(18 Mar 2026, 5:51 pm)Arriva7446 wrote It's strange with the poor availability of Solos at Percy Main how they are putting the bigger buses on the 342 rather than the 356. The 342 never needs anything bigger than a Solo, but the 356 could do with it.

I don't know, but it's probably because of Murton Village. It's not the widest of roads around there to be hauling full length saloons around.

Used to have Leyland National Mk2s and Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Darts back in the day going around Murton Village.

And last year were happy enough sending Open Top Buses around it - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4631810470

Interesting choice for the Airport 787 route.
They have went with the Voltra E10's to be the allocation

(18 Mar 2026, 11:34 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Used to have Leyland National Mk2s and Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Darts back in the day going around Murton Village.

And last year were happy enough sending Open Top Buses around it - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...4631810470

I actually remember the 'old' 307 on a Handybus!

(Yesterday, 11:40 am)L469 YVK wrote I actually remember the 'old' 307 on a Handybus!

Yeah i remember those

(Yesterday, 11:32 am)X919 WGR wrote Interesting choice for the Airport 787 route.
They have went with the Voltra E10's to be the allocation

Funnily enough you mention that because it isn't actually their official allocation. It was the drivers who decided to take them out. I was speaking to one of the drivers, and he said they were supposed to have supervisors to help them along the route and neither of them showed up, and when he asked the engineers what bus he needed, they just screamed at him "We're on break take anything". They were both also running with no destintion screen which I'll be talking about in another post on here

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So I hate to be "that guy" but I've had to chain-send an email to Nexus, Go North East and Stagecoach about misinfomation regarding the changes today. Instead of re-typing it, I'm just copying and pasting my email to them below

I am writing to Nexus, Stagecoach and Go Ahead regarding some issues with the changes that commenced March 22nd. These issues are regarding misinformation on bus stops, and the lack of professional punctuality with one operator.

Stagecoach
Regarding the bus stop changes on Blackett Street, online bus timetables and route lines show the 32's now serving the former 39/40 stand alongside the 12. However, the actual timetable at the bus stops, and Nexus issued yellow posters show that the 32 is still serving the same stop as prior to the changes. No one knows where the 32's will truly stop.

Go North East
Regarding the 787, timetables along Wallsend High Street have not been changed to display the 787. There is also nothing to suggest the 787 serving Byker Morrisons bus stop although driving past it. This seems a bit ridiculous. Another issue is that on the first day of the 787 under Go North East, no destination screen was displayed on either bus, which is a legal requirement, and is literally the basics. Destination screens should be updated at least a day before the changes, not last minute. The allocation choice also seems downgraded from nice spacious double deckers to cramped up singles, and for the route to be extended too.

(Yesterday, 3:20 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote Funnily enough you mention that because it isn't actually their official allocation. It was the drivers who decided to take them out. I was speaking to one of the drivers, and he said they were supposed to have supervisors to help them along the route and neither of them showed up, and when he asked the engineers what bus he needed, they just screamed at him "We're on break take anything". They were both also running with no destintion screen which I'll be talking about in another post on here

---

So I hate to be "that guy" but I've had to chain-send an email to Nexus, Go North East and Stagecoach about misinfomation regarding the changes today. Instead of re-typing it, I'm just copying and pasting my email to them below

I am writing to Nexus, Stagecoach and Go Ahead regarding some issues with the changes that commenced March 22nd. These issues are regarding misinformation on bus stops, and the lack of professional punctuality with one operator.

Stagecoach
Regarding the bus stop changes on Blackett Street, online bus timetables and route lines show the 32's now serving the former 39/40 stand alongside the 12. However, the actual timetable at the bus stops, and Nexus issued yellow posters show that the 32 is still serving the same stop as prior to the changes. No one knows where the 32's will truly stop.

Go North East
Regarding the 787, timetables along Wallsend High Street have not been changed to display the 787. There is also nothing to suggest the 787 serving Byker Morrisons bus stop although driving past it. This seems a bit ridiculous. Another issue is that on the first day of the 787 under Go North East, no destination screen was displayed on either bus, which is a legal requirement, and is literally the basics. Destination screens should be updated at least a day before the changes, not last minute. The allocation choice also seems downgraded from nice spacious double deckers to cramped up singles, and for the route to be extended too.

