(06 Sep 2019, 3:57 pm)Rob44 wrote yes blocking off the slip road southbound before the bridge.... thats the one with the bus lane I think

Martijn Gilbert was on Radio Newcastle about an hour back and he was chatting about his thoughts.

He reckons 30% of the fleet (under the current purchasing strategy) wouldnt meet the emissions targets set at time of launch.

There is also a query as to whether the B5 hybrids would meet the targets or not, similar questions applied to SNE's gas buses.

I thought he presented himself well, but inevitably, questions were put to him about fares.

The presenter countered that she travels from Wallsend to the BBC studios in her car and it is cheaper than the bus.

I think that's the crux.

You can have all the emissions zones, bus lanes and buses in the world, but if sharing a taxi or using the car is cheaper...