I thought i'd make a thread like this to discuss service changes rather than clog up the service changes threads like May 2026, July 2026 etc, regardless if it was recent or even if it was years ago, where do you think GNE got it right, and where do you think they got it wrong, im quite interested in hearing your thoughts, so i'll kick it off
Yesterday (22nd May) i was waiting in Burradon for the bus (the 342) and while i was waiting i couldn't help to notice that the 37, X7 and X8 all seemed to be struggling, now of course it could of just been a rare 1 off thing where bizarrely the 352 would of been useful, i don't know what was causing the issues, even my 342 was about 5/6 minutes late (not complaining, its nothing in the grand scheme of things) but did get me thinking, it also made me realise, that area can get to a few places, except the Coast, which on a day like yesterday i imagine would of been popular, but the overall big miss from that area still has to be the 319 Cramlington-Sunderland

I think buses interworking with different services like the X7 X8 interworking with 306 308.

The routes are too long so if there is a delay on one route say tynemouth it effects another service or say delay on coast road

At least if there is a delay you could say yeah there is roadworks in cramlington etc ...to passengers as oppose to I was delayed because there was queues in Tynemouth

(23 May 2026, 12:47 am)V514DFT wrote I thought i'd make a thread like this to discuss service changes rather than clog up the service changes threads like May 2026, July 2026 etc, regardless if it was recent or even if it was years ago, where do you think GNE got it right, and where do you think they got it wrong, im quite interested in hearing your thoughts, so i'll kick it off
Yesterday (22nd May) i was waiting in Burradon for the bus (the 342) and while i was waiting i couldn't help to notice that the 37, X7 and X8 all seemed to be struggling, now of course it could of just been a rare 1 off thing where bizarrely the 352 would of been useful, i don't know what was causing the issues, even my 342 was about 5/6 minutes late (not complaining, its nothing in the grand scheme of things) but did get me thinking, it also made me realise, that area can get to a few places, except the Coast, which on a day like yesterday i imagine would of been popular, but the overall big miss from that area still has to be the 319 Cramlington-Sunderland

In 2021, I'd say GNE got it wrong with the Consett Network. The area had 7 Consett to Newcastle Routes in that year. X30, X45, X46, 47, 47A, X70, X71. Whilst the X30 to Consett had a short run from the end of 2019 to roughly 2021 I think it was, it just ended up being too much in my opinion and realistically has not improved much since with the withdrawals of some of those routes. It would be all much better if the 47 returned to being Blackhall Mill and the reintroduction of the V9. I don't understand why they thought removing the X46 was a good idea because when you look at the issues raised with the X45 either a Peak time bus is cancelled or a Single Decker shows up. You have 1 of 2 options:
- Wait for the next X45 and risk it being full
- Spend an extra 20 minutes (not guarenteed to be on time) on the 47.

Pre 2019 It was all great. Was an easy 4 Buses to get to Newcastle. X45/X46 to Metro and the X70/X71 to Gateshead.
Now it stands at 6 Routes. X45, 47, X70, X71, X32 (at certain times) & X71A (at certain times)

Probably more areas I could cover of where GNE went more wrong than right.

(23 May 2026, 3:53 pm)X919 WGR wrote In 2021, I'd say GNE got it wrong with the Consett Network. The area had 7 Consett to Newcastle Routes in that year. X30, X45, X46, 47, 47A, X70, X71. Whilst the X30 to Consett had a short run from the end of 2019 to roughly 2021 I think it was, it just ended up being too much in my opinion and realistically has not improved much since with the withdrawals of some of those routes. It would be all much better if the 47 returned to being Blackhall Mill and the reintroduction of the V9. I don't understand why they thought removing the X46 was a good idea because when you look at the issues raised with the X45 either a Peak time bus is cancelled or a Single Decker shows up. You have 1 of 2 options:
- Wait for the next X45 and risk it being full
- Spend an extra 20 minutes (not guarenteed to be on time) on the 47.

