(28 Sep 2013, 9:08 pm)dav06295 wrote Don't need a link to the Metro Centre. The TEN does exactly that.

So does the 31, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 and 100? There's loads of duplication on the Newcastle to Metrocentre corridor, because it's well used.

The X68 was a great service, it operated from Tynemouth to the Metrocentre via Wallsend and the Quayside. Provided a number of fantastic links!

(29 Sep 2013, 10:47 am)BJ10VUS wrote So does the 31, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 and 100? There's loads of duplication on the Newcastle to Metrocentre corridor, because it's well used.

I was just thinking the same thing.

The Idea wasn't to Duplicate the Services between Newcastle/Metrocentre, it was to create a Number of New Links from 2 Key Coastal Areas to the Metrocentre. Plus an Extra 2 Buses an Hour isn't exactly going to do any harm regarding Duplication as Dave seems to think.

And Tom that X68 has just give me a thought of extending from Whitley Bay upto Tynemouth to Further improve links.

(29 Sep 2013, 1:06 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I was just thinking the same thing.

The Idea wasn't to Duplicate the Services between Newcastle/Metrocentre, it was to create a Number of New Links from 2 Key Coastal Areas to the Metrocentre. Plus an Extra 2 Buses an Hour isn't exactly going to do any harm regarding Duplication as Dave seems to think.

And Tom that X68 has just give me a thought of extending from Whitley Bay upto Tynemouth to Further improve links.

I'd have it the way it was orginally, or have it running along the Coast Road until Willington Square, then have it running down Churchill Street, Wallsend, Fosssway and Quayside

(29 Sep 2013, 1:10 pm)W179SCU wrote I'd have it the way it was orginally, or have it running along the Coast Road until Willington Square, then have it running down Churchill Street, Wallsend, Fosssway and Quayside

I'd have it run along the coast road/Jesmond and Sandyford Road and have turn left at St.Mary's Place and go down to John Dobson Street/Pilgrim Street then Grainger Street and down onto the Quayside to the MetroCentre.

(29 Sep 2013, 1:30 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I'd have it run along the coast road/Jesmond and Sandyford Road and have turn left at St.Mary's Place and go down to John Dobson Street/Pilgrim Street then Grainger Street and down onto the Quayside to the MetroCentre.

There is no point in that, though. They can easily get a 306/310 to Newcastle, then a 10/10A/10B/31/43/44/45/46/47 to Metrocentre?

(29 Sep 2013, 1:32 pm)W179SCU wrote There is no point in that, though. They can easily get a 306/310 to Newcastle, then a 10/10A/10B/31/43/44/45/46/47 to Metrocentre?

Right so what would be the benefit of it Serving Wallsend then on the way to the MetroCentre, as I can't see that many getting on it there at all.

I do think having it go via John Dobson Street/Pilgrim Street or having it Serve Eldon Square could be a Major Benefit for Passengers. I honestly don't think 2 Buses would have a Serious Effect to those that already serve the MetroCentre from Eldon Square.

(29 Sep 2013, 4:44 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Right so what would be the benefit of it Serving Wallsend then on the way to the MetroCentre, as I can't see that many getting on it there at all.

I do think having it go via John Dobson Street/Pilgrim Street or having it Serve Eldon Square could be a Major Benefit for Passengers. I honestly don't think 2 Buses would have a Serious Effect to those that already serve the MetroCentre from Eldon Square.

A lot more than going via Newcastle. North Shields to Wallsend would get a quicker bus, there would be competition with the 22 at Fossway, new links to Quayside etc.

There is no point in having that going via Quayside from Newcastle. Also, there is already plenty of buses along the Coast Road, and the 100 serves Pilgrim Street, so not much of a ''Major benifit''. Also, you've got the 51/306/307/308/309/310 that serve Haymarket, and the 58 which service John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street.

What about Fence Houses - that does not have a direct bus to the MetroCentre.

Me and Mrs Polis love having a rake around. We walk to Lumley at the moment to get the bus from there - but even that is stopping soon!

(29 Sep 2013, 12:15 am)aureolin wrote On one hand you're saying don't duplicate the TEN between Newcastle and Metro Centre; but on the other you're saying duplicate, in part, an existing route provided by the 308?

