(15 May 2020, 11:37 am)6049 wrote Some of the kids do use them, again though the majority have CAT tickets which don't bring in much money as it's subsidised travel as well.

The main routes - i.e. the 4 and X1 do retain enough custom on a night most of the time. However, because the 4 especially runs almost directly through the centre of Washington many choose to just walk to or from that route home. It's only really if you live in Barmston, Ayton, Blackfell, Rickleton, Harraton or Teal Farm that you would require a connection- and with the exception of Teal Farm, all are served at least half hourly throughout the day.

At least in my experience


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I think you make some good points there and I agree about the 4 and X1, but if you're coming from Teal Farm and heading to Newcastle for a night out or meal, are you really going to hang around at the galleries waiting for connections there and back? Depending on your timings, you could be waiting the best part of a 30mins, just to get a bus to Newcastle. Dread to think what it would be like coming back, but guessing it could be the best part of an hour hanging around once they're off the X1. 
There's 90mins of an evening hanging around, plus travel time. 

At the Birtley end, you have problems during the day with punters on the new estate unable to get a bus down to Durham Road. They can get a bus up, but again, there's no incentive for them to use public transport - particularly if they can only use it in one direction. 
Similarly, if you're in Barley Mow, you have a regular bus during the day, but might have to walk to/from Portobello Road on a night to get anywhere. 

There's three barriers that I can think of straight away, that once removed or changed - could have a positive impact. 
Instead, they're left as they are. Yet people wonder why the buses need subsidies and why numbers are low.