Cityrider is a bus service in Tyne and Wear, England, which connects Springwell Village, Wrekenton, Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne with Washington, Hylton Castle and Sunderland.

Cityrider
LocaleTyne and Wear, England
Service area
Service typeBus service
FleetVolvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2 (2014–)
OperatorGo North East
WebsiteGo North East

History

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The service was formerly branded as Fab Fifty Six, with a number of Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2 double-deck vehicles branded in a floral orange livery.[1][2] Prior to the service's upgrade in January 2014, it was operated by Scania L94UB/Wright Solar single-deck vehicles in the Fab Fifty Six livery.

 
A Go North East Scania L94UB/Wright Solar in the former livery, seen at Monument in April 2009.

In May 2009, night services were introduced on Friday and Saturday nights.[3] In January 2014, 17 Volvo B9TL Eclipse Gemini double-decker buses were introduced on the route.[1]

In summer 2020, some services on this route were operated with open-top buses.

A daily 24-hour service was introduced in May 2021. It is currently one of three services (including services 21 and 60) operated by Go North East which run to a daily 24-hour service.[4][5]

Service and operations

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Go North East 56
Newcastle – Concord – Sunderland
via Wrekenton & Hylton Castle
 
Newcastle Monument
 
Gateshead Interchange
 
Deckham
 
Sheriff Hill
 
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
 
Wrekenton
 
Springwell Village
 
Donwell
 
Concord
 
Sulgrave
 
Nissan UK
 
Hylton Castle
 
Hylton Red House
 
Southwick
 
Stadium of Light
 
Monkwearmouth
 
Sunderland Park Lane
Evening services additionally operate
via Beacon Lough East Estate.

The service currently operates between Newcastle and Sunderland up to every 15 minutes (Monday to Saturday), up to every 20 minutes on Sunday and half-hourly during the evening. Services also operate throughout the night on an hourly frequency. It is currently operated by a fleet of Euro 6 Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2 double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and red livery.

References

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  1. ^ a b "New buses for 'Fab 56'". Bus & Coach Buyer. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Cleaner and Greener Buses". North East Combined Authority. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Fab service is extended". Evening Chronicle. 4 April 2007. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Go North East to introduce 24/7 services on three routes". Route One. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  5. ^ Meechan, Simon (28 May 2021). "Night buses to offer 24-hour travel between Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Durham". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 5 June 2021.