I'm not, it would be a faster and quicker alternative to the Toon

(29 Sep 2013, 4:52 pm)W179SCU wrote A lot more than going via Newcastle. North Shields to Wallsend would get a quicker bus, there would be competition with the 22 at Fossway, new links to Quayside etc.

There is no point in having that going via Quayside from Newcastle. Also, there is already plenty of buses along the Coast Road, and the 100 serves Pilgrim Street, so not much of a ''Major benifit''. Also, you've got the 51/306/307/308/309/310 that serve Haymarket, and the 58 which service John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street.

What about having a Limited Stopping 17 and giving it an extension from Wallsend to the MetroCentre as the current 17/17A as has been noted has been getting hammered off these new Arriva Services.

Whitley Bay - North Tyneside Hospital - Preston Grange - North Shields - Royal Quays - Wallsend - Newcastle Quayside - Centrelink - MetroCentre

You'll be able work something better than the above no doubt with living in the Area.

(30 Sep 2013, 2:28 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote What about having a Limited Stopping 17 and giving it an extension from Wallsend to the MetroCentre as the current 17/17A as has been noted has been getting hammered off these new Arriva Services.

Whitley Bay - North Tyneside Hospital - Preston Grange - North Shields - Royal Quays - Wallsend - Newcastle Quayside - Centrelink - MetroCentre

You'll be able work something better than the above no doubt with living in the Area.

Thats a good idea! - And yeah, there is a good chance the 17/17A will get hammered of the 51/54. They are far more reliable than the 17.

The 307 has already gone dead with the new 51 service! - The 54 is a great service too, there are more get on there to Rake Lane and New York now! Arriva have defiantly thought these changes through, unline the X6/X6A.

Could any of these services that are being proposed serve Newcastle AND the Quayside to offer a slight alternative and reach parts of the town without a Metrocentre link?

- into Newcastle as present, Blackett Street, Pilgrim Street, Mosley Street, Dean St, Quayside, Centrelink - Metrocentre

or from Jesmond, Central Motorway (or Sandyford) to Newbridge St, follow the route the 1 works through Newcastle - Mosley Street, Dean St, Quayside, Centrelink - Metrocentre

(01 Oct 2013, 12:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote Could any of these services that are being proposed serve Newcastle AND the Quayside to offer a slight alternative and reach parts of the town without a Metrocentre link?

- into Newcastle as present, Blackett Street, Pilgrim Street, Mosley Street, Dean St, Quayside, Centrelink - Metrocentre

or from Jesmond, Central Motorway (or Sandyford) to Newbridge St, follow the route the 1 works through Newcastle - Mosley Street, Dean St, Quayside, Centrelink - Metrocentre

That works for me coming in from Jesmond, either way we have came up with a few alternatives for the routing through Newcastle, I still think having it serve Haymarket/Eldon Square before going down to the Quayside would be ideal also. Despite there already being numerous services to the MetroCentre from Eldon Square.

Does Fence Houses actually need a 10 minute frequency bus service?.

Split the X1 into X1 and X2 each providing a 20 minute service, run the X2 via M1 route through Bournmoor and Fence Houses between Shiney Row and Houghton.

Run the 4 Connections the original route to Houghton Church then a 20 minute frequency extension from Houghton Church down to Chester-Le-Street along the 71 route with service 71 be withdrawn and if GNE doesn't want to terminate the other 20 minute service which terminates at Houghton Church, then run this service up and round Hall Lane estate replacing the loss of service 20 when half the 20's turned into 20A via Npower, and from Hall Lane estate goes down to the Npower building then back upto Houghton Church from Fence Houses meeting up with the other 4 Connections from Chester-Le-Street then a 10 minute service going back to Heworth.

(01 Oct 2013, 2:21 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote That works for me coming in from Jesmond, either way we have came up with a few alternatives for the routing through Newcastle, I still think having it serve Haymarket/Eldon Square before going down to the Quayside would be ideal also. Despite there already being numerous services to the MetroCentre from Eldon Square.

Forgetting about the duplication between Newcastle and the Metrocentre or where it should go around Newcastle - is there demand for it to stop (to pick up passengers) at Haymarket or space for it to call at Eldon Square?