Pre 2019 It was all great. Was an easy 4 Buses to get to Newcastle. X45/X46 to Metro and the X70/X71 to Gateshead.
Now it stands at 6 Routes. X45, 47, X70, X71, X32 (at certain times) & X71A (at certain times)

Probably more areas I could cover of where GNE went more wrong than right.

Go north went wrong a long time ago  when there took the x9 off which was an absolutely pethic thing  to do but fanny about with the x1 when u get  the x10 brakeing down  every day

(23 May 2026, 8:46 pm)Dan manger wrote Go north went wrong a long time ago  when there took the x9 off which was an absolutely pethic thing  to do but fanny about with the x1 when u get  the x10 brakeing down  every day

I'm not sure you can pinpoint one service withdrawal and claim that the whole company went wrong afterwards, especially since the X9 was a relatively new addition to the network, and there had been arguably many previous errors over he years (such as, for example, the amalgamation of many services into one - an old forum favourite).

For me, it was GNE or what ever incarceration at the time started the change from local ID such as Northern, VFM, Wear Buses, Coastline, (also inc OK Travel as they bought at 1995) and started the Go Brand and then soon after dropped the 3 number for area locals and almost all started the 1- 99 numbering system.

Not just GNE but Arriva also with the numbering system. I would prefer the local numberings to return as was.

(24 May 2026, 11:10 am)LVK 404L wrote For me, it was GNE or what ever incarceration at the time started the change from local ID such as Northern, VFM, Wear Buses, Coastline, (also inc OK Travel as they bought at 1995) and started the Go Brand and then soon after dropped the 3 number for area locals and almost all started the 1- 99 numbering system.

Not just GNE but Arriva also with the numbering system.  I would prefer the local numberings to return as was.

Peter Huntley's era was when they started renumbering everything.

(23 May 2026, 3:53 pm)X919 WGR wrote In 2021, I'd say GNE got it wrong with the Consett Network. The area had 7 Consett to Newcastle Routes in that year. X30, X45, X46, 47, 47A, X70, X71. Whilst the X30 to Consett had a short run from the end of 2019 to roughly 2021 I think it was, it just ended up being too much in my opinion and realistically has not improved much since with the withdrawals of some of those routes. It would be all much better if the 47 returned to being Blackhall Mill and the reintroduction of the V9. I don't understand why they thought removing the X46 was a good idea because when you look at the issues raised with the X45 either a Peak time bus is cancelled or a Single Decker shows up. You have 1 of 2 options:
- Wait for the next X45 and risk it being full
- Spend an extra 20 minutes (not guarenteed to be on time) on the 47.

Pre 2019 It was all great. Was an easy 4 Buses to get to Newcastle. X45/X46 to Metro and the X70/X71 to Gateshead.
Now it stands at 6 Routes. X45, 47, X70, X71, X32 (at certain times) & X71A (at certain times)

Probably more areas I could cover of where GNE went more wrong than right.

I wonder how GNE would've reacted to Derwentside, if WrightBus was stable and they didn't make the E400MMC order for the X1 (which got swapped with the X1 getting the heavily delayed StreetDecks and Consett getting E400MMC).

GNE only got lucky being able to make the changes they did in Derwentside due to the coincidence of the original X1 low height E400MMC order.....and the subsequent X30/X31/X70/X71/X72 shambles in Sept 2021!

On another note, the X10 and X21 have been neglected by GNE especially the latter.

Other than the E400MMC on the X10 which are fine WITH suitable spare backups.....the rest of the vehicles allocated have been absolute basket cases with tinpot engines that should be nowhere near long distance work!

At the time.....the 56 & 309/310 should've benefited from StreetDecks in 2019 with the 'then' relatively new B9TLs refurbished and allocated on the Durham & Derwentside services.

(24 May 2026, 11:49 am)L469 YVK wrote I wonder how GNE would've reacted to Derwentside, if WrightBus was stable and they didn't make the E400MMC order for the X1 (which got swapped with the X1 getting the heavily delayed StreetDecks and Consett getting E400MMC).