Destination display for 787 is programmed it was done on the 28 /02/26. When all new sevices were also done (including 333)

(Yesterday, 4:03 pm)Retro Nero wrote Destination display for 787 is programmed it was done on the 28 /02/26. When all new sevices were also done (including 333)

Whey, clearly not for the Yutongs 'cause I seen with my own two eyes both 787s were running with no destination screen.

Also, 333 and 787 are operated by two complete different depot's so they won't even be on the same file.

Updated from the Go North East Website:
- X1/X1A are no longer X-Lines
- X5/X15 are no longer X-Lines
- X20 is no longer X-Lines
- X45 is no longer X-Lines
- 27 is now GNE Red, Crusader is gone
- 47 is now GNE Red, Red Kite Ranger is gone

(Yesterday, 4:54 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote Whey, clearly not for the Yutongs 'cause I seen with my own two eyes both 787s were running with no destination screen.

Also, 333 and 787 are operated by two complete different depot's so they won't even be on the same file.

Every service throughout all depots are programmed into every vehicle, this has been like this for a number of years now, this also helps with vehicle movements around each depot and doesn't need reprogramming every time a vehicle is swapped or loaned. (So yes it will be on the same file)

(Yesterday, 5:01 pm)X919 WGR wrote Updated from the Go North East Website:
- X1/X1A are no longer X-Lines
- X5/X15 are no longer X-Lines
- X20 is no longer X-Lines
- X45 is no longer X-Lines
- 27 is now GNE Red, Crusader is gone
- 47 is now GNE Red, Red Kite Ranger is gone

Good stuff. 

(Yesterday, 5:05 pm)Retro Nero wrote Every service throughout all depots are programmed into every vehicle, this has been like this for a number of years now, this also helps with vehicle movements around each depot and doesn't need reprogramming every time a vehicle is swapped or loaned. (So yes it will be on the same file)

The Yutongs don't have hanover displays, might be why it wasn't programmed into them.

(Yesterday, 5:29 pm)deanmachine wrote The Yutongs don't have hanover displays, might be why it wasn't programmed into them.

Are they even Mobitech? Cos to me the Yutong dest's look like neither Mobitech or Hanover.

(Yesterday, 6:40 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote Are they even Mobitech? Cos to me the Yutong dest's look like neither Mobitech or Hanover.

I think they're Mckenna Brothers Displays

(Yesterday, 5:10 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Good stuff. 

At least I now know about that X-Lines status of the X5/X15 haha. I think once those B5LH's got took off it was game over for the X-Lines branding for that route. Only route I think that has went from a Streetdeck (Looks like a Gemini 3) to a Gemini 2 to Gemini 1. Now we are back to the Streetdeck
Also with the route it Might as well be the roundabout express them. Just from Durham Bus Station to Langley Park its 9 roundabouts with the addition of the new one being built between the Fire Station and Lanchester Road Hospital

(Yesterday, 7:27 pm)Malarkey wrote I think they're Mckenna Brothers Displays

McKenna Brothers are UK suppliers for Mobitech, and the Yutongs are fitted with mobitech equipment.

When they were ordered, it was because MG wanted them as opposed to every other vehicle in the fleet.

So if X-Lines is going, why not revert the route number back to its previous (apart from the X1, X10, X20)
X5/X15- 15
X45- 45

(2 hours ago)V514DFT wrote So if X-Lines is going, why not revert the route number back to its previous (apart from the X1, X10, X20)
X5/X15- 15
X45- 45

Hope so. You cant even class them as express to begin with. What makes them express. What not stopping between Central Station & Metrocentre for the X45. Idk what your saving by making it not stop

Ive noticed the 342 has stopped tracking since about 11am

(Yesterday, 4:54 pm)SN69 ZRC wrote Whey, clearly not for the Yutongs 'cause I seen with my own two eyes both 787s were running with no destination screen.

Also, 333 and 787 are operated by two complete different depot's so they won't even be on the same file.