If it stops at Haymarket - it is missing out on an established passenger base waiting in Eldon Square for a 'Metrocentre bus'.

If it goes to Eldon Square, which stand would it use? (bearing in mind the frequency of the existing services that stop there and my comments about passengers waiting for a 'Metrocentre bus').

I'm not having a go or dismissing any of the ideas, just throwing a couple of points to think about.

(01 Oct 2013, 2:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote Forgetting about the duplication between Newcastle and the Metrocentre or where it should go around Newcastle - is there demand for it to stop (to pick up passengers) at Haymarket or space for it to call at Eldon Square?

If it stops at Haymarket - it is missing out on an established passenger base waiting in Eldon Square for a 'Metrocentre bus'.

If it goes to Eldon Square, which stand would it use? (bearing in mind the frequency of the existing services that stop there and my comments about passengers waiting for a 'Metrocentre bus').

I'm not having a go or dismissing any of the ideas, just throwing a couple of points to think about.

I definitely think the "Passenger Demand" for an Hourly Xpress is there for a link to the Metrocentre from Whitley Bay/North Shields and I think if it was to serve Haymarket it would be missing out on the established passenger base waiting in Eldon Square and it otherwise be unsuccesful, as for what Stand it would stop on, I'm sure it could easily fit in somewhere.

*New Service*

X83 - Hexham – Dilston – Slaley – Whittonstall – Ebchester – Shotley Bridge – Blackhall - Consett – Leadgate – Delves Lane – Lanchester - Witton Gilbert - Framwellgate Moor - Durham

Hexham to Consett – 54 Minutes
Consett to Durham – 30 Minutes
Total Journey Time – 84 Minutes – Could be Faster if it was to be Limited Stoping

Replaces Services 15/15A and Venture 689 – Every 30 Minutes

*New Service*

50A - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Arnison Centre - Waldridge Park - Chester-le-Street - Washington Galleries - Concord - Boldon – Jarrow - Tyne Tunnel - Percy Main - Royal Quays - North Shields – Hourly Monday to Saturday

Not sure how well this would be used between Washington and North Shields, but it would certainly open up some Interesting Links

(02 Oct 2013, 12:26 am)Adam Malarkey wrote *New Service*

X83 - Hexham – Dilston – Slaley – Whittonstall – Ebchester – Shotley Bridge – Blackhall - Consett – Leadgate – Delves Lane – Lanchester - Witton Gilbert - Framwellgate Moor - Durham

Hexham to Consett – 54 Minutes
Consett to Durham – 30 Minutes
Total Journey Time – 84 Minutes – Could be Faster if it was to be Limited Stoping

Replaces Services 15/15A and Venture 689 – Every 30 Minutes

*New Service*

50A - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Arnison Centre - Waldridge Park - Chester-le-Street - Washington Galleries - Concord - Boldon – Jarrow - Tyne Tunnel - Percy Main - Royal Quays - North Shields – Hourly Monday to Saturday

Not sure how well this would be used between Washington and North Shields, but it would certainly open up some Interesting Links

Durham to Hexham idea okay, but going from once a day to two an hour on the Consett-Heham section, so I'm not sure how well used it would be. And Durham-North Shields, reliability issues eat your heart our!

(02 Oct 2013, 6:17 am)CatsFast101 wrote Durham to Hexham idea okay, but going from once a day to two an hour on the Consett-Heham section, so I'm not sure how well used it would be. And Durham-North Shields, reliability issues eat your heart our!

Wouldn't be much good if GNE lost the tender for the 689 in April!

It would probably be better if the X83 being once an Hour and then keeping the 15/15A the way they are currently.

With this I was just looking at Timetables of routes I hadn't photographed and looking at it on Paper it just seemed to click into place perfectly, plus the 689 is more Frequent on a Saturday also if I think.

As for the 50A surely it can't be that bad as from Boldon it would follow the same route as the 9 to North Shields. But to perhaps improve Reliability between Chester le Street and Washington have go straight up the Motorway and again Between Washington and Boldon via Concord and Waterview Park as it does currently on a Night.

Didn't GNE trial w Whitley Bay to MC a few years ago?

Direct services affect buzzfare income.

