1 - Wrekenton - Harlow Green - Low Fell - Gateshead - Newcastle City Centre - Byker - Wallsend - North Shields
Every 15 Minutes

X39 - Newcastle City Centre - Coast Road - Silverlink - Cobalt - North Tyneside Hospital - Whitley Bay - Seaton Sluice - Blyth
Every 30 Minutes Replacing the 309

309/310 - Newcastle - Cradlewell - Coast Road - Battle Hill Drive - Cobalt - North Tyneside Hospital - Whitley Bay - Marsden - Tynemouth - North Shields - Meadow Well - West Chirton - Cobalt - Battle Hill Drive - High Farm - Coast Road - Cradlewell - Newcastle
Every 10 Minutes Inter-Working at Whitley Bay, 310 also Replaces Service 1 between North Shields and Whitley Bay

A Question which could lead to a Suggestion.

Does anyone think that the Biddick/Glebe and Fatfield Areas of Washington are over Bussed?

(10 Apr 2015, 6:57 pm)Malarkey wrote A Question which could lead to a Suggestion.

Does anyone think that the Biddick/Glebe and Fatfield Areas of Washington are over Bussed?

Does Fatfield and Glebe have the 2/2A(every 10 mins combined) and the 4(every 10 mins) in theory giving an average of a bus every 5 minutes?...

What are loadings like in that area? Does it justify such a frequency and what could be done to change it???

(10 Apr 2015, 7:02 pm)MrFozz wrote Does Fatfield and Glebe have the 2/2A(every 10 mins combined) and the 4(every 10 mins) in theory giving an average of a bus every 5 minutes?...

What are loadings like in that area? Does it justify such a frequency and what could be done to change it???

Yeah it does.

The 2 goes along Fatfield Riverside after coming over Fatfield Bridge and goes via Harraton and Lambton to Washington Galleries Every 20 Minutes, The 2A goes around Fallowfield Way and via Biddick to Washington Galleries Every 20 Minutes, The 4 goes the same route as the 2A but instead of going through Biddick, it goes through Glebe to Washington Galleries Every 10 Minutes.

Then you have the 8 which comes through Harraton and goes via Washington Arts Centre which is at the top of Fallowfield Way, then from there follows the Route of the 4 to Washington Galleries Every 30 Minutes.

So therefore from the Arts Centre you have 11 Buses Per Hour to Washington Galleries, Once you get to Biddick you have the 82/82A Every 15 Minutes and the 85 Every 30 Minutes, Adding a Further 6 Buses Per Hour, then coming through Glebe alongside the 4 and the 8 you have the 86 which Operates Every 30 Minutes Adding another 2 Buses Per Hour.

So to summarise.

11 Buses Per Hour from Washington Arts Centre(Fatfield Fallowfield Way) to Washington Galleries
9 Buses Per Hour from Biddick Village Centre to Washington Galleries
10 Buses Per Hour from Glebe Village Centre to Washington Galleries

(10 Apr 2015, 7:52 pm)Malarkey wrote Yeah it does.

The 2 goes along Fatfield Riverside after coming over Fatfield Bridge and goes via Harraton and Lambton to Washington Galleries Every 20 Minutes, The 2A goes around Fallowfield Way and via Biddick to Washington Galleries Every 20 Minutes, The 4 goes the same route as the 2A but instead of going through Biddick, it goes through Glebe to Washington Galleries Every 10 Minutes.

Then you have the 8 which comes through Harraton and goes via Washington Arts Centre which is at the top of Fallowfield Way, then from there follows the Route of the 4 to Washington Galleries Every 30 Minutes.

So therefore from the Arts Centre you have 11 Buses Per Hour to Washington Galleries, Once you get to Biddick you have the 82/82A Every 15 Minutes and the 85 Every 30 Minutes, Adding a Further 6 Buses Per Hour, then coming through Glebe alongside the 4 and the 8 you have the 86 which Operates Every 30 Minutes Adding another 2 Buses Per Hour.

So to summarise.

11 Buses Per Hour from Washington Arts Centre(Fatfield Fallowfield Way) to Washington Galleries
9 Buses Per Hour from Biddick Village Centre to Washington Galleries
10 Buses Per Hour from Glebe Village Centre to Washington Galleries

And the 37 too.

