(19 Feb 2026, 8:28 pm)L469 YVK wrote True - but why has NECA not been positively engaging with all parties concerned to prevent this from happening?

And I don't get how the timetables are still quite closely aligned.

Only losers are going to be the public unfortunately.

I'm still very surprised Arriva haven't taken advantage of BSIP like GNE & Stagecoach did for the 56, 21 and 1.....unless they're waiting for more new buses to turn up to prevent a s***show at the detriment of the wider operation perhaps.

Who's to say they haven't been?  Sounds like a unilateral decision, I struggle to see what Arriva or NECA have done wrong here unless there's more happened behind the scenes.

Agree though that the public are the overall losers in this.

(20 Feb 2026, 1:34 pm)Chris 1 wrote Who's to say they haven't been?  Sounds like a unilateral decision, I struggle to see what Arriva or NECA have done wrong here unless there's more happened behind the scenes.

Agree though that the public are the overall losers in this.

Unless GNE are making money in their strongholds and decided they don't need the partnership as such?

Not going to lie but most times I've travelled through High Farm on both the 307 & 309, theu do always pick up well and quite often tend to run late doing so.

L469 YVK
Unless GNE are making money in their strongholds and decided they don't need the partnership as such?

Not going to lie but most times I've travelled through High Farm on both the 307 & 309, theu do always pick up well and quite often tend to run late doing so.


Go North East wanted to reduce the frequency of their services to some extent. That’s why they withdrew

(20 Feb 2026, 11:04 am)Ambassador wrote I'm not sure where the idea the 21 carries fresh air past certain points is coming from - it absolutely doesn't - and as much as we deride it, BSIP required strong and factual business cases with relevant data.
 
On a weekend especially, the service is regularly full by the time it departs Birtley - agree additional resource for Low Fell in this case - perhaps running a short 21 to Angel and turning at Eighton Lodge would solve this. 

As much as I question GNE, it feels a convenient and lazy stick to beat them with.

Oh no arguments definitely don't think it carries fresh air, that's just silly, but does it need to be 7.5 minutes all the way to CLS I'm unsure.

Tbh when I posted that I was thinking more deviating at Birtley, and doing something different. 

I'm sure there's loads of ideas but considering there's subsidised routes in all directions (25/28/81) could it maybe have been an option to sort one of, or even more out, since the tax payer is paying for it anyway. 

If anything it was a dig at Nexus for not using it as an opportunity to deal with some of the existing routes.

The 43/44/45 to North of Newcastle is a similar route and that's what that does really.

N&P advises that there has been a new route 3 registered between Bebside station and Blyth bus station, effective 22 March.

(22 Feb 2026, 10:05 am)Northern Spirit wrote N&P advises that there has been a new route 3 registered between Bebside station and Blyth bus station, effective 22 March.

Registration on bustimes.org marks it as a service running Monday to Friday only. Traveline isn't showing the timetable and im not sure what the route is

On Arriva website:

From Sunday 22 March 2026, the existing arrangement under which Go North East ticket products are accepted on Arriva services 306 and 308 will cease. Go North East products will therefore no longer be valid on these services from that date.

As a result of Go North East’s decision to end this arrangement, Arriva ticket products will also no longer be accepted on Go North East services 307 and 309.

What does this mean for you?

If you currently purchase a Go North East return, day, weekly (or longer) zonal ticket and use services 306 or 308, your ticket may no longer be valid from 22 March 2026. The following tickets will continue to be accepted:

TNE Day tickets at £7.50 and Tyne and Wear Day tickets at £6.80 (pricing correct as of 22 March 2026)
Network One tickets and Newcastle or North Tyneside SmartZone tickets
Any other non-Arriva tickets will not be accepted beyond this date.

Customers are advised to review their ticket options before travelling, particularly where journeys involve services operated by both companies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(22 Feb 2026, 6:21 pm)cbma06 wrote On Arriva website:

From Sunday 22 March 2026, the existing arrangement under which Go North East ticket products are accepted on Arriva services 306 and 308 will cease. Go North East products will therefore no longer be valid on these services from that date.

As a result of Go North East’s decision to end this arrangement, Arriva ticket products will also no longer be accepted on Go North East services 307 and 309.

What does this mean for you?

If you currently purchase a Go North East return, day, weekly (or longer) zonal ticket and use services 306 or 308, your ticket may no longer be valid from 22 March 2026. The following tickets will continue to be accepted:

TNE Day tickets at £7.50 and Tyne and Wear Day tickets at £6.80 (pricing correct as of 22 March 2026)
Network One tickets and Newcastle or North Tyneside SmartZone tickets
Any other non-Arriva tickets will not be accepted beyond this date.

