(01 Apr 2014, 2:29 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote I got on the Q1 at Central Station Yesterday to Gateshead and I was the only Passenger for that whole Journey, From personal experience as do tend to use the Q1/Q2 a lot as I like a walk the Quayside on rare occasions, Neither service to me really Justify the usage of a Optare Versa and nor do they Justify an Every 10 Minute Frequency/Every 5 Minutes Combined at connecting Parts of the Route.
I would say that Reducing the Frequency to 30 Minutes would most certainly Justify the usage of a Optare Versa, Perhaps GNE should take a look at my Q3 Suggestion from Last Year, in an Attempt to Increase Patronage on both Services, Atleast do something with the Services to help aid an improvement, I would also agree that using say a Optare Solo SR would be more Justifiable on the Current Frequency of the Q1/Q2.
Also in regards to the Q1 the only time that gets Busy is at Peak Times i.e. when people are Finishing Work on the Quayside, and Students are Finishing for the Day at Gateshead College, Even those Passengers aren't Fare Paying Passengers, Again Passengers outside Gateshead College have the Option of Using the 93/94 to/from Gateshead Interchange Every 15 Minutes, And I would say 10 Buses an Hour on that small Section of Route isn't even Justifiable either.
Reducing the service to 30 minutes is a silly idea. Both services can get busy at times.