(11 Apr 2015, 5:02 am)Andreos1 wrote And the 37 too.

I forgot about that.

Also if look at the 4 Stops nearest to Biddick Comp, which are situated on Fatfield Road/Parkway, You have within a Couple of Hundred Yards the 2A/4/8/37/82/82A and 85 all serving those Stops, which is a total of 17 Buses Per Hour during the Day, 9 of those Buses serve all 4 of those Stops, and if you were to add in the peak X1As then you have a total of 19 Buses going through that Area.

So in terms of Frequency you have a Bus Every 3 Minutes to Washington Galleries from Biddick Comp.

(11 Apr 2015, 1:53 pm)Malarkey wrote I forgot about that.

Also if look at the 4 Stops nearest to Biddick Comp, which are situated on Fatfield Road/Parkway, You have within a Couple of Hundred Yards the 2A/4/8/37/82/82A and 85 all serving those Stops, which is a total of 17 Buses Per Hour during the Day, 9 of those Buses serve all 4 of those Stops, and if you were to add in the peak X1As then you have a total of 19 Buses going through that Area.

So in terms of Frequency you have a Bus Every 3 Minutes to Washington Galleries from Biddick Comp.

How many through Albany, Oxclose and Lambton?
Even though I do agree with you and think there is overkill, I think it boils down to the location of those villages and their proximity to the town centre.

If you look at the likes of Bensham and Deckham, they have a very regular frequency of buses into Gateshead. The vast majority don't pick up/drop off too many in those areas - just like the ones through Biddick etc.

(11 Apr 2015, 3:27 pm)Andreos1 wrote How many through Albany, Oxclose and Lambton?
Even though I do agree with you and think there is overkill, I think it boils down to the location of those villages and their proximity to the town centre.

If you look at the likes of Bensham and Deckham, they have a very regular frequency of buses into Gateshead. The vast majority don't pick up/drop off too many in those areas - just like the ones through Biddick etc.

A full list of Vehicles Per Hour through the Housing Estates in Washington, Biddick/Glebe/Fatfield are in the Previous Post.

Lambton is 9 Per Hour - 2 (Every 20 Minutes) - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes) - 50(Every 30 Minutes)
Ayton is 4 Per Hour - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes)
Harraton is 7 Per Hour - 2 (Every 20 Minutes) - 82 (Every 30 Minutes) - 8 (Every 30 Minutes)
Rickleton is 4 Per Hour - 8 (Every 30 Minutes) - 82 (Every 30 Minutes)
Oxclose/Blackfell is 4 Per Hour - 85/86 (Every 15 Minutes)
Barmston is 4 Per Hour - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes)
Brady Square/Barmston Court is 2 Per Hour - 85/86 (Every 30 Minutes)
Sulgrave is 9 Per Hour - 56 (Every 12 Minutes) - 50 (Every 30 Minutes) - 37 (Hourly)
Albany is 8 Per Hour (9 on a Saturday) - 4 (Every 10 Minutes) - 50 (Every 30 Minutes - X88 (Hourly)

(11 Apr 2015, 3:54 pm)Malarkey wrote A full list of Vehicles Per Hour through the Housing Estates in Washington, Biddick/Glebe/Fatfield are in the Previous Post.

Lambton is 9 Per Hour - 2 (Every 20 Minutes) - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes) - 50(Every 30 Minutes)
Ayton is 4 Per Hour - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes)
Harraton is 7 Per Hour - 2 (Every 20 Minutes) - 82 (Every 30 Minutes) - 8 (Every 30 Minutes)
Rickleton is 4 Per Hour - 8 (Every 30 Minutes) - 82 (Every 30 Minutes)
Oxclose/Blackfell is 4 Per Hour - 85/86 (Every 15 Minutes)
Barmston is 4 Per Hour - 82/82A (Every 15 Minutes)
Brady Square/Barmston Court is 2 Per Hour - 85/86 (Every 30 Minutes)
Sulgrave is 9 Per Hour - 56 (Every 12 Minutes) - 50 (Every 30 Minutes) - 37 (Hourly)
Albany is 8 Per Hour (9 on a Saturday) - 4 (Every 10 Minutes) - 50 (Every 30 Minutes - X88 (Hourly)

Sorry Malarkey, forgot about you doing some of them already.

