(07 Dec 2024, 10:53 am)Rob44 wrote Not sure if this is the right  bit to put this in but...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdjge01mj7mo

Extened for 15 more months,.  Wonder if its breaking even or even  making money??

Should be in the Stagecoach one. 787 is Stagecoach. 777 is Arriva

Interesting to see Arriva don't seem to be doing any January changes as non have been registered unless they come in late. Most i know current will be the 57 & X7 in Seaton Delaval once the new bus stops have been put in next to the station ad the outline & raised curb have been put in place

I checked Ashington station and could not find a raised curb anywhere so must mean the 434 won't serve the station car park even though I think it should. That bus stop up top of the bridge is stupid making the buses do a turn around on a random tarmac behind some buildings

(29 Dec 2024, 10:49 pm)Aaron21 wrote Interesting to see Arriva don't seem to be doing any January changes as non have been registered unless they come in late. Most i know current will be the 57 & X7 in Seaton Delaval once the new bus stops have been put in next to the station ad the outline & raised curb have been put in place

I checked Ashington station and could not find a raised curb anywhere so must mean the 434 won't serve the station car park even though I think it should. That bus stop up top of the bridge is stupid making the buses do a turn around on a random tarmac behind some buildings

Arriva's changes are always March and September to go with the tender contracts bar minor changes to try and sort out timetable issues like in November. Be surprised if that changes anytime soon.

Similar with GoNorthEast's Percy Main changes.

Believe Sunderland and South Tyneside's contracts are July so that would make them July / January hence the changes now.

Darlington service 2A

Due to end of funding and low customer use, the 05.03am Saturday and Sunday journeys from Amazon to Darlington Town Centre will be withdrawn after running on Saturday 25 January 2025

Proposed changes to Arriva Service 56 within the Bishop Auckland area with effect from Sunday 30th March 2025


https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponseP...E3TEVXTS4u

23rd March 2025:

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/627
New ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 419 Morpeth Morpeth

PB0002032/424
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X20 Ashington Alnwick

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/450
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 308 (306) Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/396
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X14 Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/485
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X15 Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/168
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 35 Morpeth Newbiggin

PB0002032/11
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X7 Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/612
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X16 (X16, X16) Morpeth Newcastle

PB0002032/309
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X20 Newcastle Ashington

PB0002032/252
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X8 Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/497
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X15 Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/496
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 3X15 (X15) Alnwick Berwick

PB0002032/337
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X10 (X11) Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/467
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X30 Newcastle Blyth Bebside

PB0002032/333
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X14 Morpeth Thropton

So it looks like arriva are not getting the 19 which is the rumour I heard.

(05 Feb 2025, 9:07 pm)Arriva7446 wrote So it looks like arriva are not getting the 19 which is the rumour I heard.

I know nothing, but it's still possible as I'd imagine whatever it would be part of the 57/57A if it was going to happen so could easily be part of that.

You just can't read anything though as the routing is already Ashington to North Shields.

(05 Feb 2025, 8:23 pm)Michael wrote 23rd March 2025:

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/627
New ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 419 Morpeth Morpeth

PB0002032/424
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X20 Ashington Alnwick

PB0002032/266
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 57 (57A) Ashington North Shields

PB0002032/450
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 308 (306) Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/396
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X14 Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/485
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X15 Morpeth Alnwick

PB0002032/168
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 35 Morpeth Newbiggin

PB0002032/11
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X7 Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/612
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 1X16 (X16, X16) Morpeth Newcastle

PB0002032/309
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X20 Newcastle Ashington

PB0002032/252
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X8 Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/497
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X15 Newcastle Morpeth

PB0002032/496
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD 3X15 (X15) Alnwick Berwick

PB0002032/337
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X10 (X11) Blyth Newcastle

PB0002032/467
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X30 Newcastle Blyth Bebside

PB0002032/333
Variation ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD X14 Morpeth Thropton

57/57A mentioned twice. 

X16 has a timetable change but the 777 doesn't. Maybe they ain't gonna interworking anymore

Any idea what the 419 is? Morpeth to Morpeth sounds odd.

(06 Feb 2025, 8:53 am)NMS26222 wrote Any idea what the 419 is? Morpeth to Morpeth sounds odd.

It used to be Morpeth to Cambo, looking at the registration it's via Scots Gap so would assume it's that again.

(05 Feb 2025, 9:18 pm)Storx wrote I know nothing, but it's still possible as I'd imagine whatever it would be part of the 57/57A if it was going to happen so could easily be part of that.

