(25 Feb 2023, 10:49 pm)peter wrote At this stage there's no indication Percy Main is to close - it's merely rumour due to contract losses. 

It's an awkward one really - who's to say this time next year GNE might be in a position to put in lower bids and win a few of the contracted services back. Equally, if GNE were to lose the contracts for the scholar services then you really would be having to look at the feasibility of running a depot for essentially just the 1, 41/41A and 309/10/11. Of course the 309/10/11 will become the 307/9 with the Coast Road Agreement and a PVR reduction of 2 while the 41/41A extension to Howdon is going so will be reduced to a PVR of 3. Tbh if the Hospital Shuttle ever goes back to using the Sprinters, you could probably stick 5499 an 5500 on the Q3 and extend it from Wallsend to Hadrian Park and do away with the 41/41A.

Yes I understand where you are coming from. I understand that it is just a rumour but if Percy Main was to close and some drivers decide to leave and find alternative employment, services may have to be cancelled or reduced again resulting in less passenger confidence and ultimately lower passenger numbers. Plus, if it was to close, there is more strain on the other depots in terms of space and also maintenence. That would mean more buses at other depots with less pits/hydraulic lifts to carry out the maintenance work and potentially leave more buses off the road as there would be a backlog. While I understand GNE like any other business understandably have to cut costs these days, I am concerned that potentially closing another depot could result in further and further decline in bus use in the area. When does cost cutting end and where does looking for areas to grow the business start? It really is an awkward one.