(03 Jan 2022, 9:44 am)RMF1254 wrote I think North Road services might suffer from a lot of late running considering the extra time it takes to get on and off with high steps, wheelchair lifts etc. The X18 for example is basically a local stopping service north of Morpeth so would coaches be suitable? Summer loadings can be pretty high and often need a double decker on both routes, plus from a tourism point of view, double deckers give a superb view - thinking of the Warkworth - Alnwick and the coastal route north of Alnwick.
Yeah I was thinking more for the X15 rather than the X18 which agreed wouldn't be ideal through Amble etc. It's pretty much non stop, only stops at 2 bus stops through Gosforth then nothing to Morpeth then nothing bar a few villages to Alnwick.
If loadings are too high in the Summer then imo they should be creative and introduce a few peak time Newcastle -> Morpeth -> Alnwick -> (running via Denwick) -> Beadnall-> Seahouses -> Bamburgh services similar to the GNE X11. Most people would appreciate the quicker journey times on day trips rather than meandering around Amble, Broomhill and Pegwood etc anyway.