With regards to MetroLink and Washington Street Shuttle Brands

M2/M3 would maintain current routes but rejoin the Metrolink Brand
Note with W5/W6 serving Horsley Road in Barmston, M3 will serve Barmston Village Centre along with the M2 instead

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W5/W6 would remain as part of the WSS with a new route once/if planning permission is granted for a Morrisons at Blackfell and a Tesco at Peel Retail Park.

Washington Galleries - Sainsbury's Car Park - Biddick(W5) - Glebe(W6) - Washington Village(W6) - Brady Square(W5) - Barmston Court (W6)- Barmston(Horsley Road) - Waterview Park - Nissan - Peel Retail Park - Sulgrave - Concord - B&Q - Blackfell - Oxclose - Washington Galleries

W5 Clockwise - W6 Anti-Clockwise Loop, as part of the revamp the Service would receive Optare Solo SR's and the service be run in a similar fashion to that of the Q1/Q2 and the 700.
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M1 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth - Every 20 Minutes

M1A - Heworth - Concord - Washington Galleries - Lambton - Ayton - Rickleton - Harraton - Fatfield Riverside - Barnwell - Shiney Row - Shiney College - Success Road - Houghton le Spring - Every 30 Minutes

Sunderland/Washington/Heworth and Newcastle Area

Yesterday I decided to Sunderland via Heworth using a Red/Purple Pass so I couldn't use the Metro and I decided go this way so I could a photo of Red Arrows Gemini 6006 on the M2/M3. To which I found after missing the 12:20 X3 to Sunderland and Instead of Waiting 30 Minutes for the X36 which takes 40 Minutes to Sunderland from Heworth, which would of lead to it taking an 70 Minutes from A to B, So I would of been in Sunderland for 13:30.

So instead of waiting 30 Minutes and Paying the extra in Metro Fare I got back on the M1 to Concord and got the 56 to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange which only took 45 Minutes, that 25 Minutes quicker due timing the changing of buses perfectly. this resulted in me arriving into Sunderland at 13:05 and a mere 5 minutes after the X3 in which I had missed at Heworth which I seen coming into Park Lane.

So I have found that it is just as quick if not quicker depending on traffic etc to get the M1 from Heworth to Concord and then the 56 from Concord to Sunderland instead of getting the X3 or waiting a further half hour for the X36.

So now i'm asking myself as passenger is the X3/X36 really that reliable as an Xpress Bus Service.

I'm going to take more of look at this area this afternoon and draw up a few service suggestions as I think the service really isn't that great to be honest. I'll also post this on the GNE Forum Page.

Current Form
56 - Sunderland - Southwick - Concord - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle
73 - Sunderland – Teal Farm – Concord/Coach Road Estate – Washington

8 - Stanley - Beamish - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Harraton - Washington - Waterview Park Hastings Hill - Chester Road – Sunderland
78/78A - Consett - Leadgate - Greencroft - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Shiney Row - Hastings Hill - Chester Road - Sunderland
78A via Beamish / 78 via Craghead

X1 - Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle
X1A – Newcastle – Gateshead – Wrekenton – Springwell Village – Washington Galleries – Glebe - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Picktree Village

X3/X36 - Sunderland - Fulwell - Boldon - Heworth - Gateshead - Newcastle

New Form
56 - Sunderland - Southwick - Concord - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle
Every 20 Minutes
56A – Sunderland – Southwick – Nissan – Peel Retail Park – Barmston – Washington Village – Glebe – Washington Galleries – Oxlose - Blackfell - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle
Every 20 Minutes
X56 – Sunderland – Southwick – Concord – Usworth College – Heworth – Gateshead – Newcastle
Every 1 Hour

2B – Sunderland – Sunderland Enterprise Park – Waterview Park – Peel Retail Park – Barmston – Washington Village – Washington Galleries – Albany – Concord – Usworth Sixth Form – Heworth – Gateshead – Newcastle
Every 30 Minutes Replacing Service 73 and would come under Silver Arrows Brand

