Park Lane Interchange is a busy transport interchange on the south-western fringe of the city centre of Sunderland, North East England

North East England

North East England is one of the nine official regions of England. It covers Northumberland, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Teesside . The only cities in the region are Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland...

. It offers Tyne and Wear Metro

Tyne and Wear Metro

The Tyne and Wear Metro, also known as the Metro, is a light rail system in North East England, serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland. It opened in 1980 and in 2007–2008 provided 40 million public journeys on its network of nearly...

 services, long distance coach services and also local bus services. It is on the site of the Park Lane Bus Station that was built in the 1930s, and a Go North East

Go North East

Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...

 bus depot. The Metro station opened in 2002.

History

Park Lane was the busiest bus station in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 outside of the capital. It replaced Sunderland's Central Bus Station (operated initially by Sunderland Corporation Tranport and then Tyne and Wear PTE) and the original Park Lane Bus Station, operated by Go-Ahead Northern / Go North East

Go North East

Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...

.

An underground Tyne and Wear Metro

Tyne and Wear Metro

The Tyne and Wear Metro, also known as the Metro, is a light rail system in North East England, serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland. It opened in 1980 and in 2007–2008 provided 40 million public journeys on its network of nearly...

 station opened at the site on 28 April 2002 enabling speedy travel within Sunderland and much of Tyne & Wear. The openeing was a few weeks after the rest of the Sunderland extension, due to the late delivery of wall panels.

Congestion issues within the station led to a large number of services no longer calling within the Interchange and now use street concourses on nearby Green Terrace, Vine Place and Holmeside.

Overview

Park Lane's westbound platform is used for trains to South Hylton

South Hylton Metro station

South Hylton Metro station serves the suburb of South Hylton on the banks of the River Wear. The station opened as part of the Sunderland extension in 2002...

, while passengers for north Sunderland and Tyneside

Tyneside

Tyneside is a conurbation in North East England, defined by the Office of National Statistics, which is home to over 80% of the population of Tyne and Wear. It includes the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside — all settlements on...

 use the eastbound platform. The Metro station is one of three serving the city centre, the others being University

University Metro station

University Metro Station on the Tyne and Wear Metro is located on the western fringe of Sunderland City Centre, and is the nearest station to the University of Sunderland's City Campus....

 and Sunderland Central

Sunderland station

Sunderland Station is a National Rail and Tyne and Wear Metro station in the city centre of Sunderland, North East England. It is the only station in the country where both heavy rail and light rail services use the same platforms...

.

Primarily Stagecaoch

Stagecoach Group

Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...

 cross-city and local routes, these buses now use street concourses on nearby Green Terrace, Vine Place and Holmeside.

There are a number of amenities at Park Lane, including two newsagents, a Nexus

Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive using the brandname of Nexus, is the Passenger Transport Executive for the Tyne and Wear region of North East England....

 Travelcentre, a Greggs

Greggs

Greggs plc is the largest specialist retail bakery chain in the United Kingdom. It was established in the 1930s as a single shop but has approximately 1,500 outlets....

 Bakery, and public toilets. The Interchange also hosts a busy taxi rank, as well as National Express

National Express

National Express Coaches, more commonly known as National Express, is a brand and company, owned by the National Express Group, under which the majority of long distance bus and coach services in Great Britain are operated,...

 and Megabus

Megabus (United Kingdom)

Megabus is a UK coach service operated by Stagecoach Group. It started in 2003 and as of February 2010 operated 19 UK coach routes serving 41 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales. Some services link with Megatrain services which are also operated by Stagecoach...

 coach services to London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, Leeds

Leeds

Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...

, Liverpool

Liverpool

Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...

, Sheffield

Sheffield

Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...

, Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...

 and other destinations across the country. Along with others on the Sunderland extension, the Metro station has vitreous enamelled panels in a colour scheme
created by Morag Morrison. Each station uses a different arrangement of colours.