Customers are advised to review their ticket options before travelling, particularly where journeys involve services operated by both companies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another reason to take back control of buses.

(22 Feb 2026, 6:21 pm)cbma06 wrote On Arriva website:

From Sunday 22 March 2026, the existing arrangement under which Go North East ticket products are accepted on Arriva services 306 and 308 will cease. Go North East products will therefore no longer be valid on these services from that date.

As a result of Go North East’s decision to end this arrangement, Arriva ticket products will also no longer be accepted on Go North East services 307 and 309.

What does this mean for you?

If you currently purchase a Go North East return, day, weekly (or longer) zonal ticket and use services 306 or 308, your ticket may no longer be valid from 22 March 2026. The following tickets will continue to be accepted:

TNE Day tickets at £7.50 and Tyne and Wear Day tickets at £6.80 (pricing correct as of 22 March 2026)
Network One tickets and Newcastle or North Tyneside SmartZone tickets
Any other non-Arriva tickets will not be accepted beyond this date.

Customers are advised to review their ticket options before travelling, particularly where journeys involve services operated by both companies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This line makes me laugh. The fact they have to state that its correct of the time they post this. Only cause Kim and whoever sorts the whole tickets out want to silently remove this ticket and make everyone pay £7.50 which no doubt will rise when and if that ticket goes cause that's how everything works. Why make them pay £7.50 for a ticket. It'll be either 7.80 (the old Tyne & Wear Ticket before this new one was introduced) or a shocking £8. 

Wouldn't shock me if it does happen

(22 Feb 2026, 8:59 pm)Economic505 wrote Another reason to take back control of buses.

Yes, because other multi-operator tickets don't already exist? It's hardly end of the world.

The qualifying agreement which allows this joint ticket arrangement, could have been maintained, irrespective of the timetable in place. However NECA refused to do so. Without LA agreement, a QA cannot happen, so it ends.

People still think asking NECA to run the show will somehow be better... this event alone shows how they have absolutely no idea whatsoever.

---

(22 Feb 2026, 9:18 pm)Nerd4321 wrote This line makes me laugh. The fact they have to state that its correct of the time they post this. Only cause Kim and whoever sorts the whole tickets out want to silently remove this ticket and make everyone pay £7.50 which no doubt will rise when and if that ticket goes cause that's how everything works. Why make them pay £7.50 for a ticket. It'll be either 7.80 (the old Tyne & Wear Ticket before this new one was introduced) or a shocking £8. 

Wouldn't shock me if it does happen

They don't want to remove it, it WILL be removed.
It was agreed at a NECA meeting back in December. 

From 1 April, only the Tyne & Wear day ticket will no longer exist. Durham and Northumberland days will also increase I understand.

(23 Feb 2026, 10:17 am)Superman wrote Yes, because other multi-operator tickets don't already exist? It's hardly end of the world.

The qualifying agreement which allows this joint ticket arrangement, could have been maintained, irrespective of the timetable in place. However NECA refused to do so. Without LA agreement, a QA cannot happen, so it ends.

People still think asking NECA to run the show will somehow be better... this event alone shows how they have absolutely no idea whatsoever.

---

They don't want to remove it, it WILL be removed.
It was agreed at a NECA meeting back in December. 

From 1 April, only the Tyne & Wear day ticket will no longer exist. Durham and Northumberland days will also increase I understand.

Whats the point in introducing a ticket only for you to then remove it. Its stupid making people now pay £7.50 (or more if it increases)

(23 Feb 2026, 11:05 am)Nerd4321 wrote Whats the point in introducing a ticket only for you to then remove it. Its stupid making people now pay £7.50 (or more if it increases)

BSIP funding running low. Admittedly they should have perhaps kept a bus only version

(23 Feb 2026, 12:32 pm)220631612 wrote BSIP funding running low. Admittedly they should have perhaps kept a bus only version

£7.50 will be the cheapest from April then? Potentially even more expensive if they put it up.

The only exception will be single operator tickets (GNE, Nexus, Stagecoach). No cheaper options for Arriva, Northstar or Peter Hogg.

Also a ridiculous decision as it excludes Metro and Shields Ferry use, if passengers can access one bus operator (doesn't apply to Arriva, they scrapped their own tickets), and therefore get a cheaper bus-only ticket. So much for integrated transport!

Bad timing for the Coast Road agreement to end as well. Fares are suddenly getting expensive again. Maybe Arriva could reintroduce their own day ticket, Northstar only run the X22 and X43 commercially, and Peter Hogg only have the X74 within Tyne & Wear, so can't see anything changing there.

