(29 Apr 2026, 9:09 pm)X919 WGR wrote https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/changes-may26
Now on Go North East's Website


So by the looks of it:
- X-Lines Dark Green is ending
- X-Lines Purple is ending
- X1A will be the new X1B. X1A is the Dalton Extension

So now the Only X-Lines remaining is the Blue/Green X21

20 has lost its Prince Bishops branding on the timetable aswell

Those Xlines buses will be like that for years tbh.

(29 Apr 2026, 9:09 pm)X919 WGR wrote https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/changes-may26
Now on Go North East's Website


So by the looks of it:
- X-Lines Dark Green is ending
- X-Lines Purple is ending
- X1A will be the new X1B. X1A is the Dalton Extension

So now the Only X-Lines remaining is the Blue/Green X21

"Passengers on the X1 can enjoy smoother, more comfortable journeys on our brand-new double-decker buses".

Biggest lie in these changes.... as we know, most of them aren't even been allocated to the X1....

(29 Apr 2026, 9:29 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote 20 has lost its Prince Bishops branding on the timetable aswell

Those Xlines buses will be like that for years tbh.

I could see the 2019 400MMC's being one of the first to be painted since its fairly out dated. X30 to Consett was half a decade ago.
As for the others. Yeah it could be a while unless they do want to slot them in soon.

However now with you pointing out that the Bishops has lost its branding I do question now if everything but Voltra & Angel will lose their branding?
CityRider is the only other one if this apparent new Investment happens for the 56.

With those "Cores" at the end that is a much extra long list of Repaints to happen and Hexham Bus Stops to be changed up.

(29 Apr 2026, 9:09 pm)X919 WGR wrote - X1A will be the new X1B. X1A is the Dalton Extension

That's not going to be confusing for people in the slightest.

(29 Apr 2026, 9:29 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote 20 has lost its Prince Bishops branding on the timetable aswell

Those Xlines buses will be like that for years tbh.

The Prince Bishops are to be  going Double Deck later in the year , so this will be the reason the branding is going to be dropped.

(30 Apr 2026, 7:23 am)Retro Nero wrote The Prince Bishops are to be  going Double Deck later in the year , so this will be the reason the branding is going to be dropped.

Hopefully new deckers?

No doubt, they'll be the B9's from the 56, if the plans are for that route to get new buses.....

(30 Apr 2026, 8:29 am)Michael wrote Hopefully new deckers?

No doubt, they'll be the B9's from the 56, if the plans are for that route to get new buses.....

New deckers for the 56 and New singles for the 60.

(30 Apr 2026, 8:56 am)Retro Nero wrote New deckers for the 56 and New singles for the 60.

About time the 60 got something new.

Wonder what they'll get?


Shame the 20 aren't getting anything new...

(29 Apr 2026, 9:09 pm)X919 WGR wrote https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/changes-may26
Now on Go North East's Website


So by the looks of it:
- X-Lines Dark Green is ending
- X-Lines Purple is ending
- X1A will be the new X1B. X1A is the Dalton Extension

So now the Only X-Lines remaining is the Blue/Green X21

So is the potential Haswell extension not going ahead?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(30 Apr 2026, 2:30 pm)cbma06 wrote So is the potential Haswell extension not going ahead?.

Looking at the timetable, it would appear not - just the current termini (and Dalton Park on the X1A).

Seems they're not going ahead with extending the 682 to Otterburn either, can't remember if there was any other changes proposed for Hexham.

So this new barmy X1A between Hetton interchange and Dalton Park and vice versa is practically within minutes of service 65, even though passengers can get on the 65 from Dalton Park and get off at Hetton Interchange on a 30 minute frequent bus service and then board an X1 from Hetton Interchange on a higher frequency towards Newcastle, X1 was withdrawn the last time from Dalton Park I wonder why that was, it seems Déjà vu will be gone again soon.

Should have extended the service south to Haswell or even a deeper circle hitting shotton, Wheatley hill, edge of Thornley, edge of Ludworth, side of Haswell plough, then Haswell back towards Easington Lane. or just the potential Haswell circle then a review couple of months down the line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(30 Apr 2026, 3:57 pm)cbma06 wrote So this new barmy  X1A between Hetton interchange and Dalton Park and vice versa is practically within minutes of service 65, even though passengers can get on the 65 from Dalton Park and get off at Hetton Interchange on a 30 minute frequent  bus service and then board an X1 from Hetton Interchange on a higher frequency towards Newcastle, X1 was withdrawn the last time from Dalton Park I wonder why that was, it seems Déjà vu will be gone again soon.

