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

See I feel extending to Seaham would be a decent option as there’s no Washington or Newcastle link from Seaham. Whereas Dalton Park has the X10, so no ones at Dalton Park (or Murton) is using the X1 to get to Newcastle when the X10 is a lot quicker. Whereas for Seaham a direct link may prove popular, and especially a direct link to Washington?

The only new link opened is Houghton and Washington to Dalton Park. I do think a missed trick to Seaham for the coast which might have opened up two potential leisure opportunities, shopping at Dalton Park and the Beach etc at Seaham. 

I’d have thought about sending the X1 past the new Garden Village and along Dawdon/Princess Road (the way the old 202, 62 used to go).

(02 May 2026, 8:34 am)Drifter60 wrote See I feel extending to Seaham would be a decent option as there’s no Washington or Newcastle link from Seaham. Whereas Dalton Park has the X10, so no ones at Dalton Park (or Murton) is using the X1 to get to Newcastle when the X10 is a lot quicker. Whereas for Seaham a direct link may prove popular, and especially a direct link to Washington?

The only new link opened is Houghton and Washington to Dalton Park. I do think a missed trick to Seaham for the coast which might have opened up two potential leisure opportunities, shopping at Dalton Park and the Beach etc at Seaham. 

I’d have thought about sending the X1 past the new Garden Village and along Dawdon/Princess Road (the way the old 202, 62 used to go).

Seaham has the train though and a very regular service to Sunderland, in the right direction, for connections to the Metro for Newcastle.

There won't be enough demand for a direct service imo. Not on a detour via Washington and Dalton Park as it'll take too long.

Washington <> Seaham maybe, but imo an extension of the 37 would be better as it would serve Doxford Park aswell and it'd be quicker.

5500 is allocated to the X75, if anyone wants a pic

(02 May 2026, 8:57 am)Storx wrote Seaham has the train though and a very regular service to Sunderland, in the right direction, for connections to the Metro for Newcastle.

There won't be enough demand for a direct service imo. Not on a detour via Washington and Dalton Park as it'll take too long.

Washington <> Seaham maybe, but imo an extension of the 37 would be better as it would serve Doxford Park aswell and it'd be quicker.

Maybe 

X1 Newcastle - Washington - Doxford Park - Seaton - Deneside - Seaham - Parkside via Princess Road 

I dont think getting the bus to sunderladn then metro is a very appealing option for many but only one bus would be.

(02 May 2026, 11:41 pm)Unber43 wrote Maybe 

X1 Newcastle - Washington - Doxford Park - Seaton - Deneside - Seaham - Parkside via Princess Road 

I dont think getting the bus to sunderladn then metro is a very appealing option for many but only one bus would be.

Direct train from Seaham to Newcastle exists and defo more appealing than Seaham to Newcastle via the moon , on a bus.

(02 May 2026, 11:41 pm)Unber43 wrote Maybe 

X1 Newcastle - Washington - Doxford Park - Seaton - Deneside - Seaham - Parkside via Princess Road 

I dont think getting the bus to sunderladn then metro is a very appealing option for many but only one bus would be.

There's the train though.

imo any Newcastle links, should be on a merged 21/71. I don't expect anyone to use it end to end but the bits inbetween might want a link.

Something like:
21A: Newcastle to Seaham - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.95115...f7!1m0!3e0
21B: Newcastle to Dalton Park - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.95115...72!1m0!3e0

Both hourly, giving a 30 minute service to Fencehouses and Great Lumley where the direct bus to Newcastle would actually be appreciated with links to Seaham and Dalton Park from CLS and vice versa which some people might actually want.

The 71 is a bit of a basketcase now but the merger onto a decent route might make it more sustainable in the long run. With the X1 back down to every 15 minutes, as these changes are making a right pigs ear of the timings at the Southern End of the route. It needs to be either every 10 or every 15 minutes imo and very very few people are losing sleep over 3 minutes.

(02 May 2026, 8:57 am)Storx wrote Seaham has the train though and a very regular service to Sunderland, in the right direction, for connections to the Metro for Newcastle.

There won't be enough demand for a direct service imo. Not on a detour via Washington and Dalton Park as it'll take too long.

Washington <> Seaham maybe, but imo an extension of the 37 would be better as it would serve Doxford Park aswell and it'd be quicker.

Seaham had bus link and trains link to Newcastle for many years at the same time, it was only circa 2009/2010 when I think the last iteration of a Newcastle bus from Seaham was scrapped. 