You just can't read anything though as the routing is already Ashington to North Shields.

Don’t think these changes to the 57/A have anything to do with the 19, instead they’re aimed more to improve punctuality of the 57/A.

(06 Feb 2025, 11:32 am)PH - BQA wrote Don’t think these changes to the 57/A have anything to do with the 19, instead they’re aimed more to improve punctuality of the 57/A.

Aye didn't think they would but in theory it could be true.

They do need work though, since the 57A extension the reliability is absolutely diabolical and that's an understatement of the century. The routes are way too tight for the length of the route since one set of roadworks can wreck havoc and it's pretty likely there's always going to be some aswell because of where they serve.

Hang on, so after Jesmond closed Arriva pretty much pulled out of North Tyneside, and now the rumour is they're getting the 19, almost like they're trying to get back in

(07 Feb 2025, 2:40 am)V514DFT wrote Hang on, so after Jesmond closed Arriva pretty much pulled out of North Tyneside, and now the rumour is they're getting the 19, almost like they're trying to get back in

"Rumour" doing a lot of heavy lifting in this thread...

When are we likely to find out the rest of the contract awards?

18, 19 and X46 the only services to be confirmed now. Presumably 18 staying with Stagecoach, 19 either Arriva or GCT and X46 staying with GCT.

So far we know the 32/32A is staying with Stagecoach after GCT decided to give it back, the 35 is GCT and the 342 is GNE with GCT running the M71, and GCT have kept the 335 (350) /351. 317 is staying with GNE.

(07 Feb 2025, 1:55 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote When are we likely to find out the rest of the contract awards?

18, 19 and X46 the only services to be confirmed now. Presumably 18 staying with Stagecoach, 19 either Arriva or GCT and X46 staying with GCT.

So far we know the 32/32A is staying with Stagecoach after GCT decided to give it back, the 35 is GCT and the 342 is GNE with GCT running the M71, and GCT have kept the 335 (350) /351. 317 is staying with GNE.

Sorry but wtf is this 350 people are on about. I've read it constantly

(07 Feb 2025, 2:24 pm)Aaron21 wrote Sorry but wtf is this 350 people are on about. I've read it constantly

335 renumbered. 350/351 and 356 instead of 335/351/359. 359 withdrawn and replaced with GNE 356, 335 just renumbered to 350.

(07 Feb 2025, 3:48 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote 335 renumbered. 350/351 and 356 instead of 335/351/359. 359 withdrawn and replaced with GNE 356, 335 just renumbered to 350.

Any proof its been renumbered and for one reason 

What the hell for

(07 Feb 2025, 3:48 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote 335 renumbered. 350/351 and 356 instead of 335/351/359. 359 withdrawn and replaced with GNE 356, 335 just renumbered to 350.

I'm not saying your wrong but I'd be surprised if it's just that. The 335 and 351 can't work standalone without buses sitting around for 55 mins a board for the 351 or 15 mins for the 335. 

I'd be surprised if it's not something else

(07 Feb 2025, 6:50 pm)Storx wrote I'm not saying your wrong but I'd be surprised if it's just that. The 335 and 351 can't work standalone without buses sitting around for 55 mins a board for the 351 or 15 mins for the 335. 

I'd be surprised if it's not something else

I wonder if they’d extend the 335 to Newcastle instead of Hadrian Park - giving a service every 30 minutes from Benton to Newcastle and that will be the 350.

The 351 is quite busy these days!

Be better extending to Northumberland Park Metro and Cobalt to create links

(07 Feb 2025, 8:12 pm)Thomas12 wrote I wonder if they’d extend the 335 to Newcastle instead of Hadrian Park - giving a service every 30 minutes from Benton to Newcastle and that will be the 350.

The 351 is quite busy these days!

Aye possibly could be an option like. I don't have a clue but I thought it might have been the old 51/51A timetable with a PVR 3.

This one - https://morecobalt.co.uk/static/frontend...bus/51.pdf for those who forgot.

Wouldn't solve the 335 issue though.

Some more details for the Arriva changes, can't be bothered to type it out.

(07 Feb 2025, 9:32 pm)Storx wrote

Some more details for the Arriva changes, can't be bothered to type it out.

The revised route for the X18 north of Alnwick will be adding significant pressures to the Ashington fleet, and is perhaps one of the most idiotic changes I can remember.

(07 Feb 2025, 9:53 pm)PH - BQA wrote The revised route for the X18 north of Alnwick will be adding significant pressures to the Ashington fleet, and is perhaps one of the most idiotic changes I can remember.

