(06 Jul 2026, 3:41 pm)EastGatesheadRider wrote There is a H service beetween Freeman Hospital and the RVI

RVI-Leazes Wing                                    16:00 16:16 16:40 17:00 17:20 16:40    
RVI Hospital                                            16:02 16:18 16:42 17:02 17:22 16:42    
South Gosforth Roundabout                16:16 16:36 16:56 17:16 17:36 16:56 
Freeman Hospital Grounds                  16:18 16:38 16:58 17:18 17:38 16:58       

All runs from 4'o Clock to 5

Its a staff only shuttle

(05 Jul 2026, 5:32 pm)Ambassador wrote The RVI is a 6-7 minute walk from Haymarket Metro and the 2 bus stations. It’s by far the best connected of any hospital in the region

It doesn’t need a bus going there directly, the traffic around there would make it incredibly unreliable and quicker to walk.

I'd agree the walk is not bad, except that of course there are a decent number of people for whom the walk up from Haymarket/ Eldon Sq/ etc is not so easy (some people with out-patient appointments or visiting people in hospital, and some staff.) And it is a pretty long walk inside the hospital, too.

I'd say that the hospital at Durham has a pretty good shout at being the one with the best connectivity to the area it serves, especially remembering it is also served by the Durham Park and Ride.

(02 Jul 2026, 6:06 pm)Nerd4321 wrote This 

THIS EXACTLY THIS

How can we have buses back under public control if bus companies cant be bothered to send there bus services into metro or train stations 

The Northumberland Line is the biggest flaw for this by far. A train line which gives connections to areas and Newsham, Bebside & Ashington have a bus service nowhere close to the station. 

Bebside & Newsham even have a bus stop inside the station car park yet its not used by anything. Yet stated by posters at Newsham the X8 is meant to serve it. 

There was an article posted a few months ago about Arriva & Northern having pops at each other with Northern saying they dont want bus services to compete with the rail & Arriva saying why should they put buses into the stations 

You cant really call Northumberland Park an interchange cause it just isn't. An interchange is to change to multiple buses. And what do u have serving it. The 19. ONE BUS SERVICE for a station that has the metro which states "for Cobalt business park Silverlink retail AND local bus services "

One bus service to Cobalt & Silverlink from Northumberland Park its pathetic. 353/354/356 stop right round the corner. Re route them into the interchange. Send the 350 in there. Hell rumours were the 22 was gonna go there. Still aint seen it happen


We cant have a function buses back under public control if companies cant stop arguing over building blocks like there 5 years old

Even more shocking. Look at the hospital. I mentioned this the other day. The RVI. Newcastle main big hospital has 2 bus routes while the Wansbeck/QE/Freeman/Rake Lane get a better bus service 

Its all for profit these days screw the customer. Customer wants the bus route extended here. Tough dont care

It took them 3 years to re introduced the 342 round via the Airport & Dinnington again. That shows how bad a bus network is. But I can assure Big Kimmy is still busy playing grim reaper till the final old metro is scrapped and off the tracks

Oh and also I dont want to hear this "but people can walk to the bus stops which are 400meters" or some sh!t like that. This is the reason a lot of services are seeing drops in passenger numbers. Cause people want a direct bus service to these places. They dont want to walk miles for a bus

(05 Jul 2026, 5:32 pm)Ambassador wrote The RVI is a 6-7 minute walk from Haymarket Metro and the 2 bus stations. It’s by far the best connected of any hospital in the region

It doesn’t need a bus going there directly, the traffic around there would make it incredibly unreliable and quicker to walk.