If you look at those closest to the Galleries and Concord, the frequency increases, compared to the outlying villages - in the majority of cases.

(11 Apr 2015, 4:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Sorry Malarkey, forgot about you doing some of them already.

If you look at those closest to the Galleries and Concord, the frequency increases, compared to the outlying villages - in the majority of cases.

Lambton, Albany and Sulgrave being the obvious ones on the list I have done, it is quite odd how the frequency drops dramatically in the outlying villages, are there any other Areas in the North East Bus Network where there is similar occurrences of what we have found in the Washington Area. 

(11 Apr 2015, 4:21 pm)Malarkey wrote Lambton, Albany and Sulgrave being the obvious ones on the list I have done, it is quite odd how the frequency drops dramatically in the outlying villages, are there any other Areas in the North East Bus Network where there is similar occurrences of what we have found in the Washington Area.

What about round Chester?
Pelton/South Pelaw vs Garden Farm, Pelton Fell and Riverside?

Gateshead town centre is well served from all directions.

Sunderland and Newcastle?
Obviously each operator has it's own patch.

Durham.
GNE have the north, north west and east covered well, less so from the south west and nowt from the south, or west.

(11 Apr 2015, 4:30 pm)Andreos1 wrote What about round Chester?
Pelton/South Pelaw vs Garden Farm, Pelton Fell and Riverside?

Gateshead town centre is well served from all directions.

Sunderland and Newcastle?
Obviously each operator has it's own patch.

Durham.
GNE have the north, north west and east covered well, less so from the south west and nowt from the south, or west.

From Stagecoach in Sunderland's Wheatsheaf Depot into the City Centre, there are 61 buses per hour.

Stagecoach:
3 (6)
4 (6)
13 (6)
16 (6)
18 (2)
23 (6)
E1 (3)
E2 (3)
E6 (3)
Total (39)

Go North East:
9 (4)
20/20A (6)
35 (2)
36 (2)
56 (6)
X36 (2)
Total (22)

If you wish to include the 700 from the Stadium of Light, add another 4. Throw the Metro in, and you've got another 5 trains per hour to get you into the City Centre.


There is no way customer demand would justify a bus every minute, but we have such a high level of traffic flowing through as crossing the Wearmouth Bridge is the main corridor into the City Centre. The same applies to the villages such as Lambton, and as you've said, it's due to their close proximity to the main 'hub' (Washington Galleries).

(11 Apr 2015, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote From Stagecoach in Sunderland's Wheatsheaf Depot into the City Centre, there are 61 buses per hour.

Stagecoach:
3 (6)
4 (6)
13 (6)
16 (6)
18 (2)
23 (6)
E1 (3)
E2 (3)
E6 (3)
Total (39)

Go North East:
9 (4)
20/20A (6)
35 (2)
36 (2)
56 (6) "Someone is forgetting the 56 now operates Every 12 Minutes  "
X36 (2)
Total (22)

If you wish to include the 700 from the Stadium of Light, add another 4. Throw the Metro in, and you've got another 5 trains per hour to get you into the City Centre.


There is no way customer demand would justify a bus every minute, but we have such a high level of traffic flowing through as crossing the Wearmouth Bridge is the main corridor into the City Centre. The same applies to the villages such as Lambton, and as you've said, it's due to their close proximity to the main 'hub' (Washington Galleries).

And 35 of those 60 Buses Per Hour go through Southwick before Branching out to serve various Housing Estates including Hylton Castle, Town End Farm and Downhill to name a few, I would say its purely down to the beauty of Direct Competition of Services between Go North East and Stagecoach rather than the high level of traffic flowing into Sunderland City Centre, Which is why there is such a high number of Buses per hour, lets not forget you also have the 99 from Southwick to Town End Farm also in among the Services listed above.

Been bored for most of the evening, so I decided to dig out the "Paper Timetables" as my Computer doesnt seem to like opening them via Simplygo,com at the moment, but never mind here is what I have come up with.

34 - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Findon Hill - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

34A - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Arnison Centre - Nettlesworth - Chester Moor - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

X21 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Q.E. Hospital - Wrekenton - Portobello - Barley Mow - Chester le Street - Framwellgate Moor - Durham - Croxdale - Spennymoor - Bishop Auckland

Services 13/14 and X25 Merge with Services 34/34A operating from Durham to Urpeth Grange Every 15 Minutes, Service X25 will also merge into the Revised X21 Service Operating Every 15 Minutes.

