(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

---

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

(7 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

(7 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.

(6 hours 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 and runs 3 minutes in front of the X45 at the Consett side. 

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.

(5 hours 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.

---

(6 hours 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.

(5 hours ago)220631612 wrote 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.

Aye that's my thoughts aswell, I'd be tempted to try and change the routes a little bit at Consett though and fund it as part of a subsidy, maybe something like:


The areas in white currently have zero bus service (which is a serious issue) and the areas in the blue don't have a service to Newcastle, with Meadomsley getting a better service to boot. 

Can't see where the complaints would come from tbh, as long as the 10A extension went via the retail park from Blackhill.

(5 hours ago)Storx wrote Aye that's my thoughts aswell, I'd be tempted to try and change the routes a little bit at Consett though and fund it as part of a subsidy, maybe something like:


The areas in white currently have zero bus service (which is a serious issue) and the areas in the blue don't have a service to Newcastle, with Meadomsley getting a better service to boot. 

Can't see where the complaints would come from tbh, as long as the 10A extension went via the retail park from Blackhill.

10A would actually be fairly alright to be extended right into Consett.
I think one better solution would be to reintroduce the 2021 version of the 47 & 47A. When it went Consett --> Shotley Bridge Hospital (47) --> Leadgate & Medomsley (47A) --> Blackhall --> Chopwell --> Rowlands Gill --> Metrocentre --> Newcastle.

or if you want to get into the time machine and bring back the 46A alongside the V9 or even at least extend the V5 up to Chopwell to cover Ebchester Bank it could be more beneficial. That way the 16 can be shortned to just run between Durham & Consett.

(4 hours ago)X919 WGR wrote 10A would actually be fairly alright to be extended right into Consett.
I think one better solution would be to reintroduce the 2021 version of the 47 & 47A. When it went Consett --> Shotley Bridge Hospital (47) --> Leadgate & Medomsley (47A) --> Blackhall --> Chopwell --> Rowlands Gill --> Metrocentre --> Newcastle.

or if you want to get into the time machine and bring back the 46A alongside the V9 or even at least extend the V5 up to Chopwell to cover Ebchester Bank it could be more beneficial. That way the 16 can be shortned to just run between Durham & Consett.

Aye, sure there's lots of ideas you could come with really, bonus points if you can get rid of all the Venture services, I'd assume your 47A would replace the V5? I'm sure the people in Delves Lane would appreciate links further afield than Consett aswell, there's more than enough services terminating in Consett.

(4 hours ago)Storx wrote Aye, sure there's lots of ideas you could come with really, bonus points if you can get rid of all the Venture services, I'd assume your 47A would replace the V5? I'm sure the people in Delves Lane would appreciate links further afield than Consett aswell, there's more than enough services terminating in Consett.

What about this:

1️⃣ 10A – Consett ⇄ Newcastle (All-Stops Core)

Route:
Consett → Shotley Bridge → Blackhill → Blackhall Mill → High Spen → Crawcrook → Ryton → Blaydon → Metrocentre → Newcastle

Extensions (alternating journeys):

Crookhall
Delves → Leadgate → Medomsley → The Dene
⏱ Frequency:
Every 15 minutes (base)
Each branch effectively:
Crookhall: every 30 mins
Medomsley/The Dene: every 30 mins
? Role:
Main coverage + connectivity route
Timed to connect with X45/X47 at Consett

2️⃣ X45 – Consett ⇄ Newcastle (Fast via Ebchester)

Route:
Consett → Blackhill → Shotley Bridge → Ebchester → Rowlands Gill → Swalwell → Metrocentre → Newcastle

⏱ Frequency:
Every 30 minutes (daytime)
Every 60 minutes (evening)
? Role:
Primary fast Derwent Valley corridor
Covers unique links (Ebchester, Swalwell)

3️⃣ X47 – Consett ⇄ Newcastle (Fast via Chopwell)

Route:
Consett → Shotley Bridge → Blackhall Mill → Chopwell → High Spen → Rowlands Gill → Metrocentre → Newcastle

⏱ Frequency:
Every 30 minutes (daytime)
Every 60 minutes (evening)
? Role:
Secondary express
Adds capacity + covers Chopwell
? Combined Corridor Frequency
? Consett ⇄ Metrocentre ⇄ Newcastle:
10A: every 15 mins
X45: every 30 mins
X47: every 30 mins

? Combined = every 7–8 minutes

? Example Even Headway Pattern
Minutes past hour Service
00 10A (Crookhall)
07 X45
15 10A (Medomsley)
22 X47
30 10A (Crookhall)
37 X45
45 10A (Medomsley)
52 X47

? Creates turn-up-and-go service on core corridor

? Evening / Sunday Simplification

To reduce cost but keep coverage:

10A → every 30 mins (still alternating branches)
X45 → every 60 mins
X47 withdrawn evenings (covered by 10A + X45)

? Keeps:

Simplicity
Coverage
Lower operating cost

(4 hours ago)Storx wrote Aye, sure there's lots of ideas you could come with really, bonus points if you can get rid of all the Venture services, I'd assume your 47A would replace the V5? I'm sure the people in Delves Lane would appreciate links further afield than Consett aswell, there's more than enough services terminating in Consett.

See thats would it would have to be as that was the result as to why the V5 was removed. The 47A replaced it at that time which then caused GNE to create the V3 between Medomsley/The Dene & Consett going through Shotley (i think).

I think some possible simple solutions GNE could come up with to try and at least calm down the 45 & 47 especially with more common Enviro 200MMC Allocations

So here's what I would do.

