(29 Apr 2026, 3:42 am)Dan wrote The 09:02 service from Walker did operate on Monday, as proven, and yesterday it did too, albeit with a residual delay from the morning peak.

Bustimes data proves the trip yesterday left at 09:11 with bus 437, and the return trip from Four Lane Ends left on-time at 10:02. Proof the new timetable works, eh.

At what point will you stop attempting to tarnish a company’s reputation by spouting complete nonsense on a public forum? The very tool that you use to slate the company is the very tool that proves you wrong, time and time again.

He sounds like a bit of a tool to be honest

Not that I'm an avid bus-times watcher by any stretch of the imagination, but curiosity got the better of me tonight so I decided to look at Bus Times and, low and behold, the 18 is running around 4-6 minutes behind schedule.

Stagecoach would have had a second bus deployed to the route by now.

(29 Apr 2026, 7:37 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Not that I'm an avid bus-times watcher by any stretch of the imagination, but curiosity got the better of me tonight so I decided to look at Bus Times and, low and behold, the 18 is running around 4-6 minutes behind schedule.

Stagecoach would have had a second bus deployed to the route by now.

Stagecoach only deployed other vehicles around driver changeover times. That’s what a lot of people are forgetting. It really wasn’t uncommon to have a Stagecoach 18 20+ late for a couple of hours.

(29 Apr 2026, 3:50 am)Dan wrote It seems everyone else must be wrong too?

Apparently Stagecoach DID suffer from the same delays as Northstar, yesterday…

https://northeastbuses.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=3180&pid=326384#pid326384

I bet you've been on the email to the IT overlords at bustimes.org, and had them change the data for Stagecoach...

It's no more batshit than any other allegations on this thread.

(29 Apr 2026, 7:37 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Not that I'm an avid bus-times watcher by any stretch of the imagination, but curiosity got the better of me tonight so I decided to look at Bus Times and, low and behold, the 18 is running around 4-6 minutes behind schedule.

Stagecoach would have had a second bus deployed to the route by now.

They wouldn't, not for 5 minutes. You'd be expected to catch it back.

Isn't the definition of on time between 1 minute early and 5 minutes late?

(14 Apr 2026, 7:01 pm)220631612 wrote Makes you think really doesn’t it. The fact that they’re sat on bustimes watching every move says it all really.

To be fair, it's not just the actual running of the 18 that's the issue. Have you seen the state of the route map? Over 20 stops are missing including Byker Morrisons (one of the main stops) towards Walker and it also shows going via Stoneleigh Avenue on an evening. I understand we should cut some slack when it comes to actually running the service but surely making a simple route map isn't that hard?

I shall blame Northstar for the state of the buses between Newcastle and Durham, today. Just for the sake of fairness, like. Even the X12 was regulated.

(30 Apr 2026, 1:10 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote To be fair, it's not just the actual running of the 18 that's the issue. Have you seen the state of the route map? Over 20 stops are missing including Byker Morrisons (one of the main stops) towards Walker and it also shows going via Stoneleigh Avenue on an evening. I understand we should cut some slack when it comes to actually running the service but surely making a simple route map isn't that hard?

Obviously, most customers don’t use a bus enthusiasts’ website in intricate detail to travel.

All data is managed by a third party supplier, so all the operator can do is request their supplier changes data in order to get bustimes showing correctly for enthusiasts.

We have long-since established there are relatively few issues with the company running the 18, aside the delusions from Stagecoach fanboys on this thread.

Are Northstar operating the Metro replacements on Bank Holiday Monday does anyone know? Usually it's GNE and/or JH. Very surprised to see Arriva on some of them on Easter Monday. Could Arriva be doing some of them again?

(30 Apr 2026, 8:59 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Are Northstar operating the Metro replacements on Bank Holiday Monday does anyone know? Usually it's GNE and/or JH. Very surprised to see Arriva on some of them on Easter Monday. Could Arriva be doing some of them again?

Yes - there will be a fair few buses on early morning journeys on Bank Holiday Monday.

(30 Apr 2026, 9:09 pm)Dan wrote Yes - there will be a fair few buses on early morning journeys on Bank Holiday Monday.

Are you able to advise what time and which section the Northstar buses will be on please? I noticed a Northstar bus tracking on the Airport to/from Central Station route on Bustimes earlier this week. Do you know if Arriva will be working any of the journeys?

Hopefully I get to see Northstar's coach soon, unfortunately it hasn't been on the 792 so far.

