(03 Jan 2020, 7:58 pm)Adrian wrote I can see a good argument for not having every service go into Newcastle, but it would be commercial suicide to terminate everything at Gateshead. You're then forcing people to go for Network One tickets, where GNE only gets part revenue from. The rest is split (although not evenly) between the other partners of Network Ticketing.

(03 Jan 2020, 9:04 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Make the X9/X10 a coach service, going from Central Station instead of Eldon Square.

NEW service X82 on Sundays only, following X84 route but terminating at Throckley. Could the X84 ever realistically operate additionally via Silver Lonnen and Slatyford Lane to Denton Burn to incorporate Slatyford and possibly remove the need for the Nexus 84A, which could operate between Fenham and Newcastle only?


Wouldn't make much sense plus would need a renumber because of SNE X82, 84A is relatively unpopular but there for those who need it hence NEXUS secured it so wouldn't make much sense in a stagecoach dominated area, they have links to Hexham and beyond with 685 once a hour and the amount of stagecoach services going through wouldn't make passengers switch for a rather infrequent GNE service with stagecoach having a frequent service in most areas.

(04 Jan 2020, 12:40 pm)Rob44 wrote Good point Streetdeckfan but for everyone i know who loves the metro centre several hate it. And I would assume the most polluting times of day are early morning and late afternoon????  so worker in Newcastle? I cant see them going to the metro centre when they work or need connecting transport in newcastle?

(04 Jan 2020, 12:40 pm)Rob44 wrote Good point Streetdeckfan but for everyone i know who loves the metro centre several hate it. And I would assume the most polluting times of day are early morning and late afternoon????  so worker in Newcastle? I cant see them going to the metro centre when they work or need connecting transport in newcastle?

(04 Jan 2020, 12:45 pm)Michael wrote The Metrocentre is a place you love or hate, same as Newcastle, personally, i like the Metrocentre, more than Newcastle.

No need for the X21 to extend to the Metrocentre, there's plenty of buses connecting Newcastle and the Metrocentre.

(04 Jan 2020, 12:57 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wasn't implying that it should go to Metrocentre, only that if the buses terminate at Gateshead, and you have a choice between going in to Newcastle and visiting Metrocentre, I know which one I would pick.
I think without all the services at the bus station, Eldon Square footfall would greatly drop.

(03 Jan 2020, 2:27 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Haymarket is dominated by Arriva, whereas Eldon Square is dominated by GNE. How would moving bus station change passenger numbers? Connections are easier if all the services are in one place, the Q3 and Cobalt &. Coast services are odd in Haymarket.

What about curtailing services at Gateshead? Some 27s could still continue to Newcastle.

(04 Jan 2020, 6:13 pm)ifm001 wrote Although I hate the thought of Newcastle bound buses being truncated at metro stations as opposed to continuing on to the City Centre  as I detested this back in the day.
This could be achieved with something similar to the free metroshuttles that operate in Manchester. The 1 and 2.

Example could be  free shuttle 1 Heworth, Gateshead. Eldon Square, Haymarket.

Free shuttle 2 Regent Centre,  Gosforth High Street, Haymarket. Central Station, Gateshead.

This would give the Gateshead to Haymarket corridor 2 separate free shuttles. Yes buses would still be entering Newcastle City Centre but not at the current amount of vehicles. 

It works in Manchester doesn't it?  Could it work here?

(04 Jan 2020, 6:35 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Keeping in mind the LEZ, if buses terminated at Gateshead, people travelling longer distances would be more likely to think, sod it, I'm taking the car, which defeats the whole object, really.

(04 Jan 2020, 6:13 pm)ifm001 wrote Although I hate the thought of Newcastle bound buses being truncated at metro stations as opposed to continuing on to the City Centre  as I detested this back in the day.
This could be achieved with something similar to the free metroshuttles that operate in Manchester. The 1 and 2.

Example could be  free shuttle 1 Heworth, Gateshead. Eldon Square, Haymarket.

Free shuttle 2 Regent Centre,  Gosforth High Street, Haymarket. Central Station, Gateshead.

This would give the Gateshead to Haymarket corridor 2 separate free shuttles. Yes buses would still be entering Newcastle City Centre but not at the current amount of vehicles. 

It works in Manchester doesn't it?  Could it work here?

(04 Jan 2020, 7:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote As an example, I can get on the metro at 2300 in Newcastle, get a 4 to the Galleries and jump on the X1 which left Newcastle at 2300.

Minimal traffic to cause delays or congestion, yet despite any inconvenience caused by having to change... 
Granted I only do that when I'm pi$$Ed, nowhere near one of the two X1 bus stops in Newcastle and my mates are heading back to somewhere in Washington - but it proves it is doable.

(04 Jan 2020, 10:20 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It's doable, but when sober and having to make that journey 5 mornings and 5 afternoons a week, perhaps with heavy bags, perhaps not at your youngest or fittest (I used to barrel down the stairs in Gateshead Interchange but I hobble down them, these days and still can't do the down escalators there because they go too fast and do weird things to my eyes) it's blooming tedious, though.

(04 Jan 2020, 11:06 pm)Adrian wrote Isn't it crazy that we're even talking about reducing services into Newcastle, because of the introduction of a clean air zone? 

We should be talking about increasing services., and asking questions why buses are being used as a scapegoat, whilst private cars are getting away without being held to account.

(04 Jan 2020, 11:21 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote There are too many buses in Newcastle, clean air zone or not. Terminating in Gateshead, Gosforth, Shieldfield etc and shuttles running into Newcastle regularly, with affordable fares, or even free, would reduce the number of buses dramatically and improve traffic flow, safety, air quality etc.

(04 Jan 2020, 11:28 pm)Adrian wrote What makes you think that there are too many buses in Newcastle?

The suggestion it would improve traffic flow, safety and air quality, I cannot disagree with, but why are we blaming buses for all this? The traffic flow of buses would dramatically increase if a tariff was imposed on private cars, and you'd get away with a permanent closure on Blackett Street for example, which would improve safety. 

The amount of private hire vehicles in Newcastle, particularly on a night, suggests to me that there's either not enough buses or they're not convenient enough to meet customer demands.