(28 Sep 2024, 10:24 pm)L469 YVK wrote Hmmm, I see your argument. The only thing is that deckers do offer the same capacity, without the need for extra drivers, vehicles or fuel. Plus even on a 10 or 10/20 frequency (latter for Consett), singles could get cosy when demand to the MetroCentre is high or a match day.
If anything, the Rowlands Gill corridor is likely to be Consett's top performer and actually has a chance making money with the MetroCentre en-route, unlike the other Derwentside to Newcastle services effectively serving farmers fields and relying on commuter traffic.
Plenty spare deckers around though which are used on the schools for those odd times though. Obviously I understand the extra drivers etc but every 10/20 minutes vs every 30 minutes on the Western side of the route is a big difference. One is turn up and go and the other isn't.
It's much easier to persuade someone to use that so there's potential for growth. Let's be honest unless you're mental, you're not using the 47 full stop unless you want to go to the few villages inbetween Rowlands Gill and Winlaton Mill for god knows whatever reason especially at the Western side since they run 1 minute apart, fantastic timetabling of course.