(15 May 2013, 2:33 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Here is my Spin on how I think the Bus Services in Washington should be.
M1 Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes
M1A Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth – Every 20 Minutes
X1 Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes
X1A Easington Lane - Hetton-le-Hole - Houghton-le-Spring – Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead - Newcastle – Every 20 Minutes
X1B Picktree Village – Washington Hospital – Rickleton – Harraton – Glebe - Washington Galleries - Springwell Village - Wrekenton - Gateshead – Newcastle – Peak Times Only
M2 Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord – Sulgrave – Barmston Loop – Brady Square - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Biddick – Harraton – Rickleton – Barley Mow – Birtley – Every 20 Minutes
M2A Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave – Heworth – Every 1 Hour
M3 Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Biddick – Washington Galleries – Glebe – Washington Village Barmston Court – Barmston Loop – Sulgrave – Concord – Blackfell – Oxclose – Ayton – Portobello – Birtley - Every 20 Minutes
X4 – Birtley – Chester le Street – Washington Galleries – Heworth – Every 30 Minutes
New Links provided by M1A Between Lambton and Houghton le Spring and also providing a quicker more direct service to Heworth.
New Links provided by X1A Between Fence Houses and Easington Lane/Newcastle
New Links on the M2/M3 to Many Areas of Washington that were previously not served by these Services.
The M2A maintains an Hourly Link across the M2 service between Birtley and Heworth
New Service X4 Delievers a Fast Xpress Service between Birtley and Heworth and also re-establishes the old Link between Chester le Street and Heworth.
Really like the suggestions Adam. Only two things I'd add would be;
- Washington to Sunderland services split to include more areas, e.g. The old X85 route.
- X2 reintroduced
I really dislike A,B,C routes. I think they're confusing for people and.much prefer the system of a number per service.
(15 May 2013, 7:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote With fast buses connecting the majority of the regions towns and cities, the only additional service I can think of is something coming from Darlington heading North.
There was the 723 and Arriva have a service which follows a similar route, but apart from the train, there isn't any other option.
Heading North out of Darlington, the service could join the A1 (M) (or serve parts of Newton Aycliffe and then join the motorway) and when it reaches Bowburn, follow the route of the X1 into Durham. It can then complement the X21 to Newcastle.
It will fill a massive gap in the GNE provision and increase presence in an area they are obviously keen on exploiting.
Re the Washington idea above, instead of serving Crowther, would it be better diverting via Ayton and Lambton, turning left uptowards Oxclose and picking up the suggested oute from there?
The main reason I included crowther is because its nothing short of a crime that the place has no bus service whatsoever. Public transport should be readily available in employment areas. Doubt it'd get much traffic through the day, so would allow for catch up time.
(15 May 2013, 8:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do you think there would be a market for the airport buses?
I couldn't be chewed faffing on getting on and off buses with luggage etc.
As far as students go, they're always on the train and can use their railcard. Even in a taxi, a group of people would make it cheaper than the bus.
Business people, whatever is the quickest and easiest.
I'd never personally use a bus to or from an airport. Too much faff on with luggage.