(07 Jul 2015, 9:03 am)Andreos1 wrote The loop can still remain - or it could be removed in part.What about this, few different alternatives.
Option 1) - Current route/loop, but continues down Sunderland Road - Cleadon - Cleadon Lane etc (reverse towards Newcastle). This would see the route extend (in each direction) by approx 5mins between the Nook and Cleadon (using the 20/20a timetable) and 7mins Cleadon, Whitburn and Seaburn (using 558 timetable).
Option 2) - Or they split at the Ridgeway, with one doing a short loop (in its current 15min circle) and back and the other going via King George Road and the Nook, Sunderland Road and onto Seaburn via Cleadon and Whitburn. This would omit The Ridgeway, as I feel the Nook is an important link. I reckon that will save 15mins in each direction, as opposed to option 1.
Option 3) - As Option 2, but operates in a circle of Seaburn (serving the Metro) and operates via Cleadon, Sunderland Road, Sea Road, Seaburn Metro, Fulwell, Sea Lane circle - return.
I don't think it needs to get dizzy around Marsden at all.
I also think it would continue to offer an alternative to the metro, just as it does now.
The location of Seaburn metro versus the location of the majority of local amenities, means the metro is only likely to win for those living close to it.
Just like it is, in the Boldons.
The only suggestion about extensions to Sunderland that were mentioned, were the E services and them offering cross city links - 15mins down the A183 (and back), 15mins down the A690 (and back) etc.
X19 - South Shields - Town Hall - Westoe - Chichester - Dean Road - Tyne Dock - Newcastle Road A184/Leam Lane A194 (Non Stop) - Gateshead - Newcastle
X33 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon Cineworld - Boldon Asda - Cleadon - Whitburn - Seaburn - Roker - Wheatsheaf - Sunderland City Centre
X34 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon Cineworld - Boldon Asda - Whiteleas Bridge - Harton Nook - Horsley Hill - Marsden - A183 Coast Road - South Shields
X35 - Newcastle - Gateshead - Boldon Cineworld - Boldon Asda - Biddick Hall - West Harton - Chichester - Westoe - Town Hall - South Shields