(09 Aug 2021, 4:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Not strictly true, there's the X22 and X66, plus a few other X variants of standard routes that only run a couple times a day

Wasn't the reason the X6 was debranded due to interworking patterns?

X22 is joining a brand isn’t it? And X66 is always a special case because it’s a ten minute route! 
And don’t think so RE: Interworking, it used to be in with the X20 but not since COVID hit when the X20 started running to Langley Park.

We will introduce some newer double-deck buses on this service in dedicated route branding, offering better features such as high-backed comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi.

That's all was mentioned about the X22 on the page

(09 Aug 2021, 4:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Not strictly true, there's the X22 and X66, plus a few other X variants of standard routes that only run a couple times a day

Wasn't the reason the X6 was debranded due to interworking patterns?

(09 Aug 2021, 5:33 pm)Drifter60 wrote X22 is joining a brand isn’t it? And X66 is always a special case because it’s a ten minute route! 
And don’t think so RE: Interworking, it used to be in with the X20 but not since COVID hit when the X20 started running to Langley Park.

I'm pretty sure it was sort of interworking based - when COVID hit and then the X20 was extended to Langley Park the two were separated if I remember correctly so that the Solo's could make up the full PVR on the X20 while the X6/7 it was said so that 'larger vehicles could be allocated.' Obviously in due course it became the X20 that needed the larger vehicles not the X6 lol. But I think really it was more to do with the Langley Park extension and them not having enough X-Lines Solo's than anything else.

(09 Aug 2021, 6:29 pm)peter wrote I'm pretty sure it was sort of interworking based - when COVID hit and then the X20 was extended to Langley Park the two were separated if I remember correctly so that the Solo's could make up the full PVR on the X20 while the X6/7 it was said so that 'larger vehicles could be allocated.' Obviously in due course it became the X20 that needed the larger vehicles not the X6 lol. But I think really it was more to do with the Langley Park extension and them not having enough X-Lines Solo's than anything else.

Tbh the X6 is actually quite busy. Normally atleast 10 people on it when I check. Which is about 6 times I day. imo it should become XLines.

(09 Aug 2021, 3:21 pm)Ambassador wrote Hard to convey tone on a forum but I wasn't necessarily being critical, aspiration is good.

Just left me thinking in my head, probably another thread, what's the largest town (if there is one) that doesn't have an Express service? (not necc served by GNE)

I’d guess Hartlepool? Certainly no ‘X’ routes from any operator. The 1 is arguably reasonably direct to Middlesbrough but still loops around Seaton Carew, a true express would be via the A19.

(09 Aug 2021, 10:05 pm)James101 wrote I’d guess Hartlepool? Certainly no ‘X’ routes from any operator. The 1 is arguably reasonably direct to Middlesbrough but still loops around Seaton Carew, a true express would be via the A19.

GNE already had the X6 & X5/X35/55 and then they pulled out. Unless they have a route which dulicaptes the 22/23/24 with the same amenities as them they arn't getting Hartlepool back. There just isnt the demand.

https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/14...2018532353

Just saw on Twitter that it looks like the E400s were supposed to have the wireless chargers retrofitted to the seat back phone holders but were not.

I'm guessing they were supposed to be installed when the tables were upgraded, perhaps they paid for them to be installed but they weren't?

Judging my MG's tone he isn't best pleased about it!

(09 Aug 2021, 10:26 pm)streetdeckfan wrote https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/14...2018532353

Just saw on Twitter that it looks like the E400s were supposed to have the wireless chargers retrofitted to the seat back phone holders but were not.

I'm guessing they were supposed to be installed when the tables were upgraded, perhaps they paid for them to be installed but they weren't?

Judging my MG's tone he isn't best pleased about it!

All E400 tables have been updated. I thought it was just the tynedale express

(09 Aug 2021, 10:29 pm)Keeiajs wrote All E400 tables have been updated. I thought it was just the tynedale express

It's not the tables that are the issue, it's the wireless charging pads in the backs of the seats.
It looks like they were supposed to be retrofitted but they weren't.

(09 Aug 2021, 10:31 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's not the tables that are the issue, it's the wireless charging pads in the backs of the seats.
It looks like they were supposed to be retrofitted but they weren't.

Yes, but I am saying I didn't realise that the E400 tables were retrofitted.

(09 Aug 2021, 10:32 pm)Keeiajs wrote Yes, but I am saying I didn't realise that the E400 tables were retrofitted.