8 - Stanley - Beamish - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Harraton - Washington - Waterview Park Hastings Hill - Chester Road – Sunderland
8A - Consett - Leadgate - Greencroft - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Pelton – Chester-le-Street - Harraton - Washington - Waterview Park - Hastings Hill - Chester Road – Sunderland
Combined Every 15 Minutes

78 - Consett - Leadgate - Greencroft - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Shiney Row - Hastings Hill - Chester Road – Sunderland
Every 15 Minutes

X1A – Newcastle – Gateshead – Heworth(922 Route to Washington Galleries) – Washington Galleries – Glebe - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Picktree Village – Chester le Street
Every 30 Minutes at Peak Times and Hourly During the Day

X3/X36 Stay in there current form minus possible departure changes from Eldon Square to Pilgrim Street or have them run a far as Heworth Only.

22/22A - Heworth - Boldon - Fulwell - Sunderland Interchange - Sunderland Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Barmston - Washington Village - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Harlow Green - Allerdene - Low Fell - Shipcote - Bensham Bank - Lobley Hill - Whickham - Fellside Park - Swalwell Estate - Metrocentre - Newcastle City Centre - Gateshead - Heworth - Every 20 Minutes Clockwise/Anti-Clockwise

An extravagant service I know, but this would replace numerous services including X3/X36/73/24 And 97, not sure if there is more.

A few Brand Names I have came up with

Regional Connect
Tyne and Wear Circular
Tyne Wear Xpress

(23 Jul 2013, 5:52 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote 22/22A - Heworth - Boldon - Fulwell - Sunderland Interchange - Sunderland Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Barmston - Washington Village - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Harlow Green - Allerdene - Low Fell - Shipcote - Bensham Bank - Lobley Hill - Whickham - Fellside Park - Swalwell Estate - Metrocentre - Newcastle City Centre - Gateshead - Heworth - Every 20 Minutes Clockwise/Anti-Clockwise

An extravagant service I know, but this would replace numerous services including X3/X36/73/24 And 97, not sure if there is more.

A few Brand Names I have came up with

Regional Connect
Tyne and Wear Circular
Tyne Wear Xpress

Sorry, but I don't like the idea of that at all! - It is a very long, pointless route. There is no demand for such a service.

Current Routes

'Fab Fifty-Seven' 57 - every 20 minutes - PVR 5
Wardley - Heworth - Fewster Square - Whitehills Estate - Beacon Lough East Estate - QE Hospital - Deckham - Gateshead - Newcastle

'Citylink' 58 - every 10/20 minutes - PVR ?
Heworth - Fewster Square - Whitehills Estate - Felling Square - Deckham - Gateshead - Newcastle/Hadrian Park


My Proposal

'Fab Fifty-Seven' 57 - every 20 minutes - PVR 8
Wardley - Heworth - Fewster Square - Whitehills Estate - Beacon Lough East Estate - QE Hospital - Deckham - Gateshead - Newcastle - Coast Road - Hadrian Park - Cobalt Business Park

'Citylink' 58 - every 10 minutes - PVR 9
Heworth - Fewster Square - Whitehills Estate - Felling Square - Deckham - Gateshead - Newcastle

(23 Jul 2013, 5:52 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote 22/22A - Heworth - Boldon - Fulwell - Sunderland Interchange - Sunderland Enterprise Park - Waterview Park - Barmston - Washington Village - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Harlow Green - Allerdene - Low Fell - Shipcote - Bensham Bank - Lobley Hill - Whickham - Fellside Park - Swalwell Estate - Metrocentre - Newcastle City Centre - Gateshead - Heworth - Every 20 Minutes Clockwise/Anti-Clockwise

An extravagant service I know, but this would replace numerous services including X3/X36/73/24 And 97, not sure if there is more.

A few Brand Names I have came up with

Regional Connect
Tyne and Wear Circular
Tyne Wear Xpress

Can I have a pint of what you are on?!

The realbilty of that service could be hell to.
Also your missing out Southwick, Marley Pots, Red House, Downhill currently served by the X36.

