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Arriva North East

northern506

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17 May 2020
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120
Location
The North
Just making a new thread for Arriva North East, as noticed the old Arriva thread is now closed.

There are some changes coming on the 28th January, which are registered on Vosa. Most appear to be insignificant, but one thing that is very interesting is a new 777 service between Morpeth, Newcastle Airport and Kingston Park.


I do question if this service can be successful, but I’m still not sure on the exact route it will take, or the frequency.
 
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TheGrandWazoo

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18 Feb 2013
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Somerset with international travel (e.g. across th
Just making a new thread for Arriva North East, as noticed the old Arriva thread is now closed.

There are some changes coming on the 28th January, which are registered on Vosa. Most appear to be insignificant, but one thing that is very interesting is a new 777 service between Morpeth, Newcastle Airport and Kingston Park.


I do question if this service can be successful, but I’m still not sure on the exact route it will take, or the frequency.
Getting rural bus challenge vibes about some of the spending under BSIP (Bus Service Improvement Plan). Local authorities etc spending money on "stuff". Another one to the Airport to join the old 101 and 42?
 

Bristol LHS

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29 Sep 2020
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160
Location
Yorkshire
Getting rural bus challenge vibes about some of the spending under BSIP (Bus Service Improvement Plan). Local authorities etc spending money on "stuff". Another one to the Airport to join the old 101 and 42?

Seems an odd choice. Morpeth itself enjoys easy interchange to Metro at Regent Centre (you can be in the airport in an hour changing off the X18) and whatever route it takes, there’s not much for the 777 to serve en route. The section from Airport to Kingston Park is especially odd - just paralleling the Metro?
 

northern506

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17 May 2020
Messages
120
Location
The North
Seems an odd choice. Morpeth itself enjoys easy interchange to Metro at Regent Centre (you can be in the airport in an hour changing off the X18) and whatever route it takes, there’s not much for the 777 to serve en route. The section from Airport to Kingston Park is especially odd - just paralleling the Metro?

Agreed, I am trying to work out what route it will take but can't really work out which one would be most logical.

I suppose it could go via Kirkley Hall and Ponteland, but I would assume very little passenger traffic if it did. It could also go via Cramlington, but then would be duplicating the 43 (which has recently been increased in frequency), and again Cramlington has quick links to Regent Centre for onward connections.

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Details of the changes from 28th January confirmed - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/changes-in-northumberland-and-tyne-and-wear-jan-24

Positive changes with increased evening/Sunday services on the 1, 57/57A and X18.

The 777 is an interesting one, operating via Ponteland and Kirkley Hall. Can't see there being much demand there, but could be wrong.
 
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northern506

Member
Joined
17 May 2020
Messages
120
Location
The North
Oh dear, another North East bus strike incoming, this time affecting Arriva Northumbria:

Source

Unite members at Arriva Northumbria, a bus company in the north east of England, are to take weeks of strike action this spring in protest over their pay and conditions, it was announced today (Friday 22 March).

Over 300 drivers and engineers voted overwhelmingly for strike action following the refusal of Arriva to improve a pay offer of just 4 per cent. Strikes begin for one week on 7 April and a further week starting on 21 April.
 

YorkRailFan

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3,256
Location
York
Upcoming service changes at Arriva North East from 1 September:
Customers are advised that Arriva will be making changes to a number of services from Sunday 1st September. These changes come following a a punctuality review to our network and contract changes from both Northumberland County Council and Nexus.

Service 44 – Newcastle to Dinnington and Stannington
Journeys which currently extend to and from Stannington from Dinnington will be withdrawn. Customers are advised to see service X16 details regarding a replacement service, which will now operate up to hourly Monday to Saturday.

Service 47 – Newcastle to RVI and CAV
Following a review of contract with Newcastle NHS who we operate this service on behalf of, this service will no longer operate beyond the 30th September. This is due to the removal of Park & Ride facilities at the CAV for NHS staff.

Service 306 – Newcastle to Tynemouth and Whitley Bay
We are making some frequency adjustments to this service following a review of passenger demand on the section of route between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay.

As a result of the review, the frequency will be adjusted to now provide an hourly off peak and Saturday link between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay via Marden Estate, with an additional journey per hour terminating at Marden Estate.

Passengers are advised that Go North East’s service 1 continues to provide additional links within this section of route.

Elsewhere on the route, the service will continue to provide three buses per hour.

Service 777 – Morpeth to Kingston Park via Newcastle Airport
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making some slight adjustments on journeys towards Kingston Park, with buses running slightly later than currently. However general frequencies will remain unchanged with hourly links Monday to Sunday daytimes and two hourly on an evening.

Service X16 – Newcastle to Morpeth, Wooler and Kelso
We are pleased to announce that following a successful tendering round with Northumberland County Council, we have been chosen to operate a replacement of the current Glen Valley Service 710 between Newcastle, Wooler and Kelso.