Metro services

Coach services

Route Number	Descriprion	Provider	Note
M12	Victoria (London) - Newcastle upon Tyne	Megabus Megabus (United Kingdom) Megabus is a UK coach service operated by Stagecoach Group. It started in 2003 and as of February 2010 operated 19 UK coach routes serving 41 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales. Some services link with Megatrain services which are also operated by Stagecoach...
M35	Cwmbran - Newcastle upon Tyne	Megabus Megabus (United Kingdom) Megabus is a UK coach service operated by Stagecoach Group. It started in 2003 and as of February 2010 operated 19 UK coach routes serving 41 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales. Some services link with Megatrain services which are also operated by Stagecoach...
326	Cambridge (Cambs) - Newcastle upon Tyne	National Express
322	Digbeth - Newcastle upon Tyne	National Express
352	Newcastle - Blackpool	National Express
380	Newcastle upon Tyne - Bangor	National Express
381	Newcastle upon Tyne - Chester	National Express
426	Victoria (London) - South Shields	National Express
530	Newcastle upon Tyne - Paignton	National Express
531	Barbican (Plymouth) - Newcastle upon Tyne	National Express
534	Glasgow - Hull	National Express
633	Ingoldmells - Newcastle upon Tyne	National Express

Bus services

Many bus services are available, including the following (from 30 October 2011):

• |-Stand A -
• |-Stand B -23/24/31/31A
• |-Stand C - 61
• |-Stand D - 60
• |-Stand E - 38/202
• |-Stand F - 42
• |-Stand G - 700
• |-Stand H - 73/X88
• |-Stand J - 39
• |-Stand K - 2A,2C,8,78, 78A
• |-Stand L - 35 - Silksworth / Newbottle / Houghton-le-Spring
• |-Stand M - X35,X36,X37,71
• |-Stand N - 20, X20
• |-Stand P - E1/E2/E6
• |-Stand Q - 35 - South Shields
• |-Stand R - 9/X3
• |-Stand S - 56/N56
• |-Stand T - 36
• |-Stand V - 26/26A/99/135/136/700

List of Bus Services

The following are the bus services currently using Park Lane Interchange, correct to 30 October 2011.
.
.

Key - Route serves a Bus/Coach station. - Route serves a Tyne & Wear Metro station. - Route serves a Railway station.

