GCT supposedly has the 37, 57, 319 & R5 from next month. The 57 will only be from Heworth to Wardley that they will operate.

(11 Jun 2025, 7:53 am)Thomas12 wrote I find it hard to believe the service is ‘amazing’ and I doubt most passengers will notice or even care that Go North East are operating it.

The difference between a large operator and a small operator is that the latter can ensure a smaller pool of drivers run the service who get to know passengers by name, where they board and alight, will remain stationary until all passengers have sat down, and so on.

If you travelled on the 643 service over the last 2-3 days, I think you’d find the talk of the bus is how they’re absolutely devastated Northstar has lost the contract and how poor the public perceive Go North East’s reliability to be (based on recent performance of the 6).

The 643 has one elderly customer whose young grandson is autistic and will not travel on a Go North East bus, but loves the blue Northstar bus and will exclusively travel on the 643 only. That customer has no idea how they are going to travel from July.

There are several elderly customers on the 643 who use the service just to see and speak with the two regular drivers, who they have come to know very well over the last twelve months. They have said they are unlikely to travel with Go North East and won’t have as much human interaction, as there’ll be a multitude of drivers rather than a very small number.

Do not underestimate the value of good customer service, or the great effort that Northstar as a company has put in over the last 11 months.

(11 Jun 2025, 7:53 am)Thomas12 wrote I find it hard to believe the service is ‘amazing’ and I doubt most passengers will notice or even care that Go North East are operating it.

Is that because your own expectations are so low for bus services? 

I'd be delighted if an operator served where I lived, and they put the same level of time and commitment into presentation and customer experience as Northstar do. Indeed, it's something I've previously praised Go North East for under different management, but the current bunch couldn't care less. 

I don't think independents have to have a monopoly on excellent presentation and customer experience either. Operators like Transdev and trentbarton have shown that it's possible to deliver the same, but on a greater scale. It comes down to what the management see as a priority, and in the case of Go North East and Arriva in the North East, it's so far down the list that it didn't make the print.

It's supposed to be a public service. We shouldn't accept any old rubbish.

(11 Jun 2025, 11:14 am)S830OFT wrote GCT supposedly has the 37, 57, 319 & R5 from next month. The 57 will only be from Heworth to Wardley that they will operate.

Only evenings 57 I'm guessing. Or full 57 being cut

(11 Jun 2025, 11:14 am)S830OFT wrote GCT supposedly has the 37, 57, 319 & R5 from next month. The 57 will only be from Heworth to Wardley that they will operate.

Renumbering of the tunnel route to 319 meaning the current 19 will have to stay as is unless the plans to merge the two but I find that unlikely.

(11 Jun 2025, 11:30 am)Dan wrote The difference between a large operator and a small operator is that the latter can ensure a smaller pool of drivers run the service who get to know passengers by name, where they board and alight, will remain stationary until all passengers have sat down, and so on.

If you travelled on the 643 service over the last 2-3 days, I think you’d find the talk of the bus is how they’re absolutely devastated Northstar has lost the contract and how poor the public perceive Go North East’s reliability to be (based on recent performance of the 6).

The 643 has one elderly customer whose young grandson is autistic and will not travel on a Go North East bus, but loves the blue Northstar bus and will exclusively travel on the 643 only. That customer has no idea how they are going to travel from July.

There are several elderly customers on the 643 who use the service just to see and speak with the two regular drivers, who they have come to know very well over the last twelve months. They have said they are unlikely to travel with Go North East and won’t have as much human interaction, as there’ll be a multitude of drivers rather than a very small number.

Do not underestimate the value of good customer service, or the great effort that Northstar as a company has put in over the last 11 months.

Its a shame Northstar couldn't run the 643 commercially then everyone including the tax payer would be happy

(11 Jun 2025, 11:30 am)Dan wrote The difference between a large operator and a small operator is that the latter can ensure a smaller pool of drivers run the service who get to know passengers by name, where they board and alight, will remain stationary until all passengers have sat down, and so on.

