(25 Jun 2024, 9:15 am)V514DFT wrote Basically what happened is when Stagecoach lost the Q1/Q2 is the buses used on those routes had nowhere suitable to go, so they trailled them on the 18 and peak 68 (im guessing at the time the 68 must of ran off of an 18) would of been around Summer 2010ish, anyway they didnt last long on the 18, and were fully withdrawn from service after only just 5 years in service, thats when the the ALX300's took over right up until what is on there now, so about 9-11 years they lasted on there
Dont misunderstand me, i get the 18 is need as Heaton Road is literally the only bus they have, but it could be covered by other routes, the was a 20 and 20A, not sure if it was a peak or if it was a similar route to the 18/19
I personally do not remember the 20 myself, but I do remember the 19. However, I went on eBay once to search for old Newcastle timetables, and I came across a one for 18/19/20, seemily going the same direction, and the 20 using Chesters Ave (Longbenton Metro North side). In fact, if you look on the Stagecoach app and go to Longbenton Metro, you can still see there is a marker for a bus stop on Chesters Avenue.
I will have to ask my grandad when I next see him, as he drove for Walkergate up until 2011, and worked since it was Busways at the original Byker Depot.
Based on that information however, and how the 18s and 19s operated at the time, I put two and two together that the 20 was a peak service. I will also have to find the same timetable on eBay, as I never bought it lmao