GNE only got lucky being able to make the changes they did in Derwentside due to the coincidence of the original X1 low height E400MMC order.....and the subsequent X30/X31/X70/X71/X72 shambles in Sept 2021!

On another note, the X10 and X21 have been neglected by GNE especially the latter.

Other than the E400MMC on the X10 which are fine WITH suitable spare backups.....the rest of the vehicles allocated have been absolute basket cases with tinpot engines that should be nowhere near long distance work!

At the time.....the 56 & 309/310 should've benefited from StreetDecks in 2019 with the 'then' relatively new B9TLs refurbished and allocated on the Durham & Derwentside services.

It's a shame there's nobody on the forum who can articulate what those tinpot engines sounded like through the medium of text.....

(23 May 2026, 11:11 am)DaveFromUpNorth wrote I think buses interworking with different services  like the X7 X8 interworking with 306 308.

The routes are too long so if there is a delay on one route say tynemouth it effects another service  or say delay on coast road

At least if there is a delay you could say yeah there is roadworks in cramlington etc ...to passengers as oppose to I was delayed because there was queues in Tynemouth

They don't interwork bar on a Sunday where everything interworks but you can't really do anything without adding more buses.

In an ideal world you'd have

X7 - PVR 5 additionally serve Holywell
X8 - PVR 5 additionally serve Sandringham Drive
X9 - PVR 5 (as now)
X10/X11 - PVR 9 Interworking

The X7/X8/X10/X11 interworking isn't ideal imo but it's another bus, on top of the one they've already added recently.

Cutting the services and merging and making people change.. What a shambles the network has become.

(24 May 2026, 11:49 am)L469 YVK wrote I wonder how GNE would've reacted to Derwentside, if WrightBus was stable and they didn't make the E400MMC order for the X1 (which got swapped with the X1 getting the heavily delayed StreetDecks and Consett getting E400MMC).

GNE only got lucky being able to make the changes they did in Derwentside due to the coincidence of the original X1 low height E400MMC order.....and the subsequent X30/X31/X70/X71/X72 shambles in Sept 2021!

On another note, the X10 and X21 have been neglected by GNE especially the latter.

Other than the E400MMC on the X10 which are fine WITH suitable spare backups.....the rest of the vehicles allocated have been absolute basket cases with tinpot engines that should be nowhere near long distance work!

At the time.....the 56 & 309/310 should've benefited from StreetDecks in 2019 with the 'then' relatively new B9TLs refurbished and allocated on the Durham & Derwentside services.

MG seems to like ADL's, as with current Arriva order, so actually wonder if Wrights been in a better position would have made any difference.

(24 May 2026, 1:12 pm)citaro5284 wrote MG seems to like ADL's, as with current Arriva order, so actually wonder if Wrights been in a better position would have made any difference.

Well they did have the original order of 31x due in 2019 (postponed until 2020). GNE did buy an original 3x for the X30 + 2x ex EY/Demos.

I remember on the video MG did back in Feb 2020 stating that they needed an order sorted for the X1.....so chose ADL as the safe option as they had availability......low and behold these where then re-allocated to Consett & Hexham with Washington getting the heavily delayed StreetDecks in return.

If WrightBus were more stable, I could've seen GNE being a large customer of the Daimler 6-Cylinder examples for the likes of the X1 and also the X9/X10 which were due new vehicles at the time to replace the gutless B5TLs.

(24 May 2026, 11:49 am)L469 YVK wrote I wonder how GNE would've reacted to Derwentside, if WrightBus was stable and they didn't make the E400MMC order for the X1 (which got swapped with the X1 getting the heavily delayed StreetDecks and Consett getting E400MMC).

GNE only got lucky being able to make the changes they did in Derwentside due to the coincidence of the original X1 low height E400MMC order.....and the subsequent X30/X31/X70/X71/X72 shambles in Sept 2021!

On another note, the X10 and X21 have been neglected by GNE especially the latter.

Other than the E400MMC on the X10 which are fine WITH suitable spare backups.....the rest of the vehicles allocated have been absolute basket cases with tinpot engines that should be nowhere near long distance work!

