(25 Apr 2021, 9:04 pm)mb134 wrote The Ashington network has barely changed for the best part of a decade, I'm not sure how much more stable it could get. In that time, both main routes to Newcastle have grown and the 35 now requires deckers.Them links would still remain.
In terms of links, anyone living in Ashington is within one bus of: Alnwick, Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Cramlington, Ellington, Gosforth, Lynemouth, Morpeth, Newbiggin, Newcastle, Warkworth, Whitley Bay and more.
I was only using Derwentside as a reference to show how the services have changed.
Pre 2015:
- 43/44 every 15 mins
- X30/X31 every 30 mins
- X70/X71 every 30 mins
Pre 2019:
- 6 every 30 mins
- X30/X31 every 15 mins - X30 also replaced 98
- X70/X71 every 30 mins
Post 2019:
- 6 every 60 mins (30 mins between NCL > Sunniside)
- X30/X31 every 15 mins - X30 extended hourly to replace parts of 6
- X70/X71 every 30 mins
Other than a frequency reduction to the X21/X22, the only big change would be a reduction of the X21 between Ashington and Newbiggin............in return for an interworking X19 to be introduced.
A PVR reduction of 3x but, only the reduction of 1x service per hour (all services from Ashington to Newcastle) but an increase of 2x fast services per hour.
Got to take into account now that the X21 also serves a longer route. The X19 would offer a genuine express from Newbiggin in comparison.