Ah yeah I hear you. Ill tell that to my leg the next time its broken and I have no way to get a lift to the hospital or dont want to pay way to high taxi prices 

Ill just casually walk up the hill 

Least with Arriva when it had the 47 it was easier to get up there. Used it the times I needed to go to the RVI

Imo I think the H should stop in Haymarket to allow passengers to board the bus upto Hospital. Obviously not to ride the thing to the Freeman but to give people access who need the RVI and dont or cant get up the hill to the hospital 

The H serves Haymarket anyway (well cause it was hard for them to turn right onto St Thomas Street) and it also stops at the bus stop there now

(05 Jul 2026, 5:32 pm)Ambassador wrote The RVI is a 6-7 minute walk from Haymarket Metro and the 2 bus stations. It’s by far the best connected of any hospital in the region

It doesn’t need a bus going there directly, the traffic around there would make it incredibly unreliable and quicker to walk.

tbf it's quite hard for people who are less able.

imo Newcastle badly needs a free bus like Manchester which just connects the Quayside, Bus Stations, RVI, Universities and Central Station. It might not be the most popular service but they keep blabbing on about accessibility - surely this is the true definition of accessibility. In other cities it wouldn't be an issue, but Newcastle in parts is quite hilly; especially the Quayside and the RVI is quite bad aswell.

(06 Jul 2026, 4:18 pm)NEbushopper wrote Its a staff only shuttle

Oh I didn't know that , I thought it was a bus to get beetween the suburban areas surrounding the hospital.

The 47 has been one of the worst services in recent years.

Very beneficial for the Sep 2021 changes.
Became the worst thing in the world with the Withdrawal of the X46.

I'd much rather have either a 10A extension to Consett (yes extra journey time) and have the 47 be the new X46. Still would keep the 47 number since it isnt the quickest route from the Town Centre to Shotley Bridge and the X45 can still act as the better route

(05 Jul 2026, 5:32 pm)Ambassador wrote The RVI is a 6-7 minute walk from Haymarket Metro and the 2 bus stations. It’s by far the best connected of any hospital in the region

It doesn’t need a bus going there directly, the traffic around there would make it incredibly unreliable and quicker to walk.

Which is great for those people who can make that walk up from the haymarket to RVI, but being a hospital, believe me, a lot of people find that walk too far.

(06 Jul 2026, 8:44 pm)Shrek wrote Which is great for those people who can make that walk up from the haymarket to RVI, but being a hospital, believe me, a lot of people find that walk too far.

I tend to agree. It's a huge site and not great for those less mobile. A small shuttle bus would suffice for something like this.

(07 Jul 2026, 7:40 pm)Adrian wrote I tend to agree. It's a huge site and not great for those less mobile. A small shuttle bus would suffice for something like this.

Isn’t that what patient transport is for? If you’re not mobile enough you qualify for it and it’s a rather handy service. Those unable to walk from Haymarket up to the RVI would qualify and a much more likely to use it than faff about changing buses up to the RVI…

(07 Jul 2026, 9:19 pm)220631612 wrote Isn’t that what patient transport is for? If you’re not mobile enough you qualify for it and it’s a rather handy service. Those unable to walk from Haymarket up to the RVI would qualify and a much more likely to use it than faff about changing buses up to the RVI…

The NHS patient transport service has pretty severe criteria for eligibility these days. Typically, it would only be if the person cannot walk from the nearest bus stops (eg at the top of St Thomas' Street), or if travel by bus was an extremely long and convoluted journey by public transport. And the quality of service is pretty awful - long waits, uncertain timings etc - far worse than a typical demand responsive service.

(07 Jul 2026, 9:39 pm)Busadvocate wrote The NHS patient transport service has pretty severe criteria for eligibility these days. Typically, it would only be if the person cannot walk from the nearest bus stops (eg at the top of St Thomas' Street), or if travel by bus was an extremely long and convoluted journey by public transport. And the quality of service is pretty awful - long waits, uncertain timings etc - far worse than a typical demand responsive service.

Yep, patient transport basically works on the basis that you have nothing else to do with your day.

(08 Jul 2026, 8:11 am)BusLoverMum wrote Yep, patient transport basically works on the basis that you have nothing else to do with your day.

...and that you're actually a patient!

A shuttle bus could also be used by relatives during visiting hours.

imo Haymarket is the least of the issues, what happens if your bus terminates at Eldon Square or Market Street; the walk is even further and there's no sensible way to get between anything. Newcastle has last mile issues all over the place though; the Quayside to Eldon Square/Haymarket being another one and that involves a steep bank.

