(09 Jun 2021, 12:38 pm)streetdeckfan wrote So did the first number signify that the bus route was in a certain area?

This is only Roughly:

00’s Newcastle area
100’s Sunderland/houghton/Washington area
200’s Durham east area
300’s north Tyneside
400’s scholars
500’s south tyneside
600’s Gateshead
700’s Stanley/consett/Durham/Chester area
800’s
900’s Works

Others will know exact areas


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 12:38 pm)streetdeckfan wrote So did the first number signify that the bus route was in a certain area?

See reply below. 6** were defiantly Gateshead west. 

I just thinking what the 56/57/58 were as never used them back in the 80's?

(09 Jun 2021, 1:14 pm)Rob44 wrote See reply below. 6** were defiantly Gateshead west. 

I just thinking what the 56/57/58 were as never used them back in the 80's?

Sure 57bwas the 527 and possibly the 56 was 187?

(09 Jun 2021, 1:53 pm)JP6004 wrote Sure 57bwas the 527 and possibly the 56 was 187?

The 56 Newcastle to springwell estate every 10 minutes was always 56, service got extended to Sunderland in replace of 187/188, and replaced 185 in Sunderland also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

was the 527 not the VFM bus from central station to South shields?

(09 Jun 2021, 2:12 pm)Rob44 wrote was the 527 not the VFM bus from central station to South shields?

Yea, done that route a few times from shields to Marlborough crescent bus station, I think that was one of the last buses to use the old bus station before the service got transferred to terminate at central station and extended to worswick street bus station, the 527 used to go all over the Gateshead areas


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 2:12 pm)Rob44 wrote was the 527 not the VFM bus from central station to South shields?

Might of 527 or 557 that was curtailed at wardley in 00s? Not too sure

---

(09 Jun 2021, 1:55 pm)cbma06 wrote The 56  Newcastle to springwell estate every 10 minutes was always 56, service got extended to Sunderland in replace of 187/188, and replaced 185 in Sunderland also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Didnt one of then go down heworth road?

(09 Jun 2021, 2:28 pm)JP6004 wrote Might of 527 or 557 that was curtailed at wardley in 00s? Not too sure

---

Didnt one of then go down heworth road?

Yea, the 187 used to go along heworth road


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 12:48 pm)cbma06 wrote This is only Roughly:

00’s  Newcastle area
100’s  Sunderland/houghton/Washington area
200’s  Durham east area
300’s  north Tyneside
400’s  scholars
500’s  south tyneside
600’s  Gateshead
700’s  Stanley/consett/Durham/Chester area
800’s 
900’s  Works

Others will know exact areas

400's were services Northwards into Northumberland, double figure numbers were Gateshead as well as Newcastle. 800's were independent operators. There was one or two exceptions to this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Q3 isnt very convenient either if you want to take advantage of the £1 fare on an evening between wallsend and quayside, if the service curtails at St Peter's basin. That hasnt really been thought through at all given the micro breweries,restaurants and bars around the quayside/ouseburn area

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 12:48 pm)cbma06 wrote This is only Roughly:

00’s  Newcastle area
100’s  Sunderland/houghton/Washington area
200’s  Durham east area
300’s  north Tyneside
400’s  scholars
500’s  south tyneside
600’s  Gateshead
700’s  Stanley/consett/Durham/Chester area
800’s 
900’s  Works

Others will know exact areas


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct,with a few exceptions, like the 301/302,310/319,which crossed into Northumberland and over the Tyne,another few exceptions was the 442 (North Shields-Ashington) and the 484 which i think was a workers service

(09 Jun 2021, 1:14 pm)Rob44 wrote See reply below. 6** were defiantly Gateshead west. 

I just thinking what the 56/57/58 were as never used them back in the 80's?

20 prefix - Durham Road.
50 prefix - Old Durham Road (apart from the 53/54).
60 prefix - Dunston area services.
90 prefix - Whickham/Bensham/Lobley Hill. 

Still quite stable compared to other areas that have had their numbers and routes changed like the wind.

---

(09 Jun 2021, 3:01 pm)ian foster wrote 400's were services Northwards into Northumberland, double figure numbers were Gateshead as well as Newcastle. 800's were independent operators. There was one or two exceptions to this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A lot of the scholars south of the river used (and still use) the 4xx series.