If you travelled on the 643 service over the last 2-3 days, I think you’d find the talk of the bus is how they’re absolutely devastated Northstar has lost the contract and how poor the public perceive Go North East’s reliability to be (based on recent performance of the 6).

The 643 has one elderly customer whose young grandson is autistic and will not travel on a Go North East bus, but loves the blue Northstar bus and will exclusively travel on the 643 only. That customer has no idea how they are going to travel from July.

There are several elderly customers on the 643 who use the service just to see and speak with the two regular drivers, who they have come to know very well over the last twelve months. They have said they are unlikely to travel with Go North East and won’t have as much human interaction, as there’ll be a multitude of drivers rather than a very small number.

Do not underestimate the value of good customer service, or the great effort that Northstar as a company has put in over the last 11 months.

So before Northstar took over the 643 (or before Northstar even existed), none of these passengers used the service as it was operated by Go North East? (or GCT earlier on).

And now many of the regular passengers are unlikely to use the service which has a similar timetable to now because Northstar aren’t going to operate it? I find that hard to believe.

(12 Jun 2025, 8:08 am)Thomas12 wrote So before Northstar took over the 643 (or before Northstar even existed), none of these passengers used the service as it was operated by Go North East? (or GCT earlier on).

And now many of the regular passengers are unlikely to use the service which has a similar timetable to now because Northstar aren’t going to operate it? I find that hard to believe.

To be fair, GoNorthEast is absolutely hated outside the bus circles ever since the bus strikes and the reliability which has been dire since Covid pretty much. I wouldn't be surprised if people are unhappy they're taking it back over and are choosing it over the 6 because of it's timekeeping.

I know locally there's quite a few people who choose the 19 to Cramlington over the 57/57A because of the dire reliability of the Arriva services. If Arriva ran it, I'd highly doubt they'd use it.

I'm gonna start with an unusual sentence but I am delighted that Northstar has lost this contract

It is not because of their brilliant service and customer service of doing things differently but it shows that Nexus is actually doing their job.

Working in the best interest of the taxpayer based on cost.

Sadly if Northstar bid wasn't the cheapest perhaps other bidders put in different proposals for the bid.

But we must remember that these contracts are tax payer funded contracts.

Northstar for all we know may of put a competitive bid in and GNE have put in a counter bid and said we will take it on a semi risk (forgot what the technical bit is called)

I am not going to lie Northstar has done more for that service in promoting it even as a secured service than Nexus have and on top of social media posts and new timetables for the service

Give Northstar credit they have promoted the service so much it has became attractive for GNE perhaps but Northstar may of changed perceptions of secured services on promote as much as possible.

look at GCT when did they promote a nexus secured service like Northstar did with the 643 ?

Northstar losing the contract can be positive as it means that more passengers are using the service GNE have the monopoly of the area so interworking with thier tickets are better for the passengers and that area and Northstar can look for new challenges ... look at other services they could change adapt and increase passenger numbers on.

Customers will remember the Northstar brand and no doubt they will be back in the area but for a new company they have done fantastic but we cannot allow Secured Services to be given to companies at a premium price.

We see GCT time and time again going for the one man band services (pheonix scarlet band compass) to name a few services they have undercut to secure the services - we need a bit of rationale and to think Northstar has done a brilliant job on behalf of the taxpayer

but lets see what is the next service Dan and his team can turnaround afterall they currently have a service in North Yorkshire!

(12 Jun 2025, 8:55 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote I'm gonna start with an unusual sentence but I am delighted  that Northstar has lost this contract

It is not because of their  brilliant service and customer service  of doing things differently but  it shows that Nexus is actually doing their job.

Working in the best interest of the taxpayer  based on cost.

Sadly if Northstar bid wasn't the cheapest perhaps other bidders put in different proposals for the bid.

But we must remember that these contracts are tax payer funded contracts. 

Northstar for all we know may of put a competitive bid in and GNE have put in a counter bid and said we will take it on a semi risk (forgot what the technical bit is called)

I am not going to lie Northstar has done more for that service in promoting it even as a secured service than Nexus have and on top of social media posts and new timetables for the service

Give Northstar credit they have promoted the service so much it has became attractive for GNE perhaps but Northstar may of changed perceptions of secured services on promote as much as possible.

look at GCT when did they promote a nexus secured service like Northstar did with the 643 ?