At the time.....the 56 & 309/310 should've benefited from StreetDecks in 2019 with the 'then' relatively new B9TLs refurbished and allocated on the Durham & Derwentside services.

I would have to add the X45 to the list of routes you mentioned in the shambles as it was around that time or might of been the year after where the X45 was interworking with the X30 which caused the ADL Enviro400MMC or Single Decker allocation.

I do think MG decided to do a bad trade in my opionion with the Exchange of the Red Kite Dealer Stock Gemini 2's to East Yorkshire and us getting the ex demonstrator Enviro 400MMCs and Volvo B5TLs which I think if we kept the Gemini 2s and did the big refurbishment that EY did to them the X5/X15 would of been perfectly fine and a very nice upgrade to the route at the time but of course we landed with Streetdecks onto the route which got removed because of the Clean Air Zone coming into play which meant the X5/X15 had to suffer with the B5LHs.

I think the 56 should of benefited from the Cobalt&Coast style interior to give them a bit more life but obviously Covid happened and just got the simple Retrimming of the seats and USBs

(24 May 2026, 1:40 pm)X919 WGR wrote I would have to add the X45 to the list of routes you mentioned in the shambles as it was around that time or might of been the year after where the X45 was interworking with the X30 which caused the ADL Enviro400MMC or Single Decker allocation.

I do think MG decided to do a bad trade in my opionion with the Exchange of the Red Kite Dealer Stock Gemini 2's to East Yorkshire and us getting the ex demonstrator Enviro 400MMCs and Volvo B5TLs which I think if we kept the Gemini 2s and did the big refurbishment that EY did to them the X5/X15 would of been perfectly fine and a very nice upgrade to the route at the time but of course we landed with Streetdecks onto the route which got removed because of the Clean Air Zone coming into play which meant the X5/X15 had to suffer with the B5LHs.

I think the 56 should of benefited from the Cobalt&Coast style interior to give them a bit more life but obviously Covid happened and just got the simple Retrimming of the seats and USBs

I do wonder of the 2018/19 StreetDeck order was sanctioned under Kevin Carr or Martijn Gilbert? Given as people said Martijn had a preference for ADL.

Were the 31x StreetDecks originally ordered (unknowingly) for the 56 & 309/310 and then changed for Durham & Derwentside so that the routes could be marketed as having 'new' XLines buses? The numbers compared to the PVR's for the 56 & 309/310 at the time did add up - and both routes were previously targetted for fuel saving measures including the GKN flywheel trials.

(24 May 2026, 2:44 pm)L469 YVK wrote I do wonder of the 2018/19 StreetDeck order was sanctioned under Kevin Carr or Martijn Gilbert? Given as people said Martijn had a preference for ADL.

Were the 31x StreetDecks originally ordered (unknowingly) for the 56 & 309/310 and then changed for Durham & Derwentside so that the routes could be marketed as having 'new' XLines buses? The numbers compared to the PVR's for the 56 & 309/310 at the time did add up - and both routes were previously targetted for fuel saving measures including the GKN flywheel trials.

I don't think Gilbert would of ordered the Streetdecks. I think he mainly wanted the ADLs given that from 2019 Go North East had there first 2 batches of ADL Products and that being the Enviro 200MMCs for the 97 and the Enviro 400MMCs for the X30 then obviously the year after the Enviro 400MMCs for the Dark Green & Orange X-Lines and then I guess the end of his journey at Go North East was the Second Hand Enviro 400s.

For the Streetdecks I actually don't know because even when the Derwentside routes gained the "X" prefix for the 15/15A/45/46/47 the 45/46/47 were all being reffered as the "Red Kite X45" for example on the Next Stop Systems until the next year same scenario for the already X prefix X70 and X71, they were being referred as the "Toon Link X70" on the Next Stop Announcements as the routes started to have their Next Stop Announcements working
Go North East did say they were changed for X-Lines here in this news archive https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/...uly-373932

Someone will probably know better.

