19 Apr 2015, 8:12 pm
#343
(19 Apr 2015, 8:00 pm)mb134 Yeah, I just think that B8RLE's would be needed, or something with similar power, as being pushed along the A1 all day will need a decent amount of speed.
Maybe the interworking could cease, with the X14/14 operating with a set of E400's and B8RLE'S
The 57A and 33 operating with MPD's, having driver breaks at Morpeth, I've noticed some very late (20+) 57A's recently, a long layover may help?
I think frequency /vehicle size on the 57 needs to be looked at as well, observed some canny loads in the holidays.
There could be some big changes made to Morpeth services I've I have noticed a few problems with them.
The 57 seems to be pretty reliable but I agree the 57A isn't the best. There isn't enough layover time on the route, I think the interworking pattern works like this so for example...
33 0927 Morpeth Bus Station to Lancaster Park Terminus 0933
33 0934 Lancaster Park Terminus to Morpeth Bus Station 0940
57A 0944 Morpeth Bus Station to Whitley Bay Town Centre 1051
57A 1056 Whitley Bay Town Centre to Morpeth Bus Station 1203
X14 1208 Morpeth Bus Station to Newcastle Haymarket 1241
X14 1248 Newcastle Haymarket to Morpeth Bus Station 1321
I definitley don't think that is sufficent layover for those services, and also there isn't enough time at Cramlington to allow people to board/alight as the loadings are generally pretty good there. Also, the Blyth workings have driver changeovers at Whitley Bay so five minutes is surely not enough!
Another thing I noticed is the 44 and 57A departing at more or less the same time at Morpeth. They should really be timed to provide a half hourly service combined as they follow the same route to Hepscott.
Maybe tyresmoke can pass our comments on if possible?