Should have extended the service south to Haswell or even a deeper circle hitting shotton, Wheatley hill, edge of Thornley, edge of Ludworth, side of Haswell plough, then Haswell back towards Easington Lane. or just the potential Haswell circle then a review couple of months down the line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

See I don't think the X1A diversion (it's not an extension) is that bad if it was done properly. I'd say it's more about the links in the opposite direction more than anything ie. to/from Dalton Park.

The problem is it doesn't run on a Sunday - arguably when it's wanted, it causes a random 24 minute gap in Easington Lane and it's too infrequent. 

Working with Nexus imo the 71 would be the better route to send there, ideally extended to Newcastle - maybe joining the 21 like the Brandon runs? None of the communities on the 71 route between CLS and Houghton have a direct Newcastle link and the 71 is a bit of a basketcase anyway. Might make it more healthy? It would open loads of links locally to Dalton Park and also connect that area to CLS for links towards Stanley etc as it's a decent hub, unlike Houghton.

Seaham to Houghton can be bolted onto something else, 79?

(30 Apr 2026, 10:14 am)Michael wrote About time the 60 got something new.

Wonder what they'll get?


Shame the 20 aren't getting anything new...

Apparently ADL E200s for the 60s and E400s for the 56s

(30 Apr 2026, 6:13 pm)Retro Nero wrote Apparently ADL E200s for the 60s and E400s for the 56s

Good choice, hopefully they'll keep the CityRider brand but can't see it.

I guess the Streetlites from the Prince Bishops will replace the remaining Versa's and the older Streetlites.


Hopefully the B9's on the 56 will get a refurb before they go on the 20/20A......

(30 Apr 2026, 6:24 pm)Michael wrote Good choice, hopefully they'll keep the CityRider brand but can't see it.

I guess the Streetlites from the Prince Bishops will replace the remaining Versa's and the older Streetlites.


Hopefully the B9's on the 56 will get a refurb before they go on the 20/20A......

I think there is a small possiblity CityRider could remain, just depends what they are planning to do.
I highly doubt the B9's from the 56 will get a refurb as they last did in 2021.

(30 Apr 2026, 6:42 pm)X919 WGR wrote I think there is a small possiblity CityRider could remain, just depends what they are planning to do.
I highly doubt the B9's from the 56 will get a refurb as they last did in 2021.

I honestly thought it was earlier than 2021 - tbh I can't remember the last time I went on the 56.

Don't suppose anyone knows which depot will be running the X40 on Saturday? I've guessing Riverside. Just wondering if new buses will be on it, or like Crusader/Red Kite Ranger/X-lines or if Percy Main are maybe operating it with Cobalts/DFDS/Tynemouth.

(30 Apr 2026, 4:31 pm)Storx wrote [Snip]

Working with Nexus imo the 71 would be the better route to send there, ideally extended to Newcastle - maybe joining the 21 like the Brandon runs? None of the communities on the 71 route between CLS and Houghton have a direct Newcastle link and the 71 is a bit of a basketcase anyway. Might make it more healthy? It would open loads of links locally to Dalton Park and also connect that area to CLS for links towards Stanley etc as it's a decent hub, unlike Houghton.
[Snip]

(Drifting from the actual May 2026 changes)
Extending the short 21s that currently terminate at Chester le St has always seemed a pretty sensible thing (see many messages from Andreos over the years...).
Without using more pvr:
- 1 ph to Houghton le Spring = an easy 1pvr, replacing that part of 71 (the rest perhaps integrated with 168 as a local minibus?). Gt Lumley would be the main place gaining, though a direct link between Houghton and Birtley would probably help some people. (Extending on to Dalton Park would add another 1 pvr, so a different/more difficult thing.)
- 1 ph extended to replace the 725 (1pvr, as now). 
Obviously running the extensions 2 ph would be more attractive services, but considerable added funding needed, so a different issue. I'd have other things as higher priorities.

