(22 Apr 2021, 10:59 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I only use GNE now (bar the Phoenix 808, and I plan to ride the A-line 792 at some point) so always have a day ticket for GNE (when not in a pandemic!) and have used the 42A between Wallsend and Kingston Park more than once! Fingers crossed the 42A remains as otherwise I have to walk from Gosforth (Q3 or 33/33A) which is twice as far as Kingston Park. The purpose is to save money by sticking to one bus operator. Yeah, it't not a typical GNE operating area, but give passengers a bloody choice! Metro costs a fortune in addition to buses. At least 3 times I've used the 42A and it's been a vital service, at least a useful one.
In fairness though you'll be the extreme minority to use that bus for the whole of its length. I actually agree with what your saying about tickets but it's in the wrong operating area so it actually in reality does the opposite.
For example someone in Annitsford or Dinnington will only have an Arriva ticket so to have to fork extra to pay for a one hourly GNE bus route it just won't happen especially when sections are covered by the 43 / 44 / 45 / 52 / 53 doing the same route. Similar those in the Killingworth / Forest Hall / Quorum area are all in a strong Stagecoach areas. Even most passengers in Wallsend will either have a Stagecoach or Metro ticket aswell tbh as they're cheaper and more frequent so they'd do the 22/X47 or Metro depending where they are.
Sometimes you can get away with it if you could connect with something at the other end ie the hourly Tynedale Links services but it doesn't even do that.