X8 - Consett - Leadgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - A693(Non-Stop) - Beamish - A693(Non-Stop) - Chester le Street - Great Lumley - Fence Houses - Houghton le Spring - Doxford International - Barnes Park - Sunderland 
Operating Hourly Monday to Saturday

47 - Consett - Number One - Shotley Bridge - Ebchester - Hamerstley - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - High Spen - Highfield - Rowlands Gill - MetroCentre - Teams - Newcastle
Operating Every 30 Minutes, Extending from Blackhall Mill to Consett replacing Service V9 as previously discussed in other Threads.

130 - Lanchester - Burnhope - Quaking Houses - South Moor - South Stanley - Stanley - Acton Dene - Stanley Hall Estate
Merged with Services  131/704, operating from South Moor via Charles Street and Avon Road to/from Stanley then on wards to Stanley Hall Estate via Acton Dene, Operating Every 30 Minutes.

(18 Apr 2015, 9:51 pm)Malarkey wrote Been bored for most of the evening, so I decided to dig out the "Paper Timetables" as my Computer doesnt seem to like opening them via Simplygo,com at the moment, but never mind here is what I have come up with.

34 - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Findon Hill - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

34A - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Arnison Centre - Nettlesworth - Chester Moor - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

X21 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Q.E. Hospital - Wrekenton - Portobello - Barley Mow - Chester le Street - Framwellgate Moor - Durham - Croxdale - Spennymoor - Bishop Auckland

Services 13/14 and X25 Merge with Services 34/34A operating from Durham to Urpeth Grange Every 15 Minutes, Service X25 will also merge into the Revised X21 Service Operating Every 15 Minutes.

X8 - Consett - Leadgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - A693(Non-Stop) - Beamish - A693(Non-Stop) - Chester le Street - Great Lumley - Fence Houses - Houghton le Spring - Doxford International - Barnes Park - Sunderland 
Operating Hourly Monday to Saturday

47 - Consett - Number One - Shotley Bridge - Ebchester - Hamerstley - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - High Spen - Highfield - Rowlands Gill - MetroCentre - Teams - Newcastle
Operating Every 30 Minutes, Extending from Blackhall Mill to Consett replacing Service V9 as previously discussed in other Threads.

130 - Lanchester - Burnhope - Quaking Houses - South Moor - South Stanley - Stanley - Acton Dene - Stanley Hall Estate
Merged with Services  131/704, operating from South Moor via Charles Street and Avon Road to/from Stanley then on wards to Stanley Hall Estate via Acton Dene, Operating Every 30 Minutes.

In my opinion, the ''Lambton Worm'' works very well as a local service. Any delays are a result of slight traffic on the route, or any other reasons that apply for most services, but generally in my experience don't come across many serious delays at all, so I'm of a fervent belief it works well as it is. I like the idea of replacing the 13/14 with the two routes, however. I would class the services as one of the most reliable operated by Chester-le-Street, but if the route was extended all the way to Durham, and went through quite a route to get there, I can only see delays coming about.

With the X21 - it's advertised as an express, no matter of the frequency. While an increased frequency may seem good, customers won't want to be adding journey time onto the journey to Newcastle, not another 10-15+ minutes to serve what the X25 currently covers (which, in itself can be a very well used route in my many experiences on it). If you ask me, the X21 is alright how it is, no matter how heavily delayed it can be; even if it does encounter these delays on the motorway, it gets the customer from A to B as fast as possible.

The 34 will be doubling back on itself. If it follows the current 14 route to Langley Park it would need to do this: Sacriston - Witton Gilbert - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston and carry on with proposed route.

(19 Apr 2015, 7:55 am)Robert wrote The 34 will be doubling back on itself. If it follows the current 14 route to Langley Park it would need to do this: Sacriston - Witton Gilbert - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston and carry on with proposed route.

Exactly. It also pretty much severs any links Langley Park and Witton Gilbert has with either Newcastle or Arnison Centre. 

Just for kicks...

