(18 Jun 2022, 6:20 pm)Malarkey wrote I think it would make sense for the larger depots like Deptford, Riverside and Consett to operate the most profitable routes within Go North East's portfolio of operations with the less profitable being operated out of low cost units at Washington and Percy Main. 

For example:

Deptford Operate: X-Lines X1/X20, Connections 4, Prince Bishops 20, The 24, CityRider 56, Drifer 60, The 61, East Durham Explorer 65 & Peterlee Purples

Riverside Operate: X-Lines X10, Tyne Valley Ten, Angel 21, Crusader 27, The 49, East Gateshead Orbit 51/52, Voltra 53/54, East Gateshead Rider 57/58, East Gateshead Loop 93/94, Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311 & National Express

Consett Operate: X-Lines X5/X15, X21, X30/X31/X32, X45/X46, X70/X71/X72, Service 6, Venture Network, Durham Cathedral Shuttle, Chester 700's, Red Kite Ranger 47 & Country Ranger 8/78

Washington Operate: Sunderland District 2/2A, 35, 39/39A/39B and 55, The 50

Percy Main Operate: Coaster 1, Quaycity Q3, The 5,19 & 26, Little Coaster 41, DFDS 327

Hexham Operate: Tynedale Links Network and Service 684

Obviously I have missed quite a few of Chester's and Washington Services along with a few other services operated by other depots atm until we know if these contracts will be retained under tender with Go North East or not.

In the long term it would make sense to me to build a new depot for Washington/Percy Main on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), it could also be used to incorporate Saltmeadows Works facility thus giving them a new state of the art building to work from in the years to come, the area is also good for accessibility from the A19 for operations in North/South Tyneside plus the A1231/A1 for operations in Washington/Sunderland and County Durham.

There is a new plan for buildings/industrial sites near Queen Alexandria Bridge on Deptford Terrace, where a new Deptford Depot could be built, cos lets face it the 20/60 will be the first buses at Deptford to be upgraded to electric buses followed by what I assume would be the 56. tbf, the 65 would be a nice electric bus route. 

And I don't imagine Consett needing any room for electric buses anytime soon seems as tho the Bid failed if anything the X5/15/ Riverside, they'll need space for the 21 eventually. Percy Main ain't getting any upgrades any time soon either. And if the 21 does get electric buses, they'll probs replace the Hybrids on the 16.

For the 2/2A that should be split between Washington and Silksworth with there being 5 new services, 42/43 (Current 2/2A Route Sunderland-Silksworth every 12 mins 3x2/2x2A) And the 2/2A/3 (takeing up various of the Little Pinks locations aswell as more in sunderland) I firmly believe that the only way GNE can attract more passengers from the Sunderland Area is too go more into esates and not just A183 and A690