What is changing with the X18? Couldn’t tell from the details.

(07 Feb 2025, 10:13 pm)Thomas12 wrote What is changing with the X18? Couldn’t tell from the details.

Revised route north of Alnwick to improve reliability. It will mean two workings on the X18 become single deck, due to the low bridge at Denwick (the new route avoiding the double run back to Lesbury as it does now).

Hardly end of the world.

Looking at the current timetable, would mean the 10:08, 14:08 and 18:18 out of Newcastle will be SD operated. The rest DD as usual.

(08 Feb 2025, 10:04 am)Superman wrote Revised route north of Alnwick to improve reliability. It will mean two workings on the X18 become single deck, due to the low bridge at Denwick (the new route avoiding the double run back to Lesbury as it does now).

Hardly end of the world.

Looking at the current timetable, would mean the 10:08, 14:08 and 18:18 out of Newcastle will be SD operated. The rest DD as usual.

I haven't seen the buses in recent years, must admit, but won't this be a serious capacity issue in the Summer months? They used to be packed to the rafters with people heading up to Seahouses etc, in the paat.

Obviously not much of an issue in February but it's not a million miles away.

(08 Feb 2025, 10:34 am)Storx wrote I haven't seen the buses in recent years, must admit, but won't this be a serious capacity issue in the Summer months? They used to be packed to the rafters with people heading up to Seahouses etc, in the paat.

Obviously not much of an issue in February but it's not a million miles away.

Could they not change from DD to SD in Alnwick and vice vera during the busier summer months?

(08 Feb 2025, 10:04 am)Superman wrote Revised route north of Alnwick to improve reliability. It will mean two workings on the X18 become single deck, due to the low bridge at Denwick (the new route avoiding the double run back to Lesbury as it does now).

Hardly end of the world.

Looking at the current timetable, would mean the 10:08, 14:08 and 18:18 out of Newcastle will be SD operated. The rest DD as usual.

There are multiple serious issues with this, which I’m surprised haven’t been flagged internally prior to pushing ahead with this change. 

Firstly there’s the issue with capacity. As you have pointed out, this means the 10:08 ex-Newcastle will be single deck operated. My experience using this service previously would suggest that that particular run would always require a double deck allocation, both for the loadings in and out of Newcastle during the summer months. This is the first X18 into Newcastle which pensioners can use from Widdrington south, and also likely the first northbound most can use from Newcastle if they’ve needed to connect onto it in the city centre. Then, Monday to Friday, that same board works the 14:05 ex-Berwick which is intentionally sent past Willowburn on its way into Alnwick to pick up the school kids - I’m unsure on those afternoon loadings in fairness, but if they’re comparable to the morning run then they tend to be sizeable. Runs around the coast in previous years, during the summer, have been known to pick up significant loads in Seahouses and Bamburgh too, enough to pretty much fill a decker. 

There’s then the issue with the vehicles. At best, age wise, they’ve got some 64-plate Streetlites. The previous allocation of 64-plate deckers were taken off the route nearly 3 years ago due to unreliability, and they had significantly larger engines and generally were more suited to the work. Realistically Pulsars will be allocated to the boards, the youngest of which are 12 years old, and one of those has a reduced seating capacity due to its initial order specification. Beyond that, and outside of 1479 which should be allocated to the 777, the rest of the 61-plate (now 13 years old…) Pulsars are an absolute state internally and haven’t been touched since new. There are then 1404 and the 5 ex-Merseyside Pulsars which have been refurbished, but they are now 15-16 years old and pushing them onto X18 boards daily is a recipe for disaster. Pulsars are fantastic vehicles, but expecting 12-16 year old examples to faultlessly perform on the demanding X18 (where they will be carrying large loads for the most part!) is an act of sheer folly. I also question the ability of a Pulsar (or Streetlites) to complete a board on the X18 with regard to fuel capacity. 

You then get to the significant downgrade to the appeal of the route to tourists. The X18 has been heavily promoted by Arriva and NCC in recent years as a great way to see the coast, which is fair enough as from the top deck of a vehicle you have a fairly good view. Unless there are some particular nice hedges I don’t see how the same can be achieved from a single deck vehicle. 

All of that, and I don’t see how anyone can argue that any of the points made aren’t serious issues with this mental plan, for at best a few minutes worth of gain? Comparing times to the 418, this literally saves 2 minutes compared to the current X18 route.