Although the R veg bus that passed me on x36 earlier, isn't exactly appealing to travel all the way to Newcastle.

^ Not sure this was meant to end up in the Stagecoach section :p

(25 Jul 2013, 7:58 am)Andreos1 wrote ^ Not sure this was meant to end up in the Stagecoach section :p

Sorted. I must have read through the posts too quickly, haha!

"SimpliCity" is a brand with no meaning if you ask me. In its current form, allocations are not particularly simplistic at all. To add insult to injury, when new vehicles arrive things will change again - even more confusion to the customer!

The 36 competed with some Stagecoach in Sunderland services, so the simplistic fare structures and price guarantees (refund if the customer finds a cheaper fare available) were appropriate then. The 42 doesn't trod on any other operator's territory (excluding Arriva's 23/24 service on the Stockton Rd/Ryhope Rd corridor, it's GNE's turf really), so why have the price guarantee on the 42? It's pointless in my opinion.

I liked that the services under the "SimpliCity" brand operated every 10/12 minutes, so the line of "Simply turn up and go" was appropriate... I feel, however, changes do need to be made to this brand; if changes were made, I don't think this sort of frequency could be retained. However, I feel that the brand is not strong enough just to hold the 42, so what's of more concern - retaining that line or allowing a brand to stand more chance of working? In its current form, "SimpliCity" has no meaning, so what's the point in it?

Town orientated services such as the 36/36A, 38/38A, 39 and 42 are all great contenders to be held within the "SimpliCity" brand, and "SimpliCity" could act something like "Venture" or "East Durham" if they were held within that brand. In my eyes, as the brand has no meaning (to my knowledge anyway), it could act as a generic brand to hold these town-orientated services and it would be appropriate. The brand isn't particularly appropriate for anything else - is it?
That said, realistically I doubt this will happen. I don't think the 39 in its current form is going to last... Sunderland to Doxford Park the extra runs are almost guaranteed to be empty, and the drivers I've spoken to about the service changes have essentially said it's a duty where you can skive ('10 minutes waiting time at Doxxy Park, quick run back, '10 minutes waiting time at Sunderland' rings a bell), but that alone at present provides a PVR of 8. Add on top of that a further 2 for the 38, 5 for 42 and 4 (?) for the 36/36A... It's not going to happen. An overall PVR of 19, the vehicles aren't there for GNE to have it as a generic brand for Sunderland town services - and are services such as the 38/38A really worthy of such an upgrade?

I've tried to think of a workaround for the problem of not having enough vehicles in order to make it work, but I really can't think of anything that is feasible. One idea I had was, because the "Fab Fifty Six" brand is rumoured to be receiving new vehicles in the future, that these vehicles could be used on this revised "SimpliCity" brand. There are 16 in total, so if service changes to the 39 were to be reverted back to their original 20 minute frequency, it would work PVR-wise. Although upgrading/retaining the same Euro status as before for some services, the 42 would be downgraded from Euro 5 - something which makes me feel it just wouldn't happen. GNE are looking to upgrade services rather than downgrade.

Assuming they haven't already departed the fleet if/when the 56 gets a vehicle upgrade, the above suggestions would allow several SPDs to be withdrawn and would perhaps release a few "Northern" branded B10BLEs to other services/depots.

Current Form

36/36A - Sunderland – Enterprise Park - Castletown – Hylton Castle – Town End Farm – Downhill – Witherwack – Southwick – Sunderland

38/238 - Sunderland - Ashbrooke - Leechmere Road - Hollycarrside - Esdale Estate - Tunstall Bank Estate - Ryhope - Seaham - Seaton - Houghton-le-Spring

39 - Pennywell - Royal Hospital - Sunderland Interchange - Grangetown - Ryhope Green - Tunstall Village - Doxford Park - Moorside - Doxford International

42 - Silksworth - Tunstall Village - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland

99 - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Enterprise Park - Castletown - Hylton Castle - Town End Farm - Downhill - Witherwack - Southwick - Fulwell - Seaburn
----------------------------------------------------------------------
New Form

