What are we consulting about?
We are consulting about trialling a new, peak time service operating between The Maples and Heworth Interchange. This would mean minor changes to a small number of trips on the current 568 service and one trip on the 558 service.
Why are we considering changes to this service?
The Maples is a relatively new estate situated more than 400 meters from another Bus route. It has no bus provision of its own.
What changes are we proposing?
We are planning to introduce, on a trial basis, two Monday to Friday AM/PM peak time services between The Maples Housing Development and Heworth Interchange.
We propose that the two AM trips on the current service 568 which operate via Monkton Business Park will also operate via The Maples on the return to Heworth. The 568 which currently departs Heworth at 16:18 on weekdays, will depart at 16:12 instead and operate via The Maples on its journey towards Monkton Business Park
The trips operating to/from Monkton Lane Business Park and The Maples will be numbered X68 instead of service 568.
This new service will open the housing estate at The Maples to the wider public transport network in Tyne and Wear. For example, a journey from The Maples to Monument Metro Station could take under 30 minutes*. Heworth Interchange can also be used to link with frequent Metro services towards Sunderland, South Shields and the wider Bus network, as well as Northern Rail services for the National Rail network.
Below you can see a preview of the proposed Monday to Friday timetable. There are no changes to the Saturday route and timetable.
Subject to a subsequent consultation with regards the site of a Bus Stop, the X68 would operate a one way, anti-clockwise loop of The Maples operating from Monkton Lane via Holmes Drive, Penrose Place and then Monkton Lane back towards Heworth. See the map below for a better idea of what the route would look like.
Because of these proposed changes, the 558 service which departs Heworth towards Seaburn at 16:47 on weekdays will depart at 16:50 instead and run three minutes later throughout. There are no other changes to the 558 timetable.
*X68: 07:28 The Maples, 07:39 Heworth Interchange. Metro: 07:45 Heworth Interchange, 07:54 Monument Station
How would customers be affected by our proposed changes?
A small number of trips on what is currently the 568 service and one trip on the 558 service are retimed slightly to accommodate the vehicles serving The Maples.
How can stakeholders get in touch?
Before we make a final decision, we would first like to know what stakeholders and users think about our proposal to operate a trial service between Heworth Interchange and The Maples/Monkton Lane. The consultation will end on 14th April 2025.
You can write to us…
558/568/X68 Trial Bus Consultation, Commercial Team, Nexus House, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AX
Or e-mail your feedback…
[email protected]