(02 Jul 2026, 8:12 am)Storx wrote Yeah I know, I was just saying that X6 came later than when the X4/X5/X10/X11/X13 were around. That X6 was withdrawn with COVID. 

The X4/X5/X13 changed numbers when they turned MAX in circa 2015. Actually just looking think that was when they renumbered that the X6 (used to be X9)

The X8/X9 used to be parts of the old 355/43 which then turned into the 51/51A and the other half binned off completely bar the peak extras to Cobalt. Arriva from 2010 -> 2015 were just a mess, felt like every week everything was changing.

Just to put in context for South Gosforth to pick one place: 
363: X4 Direct/X4 via Gosforth/X4 Direct Again/X7
X5/X6 via A189: X5/X6 via Fern Drive/X5 omitting Fern Drive/X5 via Freeman/X5 Direct Again/X8
355: Withdrawn (Replaced by X8 via Coast Road)
356: 56/X6 to North Shields/54
342: 52 Freeman to Ashington/Withdrawn (Replaced by X5)/52 Newcastle to Cramlington
M55: 55

I've probably missed something aswell. 


Aye was a complete mess. Not sure if it was then when the 57 got to Ashington, but you might be right. I know it went to Morpeth for a bit aswell before that got chucked onto the 43 instead. The East Cramlington change was later though, as the Ashington bus definitely ran 2 BPH through Seghill for a bit because I can remember them doing a dirty survey and asking the 5 people who used to bus from Ashington if they'd preferred a bus to the hospital and totally ignored Seghill being cut in half.

I kinda wish the X7/X8 were routed back to serve Freeman Hospital would give a link for people

(02 Jul 2026, 9:04 am)Nerd4321 wrote I kinda wish the X7/X8 were routed back to serve Freeman Hospital would give a link for people

Have to disagree on that one, Corner House is a nightmare at peak times would just mess the routes up and the fact they interwork with the X10/X11 throw the whole of Blyth depot out the window.

imo Killingworth is the better place then withdraw the X63 completely, and the 353 North of Killingworth. You'd need something to serve the new housing estates though near Sandy Lane.

Local Councillors have confirmed Arriva will be running the morning and afternoon school bus 120 from Wideopen via Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to Great Park from September. Interesting to see if that means a further cut to one of their commercial services which happened for the last school contract they took on.

(15 Jul 2026, 3:38 pm)Shrek wrote Local Councillors have confirmed Arriva will be running the morning and afternoon school bus 120 from Wideopen via Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to Great Park from September. Interesting to see if that means a further cut to one of their commercial services which happened for the last school contract they took on.

Im assuming this is a new school as there is currently no 120 school route. Unless u mean 116

(15 Jul 2026, 3:38 pm)Shrek wrote Local Councillors have confirmed Arriva will be running the morning and afternoon school bus 120 from Wideopen via Brunswick, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to Great Park from September. Interesting to see if that means a further cut to one of their commercial services which happened for the last school contract they took on.

Will it not just fit in one of the gaps for one of the scholars services lost? Like for like surely?

(15 Jul 2026, 7:55 pm)Superman wrote Will it not just fit in one of the gaps for one of the scholars services lost? Like for like surely?

Have they lost any? I was told they hadn't, but it's not something I've checked either.

The bus is for Great Park Academy and Havannah First School. Apparently it didn't hit the Nexus criteria as wasn't over three miles as the crow flies, but to be fair it wouldn't be a safe walk from Dinnington or Brunswick so right the councillors pushed for it. Again, not fact checked and just from what the councillors have said on the criteria.

30th August

Northumbria
553, revised timetable

County Durham
ED1/2/3/5 withdrawn
ED4 revised timetable

(20 Jul 2026, 4:48 pm)Nerd4321 wrote 30th August

Northumbria
553, revised timetable

County Durham
ED1/2/3/5 withdrawn
ED4 revised timetable

Believe the ED4 is cancelled too but if you look on bustimes it shows "revised timetable" unsure as to why the EDC services have been cancelled.

There's also timetable variations for Redcar services 62, 63, 64/64B, 65 & X4/X4A along with Durham service 56/56A.

For Northumbria, some scholars services are cancelled (contract changes) and others registered (again, contract changes) with the contract for service 392 also lost - Saturday service 419 via Wallington & Scots Gap is withdrawn.

All effective August 30th.

(20 Jul 2026, 8:15 pm)Jimmi wrote Believe the ED4 is cancelled too but if you look on bustimes it shows "revised timetable" unsure as to why the EDC services have been cancelled.

There's also timetable variations for Redcar services 62, 63, 64/64B, 65 & X4/X4A along with Durham service 56/56A.

For Northumbria, some scholars services are cancelled (contract changes) and others registered (again, contract changes) with the contract for service 392 also lost - Saturday service 419 via Wallington & Scots Gap is withdrawn.

All effective August 30th.

I’m led to believe the 419 has been awarded to another operator as Arriva couldn’t supply the extra journeys NCC wanted. EDC services most likely withdrawn due to funding pulled and lower than anticipated ridership

(20 Jul 2026, 9:26 pm)220631612 wrote I’m led to believe the 419 has been awarded to another operator as Arriva couldn’t supply the extra journeys NCC wanted. EDC services most likely withdrawn due to funding pulled and lower than anticipated ridership

Who would take the 419 though. Can't be liberty as they haven't got much of a bus fleet. Can't see Northumberland Travel taking it..maybe Glen Valley