(19 Apr 2022, 11:31 am)L469 YVK wrote Aye that's true and to be fair, I think by the seems of it they're giving the 317 a good go.
The change operator may have also pulled passengers off of Metro/Go North East Service 1 as they no longer need to by a Network One if living in Stagecoach territory they can simply use their Megarider and switch buses at Wallsend or Royal Quays and go through to Whitley Bay.
I do think Stagecoach should merge the 12 or 40 with the 317 so you have a through link to Whitley Bay without needing to change buses which would again be a further benefit for those in North Tyneside plus it would open up further local/cross-city links also.