise.

Wonder if the M71 will be half-hourly between Westerhope and Kingston Park like it used to be?

(05 Feb 2025, 4:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I put in the survey the 342 should be half-hourly between Wallsend and Killingworth to connect with other services. Better terminating point than Benton Rise.

Wonder if the M71 will be half-hourly between Westerhope and Kingston Park like it used to be?

Nexus spending extra money to make a valuble service making more valuble? Bah don't be silly lol.

(05 Feb 2025, 3:08 pm)Storx wrote Aye not a bad idea, I just think there badly needs to be a 30 minute service between Killingworth and Wallsend. There might not be tons of demand but it's two major places where you can connect to other services and hourly is way too infrequent imo.


You can't send them all via Wiltshire Drive without a PVR increase which would never be sustainable. The place doesn't need 4 buses an hour to Wallsend either at the detriment for an extremely long service from Hadrian Park / Battle Hill.

Fair enough, then I'd say replace that section with another route. GNE could've easily reverted the Wiltshire Drive section of the 342 (when it used to be the 42/42A). I just don't personally agree with the pointless "A" services that only have a tiny difference, which GNE seems to love so much.

For example, if we look at Stagecoach's "A" services in Newcastle, they make sense, and we don't have many.

32A does the exact same route as the 32 throughout, but loop sections are operated anti-clockwise rather than clockwise.

72A provides a twice a day peak service to Fenham Hall Drive rather than Cowgate.

X24A has the same concept as the 72A, but for Doxford International.

The only Stagecoach "A" service I don't agree with is the scholars 18A, but it's Nexus who route-numbered that so you can't blame Stagecoach for it.

(06 Feb 2025, 12:54 pm)lewisparker1509 wrote Fair enough, then I'd say replace that section with another route. GNE could've easily reverted the Wiltshire Drive section of the 342 (when it used to be the 42/42A). I just don't personally agree with the pointless "A" services that only have a tiny difference, which GNE seems to love so much.

For example, if we look at Stagecoach's "A" services in Newcastle, they make sense, and we don't have many.

32A does the exact same route as the 32 throughout, but loop sections are operated anti-clockwise rather than clockwise.

72A provides a twice a day peak service to Fenham Hall Drive rather than Cowgate.

X24A has the same concept as the 72A, but for Doxford International.

The only Stagecoach "A" service I don't agree with is the scholars 18A, but it's Nexus who route-numbered that so you can't blame Stagecoach for it.

Aye don't disagree there personally I'd do what I said before and drop the 41 avoiding Wiltshire Drive to every 20 minutes then have the 342 to Killingworth every 30 minutes.

Should be doable as the 41 would have a 40 minute round trip so a PVR 2 (41 takes 36 minutes for a round trip) and then you could move the other resource to extend the short 342 to Killingworth and additionally do Wiltshire Drive on both boards - should be doable with the one bus.

15 to 20 minutes isn't the end of the world, and beyond Wiltshire Drive it's all over the place anyway because of the longer route.

(29 Jan 2025, 9:08 am)Michael wrote We're planning service changes in North Tyneside, Newcastle and south east Northumberland, set to launch on Sunday 23 March 2025.

We're encouraging our passengers to share their views on these proposed changes to the bus network. Feedback received will help us refine our plans, ensuring local travel needs are met as effectively as possible.


https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/share-your...h-tyneside




Some contracts have been confirmed too:

54 Newcastle-Whitley Bay: Evening/Sunday Nexus contract service from Stagecoach

342 Wallsend-Kingston Park: We will take over the operation of this service from Gateshead Central Taxis.


With the X78 - Going back to Stagecoach -  The contract for this service has been awarded to Stagecoach, who will operate the service from this date.




-------


But couldn't do on a online survey for Sunderland/South Tyneside?