I believe NCC dislike buses using the Quayside and regulate it

(02 Oct 2013, 9:00 pm)gtomlinson wrote Didn't GNE trial w Whitley Bay to MC a few years ago?

Direct services affect buzzfare income.

I believe NCC dislike buses using the Quayside and regulate it

X68 - Tynemouth to Metrocentre.

Last Saturday whilst standing about Eldon Square I was quite confused as I seen a "Ten" Gemini on the 10, I believe it was 3949 if I remember correctly and all of sudden it turned into a "Toonlink 32", No idea if there is a Peak Time Interworking of the these routes or it was just a Odd Working in General and I had mistakenly read the Blind wrong. But was I also left confused as to how the 10's and the 11/31/32/47 all Interwork and how it must be quite confusing for Passengers who use those Services on a Daily Basis.

And after looking over the "Ten/Toonlink" Timetables on more than one occasion I still can't get my head around it. So I have decided I would try and attempt to simplify those Routes whilst also including the "Blaydon Racers" Services to Provide Links from Winlaton to both Gateshead and Newcastle, The changes are Nothing really that Major to be Honest, but there is some slight route and re-numbering adjustments.



Ten

10 - Hexham - Corbridge - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Metrocentre - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes

10A - Hexham - Corbridge - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Dunston - Gateshead - Every 30 Minutes

10B - Prudhoe - Rockwood Hill - Greenside - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Metrocentre - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes

Toonlink

11 - Newcastle - Scotswood Road - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Greenside - High Spen - Chopwell - Blackhall Mill - Every 30 Minutes

11A - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - High Spen - Rowlands Gill - Metrocentre - Teams - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes

Northern

32 - Winlaton - Blaydon - Swalwell – Metrocentre – Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes

Blaydon Racers

49 - Winlaton - Blaydon - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Dunston – Gateshead
Every 15 Minutes

49A - Winlaton - Hanover Estate - Snook Hill - Shibdon Bank - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes

49B - Winlaton - Heddon View - Blaydon - Scotswood Road - Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes

Well I know it's not a view shared by everyone but I think interworking shouldn't be a problem as long as drivers change their blinds before entering interchange/ bus station/termination point. If drivers don't it can get quite confusing. The 202/265 interwork at Seaham, and most drivers pull into the interchange stand showing their next duty (ie when the 202 from Peterlee is pulling in its already changed to '265 Durham') however when drivers don't do this it becomes a problem as one Peterlee driver did at Seaham an old lady had seen the bus pull in as 265 Seaham and as she was waiting for the 202 she didn't board the bus he changed once in stand, but by this time you can't really see the blind and I had to tell the lady this was the 202 as the driver didnt attempt to assist.
Again I've seen 61/2C's on Sundays pull into stand C showing '2C Sunderland' and then people are don't think it's their bus. But there's no reason why interworking should be confusing. I mean I do think interworking that results in mis-branding of branded services is far from ideal but the way the Venture network and East Durham buses do this is fine.

The reason why 11/31/32/47 interwork is so that most of the driver changeover can be done at Winlaton.

Driver does say 31 Winlaton to Newcastle, then an 11 to Blackhall Mill and return, then a 31 back to Winlaton for crew changeover.

The 32 does the same to Newcastle, then the 47, then back to a 32 to Winlaton for a crew changeover.

There should be no 10 journeys that interwork during the day, this only happens on a night time when there is less Toon Links out.

It is pretty simple really

Normally I can read a Timetable no bother, but trying to work out how they interwork from the timings I had noted in text message which I sent to myself and then trying to see if one of the 10's interworked with the 32, I just got lost and completely confused. And thank you for clearing that up for me Citaro5284, I now fully understand how the Toonlinks Interwork, so it must of just been an odd allocation all along, which I thought in the first place, but it's always best to check.

As for 61/2C Interworking, this wouldn't be a problem if the driver switched the Blind before entering the Stand. what I don't get why they pull onto the stand e.g. 2C from Washington comes in Drops off on it Designated Stand but then goes round to where the 61 Stops and Vice Versa if it was a 61 coming from Murton. Why just go straight around to said Stand that the next journey is to depart from, then there would less confusion.

