(03 Aug 2014, 8:59 pm)Dan wrote Blyth do a very good job of keeping buses on-time from the Blyth end, so I'm guessing if the 308 didn't arrive in on time, they'd get whichever bus is in the depot and put it on the 308 stand so that it can depart on time - even if this does mean a branded vehicle is going to go out on a service which it shouldn't, causing customer confusion, etc etc...
Clearly, the issue lies at the Newcastle end. Drivers are faced with an awful predicament whereby they have to get out of the cab to ring control, alerting them that they're late, and seek guidance as to whether they should be regulated or not (making customers even more annoyed in the process - with a telephone call taking more time than something over the radio would) - or be put under pressure to try and make up time. I'd hope that drivers wouldn't self-regulate.
I just don't see why they don't bring back the 44 but via Billy Mill after Norham Road / Coast Road then all 308 stops to just before Foxhunters then via Marden to Whitley Bay. It got a good load at peak times and particularly on Saturdays!