(19 Nov 2024, 9:42 pm)L469 YVK wrote I'd keep the 353 but maybe run via NESCH & High Pit.
If anything.....I think it's overkill having deckers every 30 mins to Morpeth on the 43 and I don't know if Arriva will get the full PVR of EV's taking into account the extension.
Operator aside and a bit of a shame that Arriva didn't think of this, but an extension of the 353 to Morpeth (instead of the 43) would actually work.
Edited that, it was a mistake with the 353, was meant to be the full route.
To be fair the service used to go to Morpeth, was Morpeth to Whitley Bay for years with the 343/344. Just the timings with it that's the problem as it's like 35 minutes from Morpeth to Cramlington and it uses the 43 layover to get the PVR down, it would be better being split though imo. I'm surprised they didn't do it when closing Jesmond though, the 53 always seemed quite a strong little route and it would've kept their monopoly in Cramlington and around Billy Mill pretty much.
Mind it'll be interesting to see if they go for the 19 in the future. The thing is a right little minefield competing against them around here lately, probably in their best interests to run it tbh, especially considering the 57/57a might aswell not bother with a timetable.