(23 Dec 2023, 3:16 pm)L469 YVK wrote I do get your logic although the 317 is fairly stable.
If anything, Arriva should target the Billy Mill Lane to North Shields stretch of route (vs 353 and 354). But that's for the Arriva thread!
The 317 is one of the worst subsidies going. I can't remember how much it gets off the top of my head but it's in the millions and that's including Stagecoach taking risk.
It's not doing well from a tax payer point of view, it's no wonder Stagecoach like it, it'll be one of their most profitable routes. If it was doing well, it would be commercial. There's also a nice shiny bus station where people could interchange (if needed).
The 18/Q3 is a severe funding issue aswell, duplicating each other for 2 mile or so.