(08 Jan 2014, 7:10 pm)aureolin wrote I'm surprised at someone living in Washington not signing the petition if asked to mind. You (or your folks) are already paying for it in the form of an ITA levy via Council Tax. Why pay for something and not fight for it...?
I'd highly doubt the millions in extra infrastructure would lead to a rise in bus fares. It's completely illogical for a business to respond to competition by upping their fares. If someone opened a News Agents next door to another, you wouldn't see the original business respond by upping the price of chocolate bars by 20p would you? Regardless, the millions would only ever come from a government grant. So it'd be in addition to the current ITA budgets.
Reopening of the leamside line, for mixed purpose rather than just Metro, makes perfect sense. The obvious extension of the T&W Metro system, then you have the benefit of additional capacity on the already congested ECML, not to mention the potential of Nissan using rail freight.
P.s: signed.
Thing I never use the Metro at all, In 2013 alone I only used it twice off top of my head, to go to Seaburn Bus Rally and about 3 Months ago when I had an Interview in Newcastle on the Morning and then an Ingeus Appointment in Sunderland on the Afternoon, Otherwise I never use it. I always get the Bus as it's Cheaper for me. I can see the Benefits in re-opening the Leamside Line i.e. for Freight for Nissan and The ECML, But in all Honesty even if I did sign the Petition, Which i'm now Considering, would there be any Benefits for me in that by having a Metro Extension into Washington. Would I be able to go from Washington to Sunderland for Less than I would on the 2A/2C or the 8 for Example with Go North East, Maybe it would be Cheaper as a Day Return is £4.40 and Purple/Red Zone Pass is £6.10.