Ah, right. I believe the E400s are on their third table iteration at this point.
If my poor memory serves me right the newer batches came with a different type than the first X30 batch, but they were all upgraded to include the pull out laptop tray

(09 Aug 2021, 10:35 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Ah, right. I believe the E400s are on their third table iteration at this point.
If my poor memory serves me right the newer batches came with a different type than the first X30 batch, but they were all upgraded to include the pull out laptop tray

That is amazing, and a much needed feature on **every** table coming forward.

(09 Aug 2021, 10:17 pm)Keeiajs wrote GNE already had the X6 & X5/X35/55 and then they pulled out. Unless they have a route which dulicaptes the 22/23/24 with the same amenities as them they arn't getting Hartlepool back. There just isnt the demand.

I’m not lamenting the loss of GNE services in Hartlepool, just contributing to Ambassador’s post about express services. 

As you suggest, GNE’s last services in Hartlepool were never true express services anyway as they were duplicates of Arriva’s stopping services to Peterlee. He X35 was rightly downgraded to a ‘slow’ service number 55 and the X6, although fast from Peterlee to Seaham & Peterlee, it was no quicker to Hartlepool than the existing services.

Newcastle is the main place people would want to travel to but Hartlepool’s sits awkwardly east of the A19 for the X9/10 to be worth diverting and there’s not enough demand for the town to sustain a direct service of its own.

I’d say the only link the town feels like it’s missing is a fast Hartlepool - Seaton Carew - Billingham - North Tees Hospital  - Stockton -Teesside Park. 

Potential multiple flows from Hartlepool to North Tees Hospital & Teesside Park and from Stockton & Billingham to Seaton Carew for seaside days out. 

I posted about a year ago how it’s bizarrely quicker to book 2 Tees Flex journeys, broken in Wynyard, than use the 36 & 37 to get from Hartlepool to North Tees. I think a faster bus to the hospital from Billingham could have potential too.

Another advert for Xlines there I see

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...1118979075

Interesting the don't use a fakelines bus in any of the adverts eh. Giving the impression any xlines service will be a all singing, dancin deckers with tables, comfortable red seats, usb, plugs etc. Said passenger then goes out to try it all out and goes for the X20 and a 13 year old citaro turns up and it turns out to be a game of trying not to slide of the seats. Seriously think they need to scale-down the xlines network now, trying to do far too much.

(20 Aug 2021, 7:38 pm)citaro5284 wrote Another advert for Xlines there I see

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...1118979075

Now I know why we can't upload photos! 12 secs in! He loves buses!

(20 Aug 2021, 8:16 pm)CookieMonster wrote Interesting the don't use a fakelines bus in any of the adverts eh. Giving the impression any xlines service will be a all singing, dancin deckers with tables, comfortable red seats, usb, plugs etc. Said passenger then goes out to try it all out and goes for the X20 and a 13 year old citaro turns up and it turns out to be a game of trying not to slide of the seats. Seriously think they need to scale-down the xlines network now, trying to do far too much.

I mean, yeah I agree. + pull out tables are only on ADL 400 MMC & Wireless on ADL & 69/70/20 plate are only ones with wireless charging. A bit misleading but nothing major really imo.

So there’s no hope in hell I’m doing any work on a bus on a commute, pre pandemic there wouldn’t be the space or the privacy and a whole seat for my bag.

Clever that no face is shown but she’s clearly not wearing a mask, something to put casual commuters off. I know it’s aspirational but is anyone really aspirational taking the bus?

I tend to agree xlines is being pushed too hard, it’s a brand that serves a small percentage of the population. A value driven, confidence in transport safety would probably land better at this point, it reeks of a brand agency full of people who never and never will take a bus.

Customer querying why X prefixed services aren’t actually quick anymore, ie because they now seem to be a stopping service:

https://twitter.com/wright010619/status/...91015?s=21

(07 Sep 2021, 8:36 am)ne14ne1 wrote Customer querying why X prefixed services aren’t actually quick anymore, ie because they now seem to be a stopping service:

https://twitter.com/wright010619/status/...91015?s=21

What can you really class as Express. Like I only think the X9/X10 are actually Express routes

(07 Sep 2021, 9:35 am)Train8261 wrote What can you really class as Express. Like I only think the X9/X10 are actually Express routes

agreed

(09 Aug 2021, 10:17 pm)Keeiajs wrote GNE already had the X6 & X5/X35/55 and then they pulled out. Unless they have a route which dulicaptes the 22/23/24 with the same amenities as them they arn't getting Hartlepool back. There just isnt the demand.

Only way GNE will get into Hartlepool is to purchase services 22/23/24 from Arriva and don’t brand them Peterlee Purples ([emoji854])


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(07 Sep 2021, 9:35 am)Train8261 wrote What can you really class as Express. Like I only think the X9/X10 are actually Express routes

I’m sure Dan mentioned awhile ago that the xlines brand was more sort of high luxury profile brand and not about express services that northern had 30 years ago, wouldn’t have people complaining if it was prefixed as L than X, too many xlines branded services arrived to quick on the scene, (maybe this wasn’t anything to do of a certain MD in living in that area?).