A better solution that a shuttle bus would be a free city hopper like:


Which connects the major issue points, especially the Quayside imo.

Not allowing the Hospital shuttle to carry passengers between Haymarket & RVI does seem a missed opportunity. Plus, presumably as a closed door service it won't be eligible for BSOG, carrying passengers between Haymarket and RVI would allow that portion to be eligible?

someone mentioned a free bus service in newcastle including the Quayside..... the last twice ive used the " Q" bus from outside the Aikenside trader to get up to Haymarket 2 different drivers have just waved me on??!!

(08 Jul 2026, 1:10 pm)Chris 1 wrote Not allowing the Hospital shuttle to carry passengers between Haymarket & RVI does seem a missed opportunity. Plus, presumably as a closed door service it won't be eligible for BSOG, carrying passengers between Haymarket and RVI would allow that portion to be eligible?

Unless it's changed, there no BSOG for tendered services, only commercial routes.

(08 Jul 2026, 1:44 pm)Rob44 wrote someone mentioned a free bus service in newcastle including the Quayside..... the last twice ive used the " Q" bus from outside the Aikenside trader to get up to Haymarket 2 different drivers have just waved me on??!!

God knows, it's definitely not free, as far as I'm aware.

i thought the first time it was cause i was a bit tipsey but its definatley happened x2 now.... i just assumed maybe it was free it journey wholely in the city centre

(08 Jul 2026, 2:50 pm)Rob44 wrote i thought the first time it was cause i was a bit tipsey but its definatley happened x2 now.... i just assumed maybe it was free it journey wholely in the city centre

It could just be that the ticket machine was temporarily offline for some reason.

(08 Jul 2026, 2:50 pm)Rob44 wrote i thought the first time it was cause i was a bit tipsey but its definatley happened x2 now.... i just assumed maybe it was free it journey wholely in the city centre

(08 Jul 2026, 3:05 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It could just be that the ticket machine was temporarily offline for some reason.

I have to say I’ve never had any bother with the Q3 to/from Quayside, great for getting up to Haymarket to catch bus home, also handy from Wallsend to Quayside.

(08 Jul 2026, 3:05 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It could just be that the ticket machine was temporarily offline for some reason.

Good point.  Im out for a change on Saturday so i might start off there and get it up to haymarket

Never understood the 29 Kibblesworth-Gateshead

GNE could simply just extend the 28 to Kibblesworth Bus Terminal for daytime links when the 28B is night , then GCT will have no reason to continue the 29 and also 6:40 from Kibblesworth maybe to do the job make at least like 10 runs during the day.

(02 Jul 2026, 6:06 pm)Nerd4321 wrote This 

THIS EXACTLY THIS

How can we have buses back under public control if bus companies cant be bothered to send there bus services into metro or train stations 

The Northumberland Line is the biggest flaw for this by far. A train line which gives connections to areas and Newsham, Bebside & Ashington have a bus service nowhere close to the station. 

Bebside & Newsham even have a bus stop inside the station car park yet its not used by anything. Yet stated by posters at Newsham the X8 is meant to serve it. 

There was an article posted a few months ago about Arriva & Northern having pops at each other with Northern saying they dont want bus services to compete with the rail & Arriva saying why should they put buses into the stations 

You cant really call Northumberland Park an interchange cause it just isn't. An interchange is to change to multiple buses. And what do u have serving it. The 19. ONE BUS SERVICE for a station that has the metro which states "for Cobalt business park Silverlink retail AND local bus services "

One bus service to Cobalt & Silverlink from Northumberland Park its pathetic. 353/354/356 stop right round the corner. Re route them into the interchange. Send the 350 in there. Hell rumours were the 22 was gonna go there. Still aint seen it happen


We cant have a function buses back under public control if companies cant stop arguing over building blocks like there 5 years old