Our replacement will operate as an extension to our current X16 service between Morpeth and Newcastle. As part of this, we will now offer a Monday to Friday peak time journey from Wooler to both Morpeth and Newcastle, timed ideally for school and college links in both towns.

On Saturdays we will continue to provide the Kelso to Wooler and Newcastle link currently in place, however an additional midday journey will operate between Wooler and Newcastle.

Following from discussions with Stannington Parish Council and Northumberland County Council, we would like to announce that the service will now serve stops in the Stannington area. On southbound journeys towards Newcastle, buses will divert off the A1 to serve the bus stop on the slip road approximately 10 minutes after leaving Morpeth. Northbound journeys will divert via the village itself observing the main stop within the village approximately 10 minutes after departure from Regent Centre.

Will be interesting to see the new timetable for the X16, currently the 710 only runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays so it will be interesting whether or not Arriva runs the X16 to Wooler daily or if it only runs up to Wooler on Wednesdays and Saturdays with it terminating at Morpeth on other days.
 

JKP

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3 Jan 2023
Messages
720
Location
SE Scotland
Upcoming service changes at Arriva North East from 1 September:


Will be interesting to see the new timetable for the X16, currently the 710 only runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays so it will be interesting whether or not Arriva runs the X16 to Wooler daily or if it only runs up to Wooler on Wednesdays and Saturdays with it terminating at Morpeth on other days.
It runs a peak hour journey each way Monday to Friday Wooler to Newcastle. On Saturdays, the route starts at Kelso with an outrun from Wooler and v.v. In the afternoon together with a late morning north, early afternoon south Newcastle to Wooler.

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It runs a peak hour journey each way Monday to Friday Wooler to Newcastle. On Saturdays, the route starts at Kelso with an outrun from Wooler and v.v. In the afternoon together with a late morning north, early afternoon south Newcastle to Wooler.
There is no Wednesday replacement for the 710.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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It runs a peak hour journey each way Monday to Friday Wooler to Newcastle. On Saturdays, the route starts at Kelso with an outrun from Wooler and v.v. In the afternoon together with a late morning north, early afternoon south Newcastle to Wooler.

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There is no Wednesday replacement for the 710.
Indeed

Mon - Fri
0655 ex Wooler arr 0847, 1703 ex Newcastle arr 1848

Saturday
0726 ex Wooler to Kelso 0814, 0819 ex Kelso to Newcastle 1047, 1053 Newcastle to Wooler 1233 <break>
1410 ex Wooler to Newcastle 1547, 1558 ex Newcastle to Kelso 1824, 1829 Kelso to Wooler 1917


Of more concern <sadness> is the continued decline of Arriva on North Tyneside. Hourly Whitley Bay to Tynemouth on the 306....
 

Snex

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20 Jun 2018
Messages
443
Of more concern <sadness> is the continued decline of Arriva on North Tyneside. Hourly Whitley Bay to Tynemouth on the 306....

I'm the first to usually complain about bus cuts, but 3 buses an hour to serve Tynemouth and Marden to Preston Grange Morrison's is complete overkill imo (reason for the extension awhile back). Every 30 minutes was ideal, before the changes with the Coast Road services. Hourly is too infrequent mind, to flip that though.

The rest of the connections are already covered by the GNE 1 or Metro, depending on location.
 
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JKP

Member
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3 Jan 2023
Messages
720
Location
SE Scotland
Indeed

Mon - Fri
0655 ex Wooler arr 0847, 1703 ex Newcastle arr 1848

Saturday
0726 ex Wooler to Kelso 0814, 0819 ex Kelso to Newcastle 1047, 1053 Newcastle to Wooler 1233 <break>
1410 ex Wooler to Newcastle 1547, 1558 ex Newcastle to Kelso 1824, 1829 Kelso to Wooler 1917


Of more concern <sadness> is the continued decline of Arriva on North Tyneside. Hourly Whitley Bay to Tynemouth on the 306....
Thanks, I could not upload the timetable I was sent.

This will be the first time Arriva has crossed into Scotland for over 20 years. I found a photo the other day of an Arriva Solo in Kelso on the 23 Berwick to Kelso which was operated jointly with First.
 

YorkRailFan

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6 Sep 2023
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3,256
Location
York
There will be some slight alterations to Arriva North East services in the Cleveland area from 4 November:
Services 64/64A/64B
Service 64A Monday to Saturday daytimes will continue to operate as present between Middlesbrough and Norman Conquest via Eston. The evening and Sunday journeys will be renumbered to 64B and operate as they do at present between Middlesbrough and Grangetown via Bankfields.

Sunday journeys will run 15 minutes earlier than at present in both directions.


Services X2/X3
There will slight changes to times between Redcar Clock and New Markse or Saltburn.


Services X4/X4A
There will be slight changes to times on the Redcar to Loftus and Loftus to Whitby sections. The timing point at Sandsend will be moved to the Lythe Bank Bottom stops due to issues with parked vehicles at the current Hotel and Garage stop.