Whilst I tend to agree for most the train is an attractive option but the train did have overcrowding issues for a long time, not sure if it’s better now as I can’t say I’ve used that train line in a good while. So a bus option might not be the waste of time some on here think it is.

There’s also cost to consider too, so whilst I’m sure many going for a ‘bottomless brunch’ might opt for the quicker option (train) someone travelling alone doing some shopping at Eldon Square might opt for the cheaper option (bus).

(03 May 2026, 11:25 am)Drifter60 wrote Seaham had bus link and trains link to Newcastle for many years at the same time, it was only circa 2009/2010 when I think the last iteration of a Newcastle bus from Seaham was scrapped. 

Whilst I tend to agree for most the train is an attractive option but the train did have overcrowding issues for a long time, not sure if it’s better now as I can’t say I’ve used that train line in a good while. So a bus option might not be the waste of time some on here think it is.

There’s also cost to consider too, so whilst I’m sure many going for a ‘bottomless brunch’ might opt for the quicker option (train) someone travelling alone doing some shopping at Eldon Square might opt for the cheaper option (bus).

Aye I get what you're saying. Not going to lie I think more faster buses to Sunderland would be better personally. 

Like could you maybe do an X7 which replaces the 61 and runs Murton - Dalton Park - Seaham Garden Village - Dawdon - Seaham - Sunderland running all day. 

I know it would involve a change but it would only be like £7.50 and only take around 55'ish mins from Seaham even with the Metro change. It's arguably more competitive than an hourly bus around the world. 

That Seaham Garden Village definitely deserves more than 2 midibuses an hour Mon - Sat daytimes imo. Be nice to serve a housing development in advance rather than chasing it like usual.

i dont actually think you will fit a bus into it

(03 May 2026, 1:31 pm)Unber43 wrote i  dont actually think you will fit a bus into it

You talking about the Garden Village?

There's gonna be a road through it, linking the two roundabouts with bus stops.

https://docs.planning.org.uk/20220630/87...mpb9e1.pdf - There's a diagram in there on page 19 - shows the bus stops aswell.

(03 May 2026, 2:16 pm)Storx wrote You talking about the Garden Village?

There's gonna be a road through it, linking the two roundabouts with bus stops.

https://docs.planning.org.uk/20220630/87...mpb9e1.pdf - There's a diagram in there on page 19 - shows the bus stops aswell.

i drove past it the other day and I didnt think you could fit a bus through it. 

Also perhaps this could be a step in bringing back the 202 but a bit different 

64 Sunderland - Seaham - Parkside - Dawdon - SGV - Dalton Park - Murton - Washington - Newcastle

(03 May 2026, 11:25 am)Drifter60 wrote Seaham had bus link and trains link to Newcastle for many years at the same time, it was only circa 2009/2010 when I think the last iteration of a Newcastle bus from Seaham was scrapped. 

Whilst I tend to agree for most the train is an attractive option but the train did have overcrowding issues for a long time, not sure if it’s better now as I can’t say I’ve used that train line in a good while. So a bus option might not be the waste of time some on here think it is.

There’s also cost to consider too, so whilst I’m sure many going for a ‘bottomless brunch’ might opt for the quicker option (train) someone travelling alone doing some shopping at Eldon Square might opt for the cheaper 

Again, why would I go to Seaham to Newcastle via the moon, even to go shopping?? Honestly, I know we all love buses, but let’s put our normal hats on and realise the train is the people’s choice. I use the train regularly btw, Hartlepool to Sunderland.

(03 May 2026, 2:47 pm)Unber43 wrote i drove past it the other day and I didnt think you could fit a bus through it. 

Also perhaps this could be a step in bringing back the 202 but a bit different 

64 Sunderland - Seaham - Parkside - Dawdon - SGV - Dalton Park - Murton - Washington - Newcastle

Let’s be honest, the Garden Village is most likely going to be serviced by the already well used X6, ideally brought up to every 20.

You could potentially bring back the old X90 from Seaham to Newcastle but extend it to Dalton Park, brings connections to Ryhope and Silksworth to Newcastle/Gateshead also brings back a service from Silksworth to the galleries since the 2/2A got cut in half means people can go from Seaham,Ryhope,Silksworth can go places without having to change in either dalton park for the x10 or Sunderland for the 56,X24 metro or train.