Even more shocking. Look at the hospital. I mentioned this the other day. The RVI. Newcastle main big hospital has 2 bus routes while the Wansbeck/QE/Freeman/Rake Lane get a better bus service 

Its all for profit these days screw the customer. Customer wants the bus route extended here. Tough dont care

It took them 3 years to re introduced the 342 round via the Airport & Dinnington again. That shows how bad a bus network is. But I can assure Big Kimmy is still busy playing grim reaper till the final old metro is scrapped and off the tracks

Oh and also I dont want to hear this "but people can walk to the bus stops which are 400meters" or some sh!t like that. This is the reason a lot of services are seeing drops in passenger numbers. Cause people want a direct bus service to these places. They dont want to walk miles for a bus

353/4/6 have no reason to serve Northumberland Park Interchange, though. It's only a minute walk from the station to the nearest bus stop outside Herons. The Metro is the best form of transport in Northumberland Park anyways, so most people from Moorside Estate walk past the bus stops to get to the Metro anyways without issue. No one's going to be that bothered about walking a minute for a bus. You've also got to think about people already on the bus, passing through Northumberland Park to get to their destination. The route is already lengthy enough as it is, so passengers aren't going to want to be on a bus for hours doing circles everywhere. 354 already has two part of the loop where it backtracks on itself doing
circles (Killingworth and Quorum).

My ex whom I was with from 2020 to 2025 lived in Northumberland Park, and I have to say transport in that area is so much better than it was when I first got together with her in 2020. Back then, we only had the 19, 53, 54 and the extremely pointless original 359 by GCT just doing loops of Backworth. Now, there's the upgraded 19 (which also now replaces parts of the old 359 route), 350, 353, 354 and 356. There's new links to Monkseaton, and a quicker option to Killingworth. All buses are pretty frequent combined. The 54 (now 354) only ran during the daytime, Monday to Saturday. Now it runs all day every day.

Onto your "400 meters walk" argument, that's not exactly "miles" is it?

While I do agree bus links are below par, your points are focusing on the wrong factors. Nearby passing buses don't need to serve the interchange, however the 22 should indeed be extended to terminate at Northumberland Park to give that extra link to Silverlink, and beyond to Wallsend. If the 22 served Northumberland Park, that would make it quicker than the Metro to get to, not only Howdon Metro, but other places in Howdon where Metro passengers may be travelling to.

(16 Jul 2026, 4:06 pm)EastGatesheadRider wrote Never understood the 29 Kibblesworth-Gateshead

GNE could simply just extend the 28 to Kibblesworth Bus Terminal for daytime links when the 28B is night , then GCT will have no reason to continue the 29 and also 6:40 from Kibblesworth maybe to do the job make at least like 10 runs during the day.

GCT only run the first service from Kibby to gateshead. try teeling the passangers who need to be in gateshead for 7am that its inconvient.

(16 Jul 2026, 7:22 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote 353/4/6 have no reason to serve Northumberland Park Interchange, though. It's only a minute walk from the station to the nearest bus stop outside Herons. The Metro is the best form of transport in Northumberland Park anyways, so most people from Moorside Estate walk past the bus stops to get to the Metro anyways without issue. No one's going to be that bothered about walking a minute for a bus. You've also got to think about people already on the bus, passing through Northumberland Park to get to their destination. The route is already lengthy enough as it is, so passengers aren't going to want to be on a bus for hours doing circles everywhere. 354 already has two part of the loop where it backtracks on itself doing
circles (Killingworth and Quorum).

My ex whom I was with from 2020 to 2025 lived in Northumberland Park, and I have to say transport in that area is so much better than it was when I first got together with her in 2020. Back then, we only had the 19, 53, 54 and the extremely pointless original 359 by GCT just doing loops of Backworth. Now, there's the upgraded 19 (which also now replaces parts of the old 359 route), 350, 353, 354 and 356. There's new links to Monkseaton, and a quicker option to Killingworth. All buses are pretty frequent combined. The 54 (now 354) only ran during the daytime, Monday to Saturday. Now it runs all day every day.

