(13 Aug 2022, 1:34 pm)Unber43 wrote 41/41A could have some sort of interworking with drivers not buses at Wallsend with the QA/QB.QA/QB would stay with GNE as that's moving to Riverside anyways.
19 could work if GNE regained the North Shields Extension.
Going back to Storx's point yesterday in response to my barmy idea about a route swap, the idea of Arriva & GNE doing a 'swap' (Percy Main / Jesmond) wouldn't be a bad idea in hindsight. Obviously the CMA would say a big no-no to Arriva taking on the 309/310/311 and they'd have to stay with GNE. But working it out...........
Arriva > GNE:
- Jesmond Depot with enough drivers to cover PVR of 25x (+ some misc workings such as service 327).
- Route 685 only + 3x VDL Pulsars.
- GNE moves 685 operation to Hexham.
- GNE transfer 11x StreetLite + 18x B9TL (and any other misc vehicles) to Riverside.
- Jesmond Depot operation moved to Riverside, so effectively GNE would be purchasing Arriva's workforce + service 685 and 3x vehicles. Most Jesmond drivers TUPE over to GNE and move to Riverside although some could stay with Arriva and move to Percy Main (or Blyth / Ashington if preferable).
- 1/309/310/311 moved to Riverside.
GNE > Arriva:
- Percy Main Depot including routes 19/41/41A and 7x appropriate vehicles to cover the PVRs.
- Arriva move service 43/44/45/46/46A/51/51A/52/53/54/55/306 to Percy Main.
- Percy Main total PVR would be 49x vehicles (+ any misc workings as applicable).
- Would use GNE's existing Percy Main workforce, all of whom would TUPE to Arriva alongside any existing Arriva drivers who chose to stay with Arriva and move from Jesmond.
Longer term Arriva changes:
- Service 55 withdrawn.
- Service 306 interworks with services 44/45.
- Full service 43 boards from Morpeth (including half hourly shorts to Cramlington) operated by Ashington - PVR 4x
- Other half hourly boards on service 43 interwork with service 53 and stay at Percy Main - PVR 8x
- Service 52 interworks only with service 54 - PVR 8x
- Depot lifespan shouldn't be an issue if services recover longer term or favourable travel patterns emerge and Arriva take advantage. If developers want to purchase land to expand housing estate, agree for them to locate and partially or fully fund a new depot to replace Percy Main.