(15 Jan 2022, 2:32 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Integrated ticketing for bus and Metro would be required. Changing mode to go one station is ridiculous and makes journey times longer and indirect. Some people actually prefer buses as the Metro is a crap layout and not the most comfortable ride (or interesting for leisure customers). Everything is highlighting driving is the best way to get around. Direct travel where possible, using one mode of transport, with no waiting in the cold, and no ticket confusion and being forced to use companies or modes against your wishes.

There's a very minority (most seem to be on here) who prefer to use buses over trams or trains especially considering they have a dedicated track so aren't suspect to delays (usually). In almost every country in Europe you won't have 25 buses travelling past a Metro/tram station to do the identical route. People just happily change and it helps that they're actually integrated in the sense the Metro turns up, you walk up the stairs and the bus is waiting for you.

Also since everyone is using the trams then they can run every 5 minutes or so since demand is there. Gateshead has much better waiting facilities than anywhere in Newcastle and at the same time Newcastle would be a much more pleasant place to visit if you removed the buses stinking up the likes of Market Street or Blackett Street.

UK transport sucks in comparison to our European neighbours in general though.