(02 Aug 2013, 6:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote Rather than essentially offer residents the same service (all be it with a different number and an alternative colour of the rainbow), surely it makes sense to look at an alternative solution.
1100 residents (I think that's what GTomlinson) quoted are 1100 potential passengers. 1100 residents don't all want to go to Gateshead (or the other option GNE seem to love forcing on them - Chester).
Where do those 1100 go to school, work or to socialise? I can guarantee they won't all be getting educated at Joseph Swan, work in Tesco nor all 1100 of them pop to the Duke of Gloucester for a pint!
The school catchment is Lord Lawson not Joseph Swan, they operate scholars services from Kibblesworth. (not sure on the Catholic option) The primary school is in the village.
1100 residents might not want to go to Gateshead or Newcastle but logically, they are the 2 large population centres where the vast majority of employment and shopping/leisure happens. If you live fairly rural as I have done all my life, you'll find the majority will own a car, out of habit, those who move to the area will own cars because they'll be aware of the area. Those reliant on public transport will make employment choices based on transport options the same way a car user would (current JobCentre requirements are 90 minutes travelling time)
I think we have to be realistic, as much as this thread is a bit of fun and fantasy. You can't offer everything to everyone, perhaps in an ideal world you'd have countless buses to numerous destinations but reality is a different thing. At the end of the day Kibblesworth is a village with a small population in rural Gateshead that is served to the 4 nearest major population centres of Low Fell, Gateshead, Birtley and Newcastle.