(06 Jun 2022, 11:05 am)Andreos1 wrote Is it about competing with the metro or offering some sort of alternative?
The 27 is probably the only thing that could be classed as competing with the Metro on the southern side of the metro, but for sections of the route, doesn't. Hence it's appeal in certain areas.
But at the same time, not many will do point to point journeys and not many people are living in town centres nor want to be in them either.
A 15/20 min bus ride in to the town centre followed by another x number of mins on the metro could easily be counteracted by an alternative. Such as the X34.
Not sure any of those routes really offer anything unique though. It just runs the Metro line avoiding anywhere of actual note. Least the 27 connects Hebburn, Jarrow, South Shields, Pelaw and the estates around them.
The X34 then serves pretty much everywhere else in between which is too far to connect to the Metro.
One of those routes just run Newcastle - Fellgate - Brockley Whins - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South Shields - Beach and the other pretty much is Newcastle - Boldon (X34) - West Boldon - East Boldon (M) - Harton (X34) - Westoe (M) - South Shields (M). Very little demand there especially when the 30 is pretty much the second route and seriously struggles.
---------
Mind that said I'd love to see some form of beach / tourist service which interworks with the Metro, Ferry and all the bus operators and have something like maybe operated by open top buses.
S1 - Seaton Delaval Hall - Seaton Sluice - Whitley Bay Lighthouse - Whitley Bay Spanish City - Whitley Bay Town Centre - Cullercoats - Tynemouth Aquarium - Tynemouth - Tynemouth Metro - North Shields Fish Quay - North Shields Ferry (Connect) - North Shields Metro
S2 - Sunderland - Roker - Seaburn - Whitburn - Souter Lighthouse - South Shields Dunes - South Shields Metro - South Shields Ferry (Connect)
Be nice to be able to get to most the noticeable tourist spots on one bus and using the ferry as a good connection over the water which would be popular with the kids. Then maybe there might be a case to start them both direct in Newcastle with one early board and one late board running direct similar to the X11 so it's like a novelty day out.