Northstar losing the contract can be positive as it means that more passengers are using the service GNE have the monopoly of the area so interworking with thier tickets are better for the passengers and that area and Northstar can look for new challenges ... look at other services they could change adapt and increase passenger numbers on.

Customers will remember the Northstar brand and no doubt they will be back in the area but for a new company they have done fantastic but we cannot allow Secured Services to be given  to companies at a premium price.

We see GCT time and time again going for the one man band services (pheonix scarlet band  compass) to name a few services they have undercut to secure the services - we need a bit of rationale and to think Northstar has done a brilliant job on behalf of the taxpayer

but lets see what is the next service Dan and his team  can turnaround afterall they currently have a service in North Yorkshire!

Do we know if/how much passenger numbers have increased on the 643?  Don't use the service myself so no idea but just wondering where the idea of a turnaround has come from.

well there was a proposal of a variation of the contract a few months ago and to tweak the service

Of course GNE taking over will mean a fare increase as Im assuming NStar used Nexus fares ( yes I know its 2.5 max but nexus bus fares start at 1.90/)

(12 Jun 2025, 9:34 am)Storx wrote To be fair, GoNorthEast is absolutely hated outside the bus circles ever since the bus strikes and the reliability which has been dire since Covid pretty much. I wouldn't be surprised if people are unhappy they're taking it back over and are choosing it over the 6 because of it's timekeeping.

I know locally there's quite a few people who choose the 19 to Cramlington over the 57/57A because of the dire reliability of the Arriva services. If Arriva ran it, I'd highly doubt they'd use it.

I get that people will be disappointed that the service it changing to what they see as a poor alternative, but I dont but that they won't use it because the company providing the service has changed. They might not be happy with it, but they'll use it to get from a to b. I wasnt happy that GNE took the 342 from what had been a reliable GCT service, but I still use it as I need to.

(13 Jun 2025, 11:46 pm)Shrek wrote I get that people will be disappointed that the service it changing to what they see as a poor alternative, but I dont but that they won't use it because the company providing the service has changed. They might not be happy with it, but they'll use it to get from a to b. I wasnt happy that GNE took the 342 from what had been a reliable GCT service, but I still use it as I need to.

Aye, I get what you're saying. It's different this one though as there's other services in the area where it serves (6/301/X73) depending where you are. Reading through the lines, it seems like there's a few people who are going out their way to use the 643 as it's more reliable.

If the option is GNE on a 30 minute service vs a bus a few times a day, would people go out their way for the few times a day service - I'm unsure.

It's the same with the 19/57/57A up here. Truthfully I've done it a few times when the 57/57A is stupidly late 20+ plus late under principal as I know it'll catch it up as there's usually a reason why it's 20 minutes late and it isn't usually traffic related ie. new driver, knackered bus, stupidily small vehicle etc.

PB0003954/1470
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 99 Leechmere Road ASDA Hylton Castle

PB0003954/1472
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 644 (644) Whickham Metrocentre ASDA

PB0003954/1471
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 643 (643) Metrocentre ASDA Sunniside

PB0003954/1434
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 67 (67) Metrocentre Wardley

PB0003954/1203
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 9 Jarrow Sunderland

PB0003954/1222
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 51, 52 (51, 52) Gateshead Gateshead

PB0003954/1435
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 69 (69) Winlaton Wardley

PB0003954/296
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 49,49A (49, 49A) Gateshead Winlaton

PB0003954/1214
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 96 (96) Metrocentre Gateshead

(18 Jun 2025, 8:52 am)Michael wrote PB0003954/1470
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 99 Leechmere Road ASDA Hylton Castle

PB0003954/1472
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 644 (644) Whickham Metrocentre ASDA

PB0003954/1471
New GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 643 (643) Metrocentre ASDA Sunniside

PB0003954/1434
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 67 (67) Metrocentre Wardley

PB0003954/1203
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 9 Jarrow Sunderland

PB0003954/1222
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 51, 52 (51, 52) Gateshead Gateshead

PB0003954/1435
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 69 (69) Winlaton Wardley

PB0003954/296
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 49,49A (49, 49A) Gateshead Winlaton

PB0003954/1214
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 96 (96) Metrocentre Gateshead

The hell is the 644

9 cut from North Shields again?

