Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
I looked into using a bike to commute when I was volunteering in Byker (yes, bike to Byker, I know!) as the bus fares were too expensive (and that was using just Stagecoach) and the buses were late for the journey home on Fridays. Unfortunately I decided against it due to it being unsafe and there being nowhere to leave a bike while I was volunteering. GNE helped just before the pandemic as I had a free all zones ticket.
Reliable transport is absolutely vital for commuting to work. Giving up Stagecoach was no easy decision, but it was bad for my health, stress, anxiety, depression etc because it was ruining my life. Although I've only lost two jobs and one place of education due to Stagecoach's unreliable services, but I've also lost other chances due to buses having a reputation for being unreliable. When I've been late for voluntary work it has been understood, but is not ideal. Personal experience matters. Fair enough I stopped using Arriva in about 2005 because a bus I boarded at Haymarket with my dad broke down and didn't leave the bus station (can't remember where he was taking me) and it put me off Arriva, whereas Stagecoach let me down countless times in over 20 years, and once I make a decision I stick with it, actions have consequences.
For a number of years I've walked into town anyway, by choice, for leisure, nothing to do with buses, and it's only really the West End of Newcastle where Stagecoach dominates, and once in town I've got free choice. GNE serves my destinations (sometimes exclusively, other times shared with Stagecoach and others) and I don't walk miles exactly usually around half an hour and usually that's just one way (usually back home, but can be either) and even if walking both ways totalling 1 hour, that's just the same as walking into town anyway but just split. I enjoy travelling with GNE/GCT/Phoenix/A-line, it's no hardship and usually doesn't involve a walk (74/792/808 are close by. Sundays are the only time I have to walk over an hour for a 33A/Q3 and now both ways since GCT took over the 42A (I used to get the 42A back to Kingston Park) so now over 2 hours walk. The X85 being introduced on Sundays was good, and I used it once (the pandemic has prevented much travel). I think Scotswood Road is under an hour for me to walk to for the 12/12A.
Using different buses gives me access to different shops (particularly at Kingston Park and Gosforth). Visiting friends and family could be a factor too.
I could be volunteering or working in Blaydon (for example) or Rowlands Gill (that nearly happened) or visiting someone in Chester-le-Street, all of which can be linked with the West of Newcastle via Westerhope or Slatyford, without going into Newcastle. Some employment doesn't count towards getting transport links (like Stella Power Station did) and visiting people isn't considered really. With new houses in Callerton and Woolsington, and developments at Great Park new/revised services could be introduced.
42A could operate Kingston Park to Killingworth and then a new service could run Four Lane Ends to Wallsend.
