There's nowt at Rainton Gate...

Certainly not a 'growing employment centre'.

Presuming he meant Rainton Bridge, there was already a bus from Shields to Rainton Bridge. I am guessing less than 16 people a day got a direct bus too.

I would also question the 16 people from South Shields to the hospital line.
A day ticket wouldn't necessarily record where a person disembarked.
Ditto, the number of passengers getting a bus from places such as Harton, Cleadon, Newcastle Road etc.