Merger of the 38/42 with 38 being Withdrawn, No changes to Service 238

42 - Sunderland - Ashbrooke - Leechmere Road - Hollycarrside - Esdale Estate - Tunstall Bank Estate - Ryhope - Hollycarrside - Grangetown - Sunderland - PVR of 7 I think, Might Remain 6 depending on Timings.
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39 - Doxford International - Barnes Park - Silksworth - Pennywell - Royal Hospital - Sunderland Interchange - Grangetown - Ryhope Green - Tunstall Village - Doxford Park - Moorside - Doxford International
Short Workings from Park Lane Withdrawn. Normal 39 Workings Upgraded to Every 10 Minutes Across the Whole Route, Every 20 Minutes in Clockwise/Anti Clockwise Loop

How it would work coming upto Royal Hospital from Town then Turn Right and run along Kayll Road then Left up Hylton Road/Whitehall Terrace then left again and go down Holburn Road, then it's current route around Pennywell and again current route along Chester Road before turning right at the traffic lights Next to Royal Hospital and heading along Ormonde Street towards Silksworth and Doxford International. Same Route in Opposite Direction also.
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36/36A - Sunderland – Enterprise Park - Castletown – Hylton Castle – Town End Farm – Downhill – Witherwack – Southwick – Fulwell - Seaburn - Sunderland
Will serve Fulwell/Seaburn Replacing the 99 which would be Withdrawn

I must admit, although it holds no meaning or route specific, I think simplicity could be something that could be a new to north east generic livery building upon their 'Simple' fare structure. 'Simplicity by Go North East' as a new company branding getting rid of the bland boring Red Northern. The whole price guarantee stuff would have to be twisted to use there 'simple fares' spiel. But I think it's certainly not the best brand but far from the worst and by gone it could be an improvement on red northern!

The price guarantee is pointless anyway. They'll only refund the difference on a single fare - nothing else. That difference is never going to be more than about 10p. To get your 10p back you need to write to them sending your ticket. They'll then review and write your a cheque for the said 10p. You then get to look incredibly silly banking a cheque for 10p.

(30 Jul 2013, 5:38 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I must admit, although it holds no meaning or route specific, I think simplicity could be something that could be a new to north east generic livery building upon their 'Simple' fare structure. 'Simplicity by Go North East' as a new company branding getting rid of the bland boring Red Northern. The whole price guarantee stuff would have to be twisted to use there 'simple fares' spiel. But I think it's certainly not the best brand but far from the worst and by gone it could be an improvement on red northern!

I guess they must have plans to expand the Simplicity brand - if the 61 is getting Drifters off the 60, then the Simplicity ones must be going lets say to the 39 (might not be, but just for arguments sake). Unless whatever they go onto is to join the Simplicity brand, there'd be no reason to have left their branding on while they covered the 61. If they had been e.g. going Doxford Clipper brand, then surely GNE would have removed all the Simplicity vinyls, so they operated on the 61 in plain purple, instead of a completely wrong brand, then repainted them once they went onto e.g. the 39. I guess the fact they haven't done this implies that the 39 (or whichever route they are earmarked for) will be going Simplicity?

Service 26 (Hourly to 8pm for TV closing - No Sundays)

Gateshead - Low Fell - Belle Vue Bank - Saltwell Road - Eastern Avenue - Kingsway North - Team Valley Retail World - Sainsburys - Harlow Green - Angel - Birtley - Barley Mow Estate - Vigo Bridge.

26A Peak Workers Service.
Vigo Bridge - Barley Mow Estate - Birtley - Harlow Green Bridge - Gold Medal - Sainsburys - Team Valley Retail World - Team Valley Kingsway (duration) - Bensham - Saltwell Road - turn to 26 working (alternatively continue to Gateshead dep on loads)

X23 Hourly 10-6
Durham Bus Station - Arnison Cente - Framwellgate Moor - Chester Le Street - Barley Mow - Birtley - Lamesley - Team Valley Retail World - Team Valley Kingsway - Metrocente (either via Bensham or Western Bypass)

(31 Jul 2013, 4:07 pm)gtomlinson wrote Service 26 (Hourly to 8pm for TV closing - No Sundays)

Gateshead - Low Fell - Belle Vue Bank - Saltwell Road - Eastern Avenue - Kingsway North - Team Valley Retail World - Sainsburys - Harlow Green - Angel - Birtley - Barley Mow Estate - Vigo Bridge.

