(24 Jul 2022, 8:08 pm)Malarkey wrote Missed opportunity in my opinion however there is the issue of the 28B/81 operating within less than 10 Minutes of each other between Gateshead Interchange and Chowdene Bank (Gold Medal) before they separate off route wise.
I do think as well the 81 should operate daily throughout the week on the side of the half hour which the 25 will no longer be operating as of tomorrow with it now becoming an hourly service, this would maintain a 30 minute frequency between Newcastle and Barley Mow, i'd also like to see an Xpress Service given it does take 90 mins from Gateshead to Sunderland on the 81.
I've suggested in the past Newcastle - Gateshead - Low Fell (The Cannon) non-stop via A1 to Washington Galleries - Penshaw - Grindon Mill - Royal Hospital - Sunderland Interchange which could be operated on an Hourly Basis.
The 81 doesn't go to Newcastle, it terminates at Gateshead (just noticed tbf).
imo the 8/25/81/82/83/TB14/TB23/TB24 need to be consolidated into a few routes. It's a right mess imo. One service during the day, another at night by different operators absolutely useless as it is.
As mentioned before the best routing would be imo - slightly changed added with the 23.
23: CLS to North Lodge (702), to Barley Mow to Kibblesworth (TB14) (Hourly with Breadvans/Minibus, No Evening Service / Sundays)
25: Newcastle to Barmston via 81 route (Hour Hourly with Minibuses/Midibus, Hourly in Evenings)
8: Stanley to Washington (Half Hourly)
EXT: Washington to Sunderland (8 Route) either left on the end of the 8 or added to the end of the 25 - that'll need discussion between the bus operators though what's best.
701: Hourly replacing 702 runs interworking with 700/703 as now.
81/82/83/TB14/TB23/TB24/702 withdrawn.