Service X93
Most late afternoon and early evening journeys will be slightly retimed to allow for increasing traffic congestion and provide better connections with trains at Scarborough.


Services P1, P2 and X94
These services will cease for the winter period after Sunday 3 November 2024.

Great to see improved connections between the X93 and rail services at Scarborough. I often used the X93 to get to Robin Hood's Bay from York and waiting for almost an hour in Scarborough was always a pain.

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From 3rd November 2024, there will be changes to services in Northumberland:
Customers are advised that Arriva will be making changes to a number of services from Sunday 3rd November. These changes come following a further punctuality review to our network of services between Newcastle and Blyth.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce that following a successful recruitment drive across our depots, we will be reinstating the higher weekday frequencies on services 35, X21 and X22 which we temporarily reduced in April of this year.
35:
From Sunday 3rd November, we will be reintroducing the higher weekday frequency of this service. This will see buses once again operate up to every 20 minutes on a weekday. Times will largely be the same as what was in place before the temporary reduction put in place in April, however afternoon peaks will see some slight adjustments. There will be no changes to the current weekend timetables, with Saturday and Sundays continuing to operate as now.
415:
Following feedback received from Northumberland County Council, a revised timetable will be introduced. This is to allow for greater travel opportunities for the residents of the villages adjacent to the A1, with an earlier arrival into Morpeth allowing onwards travel to Newcastle, similarly a later departure heading north out of Morpeth.
460:
A revised timetable and route will be introduced following Northumberland County Council requests.

Times are adjusted to allow easier connections between the 460 and X15 / X18 services in Alnwick, allowing customers to connect for onward journeys south towards Morpeth, with the AM journey operating roughly 15 minutes earlier.

Additionally, the service will now divert from Denwick via the A1 and Willowburn Retail Park, providing easier access to the shops and leisure facilities on the southern edge of the town before reaching the Town Centre.
X7:
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots, especially in the afternoon peak times. Later evening journeys will operate up to 5 minute later in places
X8:
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots. Later evening journeys will operate up to 5 minute later in places
X9:
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network, which will allow us to adjust how this service currently operates to increase reliability. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots.
X10/X11:
After an extensive review of the punctuality of these services, we have introduced a revised timetable, which also includes the use of additional resources to ensure we are as punctual as possible. We will continue to operate up every 15 minutes throughout the common sections of route though. Additional time has been added into the services around peak times in the key hot spots of delays to the service.

A new earlier journey is introduced on a Sunday between Blyth and Newcastle, following requests.
X14:
Following the introduction of the winter season opening hours at Cragside, we will be reducing the number of journeys which enter the main grounds. However, we will still provide several journeys in each direction allowing over 4 hours to explore what is known as Britian’s original smart home.
X15:
A slightly revised timetable will introduced on a Monday to Friday, with the current 1520 departure from Morpeth towards Alnwick operating up to 5 minutes earlier between Morpeth and Alnwick Leisure Centre. Additionally the 0725 departure from Berwick upon arrival at Willowburn Retail Park will now extend to Taylor Drive, allowing easier access to Duchess’s Community High School for the students on board.
X18:
A slightly revised timetable will introduced on a Monday to Friday, with the current 1405 departure from Berwick additionally serving Willowburn Retail Park before arrival into Alnwick Town Centre, this is to allow easier access for students travelling from Duchess’s Community High School south towards Amble. The departure from Alnwick Bus Station will remain the same at 1618.

Additionally, the current 2228 departure from Newcastle which terminates at Amble, will now extend to Alnwick on a Monday to Saturday.

Good news all round! Delighted to see increases in service on many routes, and increased integration between the 460 and X15/X18!

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Fare changes at Arriva North East from 13 October:

Arriva have posted the following charts on their website (from link posted above):Screenshot_20241008_153614_Chrome.jpg
Adult:
TNE All Zone:

