Go North East

[Spaceflower]

Castleside/Moorside had a terrible service when I worked there. A stopper from Consett. I think it's a bit better now but not much?

Nope, still pants.

I can certainly believe that. I never use the X84 for end to end journeys because it only arrives in Hexham a few minutes before the next X85, and there's always that risk you could get a delay.

Regarding your question, a North East Explorer is unquestionably valid on either. It's a bit more complicated than that for other tickets (essentially, ticketing is supposed to be completely integrated so you can buy or use either operator's ticket on either operator's bus - but it's not quite so simple in practice) - but I don't understand exactly how that all works and as you say it'd be getting a long way off topic.

Are dayrider plus tickets valid on this route (685)?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Castleside/Moorside had a terrible service when I worked there. A stopper from Consett. I think it's a bit better now but not much?

Nope, still pants.


Are dayrider plus tickets valid on this route (685)?

Dayrider Plus for Cumbria -

• Valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach services in Carlisle as far as Gretna, Brampton, Hexham, Wigton and Penrith. Buy for travel only on the Stagecoach services within the below zones:
• Use on the full route for city services 60/60A, 61/61/61B, 62/62A, 67, 69, 76 and country services 93/93A & 104, not valid on RACES services on Carlisle race days.
• Use on service 73/73A to Dalston Bridge end, Service 79/179 to Gretna, Services 300/301 to Crosby, Service 685 to Hexham, Service 400, 554 & 600 to Wigton.

However, Stagecoach NW Explorer is

• Valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach services across the North West. Buy travel on Stagecoach buses within the below zone:
• Use on all services in Cumbria as far as Dumfries on the 79 and Newcastle Upon Tyne on the 685.
• Use on all services in Lancashire as far as Ingleton (80), Blackpool (42/61/68), Blackburn (59), Bolton (125), Chester (1/2), Wigan (113).
• Not valid on Chester City Sightseeing, Chester Park & Ride, school services S1/940/941/942 or Stagecoach in Manchester services.

In terms of Stagecoach NE, you're out of luck:

• available for travel on Stagecoach services in Darras Hall, Ponteland, and anywhere within Tyne and Wear includes travel on service X24 (Newcastle - Sunderland) and service X34 (Newcastle - South Shields).
• boundary on Stagecoach 685 to Carlisle is at Royal French Arms, just past Throckley
• not available to buy on Stagecoach 685 to Carlisle
• not valid on Arriva 685

As stated though, you have to have an Explorer North East viz:

• valid on local bus services operated by Stagecoach North East, Arriva North East, Go North East and Travelsure (and also some services operated on behalf of Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council).
• valid on Stagecoach in Cumbria Route 685 (Carlisle to Newcastle)
• valid on Stagecoach in Cumbria local services within Carlisle city
• valid on Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry
• valid on trains between Blaydon and Sunderland only

What the Durham or Northumberland CC routes are that it is/was valid on, I don't know.

 

[Spaceflower]

Dayrider Plus for Cumbria -

• Valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach services in Carlisle as far as Gretna, Brampton, Hexham, Wigton and Penrith. Buy for travel only on the Stagecoach services within the below zones:
• Use on the full route for city services 60/60A, 61/61/61B, 62/62A, 67, 69, 76 and country services 93/93A & 104, not valid on RACES services on Carlisle race days.
• Use on service 73/73A to Dalston Bridge end, Service 79/179 to Gretna, Services 300/301 to Crosby, Service 685 to Hexham, Service 400, 554 & 600 to Wigton.

However, Stagecoach NW Explorer is

• Valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach services across the North West. Buy travel on Stagecoach buses within the below zone:
• Use on all services in Cumbria as far as Dumfries on the 79 and Newcastle Upon Tyne on the 685.
• Use on all services in Lancashire as far as Ingleton (80), Blackpool (42/61/68), Blackburn (59), Bolton (125), Chester (1/2), Wigan (113).
• Not valid on Chester City Sightseeing, Chester Park & Ride, school services S1/940/941/942 or Stagecoach in Manchester services.

