(08 Mar 2015, 8:20 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think GNE would have more chance in Northumberland either operating out of Percy Main or opening an outstation somewhere in Blyth or Bedlington (probably Cambois) with Percy Main being a home depot. They could go for several Arriva routes:
- Competing service with the X21 and between Bedlington and Newcastle, the X22 to provide faster journey times and a more reliable service with better vehicles such as Mercs or if a success, B9s.
- Competing service with the X4 / X5 / X10 / X11 providing quicker times than the X5 and similar to X4/X10/X11, and creating new link to EC Hospital in East Crammy. Deleval wouldn't be served tough. Could use Mercs as a starting foundation.
- Could develop service 19 more and even provide links to South Tyneside and Wearside.
- Further development of service 309 including more services (evening frequency increased) and 310's taking a hit on additional peak time Cobalt services (X39, short 309).
- Could develop links across Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington and also compete with the 43 / 45 services through Dudley, Seatonburn and Wideopen
I'd suggest that if GNE built an outstation in Bedlington, it would be an ideal central location for what you suggested as it is:
- A main part of the current Arriva X21/22 routes, and the Red Lion bus stop is an ideal location for driver changeovers
- A very short distance from Blyth and Cramlington, for the Blyth express services.
- Later 19 journeys could operate out of here