RE: Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
(04 Jan 2020, 10:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote To be honest, it was more do-able when there were direct services between home and Newcastle.
Relying on an X1 during rush hour (with or without bags) is a gamble and can be very tedious.
Interesting you mention the bags.
Having 2 changes or 3 isn't so much the issue when lugging about bags.
The luggage space (or lack of), influences my decision to drive in/out over the bus.
I'm often a double seat hogger on the X21. Yeah, you can sit with me, I'm sure you'll be quite comfortable huddled up here with me and my 4 bags. Park a cheek, why don't you.
(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.
Exactly. Even a 10 year old bus can't be as polluting as 40 cars.
(04 Jan 2020, 11:01 pm)S830OFT wrote With the Clean Air Zone in place from 2021 here is my suggestion for services...
Services at Gateshead operating to Newcastle will only Set Down at Stand N in Gateshead Interchange, passengers from Gateshead will be able to use an affordable £1.00 shuttle service which will operate every 5 to 10 minutes via the Sage & Swing Bridge to Newcastle Market Street & Central Station offering frequent links to the Quayside. The service will return via the Redheugh Bridge, although the services will operate both clockwise & anti-clockwise.
To enforce the Set Down rule a staff member will be present to instruct potential passengers to use the Shuttle service from Stand H. Services 1/1A/1B will also offer the £1.00 deal for any passengers travelling to Newcastle only.
Exceptions will apply to Coaster services 1/1A/1B which will continue to allow passengers to travel to and beyond Newcastle.
Service Q1/Q2 will be replaced by the shuttle services, this will offer an increased amount of buses to the Quayside from Gateshead and Newcastle.
The Gateshead | Wrekenton | Heworth section will revert back to services 51/52, these services will be similar to how the 93/94 operate...
The Shuttle service will operate using Electric Euro 6 vehicles...
Currently it's not confirmed what services are not going to operate to Newcastle when the CAZ is put in place, although the shuttle service should assist with transporting passengers just wanting to cross to Newcastle from Gateshead, this should take the load off long distance services which are usually already busy before reaching Gateshead.
Additionaly, if Nexus were agree to this proposal they could use their Interchange Staff & Security Members to enforce the Set Down rule. Although this may have problems for Arriva if they are still operating the X12 to Newcastle in 2021...
Hmmm. Hundreds of passengers per hour, walking from stand N to stand H. What could possibly go wrong? (Not saying that this is how Saturday's incident happened, but what are the odds?)
