(08 Sep 2014, 3:01 pm)Kuyoyo wrote No, the 1 would remain entirely operated by Blyth depot given the PVR increase at Ashington (under the plan, Blyth's would decrease by 1 while Ashington increases by 5 - 1 on the X20/20, 3 on the X20/20a and 1 on X17, the other X17 would be a reallocated vehicle from the present 33/57a/X14 rota).
As for sending them to Arriva, I have other means of possibly passing them to Arriva

So there is a great chance of them going ahead?

I wonder if this will work?

Service X24 – Metrocentre-Washington-Durham

Durham Bus Station – 50
Framwellgate Moor – 56
Plawsworth Red Lion –01
Chester-le-St arrive – 08
Chester-le-St depart – 11
Picktree Village – 17
Lambton – 25
Washington Galleries – 30
Metrocentre Interchange – 50
Metrocentre Interchange – 05
Washington Galleries – 27
Lambton – 30
Picktree Village – 38
Chester-le-St arrive – 44
Chester-le-St depart – 47
Plawsworth Red Lion – 54
Framwellgate Moor – 59
Durham North Road– 05


Service 42 – Durham to Brasside
Durham North Road – 10
Framwellgate Moor – 16
Arnison Centre – 21
Brasside HMP – 25

Brasside HMP – 27
Arnison Centre – 31
Framwellgate Moor – 36
Durham Bus Station - 42

Tom - no need to change the 42 - it's becoming the 62 in October and interworking with the new 61 which effectively replace Scarlet Band's 252.

(14 Sep 2014, 3:01 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Tom - no need to change the 42 - it's becoming the 62 in October and interworking with the new 61 which effectively replace Scarlet Band's 252.

Of course 
Forgot about that - anything else it could interwork with?

(14 Sep 2014, 3:00 pm)Tom wrote I wonder if this will work?

Service X24 – Metrocentre-Washington-Durham

Durham Bus Station – 50
Framwellgate Moor – 56
Plawsworth Red Lion –01
Chester-le-St arrive – 08
Chester-le-St depart – 11
Picktree Village – 17
Lambton – 25
Washington Galleries – 30
Metrocentre Interchange – 50
Metrocentre Interchange – 05
Washington Galleries – 27
Lambton – 30
Picktree Village – 38
Chester-le-St arrive – 44
Chester-le-St depart – 47
Plawsworth Red Lion – 54
Framwellgate Moor – 59
Durham North Road– 05


Service 42 – Durham to Brasside
Durham North Road – 10
Framwellgate Moor – 16
Arnison Centre – 21
Brasside HMP – 25

Brasside HMP – 27
Arnison Centre – 31
Framwellgate Moor – 36
Durham Bus Station - 42

The 42 and X24 wouldn't be able to interwork since there is a very low bridge at Brasside which would prevent deckers.

(14 Sep 2014, 3:48 pm)palatine3833 wrote The 42 and X24 wouldn't be able to interwork since there is a very low bridge at Brasside which would prevent deckers.

Are double decked vehicles required on the X24 at times besides Christmas?
I shared a mid-afternoon run towards Metrocentre the other week with just two others...

Most days the X24 could get away with using Pulsars.

(14 Sep 2014, 4:01 pm)Dan wrote Are double decked vehicles required on the X24 at times besides Christmas?
I shared a mid-afternoon run towards Metrocentre the other week with just two others...

I think it's only because during school terms it does the 854 and 24X, so it says on the runout sheet 'Dennis Trident Double Deck' and that's what they allocate even during holidays

The X24 doesn't run during school term time though.

Wonder if this could work?

Blyth Bus Station – 25
Newsham Black Diamond – 35
Horton Dr/Hauxley Dr – 47
Parkside, Porchester Drive - 51
Cramlington Shops – 56
High Pit – 01
Seaton Deleval – 10
Hollywell – 13
Northumberland Park – 19
Cobalt P&G – 24
Middle Engine Lane – 27
Churchill Street – 31
Rosehill – 34
Wallsend Metro – 41

(15 Sep 2014, 5:21 pm)Tom wrote Wonder if this could work?

Blyth Bus Station – 25
Newsham Black Diamond – 35
Horton Dr/Hauxley Dr – 47
Parkside, Porchester Drive - 51
Cramlington Shops – 56
High Pit – 01
Seaton Deleval – 10
Hollywell – 13
Northumberland Park – 19
Cobalt P&G – 24
Middle Engine Lane – 27
Churchill Street – 31
Rosehill – 34
Wallsend Metro – 41

How about operating via the A19 (in full or part) between Moor Farm and Northumberland Park?
It would be quicker than anything else between Cramlington and Cobalt - meaning it could attract customers, who would prefer the quicker journey time.
You also have the new hospital which is being constructed off the Moor Farm roundabout.

Service X51 (Monday to Friday every 10 minutes / evenings every 20 minutes and Sunday daytime every 15 minutes) serving: Haymarket to the MetroCentre non stop.

