Service Changes in the Darlington and Stockton Area Sep 26
Today
Following a review of services supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority, together with feedback from our customers, we’re pleased to introduce a number of timetable and route improvements from Sunday 27 September 2026.
These changes will provide new travel opportunities, improved connections and better links between communities across the Darlington and Stockton areas.
Service 1 – Darlington to Tow Law
There will be two timetable adjustments.
The 06:13 Monday to Friday journey from Faverdale Grange to Tow Law will now start at 06:12 from Westgate Crescent.
The 22:42 Monday to Saturday journey from Tindale Crescent to Crook will depart at 22:37, running 5 minutes earlier throughout and arriving in Crook at 23:02.
This earlier arrival will provide customers with a convenient connection onto the 23:05 X46 towards Durham.
Service 3 – Skerne Park to Hummersknott
There will be some minor changes to early morning and mid-afternoon Monday to Friday journeys.
The afternoon school journey from Hummersknott will depart at 15:09, better matching school finishing times and making the journey home more convenient for students.
Service 7 – Darlington to Durham
Monday to Friday peak-time journeys will be revised to better meet customer needs.
An additional morning journey to New College in Durham will be introduced, providing an extra travel option for students.
The 23:30 journey from Durham will also be extended to Aycliffe Village, providing an improved late-evening connection.
Service 8 – Darlington to Spennymoor
There will be a small afternoon timetable adjustment.
The 14:52 journey from Spennymoor will depart at 14:57 and run 5 minutes later throughout.
Service 10 – Darlington to Whinfield
Service 10 will be revised to focus on journeys between Darlington and Whinfield.
New Services 86/87 will provide dedicated links to Sadberge, Bishopton and Stillington, offering new travel opportunities between these communities and Stockton.
Service 16 – Harrowgate Hill to Mowden and West Park
Service 16 will be replaced by the revised Service 18, which will provide an enhanced cross-town route and improved connections across Darlington.
Service 17 – Darlington to Mowden
With support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and Darlington Council, Service 17 will be extended to Darlington Arena, travelling via Neasham Road and Geneva Crescent.
This will provide a direct link from the Mowden area to Darlington Rail Station, as well as improved access to Darlington Arena.
A new Sunday daytime service will also be introduced, together with Monday to Saturday evening buses between Darlington Arena and the Town Centre, continuing to Mowden as Service 18A.
Service 18 – Harrowgate Hill to Darlington
With support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and Darlington Council, Service 18 will be extended to West Park Hospital and Faverdale.
The revised route will travel via Abbey Road, Hummersknott, Mowden and Cockerton, creating improved cross-town connections.
Customers will benefit from links to Queen Elizabeth College, Darlington Rail Station, Cockerton Village, Faverdale retail and industrial areas and West Park Hospital.
The revised service will also provide a new link between Mowden, Cockerton Village and Faverdale.
A Sunday daytime service will be introduced, together with Monday to Saturday evening journeys between Darlington Centre and West Park/Faverdale, operating as Service 18A.
Service 18A – Darlington Arena to Mowden
Service 18A will operate Monday to Saturday evenings only. Following the Service 17 route between Darlington Arena and Darlington Town Centre, before continuing along the Service 18 route between Darlington Town Centre and West Park/Faverdale.
This will provide convenient evening connections between Darlington Arena, the town centre, Mowden, West Park and Faverdale.
Service 19 – Darlington to Faverdale
Service 19 will be revised to provide more direct access into Faverdale, with the route no longer serving John Fowler Way.
One journey each hour will terminate at Aldi Warehouse.
A further hourly journey, supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority, will continue to Newton Aycliffe Town Centre, travelling via High Grange, West Park Hospital, Heighington, School Aycliffe and Newton Aycliffe Rail Halt.
This will create new links from these communities to Faverdale retail and industrial areas, Darlington Memorial Hospital and Queen Elizabeth College.
Services 86/87 – Darlington to Stockton via Stillington
We’re introducing new Services 86/87, supported by Tees Valley Combined Authority, providing improved connections between Darlington, the communities around Stillington and Stockton.
The new services will replace the current Service 10 between Darlington and Stillington and Service X86 between Stockton and Stillington.
Services will operate from Darlington via Tornado Way, Sadberge, Little Stainton, Bishopton, Great Stainton (peak hours only), Old Stillington, Stillington, Whitton, Redmarshall, Carlton, Letch Lane, Tesco (Service 86), Hardwick (Service 87), North Tees Hospital and Durham Road, continuing to Stockton High Street.
Journeys will serve both ends of Stockton High Street, providing improved access to the new Riverside Park area.
Service X66 – Darlington to Middlesbrough<
Evening and Sunday journeys from Darlington will operate 5 minutes later than at present, providing a little more flexibility for customers travelling later in the day.
These changes will introduce new services, extended routes, improved connections and additional travel opportunities across Darlington, Stockton and surrounding communities.