I won't do timings for these suggestions.

- Withdraw Services V1 & V2 since Venture is no longer being continued and remove the Town Centre --> Crookhall section of the V5.
- Have the 47 be extended to Crookhall & Delves Lane to cover the V1/V2 circular & V5 chunk.
- Change the V5 to Start at Templetown/Hownsgill Depot and run through this order: Hownsgill --> Consett --> Shotley Bridge --> Hospital --> Shotley Bridge Bank (Summerhill) --> The Dene --> Medomsley. This will remove the 16 to Shotley Extension. Also route does not need to be named the V5. Could be the C1 or a random number or even be the same
                                                                                                   (replaces V5 from Consett to Medomsley)
- Reintroduce the 47A as either 46 or 45A. Runs between Consett --> Leadgate --> Bradley Bungalows --> Medomsley --> Ebchester Bank --> Lintzford --> Rowlands Gill --> Metrocentre --> Newcastle Eldon Square. Reintroduces the Metrocentre & Rowlands Gill link for Leadgate to Medomsley for the 3rd time in the past 20 years.


Summarised.
- Reintroduced Links to Metrocentre & Newcastle for Delves Lane
- V5 becomes a Shotley Circular
- An Additional Metrocentre Bus for Leadgate & Medomsley

Its not a lot but could just quieten down some of the 45 journeys

(5 hours 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 and runs 3 minutes in front of the X45 at the Consett side. 

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.

As a local i completely agree. The withdrawal of the X46 with the replacement of the 47 is completely unfair on Bridgehill residents. 
Alongside this peak time is a pain if one X45 is cancelled at 7:15 or 7:50 those who live on that corridor cannot get into town before 9am as the 47 takes so long and is infrequent on a morning (most journeys begin at blackhall mill) 

The first iteration of the 47 was probably most beneficial via Shotley Bridge Hospital continuing along the old V9 route. 
Many residents relied/utilised the V3/4/9 and some sections of the route passengers only have the choice of the 773 within a short walking distance, many who are quite old due to there being no service. (Woodlands road + number one roundabout)

---

(1 hour ago)X919 WGR wrote See thats would it would have to be as that was the result as to why the V5 was removed. The 47A replaced it at that time which then caused GNE to create the V3 between Medomsley/The Dene & Consett going through Shotley (i think).

I think some possible simple solutions GNE could come up with to try and at least calm down the 45 & 47 especially with more common Enviro 200MMC Allocations

So here's what I would do.

I won't do timings for these suggestions.

- Withdraw Services V1 & V2 since Venture is no longer being continued and remove the Town Centre --> Crookhall section of the V5.
- Have the 47 be extended to Crookhall & Delves Lane to cover the V1/V2 circular & V5 chunk.
- Change the V5 to Start at Templetown/Hownsgill Depot and run through this order: Hownsgill --> Consett --> Shotley Bridge --> Hospital --> Shotley Bridge Bank (Summerhill) --> The Dene --> Medomsley. This will remove the 16 to Shotley Extension. Also route does not need to be named the V5. Could be the C1 or a random number or even be the same
                                                                                                   (replaces V5 from Consett to Medomsley)
- Reintroduce the 47A as either 46 or 45A. Runs between Consett --> Leadgate --> Bradley Bungalows --> Medomsley --> Ebchester Bank --> Lintzford --> Rowlands Gill --> Metrocentre --> Newcastle Eldon Square. Reintroduces the Metrocentre & Rowlands Gill link for Leadgate to Medomsley for the 3rd time in the past 20 years.


Summarised.
- Reintroduced Links to Metrocentre & Newcastle for Delves Lane
- V5 becomes a Shotley Circular
- An Additional Metrocentre Bus for Leadgate & Medomsley

Its not a lot but could just quieten down some of the 45 journeys

Good on paper however extending an already long service to then serve delves lane seems silly. Short + frequent links from short circulars means that they will run more reliable and customers can connect with services into newcastle etc.

(1 hour ago)TheClumsyPineapple wrote As a local i completely agree. The withdrawal of the X46 with the replacement of the 47 is completely unfair on Bridgehill residents. 
Alongside this peak time is a pain if one X45 is cancelled at 7:15 or 7:50 those who live on that corridor cannot get into town before 9am as the 47 takes so long and is infrequent on a morning (most journeys begin at blackhall mill) 

The first iteration of the 47 was probably most beneficial via Shotley Bridge Hospital continuing along the old V9 route. 
Many residents relied/utilised the V3/4/9 and some sections of the route passengers only have the choice of the 773 within a short walking distance, many who are quite old due to there being no service. (Woodlands road + number one roundabout)

Was all good in the world before the infamous 2021 changes.
Easy X45/X46 & V9.

I'm surprised the cancellations of the 7:15/50 & just after 5PM times haven't actually given GNE the idea to reintroduce the X46.

---

(1 hour ago)TheClumsyPineapple wrote

---

Good on paper however extending an already long service to then serve delves lane seems silly. Short + frequent links from short circulars means that they will run more reliable and customers can connect with services into newcastle etc.

I would only go with the 47 since obviously its not an express and it could be the easy replacement or even have the X5 replace the V1/V2. I do get what you mean with the Short & Frequent links since there was the failed few month attempt of having the X45 serve Templetown after the Bus Station. So it would just add on. I do think the V1/V2/V5 could do with a rework. Even it was to merge all 3 routes into 1. Delves to The Dene just to remove the odd number of V routes.