Bus-only multi-operator ticket would be an improvement compared to paying £7.50 for everything, but is a backwards step in terms of integrated transport and pushing customers towards interchanges to use Metro services.

(23 Feb 2026, 1:09 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote £7.50 will be the cheapest from April then? Potentially even more expensive if they put it up.

The only exception will be single operator tickets (GNE, Nexus, Stagecoach). No cheaper options for Arriva, Northstar or Peter Hogg.

Also a ridiculous decision as it excludes Metro and Shields Ferry use, if passengers can access one bus operator (doesn't apply to Arriva, they scrapped their own tickets), and therefore get a cheaper bus-only ticket. So much for integrated transport!

Bad timing for the Coast Road agreement to end as well. Fares are suddenly getting expensive again. Maybe Arriva could reintroduce their own day ticket, Northstar only run the X22 and X43 commercially, and Peter Hogg only have the X74 within Tyne & Wear, so can't see anything changing there.

Bus-only multi-operator ticket would be an improvement compared to paying £7.50 for everything, but is a backwards step in terms of integrated transport and pushing customers towards interchanges to use Metro services.

Politicians have a fascination with integrated transport.

This means most if their "improvements" focus around that. They forget or don't bother to even ask about those who only need to use one type, which is probably most people.

(23 Feb 2026, 2:24 pm)Superman wrote Politicians have a fascination with integrated transport.

This means most if their "improvements" focus around that. They forget or don't bother to even ask about those who only need to use one type, which is probably most people.

But surely this is less integrated? Scrapping the Day Rover and making fares substantially more expensive for many, surely means people will stick to one bus operator if they possibly can, to save money. Obviously this isn't always possible.

Genuinely not sure how many people only use one mode of transport, presumably far more bus-only than Metro-only, as not everyone has a local Metro station.

Arriva should (but probably won't) bring their day ticket options back. GNE and Stagecoach have their own day ticket products, although that could realistically change as well.

The day rover is surely part of an integrated transport network?

(23 Feb 2026, 2:35 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote But surely this is less integrated? Scrapping the Day Rover and making fares substantially more expensive for many, surely means people will stick to one bus operator if they possibly can, to save money. Obviously this isn't always possible.

Genuinely not sure how many people only use one mode of transport, presumably far more bus-only than Metro-only, as not everyone has a local Metro station.

Arriva should (but probably won't) bring their day ticket options back. GNE and Stagecoach have their own day ticket products, although that could realistically change as well.

The day rover is surely part of an integrated transport network?

Arriva already have the Coastliner Route saver, they only really need something for the Great North Road. They don't have the Newcastle area network they once had, so probably unlikely to consider either.

(23 Feb 2026, 2:24 pm)Superman wrote Politicians have a fascination with integrated transport.

This means most if their "improvements" focus around that. They forget or don't bother to even ask about those who only need to use one type, which is probably most people.

Suppose one good thing about integrated transport (there are others), is that it allows you to get places or fulfill journeys that wouldn't be possible via bus alone.

(Yesterday, 1:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote Suppose one good thing about integrated transport (there are others), is that it allows you to get places or fulfill journeys that wouldn't be possible via bus alone.

I fully support integrated transport. 100%. Scrapping the day rover and making it more expensive for customers to actually use the integrated transport is idiotic. Total backwards step.

Particularly combined with the awful experience of the Metro, uncomfortable seats, horrible beeping for doors closing, repetitive announcements ("next station" , "this is", and then another "this is" just in case you missed the previous 2 announcements plus 'mind the gap" and "be careful when using the level crossing"),  endless and repetitive platform announcements. Oh, and we pay a fortune to enjoy all those announcements, beeping and uncomfortable seats (unless the Metro is broken or the cables have been stolen again, then we only get to enjoy the platform announcements reminding us the lifts are still not working, and we can't vape on the platform.

Awful Metro experience, in combination with extortionate fares to use it just inspires getting the bus if possible, cheaper and quieter, just takes longer. £7.50 day *saver* or £6/£5.90/£4 on Stagecoach/GNE/Nexus in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Blyth and Cramlington. Very integrated!

Nothing stopping NTL reintroducing the Tyne and Wear Day Rover. The Explorer still exists!

(Yesterday, 2:59 pm)Kimlfixit wrote Nothing stopping NTL reintroducing the Tyne and Wear Day Rover. The Explorer still exists!

Yeah, and they should. Otherwise it's not integrated. I for one will use the bus to save money! Metro isn't worth the money. Quick, yes, value for money, not anymore.

