(08 Jan 2023, 11:06 am)RMF1254 wrote I think the 51 now interworks with the 43/44/45, hence more double deckers, don’t know what will happen from tomorrow though after revision.
My concern with your suggestion on the 51, you’re giving that part of the route which has fewer passengers a 30 minute frequency but withdrawing the direct bus to Newcastle for Wiltshire Drive and the still expanding housing of East Benton Rise which is the busier end. Rerouting the 311 would help in some way but East Benton Rise would be left with very little.
I agree the North Tyneside services are pretty poor but if anything, frequent services to interchanges with metro would probably help. I’ve found that using the less frequent bus to connect with Metro is fine but the return journey can be a nightmare if the train is late or waiting at the poorly served Wallsend Interchange for any length of time.

Is Benton Rise the new estate near where No Frills (now the Range is) if so I routed the 51 to go to the first roundabout and turn back, I didn't write on the list admittable but arguably they've got a better service, even known it takes a little longer. Personally I'd rather have a 30 minute service that takes a little longer than an hourly service that's quicker. Not to mention now having a 30 minute service to Killingworth, Wallsend and Benton Metro with the 42 aswell or now Four Lane Ends with the 51.

Admit I did miss Wiltshire Drive but it has bus services nearby and at the end of the day subsidised routes are to give places that don't have a service at all rather than topping routes up. The reason for the 51 going towards Four Lane Ends being is Front Street doesn't have any bus services hence why the 335 exists there so it was replacing that. If GNE diverted the 311 through there, then that's that issue resolved with a much better service, 3 BPH vs 1 BPH.

The 51 interworks with the 54 though and 52/53 but with the 51 being butchered in half it could complicate things. Sadly I can't see the 51 existing long between Holystone and Newcastle only, it's operationally out of area for Arriva; I also can't see the 54 lasting long being hourly either so it was about trying to make both of those actually sustainable as hourly bus services are a waste of time and money imo.