Just a quick edit whilst looking at the archives. It does seem they wanted something to launch in September 2019 here: https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/...dot-373083

Around the same time I think it was that Wrightbus went into Administration

(24 May 2026, 3:44 pm)X919 WGR wrote I don't think Gilbert would of ordered the Streetdecks. I think he mainly wanted the ADLs given that from 2019 Go North East had there first 2 batches of ADL Products and that being the Enviro 200MMCs for the 97 and the Enviro 400MMCs for the X30 then obviously the year after the Enviro 400MMCs for the Dark Green & Orange X-Lines and then I guess the end of his journey at Go North East was the Second Hand Enviro 400s.

For the Streetdecks I actually don't know because even when the Derwentside routes gained the "X" prefix for the 15/15A/45/46/47 the 45/46/47 were all being reffered as the "Red Kite X45" for example on the Next Stop Systems until the next year same scenario for the already X prefix X70 and X71, they were being referred as the "Toon Link X70" on the Next Stop Announcements as the routes started to have their Next Stop Announcements working
Go North East did say they were changed for X-Lines here in this news archive https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/...uly-373932

Someone will probably know better.

Just a quick edit whilst looking at the archives. It does seem they wanted something to launch in September 2019 here: https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/...dot-373083

Around the same time I think it was that Wrightbus went into Administration

Well judging by the previous management, I'd still say that the original batch of 31x or 34x StreetDecks were likely lined up for the 56 & 309/310.

The plans for XLines must have been made a few months into MG's tenure as that's when the decision was made to do a full refurb of the Cobalt B9TLs and the Durham & Derwentside routes eventually getting 'brand new' vehicles instead.

I never liked what happened to the 40/41/42/42A, how it was deemed fit to buy new buses for the routes (was the 80 before it was the 42) after running darts (that were pretty much ruined) to then stick second hand tat back on to enable the 16 plate Solos to go over to Sunderland for the X whatever it was back then, then the March 2020 changes came (not because of Covid) were absolutely batsh*t crazy, to then try and reverse those changes in September 2021 which by that point it was too little too late as those service changes lasted about 6 months, but atleast we got the 317 back albeit under Stagecoach

(24 May 2026, 7:53 pm)V514DFT wrote I never liked what happened to the 40/41/42/42A, how it was deemed fit to buy new buses for the routes (was the 80 before it was the 42) after running darts (that were pretty much ruined) to then stick second hand tat back on to enable the 16 plate Solos to go over to Sunderland for the X whatever it was back then, then the March 2020 changes came (not because of Covid) were absolutely batsh*t crazy, to then try and reverse those changes in September 2021 which by that point it was too little too late as those service changes lasted about 6 months, but atleast we got the 317 back albeit under Stagecoach

To be fair, North Tyneside was horrendous for ages, felt like the local buses were changing routes every 6 months and substantially aswell. No wonder people stopped using them tbh. It was just as bad with Arriva in the early 10's aswell with the 3/10/11/12/X4/X5/X6(Blyth)/X6(Backworth)/X7/X8/X9/X24/X25/363/364/44/101/337/342/353/354/355/356/51/52/53/54/55/M55/56/57/57A with them changing every route in the process. No doubt I've missed some aswell.

Amazingly all that rabble is down to the X7/X8/57/57A today with Arriva and GNE is down to the 317/340/341 for their existing work. Nothing like a bit of success...

I do love how many different route numbers Castleside has had to just get to Consett.
766 to Durham replaced by the 8
8 to Chester-Le-Street replaced by the V8
V8 to Stanley Which I do think was the Best One as it did have some fun allocations when the MPD or Solo SR didnt run it.
16 to Durham
78 to Sunderland
Now the Current X5 & X15 to Durham

Don't know what other place has had the same thing happen where overtime multiple different route numbers took over the same section of route from A to B