Route	To	Via	Operator	Days of Operation (if not 7 days)
2A	Washington Galleries Washington Galleries bus station Washington Galleries bus station serves the town of Washington, Tyne and Wear, England. It was opened in October 2008 replacing the previous bus station and was re-built as part of the redevelopment of the town's Galleries shopping centre...	University, Barnwell & Fatfield	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Silver Arrows", Daytime.
2C	Washington Galleries Washington Galleries bus station Washington Galleries bus station serves the town of Washington, Tyne and Wear, England. It was opened in October 2008 replacing the previous bus station and was re-built as part of the redevelopment of the town's Galleries shopping centre...	University, Penshaw & Harraton	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Silver Arrows".
8	Stanley Bus Station	Washington , Chester-le-Street & Beamish	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Lime", Mon-Sat daytime.
Note - Early/late journeys operate to Chester-le-Street only.
9	North Shields	Fulwell Grange, Boldon & Jarrow	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Show Stopper".
20	Durham Bus Station Durham bus station Durham bus station serves the city of Durham, in County Durham, England. The bus station is managed by Durham County Council.This bus station is situated on North Road in the city centre...	North Moor, Houghton-le-Spring & Belmont	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Prince Bishops".
20X	Durham Bus Station	Go North East	Withdrawn 30 Oct 2011.
23	Hartlepool	Ryhope, Dalton Park & Peterlee	Arriva Durham County Arriva North East Arriva North East is a division of the transport group Arriva. It is a major provider of bus services around north east England, alongside Stagecoach North East, and Go North East...	Daytime only.
23B	Hartlepool	Ryhope, Easington & Blackhall	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	1 journey, Mon-Sat evening.
24	Durham Bus Station Durham bus station Durham bus station serves the city of Durham, in County Durham, England. The bus station is managed by Durham County Council.This bus station is situated on North Road in the city centre...	Ryhope, Easington & Shadforth	Arriva Durham County Arriva North East Arriva North East is a division of the transport group Arriva. It is a major provider of bus services around north east England, alongside Stagecoach North East, and Go North East...	All-day Mon-Sat & Sun daytime.
24X	Framwellgate Moor	Easington, Peterlee & Durham	Arriva Durham County Arriva North East Arriva North East is a division of the transport group Arriva. It is a major provider of bus services around north east England, alongside Stagecoach North East, and Go North East...	One-Way, 1 journey, Mon-Fri morning.
26	Jarrow Bus Station Jarrow Metro station Jarrow Metro station is a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, in the centre of the town of Jarrow in South Tyneside, England. It is on the system's Yellow line, but was originally on the Green line prior to the South Shields and South Hylton services being swapped over...	Southwick, Hylton Castle & Boldon Colliery	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"The Black Cats" Mon-Sat daytime.
26A	Heworth Interchange	Southwick, Hylton Castle & Boldon Colliery	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"The Black Cats" 2 journeys Mon-Fri AM + evening & all-day Sunday.
31	Peterlee Bus Station	Ryhope, New Seaham & Easington Village	Arriva Durham County Arriva North East Arriva North East is a division of the transport group Arriva. It is a major provider of bus services around north east England, alongside Stagecoach North East, and Go North East...
31A	Peterlee Bus Station	Ryhope, New Seaham & Easington Village	Arriva Durham County Arriva North East Arriva North East is a division of the transport group Arriva. It is a major provider of bus services around north east England, alongside Stagecoach North East, and Go North East...	Mon-Sat daytime.
35	South Shields South Shields South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...	Wheatsheaf, Cleadon & Harton Nook	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"The Laser".
	Rainton Bridge Ind.Est. (Mon-Sat) Low Moorsley (Sun)	Silksworth, East Herrington & Herrington Burn
Note - Alternate Mon-Sat evening journeys extended to Low Moorsley or South Hetton, also 1 Sun journey/hour extended to South Hetton.
36	Town End Farm	Southwick, Witherwack & Downhill	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat daytime.
38	Tunstall Bank Estate	Leechmere, Hollycarrside & Ryhope	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...  (#)
Note - (#) Evening service operated by Compass Community Transport.
39	Doxford International	Grangetown, Ryhope & Tunstall Village	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...  (#)	"Doxford Clipper".
	Pennywell Prestbury Road	Royal Hospital & Nookside
Note - (#) Evening service operated by Stagecoach in Sunderland Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East is a major operator of bus services in North East England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. The company is made up of two formerly municipal operations; Busways and Transit... .
42	Vicarage Farm Estate	Grangetown, Tunstall Village & Silksworth	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...
56	Newcastle New Bridge Street	Nissan, Concord & Gateshead	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Fab Fifty-Six".
60	Parkside	Ryhope, New Seaham & Seaham Harbour	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Drifter".
61	Murton Station	Ryhope, New Seaham & Dalton Park	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Drifter".
71	Chester-le-Street	East Herrington, Houghton-le-Spring & Great Lumley	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Lambton Worm", Mon-Sat.
