The reason why there was so much of a arguement from locals about the 43/44 services being split is that the solution if you think about it is perfectly simple. Start/terminate the 43/44 at Metrocentre and if its late on way in it should be ok on the way out. Introduce a transfer style ticket so passengers get off at Metrocentre and get any of the frequent Newcastle service for the same ticket.
As for the double deckers transfer guess sure gne would have the new buses at their depot by now if they were getting any for the 25/10/15, i think gne just made a mistake with the timetables leaflets and what bus to put on front of them. Its highly unlikely gne will order any new buses until the quality contracts has been decided. Why would they buy a load of new buses just for someone else to come in and take over? Any i heard they a keen to replace the MPDs before anything else, which in my opinion is a mistake as they need them awful red deckers replacing asap. Yellow deckers oh they are fine, 20 more years in them at least.
