(27 Aug 2023, 8:57 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote If gne proposed that the 58 was omitting Fewster Square and the 57 was to become an express from Gateshead to the Q.E but re-doubled back to every 15 minutes, how would that go down in east gateshead.

Well it wouldn't go down well with some drivers of the 56 as during peak times a 57 being in front of you can help with loadings up towards sheriff hill and the Q.E especially on match days or if there's an event on in Newcastle the X1 is already an Express between Gateshead and Q.E why do we need another one?

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(27 Aug 2023, 9:06 pm)Theboyle92 wrote Well it wouldn't go down well with some drivers of the 56 as during peak times a 57 being in front of you can help with loadings up towards sheriff hill and the Q.E especially on match days or if there's an event on in Newcastle the X1 is already an Express between Gateshead and Q.E why do we need another one?

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Its not about Gateshead-Q.E its about faster journeys for people living in Beacon Lough, Felling Square & Leam Lane. This would also include journeys that would be non-stop from Gateshead to Felling Square. 

The attachments are ironically from a GNE competitor point of view but I think their a good enough example.

(27 Aug 2023, 8:57 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote If gne proposed that the 58 was omitting Fewster Square and the 57 was to become an express from Gateshead to the Q.E but re-doubled back to every 15 minutes, how would that go down in east gateshead.

Not going to lie I'd do the opposite around there, the 57 is clearly struggling hence the freqency reductions and run it as a Newcastle to Springwell Estate via Beacon Lough Estate service every 15 minutes interworking with the 56 to give a 7.5 minute service combined and take some load off it as it's struggling timewise aswell.

Then change the 58 to additionally serve Wardley and the QE, every 10 minutes between Newcastle and Heworth, then every 20 minutes to Wardley.

Something like the below:


I'm aware the bit from Beacon Lough to the 58 would be unserved but it's mostly fields anyway, I suppose you could split it as a 58/58A doing both roads otherwise every 20 minutes.

Alternatively if you wanted to save £££, you could scrap the 57 in it's entirity and split the 58 into a 58/58A, something like the below every 10 minutes. Every 20 minutes each route:

(27 Aug 2023, 10:58 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Its not about Gateshead-Q.E its about faster journeys for people living in Beacon Lough, Felling Square & Leam Lane. This would also include journeys that would be non-stop from Gateshead to Felling Square. 

The attachments are ironically from a GNE competitor point of view but I think their a good enough example.

I agree with you on that front but what about the people who have been sat on the 56 since hylton castle or sulgrave they too need a faster service into Gateshead and Newcastle, and with the unreliability of the 57 at the moment thats not happening as it will constantly be stopping at every stop from beacon lough into Gateshead to pick up pax who have been waiting for a 57 that is more than likey 15-20 late or cancelled, the entire Gateshead corridors need to be looked at very closely and passenger loading also need to be looked at with what can miss out what estate etc to save time, for me i would have the 56 run limited stop from Wrekenton and increase the 57 to every 15 min in a loop , and personally i would have it after serving Heworth towards Newcastle have it run along either sunderland Rd or Split Crow Rd improving times from Wardley into Gateshead and have the 57A run the opposite direction towards Beacon Lough/Q.E guaranteeing a bus heading towards Gateshead/Newcastle every 7/8 minutes in some areas.

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(27 Aug 2023, 11:40 pm)Theboyle92 wrote I agree with you on that front but what about the people who have been sat on the 56 since hylton castle or sulgrave they too need a faster service into Gateshead and Newcastle, and with the unreliability of the 57 at the moment thats not happening as it will constantly be stopping at every stop from beacon lough into Gateshead to pick up pax who have been waiting for a 57 that is more than likey 15-20 late or cancelled, the entire Gateshead corridors need to be looked at very closely and passenger loading also need to be looked at with what can miss out what estate etc to save time, for me i would have the 56 run limited stop from Wrekenton and increase the 57 to every 15 min in a loop , and personally i would have it after serving Heworth towards Newcastle  have it run along either sunderland Rd or Split Crow Rd improving times from Wardley into Gateshead and have the 57A run the opposite direction towards Beacon Lough/Q.E guaranteeing a bus heading towards Gateshead/Newcastle every 7/8 minutes in some areas.