One bus every 20 mins Monday to Saturday daytime would continue from the MetroCentre and operate as....

Service X52 serving MetroCentre to Regent Centre non stop.

(29 Sep 2014, 10:07 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Service X51 (Monday to Friday every 10 minutes / evenings every 20 minutes and Sunday daytime every 15 minutes) serving: Haymarket to the MetroCentre non stop.

One bus every 20 mins Monday to Saturday daytime would continue from the MetroCentre and operate as....

Service X52 serving MetroCentre to Regent Centre non stop.

I don't see the point in the X52.

27 - Peterlee - Houghton - Chester-le-Street
28 - Peterlee - Paradise Estate - Easington Village - Durham

(02 Oct 2014, 7:02 pm)Tom wrote 27 - Peterlee - Houghton - Chester-le-Street
28 - Peterlee - Paradise Estate - Easington Village - Durham

Re: 27 suggestion is GNE territory, Arriva gived Peterlee to Chester-le-street to GNE.

Re: 28 wont happen as Arriva decided to pull out on majority of those estates on your proposed route for not being profitable.

Stockton - Peterlee (via 21 route) - Dalton Park - Seaham - Houghton - Chester - express (alternating with x2) to Newcastle.

Arriva ashington should coincider this route 
50 
From newcastle via regent centre to wideopen through seaton burn along a1 to to Clifton to loansdean 
To morpeth along a1 to alnwick then straight to scram restore to berwick

I still cant see Arriva warranting a 15 minute frequency between Easington and Ryhope, passengers from Peterlee areas traveling to Sunderland doesn't want to be sitting on the bus any longer than their have to and adding further delays by picking local passengers at the Sunderland end.

First time yesterday being on the X21, l like the blue seats, but the bus was picking up passengers at the Ryhope to Sunderland section and stopping to pick passengers up 80% of the bus stops, the bus stopped more times than I ever had when I travelled on the 23/24 to Sunderland.  most of the passengers were free travel anyway, as most passengers waiting  at the bus stops would have GNE tickets/passes as GNE has a higher frequency.

Would of perfered to see service 22 from Durham to Peterlee then continue to Sunderland as service X22 every 30 minutes via 22 route to Easington Village then onto the A19 from there, and have only service 23 operating on all stopper and have the service entering Dalton Park instead of service 22.

Building on what had been mentioned in the GNE thread about lack of services to Doxford Park and potentially the company losing out on ticket sales - not to mention the issues with the X35.

Peterlee - A19 - Dalton Park/Murton - Seaham Town Centre - Ryhope - Doxford Park - Doxford International - A690 - Park Lane.

Connections possible to existing ANE services and ticket holders, new connections opened, residents across East Durham no longer need multi-operator tickets nor need to change buses at Park Lane or Ryhope to get to work.

Idea for Whitby Park and Ride 171:

Think about operating it all year round - i went past the site today and the bus in was already packed with loads more to get on. The previous journeys i have seen prior to today have been packed too. Certainly warranting bigger buses and/or an increase in frequency.

(01 Nov 2014, 7:36 pm)Robert wrote Idea for Whitby Park and Ride 171:

Think about operating it all year round - i went past the site today and the bus in was already packed with loads more to get on. The previous journeys i have seen prior to today have been packed too. Certainly warranting bigger buses and/or an increase in frequency.

I believe 'improvements' are planned for next year. I think its taken everyone by surprise just how popular it has been.

Dont forget though, its Goth Weekend at Whitby this weekend, which would naturally draw more people than usual.

Service 36


Ashington to Morpeth Railway Station via Pegswood and Morpeth Bus Station


Ashington Bus Station 07
Pegswood Stores 17
Morpeth Bus Stn 25
Morpeth Railway Stn 31
 
Arrives at Morpeth Rail Station for xx49 Northern service to Newcastle and Metrocentre
Departs Morpeth Rail Station after xx36 arriving Northern service from Newcastle and Metrocentre

Morpeth Railway Stn 40
Morpeth Bus Stn 46
Pegswood Stores 54
Ashington Bus Station 04

how about they started x23 to durham from doxfard inter peak times pvr 2

(19 Nov 2014, 4:39 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote how about they started x23 to durham from doxfard inter peak times pvr 2

The suggestion of extension of service 23 to Durham via doxford international and rainton bridge hourly or peak time only which would help driver changeover and passengers who already have bought weekly/monthly tickets who have to also purchase GNE tickets to get to rainton and doxford. The proposal was put in front of the panel for the next changes, but the next changes occurred and the extension didn't come about.

Suggestions for Blyth to Newcastle Routes:

- Service X10 remaining in current form but running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday (60 evenings and Sundays)
- Service X11 remaining in current form but running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday (60 evenings and Sundays)
- NEW service X12 serving current X11 route between Blyth and Newsham Black Diamond then via current X10 route to Newcastle from there running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. Service X30 could then be withdrawn.

