(23 Mar 2024, 11:11 am)mb134 wrote Again, I don't think you understand the passenger flows on the services. You're ignoring the fact that there are multiple places between Newcastle and Ashington where people go, for example Cramlington Industrial Estate. Morning X21/22s often leave Newcastle with 20-30+ people on them, so evidently there are northbound passengers in the morning.
Morning trips through to town also drop off hefty amounts there, and also at Regent Centre.
Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work.
That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.
Most these are covered by alternative services though for the local runs; 1, 2, 57, 57A etc. Admit not as frequent but surely you'd be better off trying to grow those routes.
I'd imagine the Regent Centre customers will be the first to move across considering you can get integrated tickets which would be substantially cheaper than having to get 2 products as now.
We just have very different opinions on the train usage and I think, personally, it'll be much much greater than you predict and will impact the routes big time. Like personally I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Ashington buses started going via Cramlington and open more links as the Cramlington links are still poor from most parts of Bedlington etc.