26A Peak Workers Service.
Vigo Bridge - Barley Mow Estate - Birtley - Harlow Green Bridge - Gold Medal - Sainsburys - Team Valley Retail World - Team Valley Kingsway (duration) - Bensham - Saltwell Road - turn to 26 working (alternatively continue to Gateshead dep on loads)

X23 Hourly 10-6
Durham Bus Station - Arnison Cente - Framwellgate Moor - Chester Le Street - Barley Mow - Birtley - Lamesley - Team Valley Retail World - Team Valley Kingsway - Metrocente (either via Bensham or Western Bypass)

Great ideas. Although maybe not numbering them 26 and 26A, to avoid confusion?

67 - Wardley - Ellen Wilkinson Estate - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Deckham - Shipcote - Whitehall Road - Gateshead Interchange - Bensham - Metrocentre - Blaydon - Winlaton

Every 30 Minutes

69 - Wardley - Ellen Wilkinson Estate - Heworth - Leam Lane Estate - Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Low Fell - Shipcote - Gateshead Interchange - Bensham - Lobley Hill - Whickham - Swalwell - Blaydon - Winlaton

Every 30 Minutes

(31 Jul 2013, 4:11 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Great ideas. Although maybe not numbering them 26 and 26A, to avoid confusion?

I could go with current GNE favourite 26X?

(31 Jul 2013, 6:41 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(31 Jul 2013, 4:11 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Great ideas. Although maybe not numbering them 26 and 26A, to avoid confusion?

I could go with current GNE favourite 26X?

Much better!

Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

I would like to see GNE improve services in South Tyneside and bring back more of the express services

Ie X22 used to run South Shields~Hebburn~Metrocentre and on weekdays used to run South Shields~Hebburn only

Also can anyone remember the old 002/004 services that used to run in the 1990s. 002 ran from Stanley to South Shields and 004 ran from South Shields to Beamish Museum.

These services were very popular in both directions in the summer and should be reintroduced

(01 Aug 2013, 9:47 am)chris5292 wrote Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

Kibblesworth probably only justifies hourly and certainly no express bus.

(01 Aug 2013, 7:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:47 am)chris5292 wrote Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

Kibblesworth probably only justifies hourly and certainly no express bus.

"probably",,,,do you live in Kibby, thought not?

You try living in the sticks and needing to get to work in Newcastle or the Metrocentre at unearthly hours with a bus operating hourly.

Express Service Ideas

X2 – Sunderland – Royal Hospital – Waterview Park – Washington Galleries – Springwell Village – Gateshead – Newcastle

X4 – Bishop Auckland - Durham – Chester le Street = Houghton le Spring – Sunderland

X5 – Washington Galleries = Shiney Row – Doxford International – Houghton le Spring - Hetton le Hole – Easington Lane - Peterlee – Hartlepool

X8 - Sunderland – Queen Alexandra Bridge – Waterview Park – Washington Galleries – Chester le Street – Stanley – Consett -

X11 – Newcastle – Gateshead – Heworth – Washington Galleries – Houghton le Spring – Hetton le Hole – Peterlee – Stockton – Middlesbrough

27X – Newcastle – Heworth – Hebburn – Jarrow – South Shields

23X/24X - Kibblesworth – Gateshead – MetroCentre(23X) – Newcastle(24X)

(01 Aug 2013, 7:59 pm)ifm001 wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:47 am)chris5292 wrote Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

Kibblesworth probably only justifies hourly and certainly no express bus.

"probably",,,,do you live in Kibby, thought not?

You try living in the sticks and needing to get to work in Newcastle or the Metrocentre at unearthly hours with a bus operating hourly.