In terms of Stagecoach NE, you're out of luck:

• available for travel on Stagecoach services in Darras Hall, Ponteland, and anywhere within Tyne and Wear includes travel on service X24 (Newcastle - Sunderland) and service X34 (Newcastle - South Shields).
• boundary on Stagecoach 685 to Carlisle is at Royal French Arms, just past Throckley
• not available to buy on Stagecoach 685 to Carlisle
• not valid on Arriva 685

As stated though, you have to have an Explorer North East viz:

• valid on local bus services operated by Stagecoach North East, Arriva North East, Go North East and Travelsure (and also some services operated on behalf of Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council).
• valid on Stagecoach in Cumbria Route 685 (Carlisle to Newcastle)
• valid on Stagecoach in Cumbria local services within Carlisle city
• valid on Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry
• valid on trains between Blaydon and Sunderland only

What the Durham or Northumberland CC routes are that it is/was valid on, I don't know.

Yep, I researched it soon after I posted it. The habit of looking with my mouth has transcended into my digital habits I'm afraid but thanks for that.

I do believe Arrivas own North East ticket is valid on it though throughout ...

Arriva Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yep, I researched it soon after I posted it. The habit of looking with my mouth has transcended into my digital habits I'm afraid but thanks for that.

I do believe Arrivas own North East ticket is valid on it though throughout ...

Arriva Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

I’d imagine that the Arriva ticket is valid on the Stagecoach 685 journeys

 

[Geordie driver]

Yeah, it's a nice trip. Earlier this year, I did Consett to Hamsterley Bank (Top), walked down the hill to get a 10A (?) to Crawcrook and then planned to get the 686 to Ovington but that didn't pan out so enjoyed the 10 to Corbridge. The Tyne Valley is gorgeous.

I've never tried to use an Arriva (or Go Ahead) Explorer on a Stagecoach bus on a Carlisle city service but the joint operation between Arriva and Stagecoach and the existence of Explorer NE is so established, I'd be very surprised if you had a problem.

ps my first trip to Hexham was in 1986 when it was still United and Cumberland on the 685; I returned on the 602 (now 10) - it may have been @Geordie driver who chauffeured me back

Thanks for remembering me, it was a while ago. It was a Bristol RE IIRC? At least, let's imagine it was.

I feel very fortunate to have experienced bus driving pre-deregulation and privatisation, the 601/602/X25/X26 Hexham to Blyth was a joy to do.

It still seems strange to my eyes to see Northern buses on these United routes.

I have used N.E. explorers on Stagecoach routes without a problem, but never over Carlisle way.

Mind, you could use your library card on my bus if I was in the mood.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for remembering me, it was a while ago. It was a Bristol RE IIRC? At !east, let's imagine it was.

I feel very fortunate to have experienced bus driving pre dereg and privatisation, the 601/602/X25/X26 Hexham to Blyth was a joy to do.

**Checks records"" It was an Olympian before I got off at Prudhoe, and then a VR back to Newcastle on the 600.

To be brutally honest, Arriva really cocked up the Tyne Valley (south) services. They were upgraded after dereg eventually getting Olympian coaches (ex Green Line) and then the superb M reg Palatine Olympians. The 685 got Optare Deltas which weren't popular so got replaced by Tigers (ex Green Line too) before they received the Plaxton Prima Daf coaches. Under Arriva, the Primas were run into the ground, working the 685 for 14 years. The 602 got Tridents (barely enough for PVR) that were worse in comfort than the Olympians, and were then replaced by B10BLEs.

Go Ahead after acquiring the depot have restored deckers to the 602 (now 10) and improved the rest of the stock. Meanwhile, Arriva replaced the Primas with some slightly newer but equally hammered examples before shifting some Scania Omnicities on there which they can't keep on the road, so you get anything that Jesmond might hope won't fail. You can understand why Go Ahead decided to "have a go" but seems that it can't go on.