Note - Evening service terminates at Houghton-le-Spring.
73	Coach Road Estate	Enterprise Park, Waterview Park & Concord	Connect Community Transport & Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat daytime.
78	Consett Bus Station Consett bus station Consett bus station serves the town of Consett, in County Durham, England. The bus station is managed by Derwentside Council.This bus station is situated on Medomsley Road in the town centre...	Penshaw, Chester-le-Street & Stanley	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Lime", Daytime.
78A	Consett Bus Station Consett bus station Consett bus station serves the town of Consett, in County Durham, England. The bus station is managed by Derwentside Council.This bus station is situated on Medomsley Road in the town centre...	Penshaw, Chester-le-Street & Beamish	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Lime", Mon-Sat evening & all-day Sun.
99	Seaburn Morrisons	Pallion, Hylton Castle & Witherwack	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat daytime.
135	Circular Service	Witherwack, Hylton Castle & Pallion	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat evening & all-day Sun.
136	Circular Service	Pallion, Hylton Castle & Witherwack	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat evening & all-day Sun.
180	Wear Industrial Estate	Nissan, Concord & Washington	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	One-Way, 1 journey, Mon-Sat morning.
Note - 1 return journey starts from Heworth Interchange .
202	Peterlee	Seaham, Dalton Park & Easington Lane	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"East Durham", Mon-Sat daytime.
700	Royal Hospital (1st loop) Circular Service (2nd loop)	University & University Travel Hub (1st loop) Empire Theatre, Wheatsheaf & West Sunniside (2nd loop)	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Mon-Sat (1st loop) Mon-Sat daytime (2nd loop).
939	Team Valley North End	Southwick, Waterview Park & Washington	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...  & Kingsley Coaches	2 journeys, Mon-Fri daytime.
Note - 1 return journey run by each operator.
E1	South Shields South Shields South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...	Roker, Marsden & Bents Park	Stagecoach in South Shields Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East is a major operator of bus services in North East England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. The company is made up of two formerly municipal operations; Busways and Transit...
E2	South Shields South Shields South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...	Fulwell Grange, Marsden & Chichester	Stagecoach in South Shields Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East is a major operator of bus services in North East England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. The company is made up of two formerly municipal operations; Busways and Transit...
E6	South Shields South Shields South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...	Roker, Marsden & Chichester	Stagecoach in South Shields Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East is a major operator of bus services in North East England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. The company is made up of two formerly municipal operations; Busways and Transit...
N56	Newcastle New Bridge Street	Washington , Springwell & Gateshead	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Night Service, Sat night.
X1	Doxford International	Barnes Park & Prospect Hotel	Stagecoach in Sunderland Stagecoach North East Stagecoach North East is a major operator of bus services in North East England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group. The company is made up of two formerly municipal operations; Busways and Transit...	Limited Stop, Mon-Fri daytime.
	Sunderland John Street
Note - 8 journeys A.M. to Doxford, 6 journeys P.M. To Sunderland.
X3	Newcastle Eldon Square Eldon Square Bus Station Eldon Square bus station is one of two bus stations serving the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, England.It is located in the Haymarket area of the city centre, near Newcastle University, adjacent to Haymarket bus station and near Haymarket Metro station...	Fulwell Grange, Boldon & Gateshead	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Limited Stop, Mon-Sat daytime.
X20	Bishop Auckland	Houghton-le-Spring, Durham & Spennymoor	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Pronto", Mon-Sat daytime.
X35	Hartlepool	Doxford, South Hetton & Peterlee	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	"Fast Cats", Limited Stop, Mon-Sat daytime.
X36	Low Moorsley	Royal Hospital, East Herrington & Houghton-le-Spring	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Limited Stop, Mon-Sat daytime.
X37	Low Moorsley	Barnes Park, East Herrington & Houghton-le-Spring	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Limited Stop, Mon-Sat daytime.
X88	MetroCentre Interchange MetroCentre Interchange The Metrocentre Transport Interchange serves the MetroCentre in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England. The bus station is managed by the shopping centre and Nexus operate the bus station's travel centre. A footbridge connects the Interchange the railway station and the shopping mall .Go North East is...	Southwick, Concord & Washington	Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland...	Limited Stop.

Reflist

External links

• Train times and station information for Park Lane Interchange from Nexus
  Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
  The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive using the brandname of Nexus, is the Passenger Transport Executive for the Tyne and Wear region of North East England....