(26 Mar 2024, 7:12 pm)Storx wrote A bit off topic but I kinda disagree about bus stations.

Bus stations are a complete waste of time if you ask me, unless it's an interchange where you change between a bus and a tube / train like many places in London where you can't control timings so are forced to wait.

Personally, on paper (not saying do it), I'd much rather have a bus which looped around Newcastle so I could get on/off where I actually wanted to be, rather than being dumped off at Haymarket which is miles to the North of most places.

Not to mention personally, I feel more secure at a bus stop than an unstaffed bus station in the evening. Haymarket is an unpleasant place, as an understatement, especially with the undesirables hanging around outside the pub.

Most people who know the timetable, won't be there for longer than 5 minutes max. Now if the bus station was near Central Station then it would be a different kettle of fish.

Having spent 4 years without a bus station in Durham, it was a relief to get one back instead of having to wait goodness knows how long in all weathers in the open air for a bus, watching other buses I could have caught if they hadn't departed from the other end if north road sail past. The same issue also affected planning a journey with a connection because you couldn't guarantee getting from one stop to another in the 5 minutes you should have. 

Now we have the bus station back, people who have a wait have somewhere dry to wait and those who have a choice of services can see what's in, catch it, and get out of everyone else's way.

And, yes, when I go to Newcastle, I might get off at St Mary's Place or John Dobson street but I'm blown if I'm waiting for the bus home on Newgate street when there is a nice, dry bus station to wait in - with seating if my back is hurting from standing.