(Yesterday, 2:59 pm)Kimlfixit wrote Nothing stopping NTL reintroducing the Tyne and Wear Day Rover. The Explorer still exists!

But that ticket was more expensive than even the current TNE All Zone ticket, What would reintroducing it do?

(Yesterday, 3:37 pm)Superman wrote But that ticket was more expensive than even the current TNE All Zone ticket, What would reintroducing it do?

Maybe they should introduce a Bus Only version in Tyne and Wear like they have in other combined authority areas. I suppose that would be too much foresight for this area.

Arriva service changes are out

306 no longer running to Whitley Bay or Marden Estate

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...e-and-wear

Service 3 will only operate in peaktimes

I know it's pretty minor, but I thought there had to be consultations before making cuts to services because the one for the 306 was very hidden if there was?

(10 hours ago)Storx wrote I know it's pretty minor, but I thought there had to be consultations before making cuts to services because the one for the 306 was very hidden if there was?

Unless something else is happening. But was the 306 well used between Tynemouth & Whitley. You have the metro & 301. I cant see many people being annoyed. Would like to be proven wrong. 

Though it kinda makes sense. They changed the 306 to hourly to Whitley Bay with the rest finishing at Tynemouth or Marden Estate so the 306 probably carried dust at that point. I think in all honesty the Marden Estate part killed the Whitley Bay section. Plus with the coast road agreement dead they can do whatever they want. The 306 was extended fully to Whitley Bay when it was introduced and sent to the Bandstand

(10 hours ago)Storx wrote I know it's pretty minor, but I thought there had to be consultations before making cuts to services because the one for the 306 was very hidden if there was?

To be fair, most of that section is covered by the 301 & 317.

I doubt we'd ever see it, but if the 301 was ever increased to every 15 minutes, could introduce a 302 going via Morrisons.

Or maybe an extended 57/57A?

Also, is there possible demand for a direct bus (not going around the world) from Marden to Newcastle? Or do most just either walk to Cullercoats for the Metro / Foxhunters for the 308?

---

Also, why no X21/X22/35 changes? Are Arriva waiting until later for these?

(10 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Unless something else is happening. But was the 306 well used between Tynemouth & Whitley. You have the metro & 301. I cant see many people being annoyed. Would like to be proven wrong. 

Though it kinda makes sense. They changed the 306 to hourly to Whitley Bay with the rest finishing at Tynemouth or Marden Estate so the 306 probably carried dust at that point. I think in all honesty the Marden Estate part killed the Whitley Bay section. Plus with the coast road agreement dead they can do whatever they want. The 306 was extended fully to Whitley Bay when it was introduced and sent to the Bandstand

(10 hours ago)L469 YVK wrote To be fair, most of that section is covered by the 301 & 317.

I doubt we'd ever see it, but if the 301 was ever increased to every 15 minutes, could introduce a 302 going via Morrisons.

Or maybe an extended 57/57A?

Also, is there possible demand for a direct bus (not going around the world) from Marden to Newcastle? Or do most just either walk to Cullercoats for the Metro / Foxhunters for the 308?

---

Also, why no X21/X22/35 changes? Are Arriva waiting until later for these?

Gonna post together as it's the same response.

Not too sure on the demand on the 306, I always read it's purpose was to serve Morrisons at Preston Grange rather than the Newcastle links.

The Tynemouth / Marden to central North Tyneside links are bloody terrible though, multiple buses / metros and they all go in the same North / South direction, yet if you want to go to the local hospital, business park (Cobalt), supermarket (Morrisons x2 / Sainsbury's / Lidl / Aldi), swimming pool and so on there's absolutely zero service.

Btw the consultations, is part of the BSIP stuff, rather than the coast road agreement. Everyone else has done it so far, like Stagecoach recently with it's minor changes aswell really.

The Tees Valley service changes from 29 March are now also online: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...march-2026

(Yesterday, 6:06 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Arriva service changes are out

306 no longer running to Whitley Bay or Marden Estate

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...e-and-wear

Service 3 will only operate in peaktimes

More managed decline, nothing positive, no improvements. 

The 3, from that wording, just seems to replicate the X30 but add an extra stop. 

Going from social media posts the ANE commercial team spend more time out driving than they do on their day job, and you can tell.

(8 hours ago)PH - BQA wrote More managed decline, nothing positive, no improvements. 

The 3, from that wording, just seems to replicate the X30 but add an extra stop. 

Going from social media posts the ANE commercial team spend more time out driving than they do on their day job, and you can tell.

I do wonder what this 3 is. As the description says "initially" does this mean its trial run or will it in the next service changes become a full service