Day: £6.80
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £31.50
Adult 4 Week: £112
Adult Annual: £1,120
Northumberland Zone:
Adult Day: £5
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £27.50
Adult 4 Week: £96
Adult Annual: £960
Tyne & Wear Zone:
Adult Day: £6
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £22.70
Adult 4 Week: £83.50
Adult Annual: £835
Durham Zone:
Adult Day: £4.00
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £22.70
Adult 4 Week:£83.50
Adult Annual: £835
Coastliner Routesaver:
Adult Day: £4.30
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £12.50
Adult 12 Day: £43
Adult Week: £15.50
Adult 4 Week: £61
Adult Annual: £610
Cramlington Routesaver:
Adult Day: £6.50
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £18
Adult 12 Day: £64.90
Adult Week: £23.20
Adult 4 Week: £82
Adult Annual: £820
East Durham All Zone:
Adult Day: £5.50
Adult Duo Day: £10.50
Adult 3 Day: £15.50
Adult 12 Day: £55
Adult Week: £21
Adult 4 Week: £73.50
Adult Annual: £735
Quorum Routesaver:
Adult Day: £4.70
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £13.20
Adult 12 Day: £47
Adult Week: £14
Adult 4 Week: £53
Adult Annual: £530
Morpeth Town Zone:
Adult Day: £3.80
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: Not Sold
Adult 4 Week: Not Sold
Adult Annual: Not Sold
Morpeth Routesaver:
Adult Day: £6.70
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £18.50
Adult 12 Day: £67
Adult Week: £25
Adult 4 Week: £96
Adult Annual: £960
Darlington District Zone:
Adult Day: £7.70
Adult Duo Day: £14
Adult 3 Day: £21.60
Adult 12 Day: £72.10
Adult Week: £24.70
Adult 4 Week: £79.50
Adult Annual: £795
Darlington Town Zone:
Adult Day: £4.60
Adult Duo Day: £8.50
Adult 3 Day: £13
Adult 12 Day: £43.30
Adult Week: £17.50
Adult 4 Week: £58
Adult Annual: £580
Hartlepool Zone:
Adult Day: £4.10
Adult Duo Day: £8
Adult 3 Day: £11.50
Adult 12 Day: £39.10
Adult Week: £13.90
Adult 4 Week: £53
Adult Annual: £530
Middlesbrough Zone:
Adult Day: Not Sold
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £15.50
Adult 4 Week: £56
Adult Annual: Not Sold
North East Region Wide:
Adult Day: £9.60
Adult Duo Day: £16.50
Adult 3 Day: £26.90
Adult 12 Day: £89.60
Adult Week: £33
Adult 4 Week: £115.50
Adult Annual: £1,155
North Yorkshire Coast:
Adult Day: Not Sold
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £20.50
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: Not Sold
Adult 4 Week: Not Sold
Adult Annual: Not Sold
Redcar Zone:
Adult Day: £5.10
Adult Duo Day: £8.80
Adult 3 Day: £14.30
Adult 12 Day: £47.40
Adult Week: £16
Adult 4 Week: £57
Adult Annual: £570
Service 1 Routesaver:
Adult Day: £6.20
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £17
Adult 12 Day: £61.80
Adult Week: £23
Adult 4 Week: £82
Adult Annual: £820
Service X3-X4 Routesaver:
Adult Day: £5.70
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: £15.70
Adult 12 Day: £56
Adult Week: £18.50
Adult 4 Week: £68
Adult Annual: £680
Service 6 Routesaver:
Adult Day: Not Sold
Adult Duo Day: Not Sold
Adult 3 Day: Not Sold
Adult 12 Day: Not Sold
Adult Week: £19.50
Adult 4 Week: £71.50
Adult Annual: £715
Tees Valley Zone:
Adult Day: £7.70
Adult Duo Day: £15
Adult 3 Day: £21.60
Adult 12 Day: £72.10
Adult Week: £26.80
Adult 4 Week: £92.50
Adult Annual: £925
Teeside Zone:
Adult Day: £5.30
Adult Duo Day: £10
Adult 3 Day: £14.80
Adult 12 Day: £51.50
Adult Week: £19
Adult 4 Week: £72
Adult Annual: £720

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Young Person:
Screenshot_20241008_153631_Chrome.jpg
TNE All Zone:
Young Person Day: £3
Young Person Week: £21.50
Young Person 15 Week: £320
Young Person Academic Year: £820
Young Person Annual: £830
Northumberland Zone:
Young Person Day: Not Sold
Young Person Week: £20.50
Young Person 15 Week: £300
Young Person Academic Year: £770
Young Person Annual: £780
Tyne & Wear Zone:
Young Person Day: Not Sold
Young Person Week: £17
Young Person 15 Week: £245
Young Person Academic Year: £610
Young Person Annual: £620
Durham Zone:
Young Person Day: Not Sold
Young Person Week: £16.50
Young Person 15 Week: £230
Young Person Academic Year: £620
Young Person Annual: £630
East Durham All Zone:
Young Person Day: £4
Young Person Week: £15
Young Person 15 Week: £210
Young Person Academic Year: £570
Young Person Annual: £580
Darlington District Zone:
Young Person Day: £4.60
Young Person Week: £18
Young Person 15 Week: £260
Young Person Academic Year: £625
Young Person Annual: £635
Darlington Town Zone:
Young Person Day: £3.30
Young Person Week: £12.50
Young Person 15 Week: £185
Young Person Academic Year: £500
Young Person Annual: £510
Darlington Uni Zone:
Young Person Day: £1.50
Young Person Week: £8
Young Person 15 Week: £85
Young Person Academic Year: Not Sold
Young Person Annual: £210
Darlington Uni Plus Zone:
Young Person Day: £2.50
Young Person Week: £12
Young Person 15 Week: £130
Young Person Academic Year: Not Sold
Young Person Annual: £325
North East Region Wide:
Young Person Day: £5.90
Young Person Week: £22.70
Young Person 15 Week: £330
Young Person Academic Year: £860
Young Person Annual: £870
Redcar Zone:
Young Person Day: £3.60
Young Person Week: £13
Young Person 15 Week: £195
Young Person Academic Year: £490
Young Person Annual: £500
Tees Valley Zone:
Young Person Day: £5.20
Young Person Week: £19.50
Young Person 15 Week: £290
Young Person Academic Year: £750
Young Person Annual: £760
Teeside Zone:
Young Person Day: £3.90
Young Person Week: £16
Young Person 15 Week: £240
Young Person Academic Year: £650
Young Person Annual: £660

