(19 Apr 2022, 6:43 pm)Malarkey wrote 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.
The 317 should be split imo I know I've mentioned it a few times.
There should be one bus route which is Cramlington -> 57A to Whitley Bay additionally serving the hospital -> 317 to North Shields Ferry every 30 minutes only.
and a second route Wallsend -> North Shields, maybe bolted onto the end of the 18 to restore the Q3 links to Wallsend aswell.
The 19, 52 or something else should be extended to Ashington in replacement for the 57 and the Seaton Delaval to Cramlington via East Cramlington is served by the 19 anyway. There's no/little demand for a Seaton Valley / Whitley Bay to Bedlington / Ashington direct it's just operational reasons. There is demand for Cramlington / Cramlington Hospital / Monkseaton and Seaton Valley to Rake Lane for hospital appointments etc.