(10 Jun 2026, 10:35 pm)Storx wrote tbf, everything at Ashington is unreliable though, probably doesn't help they're getting rattled to death as they actually move sometimes, which can't be said about other vehicles.

Side note talking of singles, noticed that the X21/X22 is still running around with a chunk of boards using singles. The same route which had more deckers bought 10 year or so because singles couldn't cope at peak times on a 10 minute service when it first went Sapphire, never mind at every 15 minutes.

Absolutely shocking the neglect that these 2 services have had the past 3 year from arguably to Northumbria's flagship route, to whatever you want to call it now. The 308 at Blyth, the other arguable flagship route, just as bad. 

It's a shame that it's not until 2030 that the new trains are due which are heavily rumoured to be coming to the North East now (Class 195's going to Leeds) since the train is having capacity problems - ironically, since Arriva have all but gave up - which should benefit a chunk of passengers. GNE and the Metro sorting out a better service for those suffering with the 306/308.

Having been traveling the coast road routes a lot recently, I'd say the Arriva service is far better than the GNE services along it. More reliable for certain, better customer service from the drivers and if I'm honest, knowing that the Pulsars and Sapphire Enviros are being replaced very soon, I don't think there'll be much between the vehicles either. 

That said, being better than GNE really isn't setting a high bar and they do need to do a lot more to be getting any credit. I'm told the demonstrator is still at Blyth for a reason, hopefully that reason is that more investment will be coming next year.