Only fair to note both those would have some downside as they would mean the extended sections would be affected by any disruption occurring north of Chester, which is sort of inevitably more prone to things happening. (And remember the dire delays caused by what felt like years of roadworks to make the cycleway through Birtley; and by traffic diverting from the widening of the A1M ?). So extended 21s would be good for people travelling through Chester, but a bit worse for local passengers.

These are the sort of things which the current deregulated system makes very hard or impossible. GNE been fixed on keeping the section north of Chester simple as 21 without "complicated" variations. (But it seems ok for them on 10/10A/10B, which is fairly similar situation.) Franchising will give more scope for new thinking, hopfully.

(30 Apr 2026, 8:53 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Don't suppose anyone knows which depot will be running the X40 on Saturday? I've guessing Riverside. Just wondering if new buses will be  on it, or like Crusader/Red Kite Ranger/X-lines or if Percy Main are maybe operating it with Cobalts/DFDS/Tynemouth.

Riverside and Consett

(30 Apr 2026, 11:10 pm)Liam Hall wrote Riverside and Consett

Thanks. Hopefully some good allocations on. Are they all following the same route as the route map shows, from Great Park, via the A1, Kenton Bar and Cowgate, to St James' Park?

(30 Apr 2026, 11:29 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Thanks. Hopefully some good allocations on. Are they all following the same route as the route map shows, from Great Park, via the A1, Kenton Bar and Cowgate, to St James' Park?

Imagine it'll be flexible like the X47 - the traffic around Newcastle with Sandyford, Central Motorway and Tyne Bridge works has been horrific of late.

I'll have a tenner on an Angel Streetdeck (if they aren't covering the 21)

(30 Apr 2026, 9:46 pm)Busadvocate wrote (Drifting from the actual May 2026 changes)
Extending the short 21s that currently terminate at Chester le St has always seemed a pretty sensible thing (see many messages from Andreos over the years...).
Without using more pvr:
- 1 ph to Houghton le Spring = an easy 1pvr, replacing that part of 71 (the rest perhaps integrated with 168 as a local minibus?). Gt Lumley would be the main place gaining, though a direct link between Houghton and Birtley would probably help some people. (Extending on to Dalton Park would add another 1 pvr, so a different/more difficult thing.)
- 1 ph extended to replace the 725 (1pvr, as now). 
Obviously running the extensions 2 ph would be more attractive services, but considerable added funding needed, so a different issue. I'd have other things as higher priorities.

Only fair to note both those would have some downside as they would mean the extended sections would be affected by any disruption occurring north of Chester, which is sort of inevitably more prone to things happening. (And remember the dire delays caused by what felt like years of roadworks to make the cycleway through Birtley; and by traffic diverting from the widening of the A1M ?). So extended 21s would be good for people travelling through Chester, but a bit worse for local passengers.

These are the sort of things which the current deregulated system makes very hard or impossible. GNE been fixed on keeping the section north of Chester simple as 21 without "complicated" variations. (But it seems ok for them on 10/10A/10B, which is fairly similar situation.) Franchising will give more scope for new thinking, hopfully.

Yeah honestly can't disagree to be honest; obviously the delays could be an issue but the services aren't being used as it's not really usable and who really wants to be in CLS, Houghton or Langley Park in 2026 (no offence to the places)

I know some will say well you can get a bus to CLS and there's loads of buses to Newcastle which is true, but the journey in the other direction isn't the same and it's a nightmare connection. 

If only it was part of the BSIP funding for the 21... It could've been the extra passengers to make the core 21 sustainable at every 7.5 minutes; cross subsidising the extensions.

Mind bringing it back to the May changes, better links to Dalton Park are needed really; it's a difficult place to get to from the North West and there's enough there for people to want to go there for work, leisure and shopping really. Argubly more there than Peterlee, Houghton Le Spring and questionably Sunderland City Centre nowadays.

Tbh Dalton Park would be a good space for one of those hubs, people were talking about years ago considering it's location.

(01 May 2026, 8:21 am)Ambassador wrote Imagine it'll be flexible like the X47 - the traffic around Newcastle with Sandyford, Central Motorway and Tyne Bridge works has been horrific of late.