I don't see these changes doing much to boost passenger numbers given you have Stagecoach operating the 37/38 along the same corridor and in turn duplicating the service, I would personally withdraw the 352/354 & 355 and merge them into the Stagecoach Services personally.

So you would have something like this:

36 - Slatyford - Fenham - RVI - Newcastle City Centre - South Gosforth - Longbenton - Forest Hall - Killingworth - Murton Village - North Tyneside Hospital - Monkseaton - Whitley Bay

36A -  Slatyford - Fenham - RVI - Newcastle City Centre - South Gosforth - Four Lane Ends - Quorum - Killingworth - Backworth - Cobalt North - New York - Billy Mill - North Shields

37 - Whickham View - Fenham - Newcastle City Centre - High Heaton - Four Lane Ends - Killingworth - Dudley - Cramlington 

38 - Whickham View - Fenham - Newcastle City Centre - High Heaton - Four Lane Ends - Forest Hall  -Palmersville - Holystone - Shiremoor - Earsden - Whitley Bay

Why not Change the 340 and 341 completely ....

Wallsend Bus Station (must to provide Metro links)
up Station and then onto Wiltshire Drive do a fancy bumpy loop

then....

340 turns Left pop up the Range turn right past asda to the roundabout turn left then right into the industrial estate and stop (create a bus stop in the industrial estate) it creates links for a (2 min walk to Palmersville metro) through the ind estate then turn left and head to Holystone A19 roundabout head to Northumberland Metro bus station (create a link for Ashington etc) then head to Cobalt round Hadrian park through Battlehill high Farm back to powder Monkey round wiltshire drive back to wallsend... the 341 ... does the opposite loop after wiltshire drive

it creates the potential to remove the 351

(06 Feb 2025, 4:59 pm)Malarkey wrote I don't see these changes doing much to boost passenger numbers given you have Stagecoach operating the 37/38 along the same corridor and in turn duplicating the service, I would personally withdraw the 352/354 & 355 and merge them into the Stagecoach Services personally.

So you would have something like this:

36 - Slatyford - Fenham - RVI - Newcastle City Centre - South Gosforth - Longbenton - Forest Hall - Killingworth - Murton Village - North Tyneside Hospital - Monkseaton - Whitley Bay

36A -  Slatyford - Fenham - RVI - Newcastle City Centre - South Gosforth - Four Lane Ends - Quorum - Killingworth - Backworth - Cobalt North - New York - Billy Mill - North Shields

37 - Whickham View - Fenham - Newcastle City Centre - High Heaton - Four Lane Ends - Killingworth - Dudley - Cramlington 

38 - Whickham View - Fenham - Newcastle City Centre - High Heaton - Four Lane Ends - Forest Hall  -Palmersville - Holystone - Shiremoor - Earsden - Whitley Bay

See I'm not sure they're better suited as Stagecoach services even known there's some small duplication. If we're going more radical, personally I'd look at swapping some things around like this:


which are:
19/19A (Red): Cramlington to North Shields via Backworth Village or New Backworth Estate: Every 30 Minutes
342 (Orange): Cramlington to Wallsend, Every 30 Minutes
353 (Purple): North Shields to Killingworth, Every 30 Minutes
354 (Blue): Newcastle to Whitley Bay (354 from Newcastle to Killingworth, 359 from Killingworth to Whitley Bay), Every Hour

It means you can get arid of the crazy 355 extension which isn't very logical and is clearly operational purposes and connect all the main hubs which dealing with the purpose of the subsidised routes:

Killingworth / Forest Hall to Cobalt and North Shields (353)
Killingworth / Forest to Cramlington and Wallsend (342)
Cramlington to Cobalt and North Shields (19/19A)
Backworth to NT Hospital and Whitley Bay (354)
Backworth to North Shields (19A)

It's arguably much tidier than what's there now and also restores the ASDA links and removes the 342 doubling back on itself, wasting time.

The rest of the 342 can be split into it's own route, or merged with the 335 if you want to keep that going.