I'd have to agree with gtomlinson. Go North East (or any other operator for that matter) cannot operate a service that doesn't make enough revenue. They could, but they wouldn't last very long - would they?
Nexus-secured service 29 is around for a reason... Nexus provides the 29 service (and other services like the 29) to ensure that communities (such as Kibblesworth) retain a bus service - particularly during early mornings, at nights and at weekends, where operators are unwilling to operate commercial services.
Go North East work out whether a commercial service is justifiable or not by how many fare paying passengers are on each individual run - not by how much revenue the service makes from all passengers over the course of the full day. This is why Go North East cut so many services, and although it isn't very good for the customer, it clearly works for them as a company.
I've visited Lamesley and Kibblesworth quite frequently recently because I've been wanting some more "scenic" photographs of the "Waggonway" 28/28A services before the DAFs depart the fleet later this month. I must say that before 09:30am, I didn't see very many passengers board buses at all - including the 29. I find it hard to believe that Nexus manages to cover the costs of the 29 (and all of the other services they secure) because they just don't make very much money at all. That said, I appreciate the 29 service being there, and I imagine those who use it will do too.
I must admit, however, that I haven't been greatly inconvenienced by the frequency of the bus services at all. I've discovered that - when I didn't fancy a walk down to Newcastle Bank in Birtley for the 21 (a 1.7 mile walk isn't everyone's cup of tea) - the area essentially has a half hourly frequency, excluding the 29. You can either get a direct bus to Gateshead/Newcastle on the 28A to Newcastle, or you can get on the 28A to Birtley and get the 21 to Gateshead/Newcastle. I imagine one option would be cheaper than the other, but expense isn't an issue for me being Under 18 (POP card and Get Around key card holder).

In GNE's favour, a commercial service being operated at 7am onwards is pretty good, albeit hourly... A lot of areas don't have that, and an area as remote as Kibblesworth should appreciate such early bus services being operated in my opinion. Perhaps I'd have different opinions if I was inconvenienced by what could be debated as a late first service as I have a bus service from 5am onwards, operated by either Stagecoach or GNE, but I honestly do agree with gtomlinson and that I don't think GNE could do anything more for the Kibblesworth area that would be profitable for them.

(01 Aug 2013, 6:03 pm)ifm001 wrote I would like to see GNE improve services in South Tyneside and bring back more of the express services

Ie X22 used to run South Shields~Hebburn~Metrocentre and on weekdays used to run South Shields~Hebburn only

Also can anyone remember the old 002/004 services that used to run in the 1990s. 002 ran from Stanley to South Shields and 004 ran from South Shields to Beamish Museum.

These services were very popular in both directions in the summer and should be reintroduced

It would be nice to see X22 back again and also to bring back 532 fromFellegate to Newcastle Eldon Square ( i think it only went to Heworth before being extented, i maybe wrong).

526 Marsden to Monkton Lane Estate via Jarrow.
531 South Shields to Heworth
X21 South Shields to Fellgate.
Restore 27 back to 527 route to Newcastle Central Station.

Picking up from your ideas Adam..
X2 I'm not sure if it could be justified another Sun-New express.
Like the ideas of the X4 & X8.
The X5 & X11 merge. To create an X5 Newcastle-Gateshead-Heworth-Washington-Shiney Row-Doxford International-Ryhope-Seaham-Peterlee-Hartlepool

With both Tyne Tunnels in operation, I'd love to see improved cross-tyne bus services being developed and serving more areas. From personal experience, I find it a real chore travelling back to Wallsend from Sunderland every week

Quite possibly outrageous , but I'd like to see Monday to Saturday daytime journeys on service 9 operate from Jarrow via Tyne Tunnel to Percy Main, Howdon, Wallsend and the Coast Road to Newcastle Haymarket every 30 minutes.

This provides a faster alternative to the Crusader between Jarrow and Newcastle, and better serves Northumbria University than the 27 for students in South Tyneside. A direct bus is introduced between the Haymarket area of Newcastle to Wallsend, Howdon and Royal Quays; and residents on the Coast Road have improved access to Wallsend, South Tyneside and Sunderland. The 9 would continue to serve North Shields during the evenings and on Sundays.

