(27 Jul 2021, 2:17 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Just a quick question, have GNE every had a 3 axle demonstrator?
I was thinking, maybe use a tri-axle single deckers on busy routes with low bridges, but the only ones that spring to mind that would be busy enough would be the 4 or the 8/8A/78/78A.
You would also have the X21 from The A1 and you could divert the X32 that way. Unless you think the X21 should go into Washington Galleries
If you're keeping the network as is, I'd do the following:
I'd keep the X21 as it is, but divert it in to the hub.
There's 2 buses an hour in to Gateshead Newcastle and Durham with the X21.
I would also divert the X1 via this hub and have it omit Springwell.
There's 5 buses an hour in to Gateshead, Newcastle, Washington and beyond.
I'd also have the 25, 81/82 and 50 serve the hub.
In addition, I would divert the 8 away from Harraton and Fatfield to serve the hub. There is already a fair few buses between those two places to Washington Town Centre and Sunderland. Not sure the 8 actually needs to operate through those areas.
There's a number of existing services and with slight tweaks, I think they would complement each other.
The only concerns I would have, is that the 8 and 50 aren't fast or frequent enough to appeal to those wanting a P&R to/from Sunderland City Centre nor the manufacturing/business parks.
Ditto with the X1 and the coalfields areas, Rainton Bridge etc. Obviously there's nothing towards TVTE, Follingsby or Doxford Park either.
Key employment locations, which are chronically under-served.
For that, I think new services would need to be created - even if it was just at certain times of the day.
X21 could be diverted away from Low Fell and serve TVTE, there could be a 'peak' X50, which would operate via the A194 and serve Follingsby and the AMP/Nissan site.
Ditto a 'peak' X8, which worked its way to Sunderland via Rainton Bridge and/or Doxford International.