(16 Oct 2024, 8:00 pm)L469 YVK wrote Mam & Dad spent 1 hour getting back home on the 16:39 309 ex Newcastle. Before 2010 and Arriva's trial of the X8/X9 followed by their "pack 'em in and run 'em late im limp mode, tough s**t" approach......that journey would never be more than 30 minutes with the old 44!Newcastle do not need another link to the coast, nor do they need an express service into town. If you want a fast way into town, get a metro. Your route fantasy's are very unrealisitic to say the least and seem like they would only benefit you, as it's what you so desperatley want.
It ain't perfect, but will be aiming to purchase as close to a Metro as a I can when entering the property market next year! Matchdays now even involve a lift to the Metro in most instances.
Instead of Arriva p***ing around with the 306 with some termimating in Marden or wherever, why can't NECA / ANor / GoNE stormach the 2x extra vehicles (28-1 if 306 curtailed in Tynemouth then +3 for X38) to have an X38 doing a loop of Marden, then Hillheads > NTGH > Billy Mill > Willington Square then non-stop to the Civic & Haymarket from there?
If anything, there needs to be more links around Tynemouth and the Coast, especially with the Co-Op being closed for refurbishment. North Shields shops close earlier than an infant goes to bed, so more frequent evening links to shops would be ideal. A more requent service from Tynemouth to Preston Grange Morrisons would probably work best for Tynemouth residents, especially the elderly.