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Child:
Screenshot_20241008_153712_Chrome.jpg
Darlington District Zone:
Child Day: £3.90
Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: £12.50
Child 4 Week: £38
Darlington Town Zone:
Child Day: £2.60
Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: £9.50
Child 4 Week: £32
North East Region Wide:
Child Day: £5.20
Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: Not Sold
Child 4 Week: Not Sold
North Yorkshire Coast:
Child Day: Not Sold
Child 3 Day: £10.80
Child Week: Not Sold
Child 4 Week: Not Sold
Redcar Zone:
Child Day: £2.70Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: £10
Child 4 Week: Not Sold
Tees Valley Zone:
Child Day: £4.40
Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: £15
Child 4 Week: £42
Teeside Zone:
Child Day: £3.50
Child 3 Day: Not Sold
Child Week: £13
Child 4 Week: Not Sold

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Family:
Screenshot_20241008_153731_Chrome.jpg
TNE All Zone:
Family Day: £17
Northumberland Zone:
Family Day: £16.50
Tyne & Wear Zone:
Family Day: £13.40
Durham Zone:
Family Day: £14.40
East Durham All Zone:

Family Day: £14
Darlington District Zone:
Family Day: £16.50
Darlington Town Zone:
Family Day: £9.80
Hartlepool Zone:
Family Day: £8.20
North East Region Wide:
Family Day: £17.50
Redcar Zone:

Family Day: £9.80
Tees Valley Zone:
Family Day: £17.50
Teeside Zone:
Family Day: £10.30

Additionally, 4 weekly and annual tickets will not be able to be purchased from the driver from January 2025:
From January 2025, 4-weekly tickets or longer will only be available to purchase on our app or website. Any 4-week products currently available on bus will be moved from that date.
 
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YorkRailFan

Established Member
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6 Sep 2023
Messages
3,256
Location
York
Free travel for up to three kids age 11 and under when traveling with an adult onboard Arriva Northeast from 21 December until 5 January:
Between 21st December and 5th of January 2025 (inclusive) up to three children aged eleven and under can travel for free on any Arriva North East service, all day every day, when accompanied on board by a fare-paying adult or adult with a valid travel pass*.

Good news, hopefully this will persuade more people with kids to get the bus this festive season to events instead of driving, which would reduce traffic.
 

darloscott

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2013
Messages
907
Location
Stockton
Free travel for up to three kids age 11 and under when traveling with an adult onboard Arriva Northeast from 21 December until 5 January:


Good news, hopefully this will persuade more people with kids to get the bus this festive season to events instead of driving, which would reduce traffic.
Yes this happens every school holidays and has for at least a year now. Usually across all three of the main operators.
 

overthewater

Established Member
Joined
16 Apr 2012
Messages
9,086
With the new train line opening, what does most people think will happen to the current Arriva services in the area?
 
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Segedunum

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Joined
22 Dec 2013
Messages
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Location
Up North
Witch the new train line opening what does most people expect to happen to the current Arriva services in the area?
Considering that the X21 and X22 take a very different line of route to Newcastle (and the former goes to/from Newbiggin) I wouldn't expect a great deal to happen initially. Some Ashington passengers will probably switch to the train but considering how mobbed the buses are at peak times from Newcastle I don't think they'll suddenly go to carrying fresh air.

Even the fast X20 goes to/from Alnwick so there are other markets to serve.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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18 Feb 2013
Messages
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Location
Somerset with international travel (e.g. across th
Considering that the X21 and X22 take a very different line of route to Newcastle (and the former goes to/from Newbiggin) I wouldn't expect a great deal to happen initially. Some Ashington passengers will probably switch to the train but considering how mobbed the buses are at peak times from Newcastle I don't think they'll suddenly go to carrying fresh air.

Even the fast X20 goes to/from Alnwick so there are other markets to serve.
I'm not certain what the relevance of Alnwick is, but here's my take on it.

People obsess about the end to end nature of bus services when the reality is that travelling patterns are more complex with key flows having a series of overlapping journeys overlaid onto them. So for the X22, there is relatively little actual duplication so abstraction will be limited. The X21 is more of an issue as when Bedlington station opens as there is much more likelihood of losing passengers to the train service. I could foresee the X21 dropping to half hourly in time.

