(6 hours ago)Storx wrote Yeah that's fair, not going to lie. I always think they should revert back to the old 43/44/X30/X31/X70/X71 like it was for awhile around the Stanley area, it was much better than what it is now with too many X's going in different ways confusing the hell out of anyone.
It's not miles away from what it was now anyway if you swapped some minor things around ie.
X73 = 43
6 = 44
Drop the X30/X31 to every hour each and send them via Gateshead
Send the X70/X71 via Gateshead
Swap the 6 and X73 from the Pack Horse to Tantobie Crossroads, ie the fast route via Burnopfield; slower route via Catchgate (to even them out a bit)
I don't disagree with the Meadomsley bus though, but I'd be tempted to send that to Shotley Bridge running direct then in turn send the 47, also via Meadomsley taking over the V5 (fixes that issue). Gives Shotley Bridge a proper express and then all the nooks and crannies into the 47 where you might pick up 1 or 2 people.
I must admit, l loved your idea with the 45/46/47 which would also replace the V5 & X71 in hindsight too - with quite a smart idea to make the 46 more viable too.
As I've said before. Derwentside is a very similar demographic to Blyth, Bedlington and Ashington. Arriva have been resillient not only during covid but even with the ABTRL - give or take a few potential future tweaks. If they still had the old X/EX and 40's nonsense that eventually got morphed into simplier and easier routes such as the X10/X11 - would be a different story IMO.
All the 40's from Stanley & Consett had the MetroCentre going for them to make money.
(11 Oct 2025, 11:18 am)Storx wrote Interesting ideas but quite a big PVR increase there.
Personally if I was going back up to the 6 buses through Rowlands Gill, I'd redo the whole Western side so it's something like:
which would end up with:
45: Red (Every 30 Minutes, Hourly Evenings / Sundays)
46: Orange (Every 30 Minutes, Hourly Evenings / Sundays)
47: Purple (Every Hour All Day / Sunday)
47A: Pink (Every Hour Daytimes)
V5: Withdrawn
X70: No Changes (Every 30 Minutes Daytimes)
X71: Withdrawn
It gives most places a decent bus service during day, at least 30 minutes bar the pots of houses here and there, and everyone an hourly service in the evening with those in the Blackhill area not having to go on a magical mystery tour with journey times which are pretty unacceptable right now really.
It's technically no extra buses between Meadomsley / Ebchester and Consett either since it's utilising the existing V5 and X71.
https://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/attachm...nail=11055
This, especially the 46! ️️
I also mentioned it a good few posts back, but do all the Stanley / Consett to Newcastle boards need deckers? Volvo B8RLEs thrown in would be perfect for some trips. Worst case if routes grow and they're not suited capacity wise, put them on the 8/78.