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Not sure Wardley need a quicker service, if they're going to Newcastle they're likely using the Metro at Pelaw already. It's likely the reason it's down to 2 BPH in the first place.

(28 Aug 2023, 7:27 am)Storx wrote Not sure Wardley need a quicker service, if they're going to Newcastle they're likely using the Metro at Pelaw already. It's likely the reason it's down to 2 BPH in the first place.

The 57 would become busier because the 58 would not serve Fewster Square, running direct from Albion Street to Heworth. 

Also, to answer an earlier comment, would it be worth it to introduce short 56's as far as Wrekenton or Springwell Estate.

(28 Aug 2023, 10:12 am)ASX_Terranova wrote The 57 would become busier because the 58 would not serve Fewster Square, running direct from Albion Street to Heworth. 

EDIT: I missed some comments so have amended my post.

(28 Aug 2023, 10:12 am)ASX_Terranova wrote The 57 would become busier because the 58 would not serve Fewster Square, running direct from Albion Street to Heworth. 

Also, to answer an earlier comment, would it be worth it to introduce short 56's as far as Wrekenton or Springwell Estate.

If you took the 58 out of there, then the 58 would be dead.

The 57 is the problem route, it duplicates the 51/52, 56 and 58 for most of the route but doesn't interwork with it at all now.

Personally I'd be more radical and rewrite the whole lot and have something like

90: Newcastle to Heworth | Newcastle - Gateshead - Team Valley - Low Fell - QE Hospital - Heworth (Every 20 Minutes)
91/92 (The Loop): Gateshead to Gatehead | Gateshead - Shipcote - Low Fell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate - Forster Square - Felling - Heworth - Gateshead College - Gateshead (Every 20 Minutes)

56: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
57: Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Beacon Lough Estate - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate (Every 15 Minutes)
58: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
59: Newcastle to Wardley | Newcastle - Gateshead - Dun Hill Road - QE Hospital - Felling - Heworth - Wardley (Every 20 Minutes)

51/52/93/94 - Withdrawn

Combined Corridors:
1/90: Every 10 Minutes, Newcastle to Team Valley North
56/57: Every 7.5 Minutes, Newcastle to Beacon Lough

Map:


As far as I'm aware there's no lost links anywhere but would finally give Newcastle a link to Team Valley and increase the Bensham Road and Old Durham Road corridors which both could do with a frequency increase imo.

Maybe the 56 should never have been dropped from a 12 to a 15 minute service and had its PVR reduced just to send some buses to Percy Main for a less busy service in the first place. When it was every 12 minutes it had a 10 minute sit in Park Lane for most of the day which helped a lot of delays. It was also still every 20 minutes later into an evening.

(28 Aug 2023, 1:56 pm)deanmachine wrote Maybe the 56 should never have been dropped from a 12 to a 15 minute service and had its PVR reduced just to send some buses to Percy Main for a less busy service in the first place. When it was every 12 minutes it had a 10 minute sit in Park Lane for most of the day which helped a lot of delays. It was also still every 20 minutes later into an evening.

So true.

(28 Aug 2023, 11:06 am)Storx wrote If you took the 58 out of there, then the 58 would be dead.

The 57 is the problem route, it duplicates the 51/52, 56 and 58 for most of the route but doesn't interwork with it at all now.

Personally I'd be more radical and rewrite the whole lot and have something like

90: Newcastle to Heworth | Newcastle - Gateshead - Team Valley - Low Fell - QE Hospital - Heworth (Every 20 Minutes)
91/92 (The Loop): Gateshead to Gatehead | Gateshead - Shipcote - Low Fell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate - Forster Square - Felling - Heworth - Gateshead College - Gateshead (Every 20 Minutes)

56: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
57: Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Beacon Lough Estate - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate (Every 15 Minutes)
58: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
59: Newcastle to Wardley | Newcastle - Gateshead - Dun Hill Road - QE Hospital - Felling - Heworth - Wardley (Every 20 Minutes)

51/52/93/94 - Withdrawn

Combined Corridors:
1/90: Every 10 Minutes, Newcastle to Team Valley North
56/57: Every 7.5 Minutes, Newcastle to Beacon Lough

Map:


As far as I'm aware there's no lost links anywhere but would finally give Newcastle a link to Team Valley and increase the Bensham Road and Old Durham Road corridors which both could do with a frequency increase imo.

