SME bus operator Northstar has continued its growth in north-east England by introducing two express services linking Chester-le-Street and Stanley with the Metrocentre in Gateshead.
The business says that those will halve the existing bus journey times between the two County Durham towns and the shopping centre.
Route X22 will operate on Saturdays and on weekdays throughout school holidays and link Chester-le-Street to the Metrocentre in 24 minutes. The X43 will operate between Stanley and the Metrocentre in 28 minutes.
Full single fares are from £2 and no journey costs over £2.50. The operator is allowing up to three children aged 11 or under to travel for free with an adult from the start date to 31 August. Those aged under-21 pay £1 for a single or £3 for an all-day ticket.
Introduction of the new links by Northstar complements other work including local routes in Sunderland, home-to-school contracts, and private hire. Managing Director Daniel Graham notes that the Metrocentre services will be handled by a team of regular and friendly drivers who live locally.
He adds: “Northstar is only a relatively new bus operator, and when we first set the company up, we promised that we put people first – our customers, communities and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do.
“We have now been operating local bus services for over a year, and local communities have been crying out for faster, direct bus links to the Metrocentre. I am glad that Northstar has been able to step in to offer those.
“Journey times will be slashed with the launch of these new express services to the Metrocentre. We can get there in under 30 minutes, compared to the alternative which takes up to an hour when travelling via Gateshead on multiple services.”
Mr Graham is a former Go North East Commercial Development Manager who launched Northstar in early 2024.