 

[APT618S]

What the Durham or Northumberland CC routes are that it is/was valid on, I don't know.

The NE Explorer is valid on the Durham Cathedral bus service run by the council but operated by GNE.

Durham Cathedral Bus - Durham County Council

The Cathedral Bus service links Durham train station and Framwelgate Waterside with the city centre, marketplace and Durham Cathedral and Castle.

www.durham.gov.uk

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The NE Explorer is valid on the Durham Cathedral bus service run by the council but operated by GNE.

Durham Cathedral Bus - Durham County Council

The Cathedral Bus service links Durham train station and Framwelgate Waterside with the city centre, marketplace and Durham Cathedral and Castle.

www.durham.gov.uk

Surely that's just the same as any other Go North East operated service that operates under tender?

My understanding was that there were some other services, not operated by GNE, Arriva, Stagecoach, or Travelsure but by other operators where you could use an Explorer - I think Glen Valley (when they operated 267/464 to Berwick) was an example.

 

[APT618S]

Surely that's just the same as any other Go North East operated service that operates under tender?

IIRC The explorer was valid when the previous operator, Scarlett Band, ran the service despite the explorer not being valid on their commercial services. Certainly tendered services can be a minefield for ticket validity where sometimes the operator who runs it allows their own tickets to be used and sometimes they do not.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

IIRC The explorer was valid when the previous operator, Scarlett Band, ran the service despite the explorer not being valid on their commercial services. Certainly tendered services can be a minefield for ticket validity where sometimes the operator who runs it allows their own tickets to be used and sometimes they do not.

Given how Arriva have retrenched, Scarlet Band and Weardale (who left the Explorer scheme) would be welcome additions to operators accepting them.

Mind you, I remember the days before Stagecoach (Teesside and Busways) accepted them and you were not permitted to use an Explorer before 0900 (M-F) or for journeys wholly within Tyne and Wear, so be thankful for the current situation!!

 

[Bristol LHS]

To be brutally honest, Arriva really cocked up the Tyne Valley (south) services. They were upgraded after dereg eventually getting Olympian coaches (ex Green Line) and then the superb M reg Palatine Olympians.

I have very happy memories of my Dad buying Explorer tickets, taking me from Sunderland to Newcastle on Go-Ahead’s fantastic ExpressLink MCW Metrobuses (on the X95) then switching - at the murky and exhaust fume filled Eldon Square concourse - onto a 602 ex-Green Line Olympian along the Tyne Valley to Hexham. Beasts of buses, both of them.

The Palatine Olympians were canny too - Northumbria always had a good internal spec, coach seats in that nice blue and grey moquette. I was allowed out on the buses on my own by then.

 

[Spaceflower]

Yes, cracking 15 minute commute to Peterlee on the old 231! Toerags used to set fire to them though

I've never been able to find a picture but it was one of these with coach style seats....

231 hartlepool newcastle go northern bus - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

 

[kez19]

I'm seeing a few pics on Flickr that GNE and some other operators covering Arriva services - is this normal or has this happened every Christmas/new year? If you are local to these services you will know better than me (photos below seem to have been taken Boxing Day hence the question Christmas/New Year)

credit photographers below...


