Newcastle Services 71 72 and 87

Over recent times, we recognise we need to make changes to improve the reliability of services 71, 72, 72A, but within the same resources as we currently operate.

To do this, we’ve got a few ideas that we’d like your input on. We want to know what you think, and whether these will negatively (or positively!) impact your regular journey. As part of this, our new Electric Vehicles will be deployed to this service, with air conditioning, USB charging ports and TFT screens for Audio Visual Announcements, to add to our zero tailpipe emission technology!

We want to hear what you have to say, so we are hosting an in person consultation servicey on Thursday 18 June 4pm - 8pm at Westerhope Community Centre, come down and visit us in person to give us your thoughts on the options below:

Barrack Road: In order to speed up journey times along this corridor and along the full route overall, we propose to operate limited stop between Blackett Street and Cowgate, stopping only at the BBC TV Centre. This change could save around 2-3 minutes journey time, particularly heading out of Newcastle City Centre, with customers on Barrack Road using the more intensive services that operate along this corridor, in particular the frequent 62 and 63 services.

City Centre: In addition to the above, we need to reduce the mileage operated by these services to allow buses to recover more quickly when they encounter delays on the network. The routes that these services operate between Newcastle and Westerhope, through Cowgate and along Stamfordham Road, are susceptible to delays, and we think the low levels of recovery time is causing buses to stay late for longer until ultimately, they are cancelled. We have two options to explore, both in the City Centre –

· Option 1: Current route to Barrack Road, then via Gallowgate, Newgate Street, Grainger Street, Market Street, Pilgrim Street, Blackett Street, Gallowgate and Barrack Road, then current route.

· Option 2: Current route to Barrack Road, then via Gallowgate, Blackett Street, New Bridge Street West, John Dobson Street, Market Street, Pilgrim Street, Blackett Street, Gallowgate and Barrack Road, then current route. Once John Dobson Street reopens northbound past the new HMRC building, we could then reverse the loop to operate anticlockwise based on customer feedback.

We recognise both routes miss out Westgate Road and the Central Station area. However, St. James’ Boulevard can prove particularly problematic at peak times, and our observations are that most of our City Centre customers board and alight in the Monument area, and this will become even more prominent once the new HMRC and DWP buildings open in 2027. Option 1 also gives a short pedestrian route from Newgate Street to the Central Station area. Both options save another few minutes of journey time and will allow us to amend our Newcastle United home match diversion to operate along Percy Street instead, which will improve reliability post-match for all customers.

We want to hear your views. Please drop us a line with your thoughts:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0345 241 8000 (08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00 Saturday and Sunday. All calls are charged at geographic rates (the same as 01/02 numbers) and are included in call packages from both landlines and mobiles).

All feedback will be considered prior to the final decision being made, with changes planned to commence from Sunday 30 August 2026.