V9/V10: Consett - Chopwell - High Spen - Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Hobson - Tanfield - Tantobie - Stanley - Burnhope - Lanchester - Delves - Consett

(19 Apr 2015, 7:55 am)Robert wrote The 34 will be doubling back on itself. If it follows the current 14 route to Langley Park it would need to do this: Sacriston - Witton Gilbert - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston and carry on with proposed route.

Thanks for pointing this out, I am guessing that the X25/13&14 Interworkings would be like the above then before heading towards either Newcastle or Durham.

Revised Idea for the 34/34A
34 - Durham - Bearpark - Urshaw College - Hill Top - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

Durham to Langley Park = 14 Minutes
Langley Park to Waldridge = 14 Minutes
Waldridge to Chester le Street = 9 Minutes
Chester le Street to Urpeth Grange = 17 Minutes
Total Journey Time = 54 Minutes

34A - Durham - Askley Heads - Arnison Centre - Findon Hill - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Birtley

Durham to Arnison Centre = 9 Minutes
Arnison Centre to Waldridge = 13 Minutes
Waldridge to Chester le Street = 9 Minutes
Chester le Street to Ouston = 13 Minutes
Ouston to Birtley = 6 Minutes
Total Journey Time = 50 Minutes

(19 Apr 2015, 3:19 pm)Malarkey wrote Thanks for pointing this out, I am guessing that the X25/13&14 Interworkings would be like the above then before heading towards either Newcastle or Durham.

Revised Idea for the 34/34A
34 - Durham - Bearpark - Urshaw College - Hill Top - Langley Park - Witton Gilbert - Sacriston - Edmondsley - Waldridge Park - Chester le Street - South Pelaw - Pelton - Perkinsville - Ouston - Urpeth Grange

Durham to Langley Park = 14 Minutes
Langley Park to Waldridge = 14 Minutes
Waldridge to Chester le Street = 9 Minutes
Chester le Street to Urpeth Grange = 17 Minutes
Total Journey Time = 54 Minutes

Sounds much better. You have probably shaved a few minutes off your first route suggestion too. 

I'd like to see Go North East expand the operations at the outstation at Crook, and maybe venture in Durham a bit to provide some competition with Arriva (who, I gather, neglect some of their local services in that part of the region). Obviously, I don't know if any of these would be worthwhile, as I'm only an occasional visitor to Bishop Auckland, Darlington, etc. but here goes (not all suggestions are services, but hey ho!);

- An express service between Darlington and Newcastle, calling at Durham, Chester-le-Street and Gateshead. Possibly could be brought under the ''Pronto'' brand, with the number X23. Would try and use the fastest possible way of connecting Darlington and Durham, then basically the X21 route from Durham all the way to Newcastle, running hourly. If the ''Pronto'' service was to receive investment in coming time, I would like to see a service like this come through and expand the brand somehow. 

- The current ''Pronto'' brand to be renamed ''OK'', as it would tie in with the ''OK Way'' 18 service in Bishop Auckland, and so bring the whole depot's operations under one significant and (in local areas anyway!) famous brand name. The X21 and X23 services would all fall under this ''OK'' name. 

- Add onto this a service on a local level, possibly hourly, between Bishop Auckland and Durham (possibly shortening the X21's journey time between the two), serving locations such as Ferryhill, etc, and Crook have quite a bit of scope. 

Just a few ideas, not really one to make a serious presence in this thread, so let me know what you think.

Good Idea but Remember the OK1 and what happened to that when GO North East started the express between Crook - Darlington

(20 Apr 2015, 7:13 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I'd like to see Go North East expand the operations at the outstation at Crook, and maybe venture in Durham a bit to provide some competition with Arriva (who, I gather, neglect some of their local services in that part of the region). Obviously, I don't know if any of these would be worthwhile, as I'm only an occasional visitor to Bishop Auckland, Darlington, etc. but here goes (not all suggestions are services, but hey ho!);

- An express service between Darlington and Newcastle, calling at Durham, Chester-le-Street and Gateshead. Possibly could be brought under the ''Pronto'' brand, with the number X23. Would try and use the fastest possible way of connecting Darlington and Durham, then basically the X21 route from Durham all the way to Newcastle, running hourly. If the ''Pronto'' service was to receive investment in coming time, I would like to see a service like this come through and expand the brand somehow. 