They do have them programed as shown below 

https://flic.kr/p/2s3AuCc

(2 hours ago)V514DFT wrote So if X-Lines is going, why not revert the route number back to its previous (apart from the X1, X10, X20)
X5/X15- 15
X45- 45

I think it should just stay as what they are.

It's just an easier way of telling customers that the X45 is the direct version of the 47 from Consett to Metrocentre & Newcastle.

Same thing with the X5/X15. Its just the direct Durham bus from Consett.
Also people in the Delves Lane area are pretty much used to the X5 number. It will just cause confusion once again if it were to ever go back to the 15/15A.

They've had these numbers for 7 years and regardless of X-Lines or not. Its better knowing which route is a direct as a opposed to taking a gamble on which route will get me there quickest.

Look at when the 26/27 went from Newcastle. If you were an elderly person and had no access to the app you are picking 50/50 on which of the 2 will get me to South Shields quickest especially when both via's at one point said "Via Hebburn & Jarrow" no via saying the very long extension on the 26. One takes 10 minutes from Jarrow, the other is Nürburgring.

I would argue much different if the numbers were not 1 or 2 away from the next number.
Some will see the 15 thinking its the 16 and vice versa.

Sorry for the waffle on. Probably a much longer response than needed but it's just what I think.

(36 minutes ago)X919 WGR wrote I think it should just stay as what they are.

It's just an easier way of telling customers that the X45 is the direct version of the 47 from Consett to Metrocentre & Newcastle.

Same thing with the X5/X15. Its just the direct Durham bus from Consett.
Also people in the Delves Lane area are pretty much used to the X5 number. It will just cause confusion once again if it were to ever go back to the 15/15A.

They've had these numbers for 7 years and regardless of X-Lines or not. Its better knowing which route is a direct as a opposed to taking a gamble on which route will get me there quickest.

Look at when the 26/27 went from Newcastle. If you were an elderly person and had no access to the app you are picking 50/50 on which of the 2 will get me to South Shields quickest especially when both via's at one point said "Via Hebburn & Jarrow" no via saying the very long extension on the 26. One takes 10 minutes from Jarrow, the other is Nürburgring.

I would argue much different if the numbers were not 1 or 2 away from the next number.
Some will see the 15 thinking its the 16 and vice versa.

Sorry for the waffle on. Probably a much longer response than needed but it's just what I think.

See I'd kinda argue the opposite for the X45/47, they're a combined corridor for most of the route and the current numbers don't shout that at all imo. They badly need to be next to each other and advertised as one as a 15 minute service rather than two 30 minute services. 

The 47 is a silly bus route though as it's unacceptably long from end to end and people at the Consett side don't have an alternative either.

It's a corridor which badly needs to be restored to the pre covid timetable with the 45/46/47 imo, even if you tried something different - serving Medomsley and different parts of Shotley Bridge - or whatever. They've always got healthy loads whenever I see them tbh so it's not like it's increasing a dead corridor and if it ends being reduced to single deckers at the same time then so be it.

(10 minutes ago)Storx wrote See I'd kinda argue the opposite for the X45/47, they're a combined corridor for most of the route and the current numbers don't shout that at all imo. They badly need to be next to each other and advertised as one as a 15 minute service rather than two 30 minute services. 

The 47 is a silly bus route though as it's unacceptably long from end to end and people at the Consett side don't have an alternative either.

It's a corridor which badly needs to be restored to the pre covid timetable with the 45/46/47 imo, even if you tried something different - serving Medomsley and different parts of Shotley Bridge - or whatever. They've always got healthy loads whenever I see them tbh so it's not like it's increasing a dead corridor.

A half hourly service from Chopwell and Blackhall Mill into Consett seems excessive, as my own opinion, it should be the 10A running up to Consett hourly, or even better, the reintroduction of the V9 with like you said the (x)46 reintroduced to keep Consett-Newcastle every 15 along that corridor.

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(43 minutes ago)Liam Hall wrote They do have them programed as shown below 

https://flic.kr/p/2s3AuCc

Given all the issues that have been publicised about Sunday mornings operations, I think it’s just a learning curve for the future. Having a tender that requires drivers start before 03:00 was never going to be a completely smooth operation and it certainly could have went a lot worse.