(09 Jan 2015, 5:54 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If the 14 Red Arrows B9TLs became free (11 needed Mon to Sat and 5 eve and Sun) and GNE did the following:
- X51 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving X21 route to Bedlington Front St from Seacrest Rd then X22 route to Newcastle but only calling at Regent Centre after A1068 / Seaton Burn.
- X52 every 30 mins (60 eve and Sun) serving same route as above but North Seaton instead of Wansbeck Hosp then same route as X51 from Ashington.
They could oust the X21 and all the X22 would have is the punters between Ashington and Bedlington and here's why:
- Powerful engines for reliability and punctuality.
- No fancy detours via Nedderton.
- Free Wi-Fi and High Back seats.
- Simple 15 min (30 eve and Sun) combined frequency between Ashington and Newcastle throughout.
- Radio control in event of emergency, breakdown or delay.
- Many connections available in Newcastle including Metrocentre, Tyne Valley, Gateshead, Durham and Teesside.
- Better passenger trust.
- All buses wheelchair and buggy friendly unlike 7501 - 09.
It's likely that GNE would face the same issues as Arriva do on the Durham Road corridor. There are no connecting services, and there isn't a Network One equivalent for Northumberland. Besides that, I can't see the point of replicating an existing route like for like, when surely the key is to come up with something better than what they've got now?