(15 Jul 2023, 5:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've said for years, that the river needs to be utilised more. 

We keep hearing stories about the roads and pollution and the need to switch modes of transport - but here we are, sitting alongside a totally underutilised resource.

It would open up so many new links/connections and in the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't cost much to set up either.

A fast express type ferry between key points and a slower stopping service, maybe zigzagging down the river.

I'm not convinced. Having used the Thames Clipper in London, I'd be surprised if, other than tourism, it's used for any more than odd journeys. 

When I was last down there, we did Battersea to Canary Wharf, which took just over an hour. The same journey on the Tube is half the time, even taking into account the change from Northern to Jubilee. The journey was also around £9, as oppose to the £2.80 off-peak fare on the Underground, which is part of capping.

Having a look at the timetable for the Clipper, it takes 1:14 from Barking Riverside to Embankment. A similar distance from Newburn to Shields, as suggested above. It's already slightly quicker using Bus and Metro. 

There's also the question of how well used it'd be. Newburn isn't exactly a huge, with a population of less than 10k. It already has a 10 minute frequency on the Stagecoach 22, takes just over 15 minutes into town, and which stops in more convenient places oppose to where a ferry landing would need to be. Even if you look at other places likely to be served to/from Newcastle; Blaydon (15 min (infrequent) by train, 20 by bus), Metrocentre (9 minutes by train, 18 by bus), Dunston (15 minutes by bus). The road is King here.

On the East of Newcastle, they've had bus links along the river via the Quaylink and Stagecoach 18, but they're really not that well used. Even the stretch between the Quayside and St Peters basin, where there's loads of housing, it's rare to see more than 1 or 2 board at a time.

You're also not considering the biggest competitor to a river boat/ferry service - bridges. They're almost the sole reason why we don't have ferry crossings along the Tyne and the Wear anymore, with exception of the Shields ferry.

I'm all for trying new things, but the cost of delivering this would far outweigh any benefit delivered.