There is, of course, the impact of the other stations such as Newsham, Bebside and Seaton Delaval. The impact from these will be lessened simply because of the links to Cramlington and Blyth that the train cannot provide; the X7 serving Seaton Delaval might be affected most for people travelling to Newcastle though so that one might take a hit.

As I say, there are a number of overlapping flows/intermediate stops that are also quite important and you'll always get passengers in places like Gosforth High Street or North Seaton etc. Also, it's worth considering the location of Haymarket bus station. It's brilliantly located on the northern edge of the city centre and adjacent to many of the prime travel objectives (e.g. Northumberland St, St James's Park, both Universities) whereas Central Station is not central! It's one of the reasons why bus from Morpeth to Newcastle has continued to prosper though I take the point that Ashington being further away means the time advantage of the train is greater even factoring in that location.
 

JKP

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I'm not certain what the relevance of Alnwick is, but here's my take on it.

People obsess about the end to end nature of bus services when the reality is that travelling patterns are more complex with key flows having a series of overlapping journeys overlaid onto them. So for the X22, there is relatively little actual duplication so abstraction will be limited. The X21 is more of an issue as when Bedlington station opens as there is much more likelihood of losing passengers to the train service. I could foresee the X21 dropping to half hourly in time.

There is, of course, the impact of the other stations such as Newsham, Bebside and Seaton Delaval. The impact from these will be lessened simply because of the links to Cramlington and Blyth that the train cannot provide; the X7 serving Seaton Delaval might be affected most for people travelling to Newcastle though so that one might take a hit.

As I say, there are a number of overlapping flows/intermediate stops that are also quite important and you'll always get passengers in places like Gosforth High Street or North Seaton etc. Also, it's worth considering the location of Haymarket bus station. It's brilliantly located on the northern edge of the city centre and adjacent to many of the prime travel objectives (e.g. Northumberland St, St James's Park, both Universities) whereas Central Station is not central! It's one of the reasons why bus from Morpeth to Newcastle has continued to prosper though I take the point that Ashington being further away means the time advantage of the train is greater even factoring in that location.
I would agree. Reading Roger French’s Bus and Train User blog earlier today he also points out that Ashington Station is 40 minutes walk away from the town’s south east housing area which is served directly by bus so there is no advantage to these folk switching to the train. He also mentions that the car park was being well used which would suggest that car owners are using the train in preference to driving into central Newcastle and then having to pay to park.
 

Segedunum

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I'm not certain what the relevance of Alnwick is
The fact that the X20 also serves a market north of Ashington (naturally not Alnwick to Newcastle, but Hadston and points south) towards Newcastle - so exists for purposes other than just an Ashington to Newcastle express.

We are however in agreement that there aren't really any services where the railway is going to rob any substantial market and make them unviable (perhaps with the exception of Bedlington Station for the X21 which might make a bit of a dent).
 

YorkRailFan

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Arriva have announced fare changes to their North East services from 1 January:
From 1 January 2025 there will be price changes to some of our fares in the North East.

We’re simplifying our single bus fares, taking into account feedback from customers and stakeholders who previously expressed concerns over the complexity of our single fare structure. Our new single fare structure will instead only hold three price points, which we believe will be much simpler.

Most single fares in the region will therefore be priced at either £1.60 or £1.70 for short trips, £2.30 for slightly longer journeys and then anything beyond this will be capped at either £2.50 or £3.00 per journey (see full details below).

Return tickets will also be removed from sale, however all existing day, week and longer tickets will continue to be available with no change to price or zones.
Additionally, there are some caveats such as service X16 which serves Kelso, Scotland, 3 and 10 Day bundles being removed and Teencards also being removed. However, Under 22s will remain £1 on single journeys.
Some journeys, such as journeys on Service X16 into Scotland, are not within the Government or Mayoral fare cap will have a slightly higher maximum fare of up to £5.
Tap on tap off will continue to offer the best value fare, either using these new single fare values or capping your journey at the relevant day/week ticket.Teencards will be withdrawn, however existing £1 U22 schemes will continue to be in place and provide an alternative ticket option.A small number of Northumberland County Council contracted services (Services 415, 434, 460 and 777) will still hold a £1.10 fare, in addition to the new fares above.Current evening only £1 fares in Darlington and Stockton (Service 15) will be withdrawn.
Existing 3 day and 10-day bundles will no longer be available.
Some more information on capped fares in the region, fares in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and County Durham have been capped at £2.50 until 31 December 2025:
If your journey is fully within Northumberland, Tyne & Wear or County Durham (NECA area) then your maximum single journey fare will be £2.50. if your journey is anywhere else in the region, including cross boundary journeys between Tees Valley and County Durham, then your maximum single journey fare will be £3.

As an example, if you currently pay a single fare up to around £1.90, then your new fare will be either £1.60 or £1.70. If you currently pay a fare up to £2, then your new fare will be either £2.30 or capped at £2.50/£3.00.

Existing U22 £1 single fare schemes and £3 day tickets will continue to be available.
 