- The current ''Pronto'' brand to be renamed ''OK'', as it would tie in with the ''OK Way'' 18 service in Bishop Auckland, and so bring the whole depot's operations under one significant and (in local areas anyway!) famous brand name. The X21 and X23 services would all fall under this ''OK'' name. 

- Add onto this a service on a local level, possibly hourly, between Bishop Auckland and Durham (possibly shortening the X21's journey time between the two), serving locations such as Ferryhill, etc, and Crook have quite a bit of scope. 

Just a few ideas, not really one to make a serious presence in this thread, so let me know what you think.

Got a few Suggestions.

16 - Bishop Auckland - Crook - Sunniside - Tow Law - Castleside - Consett
16A - Bishop Auckland - Crook - Esh Winning - Lanchester
Operating Hourly and Interworking with Services 15/15A at Consett and Lanchester or Alternatively Interworking with Services X30/X70

18/18A - West Auckland - Woodhouse Close - Cockton Hill Road - Bishop Auckland - Canney Hill - Coundon - Kirk Merrington - Spennymoor - Croxdale - Nevilles Cross - Durham Bus Station - Milburngate - Durham Market Place - South Road(Durham Uni/Howlands P&R) - Croxdale - Ferryhill - Chilton - Coundon - Canney Hill - Bishop Auckland - Cockton Hill Road - Woodhouse Close - West Auckland
Operating Every 15 Minutes

With all the backlog kicking off with Middle Engine Lane partially closed and Norham Road due to get a new junction, would it not be a good idea to do this:

- Withdraw the 58x.
- 1605 X39 still provided by schoolars / 307
- 1635 and 1705 X39 provided by Citylink board using either Versas or if struggling with capacity, B7s.
- The two runs above would then join back onto the board after Haymarket on John Dobson Street or Market Street West.

(18 Apr 2015, 9:51 pm)Malarkey wrote X8 - Consett - Leadgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - A693(Non-Stop) - Beamish - A693(Non-Stop) - Chester le Street - Great Lumley - Fence Houses - Houghton le Spring - Doxford International - Barnes Park - Sunderland 
Operating Hourly Monday to Saturday.

Came up with slightly better Idea, why not have the current 36 join the "Coast & Country" Brand, Here is my Suggestion.

77 - Sunderland Interchange - Royal Hospital - East Herrington - Herrington Burn - Newbottle - Houghton le Spring - Fencehouses - Great Lumley - Chester le Street - Pelton - West Pelton - Beamish - East Stanley - Stanley

77A - Sunderland Interchange - Royal Hospital - East Herrington - Herrington Burn - Newbottle - Houghton le Spring - Fencehouses - Great Lumley - Chester le Street - Pelton - West Pelton - Grange Villa - Craghead - South Stanley - Annfield Plain - Leadgate - Consett

Operating Half Hourly Combined along the current 36 Route between Sunderland and Chester le Street before extending to Stanley and Consett via the 8/78 Route, This therefore means along some points of the Route there is a Bus upto Every 10 Minutes.

X77 - Sunderland Interchange - Barnes Park - Doxford International - Houghton le Spring - Rainton Bridge Npower - Chester le Street - A693(Non Stop) - Stanley - Annfield Plain - Leadgate - Consett
Peak Time Express Service Operating Monday to Saturday.

Alterations to the 35 would be as follows.

35 - Low Moorsley - Hetton le Hole - Houghton le Spring - Newbottle - Herrington Burn - East Herrington - Royal Hospital - Sunderland City Centre - Southwick - Hylton Riverside - Castletown - Town End Farm - Boldon Cineworld
Operating Every 20 Minutes

Improvements to the 28 and X25.

28: As it is between Chester and Long Bank. Away from school runs, operates via Durham Road, Beacon Lough Road and Old Durham Road. Operates via Cardinal Hulme and Wrekenton on school run trips only.

X25 reduces to hourly frequency.
The X26 runs at the other end of the clock and operates X25 route, then via Mount Road and Birtley, before picking up the current route at Barley Mow Inn.

Links between Birtley and Wrekenton maintained with X26.
Links from Mount Road to Birtley reintroduced, following 82/82a changes.
28 supplements 21 on Durham Road corridor, whilst improving links to QE for areas such as Harlow Green/Allerdene, without direct service.