People complaining to Northstar like this advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZydr1FynDU

Just Seen the picture of the Volvo Coach in the Fleet Livery and its a really nice look for it. Blue does suit it very well.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122286116600183040

(03 May 2026, 8:36 pm)X919 WGR wrote Just Seen the picture of the Volvo Coach in the Fleet Livery and its a really nice look for it. Blue does suit it very well.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122286116600183040&set=a.122139636836183040

but, the bigger question is........if it went on the 18, would it run on time  

Serious note thou, aye, it does look smart!

(03 May 2026, 8:36 pm)X919 WGR wrote Just Seen the picture of the Volvo Coach in the Fleet Livery and its a really nice look for it. Blue does suit it very well.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122286116600183040

I'm not on Facebook!!

(04 May 2026, 9:12 am)Retro Nero wrote I'm not on Facebook!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(04 May 2026, 9:25 am)cbma06 wrote


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, great shot

Not really a livery person but that is rather beautiful - quite reminiscent of the branding indy Spanish coach operators use

Dont think I have seen it mentioned, but I see its on Nexus website that Northstar will take over the 520 from GCT starting on 10 May.

(Yesterday, 6:04 pm)citaro5284 wrote Dont think I have seen it mentioned, but I see its on Nexus website that Northstar will take over the 520 from GCT starting on 10 May.

Let me be the first to say, before an engine has started or a wheel turned, that Northstar have ruined this service for me. 

There's a false narrative suggesting GCT don't particularly care about how they operate a service, or whether passengers reach their destination in a comfortable and timely manner, but they do invest heavily in their fleet and currently have the youngest fleet of the major SME's here in the North East. And now they're going to be replaced by a company running older vehicles. GCT would even chuck a second, sometimes a third, and occasionally even a fourth bus on to keep the 520 on time through the heavy traffic-laden area of Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole, something which I doubt this new operator will do.

And we haven't even mentioned Fencehouses yet....

(Yesterday, 6:47 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Let me be the first to say, before an engine has started or a wheel turned, that Northstar have ruined this service for me. 

There's a false narrative suggesting GCT don't particularly care about how they operate a service, or whether passengers reach their destination in a comfortable and timely manner, but they do invest heavily in their fleet and currently have the youngest fleet of the major SME's here in the North East. And now they're going to be replaced by a company running older vehicles. GCT would even chuck a second, sometimes a third, and occasionally even a fourth bus on to keep the 520 on time through the heavy traffic-laden area of Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole, something which I doubt this new operator will do.

And we haven't even mentioned Fencehouses yet....

Only 4? See that's why these smaller companies just should not be awarded these contracts. Stagecoach would have the entire Walkergate fleet doing 15 mile dead runs to drop on and cover runs if they were awarded the 520.

(Yesterday, 6:04 pm)Icitaro5284 wrote Dont think I have seen it mentioned, but I see its on Nexus website that Northstar will take over the 520 from GCT starting on 10 May.

I wonder what will be allocated....not sure if the E200s will go into the Health Centre, maybe Dan has some minis lined up!

(Yesterday, 8:37 pm)Retro Nero wrote I wonder what will be allocated....not sure if the E200s will go into the Health Centre, maybe Dan has some minis lined up!

Could use a horse and cart, it will fit in well with the locals

(Yesterday, 6:47 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Let me be the first to say, before an engine has started or a wheel turned, that Northstar have ruined this service for me. 

There's a false narrative suggesting GCT don't particularly care about how they operate a service, or whether passengers reach their destination in a comfortable and timely manner, but they do invest heavily in their fleet and currently have the youngest fleet of the major SME's here in the North East. And now they're going to be replaced by a company running older vehicles. GCT would even chuck a second, sometimes a third, and occasionally even a fourth bus on to keep the 520 on time through the heavy traffic-laden area of Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole, something which I doubt this new operator will do.

And we haven't even mentioned Fencehouses yet....

I wouldn’t particularly say it’s false when there’s many documented instances of them not running tendered routes for hours at a time, or a couple of years ago when their services were running religiously 5-7 minutes early because none of their ticket machines were displaying an accurate time.

(Yesterday, 8:37 pm)Retro Nero wrote I wonder what will be allocated....not sure if the E200s will go into the Health Centre, maybe Dan has some minis lined up!

I heard he was going to be using his new tri-axle, that'll get around Houghton no bother.

(Yesterday, 9:48 pm)220631612 wrote I wouldn’t particularly say it’s false when there’s many documented instances of them not running tendered routes for hours at a time, or a couple of years ago when their services were running religiously 5-7 minutes early because none of their ticket machines were displaying an accurate time.

forgive me if I am wrong but I think hes being sarcastic!