Seehof

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Planning a trip to Ashington, one way by train and back to Newcastle by bus. Is Ashington bus station easy to find from the railway station? Are there shops, cafes, pubs (any recommendations!) close by? Are there toilets at the bus station? Thank you
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Planning a trip to Ashington, one way by train and back to Newcastle by bus. Is Ashington bus station easy to find from the railway station? Are there shops, cafes, pubs (any recommendations!) close by? Are there toilets at the bus station? Thank you
Easy to find - walk from station onto the main road (Station Road) and turn right to head to town centre. Straight over the crossroads (Woodhorn Road) and the bus station is on the left.

There is a Wetherspoons there (where the old bus station buildings used to stand) called the Rohan Kanhai after the former cricketer who, IIRC, played for a local team as well as being a West Indies international. No public toilets AFAIK - it's a rather basic bus station.
 

YorkRailFan

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Arriva have announced service changes from 23 March, including enhancements to some services:
Customers are advised that Arriva will be making changes to a number of services from Sunday 23rd March. These changes come following a punctuality review to our network of services between Newcastle and Morpeth via the A1 and onto Alnwick, Berwick or Thropton.


Additionally, following on from a successful tendering round with Northumberland County Council, we are pleased to announce a new and improved X30 service will be introduced providing a new all day faster express service between Blyth, Newsham and Newcastle.


We will also be introducing a new Saturday 419 service. This new route will restore links to the outer western settlements of Morpeth including Scots Gap, Mitford and Whalton with Morpeth Town Centre.



Service 35 – Newbiggin to Ashington and Morpeth
A new later evening journey will depart Morpeth at 2403 and will operate as far as Ashington Town Centre, this will replace the current Service X18 departure from Morpeth at the same time. No other changes will be made to this service.

Click here for revised timetable

Service 57 / 57A – Ashington to Whitley Bay and North Shields
A revised timetable will be introduced daily on this service. The adjusted timetable has been introduced after an extensive review of punctuality of this and highlighting the delay hotspots.

As part of the revised times, a new route will be introduced in the Whitley Bay Town Centre. Journeys will now terminate at the stop on Park Avenue (Sainsburys). From here buses will operate via Whitley Bay Playhouse and Marine Way and rejoin route at Monkseaton Front St back towards Ashington. As a result, stops on Park View and Norham Road towards Ashington will no longer be served. Please contact Nexus for services in this direction.

Click here for revised timetable

Service 306 – Newcastle to Tynemouth and Whitley Bay
Service 308 – Newcastle to Whitley Bay and Blyth
Following an extensive punctuality review being carried out in partnership with Go North East and local authorities. A new revised timetable will be introduced on both the above services and also on Go North East’s 307 and 309.
These changes are designed to ensure a more robust and reliable timetable is introduced along the Coast Road corridor of services. All services will see a revised timetable in place, which continues to see a combined service of up to every 5 minutes on common sections of the route.

Click here for revised timetable


New Service 419 – Morpeth to Wallington Hall and Scots Gap
We are pleased to announce that in partnership with Northumberland County Council we will be operating this new Saturday only service which is introduced to restore links for both residents and visitors to the western parishes of Morpeth and Morpeth Town Centre.

The service will operate in an clockwise loop in the morning and then an anti clockwise loop on the afternoon journey, which will give customers approximately 4hrs in Morpeth.
Additionally, the service will provide all year round access to the National Trust’s site at Wallington Hall

Click here for the new timetable

Service X7 – Newcastle to Seaton Delaval and Blyth
We will be making some slight adjustments to weekday peak time journeys; some journeys will now operate up to either 5 minutes later or earlier.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X8 – Newcastle to Cramlington and Blyth via South Beach
We will be making some slight adjustments to weekday peak time journeys; some journeys will now operate up to either 5 minutes later or earlier.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X10 / X11 – Newcastle to Cramlington and Blyth via Newsham
A revised timetable will be introduced at peak times and on an evening.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X14 – Newcastle to Morpeth and Thropton
Following the introduction of the summer season opening hours at Cragside, we will be once again increasing the number of journeys which enter the main grounds.
Additionally, a slightly revised timetable is introduced following a punctuality review of this service.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X15 – Newcastle to Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick
We will be introducing new later journeys between Morpeth and Newcastle on a Monday to Saturday. These additional trips will now provide later departures from both Berwick and Alnwick through to Newcastle, rather than terminating in Morpeth. Combining with the current X18 evening service, there will now be a bus every 30 minutes express between both Morpeth and Newcastle up until after 11pm.
Additionally, a slightly revised timetable is introduced following a punctuality review of this service.

Click here for revised timetable


Service X18 – Newcastle to Morpeth, Alnwick, Seahouses and Berwick

From 23rd March, we will be introducing a new timetable following a punctuality review of the service. Additional running time has been added to several journeys which encounter continuous delays, especially around school times.

