(21 Mar 2019, 10:49 pm)xpm wrote There is nowhere near enough passenger numbers to justify it, and changing it to a 2 hourly service would increase the PVR from 1-2 as well, increasing costs even further.
The 74A on a Sunday was at best used by a few airport workers on the first trip, and literally a handful of others during the day
I think passenger numbers would increase on the 74 if the service operated more frequently. The X84/X85 operated Hexham to Newcastle and the X85 now goes to Newbrough and they have very healthy passenger numbers because it runs frequently and is an express service. I only use the 74 between Cowgate and Eldon Square and the bus is quite full on the first and second trips into Newcastle I use and good passenger numbers coming back. The service and the bus itself get positive feedback.
I hope the 74 doesn't get withdrawn. Are there any plans for the service to be scrapped or for a timetable change?
Sundays usually have lower passenger numbers, so I am not surprised the 74A failed to succeed. I think a 74/75 should operate Monday-Saturday as the X84/X85 do, but run two-hourly. How is the service meant to gain popularity when it only runs four trips a day in each direction Monday to Friday? Saturdays are slightly better, with 6 trips each way, but passengers will stick with more frequent services. Why does the 74 exist if passenger numbers are so bad? The 74A serving the airport seems like a good link, now only the 42A goes to Newcastle Airport from Kingston Park.