Ashington - X21

6108 NL63 YCM Go North East

Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 is seen here at Percy Street, Newcastle on Service X21 to Ashington.

www.flickr.com

Cramlington - 43

Go North East Cobalt & Coast 6117 / NL63 XCB

Go North East Cobalt & Coast 6117 / NL63 XCB Is seen here at Haymarket Bus Station whilst working on service 43 to Cramlington on behalf of Arriva, who weren’t running any Boxing Day services. December 26th 2021

www.flickr.com

Whitley Bay - 306 (Henry Cooper on behalf of GNE)

Henry Cooper HC10 PER YR61 RUO

Arriva North East decided not to operate their limited Boxing Day services this year (normally a handful of routes north of the Tyne). Nexus and Northumberland County Council decided that, as Arriva had run them for half a dozen years or so, that they had better tender roughly equivalent...

www.flickr.com

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm seeing a few pics on Flickr that GNE and some other operators covering Arriva services - is this normal or has this happened every Christmas/new year? If you are local to these services you will know better than me (photos below seem to have been taken Boxing Day hence the question Christmas/New Year)

credit photographers below...


Ashington - X21

6108 NL63 YCM Go North East

Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2 is seen here at Percy Street, Newcastle on Service X21 to Ashington.

www.flickr.com

Cramlington - 43

Go North East Cobalt & Coast 6117 / NL63 XCB

Go North East Cobalt & Coast 6117 / NL63 XCB Is seen here at Haymarket Bus Station whilst working on service 43 to Cramlington on behalf of Arriva, who weren’t running any Boxing Day services. December 26th 2021

www.flickr.com

Whitley Bay - 306 (Henry Cooper on behalf of GNE)

Henry Cooper HC10 PER YR61 RUO

Arriva North East decided not to operate their limited Boxing Day services this year (normally a handful of routes north of the Tyne). Nexus and Northumberland County Council decided that, as Arriva had run them for half a dozen years or so, that they had better tender roughly equivalent...

www.flickr.com

Haven't you read the commentary of the photos?

Arriva have usually operated some routes on Boxing Day commercially. They didn't this year so Nexus have tendered them; they were won by Go North East but they couldn't cover everything so subbed out a bit to Henry Cooper

 

[kez19]

Haven't you read the commentary of the photos?

Arriva have usually operated some routes on Boxing Day commercially. They didn't this year so Nexus have tendered them; they were won by Go North East but they couldn't cover everything so subbed out a bit to Henry Cooper

I did read the commentary, I just wondered if this was a yearly thing in the area, does this happen often for services like on Boxing Day.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I did read the commentary, I just wondered if this was a yearly thing in the area, does this happen often for services like on Boxing Day.

As it said on the Henry Cooper one

Arriva North East decided not to operate their limited Boxing Day services this year (normally a handful of routes north of the Tyne).
Nexus and Northumberland County Council decided that, as Arriva had run them for half a dozen years or so, that they had better tender roughly equivalent services.
Go North East won the tenders but had to hire in Henry Cooper Coaches (Greaves, Annitsford) to provide 1 of the 2 buses covering normally Arriva route 306.​

Up until a few years ago, Arriva surprisingly and inexplicably didn't operate services on Boxing Day. Then they began to operate a limited number of services over a few of their bigger routes to cater for Boxing Day shoppers.

Not surprisingly this year, given the reduced high street footfall, they decided not to operate so Nexus and NCC decided to tender replacements. So no - it's something new this year.

Stagecoach and Arriva have always been more conservative with Boxing Day (and more so this year) compared to Go North East.

 

[kez19]

As it said on the Henry Cooper one


Up until a few years ago, Arriva surprisingly and inexplicably didn't operate services on Boxing Day. Then they began to operate a limited number of services over a few of their bigger routes to cater for Boxing Day shoppers.

Not surprisingly this year, given the reduced high street footfall, they decided not to operate so Nexus and NCC decided to tender replacements. So no - it's something new this year.

Stagecoach and Arriva have always been more conservative with Boxing Day (and more so this year) compared to Go North East.

Thank you, I just wondered in general seeing pics of bus routes that are ran by Arriva but GNE had them but I did note it said Boxing Day.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you, I just wondered in general seeing pics of bus routes that are ran by Arriva but GNE had them but I did note it said Boxing Day.

