You’d be better off tendering for a whole new service linking several job sites in one go.
Logically it would look something like Hartlepool Hospital - Hartlepool - A689 - Amazon - Wynyard - Wolviston Village - Billingham - Crooksbarn - North Tees Hospital - Hardwick
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(15 Aug 2023, 10:03 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]You’d be better off tendering for a whole new service linking several job sites in one go.
Logically it would look something like Hartlepool Hospital - Hartlepool - A689 - Amazon - Wynyard - Wolviston Village - Billingham - Crooksbarn - North Tees Hospital - Hardwick
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Not a bad shout either, could maybe extend it through to Stillington aswell and go via Stockton / Portrack Lane aswell.
Something like:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Billin...?entry=ttu
Portrack Lane is a pain to get to aswell unless you happen to live on the hourly 13.
With franchising becoming a big thing I wonder if there is anything you could do to possibly streamline/improve SC Newcastle operations?
(22 Oct 2023, 9:47 am)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]With franchising becoming a big thing I wonder if there is anything you could do to possibly streamline/improve SC Newcastle operations?
You would hope that if franchising does happen all the routes, for all the operators, in the effected area would be looked at and all linked into some coherent form. Here’s hoping anyway.
(22 Oct 2023, 7:20 pm)Bazza wrote [ -> ]You would hope that if franchising does happen all the routes, for all the operators, in the effected area would be looked at and all linked into some coherent form. Here’s hoping anyway.
I wouldn't really want a full change though, gradual changes maybe, but I'd be worried about ripping everything up and starting again from scratch. Reintroduce stuff we lost from Covid, and look where people want to travel from there. Leave the popular stuff alone but make it more reliable and more frequent.
(22 Oct 2023, 7:20 pm)Bazza wrote [ -> ]You would hope that if franchising does happen all the routes, for all the operators, in the effected area would be looked at and all linked into some coherent form. Here’s hoping anyway.
I was just wondering as SC Newcaslte is what i am least familar with so I just wondered from the overall network in Newcastle what changes people would make to make it better
For them to leave the 62/63 alone
22 (Every 15 Minutes): Current route every 15 minutes
23 (Every 30 Minutes): Winlaton to Whitley Bay, Old 12 Route from pre Covid changes from Winlaton to Newcastle, 1 route from Newcastle to Whitley Bay
23A (Every 30 Minutes): Winlaton to Whitley Bay, Old 12A route pre Covid from Winlaton to Newcastle, 1 route from Newcastle to Whitley Bay
22/23/23A: Every 7.5 Minutes combined Scotswood Bridge to Howdon minus the variation around Walkergate.
23/23A: Every 15 Minutes Blaydon to Whitley Bay
62 (Every 20 Minutes): No Route Changes
63 (Every 20 Minutes): No Route Changes (new route)
64 (Every 20 Minutes): Chapel House to Four Lane Ends (current 63 route)
62/63/64: Every 6 minutes combined (9 buses an hour)
30 (Every 10 Minutes): Statyford to Eldon Square
31: Withdrawn
36: Withdrawn
27 (Every 20 Minutes): Slatyford to South Shields (SNE 36 and GNE 27 merged - direct RVI to Gateshead link)
40 (Every 20 Minutes): Fawdon to Heworth (SNE 30 and GNE 58 merged)
41 (Every 20 Minutes): Kenton to Heworth (SNE 31 and GNE 58 merged)
42 (Every 30 Minutes): Red House Farm to Wardley (SNE 35 and GNE 57 merged)
40/41 every 10 minutes, Gosforth to Heworth
40-45: Turn up and go services, Newcastle to Gosforth, all serving Haymarket towards Gosforth similar to the Q3.
55 (Every 15 Minutes): Forest Hall Meadway to Metro Centre (55/97 merged)
GNE 1 and 12 withdrawn. Duplicates routes removed.
GNE 57 and 58 withdrawn, new cross river services.
11 restored back to West Denton
(22 Oct 2023, 9:18 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]22 (Every 15 Minutes): Current route every 15 minutes
23 (Every 30 Minutes): Winlaton to Whitley Bay, Old 12 Route from pre Covid changes from Winlaton to Newcastle, 1 route from Newcastle to Whitley Bay
23A (Every 30 Minutes): Winlaton to Whitley Bay, Old 12A route pre Covid from Winlaton to Newcastle, 1 route from Newcastle to Whitley Bay
22/23/23A: Every 7.5 Minutes combined Scotswood Bridge to Howdon minus the variation around Walkergate.
