(24 Aug 2022, 6:45 pm)peter wrote I guess you could use a bus that runs onto something at Newcastle and off something to work the return journey, however you're looking at almost an hour journey dead running from Otterburn to Blyth. Arriva are hardly likely to take on the contract, because they operate full time services, Phoenix on the other hand operate Northumberland and Nexus contracts either running locally or just a few journeys. They have smaller buses which use less fuel and thus cost less, so Arriva would never win the tender anyway.
Just because it's mainly Arriva running from Haymarket isn't a very good reason tbh, should Arriva operate Go North East's 309/310/311 because they serve Haymarket and Peter Hogg's 131? The 47 is a hospital contract, it doesn't need any more services to compliment it. A scholars contract is not a regular service that's part of the network though. No Arriva don't serve West Woodburn or anywhere particularly close to the area. So all in all the 808 doesn't fit in with any standard Arriva routes and pigs will fly before they operate it.
Apologies, I genuinely thought Arriva had a service to West Woodburn, perhaps I'm thinking of somewhere else. I'll always miss Arriva in Kenton Bar/Cowgate. Occasionally see a Not in Service bus, and feel disappointed it's not being used.