GNE did provide a Boxing Day map but it was of their usual services (and not the ones that are normally Arriva). Quite comprehensive https://images-gonortheast.passenger-website.com/2021-12/Boxing Day network map.pdf

 

[darloscott]

Surely that's just the same as any other Go North East operated service that operates under tender?

My understanding was that there were some other services, not operated by GNE, Arriva, Stagecoach, or Travelsure but by other operators where you could use an Explorer - I think Glen Valley (when they operated 267/464 to Berwick) was an example.

Valid on most of the Durham County Council tendered services - mostly operated by Scarlet Band these days. They’re not valid on those routes that they operate commercially however. Explorers are also not valid on Glen Valley routes from Alnwick to Wooler, I tried last summer - but luckily we were going to pick up coaches from their depot so the driver let us travel for free anyway.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Valid on most of the Durham County Council tendered services - mostly operated by Scarlet Band these days. They’re not valid on those routes that they operate commercially however. Explorers are also not valid on Glen Valley routes from Alnwick to Wooler, I tried last summer - but luckily we were going to pick up coaches from their depot so the driver let us travel for free anyway.

Is there anywhere where they (anyone) tell the public?

 

[safcwebster]

There are rumours circulating on another forum that there will be quite a major U turn backing out some improvements made this year on X Lines services X9/X10 to Middlesbrough and X84/X85 to Hexham

X9 withdrawn (it’s already suspended due to the driver shortage)
X85 withdrawn with the X84 downgraded to be a normal bus service renumbered 684
Former Oxford Interdeck coaches withdrawn
E400MMCs currently on the X84/X85 moved to operate the X10

Someone has post the full changes on another forum:


Consett
16/16A: weekday afternoon peak retimed to avoid stand clashes
47/47A: Full Timetable review to improve reliability
X5/X15: all journeys revised to operate via Bridgehill to partly replace the X46
X45/X46: revised to every 20 minutes (two per hour as X45, and one X46)

Deptford
55: new timetable to improve reliability. Doxford Park now only served Mon-Sat peaks due to low demand
X20: timetable revised to improve reliability and better co-ordinated with services 20 and 55 on Durham Road

Riverside & Hexham
6: Saturday evening journeys retimed to avoid a stand clash in Newcastle
10/10A/10B: additional vehicle added to improve reliability
X9/X10: X9 cancelled due to poor recovery with X10 running hourly via X10E route serving all areas with double decker buses

Hexham Local services
680: timetable revised to improve reliability
682: withdrawn and replaced by new 684
683: short inter-peak journeys operated by Consett withdraw, with other journeys retimed
686: minor changes, with journeys to Ovington reduced to offer an increased frequency Prudhoe-Ovingham
687: no longer inter work with 680/688 to improve reliability. Some journeys now operated by Consett depot
688: timetable revised to improve reliability
689: additional journey between Hexham and Slaley Hall introduced
X84: renumbered 684 and revised to operate via Corchester Lane and Hexham Station between Corbridge and Hexham to replaced 682. Retimed to offer better coordinated timings with Arriva/Stagecoach 685
X85: withdrawn

Washington
4: morning journeys to Amazon transferred from Deptford to Washington, with other journeys retimed
X1: timetable revised to improve reliability and improve co-ordination with the 55 between Houghton and Peterlee

 

[P410CCU]

**Checks records"" It was an Olympian before I got off at Prudhoe, and then a VR back to Newcastle on the 600.

To be brutally honest, Arriva really cocked up the Tyne Valley (south) services. They were upgraded after dereg eventually getting Olympian coaches (ex Green Line) and then the superb M reg Palatine Olympians. The 685 got Optare Deltas which weren't popular so got replaced by Tigers (ex Green Line too) before they received the Plaxton Prima Daf coaches. Under Arriva, the Primas were run into the ground, working the 685 for 14 years. The 602 got Tridents (barely enough for PVR) that were worse in comfort than the Olympians, and were then replaced by B10BLEs.