---

(09 Jun 2021, 1:55 pm)cbma06 wrote The 56  Newcastle to springwell estate every 10 minutes was always 56, service got extended to Sunderland in replace of 187/188, and replaced 185 in Sunderland also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Initially, they had the 56 replace the 189 to Brady Square and from there removed the 189 link completely and merged the 56 with the X4, 185, 186, 187 and 188 like you say.

(09 Jun 2021, 3:50 pm)Andreos1 wrote 20 prefix - Durham Road.
50 prefix - Old Durham Road (apart from the 53/54).
60 prefix - Dunston area services.
90 prefix - Whickham/Bensham/Lobley Hill. 

Still quite stable compared to other areas that have had their numbers and routes changed like the wind.

---

A lot of the scholars south of the river used (and still use) the 4xx series.

---

Initially, they had the 56 replace the 189 to Brady Square and from there removed the 189 link completely and merged the 56 with the X4, 185, 186, 187 and 188 like you say.

Gateshead also had the 30 and 40 prefix,31/31A/31C/41,32/32C/42,when from,no idea,but i have map from September 2005 that have these services on,then there was the 43/43A/43B,44/44A/44B,45,46/46A,47/47A/47B, at this point it looks like the 48,49/49A was still the 648 and 649

(09 Jun 2021, 4:23 pm)V514DFT wrote Gateshead also had the 30 and 40 prefix,31/31A/31C/41,32/32C/42,when from,no idea,but i have map from September 2005 that have these services on,then there was the 43/43A/43B,44/44A/44B,45,46/46A,47/47A/47B, at this point it looks like the 48,49/49A was still the 648 and 649

I think we are on about from the 80’s etc before bus service numbers got redone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 4:23 pm)V514DFT wrote Gateshead also had the 30 and 40 prefix, 31/31A/31C/41,32/32C/42,when from,no idea,but i have map from September 2005 that have these services on,then there was the 43/43A/43B,44/44A/44B,45,46/46A,47/47A/47B ,¿ at this point it looks like the 48,49/49A was still the 648 and 649

Would hazard a guess that they hadn't been around long when you got that map.
Certainly not around in the 80s/90s.

(09 Jun 2021, 3:50 pm)Andreos1 wrote 20 prefix - Durham Road.
50 prefix - Old Durham Road (apart from the 53/54).
60 prefix - Dunston area services.
90 prefix - Whickham/Bensham/Lobley Hill. 

Still quite stable compared to other areas that have had their numbers and routes changed like the wind.

---

A lot of the scholars south of the river used (and still use) the 4xx series.

---

Initially, they had the 56 replace the 189 to Brady Square and from there removed the 189 link completely and merged the 56 with the X4, 185, 186, 187 and 188 like you say.

I thought 189 was withdrawn along time before, as the service was extended to penshaw as service 191?, x4 withdrawl ended when there decided to streamline a 10 minute service between galleries and Newcastle as one number , 773/774 took over the 186/638 between Sunderland and Washington


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 4:38 pm)cbma06 wrote I thought 189 was withdrawn along time before, as the service was extended to penshaw as service 191?, x4 withdrawl ended when there decided to streamline a 10 minute service between galleries and Newcastle as one number , 773/774 took over the 186/638 between Sunderland and Washington


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Forgot about that 191. Certainly didn't last long.
Either way, the 56 went via Biddick to Brady Square at one point. Waterview Park another, before eventually going all the way to Sunderland.

(09 Jun 2021, 3:01 pm)ian foster wrote 400's were services Northwards into Northumberland, double figure numbers were Gateshead as well as Newcastle. 800's were independent operators. There was one or two exceptions to this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EX/X1-29 - Blyth Expresses (X7-X13)
X30's - Ashington Expresses (X20-X29)
40's - Gosforth High Street (40's)
300's - South of the River Blyth (50's, 306/308)
400's - North of the River Blyth (Blyth: 1-2, Ashington 35)
500's - North of Morpeth (X14-X19)
600's - Hexham (685)
W's - Whitley Locals

That's Northumbria's numbering if I'm right, might be wrong though. It still exists to this date to some extent (in brackets).

(09 Jun 2021, 4:50 pm)Andreos1 wrote Forgot about that 191. Certainly didn't last long.
Either way, the 56 went via Biddick to Brady Square at one point. Waterview Park another, before eventually going all the way to Sunderland.