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(07 Sep 2021, 9:35 am)Train8261 wrote What can you really class as Express. Like I only think the X9/X10 are actually Express routes

If we take the X21 at face value, I'd consider it an express route as it is an 'Express 21', being considerably faster than the regular 21. 
Additionally, looking at the Durham to Bishop/West Auckland section of the route, it is basically the way you would drive anyway.

However, looking at the route as a whole, it obviously doesn't go the quickest way because it's quicker to get to Newcastle going to Bowburn and then straight up the A1.
It does however go the most 'direct' route in terms of distance, being about 4 miles shorter.

(07 Sep 2021, 9:35 am)Train8261 wrote What can you really class as Express. Like I only think the X9/X10 are actually Express routes

X7 / X8 - Non stop between Newcastle and Quorum pretty much while the 52, 54 and 55 does the stopping service (some will disagree but it is express).

X9 / X10 / X11 - Non stop between Cramlington and Newcastle pretty much with the 43 doing the stopping runs. 

X20 / X21 / X22 - Same again but the Bedlington with the 43 and 57 to an extent.

22X Stagecoach - Runs non stop between Cobalt and Newcastle.

X84 / X85 - Run express between Newcastle and Hexham with some stopping services Stagecoach in the West End and 10 on the East side.

X47 / X77 / X78 / X79 / X87 / X88 - run non stop to Cowgate and the quickest route after that while numerous services do the stopping services 87 for example. 

X63 - Runs direct to Killingworth while the 62/63 do the stopping services. 

X20 - non stop between Gateshead and Sunderland.

X12 / X21 - Runs pretty much non stop between CLS / Birtley and Gateshead. 

There's loads. The X5, X15, X30, X31, X45, X46 arent express routes though as they literally stop at every bus stop or take a lengthy diversion from the route you'd take in car without any form of slow service.

X66 also definitely not an express. It’s a stopping service.

(07 Sep 2021, 4:28 pm)Storx wrote X7 / X8 - Non stop between Newcastle and Quorum pretty much while the 52, 54 and 55 does the stopping service (some will disagree but it is express).

X9 / X10 / X11 - Non stop between Cramlington and Newcastle pretty much with the 43 doing the stopping runs. 

X20 / X21 / X22 - Same again but the Bedlington with the 43 and 57 to an extent.

22X Stagecoach - Runs non stop between Cobalt and Newcastle.

X84 / X85 - Run express between Newcastle and Hexham with some stopping services Stagecoach in the West End and 10 on the East side.

X47 / X77 / X78 / X79 / X87 / X88 - run non stop to Cowgate and the quickest route after that while numerous services do the stopping services 87 for example. 

X63 - Runs direct to Killingworth while the 62/63 do the stopping services. 

X20 - non stop between Gateshead and Sunderland.

X12 / X21 - Runs pretty much non stop between CLS / Birtley and Gateshead. 

There's loads. The X5, X15, X30, X31, X45, X46 arent express routes though as they literally stop at every bus stop or take a lengthy diversion from the route you'd take in car without any form of slow service.

I would not say the X7/X8 are that much of an express - after Quorum it stops at most stops through Balliol Business Park, BT Call Centre, the bus stop on Salters Lane just after The BT Call Centre and then South Gosforth Roundabout.  It is only the bit up Matthew Bank and the Great North Road it does not stop at - defo disagree on that one.

And yet X45/46 not stopping from Handy Drive to Newcastle is not an express, cannot see much difference in them 2 routes tbh.

(07 Sep 2021, 4:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote I would not say the X7/X8 are that much of an express - after Quorum it stops at most stops through Balliol Business Park, BT Call Centre, the bus stop on Salters Lane just after The BT Call Centre and then South Gosforth Roundabout.  It is only the bit up Matthew Bank and the Great North Road it does not stop at - defo disagree on that one.

And yet X45/46 not stopping from Handy Drive to Newcastle is not an express, cannot see much difference in them 2 routes tbh.

Aye I know what you mean, I know it does Quorum etc but it's definitely an express from Quorum to Newcastle imo and it's probably worth it for that alone and made much more sense when it was branded as the Quorum Express rather than the current Max. It's quite express between Burradon and Quorum aswell running direct via the A1056 / A189 rather than through West Moor / Killingworth even known it's quicker that way at rush hour but still.

It's definitely on the edge of what an express is though mind in fairness. I had a feeling someone would disagree on it.

