(30 Aug 2024, 8:48 pm)Storx wrote I get what you're saying but personally I'd argue that Gateshead and Team Valley North are their own destinations in their own right. I hate hate uneven services which are 20 / 20 / 40 it's just confusing and hourly from those same places is unacceptable.
The X29 wouldn't do well though imo as it serves nothing, it's an express bus missing everything of note, bar at working times, and would be way too slow to get to Gateshead from Consett. The Birtley network needs work though as it sucks and the whole thing is subsidised bar the 21 nowadays which to me sums up it's a failure.
Like could you flip stuff around and have something like the below which also does your Team Valley link?
The Team Valley links are equally dreadful from Durham Road and the Saltwell area unless you double back via Gateshead or attempt to swap to the 93/94 around the Victoria pub and both aren't ideal.
With some minibus/breadvan filling in the gaps heading towards CLS working in the 7xx services, housing estates around the back of Birtley etc.
I would improve the services around Wrekenton, Q.E Hospital, Deckham & Harlow Green alongside all of the previous suggestions.
Waverley Road needs more buses per hour, whilst Carr Hill should have direct Newcastle's again. I would advocate for a return of a lot of the 1xx and 2xx Washington Locals