(Yesterday, 1:38 pm)L469 YVK wrote IMO, given they're already operating at a PVR of around 15x + the separate misc workings on the X39, they'd better off doing the following given that North Shields doesn't warrant a 20 minute service and neither does Blyth.
309:
- Every 15 mins Newcastle to Whitley Bay Town Centre
- Continues every 30 mins to Blyth
307:
- Every 15 mins Newcastle to Hadrian Park
- Continues every 30 mins to North Shields
The PVR would be 16x and interworking as:
- Short 309 > Full 307 > Full 307 > Short 309
- Full 309 > Short 307 > Short 307 > Full 309
Layover times also generous in Blyth, Whitley Bay and North Shields, and potential scope to reduce reliance on misc workings for the X39.
Nice clean 7-8 minute service - and could curtail Saturday AM short 309's at Cobalt to save PVR slightly.
imo the Blyth 309 links would be better on another service, they're getting delayed on the Coast Road when there's no need to go anywhere near it.
Personally I'd look at a local service to replace it, something like this:
Doing:
Bebside Station - ASDA - Cowpen - The Range - Blyth Town Centre - South Beach - Seaton Sluice - Whitley Lodge - Whitley Bay - Whitley Bay Metro - Marden - NT Hospital - Cobalt - Silverlink - Battle Hill - Wiltshire Drive - Wallsend Metro
With the purpose of doing local links in Blyth, Whitley Bay and Wallsend with connections to each of respective stations. Will it be popular? Who knows but it can't be any worse than the 3, 309, W2 and 341 it's replacing.
Whitley Bay Metro, Silverlink and Bebside Station are all horrid to get to right now without crossing busy roundabouts etc.