---

The X1 / X3 / X3A / X4 / X4A / X17 / X66 / X67 / X93 / X94 are all good examples of expresses down Tees Valley aswell. The X21 (Arriva) / X22 (Arriva) / X26 / X27 / X75 / X76 definitely not so it's not just GNE who have dubious express routes.

Personally I don't see the X9/X10 as express services. They're more intercity / regional routes and similar to Megabus / National Express / Flixbus imo hence they're ran by coaches now instead of conventional buses and also have their own ticketing aswell.

Looking at what it says for X Lines

Welcome to X-lines, your fast, direct bus links from Go North East to get you to work, to the shops, or off for a nice day out. Don't drive, get driven.

Buses are comfortable and easy to spot in their smart gold colour scheme. With free Wi-Fi and USB charging on board, great value fares, next-stop announcements and drivers that are helpful and friendly, it really is the best way to go

It doesn't exactly say that it's a limited stop service. It just says fast and direct links. Which in terms It does

X1 get you to Queen Elizabeth and Springwell quicker than the 56 and Washington to Houghton quicker than the 4

X5/X15 get you to Consett quicker than the 16/16A

X20 get you to Durham quicker than the 20

X21 get you to Durham quicker than the 21

Can't really say the X30/X31/X70/X71/X71/X45/X46 as there doesn't seem to be a bus from Newcastle to Stanley or Consett for them to compete with

X84/X85 get you to Hexham quicker than the 10

The only service bu Go North East you count as limited stops is the X9/X10

Others count as the X66 and X22

X22 is quicker than changing at Chester Le Street to Gateshead then X66 to Metrocentre

X66 is granted a route that only needs to stop at Gateshead and Handy Drive Bus depot and Metrocentre only. Considering after Gateshead it heads along Askew Road then joins up with the other buses to Metrocentre. I don't understand when I've been on it (Before changes and even after) people get on the X66 yet it stops at the exact same stops as the (10/10A/10B/97(before changes)& 6) yet they all get on the X66 when a ten has passed the bus stop seconds before

It's like that meme of all the buses lined up and the person shouting ill get the one at the back. Regent Centre towards Newcastle suffers the most. No matter what bus in front. They will always get the one I'm on. Like even if it was a 43 and 44 following each other

(07 Sep 2021, 5:45 pm)Train8261 wrote Looking at what it says for X Lines

Welcome to X-lines, your fast, direct bus links from Go North East to get you to work, to the shops, or off for a nice day out. Don't drive, get driven.

Buses are comfortable and easy to spot in their smart gold colour scheme. With free Wi-Fi and USB charging on board, great value fares, next-stop announcements and drivers that are helpful and friendly, it really is the best way to go

It doesn't exactly say that it's a limited stop service. It just says fast and direct links. Which in terms It does

X1 get you to Queen Elizabeth and Springwell quicker than the 56 and Washington to Houghton quicker than the 4

X5/X15 get you to Consett quicker than the 16/16A

X20 get you to Durham quicker than the 20

X21 get you to Durham quicker than the 21

Can't really say the X30/X31/X70/X71/X71/X45/X46 as there doesn't seem to be a bus from Newcastle to Stanley or Consett for them to compete with

X84/X85 get you to Hexham quicker than the 10

The only service bu Go North East you count as limited stops is the X9/X10

Others count as the X66 and X22

X22 is quicker than changing at Chester Le Street to Gateshead then X66 to Metrocentre

X66 is granted a route that only needs to stop at Gateshead and Handy Drive Bus depot and Metrocentre only. Considering after Gateshead it heads along Askew Road then joins up with the other buses to Metrocentre. I don't understand when I've been on it (Before changes and even after) people get on the X66 yet it stops at the exact same stops as the (10/10A/10B/97(before changes)& 6) yet they all get on the X66 when a ten has passed the bus stop seconds before

It's like that meme of all the buses lined up and the person shouting ill get the one at the back. Regent Centre towards Newcastle suffers the most. No matter what bus in front. They will always get the one I'm on. Like even if it was a 43 and 44 following each other

See personally I don't see the X5 / X15 are express at all. The 16/16A is just a totally different bus route. To make the X5/X15 express you'd have to have one service which stops everywhere as it does now. Then have a second service which says runs non stop from Durham to Delves Lane maybe stopping at the hospital and one bus stop in Lanchester and that's it (not going through Witton Gilbert etc).

The 1/X1 is a good example of that down in Darlington with the 1 stopping everywhere then the X1 running pretty much non stop to Shildon.

The X70/X71 are a funny one as they're similar to the X7/X8 which I said were an express being a quick 97 pretty much. They're both debatable though. The X1 is express aswell forgot about it ngl.