23/23A: Every 15 Minutes Blaydon to Whitley Bay
62 (Every 20 Minutes): No Route Changes
63 (Every 20 Minutes): No Route Changes (new route)
64 (Every 20 Minutes): Chapel House to Four Lane Ends (current 63 route)
62/63/64: Every 6 minutes combined (9 buses an hour)
30 (Every 10 Minutes): Statyford to Eldon Square
31: Withdrawn
36: Withdrawn
27 (Every 20 Minutes): Slatyford to South Shields (SNE 36 and GNE 27 merged - direct RVI to Gateshead link)
40 (Every 20 Minutes): Fawdon to Heworth (SNE 30 and GNE 58 merged)
41 (Every 20 Minutes): Kenton to Heworth (SNE 31 and GNE 58 merged)
42 (Every 30 Minutes): Red House Farm to Wardley (SNE 35 and GNE 57 merged)
40/41 every 10 minutes, Gosforth to Heworth
40-45: Turn up and go services, Newcastle to Gosforth, all serving Haymarket towards Gosforth similar to the Q3.
55 (Every 15 Minutes): Forest Hall Meadway to Metro Centre (55/97 merged)
GNE 1 and 12 withdrawn. Duplicates routes removed.
GNE 57 and 58 withdrawn, new cross river services.
11 restored back to West Denton
So you would leave the rest the same?
Personally I would rename the 22 to the 2. And there is no need to send the 1 to Winlaton, just keep the 12 the way it is.
But do Fawdon/Kenton/Red House really need a link to Heworth?
(22 Oct 2023, 11:22 pm)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]So you would leave the rest the same?
Personally I would rename the 22 to the 2. And there is no need to send the 1 to Winlaton, just keep the 12 the way it is.
But do Fawdon/Kenton/Red House really need a link to Heworth?
Yeah nothing really wrong with them. You could potentially extend the X47 to the Great Park and play around with the 74/X77/X78/X79 so they're combined somehow but I don't know those routes at all.
It's more about removing the duplicate areas with the 22/23/23A changes though. The 1 and 12 both duplicate the 22 and are both less frequent so just makes sense to merge them together and have 1 route for the corridor. It means travelling from Howdon through to Newcastle Business Park get a 7.5 minute service instead of the 15 minute and 10 minute jumping on top of each other and it's a busy corridor. The 12 should really be more than 2 BPH aswell but it won't pick anyone up between Newcastle and Scotswood Bridge as it's less frequent so being part of the 22/23 corridor will help that aswell. The route is a right mess in Winlaton atm.
For Heworth doubt many will want to go right through, but it's more about the links inbetween Gateshead to Gosforth for example. It's also less buses blocking space in Newcastle with the 57/58 if they terminate outside the centre especially if they decide to close Blackett Street at some point. (Same reason for merging the 55/97 and 27/36). If you could find some stand space in Eldon Square for the 56 and terminate that there, if I'm right there wouldn't be any buses terminating on street at that point.
Edit:
Infact there is one change I would make
X5 (Every 30 Minutes): Newcastle - Quorum - West Moor - Killingworth Loop
X6 (Every 30 Minutes): Newcastle - Quorum - West Moor - Killingworth - Backworth - Northumberland Park - Shiremoor - Whitley Bay
X7 (ANE): No Changes
X8 (ANE): No Changes
X63: Withdrawn
354: Withdrawn
359: Withdrawn (something else serve Murton)
X5/X6/X7/X8: Every 7.5 Minutes, Newcastle to Quorum / BT Call Centre.
(22 Oct 2023, 11:49 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Yeah nothing really wrong with them. You could potentially extend the X47 to the Great Park and play around with the 74/X77/X78/X79 so they're combined somehow but I don't know those routes at all.
It's more about removing the duplicate areas with the 22/23/23A changes though. The 1 and 12 both duplicate the 22 and are both less frequent so just makes sense to merge them together and have 1 route for the corridor. It means travelling from Howdon through to Newcastle Business Park get a 7.5 minute service instead of the 15 minute and 10 minute jumping on top of each other and it's a busy corridor. The 12 should really be more than 2 BPH aswell but it won't pick anyone up between Newcastle and Scotswood Bridge as it's less frequent so being part of the 22/23 corridor will help that aswell. The route is a right mess in Winlaton atm.