Working on some suggestions...

Based around Phase 2 of Dalton Park...

I think I may self diagnose myself with Double M Disorder* for one suggestion

*Double M Disorder=Malarkey Marathon Disorder

All will be revealed in due course when I figure things out

(06 May 2015, 5:07 pm)MrFozz wrote Working on some suggestions...

Based around Phase 2 of Dalton Park...

I think I may self diagnose myself with Double M Disorder* for one suggestion

*Double M Disorder=Malarkey Marathon Disorder

All will be revealed in due course when I figure things out

Waiting in anticipation Fozz.

New 238
Seaham-Station Road-Mill Inn-Seaton Lane-Houghton-A690-West Rainton-Carville-Belmont-Gilesgate-Durham

Modified 265
Same Durham-Murton Station...
Station Road-Barnes Road-Webb Avenue-Burnip Road-Cornwall Estate - Woods Terrace - Dalton Park-Deneside-The Avenue-Seaham

238 and 265 would interwork, also interworking with the 204/208 out of Durham

Modified 202
As Is...Only send it over to Wembley(East Moor Estate)

New 203
Houghton-Hetton-Murton Station Estate - Woods Terrace-Dalton Park-Easington Village-Peterlee

New 60A
Dalton Park-Fox Cover-Byron Place-Dene House Road-Seaham Coast Road-Toll Bar-Grangetown-Sunderland

The 60A would be half hourly, it would see a decrease on the 60, every 15 mins, but it would be every 10 minutes combined at Byron Place...

New X89
Murton Station-Woods Terrace-Dalton Park-A19-The Galleries-Metrocentre-Eldon Square
Start it off as a commuter service with a couple of peak time runs during the day, and have it compliment the X88 on weekends between The Galleries and The Metrocentre

New X78
Consett-Stanley-Chester-le-Fencehouses-Houghton-Hetton-Murton-Dalton Park-A19-Ryhope-Grangetown-Sunderland

This would come under the coast and country brand

New X8
Sunderland-Grangetown-Ryhope-Deneside-Dalton Park-Peterlee-Billingham-Middlesbrough

This would compliment the WTX Brand

The idea for 60A, X8, X78, X89, would be in my mind, 12-18 months away in my mind, I am thinking about when Phase 2 is completed at DP...

My X78 idea verges on me suffering with Double M disorder

Following the chewing of the fat of Chester services in the annoying thread, I had a look at the timetables of all services arriving/departing Chester AFTER 2000 on a normal weekday evening.

Not sure what can be done (apart from introducing new services) other than tweaking timetables, but here is a list of services arriving/departing.

20:08 - 21 to Durham
20:19 - 34 to Ouston
20:21 - 21 from Newcastle. Terminates (t)
20:25 - 21 to Newcastle
20:29 - 78 to Sunderland
20:37 - 50 from Shields. (t)
20:38 - 21 to Durham
20:40 - 50 to Shields
20:45 - 28 from Grange Villa (t)
20:49 - 78 to Consett
20:50 - 28 to Birtley
20:51 - 21 from Newcastle (t)
20:52 - 34 to Waldridge Park
20:55 - 21 to Newcastle
21:08 - 21 to Durham
21:19 - 34 to Ouston
21:25 - 21 to Newcastle
21:26 - 21 from Newcastle (t)
21:29 - 78 to Sunderland and repeat until close of play.

This isn't GNE bashing at all. Hopefully by pointing out these timings, someone could suggest alternatives or improvements, post 8pm - which to be fair, isn't late at all.
Or, it has identified something that may not have been thought about at GNE towers.

Gambling on a 2/3 minute connection, is risky. Yet, there are a number of examples of that in the timetables listed - for those connecting to a 21, from one of the less regular services. Vice versa, if getting off a 21.
Sometimes, the connection time (for a perfectly reasonable trip), is the total opposite and involves waiting for quite a period.

This isn't something new at all - having been unfortunate to have missed a number of tight connections, prior to the DCC cutbacks.

Also, there is a 36 due in to Chester le Street, gone 2100.
Any idea why this travels light from Chester back to Deptford, rather than carry a load back to Houghton and onwards to Deptford (or Park Lane) from there?
Appreciate hours are tight for drivers, but I think that is a missed opportunity.