(16 Jan 2026, 5:25 pm)L469 YVK wrote Or maybe both services (with other StreetDecks thrown in) given that GNE are already trying to reduce costs. If going back commercially against Arriva with no partnership in place (if happening), GNE will need to reduce costs. The Saturday frequency reduction will help - as well as reducing fuel bills not running heavy duty B9TLs.

Asides, I think GNE could potentially be looking at StreetLites for the 307/309 in the not too distant future, especially if Arriva launch an all out assault and go back to every 7/8 minutes on the 306 & 308 - both of which far more likely to receive EV investment with the infrastructure already in place at Blyth.

Not being horrible here but have you taken something. You really think that the 307/309 would go single deck. Whats this constant Arriva 306/308 destroy the 307/309. I really dont understand what point you are trying to make. So what if they go 7/8 minutes. All this talk i see about the 306/308 seems to be you only caring about the section from Newcastle to Battle Hill. Why do you never mention the 350/351 in part of this discussion constant

(16 Jan 2026, 1:38 pm)XAmbassador wrote What do you think the 21 does between Chester and Newcastle?

Ambles through Birtley at 20mph and not much faster through Low Fell and Gateshead, in case he needs reminding.

(16 Jan 2026, 3:01 pm)Malarkey wrote To be fair though we all know those Streetdecks are not built for X10 Motorway Work as they're underpowered and likely overheating resulting in said breakdown. 

Hopefully with some TLC upcoming they'll manage whatever work they do next, I believe they're going on the 301 which needs the additional capacity given current loadings and frequency of the service, very much doubt they'll be moving onto the 307/309 as I think there is more chance of New EV's for these services in the future so they'll keep the B9's for now.

And the likelihood of them performing on the X10, after struggling on the 21 is what?

You're right, they're not cut out for the X10.
And they're not likely to work on the X10, if they're struggling to maintain reliability after allocation to a 20mph 21...

BTW, I've got no idea what's causing the issues. 
But whether it's electrics, engine or wing mirrors - a fix is needed. Not a relocation.

6951 has been withdrawn

Take it he has never been on the bus when it is busy or the last bus (2345 departure with over 40 people on board seated)

(Yesterday, 8:55 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Take it he has never been on the bus when it is busy or the last bus (2345 departure with over 40 people on board seated)

At the moment it's busy - but that's with the partnership in place. And I've used it lots of times myself.

If the partnership is broken up, Arriva will be in a much stronger position to compete and although they don't have Jesmond depot to mitigate some of the dead mileage especially with the 306, they have lots of interworking options at the Newcastle end of the routes (unlike GNE) with other Blyth operated services.

GNE are relying on High Farm for the 307 & 309 to survive as it's a strong area. But any frequency re-increases by Arriva could leave GNE in a position where they might need to revert back to single deck - especially if they were to go all out.

(Yesterday, 10:30 pm)L469 YVK wrote At the moment it's busy - but that's with the partnership in place. And I've used it lots of times myself.

If the partnership is broken up, Arriva will be in a much stronger position to compete and although they don't have Jesmond depot to mitigate some of the dead mileage especially with the 306, they have lots of interworking options at the Newcastle end of the routes (unlike GNE) with other Blyth operated services.

GNE are relying on High Farm for the 307 & 309 to survive as it's a strong area. But any frequency re-increases by Arriva could leave GNE in a position where they might need to revert back to single deck - especially if they were to go all out.

Bollocks! the partnership for the 2345 isn't down to people using different tickets it is getting the workers home late at night for the gig economy aka pubs and restaurants  they are not using arriva tickets to board the bus

(Yesterday, 11:14 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Bollocks! the partnership for the 2345 isn't down to people using different tickets it is getting the workers home late at night for the gig economy aka pubs and restaurants  they are not using arriva tickets to board the bus

Not so much the tickets, but more the frequency coordination.

Arriva used to cover the 2345 slot with the 306 but this changed to GNE who were in a better position to cover it from a dead mileage perspective as part of the coordinated partnership.

(5 hours ago)L469 YVK wrote Not so much the tickets, but more the frequency coordination.

Arriva used to cover the 2345 slot with the 306 but this changed to GNE who were in a better position to cover it from a dead mileage perspective as part of the coordinated partnership.

I used to use the 23.45 306 a lot. Was annoyed when they changed it to a route that doesn't serve the same route. Your last 306 to Tynemouth was 22.45 so if you were in town and lived anywhere on that route. Tough get the earlier bus.

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(Yesterday, 10:30 pm)L469 YVK wrote At the moment it's busy - but that's with the partnership in place. And I've used it lots of times myself.

If the partnership is broken up, Arriva will be in a much stronger position to compete and although they don't have Jesmond depot to mitigate some of the dead mileage especially with the 306, they have lots of interworking options at the Newcastle end of the routes (unlike GNE) with other Blyth operated services.

GNE are relying on High Farm for the 307 & 309 to survive as it's a strong area. But any frequency re-increases by Arriva could leave GNE in a position where they might need to revert back to single deck - especially if they were to go all out.

Whatever your saying is all wrong. Arriva & GNE dont want to compete on the coast road. If anything gne is being the stupid one here and "suppose ending the partnership" but if they do. Arriva wont go on a high and try run the coast road. These suggestions that the 307/309 would go single deck is just stupid. Im sure you have complained or others have about singles on the 307/309 previous. Please for everyone on here. Stop mentioning the coast road its getting annoying now seeing it everyday everywhere 

Also how are gne relying on High Farm. Non of what you are saying is making sense its just constant gibberish about a section of a route that only you seem to care. 

If anything this partnership was a stupid idea. The only good thing was ticket accepted but the frequency & timetable changes are stupid. Its supposed to 306 then 307 then 308 then 309. This is never the case. They arrive into Haymarket at different times and sometimes you will have a 307 follow a 309 out or 308 follow the 306 out. Its stupid and never works.

The route Variation on the 306 to send it down to the Bandstand or even some journeys now only going to Whitley Bay every hour & some finishing at Tynemouth or Marden Estate. Then withdrawal of the 310/311 to make it one route. They made this partnership daft yet the only two routes to benefit it was the 308/309 since they both do Newcastle to Blyth. The 306 & 307 was stupid cause they never meet once they leave Battle Hill. The 306 doesn't even enter the main parts of Shields where people want to be