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(05 May 2026, 8:18 am)Theboyle92 wrote You could potentially bring back the old X90 from Seaham to Newcastle but extend it to Dalton Park, brings connections to Ryhope and Silksworth to Newcastle/Gateshead also brings back a service from Silksworth to the galleries since the 2/2A got cut in half means people can go from Seaham,Ryhope,Silksworth can go places without having to change in either dalton park for the x10 or Sunderland for the 56,X24 metro or train.


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Call it the X1C I'm sure the passengers would love another variation lol

(05 May 2026, 9:17 am)TheClumsyPineapple wrote Call it the X1C I'm sure the passengers would love another variation lol

GNE love a good game of route variation bingo, sod it bring back the red arrows branding whilst at it


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(03 May 2026, 7:26 am)Storx wrote There's the train though.

imo any Newcastle links, should be on a merged 21/71. I don't expect anyone to use it end to end but the bits inbetween might want a link.

Something like:
21A: Newcastle to Seaham -
21B: Newcastle to Dalton Park -

Both hourly, giving a 30 minute service to Fencehouses and Great Lumley where the direct bus to Newcastle would actually be appreciated with links to Seaham and Dalton Park from CLS and vice versa which some people might actually want.

If the 21 can't maintain time or service without being heavily regulated or plagued with cancellations - how do we expect a mammoth route like this to cope? 

Is there any proof people want links to Seaham or Dalton Park? Chester is 9 minutes from town on a train, Arnison and MetroCentre are very accessible. It feels like an old Malarkey Marathon

(05 May 2026, 9:30 am)Ambassador wrote If the 21 can't maintain time or service without being heavily regulated or plagued with cancellations - how do we expect a mammoth route like this to cope? 

Is there any proof people want links to Seaham or Dalton Park? Chester is 9 minutes from town on a train, Arnison and MetroCentre are very accessible. It feels like an old Malarkey Marathon

Some fair points, honestly don't think there'd be much demand from CLS to those places to be fair.

It was more about giving Fencehouses, Great Lumley and Houghton (away from the X1 corridor) direct links to Newcastle more than anything and it was just a place to terminate as the interchanging doesn't really work right now and there'd probably be some demand there (let's be real no-one is changing to an hourly service). 

Might help make the 71 sustainable long term and there's a lot of new house building around the Fencehouses area which deserve more than a pointless hourly midibus service to nowhere really. 

You could make the case for extending the 79 through to Seaham though and terminating the 21 extension short either really though, if you didn't want it too long as the cross Houghton demand is probably quite limited really.

"You could make the case for extending the 79 through to Seaham though and terminating the 21 extension short either really though, if you didn't want it too long as the cross Houghton demand is probably quite limited really."

The 79 makes sense in its current form as a little estate - town centre link. There isnt much point sending it to Seaham.

(05 May 2026, 1:19 pm)TheClumsyPineapple wrote "You could make the case for extending the 79 through to Seaham though and terminating the 21 extension short either really though, if you didn't want it too long as the cross Houghton demand is probably quite limited really."

The 79 makes sense in its current form as a little estate - town centre link. There isnt much point sending it to Seaham.

No I get that, it was more about getting the Houghton to CLS bit more useful something like:


As an 21 extension, with a few peak buses going via West Rainton towards Houghton in the AM peaks and from Houghton in the PM peaks. All the pink bits don't really have any realistic link to Newcastle and the orange bits would get something quicker without changing. 

Just means the other half of the 71 would be needed on something and the 71 in Seaham is a local bus anyway really. 

If it's not on the X1 corridor, it's a hard place to get to down there, knowing someone from down there and just not bothering as it's too challenging tbh.

(05 May 2026, 9:30 am)Ambassador wrote If the 21 can't maintain time or service without being heavily regulated or plagued with cancellations - how do we expect a mammoth route like this to cope? 

Is there any proof people want links to Seaham or Dalton Park? Chester is 9 minutes from town on a train, Arnison and MetroCentre are very accessible. It feels like an old Malarkey Marathon

Just tuning in for an Ambassadorathon 

(05 May 2026, 10:24 am)Storx wrote Some fair points, honestly don't think there'd be much demand from CLS to those places to be fair.

It was more about giving Fencehouses, Great Lumley and Houghton (away from the X1 corridor) direct links to Newcastle more than anything and it was just a place to terminate as the interchanging doesn't really work right now and there'd probably be some demand there (let's be real no-one is changing to an hourly service). 

Might help make the 71 sustainable long term and there's a lot of new house building around the Fencehouses area which deserve more than a pointless hourly midibus service to nowhere really. 

You could make the case for extending the 79 through to Seaham though and terminating the 21 extension short either really though, if you didn't want it too long as the cross Houghton demand is probably quite limited really.

