(09 Mar 2022, 8:42 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I thought I'd posted a reply earlier but it mustn't have worked. 

Another company should run it with bigger vehicles if bigger vehicles are justified.

So the route isn't especially unique? What's it like travelling on the service?

It's not that easy though really.
Nexus state what size vehicles they require and then opt for the most suitable bid.
Im sure if an operator with bigger vehicles wanted it, they could offer it commercially.

But look at the route, split into sections.

Pier Head to South Shields - alternative route E1
Sout Shields to Riverside - no alternative route unless a brisk walk using SNE 12.
Riverside to Laygate and Chichester and reversed (operates up and back again both directions) alternative routes between Laygate and Chichester 7/8/17/E2
Tyne Dock alternative route SNE 12/X20
Smonsidie Arms/Metro alternative route SNE X20 or metro
Simonside Schools / Brockley Whins- alternative route SNE 18 and GNE 26
Cotswolds Est Alternative route Nexus 558
Boldon Asda alternative route SNE 30, GNE 5,50

As you can see plenty of alternative services around, 

I admit only time I used to use it was when it was timed alongside the X20 at Simonside and I would get on whichever comes first.