For Heworth doubt many will want to go right through, but it's more about the links inbetween Gateshead to Gosforth for example. It's also less buses blocking space in Newcastle with the 57/58 if they terminate outside the centre especially if they decide to close Blackett Street at some point. (Same reason for merging the 55/97 and 27/36). If you could find some stand space in Eldon Square for the 56 and terminate that there, if I'm right there wouldn't be any buses terminating on street at that point.
All services which are in the NW of Eldon Square Newcastle should be renamed in the 7* number system, with certain expresses. Also X82 why not the X22?
Also I can see the 36 being connected onto a service, personally 57 would be a good call and increase the frequency of the 57 to every 20 mins to match, aswell renumber the 30/31 to 55/55A.
(22 Oct 2023, 11:57 pm)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]All services which are in the NW of Eldon Square Newcastle should be renamed in the 7* number system, with certain expresses. Also X82 why not the X22?
Also I can see the 36 being connected onto a service, personally 57 would be a good call and increase the frequency of the 57 to every 20 mins to match, aswell renumber the 30/31 to 55/55A.
Aye can't disagree to be fair, the 71/72/87/X87/X88 lot is probably an area which needs looked at as it's a bit allover the place but I don't know the outer West End. Some of them will be extended to do the Callerton loop though I assume.
Newcastle badly needs more cross city routes heading North / South though. Other than the Metro it's pretty much non existent and break down the old 'territories'.
(22 Oct 2023, 9:47 am)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]With franchising becoming a big thing I wonder if there is anything you could do to possibly streamline/improve SC Newcastle operations?
In recent experience these Cross-City services are becoming too complicated and impossible to operate without regulation. The 62/63 route is simply far too heavily relied upon. You can’t withdraw a bus and then add it into an already congested service. The 30/31 form an almost circular service around Newcastle providing not many useful links. There are 4 services to one area of Newcastle (Whickham View) are they all completely necessary?
Service 36 withdrawn replaced by service 64 & Service 30/31 extended from Whickham View Terminus along Silver Lonnen to Slatyford Depot.
Service 37 withdrawn and replaced by extended X63 and revised 38.
Service 38 revised to operated every 10 minutes Whickham View-Freeman Hospital with alternate journeys continuing to Four Lane Ends.
New Service 64: Newbiggin Hall Estate- Westerhope- West Denton- Fenham Hall Drive- Spital Tongues- RVI- City Centre- Byker- Chillingham Road- Four Lane Ends- Forest Hall Meadway
To replace part of 87/36 & section of 38 from Four Lane Ends-Meadway
Service X63: Extended from Killingworth to Cramlington via the current 37 route. 30 minutes Monday-Saturday daytime and hourly Evenings & Sundays.
Service 62 & 63 both revised to operate via Stamfordham Road
Service 71 & 72 to operate via Fenham Hall Drive.
(23 Oct 2023, 12:04 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]Aye can't disagree to be fair, the 71/72/87/X87/X88 lot is probably an area which needs looked at as it's a bit allover the place but I don't know the outer West End. Some of them will be extended to do the Callerton loop though I assume.
Newcastle badly needs more cross city routes heading North / South though. Other than the Metro it's pretty much non existent and break down the old 'territories'.
I can tell you don’t know the outer west of Newcastle, given you’re proposing to give Lemington, Newburn and Throckley, the areas that provide the majority of the passengers on the 22 to and from the city centre, a less frequent service just to accommodate a clock face timetable along Scotswood Road. That would be stupid. Equally, the 36 route exists to provide local links between Fenham Hall Drive (and Sacred Heart school) and Denton Burn, Scotswood, Benwell, etc (as the 30/31 depending on direction) and has done so for many decades. Your 64/71/72/87 proposal removes these links unnecessarily. There are some instances where if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and these are those occasions.
I was thinking of suggesting some route ideas for South Shields as they have never had any changes for some years I think the last being services 10 & 11 , but everywhere in South Tyneside is just about covered.
(23 Oct 2023, 6:05 am)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]I was thinking of suggesting some route ideas for South Shields as they have never had any changes for some years I think the last being services 10 & 11 , but everywhere in South Tyneside is just about covered.