(05 May 2026, 1:19 pm)TheClumsyPineapple wrote "You could make the case for extending the 79 through to Seaham though and terminating the 21 extension short either really though, if you didn't want it too long as the cross Houghton demand is probably quite limited really."

The 79 makes sense in its current form as a little estate - town centre link. There isnt much point sending it to Seaham.

(05 May 2026, 3:27 pm)Storx wrote No I get that, it was more about getting the Houghton to CLS bit more useful something like:


As an 21 extension, with a few peak buses going via West Rainton towards Houghton in the AM peaks and from Houghton in the PM peaks. All the pink bits don't really have any realistic link to Newcastle and the orange bits would get something quicker without changing. 

Just means the other half of the 71 would be needed on something and the 71 in Seaham is a local bus anyway really. 

If it's not on the X1 corridor, it's a hard place to get to down there, knowing someone from down there and just not bothering as it's too challenging tbh.

I don't think people really understand the point of the 71. It links 2 major County Durham places. Houghton just happens to be in between. I have got this service a few times, and regularly see this service when waiting for 78. It gets a lot more passengers than most local authority-run services around tbf. GNE butchered this route by reducing the frequency and then binning it off. The passenger loads between Seaham & Houghton generally are kinda quiet but have decent loads at peak times.

No way should it be linked with the 21. The best way to improve buses to Newcastle for Great Lumley/Fencehouses etc.. is to coordinate bus times and have better ticketing. Not giving every estate an hourly version/diversion of another route. 

In my opinion, the best way to make the 71 more financially viable is to either link it with the 725 to Langley Park to give better county Durham East/West connections OR make it half hourly between Chester-le-St & Houghton and hourly to Seaham, coordinate it with the 78 for departures. 

Another thing would be to do something with the 79 & 520, but that is Nexus territory.

Interesting note that on the GNE timetable section, the X75 is Green and branded Belsay and Wallington express rather than GNE Red, could mean absolutely nothing though

Services like the 71 are mainly about maintaining some level of public transport for the places that are not in the main inter-urban network, or providing secondary links across the grain of primary services. While services like these are never going to pull up trees in terms of changing the behaviour of car drivers, they definitely have a role.
An hourly frequency is obviously a limitation, but there are situations where an hourly service is all that can be justified by loadings or afforded in anything like the current real world. They work better in a world of better-priced zonal tickets - pricing of the Co Dirham iticket s still  ok, but the lack of a similarly priced bus to bus zonal ticket for travel in/into Tyne and Wear is regrettable.
A link with 725 would help anyone travelling between west Chester le Street and Fencehouses/Houghton etc, though there are not likely to be all that many so only a minor effect on viability.  But it would be an operational benefit - while the 71 cycle is unstressed, the 725 cycle has only short dwells and it must be difficult to recover any delays.

(07 May 2026, 6:01 pm)V514DFT wrote Interesting note that on the GNE timetable section, the X75 is Green and branded Belsay and Wallington express rather than GNE Red, could mean absolutely nothing though

 I think the Timetables have always featured the Green Colour and that "brand logo" on the timetables since the 2023 edition. However, I do not remember if last years was green or not on the website but it has always been branded like that on paper timetables since 2023

Correct me if i am wrong but Had the X70 and X71 always been separate pages for the route info on Go North East's Website?

(09 May 2026, 8:36 pm)X919 WGR wrote Correct me if i am wrong but Had the X70 and X71 always been separate pages for the route info on Go North East's Website?

It shouldn't be really.

But there's too many bloody "expresses" in Derwentside  !

Not like the easy days when it was just the X30/X31 & X70/X71 with the 40's mopping up everything inbetween!

Gives me flashbacks of NMS/Arriva Blyth and the EX1, X1, X11, X24, X25, X26, 363, 364 and whatever other variations and X numbers they had back in the day haha!

Note that Arriva now have 6x express numbered services from Blyth.....but they at least have some logic & common routing (X7/X8 via Quorum, X9 Bebside & Beacon Hill, X10/X11via Newsham & Southfield Green, X30 super fast).

The X71 and X73 are the confusing ones!

Not sure if there’s been a change in direction or if commercial and marketing have just woken up but credit to GNE for their digital comms approach. The app and website stuff has worked well.

First time in at least 10 years I can recall saying that

Has all the transfer happend today?

(Yesterday, 1:27 pm)Michael wrote Has all the transfer happend today?

What Transfers have been planned?