57 east of Beacon Lough Estate. Links lost there. It continues through to/from Heworth currently.
You've not got a connection to/from Heworth and Beacon Lough Estate.

Here's an "out there" suggestion, merging the 4/57/58 together into a new 4/4A

(28 Aug 2023, 11:06 am)Storx wrote If you took the 58 out of there, then the 58 would be dead.

The 57 is the problem route, it duplicates the 51/52, 56 and 58 for most of the route but doesn't interwork with it at all now.

Personally I'd be more radical and rewrite the whole lot and have something like

90: Newcastle to Heworth | Newcastle - Gateshead - Team Valley - Low Fell - QE Hospital - Heworth (Every 20 Minutes)
91/92 (The Loop): Gateshead to Gatehead | Gateshead - Shipcote - Low Fell - Eighton Banks - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate - Forster Square - Felling - Heworth - Gateshead College - Gateshead (Every 20 Minutes)

56: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
57: Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Beacon Lough Estate - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate (Every 15 Minutes)
58: No Changes (Every 15 Minutes)
59: Newcastle to Wardley | Newcastle - Gateshead - Dun Hill Road - QE Hospital - Felling - Heworth - Wardley (Every 20 Minutes)

51/52/93/94 - Withdrawn

Combined Corridors:
1/90: Every 10 Minutes, Newcastle to Team Valley North
56/57: Every 7.5 Minutes, Newcastle to Beacon Lough

Map:


As far as I'm aware there's no lost links anywhere but would finally give Newcastle a link to Team Valley and increase the Bensham Road and Old Durham Road corridors which both could do with a frequency increase imo.

I like your ideas, but:

57: Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Beacon Lough Estate - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate (Every 30 Minutes)
57A:  Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Wrekenton - Eighton Banks - Springwell Village - Donwell - Blackfell - The Galleries (Every 30 Minutes)
90: Newcastle to Heworth | Newcastle - Gateshead - Bensham Hospital - Team Valley - Low Fell - QE Hospital - Heworth (Every 20 Minutes))
91: Newcastle to Houghton-Le-Spring | Newcastle - Team Valley - Portobello - Vigo Estate - Ayton - Lambton - The Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Success - Newbottle - Burnside Estate - Houghton-Le-Street (Every 30 Mins)
Your 91 & 92 could stay as the 93 & 94

I would also withdraw the X66 and merge that with something.

(28 Aug 2023, 4:34 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote I like your ideas, but:

57: Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Beacon Lough Estate - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate (Every 30 Minutes)
57A:  Newcastle to Springwell Estate | Newcastle - Gateshead - QE Hospital - Wrekenton - Eighton Banks - Springwell Village - Donwell - Blackfell - The Galleries (Every 30 Minutes)
90: Newcastle to Heworth | Newcastle - Gateshead - Bensham Hospital - Team Valley - Low Fell - QE Hospital - Heworth (Every 20 Minutes))
91: Newcastle to Houghton-Le-Spring | Newcastle - Team Valley - Portobello - Vigo Estate - Ayton - Lambton - The Galleries - Biddick - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Success - Newbottle - Burnside Estate - Houghton-Le-Street (Every 30 Mins)
Your 91 & 92 could stay as the 93 & 94

I would also withdraw the X66 and merge that with something.

Why would u withdraw X66, Route Numbering still means something.

(28 Aug 2023, 1:56 pm)deanmachine wrote Maybe the 56 should never have been dropped from a 12 to a 15 minute service and had its PVR reduced just to send some buses to Percy Main for a less busy service in the first place. When it was every 12 minutes it had a 10 minute sit in Park Lane for most of the day which helped a lot of delays. It was also still every 20 minutes later into an evening.