To replace the Monday to Saturday daytime service to North Shields, the North Tyne Links 80 would extend from North Shields to Jarrow via Howdon Road. In Jarrow, service 80 would operate an anti-clockwise route taking in Jarrow Morrisons, High Street, Abbey Drive, Saxon Way, Priory Road, Chaytor Street, Ellison Street and Jarrow Bus Station. This gives a new half-hourly local bus service between Jarrow Town Centre and the Abbey Drive area of Jarrow, which is quite a walking distance from existing services. Service 80 would be timed to connect with service 9 for through passengers between North Shields and Sunderland, and would continue to interwork with North Tyne Links 40/41 at Wallsend. A direct service would be introduced between South Tyneside and North Tyneside General Hospital and Cobalt Business Park.

Again, quite possibly outrageous to suggest messing around with the 9, but I think it could work if given an iconic brand and fierce marketing

(01 Aug 2013, 8:51 pm)Daniel wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:59 pm)ifm001 wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:47 am)chris5292 wrote Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

Kibblesworth probably only justifies hourly and certainly no express bus.

"probably",,,,do you live in Kibby, thought not?

You try living in the sticks and needing to get to work in Newcastle or the Metrocentre at unearthly hours with a bus operating hourly.

I'd have to agree with gtomlinson. Go North East (or any other operator for that matter) cannot operate a service that doesn't make enough revenue. They could, but they wouldn't last very long - would they?
Nexus-secured service 29 is around for a reason... Nexus provides the 29 service (and other services like the 29) to ensure that communities (such as Kibblesworth) retain a bus service - particularly during early mornings, at nights and at weekends, where operators are unwilling to operate commercial services.
Go North East work out whether a commercial service is justifiable or not by how many fare paying passengers are on each individual run - not by how much revenue the service makes from all passengers over the course of the full day. This is why Go North East cut so many services, and although it isn't very good for the customer, it clearly works for them as a company.
I've visited Lamesley and Kibblesworth quite frequently recently because I've been wanting some more "scenic" photographs of the "Waggonway" 28/28A services before the DAFs depart the fleet later this month. I must say that before 09:30am, I didn't see very many passengers board buses at all - including the 29. I find it hard to believe that Nexus manages to cover the costs of the 29 (and all of the other services they secure) because they just don't make very much money at all. That said, I appreciate the 29 service being there, and I imagine those who use it will do too.
I must admit, however, that I haven't been greatly inconvenienced by the frequency of the bus services at all. I've discovered that - when I didn't fancy a walk down to Newcastle Bank in Birtley for the 21 (a 1.7 mile walk isn't everyone's cup of tea) - the area essentially has a half hourly frequency, excluding the 29. You can either get a direct bus to Gateshead/Newcastle on the 28A to Newcastle, or you can get on the 28A to Birtley and get the 21 to Gateshead/Newcastle. I imagine one option would be cheaper than the other, but expense isn't an issue for me being Under 18 (POP card and Get Around key card holder).

In GNE's favour, a commercial service being operated at 7am onwards is pretty good, albeit hourly... A lot of areas don't have that, and an area as remote as Kibblesworth should appreciate such early bus services being operated in my opinion. Perhaps I'd have different opinions if I was inconvenienced by what could be debated as a late first service as I have a bus service from 5am onwards, operated by either Stagecoach or GNE, but I honestly do agree with gtomlinson and that I don't think GNE could do anything more for the Kibblesworth area that would be profitable for them.

All I am saying is people shouldn't presume that hourly bus services are sufficient. the 29 doesn't operate on evenings or sundays so your comment about nexus doesn't completely justify your statement. in fact the 29 is probably the most used Nexus Bus out of all and if it wasn't for the mass proposed Quality Contract Scheme I wouldn't have been surprised for GNE to take it on direct instead of contract.