If I could bring 1 change to the 10/11 it would be to serve the North Shields Ferry Landing. When the ferry is off the tickets are accepted on the 10/11 but go nowhere near the Ferry and walking up the bank is a pain. Plus the tickets are also accepted on the Metro sometime and the 10/11 link at Jarrow and would make a great connection
Also other services suggested would be route changes. Having the X24/X34 serve Heworth would be a massive bonus for metro when it goes down. And extended the X34 to South Shields Interchange as well
(23 Oct 2023, 7:21 am)Aaron21 wrote [ -> ]If I could bring 1 change to the 10/11 it would be to serve the North Shields Ferry Landing. When the ferry is off the tickets are accepted on the 10/11 but go nowhere near the Ferry and walking up the bank is a pain. Plus the tickets are also accepted on the Metro sometime and the 10/11 link at Jarrow and would make a great connection
Also other services suggested would be route changes. Having the X24/X34 serve Heworth would be a massive bonus for metro when it goes down. And extended the X34 to South Shields Interchange as well
Most of the time X34/24 dont even use the felling by-pass they go past heworth into Newcastle the way the 27 does, it would add maybe a minute.
Also X34 no need to serve South Shields interchange unless you want the loop to be much bigger
(23 Oct 2023, 3:24 am)markydh wrote [ -> ]I can tell you don’t know the outer west of Newcastle, given you’re proposing to give Lemington, Newburn and Throckley, the areas that provide the majority of the passengers on the 22 to and from the city centre, a less frequent service just to accommodate a clock face timetable along Scotswood Road. That would be stupid. Equally, the 36 route exists to provide local links between Fenham Hall Drive (and Sacred Heart school) and Denton Burn, Scotswood, Benwell, etc (as the 30/31 depending on direction) and has done so for many decades. Your 64/71/72/87 proposal removes these links unnecessarily. There are some instances where if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and these are those occasions.
So what would you change?
(23 Oct 2023, 3:24 am)markydh wrote [ -> ]I can tell you don’t know the outer west of Newcastle, given you’re proposing to give Lemington, Newburn and Throckley, the areas that provide the majority of the passengers on the 22 to and from the city centre, a less frequent service just to accommodate a clock face timetable along Scotswood Road. That would be stupid. Equally, the 36 route exists to provide local links between Fenham Hall Drive (and Sacred Heart school) and Denton Burn, Scotswood, Benwell, etc (as the 30/31 depending on direction) and has done so for many decades. Your 64/71/72/87 proposal removes these links unnecessarily. There are some instances where if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and these are those occasions.
In fairness on the Throckley area I'd be trying to promote the X82 more than anything, it's much quicker.
If you interworked the:
X82 - 2 BPH
684 - 1 BPH
685 - 1 BPH
You'd have a 15 minute bus service from there towards Newcastle, 2 going right into the estates. Right now they just jump on top of each other.
Think you've got the wrong person with the 71/72/87/30/31/36 routes though.
In the future for the 71/72/87 personally I'd look at improving them like the below rather than making them worse, something has to serve all this massive new development and they're the best for it.
70 (Every 30 Minutes): Newcastle - Westerhope - Newbiggin Hall - Callerton Loop - 71 Route to Newcastle
71 (Every 30 Minutes): Reverse of above
72 (Every 30 Minutes): No Changes
---
10 Minutes Combined in common sections
(23 Oct 2023, 6:05 am)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]I was thinking of suggesting some route ideas for South Shields as they have never had any changes for some years I think the last being services 10 & 11 , but everywhere in South Tyneside is just about covered.
Scope to merge some routes maybe?
17 (Every 10 Minutes): Current route from South Shields to Whiteleas, extended to Jarrow via 5 route every 30 minutes
18 (Every 10 Minutes): Current GNE 26 route. 3 BPH run to Leam Lane, 3 BPH terminate and do the loop at Brockley Whins
5/26 (GNE) withdrawn.
Should be the same PVR thereabouts but it's an enhanced service.
For example.
(22 Oct 2023, 9:47 am)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]With franchising becoming a big thing I wonder if there is anything you could do to possibly streamline/improve SC Newcastle operations?
Extend the 1 to Four Lane Ends so students can access the Metro easier.
Extend the 31 to MetroCentre so that the inner west can actually go somewhere decent to shop.
Operate every other 22 via Appletree Gardens, and the other 22 via Ridley Avenue so the Coaster 1 can be sacked off Newcastle/Percy Main.
Split the 62/63 in Newcastle. Still every 7/8 mins east, but every 10 mins to the west (61 and 64?)
Operate both the X24 and X34 via Follingsby Park
(23 Oct 2023, 10:18 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]In fairness on the Throckley area I'd be trying to promote the X82 more than anything, it's much quicker.