So out of the original lot in 2014:

- 6084 - Used for 10/10A/10B and also X9/X10
- 6085 - Used for 10/10A/10B
- 6086/87 - Became spares for 56
- 6099 & 6100 - Spares for 309 & 310(now 307)

Originally, 6099 & 6100 were used as 309 PVR was 10x and 310 PVR was 7x requiring two spares needed. PVR later reduced by 1x to 16x (309/310/311) and now PVR stands at 14x (8x 309 and 6x 307). Surely, Percy Main should only need 6101-07?

On another note......now that the 307 is standalone, depending how future fleet movements come about, would it not be a good opportunity to allocate StreetDecks 6301-07 onto the 307 (and any late 309 journeys that they could eventually drop onto by default via mid-evening interworking patterns)? Surely they could handle the 307 fine plus they'd be way more fuel efficient on such route rather than binge drinking B9TLs being lugged around the doors.

(28 Aug 2023, 7:46 pm)Unber43 wrote Why would u withdraw X66, Route Numbering still means something.

There were rumors on here a while ago the x66 would be merged with the 51/52 and renumbered 66/66A.

Sadly I disagree about the X66 being renumbered

The X66 is a distinctive number used for years as you get to Gateshead interchange and it's direct to the MetroCentre

I believe that connection is key to a brand In itself

I do think however Intead of buses running light between gateshead and Riverside depot should operate an X66 on the off chance a passenger or 2 may board as an addition to a standard service

Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

---

Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

---

Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

(24 Oct 2023, 5:38 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

---

Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

---

Heres a few suggestions:

Revised Service 91: Houghton-Le-Spring, Burnside Estate, Newbottle, Success, Shiney Row, Harraton, Rickleton, Ayton, Barley Mow, Birtley, Lamesley, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

Revised Service 92: Heworth, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Fewster Square, Springwell Estate, Wrekenton, Harlow Green, Team Valley, Newcastle (Hourly)

91 seems okay but not sure if sending the 92 would do any good. The 91 doesn't pick up that many people from Team Valley anyway

(24 Oct 2023, 6:10 pm)Aaron21 wrote 91 seems okay but not sure if sending the 92 would do any good. The 91 doesn't pick up that many people from Team Valley anyway

Considering the 25 is only hourly, the 56 doesn't go into Springwell Estate anymore and the 51/52 terminate at Gateshead, I'm sure my 92 suggestion would get some use.

Would my 91 be a viable alternative to the X1 or not.

(27 Oct 2023, 8:18 pm)Storx wrote Aye some fair points but if it was going to lead to cancellations, then it's arguably the 'easiest' route to get arid of without a PR disaster as the vast majority of it is covered by Arriva services, albeit rather infrequent now.

Who knows what I Squared motivations are but if they're going on what they're really talking about, maybe they could be interested in purchasing the depot instead, GNE citing losses, I Squared citing consildation of the Coast Road services or whatever. Could be a good move for both parties. Obviously that depends on I Squared motives though.

Honestly I'm not sure what the point of Saltmeadows is, if I had to be honest. It always just seems like a glorified paint shop... but I might be missing something. I'm not aware of any other company having similar though - at all.

Looking at Percy Main......
- 307 & 309 - GNE could keep
- 327 - GNE could keep
- 1 withdrawn - 97 re-introduced, Stagecoach split 22 into 22 & 22A with 22A following the 1 route between Newcastle and Whitley Bay
- Q3 extended to replace 41/41A
- 352 withdrawn - practically covered by 37
- 353 taken back by Arriva if PVR is reduced owing to ABTRL, increased to every 30 mins
- 354 withdrawn - 359 already does part route
- 355 - withdrawn as 38 already does route

354 replacements:
- 359
- X63 effectively becomes a "356" and does X63 route but via Church Road & Gosforth High Street, terminates at Haymarket

355 replacements:
- 37
- If Arriva still run X7/X8 in some form, made all stops along Matthew Bank