(18 Jun 2025, 4:35 pm)V514DFT wrote 9 cut from North Shields again?

Yep being replaced by the 319 again

Jeeze do they ever stop

How often is the tunnel service up to tender.

I thought it would be a minimum of 12 months but obviously it isnt.

Its a waste of time, effort and money tendering at such regular intervals

It'll be GCT likely operating it with breadvans, believe it or not but it has been 12 months since the 10/11 was swapped for the 9

Shame, I've been surprised how many people were using the 9 all the way through the tunnel to Sunderland. Shame it's just stuck on as an afterthought rather than the service it used to be.

It was the same case when it was 10/11

Go North East routes have appeared on bustimes.org as part of the 21st July changes. Few things to note

X32 route still shows it serving Cragside Gardens

644 route has appeared now. Will start after 9.37 from Metrocentre to Asda then will do its route then finsh at Metrocentre at 14.37

301 has a route change in the morning for Newcastle in which services between 6.20-9.45 will serve Central Station towards Gateshead

(18 Jun 2025, 7:56 pm)V514DFT wrote It'll be GCT likely operating it with breadvans, believe it or not but it has been 12 months since the 10/11 was swapped for the 9

Doesnt time fly....i didnt think it was even 6 months.

Surely passengers numbers must indicate when on standalone Jarrow - North Shields, the numbers must be lower than when they are bolted on to other services, ie 9, 10, 11.

Maybe Nexus should look at extending the 515 to Jarrow from Hebburn and extend that to North Shields as opposed to standalone 319, if they want GCT to operate.

Plenty of opportunites around to look at really.

(19 Jun 2025, 7:00 am)LVK 404L wrote Doesnt time fly....i didnt think it was even 6 months.

Surely passengers numbers must indicate when on standalone Jarrow - North Shields, the numbers must be lower than when they are bolted on to other services, ie 9, 10, 11.

Maybe Nexus should look at extending the 515 to Jarrow from Hebburn and extend that to North Shields as opposed to standalone 319, if they want GCT to operate.

Plenty of opportunites around to look at really.

Agreed, yeah it was July last year the 9 took over from the 10/11, in the last 10 years its been the 9, then the 5, then the 319, then the 10/11, then back to the 9 again, now back to the 319, bit of clever planning and they could have the best of both worlds, 
19, reverted back to its previous routing
319, Jarrow- Killingworth (via Backworth) eliminating the whole "two 19's issue"

(06 Jun 2025, 9:36 pm)F114TML wrote 301A... was 302 unavailable?

(19 Jun 2025, 5:13 am)Aaron21 wrote Go North East routes have appeared on bustimes.org as part of the 21st July changes. Few things to note

X32 route still shows it serving Cragside Gardens

644 route has appeared now. Will start after 9.37 from Metrocentre to Asda then will do its route then finsh at Metrocentre at 14.37

301 has a route change in the morning for Newcastle in which services between 6.20-9.45 will serve Central Station towards Gateshead

I'm probably being a little dumb, but how do I see the post- 21st July X32 timetable.   I can only see to 10th July.

7th July 2025

PB0003954/1401
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 700 (700) St Peter's Campus St Peter's Campus

PB0003954/1402
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 701 (701) St Peter's Campus St Peter's Campus

(20 Jun 2025, 1:16 pm)Michael wrote 7th July 2025

PB0003954/1401
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 700 (700) St Peter's Campus St Peter's Campus

PB0003954/1402
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 701 (701) St Peter's Campus St Peter's Campus

Summer Timetable 700
Withdrawn (during Summer) 701

Full details

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/service-ch...-july-2025