Ironically, both the M reg Palatines (M*** FTY) and W reg Dennis Trident ALX400s (W*** RBB) ended up doing a stint at Blyth on the 308 after their time at Hexham.

I vividly remember the M Reg Palatines on the 308 during the big transition from Northumbria to Arriva circa 2000 including the changeover from Almex to Wayfarer. Here is an example of one below:

7373 Arriva Northumbria M373FTY Volvo Olympian YNRV Northern Counties Palatine II. Haymarket Bus Station Newcastle Aug00

www.flickr.com

I also remember 372(7372) still in it's Dark Blue Pennine Windows livery.

https://i.ebayimg.com/d/w1600/pict/363339311904_/Original-Colour-slide-Northumbria-Volvo-Olympian-M372FTY.jpg

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I vividly remember the M Reg Palatines on the 308 during the big transition from Northumbria to Arriva circa 2000 including the changeover from Almex to Wayfarer.

Better memory than me - I couldn't recall that. They ended up doing big miles on the Great North Road services and were stuffed by the end of their days.

The Northumbria fleet was on a par with the Go Ahead fleet in the mid 1990s. Quite a gap nowadays....

 

[P410CCU]

Better memory than me - I couldn't recall that. They ended up doing big miles on the Great North Road services and were stuffed by the end of their days.

The Northumbria fleet was on a par with the Go Ahead fleet in the mid 1990s. Quite a gap nowadays....

If I remember correctly, most of the M*** FTY batch went to Blyth circa 2000 when the ALX400s arrived at Hexham. In turn, the original batch of East Lancs Volvo Olympians delivered to Blyth around 1998/1999 (M*** HPF) then went to Ashington. Then around 2001, some Leyland Olympians (F*** YTJ) replaced these and allowed the Palatine II's to go to Ashington & Alnwick. Then after a mish mash including some Scania Northern Counties Palatines, Blyth eventually received the Dennis Trident ALX400s from Hexham in 2003.

 

[MotCO]

If I remember correctly, most of the M*** FTY batch went to Blyth circa 2000 when the ALX400s arrived at Hexham. In turn, the original batch of East Lancs Volvo Olympians delivered to Blyth around 1998/1999 (M*** HPF) then went to Ashington. Then around 2001, some Leyland Olympians (F*** YTJ) replaced these and allowed the Palatine II's to go to Ashington & Alnwick. Then after a mish mash including some Scania Northern Counties Palatines, Blyth eventually received the Dennis Trident ALX400s from Hexham in 2003.

M***HPF sounds like a Surrey registration. Did London & Country have these buses first, or were some of the same batch used down south?

 

[P410CCU]

M***HPF sounds like a Surrey registration. Did London & Country have these buses first, or were some of the same batch used down south?

London & Country had them first I believe.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

M***HPF sounds like a Surrey registration. Did London & Country have these buses first, or were some of the same batch used down south?

London & Country had them first I believe.

They were new to London and Country in Croydon and Leatherhead for services like the 406/409, later Londonlinks/Arriva London before heading to either Northumbria or Yorkshire; some Northumbria ones later went to Durham with one decapitated under the infamous Albert Bridge in Middlesbrough.

The 308 was interesting as a jointly operated route by Arriva and Go North East. Go Ahead seemed to keep the ex NBC Olympians on there for ages, whilst Northumbria had a mix of Olympians and Cityzens. Then in late 1990s, Go Ahead seemed to up its game with Tridents whilst Arriva got those god awful ex Merseyside heaps for a while.

As I say, in the 1990s, Northumbria were slightly ahead of Go Ahead in terms of their fleets. By the mid 2000s, that had changed appreciably and aside from a brief rally in the Nigel Featham era, the current comparison between Go Ahead and Arriva NE.... miles apart.

 

[P410CCU]

They were new to London and Country in Croydon and Leatherhead for services like the 406/409, later Londonlinks/Arriva London before heading to either Northumbria or Yorkshire; some Northumbria ones later went to Durham with one decapitated under the infamous Albert Bridge in Middlesbrough.

