(02 Jun 2022, 3:47 pm)busmanT wrote I think it's reasonable to assume that Nexus will secure something to replace the 82 (after all they have secured it at night for years), but hourly seems to be Nexus standard frequency these days (apart from the M6 and 317).Surely a competent commercial team would look at alternatives to relying on subsidies and come up with something like yourself and many others have suggested?
I see the 23 daily and, whilst pre covid it used to carry the odd passenger, nowadays it's always empty so I wouldn't bank on it continuing - many existing secured services changed/disappeared in the Newcastle/North Tyneside shake up in March.
Could Nexus replace the 82, 23, 25 & 28 with a single hourly service?
Barmston Court-Washington-Portmeads-Birtley-Lansbury Drive-Wrekenton-QE-Gateshead for Metro bus & connections?
Current running times suggest that this would be just possible in 2 hours for a round trip. 4 birds killed with a single stone.
I'm assuming that Waterview Park and Teal Farm will be left to the revised service 8.
The 28 is normally very busy through Birtley, with lots using it to/from Beamish - I saw it picking up a good 20 at Beamish the other afternoon.
It also provides the only link from Ouston to Birtley (which is Oustons resident nearest shops) - it's hell of a walk along Station Lane for them!
Hopefully DCC will provide at least an hourly replacement, if only to Birtley to connect with the Arriva X12.
Maybe the sort of ideas that would justify their job roles and salaries?
Starting to wonder what it is they're actually paid to do.