(14 Oct 2020, 7:54 pm)Storx wrote [/b]

The problem is the 311 is just the new problem child. Dan has said, no-one cares about loyality and they get on the first bus and all the buses carry fresh air along the Coast Road. Having a bus that only serves the Coast Road is a problem least with the 306, 308, 309 and 310 you can get fares at the other end. Meadowell to North Shields; Whitley to Blyth etc and create some loyalty there.

The 57 / 58 has been a problem for awhile I won't deny that but now you've just renumbered it the 311 and it's still the same bus. People don't care if it's GNE or Arriva because it's cheaper to buy singles than day tickets. Hadrian Park tbf is a pain in the arse where it is for routing a bus through. I didn't say increase the 309 and 310 upto every 15 minutes fully tho.

For the short 51A I'd send it around the new housing estates in Backworth like the 359 does personally, might be able to pick up a few punters wanting to go to Newcastle. The 306 isn't really a replacement for the X9 though tbf it's more a replacement for the 310 if anything.

Let's see what happens though we might be both right and the 306, 308 and 311 end up being the 3 routes getting cuts.

The 57 was a problem child but I wouldn't say the 311 is. Only thing I can say is that if the 311 was to be withdrawn and the 309 & 310 ran every 20 mins with 310 through Hadrian Park, that again would only reduce the PVR by 2x vehicles. GNE acted early pre-covid so I reckon they'll just about be fine give or take. Arriva are in a position for numerous reasons that they'll need to streamline and adapt.