And the East Durham example, same thing happened to my Mother on Thursday at Washington Galleries, she got on the 2C which was displayed on the blind and driver didn't change to the 2A which was running late, so she ended up getting off at Biddick and walking through Princess Anne Park back to Lambton because of this particular Driver.

(12 Oct 2013, 3:37 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Last Saturday whilst standing about Eldon Square I was quite confused as I seen a "Ten" Gemini on the 10, I believe it was 3949 if I remember correctly and all of sudden it turned into a "Toonlink 32", No idea if there is a Peak Time Interworking of the these routes or it was just a Odd Working in General and I had mistakenly read the Blind wrong. But was I also left confused as to how the 10's and the 11/31/32/47 all Interwork and how it must be quite confusing for Passengers who use those Services on a Daily Basis.

And after looking over the "Ten/Toonlink" Timetables on more than one occasion I still can't get my head around it. So I have decided I would try and attempt to simplify those Routes whilst also including the "Blaydon Racers" Services to Provide Links from Winlaton to both Gateshead and Newcastle, The changes are Nothing really that Major to be Honest, but there is some slight route and re-numbering adjustments.



Ten

10 - Hexham - Corbridge - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Metrocentre - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes

10A - Hexham - Corbridge - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Dunston - Gateshead - Every 30 Minutes

10B - Prudhoe - Rockwood Hill - Greenside - Crawcrook - Ryton - Blaydon - Metrocentre - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes


Toonlink

11 - Newcastle - Scotswood Road - Blaydon - Ryton - Crawcrook - Greenside - High Spen - Chopwell - Blackhall Mill - Every 30 Minutes

11A - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell - High Spen - Rowlands Gill - Metrocentre - Teams - Newcastle - Every 30 Minutes

Northern

32 - Winlaton - Blaydon - Swalwell – Metrocentre – Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes


Blaydon Racers

49 - Winlaton - Blaydon - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Dunston – Gateshead
Every 15 Minutes

49A - Winlaton - Hanover Estate - Snook Hill - Shibdon Bank - Swalwell - Metrocentre - Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes

49B - Winlaton - Heddon View - Blaydon - Scotswood Road - Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes

There's no need for a direct link from Prudhoe to Greenside and diverting a service off to Greenside from between Prudhoe and Crawcrook would create a tedious and time-consuming double run, along the lines of 10 minutes extra, hardly direct for a flagship service?!

Disrupting the Blaydon Racers "Winlaton-MetroCentre-Gateshead" service there, just a bit!

Service suggestions for 58, 309 and 310.

- Service 58 would operate between Eldon Square and Heworth every 7-8 minutes (15 evenings and Sundays).

- Service 305 would replace service 58 between Newcastle and Hadrian Park. Buses would operate every 20 minutes from Hadrian Park and would run via the 310 route between Battle Hill drive and Newcastle Haymarket. Evening journeys would operate every 60 minutes with Sunday daytime journeys provided by service 310.

- Service 309 would be increased to operate every 10 minutes between Blyth and Newcastle. Buses would serve Union Street and Plessey Road rather than Broadway and Renwick Road. Evening and Sunday buses would operate every 30 minutes. Increasing the 309 to every 10 minutes would prove very popular to passengers on the coast offering a frequent and modern bus service to and from Newcastle City Centre despite the few minutes extra journey time compared to Arriva's service 308. The few extras too such as free Wi-Fi, more capacity, power sockets and more powerful buses would make service 309 a more attractive option than service 308 too.

- A PVR of 11 of the new double deck vehicles would be required for service 309 with a further PVR of 6 double deck vehicles required for service 310 making the total to 17. Service 305 would require a PVR of 3/4 single deck vehicles and these would come from the Citaro's from the Cobalt Clipper. Service 305 would receive the Centurion brand with service 17 gaining the Northern Brand.

- Service 310 would operate as now during Monday to Saturday daytime but would now operate every 20 minutes. Evening and Sunday journeys would also serve Hadrian Park. Evening buses would run hourly with Sunday daytime buses operating half hourly.

Venture V1/2

Someone needs to think about rerouting this service to serve the new Tesco store which opens in a couple of weeks and the Delves lane store closes. The store is a bit out of the centre of town and as things stand, will only be served by Red Kite 45/46.