(30 Aug 2020, 3:33 pm)Storx wrote I think it's more about territories why they wouldn't do that. The West End is Stagecoach's area and they won't take it too lightly if someone started serving stops there. The X24 and X34 could easily stop at a few stops between Gateshead and Testos for example.
That makes sense, aside from the fact they serve Denton Burn in the first place which is Stagecoach territory. Additionally they have the 42A, 74 and Q3 in the West End. They may be secured/infrequent/little threat, but they exist. Every other X84 providing a 2-hour frequency shouldn't be a problem for Stagecoach.
I've said on here before I don't like 'territories' as for me it's about the wider network. If travelling into most of Gateshead or Durham or the likes of Whitley Bay and North Shields, a GNE ticket is required. either one GoZone or all GoZones.
Needing a Stagecoach ticket because I am in Stagecoach territory is annoying, costly and just crazy. Stagecoach is all well and good in Newcastle/Metrocentre/Gateshead High Street/Interchange, or to Wallsend, but that's about it. Now, I either plan to catch the 74 at the limited times it operates or walk to Denton Burn for the X84/X85.
I refuse to pay for a Stagecoach ticket because of territory nonsense! GNE serves more areas, so is better value and worth the walk. Just seems an easy fix to route the X84 into Slatyford! GNE has already gained my customer for many reasons, but could gain more with this suggestion which I doubt would impact Stagecoach any more than not serving in most places outside Newcastle/South Tyneside does! To me, Stagecoach is a local operator, GNE is a regional operator. There is no competition in that.