We are pleased to announce that once again, we will be looking to provide additional journeys throughout the summer between Alnwick and Berwick via the North Northumberland Coastline. Extra journeys will initially run Saturdays only, until the summer school holidays where they will also run on a Monday to Friday providing up to 9 buses each way combined with the Borders Buses 418 service.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X21 / X22 – Newcastle to Ashington and Newbiggin
The Monday to Friday morning journey at 0615 from Newcastle on service X21 is revised to now operate 15 minutes earlier between Ashington and Woodhorn.

Click here for revised timetable

Service X30 – Newcastle to Blyth and Bebside
After a successful contract award from Northumberland County Council, we’re pleased to announce that our current peak time only X30 service will be enhanced to now provide a new hourly fast link between Blyth and Newcastle on a Monday to Saturday, with buses running up to every 30 minutes at peak times.

As part of the enhancement, a slightly revised route will be introduced within the Blyth area. Buses will now operate between Blyth and Newsham via Union Street and Plessey Road. Passengers on Waterloo Road and Broadway will continue to have access to the X10 and X11 services.

Journeys on the X30 have been co-ordinated to provide possible connections with the new Northumberland Line Rail service at the proposed Newsham Station, by alighting at the Park Farm Villas stops.

Click here for revised timetable


The additional journeys on services X15 and X30, along with new service 419 are provided by Arriva, with funding provided by HM Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and in partnership with Northumberland County Council.

Lots of positive changes, especially the X30. Good to see enhancements on the X15 and X18, the coast that the X18/418 serve is stunning.
 

Jimmi

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Intrigued by the 35 - additional journey at 2403?!
The 2328 X18 from Newcastle on a night currently terminates at Pegswood, departing Morpeth at 0003 (or 2403 if you prefer), this new 35 trip effectively replaces that, makes sense to run as a 35 to Ashington in service and maybe get a few extra passengers rather than run dead the rest of the way back to the depot along pretty much the 35 route anyway, especially with the depot being just along the road from the Bus Station.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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A bit of a mixed bag on these from my perspective. It's a positive step that Arriva are taking the opportunity to develop some additional summer capacity on the X18 - I assume that's a commercial initiative rather than from BSIP?

The evening X15 is possibly a marginal cost way of bolstering that service and making it more attractive. However, the X30 - not sure what problem that's solving?

As for the 419... wonder what they'll get to operate that? Don't think a Pulsar would fit along there!
 

RELL6L

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The 2328 X18 from Newcastle on a night currently terminates at Pegswood, departing Morpeth at 0003 (or 2403 if you prefer), this new 35 trip effectively replaces that, makes sense to run as a 35 to Ashington in service and maybe get a few extra passengers rather than run dead the rest of the way back to the depot along pretty much the 35 route anyway, especially with the depot being just along the road from the Bus Station.
That's perfectly sensible, presumably went that way anyway. Its just describing it as 2403 in the narrative, on the timetable it shows as 24.03 arriving Ashington at 24.20. That may be how things are scheduled but would surprise some potential passengers!

A bit of a mixed bag on these from my perspective. It's a positive step that Arriva are taking the opportunity to develop some additional summer capacity on the X18 - I assume that's a commercial initiative rather than from BSIP?

The evening X15 is possibly a marginal cost way of bolstering that service and making it more attractive. However, the X30 - not sure what problem that's solving?

As for the 419... wonder what they'll get to operate that? Don't think a Pulsar would fit along there!
It doesn't say what the X18 additions are but they've operated previously and I think been funded by Northumberland - didn't Arriva fail to win the work last year so didn't provide the uplift? The others are Northumberland initiatives using BSIP money but it seems very odd to provide an additional express bus service from Newcastle to Blyth at the same time as the rail line has been opened - as if it is trying to compete! Odd. The increase in the evening X15 must be more attractive for residents of Morpeth heading into the city for an evening out. It contrasts with Yorkshire where evening services on trunk routes have typically been reduced from half-hourly to hourly.
 

Tetchytyke

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However, the X30 - not sure what problem that's solving?

it seems very odd to provide an additional express bus service from Newcastle to Blyth at the same time as the rail line has been opened - as if it is trying to compete!
The rail line doesn’t serve Blyth. Even when the stations nearest to Blyth (Newsham and Bebside) eventually open, they’re still not really in Blyth.

The existing routes to Blyth, it’s fair to say, all go the ‘long way round’. An express bus to Blyth is long overdue. I’d say it is one of the more sensible uses of BSIP funding in the north east.
 

Segedunum

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The rail line doesn’t serve Blyth. Even when the stations nearest to Blyth (Newsham and Bebside) eventually open, they’re still not really in Blyth.

The existing routes to Blyth, it’s fair to say, all go the ‘long way round’. An express bus to Blyth is long overdue. I’d say it is one of the more sensible uses of BSIP funding in the north east.
It's also going to be timed to connect with trains at Newsham - so really it's designed to complement it!
 

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