You say yourself you have services from 5am, we would all love services to commence that early but I guess we will have to stick to taxis and not have the luxury of living in your area

(02 Aug 2013, 9:17 am)ifm001 wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 8:51 pm)Daniel wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:59 pm)ifm001 wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 7:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote

(01 Aug 2013, 9:47 am)chris5292 wrote Instead of having 3 different bus services running the kibblesworth route have 1 main bus every half an hour dont care what number it is...kibblesworth - newcastle or a little xpress bus kibblesworth to low fell to co inside with the 29 (x29)

Kibblesworth probably only justifies hourly and certainly no express bus.

"probably",,,,do you live in Kibby, thought not?

You try living in the sticks and needing to get to work in Newcastle or the Metrocentre at unearthly hours with a bus operating hourly.

I'd have to agree with gtomlinson. Go North East (or any other operator for that matter) cannot operate a service that doesn't make enough revenue. They could, but they wouldn't last very long - would they?
Nexus-secured service 29 is around for a reason... Nexus provides the 29 service (and other services like the 29) to ensure that communities (such as Kibblesworth) retain a bus service - particularly during early mornings, at nights and at weekends, where operators are unwilling to operate commercial services.
Go North East work out whether a commercial service is justifiable or not by how many fare paying passengers are on each individual run - not by how much revenue the service makes from all passengers over the course of the full day. This is why Go North East cut so many services, and although it isn't very good for the customer, it clearly works for them as a company.
I've visited Lamesley and Kibblesworth quite frequently recently because I've been wanting some more "scenic" photographs of the "Waggonway" 28/28A services before the DAFs depart the fleet later this month. I must say that before 09:30am, I didn't see very many passengers board buses at all - including the 29. I find it hard to believe that Nexus manages to cover the costs of the 29 (and all of the other services they secure) because they just don't make very much money at all. That said, I appreciate the 29 service being there, and I imagine those who use it will do too.
I must admit, however, that I haven't been greatly inconvenienced by the frequency of the bus services at all. I've discovered that - when I didn't fancy a walk down to Newcastle Bank in Birtley for the 21 (a 1.7 mile walk isn't everyone's cup of tea) - the area essentially has a half hourly frequency, excluding the 29. You can either get a direct bus to Gateshead/Newcastle on the 28A to Newcastle, or you can get on the 28A to Birtley and get the 21 to Gateshead/Newcastle. I imagine one option would be cheaper than the other, but expense isn't an issue for me being Under 18 (POP card and Get Around key card holder).

In GNE's favour, a commercial service being operated at 7am onwards is pretty good, albeit hourly... A lot of areas don't have that, and an area as remote as Kibblesworth should appreciate such early bus services being operated in my opinion. Perhaps I'd have different opinions if I was inconvenienced by what could be debated as a late first service as I have a bus service from 5am onwards, operated by either Stagecoach or GNE, but I honestly do agree with gtomlinson and that I don't think GNE could do anything more for the Kibblesworth area that would be profitable for them.

All I am saying is people shouldn't presume that hourly bus services are sufficient. the 29 doesn't operate on evenings or sundays so your comment about nexus doesn't completely justify your statement. in fact the 29 is probably the most used Nexus Bus out of all and if it wasn't for the mass proposed Quality Contract Scheme I wouldn't have been surprised for GNE to take it on direct instead of contract.

You say yourself you have services from 5am, we would all love services to commence that early but I guess we will have to stick to taxis and not have the luxury of living in your area

I don't think it was gtomlinson assuming that an hourly bus service (or half hourly, if you look at the workaround I gave above) is sufficient, but rather him saying a higher frequency could not be justified in the eyes of Go North East. From what I understand, he uses the 28/28A frequently, so will be able to recognise what passenger numbers are like on the services - more specifically the 28A than the 28 because of the Kibblesworth discussion here.

My comment about the 29 'and other services like the 29' was a general statement (copied from Nexus' website) in regards to a secured bus service operating in an area. It proves that bus operators aren't willing to operate a commercial service there at a higher frequency.

The reason why the 29 wouldn't ever be commercial (in my opinion) is because of the passengers who use it. Sorry, but a bus full of pensioners couldn't justify it being commercial. They want actual fares.