(26 Mar 2017, 5:20 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Nobody uses the late night services. The 2045 Ashington-Newcastle X22 was empty when I saw it arrive in Newcastle, and only picked up a few punters heading back, then one person for the Bedlington short. I can't see Blyth, with more services running at this time (which were dead too), getting services past midnight.
Got to bear in mind that the reason why the X22 runs at xx:45 is because it's the least popular service out of the 2x services. That was the whole reason why the X21 despite putting Sunday travellers heading into Newcastle at a slight disadvantage (i.e if starting work on the hour and having to wait around), was moved around. The same goes for the 35 from Morpeth.
I know that Ashington wouldn't suit any super late services but I think a night bus version of the 308 and perhaps the X10 or X11 (serving Wideopen, Seaton Burn and Dudley too) 'could' work.
When GNE tried the N58 when it used to serve Whitley Bay, one of the factors why it probably didn't work is that barring Battle Hill; High Farm; Hadrian Park etc, GNE didn't have too much of a presence between Willington Square and Whitley Bay due to it being Arriva territory.
As long as the fares were reasonable (single fares only, no passes, reduced fares or other such tickets allowed etc), I think it could stand a chance of working:
Day Fare less than or equal to £2 = Additional £0.50 on night bus
Day Fare more then £2 = Additional £1.00 on night bus
Although a Taxi would still work out better if travelling in groups of 4, in most cases the bus could still provide good value if travelling in groups of 2x or 3x people. Plus, at the busier times or nights of the year when you're waiting 1hr+ for a Blueline or LA etc and your only option is to jump in a Black Cab (which means £££££), it would be a no brainer to use the night bus.