The 308 was interesting as a jointly operated route by Arriva and Go North East. Go Ahead seemed to keep the ex NBC Olympians on there for ages, whilst Northumbria had a mix of Olympians and Cityzens. Then in late 1990s, Go Ahead seemed to up its game with Tridents whilst Arriva got those god awful ex Merseyside heaps for a while.

As I say, in the 1990s, Northumbria were slightly ahead of Go Ahead in terms of their fleets. By the mid 2000s, that had changed appreciably and aside from a brief rally in the Nigel Featham era, the current comparison between Go Ahead and Arriva NE.... miles apart.

If I remember the 308 allocations correctly 1996 onwards up to 2007/08.........

Northumbria/Arriva (incl years allocated):
- N*** OTY Cityzens (1996)
- M*** HPF East Lancs Olympians (1998/99)
- M*** FTY Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II (Cummins) (2000/01)
- Ex Merseyside Leyland Olympians (2001/02)
- Ex London Scania N113 Northern Counties Palatines (2002/03)
- Dennis Trident ALX400 (2003)
- DAF DB250 East Lancs Lowlander (2005)

Coastline / Go North East (incl years allocated):
- Leyland Olympians (until 2000)
- S8** OFT Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II (2000) (Volvo D10-245) (2000)
- Dennis Trident East Lancs Lolyne (2002)

In 2007 before GNE gave up 'jointly' operating the 308 in 2008, the East Lancs Lolynes were then re-deployed on the then relaunched Coaster services replacing the old 301 & 302. Some Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II's were then re-deployed on to the 308.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If I remember the 308 allocations correctly 1996 onwards up to 2007/08.........

Northumbria/Arriva (incl years allocated):
- N*** OTY Cityzens (1996)
- M*** HPF East Lancs Olympians (1998/99)
- M*** FTY Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II (Cummins) (2000/01)
- Ex Merseyside Leyland Olympians (2001/02)
- Ex London Scania N113 Northern Counties Palatines (2002/03)
- Dennis Trident ALX400 (2003)
- DAF DB250 East Lancs Lowlander (2005)

Coastline / Go North East (incl years allocated):
- Leyland Olympians (until 2000)
- S8** OFT Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II (2000) (Volvo D10-245) (2000)
- Dennis Trident East Lancs Lolyne (2002)

In 2007 before GNE gave up 'jointly' operating the 308 in 2008, the East Lancs Lolynes were then re-deployed on the then relaunched Coaster services replacing the old 301 & 302. Some Volvo Palatine NC Palatine II's were then re-deployed on to the 308.

Even then, it doesn't tell the whole story

The ex Merseyside Olympians that Arriva used were horrendous with water ingress making them so damp smelling, Arriva put air fresheners under the seats, the Arriva Tridents were so slow they struggled to keep time, and the Lowlanders had Urban 90 seats with no comfort.

The Go Ahead fleet was generally much better in terms of presentation and comfort.

 

[Anvil1984]

IIRC in the mid to late 90s Go North Easts North Tyneside division “Coastline” were making more of an effort putting the new vehicles on their own 300 / 305 routes moving them over to being Easy Access with Excels. Then they started messing about with the routes themselves (merging / splitting the 300 with the North Shields Town Services and the 305 being pruned back to just Newcastle to Hadrian Park then being thrown in with a varying route number or joined into a new brand every couple of years).
Go North Easts distain for the 308 showed in later years when their services were moved to the “Bargain Bus” brand before selling the Ashington depot (which they gained from buying Northumbria Coaches) in 2010 to Arriva and thus the 308 went to 100% Arriva.

That being said on the Arriva side the Cityzens and the ex 602 Olympians were comfortable for the 308 but after that it took a bit of a dive for a while

As always I’m possibly completely wrong