Agreed with both, it just doesn't make sense to me. Is there actually anything stopping you using the Metrocentre as a P&R anyway...? Obviously there's so much demand though that you can't parked.

If this was somewhere like Team Valley (on the site of the Funfair) then I'd totally get it, with Bensham Bank bus only at both ends - it should be anyway to improve traffic flow and get buses moving instead of it being full of cars rat running clogging it up.

That would be more popular, even long term, as it's in the right place for people commuting, you also have the added bonus that if there's a park and ride heading from Team Valley to Newcastle; you've now got an express bus service from Newcastle and Gateshead heading towards Team Valley so it kills two birds with one stone. Also agreed with the Heworth comments, for the same reason as the Metro / train already exists and is direct.

It's no wonder transport in the North East is a mess as it's riddled with incompetence throughout.