I much prefer dual/tri doored buses. So much easier boarding and alighting at busy times when there's seperate exits. I hate alighting on single doored buses at peak times having to squeeze past everyone, especially when I or others have bags/coats/shopping etc with them.
Each time I get back from London where bus boarding/alighting is just so smooth quick and efficient, I get so annoyed back up here where everyones trudging through the same door - its just so slow / or the driver refuses to open the exit doors for NO REASON WHAT SO EVER! Drives me mad lol

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I agree the Gateshead side of the Citylink 58 route is the busier section, but with the Newcastle side having been reduced/made less frequent twice(?) now since operation began its no wonder.
Personally living walking distance from the coast road in North Heaton (Newcastle side of the route) I'm spoilt for choice with buses heading into town -1, 62, 63, 58, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 (and soon Arriva's new 51 too) - so of course with the 58 being less frequent I'm obviously more likely to catch the other buses, as does everyone else in the area.

I must say though the Citylink bendies are often standing room only at peak times, and especially over winter when they were passing me completely jam packed, unable to pick up a single extra person. So I'm not looking forward to them being replaced with rigid vehicles, and thought returning to single door use annoys me too.

I admit theres still a handful of drivers that seem incapable of pressing the next buttom along to open the centre/rear doors on GNE buses, and this has been the case with some vykings, and the 307 renowns I was on.

Go Ahead replied to my complaints stating drivers have been instructed clearly, several times to use all doors at stops where its safe to do so - i.e no kerbside barriers or kerbside bus shelters blocking access), but some drivers still appear to "hesitate" to use them.
By now I personally think its pure laziness/stuburness rather than being hesitant.
GNE also said for the likes of the citylink route that although requested, not all bus stops could be modified to accomodate the 3 door use due to the local authourity budgets being tight. Presume this goes for all three authoritys the citylink runs through - Gateshead, Newcaslte City and North Tyneside.

Also while I'm here can I also note that yes although several citaro artics are a little noisy and squeaky (& one 57 reg has a ear piercing squeal when turning), and some are unrealiable, ...coming home on one tonight I thought it rode like a Rolls Royce, espeically after having have been stuck on a ex London trident for an hour on Metro replacement services! lol.


Any way, rant over.

Long live dual doored doors and the bendies!!!!