I remember that the water view park extension was the 56A, 191 yea short lived, could of been better if it was extended from penshaw to Sunderland, Shame these services going into estates no more and streamlined, bus services these days are just bare . All profit now than passengers needs [emoji2357]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 5:01 pm)cbma06 wrote I remember that the water view park extension was the 56A, 191 yea short lived, could of been better if it was extended from penshaw to Sunderland, Shame these services going into estates no more and streamlined, bus services these days are just bare . All profit now than passengers needs [emoji2357]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm trying to remember where the 191 turned around.
Must have been at the top of Barnwell, as the roundabout at Herrington Park/Penshaw Monument wasn't built until a lot later.

I lived on the 191/194 route at the time and although the 191 was useful in that there wasn't any changes needed (unless the bus broke down/overheated and you ended up changing vehicles at Sunderland Road), it was never going to succeed vs the more frequent 194 or 294.

the 44 and 45 arriva services were 396 and 397 when ran by united

(09 Jun 2021, 9:14 am)Andreos1 wrote I think that's part of the bigger problem and something operators need to address.
I've mentioned the 194 missing out a section of route in Fatfield at chucking out time and I'm sure the 27 was the same along Kells Lane/Dryden Road at one point.
It was as though operators didn't want to have to deal with passengers and discouraged people using them back from the pub.
Surely counterproductive?

Yes, the last 27 on a Sunday night (back when Sunday night on Low Fell was rammed) got rerouted via Valley Drive and Old Durham Road to miss out Kells Lane. I believe it was because there was a big problem with drunks getting on and not paying the fare so eventually GNE just thought enough is enough. They originally did that in the mid nineties but that diversion remained in place for ages. It was only ever on a Sunday night that it diverted, on Friday and Saturday it still went along Kells Lane.

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 6:22 pm)big mac wrote Yes, the last 27 on a Sunday night (back when Sunday night on Low Fell was rammed) got rerouted via Valley Drive and Old Durham Road to miss out Kells Lane.  I believe it was because there was a big problem with drunks getting on and not paying the fare so eventually GNE just thought enough is enough.  They originally did that in the mid nineties but that diversion remained in place for ages.  It was only ever on a Sunday night that it diverted, on Friday and Saturday it still went along Kells Lane.

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

I wasn't about Gateshead too much then, but definitely remember it happening earlier than the mid-90s.
Sure a timetable from the bygone era would confirm either way. 
It's an interesting story about why they diverted it and how they kept it like that for so long.
I'd argue it's had a knock-on effect which has lasted for years and coupled with the ever rising fares, it's only discouraged people from using the bus home from a night out. 

On the other side of the spectrum, I remember the PTE paying for the 26 to run all the way to Barley Mow around chucking out time - weekends only mind in the mid/late 80s - early 90s.
There would have been a 2/3 hour gap between the 'last run' and the last run and it was often heaving. 

Not sure it was the pte's job to pay for the service when there was clearly some sort of demand mind.

(09 Jun 2021, 9:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote I wasn't about Gateshead too much then, but definitely remember it happening earlier than the mid-90s.
Sure a timetable from the bygone era would confirm either way. 
It's an interesting story about why they diverted it and how they kept it like that for so long.
I'd argue it's had a knock-on effect which has lasted for years and coupled with the ever rising fares, it's only discouraged people from using the bus home from a night out. 

On the other side of the spectrum, I remember the PTE paying for the 26 to run all the way to Barley Mow around chucking out time - weekends only mind in the mid/late 80s - early 90s.
There would have been a 2/3 hour gap between the 'last run' and the last run and it was often heaving. 

Not sure it was the pte's job to pay for the service when there was clearly some sort of demand mind.

I remember that with the 26 as well, and it seemed bizarre at the time that PTE did that for a journey that would be guaranteed to make a profit.

Was there any particular thing that triggered the 194 diversion away from Fatfield?

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

(09 Jun 2021, 9:26 pm)big mac wrote I remember that with the 26 as well, and it seemed bizarre at the time that PTE did that for a journey that would be guaranteed to make a profit.

 Was there any particular thing that triggered the 194 diversion away from Fatfield? 