If you interworked the:
X82 - 2 BPH
684 - 1 BPH
685 - 1 BPH
You'd have a 15 minute bus service from there towards Newcastle, 2 going right into the estates. Right now they just jump on top of each other.
Think you've got the wrong person with the 71/72/87/30/31/36 routes though.
In the future for the 71/72/87 personally I'd look at improving them like the below rather than making them worse, something has to serve all this massive new development and they're the best for it.
70 (Every 30 Minutes): Newcastle - Westerhope - Newbiggin Hall - Callerton Loop - 71 Route to Newcastle
71 (Every 30 Minutes): Reverse of above
72 (Every 30 Minutes): No Changes
---
10 Minutes Combined in common sections
The X82 only runs hourly in the evenings and besides, it isn’t that much quicker (the new timetable will have a round trip of 57 minutes) and doesn’t go anywhere near Central Station. Plus given how few people get on or off the 22 off peak between Scotswood Bridge and Newcastle College, it’s virtually an express. Also, you can’t currently use Stagecoach passes on the 684 and neither that nor the 685 serve the Throckley estates. No one is going to walk up a very steep hill to the main road. And what about Newburn and Lemington? As I say, the bus services to the outer west have been very stable for a very long time and that’s precisely because they work as they should, particularly since the 62 replaced the 71 between North Walbottle and Throckley, which provided long called for links to the West Denton shops. What most of the west of the City Centre lacks, however, is a link to the Airport. Now that would definitely be something to explore.
(23 Oct 2023, 3:24 am)markydh wrote [ -> ]I can tell you don’t know the outer west of Newcastle, given you’re proposing to give Lemington, Newburn and Throckley, the areas that provide the majority of the passengers on the 22 to and from the city centre, a less frequent service just to accommodate a clock face timetable along Scotswood Road. That would be stupid. Equally, the 36 route exists to provide local links between Fenham Hall Drive (and Sacred Heart school) and Denton Burn, Scotswood, Benwell, etc (as the 30/31 depending on direction) and has done so for many decades. Your 64/71/72/87 proposal removes these links unnecessarily. There are some instances where if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and these are those occasions.
My 64 proposal doubles the frequency of the 87 as it as present and compliments the already overstretched 62/63 route. Perhaps it would be better as follows
Newbiggin Hall Estate-Westerhope-Cowgate-City Centre-Byker-Chillingham Road-Four Lane Ends-Forest Hall Meadway
Then that way you’re actually increasing resources it doesn’t touch any of the services there already just the 87 and components the 62/63 on its busiest section of route. Yes it removes part of the 38 extension but that again still increases a vital section of route!
(23 Oct 2023, 11:50 am)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]Extend the 1 to Four Lane Ends so students can access the Metro easier.
Extend the 31 to MetroCentre so that the inner west can actually go somewhere decent to shop.
Operate every other 22 via Appletree Gardens, and the other 22 via Ridley Avenue so the Coaster 1 can be sacked off Newcastle/Percy Main.
Split the 62/63 in Newcastle. Still every 7/8 mins east, but every 10 mins to the west (61 and 64?)
Operate both the X24 and X34 via Follingsby Park
I agree with your ideas bar the 31, i'd presonally extend the 38 to the MetroCentre cus of the interworking pattern of the 30/31/36, where would you split the 62/63 in Newcastle?, personally i'd split at Central, it can still serve Blackett Street, then at the lights,turns left past the gate, then right at the lihhts next to the bigg market, then have
61- Newcastle-Throckley
64-Newcastle- Middle East Callerton
61/64 interworking at Central
62/63 interworking at Killingworth
(23 Oct 2023, 11:50 am)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]Extend the 1 to Four Lane Ends so students can access the Metro easier.
Extend the 31 to MetroCentre so that the inner west can actually go somewhere decent to shop.
Operate every other 22 via Appletree Gardens, and the other 22 via Ridley Avenue so the Coaster 1 can be sacked off Newcastle/Percy Main.
Split the 62/63 in Newcastle. Still every 7/8 mins east, but every 10 mins to the west (61 and 64?)
Operate both the X24 and X34 via Follingsby Park
Yes I agree with the no1 to Four Lane Ends as it always used to. Not sure why it was ever stopped.
