(20 Nov 2017, 7:19 pm)Ds1197 The 88A being withdrawn isn't that unlikely because the 88 and 88A usually run in 2s the good service but I don't think that corridor a service every 15 minutes and if it is withdrawn the actually be enough branded vechiles to cover the PVR

(20 Nov 2017, 7:19 pm)Ds1197 The 88A being withdrawn isn't that unlikely because the 88 and 88A usually run in 2s the good service but I don't think that corridor a service every 15 minutes and if it is withdrawn the actually be enough branded vechiles to cover the PVR

(20 Nov 2017, 9:39 pm)Panasonic44 It would be nice if GNE would let people know of their plans and ask for their opinions. People need access to NHS in Shields and if 88/A comes off their will be one big problem.

Maybe Stagecoach might be coming in. Anywayif all this is true or not we will have to wait.

(22 Nov 2017, 10:34 pm)Andreos1 I wonder if we will see some movement or possibly consultation in the new year?

(23 Nov 2017, 7:08 pm)Michael Hopefully, would be interesting to see the 5 go to North Shields instead of the 9.... if that happens, the 9 is likely to be Sunderland to Jarrow only, do many people use the service between Sunderland and Jarrow?


I did read somewhere of a new service numbered the 26, VOSA is the best place to get information, once its on VOSA, it's normally confirmed however nothing has appeared so far.

(21 Nov 2017, 7:38 pm)Michael Seen this on the Durham County Council site:


From 30th November

Go North East 20, 20A, X20 timetable amended.

(23 Nov 2017, 7:36 pm)Michael The 39 is also down to change on that day...


Looks like 1 extra run is added on an early morning, according to the NEXUS site.

(23 Nov 2017, 7:37 pm)Dan The usual extra journeys for Royal Mail at Doxford Park in the lead up to Christmas (the old RM1/RM2 services a few years ago, which have just been extra journeys on the 20/39 for the past year or two).

(23 Nov 2017, 7:08 pm)Michael Hopefully, would be interesting to see the 5 go to North Shields instead of the 9.... if that happens, the 9 is likely to be Sunderland to Jarrow only, do many people use the service between Sunderland and Jarrow?


I did read somewhere of a new service numbered the 26, VOSA is the best place to get information, once its on VOSA, it's normally confirmed however nothing has appeared so far.

(23 Nov 2017, 7:36 pm)Michael The 39 is also down to change on that day...


Looks like 1 extra run is added on an early morning, according to the NEXUS site.

(23 Nov 2017, 7:41 pm)Andreos1 Assuming the 5 is extended and continues to interwork with the 50, I am struggling to work out how the PVR will be covered.
It would be a canny little trip out for the drivers though

(23 Nov 2017, 7:44 pm)Dan The short trips between North Shields and Jarrow are timed 12 minutes (to Jarrow) and 14 minutes (to North Shields) - so doable within 30 minutes. Don't think it would be that difficult just to add an extra bus into the cycle.

One clear benefit of these rumoured changes would be that there would be a standard timetable all day long on the services between Sunderland and Jarrow, as well as Jarrow and North Shields.

At the moment there's a 20-minute headway between Sunderland and Jarrow on service 9, but a 30-minute headway between Jarrow and North Shields (with each trip from North Shields alternating between one which runs the full route, and one which terminates short at Jarrow).

(23 Nov 2017, 8:56 pm)Greg in Weardale Sunderland to North Shields via the tunnel is a logical journey people may wish to make (a pity that the 9 timetable is idiotic), but no-one (except perhaps a dedicated bus enthusiast)  is going to travel via a lengthy circuitous route from South Shields to Jarrow then through the tunnel to North Shields when they can go via the ferry (unless they get seasick!). So extending the 5 to North Shields would be useless to most prospective passengers from wanting to cross the Tyne and deter those from Sunderland from travelling by bus; it can only be for the operational convenience of the company in matching frequencies.

(23 Nov 2017, 8:56 pm)Greg in Weardale Sunderland to North Shields via the tunnel is a logical journey people may wish to make (a pity that the 9 timetable is idiotic), but no-one (except perhaps a dedicated bus enthusiast)  is going to travel via a lengthy circuitous route from South Shields to Jarrow then through the tunnel to North Shields when they can go via the ferry (unless they get seasick!). So extending the 5 to North Shields would be useless to most prospective passengers from wanting to cross the Tyne and deter those from Sunderland from travelling by bus; it can only be for the operational convenience of the company in matching frequencies.

(23 Nov 2017, 9:18 pm)Andreos1 Whilst I agree that the rumoured changes may suit operational requirements (even if the timings would be very tight to see an increase of 1 to the PVR to such a long pair of services), I don't think the idea is to get people to use the 5 between the two Shields's.
I reckon a Buzzfare and a combo of the 5 (9 currently) and the 27 would be the choice of the majority of those making that trip.

The Jarrow - N Shields section is funded if I remember correctly.
The current 5 may have had some funding initially (Kickstarter?), but not sure if it is still funded.
Not a bad little earner if both sections attract funding!