(11 May 2023, 6:12 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote The 51 service would ideally be split and added to the existing networks
342 service from Wallsend to go via Wiltshire Drive to create the connecting link to Benton Asda - instead of turning at Benton Asda roundabout create a loop around asda clockwise and anti clockwise around Holystone (whitley Road) industrial estate old houses before looping into Holystone new build estate and back along past Asda
For the Wiltshire Road link to Newcastle City Centre add it to the 307 route and revert 309 to omitt mullen Road and create a fast link to Battlehill (previous routes)
Additing the Wiltshire to Benton Asda on the 342 route provides a day eve and sun service as oppose to adding it to a 335 service
Alternatively create a ticketing ticket where it connects for free to a connecting bus and buses wait for each other similar to a transfare ticket
See personally I'd scrap the 335 instead on the East side at least and keep the 51 in it's entirety.
The 54 is the route I'd cut instead, if the 53 additionally served NT Hospital maybe do the 335 route from Cobalt to North Shields there's just no need for it beyond Northumberland Park really. It just duplicates the 308/309 towards Whitley.
The 51 in comparison serves area with no service at all for most of its route.
The 54 is a basketcase of a route hence Arriva has binned most of it off. At least they still run the 51 on a Sunday daytime which suggests it's busier route out the two.