(23 Oct 2023, 3:47 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]The X82 only runs hourly in the evenings and besides, it isn’t that much quicker (the new timetable will have a round trip of 57 minutes) and doesn’t go anywhere near Central Station. Plus given how few people get on or off the 22 off peak between Scotswood Bridge and Newcastle College, it’s virtually an express. Also, you can’t currently use Stagecoach passes on the 684 and neither that nor the 685 serve the Throckley estates. No one is going to walk up a very steep hill to the main road. And what about Newburn and Lemington? As I say, the bus services to the outer west have been very stable for a very long time and that’s precisely because they work as they should, particularly since the 62 replaced the 71 between North Walbottle and Throckley, which provided long called for links to the West Denton shops. What most of the west of the City Centre lacks, however, is a link to the Airport. Now that would definitely be something to explore.
I firmly believe the addition of north/South or circular type services, can only be a good thing.
Throw in all of the new housing and business at Great Park, Longbenton, Sandy Lane, Middle Callerton, mix it up a bit with the fact buses tend not to go to those places in a very direct manner and I reckon there's plenty of opportunities.
Tie it in with your airport suggestion, the Business Park and the redevelopment around Benwell and Scotswood and there must be more than enough scope to grow.
The majority of the services still operate east/west in to and out of the town.
There could be a variation of the 22, so that it extends north beyond Throckley.
Some sort of service that works via Scotswood Road, Denton Road and north.
Maybe an airport, Sandy Lane, Spine Road, Longbenton Quorum type route.
They're the sorts of routes that
could get cars off the road and help the modal switch.
Buses to and from the places people need to be, in a direct fashion, that doesn't involve going in to and put of the town.
(23 Oct 2023, 5:53 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]I agree with your ideas bar the 31, i'd presonally extend the 38 to the MetroCentre cus of the interworking pattern of the 30/31/36, where would you split the 62/63 in Newcastle?, personally i'd split at Central, it can still serve Blackett Street, then at the lights,turns left past the gate, then right at the lihhts next to the bigg market, then have
61- Newcastle-Throckley
64-Newcastle- Middle East Callerton
61/64 interworking at Central
62/63 interworking at Killingworth
I didn't think of the 38! That would be interesting with the West Road to Metrocentre. I just thought Elswick Road/Benwell as it would pull in people from south of the West Road and north of Westmorland Road as well.
With the 62/63, I think the Buses from the west would do what they correctly do, but loop round at New Bridge Street/Pilgrim Street.
If the facilities were better at Central Station (the old Bewick Street Bus Terminal!) then i'd agree with your 62/63 suggestion. Otherwise I'd do a loop of John Dobson Street, St Mary's Place and Percy Street
(23 Oct 2023, 6:35 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]I didn't think of the 38! That would be interesting with the West Road to Metrocentre. I just thought Elswick Road/Benwell as it would pull in people from south of the West Road and north of Westmorland Road as well.
With the 62/63, I think the Buses from the west would do what they correctly do, but loop round at New Bridge Street/Pilgrim Street.
If the facilities were better at Central Station (the old Bewick Street Bus Terminal!) then i'd agree with your 62/63 suggestion. Otherwise I'd do a loop of John Dobson Street, St Mary's Place and Percy Street
Not sure I agree with extending the likes of the 38 through to the Metro Centre, imo you'd be better to do a complete new service - something like a
Killingworth to Metro Centre service via Kingston Park, Fenham, Benwell and Scotswood service ie.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.95849...?entry=ttu and replace half the 342 aswell.
I know loads of people go on about Kingston Park but it's arguably the premier destination place for basic shopping for people at the West side of Newcastle and it's inaccessible to most and would give a Metro connection for those who want to go to the airport without doubling back, or connections at the Metro Centre for people wanting to go elsewhere in that direction.
Would it make tonnes of money, doubt it but if were seriously about removing cars off the road then arguably services like it need to exist as people aren't going to travel from Scotswood to Newcastle to the Metro Centre if they work there.
(23 Oct 2023, 6:35 pm)DeltaMan wrote [ -> ]I didn't think of the 38! That would be interesting with the West Road to Metrocentre. I just thought Elswick Road/Benwell as it would pull in people from south of the West Road and north of Westmorland Road as well.
With the 62/63, I think the Buses from the west would do what they correctly do, but loop round at New Bridge Street/Pilgrim Street.
If the facilities were better at Central Station (the old Bewick Street Bus Terminal!) then i'd agree with your 62/63 suggestion. Otherwise I'd do a loop of John Dobson Street, St Mary's Place and Percy Street
Makes sense, forgot about the layout round central now, i just always think of the old layout (doh)
For the love of god don't mess with the X34. It's the only decent bus service Stagecoach have come up with in South Shields.