(01 Dec 2024, 11:59 am)ASX_Terranova wrote I was just thinking, would anyone use a link between Kibblesworth and Washington.
The idea involves a service numbered 72. The route would be Kibblesworth, Northside Estate, Blackfell Way, Birtley Shops, South Portobello, Barley Mow, Vigo Shops, Ayton, Lambton, The Galleries, Washington Village, Barmston (Waskerley Road), Peel, then via A19 & Chester Road to Sunderland
There would also be a 73 between Coach Road, Sulgrave (Waterloo Road), Concord, Donwell (London Avenue), Blackfell (Knoulberry Road), Oxclose, The Galleries, Biddick, Barmston Court, Teal Farm, Waterview Park, Castletown, Enterprise Park (East & West) then via Queen Alex Bridge & Trimdon Street to Sunderland.
An alternative would be to run the 8A all day half hourly but via Lambton & Ayton and maybe Vigo/Barley Mow.
Personally wouldn't do that.
I'd do this instead and changing everything as nothing really works around there:
25: Washington - Ayton - Barley Mow - Portobello - Birtley - Wrekenton - QE Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle (Every 30 Minutes M-S Day, Hourly Eve / Sun)
28: Chester Le Street - Pelton - Ouston - Birtley - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - QE Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle (Hourly M-S Day)
29: Chester Le Street - Pelton - Ouston - Kibblesworth - Low Fell - Gateshead - Newcastle (Hourly, All Times)
30: Wrekenton - Low Fell - Saltwell - Bensham - Gateshead - Newcastle (Every 30 Minutes M-S Day, Hourly Evenings)
702: Chester Le Street - North Lodge - Barley Mow - Portobello - Birtley - Kibblesworth - Team Valley Retail Park (Hourly M-S Day)
82/TB14: Withdrawn
It means everything service has a terminus point where people might actually want or is a useful place to interchange for another service (Wrekenton) with frequencies which are acceptable, being mostly every 30 minutes. The PVR being 12 Midi / Saloons and 2 Breadvans. It would've been much better use of BSIP money than just throwing it on the 21 as it's all good if you want to go to Newcastle or CLS from Birtley but going anywhere else is a chore atm.