- All three services would combine to operate every 10 minutes between Cramlington and Newcastle Monday to Saturday.
- Service X10 and X11 would continue to combine to operate every 30 minutes from Blyth and betwen Cramlington and Newcastle during evenings and Sundays.

Service Suggestions for X21 and X22:


A while back, I made a suggestion to bring back something similar to the old X31 / X32 and X33 services. Now, I know the X21 and X22 has proved popular so what I've done, is broke down the current X21  / X22 into three new routes that run every 30 minutes each (60 evenings and Sundays) with new connections and combined frequencies between Newbiggin, Ashington and Newcastle. Here we go:

- Service X31 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays serving: Seacrest Road - Wansbeck Hospital (Mon to Sat daytime) - North Seaton Fairfield Drive (evenings and Sundays) - Ashington Bus Station then current X21 route to Newcastle.

- Service X32 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays) serving: Cresswell Arms - Wansbeck Hospital - Ashington Bus Station then current X21 route to Bedlington Front Street / Red Lion then current X22 route from there to Newcastle.

- Service X33 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays) serving: North Seaton Fairfield Drive (Mon to Sat daytime) - Ashington Bus Station then current X22 route from there to Newcastle.

Have a look at the timetable and see what you guys think. Please note that it's not a full one and it's just for the purpose of timings and PVR calculations:

(06 Dec 2014, 7:48 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Service Suggestions for X21 and X22:


A while back, I made a suggestion to bring back something similar to the old X31 / X32 and X33 services. Now, I know the X21 and X22 has proved popular so what I've done, is broke down the current X21  / X22 into three new routes that run every 30 minutes each (60 evenings and Sundays) with new connections and combined frequencies between Newbiggin, Ashington and Newcastle. Here we go:

- Service X31 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays serving: Seacrest Road - Wansbeck Hospital (Mon to Sat daytime) - North Seaton Fairfield Drive (evenings and Sundays) - Ashington Bus Station then current X21 route to Newcastle.

- Service X32 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays) serving: Cresswell Arms - Wansbeck Hospital - Ashington Bus Station then current X21 route to Bedlington Front Street / Red Lion then current X22 route from there to Newcastle.

- Service X33 operating every 30 minutes (60 evenings and Sundays) serving: North Seaton Fairfield Drive (Mon to Sat daytime) - Ashington Bus Station then current X22 route from there to Newcastle.

Have a look at the timetable and see what you guys think. Please note that it's not a full one and it's just for the purpose of timings and PVR calculations:

Think that they need to increase the frequency of an evening and on Sundays, so you're suggestion would be great in that respect. I've used the X21 on a few Sunday's recently and it's been pretty busy, certainly busy enough to justify an increased frequency over both services.

Sorry guy's made an error between North Seaton and Ashington on a Sunday (it should be 8 mins instead of 4) but it would still be achievable.

(06 Dec 2014, 8:23 pm)mb134 wrote Think that they need to increase the frequency of an evening and on Sundays, so you're suggestion would be great in that respect. I've used the X21 on a few Sunday's recently and it's been pretty busy, certainly busy enough to justify an increased frequency over both services.

Basically, the changes above give the following combined daytime frequencies off:

- Every 15 mins from Newbiggin Front Street then in between Wansbeck Hospital and Bedlington Station (X31 / X32) towards Newcastle. Buses towards Ashington between Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion would combine every 10-20 minutes then every 15 minutes from there due to the X31's de-tour via Nedderton. This applies to the X31 / X32. Customers would have the option of a half hourly service either via the Hartlands (X32) for a quicker journey or Nedderton (X31).

- Every 10-20 mins from Bedlington Red Lion to Newcastle via the Hartlands for faster journeys. This applies to the X32 / X33.

And the changes above would give the following combined evening and Sunday frequencies off:

- Every 25-35 mins from Newbiggin Front Street then in between Ashington Bus Station and Bedlington Station (X31 / X32) towards Newcastle. Buses towards Ashington between Newcastle and Bedlington Red Lion would combine every 20-40 minutes then every 25-35 minutes from there due to the X31's de-tour via Nedderton. This applies to the X31 / X32. Customers would have the option of a half hourly service either via the Hartlands (X32) for a quicker journey or Nedderton (X31).

- Every 20-40 mins from Bedlington Red Lion to Newcastle via the Hartlands for faster journeys. This applies to the X32 / X33.

A suggestion that I think could be helpful on weekends, especially around Christmas time:
Services X25 and X26
X25- Ashington to the Metrocentre
Would follow the current X21 route from Ashington to Bedlington Red Lion, then the X22 route to Seaton Burn roundabout, where it would join the A1 and go straight to the Metrocentre.
X26- Blyth to the Metrocentre
Would follow the current X11 route from Blyth to Seaton Burn roundabout, where it would also join the A1 and go direct to the Metrocentre.

Both journey times would be approximately 1 hour, so would require 3 vehicles from each depot, taking into account layover times. 

Thoughts?