(27 Oct 2023, 10:03 pm)L469 YVK wrote Looking at Percy Main......
- 307 & 309 - GNE could keep
- 327 - GNE could keep
- 1 withdrawn - 97 re-introduced, Stagecoach split 22 into 22 & 22A with 22A following the 1 route between Newcastle and Whitley Bay
- Q3 extended to replace 41/41A
- 352 withdrawn - practically covered by 37
- 353 taken back by Arriva if PVR is reduced owing to ABTRL, increased to every 30 mins
- 354 withdrawn - 359 already does part route
- 355 - withdrawn as 38 already does route

354 replacements:
- 359
- X63 effectively becomes a "356" and does X63 route but via Church Road & Gosforth High Street, terminates at Haymarket

355 replacements:
- 37
- If Arriva still run X7/X8 in some form, made all stops along Matthew Bank

Can't really disagree with them.

I'm not sure whether the Q3 is subsidised or something but I'm really surprised that keeps going. It's not a busy bus route, ever - especially at the Great Park end of it. Lucky to see double figures on it and the other end is no better. Unless something has changed in the past 10 years, I used to use it from a mates down by far end of the Quayside and pretty much be the only one on the bus.

There's just absolutely no reason for anyone use to it at any point along the Great North Road since it's less frequent and takes a detour via Jesmond.

If theyre going to bring the X9/X10 back, why not put the X9 on the current X10 route and have the X10 route

Newcastle - Gateshead - Heworth - Dalton Park - Peterlee Slip Road - Middlesbrough

Then it can become a proper express again, or bring the X10 after Peterlee though Hartlepool (the way it goes when the A19 is shut)

Seen people talking about the X45/47 and it got me thinking how crap they are following each other at one end and being two different brands at the other end for no reason so thought I'd redo the Consett / Stanley to Newcastle buses as below:


I'm not going to list everything as it's above but it's basically

1 (Blue): Curtailed at Whickham
6 (Red): Complete reroute at the Stanley side so Annfield Plain is now connected to the Metro Centre again.
7 (Purple - NEW): Replacement for parts of the 1/6/X71/V5 linking Shotley Bridge, Meadomsley and Burnopfield to Newcastle and the Metro Centre
10A (Aqua): Extended to Crookhall to replace the 47 and V5 serving Shotley Bridge hospital instead
X30/X31: No Changes
X45 (Light Orange): No Changes
X46 (Dark Orange): 47 curtailed at Blackhall again
X71 (Light Green): Reroute to keep Annfield Plain and Watling House links to Newcastle
X72 (Dark Green): Takes on the 6 extension and goes a faster route to give better Stanley to Gateshead links without going to Rome and back.
V5: Withdrawn

Frequencies:
1: Every 15 Minutes
6: Every 30 Minutes
7: Every 30 Minutes
X45: Every 30 Minutes
X46: Every 30 Minutes
X71: Hourly
X72: Hourly

X45/X46: Every 15 Minutes Combined
6/7: Every 15 Minutes Combined
X71/X72: Every 30 Minutes Combined
7/X45: Every 30 Minutes Combined (as best as possible)

I know it would up the PVR a small amount but it would offer a much better service and fix the gaps ie. Annfield Plain to the Metro Centre which currently exist and give most people, at least 2 BPH.

(07 Dec 2023, 11:53 pm)Storx wrote Seen people talking about the X45/47 and it got me thinking how crap they are following each other at one end and being two different brands at the other end for no reason so thought I'd redo the Consett / Stanley to Newcastle buses as below:


I'm not going to list everything as it's above but it's basically

1 (Blue): Curtailed at Whickham
6 (Red): Complete reroute at the Stanley side so Annfield Plain is now connected to the Metro Centre again.
7 (Purple - NEW): Replacement for parts of the 1/6/X71/V5 linking Shotley Bridge, Meadomsley and Burnopfield to Newcastle and the Metro Centre
10A (Aqua): Extended to Crookhall to replace the 47 and V5 serving Shotley Bridge hospital instead
X30/X31: No Changes
X45 (Light Orange): No Changes
X46 (Dark Orange): 47 curtailed at Blackhall again
X71 (Light Green): Reroute to keep Annfield Plain and Watling House links to Newcastle
X72 (Dark Green): Takes on the 6 extension and goes a faster route to give better Stanley to Gateshead links without going to Rome and back.
V5: Withdrawn