(25 May 2026, 1:18 pm)X919 WGR wrote I do love how many different route numbers Castleside has had to just get to Consett.
766 to Durham replaced by the 8
8 to Chester-Le-Street replaced by the V8
V8 to Stanley Which I do think was the Best One as it did have some fun allocations when the MPD or Solo SR didnt run it.
16 to Durham
78 to Sunderland
Now the Current X5 & X15 to Durham

Don't know what other place has had the same thing happen where overtime multiple different route numbers took over the same section of route from A to B

I could name a couple, but i'll just do the one
North Shields- Jarrow its been
old 310 (Blyth-Sunderland)
9A
59A
9
5
10/11
back to the 9
and now the 319
i've likely missed some, but those are the ones i remember

(25 May 2026, 7:53 pm)V514DFT wrote I could name a couple, but i'll just do the one
North Shields- Jarrow its been
old 310 (Blyth-Sunderland)
9A
59A
9
5
10/11
back to the 9
and now the 319
i've likely missed some, but those are the ones i remember

It was the 319 for a little while between the 5 and the 10/11.

(25 May 2026, 9:58 pm)deanmachine wrote It was the 319 for a little while between the 5 and the 10/11.

Going back further, the 310 Blyth to Sunderland service started off as the no. 60.

307 has one odd timetable now

(Yesterday, 12:03 pm)V514DFT wrote 307 has one odd timetable now

IMO, given they're already operating at a PVR of around 15x + the separate misc workings on the X39, they'd better off doing the following given that North Shields doesn't warrant a 20 minute service and neither does Blyth.

309:
- Every 15 mins Newcastle to Whitley Bay Town Centre
- Continues every 30 mins to Blyth

307:
- Every 15 mins Newcastle to Hadrian Park
- Continues every 30 mins to North Shields

The PVR would be 16x and interworking as:
- Short 309 > Full 307 > Full 307 > Short 309
- Full 309 > Short 307 > Short 307 > Full 309

Layover times also generous in Blyth, Whitley Bay and North Shields, and potential scope to reduce reliance on misc workings for the X39.

Nice clean 7-8 minute service - and could curtail Saturday AM short 309's at Cobalt to save PVR slightly.

No what i meant was its not even a clean 20 minute frequency now, it ranges between 15-26 minutes, its hourly upto a certain time in the morning, and the last 3 at night, may aswell change it back to the 315/316 at this rate

I seen some photos on flickr and one of them was a West Durham Swift Omnicity with the display saying "70 Consett" from many years ago.
Was this like an early morning, late afternoon based number?

(Yesterday, 5:04 pm)X919 WGR wrote I seen some photos on flickr and one of them was a West Durham Swift Omnicity with the display saying "70 Consett" from many years ago.
Was this like an early morning, late afternoon based number?

Just checked a timetable I have from 2010 and it was the evening & Sunday service

Ran via Number One and Hat and Feather (covering the V5) before heading back into Leadgate and re-joining the X70.

(Yesterday, 5:04 pm)X919 WGR wrote I seen some photos on flickr and one of them was a West Durham Swift Omnicity with the display saying "70 Consett" from many years ago.
Was this like an early morning, late afternoon based number?

I've also seen photos of Stagecoach running Go Northern/Go Wear Buses routes (namely the 35A, 194 and 220) on Boxing days. Was this a recurring thing, and which routes? I assume they were cut at the T&W border as the 220 had East Rainton on the front.

(Yesterday, 5:35 pm)F114TML wrote I've also seen photos of Stagecoach running Go Northern/Go Wear Buses routes (namely the 35A, 194 and 220) on Boxing days. Was this a recurring thing, and which routes? I assume they were cut at the T&W border as the 220 had East Rainton on the front.

I think there was a photo of an Stagecoach ALX300 running the X66 as the 66 in like 2006 I think

---

(Yesterday, 5:22 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just checked a timetable I have from 2010 and it was the evening & Sunday service

Ran via Number One and Hat and Feather (covering the V5) before heading back into Leadgate and re-joining the X70.

Oh intresting, thanks for that. When I first saw it I always thought it was just a flipdot issue on the Olympians not displaying the X when I saw those photos