(31 May 2022, 8:18 am)busmanT wrote But the number of passengers connecting (changing buses) who have GNE only passes will probably be quite low - GNE will know how many, and have allowed for this in their proposed changes.If it is low and people aren't transferring between the 21 and something else, then surely that defeats the whole point of their hub & spoke model and proves it's not working?
It's probably a lower number than it was with the single fares now being reduced - plus some passengers will already have Network One tickets and about 25-30% of passengers will have ENCTS passes.
BTW the 21 is already reduced!! WAs every 7/8 minutes CLS-Newcastle and currently only every 10 mins; similarly, the Sunday service was every 10 minutes CLS-NCL, currently every 12 mins and being reduced to every 15 mins in the consultation.
If it isn't low and people are transferring between the 21 and something else (assuming passengers all don't live on Durham Road or within walking distance, then maybe it will have an impact.
More of an impact than we are seeing already!
If we use Birtley as an example - the people in Portmeads and Vigo are losing the well established 25. If they're wanting to use public transport to get to Gateshead or Newcastle, then their only other option is the 82 and then a 21. Except the 82 is going too.
The walk down to Durham Road might be OK. But the walk back is a pain and isn't an attractive alternative at all.
(31 May 2022, 8:52 am)Storx wrote I can't imagine anyone connects with the 21. The 21 is the problem imo as all the other routes compete with the 21 rather than compliment it around there.I agree the 21 is an issue and has been since they got rid of the variations that existed prior to 2006.
The thing needs split up as I've mentioned a few times now like the past and serve more areas similar to the 43/44/45, 10/10A/10B, X9/X10/X11, X21/X22 and 309/310/311 which are much better routes and serve more areas.
Every single place in SE Northumberland has a direct bus to Newcastle give or a take a very few areas and at least a connection to Blyth, Cramlington, Morpeth or Ashington where you can change for all the main towns. Unless you live on Durham Road in Birtley or next door to the Galleries in Washington, the same can't be said for those and they're no different to Cramlington and Wideopen / Seaton Burn really. The network is a mess and hasn't moved forward with local services to the likes of CLS (34, 71) / Washington (82, 84, 85) etc which let's be blunt no-one wants to be. The Blyth and Cramlington town services (excluding the 58) are long gone and no-one misses them as it's better stepping out your door and going straight to Newcastle where they want to be.
To be honest, I don't think the majority of the population do need or want to be in Newcastle, but GNE seem to be insistent on sending a huge chunk of their buses there and perceivering with the hub & spoke model.
Which means passengers don't have any viable alternative and a core route such as the 21 is one of their only options (excluding car or taxi).
I've not long replied to busmanT with some scenarios from Vigo and Portmeads.
The same logic applies to places like Pelton Fell, Kibblesworth or Lamesley.
5 totally different settlements, but each with a demand of sorts to use a reliable, effective bus network that penetrates their locality and takes them to places they need to be.
Those in Ouston or Perkinsville wanting to head north or even as far as Birtley, will now need to get a 34 and head south to Chester. Adding a significant amount of time on to their journey time. But at least they have some sort of public transport alternative.