(04 Apr 2023, 10:02 pm)Unber43 wrote I wonder if GNE cost cutting may actually be quite strategic as they seem to be the only one making cuts in the past 24 monthsn, especially if they know whats happening with SC, to maybe invest/ buy depots which may not be doing well. Perhaps Shields.

I think the issue with Shields depot is, all the services are too frequent basically excluding the 30, X20 and X34. The others are too regular and have more services on long corridors.
For example the 3/4/17/18 all operating from the town centre to West Harton, Boldon Lane, via Stanhope Road.  All services operating every 12 mins giving a bus every few mins for very low numbers of passengers.  This is then complimented with GNE 5 and 50 in addition.

Same with Town Centre to Marsden and the 7/8 every 12 mins with additional services in 10, 11, 12, E1, E2 and E6 all stagecoach.

The service needs to be retained in Shields but perhaps a move back to old timetables of 20/30 min frequencies would be better.  If that means take off the single decks and replace with older double decks being released elsewhere, it may be beneficial.  

At the minute there is not enough passengers to warrant the frequencies and duplicated corridors as regular as they are now