Frequencies:
1: Every 15 Minutes
6: Every 30 Minutes
7: Every 30 Minutes
X45: Every 30 Minutes
X46: Every 30 Minutes
X71: Hourly
X72: Hourly

X45/X46: Every 15 Minutes Combined
6/7: Every 15 Minutes Combined
X71/X72: Every 30 Minutes Combined
7/X45: Every 30 Minutes Combined (as best as possible)

I know it would up the PVR a small amount but it would offer a much better service and fix the gaps ie. Annfield Plain to the Metro Centre which currently exist and give most people, at least 2 BPH.

THe only thing I would change is that the 47 continuted to Consett at every 30 mins but 1bph would go to Castleside the other Shotley Bridge, and the X5/X15 1bph to Shotley Bridge the other to Castleside (or you could do this with the X71)

(08 Dec 2023, 7:54 am)Unber43 wrote THe only thing I would change is that the 47 continuted to Consett at every 30 mins but 1bph would go to Castleside the other Shotley Bridge, and the X5/X15 1bph to Shotley Bridge the other to Castleside (or you could do this with the X71)

No real need for the 47 to go through it takes too long imo. X71 to Castleside wouldn't be a bad idea though to be fair maybe running direct omitting The Grove.

You could do something with the 16 though which has been replaced by the 10A extension. Not sure what though mind. 

Another potentially controversial thing I'd be tempted to do is:
1: Whickham to Whitley Bay (Every 30 Minutes)
1A: Metro Centre to Whitley Bay (Every 30 Minutes)

1/1A: Every 15 minutes Lonely Hill to Whitley Bay with the 1A being the 96 from there to the Metro Centre. 

There's no real lost links but it makes the 96 actually useful rather than just existing like now.

96 feels like a route which is the remains of a longer route with either ends cut off.

Maybe an hourly extension to Kimblesworth

(08 Dec 2023, 8:34 am)Unber43 wrote 96 feels like a route which is the remains of a longer route with either ends cut off.

Maybe an hourly extension to Kimblesworth

Not going to lie I still think a loop would be better, this is totally irrelevant to the Consett stuff which is fantasy I'd admit but something like this would be better:



which is basically

1/1A: Every 15 minutes, Whitley Bay to Lobley Hill, Every 30 minutes doing they're respective loops
X32: Every 30 minutes, Whickham Loop to Newcastle

X30/X31/X32: Every 15 minutes combined Whickham to Newcastle Express or alternatively send the X30/X31 back via Lobley Hill and serve Gateshead.

It should be the same PVR as increasing the 1 to every 15 minutes throughout (if it's ever done, +1) and is a better use of resources imo.

(08 Dec 2023, 8:09 am)Storx wrote No real need for the 47 to go through it takes too long imo. X71 to Castleside wouldn't be a bad idea though to be fair maybe running direct omitting The Grove.

You could do something with the 16 though which has been replaced by the 10A extension. Not sure what though mind. 

Another potentially controversial thing I'd be tempted to do is:
1: Whickham to Whitley Bay (Every 30 Minutes)
1A: Metro Centre to Whitley Bay (Every 30 Minutes)

1/1A: Every 15 minutes Lonely Hill to Whitley Bay with the 1A being the 96 from there to the Metro Centre. 

There's no real lost links but it makes the 96 actually useful rather than just existing like now.

The 1A was already the 96 between Metrocentre to Gateshead the 1 to Whitley Bay. At that point your just bringing back the 1A and withdrawn the 96. It doesn't seem any different

How about the X30/X31 actually turning up when they are meant to? The reliability is appalling and must be one of the worst performing routes with frequent gaps in the service. Was hoping it might be better after the strikes but no, this week has been as bad as ever.