I'll have a tenner on an Angel Streetdeck (if they aren't covering the 21)

Well hopefully I at least get to see one, if the route is flexible (as I thought it would be), and ideally a good allocation.

The route map shows it coming off the A1 at Kenton Bar, and running through Cowgate. Surely at least one X40 will follow that route.

Angel StreetDecks look good, I would be happy with that on the X40.

(01 May 2026, 9:05 am)Storx wrote Yeah honestly can't disagree to be honest; obviously the delays could be an issue but the services aren't being used as it's not really usable and who really wants to be in CLS, Houghton or Langley Park in 2026 (no offence to the places)

I know some will say well you can get a bus to CLS and there's loads of buses to Newcastle which is true, but the journey in the other direction isn't the same and it's a nightmare connection. 

If only it was part of the BSIP funding for the 21... It could've been the extra passengers to make the core 21 sustainable at every 7.5 minutes; cross subsidising the extensions.

Mind bringing it back to the May changes, better links to Dalton Park are needed really; it's a difficult place to get to from the North West and there's enough there for people to want to go there for work, leisure and shopping really. Argubly more there than Peterlee, Houghton Le Spring and questionably Sunderland City Centre nowadays.

Tbh Dalton Park would be a good space for one of those hubs, people were talking about years ago considering it's location.

Utilise the 22?, that will avoid all confusion, the 22 is literally just sitting there asking  for something to be done with it

(30 Apr 2026, 3:36 pm)Jimmi wrote Looking at the timetable, it would appear not - just the current termini (and Dalton Park on the X1A).

Seems they're not going ahead with extending the 682 to Otterburn either, can't remember if there was any other changes proposed for Hexham.

Apart from the 682 extension, other proposed changes in west Northumberland were:
681 to terminate at Walltown, the rest of the route now covered by Reay's HW1.
74, 680, 683, 684, 688, 689, AD122: minor timetable changes to improve reliability.

Noted this year it seems the X75 is no longer free and you will have to pay the single £2.50

(01 May 2026, 3:43 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Noted this year it seems the X75 is no longer free and you will have to pay the single £2.50

Shame that.


Its been giving its own colour and logo on the GNE site.

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/services/GNE/X75

The X1 timetable for South Hetton is now ridiculous… up until 9th May, there was a daytime bus every 15 minutes with two of those extending to/from Peterlee. Under the changes it’ll be 3 now, as the Easington Lane terminus is reintroduced for one bus per hour. (Most buses extended to South Hetton under the current timetable)

Coming from Newcastle departures to South Hetton will be at :44, :56 & :08 - so brilliant there’s three buses in 24 minutes, but miss the :08 departure and it’s a lovely 36 minute wait… the only good news is the 61 is spaced in between the gap, so at least it works out to a roughly every 20 minutes service to Peterlee (:59, :23 & :42) But it just feels messy. The other direction isn’t *as* bad, but the 61 is timed 4 minutes in front of the X1 leaving Peterlee…

So out of 5 X1s each hour four different end destinations (albeit all but 1 are just early terminating) 2 to Peterlee, 1 Dalton Park, 1 Easington Lane, 1 South Hetton.

Wonder if an X1 that went Seaham - Station Road/Deneside - Dalton Park - Washington - Newcastle

(01 May 2026, 11:47 am)V514DFT wrote Utilise the 22?, that will avoid all confusion, the 22 is literally just sitting there asking  for something to be done with it

Not gonna lie, I'd be trying to get rid of that personally. Just send the 51/52 around Harlow Green and be done with it. 

The magical tour around Gateshead killed the service anyway, just get it back to the QE where people want to be imo and was for like forever. 

(01 May 2026, 8:37 pm)Unber43 wrote Wonder if an X1 that went Seaham - Station Road/Deneside - Dalton Park - Washington - Newcastle

Not sure there's much sense tbf, be a detour of a route and the 65/71 does the Seaham links anyway from most places. I know it's a bit off topic but imo extending the 37 to Seaham doing the 71 to the North of the town would be better if you wanted that sort of stuff. The links to Doxford Park are horrid from the South without doubling back via Sunderland and would create the Washington link anyway. Not sure it would be popular though tbf.

Mind you could make an argument for extending that to Newcastle though.