(24 Jul 2022, 10:47 pm)Ambassador wrote But she’s using that bus regardless…she’s differentiating a product, it doesn’t make it any easier. She’d just say ok, 56, from Springwell Club? Has Newcastle on the front? Great. Did the 28 see an explosion of passengers when it became Waggonway? Was the historically busy 723, 724, 221 and 735 suddenly overwhelmed when it become the 21 24/7 or the Angel? Nope. It’s the 21 to the vast majority of folks and it gets you from the cannon to town

These routes existed way before branding was born and will go on beyond it. Investment in lower fares, simplified timetables, easy ticketing (Jesus Christ the speed of gne contactless ) is what’s needed. Not paint

Could not agree more with this.

Went out for a couple of pints on Friday in Town. Was genuinely taken aback at how poor the bus offering was.

Tried to get from Winlaton into Town. 12a was a victim of service cancellations, and I just turned up on spec and missed a 12. My fault, I appreciate. A good 30 mins at least before a 49a pulls up, and I take my chances on that with the view to change at the MetroCentre. Full marks to the driver for selling me an evening ticket instead of the day ticked I’d asked for, saved me a couple of quid.

Whilst waiting, one pair of passengers gave up and rang one of their mams for a lift. Another pair rang for a taxi. Both to the MetroCentre, not that I was wagging my lugs.

In the midst of all of this, a 49 had pulled in and disappeared out of service . Given the time, presumably he’d finished and was heading to Riverside.  If so, why not run non stop via MetroCentre? The time penalty would be minimal but at least gives passengers the the chance to connect with something.

Despite being a proud Winlatoner, even I have to admit winlaton bus station is a shit hole Some of the other passengers weren’t overly enamoured with an extended wait there. If Winlaton’s finest we’re out, they’d be long gone!