Onto your "400 meters walk" argument, that's not exactly "miles" is it?

While I do agree bus links are below par, your points are focusing on the wrong factors. Nearby passing buses don't need to serve the interchange, however the 22 should indeed be extended to terminate at Northumberland Park to give that extra link to Silverlink, and beyond to Wallsend. If the 22 served Northumberland Park, that would make it quicker than the Metro to get to, not only Howdon Metro, but other places in Howdon where Metro passengers may be travelling to.

See I disagree 400m is a long distance. We've created a broken network that we have long winded around the world like the 354 and 356. They should be connecting to the hub. 



People doing these connections should be changing on the Train/Metro to the stage that the 350/351/356 shouldn't exist - at all, East of Northumberland Park. The above is the sort of network which should exist with people changing onto the Metro to complete their journeys with another potential change at Four Lane Ends if you want Quorum or the Freeman.

If these services are decent frequency say every 20 minutes each, it's a hell of lot quicker than an hourly bus service around half the North East. The problem is there's zero tickets between them so it becomes expensive very fast.

Heck they're even substantially quicker than the 308/309 in parts if you're nowhere near Haymarket ie. Central.

(06 Jul 2026, 4:18 pm)LVK 404L wrote This service is not for the general public though is it, it's NHS workers only

Didnt know.

(17 Jul 2026, 1:03 pm)Storx wrote See I disagree 400m is a long distance. We've created a broken network that we have long winded around the world like the 354 and 356. They should be connecting to the hub. 



People doing these connections should be changing on the Train/Metro to the stage that the 350/351/356 shouldn't exist - at all, East of Northumberland Park. The above is the sort of network which should exist with people changing onto the Metro to complete their journeys with another potential change at Four Lane Ends if you want Quorum or the Freeman.

If these services are decent frequency say every 20 minutes each, it's a hell of lot quicker than an hourly bus service around half the North East. The problem is there's zero tickets between them so it becomes expensive very fast.

Heck they're even substantially quicker than the 308/309 in parts if you're nowhere near Haymarket ie. Central.

This is exactly the type of thing that's needed! It would certainly be quicker than the 308 & 309 at busier times including match days!

Call them 'Metro Minis'. Run then properly from early to late (before & after the first/last trains) and with proper integrated ticketing people will use them!

340/341

No

If your only counting major stops there is only a difference of one stop , same routes , same destination maybe just merge the routes and create a route 4 times every hour

340 / 341

One (340) of them goes the quick way, one (341) goes a slightly longer way serving the stops on Wiltshire Drive. There's nothing worse or inconvinent about it. They've just done it that way to make the timetable work a little better (on paper at least) which means the service only needs 3 buses and not 4.

(18 Jul 2026, 12:54 pm)EastGatesheadRider wrote 340/341

No

If your only counting major stops there is only a difference of one stop , same routes , same destination maybe just merge the routes and create a route 4 times every hour

My locals and they’re really really useful and as already said they have to be 2 routes so that they have enough recovery time

(30 Jun 2026, 9:27 pm)morritt89: wrote I honestly don't understand how (or why) the 935 has survived so long when the 135/136 went years ago now (and there are parts of the route, such as Thompson Road, which are basically unserved). I presume that Nexus are still funding this? Passenger numbers, from when I was a driver, were fairly low.  I recall picking up  (and dropping off when it was the 135/136) a member of Nexus staff as a 'regular' from Town End Farm.

If you were going from Witherwack or Redhouse to Sunderland Hospital, surely you would get the 16 anyway ?

My friend who was a bus driver came up with some reasons why the 935 has survived so long

1.Imagine telling the people who need to be into Sunderland for 5 6 in the morning that they're only way into Sunderland is getting withdrawn
2.Like Buslovermum said , some people have to go to work at that time
3.Most places where it stops , at the time of day its about 1 BPH for the 05:51 and 06:51 and 2 BPH for the 07:51

Learnt this of the guy who talked about the 57A that BPH mean Buses per hour