More express journeys for customers travelling between Durham, Chester-le-Street and Newcastle

Award-winning bus operator Go North East is making big improvements from 26 January to its X-lines X21 express service which runs between Bishop Auckland, Durham, Chester-le-Street and Newcastle.

The service, which currently runs every 30 minutes throughout the day, will be improved to run every 15 minutes between Durham, Chester-le-Street and Newcastle, with the route serving all stops between Durham and Chester-le-Street.

Travellers can also relax knowing the service runs the fastest route possible from Chester-le-Street to Gateshead, only serving The Cannon bus stop in Low Fell between these two points.

From Durham to Bishop Auckland and Woodhouse Estate, the buses will continue to run every 30 minutes. From Tindale Crescent, buses will continue to West Auckland, running direct along Maude Terrace and Station Road, terminating at The Eden Garage, offering great new direct links to Newcastle for residents of this area.

Buses will also run later in the evening, with an hourly express service from Newcastle up until 11.15pm.

Journey times are also faster than traditional bus routes in the area and offer a competitive alternative to the car. Most common journey times:

• Bishop Auckland to Durham – 38 minutes
• Durham to Gateshead – 42 minutes
• Durham to Newcastle – 52 minutes
• Framwellgate Moor to Gateshead – 37 minutes
• Framwellgate Moor to Newcastle – 47 minutes
• Chester-le-Street to Gateshead – 21 minutes
• Chester-le-Street to Newcastle – 31 minutes
• Low Fell (The Cannon) to Newcastle – 18 minutes

For comfort and convenience, the buses are fitted with all the latest mod-cons including comfortable luxury seating, free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, upper-deck tables and next stop announcements.

Weekly travel is available for just £24 with the X-lines X21 WeeklySaver ticket which can be bought in advance on the Go North East app or on the bus from the driver, and the ticket is also valid for use on the operator’s Angel 21 service.

For those travelling between Durham and Newcastle, there is also the cheaper option of the Angel WeeklySaver for £21 which is valid for unlimited travel on X-lines X21 and Angel 21 between Durham and Newcastle.

Anyone travelling between West Auckland and Framwellgate Moor can make a saving thanks to the company’s Auckland Castle Saver tickets, with prices reduced from 26 January to just £5 a day or £15 for the week.

Additionally, the bus operator has discounts for those aged between 5 and 25. Unlimited travel is available on Go North East buses for £4.50 a day and £17 a week, with those aged under 19 also having the option of travelling for just £1.20 per journey. ID is required for anyone aged or looking 16 or over.

Go North East also offer a Family Day Ticket that covers all zones for just £12 a day – covering up to two adults and three children under 16, with a minimum of one adult and one child required.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Go North East, said: “We’re delighted to be increasing the frequency of X-lines X21, which will provide customers with more fast and direct journeys at affordable prices.

“We hope that this will encourage more people to leave the car at home, in turn helping improve air quality with sustainable travel on our environmentally friendly buses.”

To find out more about Go North East’s X-lines services, visit www.gonortheast.co.uk/x-lines.