(17 Aug 2021, 6:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do those services take residents to the places they need to be?
I'm thinking work, pleasure and education and of my limited knowledge of up that way - I'd say, probably not.
Despite all those bus lanes heading down the Great North Road and in to the town, I reckon a big percentage will be heading off somewhere else that doesn't involve driving through Gosforth.
(17 Aug 2021, 8:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote I'm thinking the Quorums, Great Parks, Cobalts and Silverlinks of the world.
Appreciate there's Cramlington Town centre nearby, there's the mainline links and the new hospital too (not familiar with the schools).
You mention changing at the Regent Centre for a variety of other places. Would that be viable for a daily commute and/or getting little Jonny to school?
Car vs public transport and its proximity to the A1, A189 and A19, indicate to me that there's one immediate winner and unless ANE step it up (offering a viable alternative), I can't see much changing.
Particularly with all of the major supermarkets offering online delivery. Can't see that estate being made up of the bread and milk brigade.
Sorry I'd missed these yesterday.
I'd say they take people to most places they could realistically need to go within the NE either directly, or within one change at pretty large interchanges (either Regent Centre or Haymarket). There are direct buses to the following places within SE Northumberland: Ashington, Bedlington, Bedlington Station, Blyth, Cramlington, Guide Post, Gosforth, Newbiggin, Newcastle. One change at Regent Centre/Haymarket opens up the entire Metro network, direct buses to Quorum, Cobalt, Great Park, Silverlink, Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Gateshead etc.
I'd also say it's unlikely that a family living in an estate on the outskirts of Cramlington would be sending their kids to school too far afield? It's likely to be in Cramlington if we're honest - and CLV is easily within walking distance of the X9 route.
In terms of direct buses to the places you've mentioned, I've got a suggestion for at least one of them but I'll post that at some point tomorrow when I'm a bit more awake!