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

I can't remember anything specific to be honest.
Just checked the bygone era and found a timetable from 1996.
I genuinely thought it was just the last few runs towards chucking out time, but it appears otherwise.
I also thought it was in both directions too - but again, it appears otherwise.
At least I was close enough with that last bus off Heworth though!

Also, however determined I was - there was no way I was getting up for those PTE funded OK or CAB runs either.
Would hear them clanking past on occasion, but I wasn't in the habit of getting up to go gricing at that time.

(09 Jun 2021, 9:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote I wasn't about Gateshead too much then, but definitely remember it happening earlier than the mid-90s.
Sure a timetable from the bygone era would confirm either way. 
It's an interesting story about why they diverted it and how they kept it like that for so long.
I'd argue it's had a knock-on effect which has lasted for years and coupled with the ever rising fares, it's only discouraged people from using the bus home from a night out. 

On the other side of the spectrum, I remember the PTE paying for the 26 to run all the way to Barley Mow around chucking out time - weekends only mind in the mid/late 80s - early 90s.
There would have been a 2/3 hour gap between the 'last run' and the last run and it was often heaving. 

Not sure it was the pte's job to pay for the service when there was clearly some sort of demand mind.

Judging by some of the older's drivers comments I hear, the problem was at the time is the drunks got on, threw a few pennies at the driver, and told them not to print tickets. So the company never seen the money from these late services, and ditto the PTE probably thought there was nobody using them. Not sure how true it is, the older drivers talk bollocks 90% of the time.

(09 Jun 2021, 10:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote I can't remember anything specific to be honest.
Just checked the bygone era and found a timetable from 1996.
I genuinely thought it was just the last few runs towards chucking out time, but it appears otherwise.
I also thought it was in both directions too - but again, it appears otherwise.
At least I was close enough with that last bus off Heworth though!

Also, however determined I was - there was no way I was getting up for those PTE funded OK or CAB runs either.
Would hear them clanking past on occasion, but I wasn't in the habit of getting up to go gricing at that time.

I remember this happening and I had thought those runs were diverted along Bonemill Lane before turning onto the bottom of Biddick Lane opposite Harraton Community Centre. It meant that only the stops at the bottom of Wormhill Terrace were being missed, but not too much of an issue when there's stops outside of the Biddick Inn. 

It must have ended by about 2002, as when I started drinking down there, I used to have to have to walk up to the stop at the top of Wormhill Terrace for the bus. Or wait for the 638 to the Galleries.

(10 Jun 2021, 11:28 am)Adrian wrote I remember this happening and I had thought those runs were diverted along Bonemill Lane before turning onto the bottom of Biddick Lane opposite Harraton Community Centre. It meant that only the stops at the bottom of Wormhill Terrace were being missed, but not too much of an issue when there's stops outside of the Biddick Inn. 

It must have ended by about 2002, as when I started drinking down there, I used to have to have to walk up to the stop at the top of Wormhill Terrace for the bus. Or wait for the 638 to the Galleries.

Plus the 2 southbound stops at Mount Pleasant.

I was trying to reckon up when it ended and it was definitely after the 294 stopped and they started sending the 194 around Fallowfield Way.
Can remember being on it going straight on at the top of Wormhill Terrace and turning left at Bonemill Lane, towards the Community Centre.
Whereas originally, it would have stopped at the Arts Centre and just continued down towards the Community Centre.

(07 Jun 2021, 5:16 pm)Michael wrote Been confirmed in Geoff's video that the other 9 is now on order!


I see Dan and Martijn got in on his video!, famous now!

My guess:

3 for the X66
5 for the 57

= 8 +1 spare


Overall 16 PVR with 2 spares.

(11 Jun 2021, 9:26 am)Michael wrote My guess:

3 for the X66
5 for the 58

= 8 +1 spare


Overall 16 PVR with 2 spares.

Isn't the PVR for the 58 7 or 8?

Unless there's plans for a reduction in service frequency to 15 or even 20 minutes (which wouldn't be popular), I would assume GNE wouldn't want to pursue a mixed allocation for a route with some electric buses. My guess is the whole batch would be for the 58 with 1 or 2 spare which could be used for the 33/33A in Newcastle.

Presumably these are also E10s and not E12s so the reduction in capacity wouldn't be great for the X66.