(13 Aug 2022, 8:37 am)RMF1254 wrote I thought the 51 was commercial although when the 51a started I think there was some input from the house builders at Holystone and East Benton. When GNE withdrew the 42/42a I think Nexus put some money towards the 51a running via Wiltshire Drive to maintain a half hourly link to Benton ASDA.
I'm not too sure but I know in the spreadsheet the whole route is listed in the freedom of request awhile back but it's in 3 bits for some reason - https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/b...ng-1590909
8801 51 Benton Asda - Holystone - West Allotment - Shiremoor - Earsdon - Beaumont Park - Whitley Bay Monday - Sunday all day route extension
8802 51 Newcastle - Benton Asda - Holystone Daily daytime service
8802 51A Newcastle - Benton Asda - Holystone Daily daytime service
That's the details though pulled out.
(13 Aug 2022, 9:35 am)L469 YVK wrote A hypothetical one here, would Arriva not have been better off doing a deal with GNE?
GNE > Arriva
- 21 - Arriva takes this on and operates out of Belmont.
- GNE keep the X21 to keep CMA happy.
Arriva > GNE
- All Jesmond routes bar the 306 which is kept by Arriva and moved to Blyth. 685 moved to Hexham.
* All other services split between Percy Main & Riverside.
Benefits:
- Dead mileage reduced for both operators (although GNE would need to keep the X21 > could find space at Washington maybe moving the 8 to Consett and doing remote reliefs at Stanley).
- ANE get another 'gold mine' route in their portfolio alongside the 308 as well as some drivers from GNE's CLS operation if they agreed to TUPE and move to Belmont.
- GNE get an increased presence again in North Tyneside and can (hopefully under a new MD) stabilise their network.
- ANE can have a stronger focus concentrating on Blyth & Ashington.
If were going on bonker ideas surely it would be better for Arriva to just buy Percy Main with the 1 moving to Riverside or Stagecoach.
You've fixed the mess of the Coast Road overnight and Arriva have a depot on the Coast for the Coast Road services and 41/41A/51/52/53/54/57 which are all close by.