(24 Aug 2022, 3:56 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote What cuts do you think we are likely to see? Could the 46/46A, 47 possibly change operators linked to Jesmond depot closing? Maybe even the 55 because it's relatively local to Jesmond rather than Blyth?
Arriva could operate the Northumberland 808 from Blyth, it would fit into their network perfectly.
(24 Aug 2022, 4:07 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I think it would be good to merge the 52 and 55.
What about the 47? A very short route but nowhere for it to realistically extend to. Perhaps in October Arriva might give their 685 runs to Stagecoach and extend the 47 as far as maybe Throckley.
The 808 would be a good fit into Arriva's network.
I doubt the 46 will change operators if Arriva withdrew it, it's mostly duplicated by other services, it wouldn't be money well spent by Nexus. I could see the Featherstone Grove and Hollywood Avenue sections merged into other services. Again, I think the 55 would sooner be withdrawn than pass to another operator as it's also a duplication, perhaps a route change on the 52 would cover some parts.
The 47 is a hospital shuttle, it's not likely to get extended to Throckley anytime soon, in fact I'm pretty sure it's funded for by the NHS Trust. It's more likely to be tacked onto the end of another service (either vehicle or operational wise) more than anything else.
While your obsession with the 808 is nice, you've got to be realistic, it's not a good fit for Arriva's network at all, it goes nowhere near where they operate and Arriva don't run all that many contracts these days. GNE and Stagecoach actually operate to other places served by the 808 but the fact is no large operator is going to run a bus dead all the way up to Otterburn and back, for a once a day service carrying a handful of people...Phoenix are the most suitable with their little Orion's.