(23 Jan 2014, 8:04 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote It's amazing to think that 7 years ago, the 309 was just a poxy little half hourly single decker route that required heavy subsidy of the Cobalt to keep operating. People didn't use it because "it went around the world". But despite the fact that Cobalt Business Park made funding cuts and the 19 fell foul of them, GNE have grown the 309 to become stronger and stronger over the years without over depending upon CBP. The changes they made back in November 2010 have certainly made a difference with a unified and strong corridor through Battle Hill supporting both services 309 and 310. GNE have grown the customer base in Cobalt and you even have people getting on in Newcastle stating destinations such as Foxhunters and Seaton Sluice. With the way Arriva's 308 is heading with it's poor timekeeping and reliability, the 309 is going to continue and grow in the long term. Arriva will have to explain to the Commissioner why the 308 can't keep to time and they will eventually have to increase the timetable by a couple of minutes therefore giving GNE the upper hand.. If GNE up the marketing on the 309 and with the new Volvo's, the 309 will grow to become one of GNE's major routes.
Well, now there's a thing !