(25 Jun 2023, 11:17 am)V514DFT wrote Or they could just not do that, why do that when the obvious choice would be the 353, remember, it used to go to Whitley Bay, i dont know why both the 353 and 354 need to go to North Shields,or why one cant go to North Shields via Whitley Bay to offer a kind of "loop" service, a bit like what Arrivas old X8/X9 used to do,granted those didnt go to North Shields, then time the 51 (or whatever its going to become IF its being replaced) to connect with the 353
I get what you're saying, but it's more about opening up more options if stops in the opposite direction are added along Mead Way and Feetham Avenue. Gives a lot more scope for replacing the 51 too and covers other issues too such as GNE's driver numbers at Riverside depending how much extra capacity Percy Main will have. Also taking into account, that Nexus could 'partially subsidise' parts of the 51 picked up by the 57 rather than having to go to a full tender process.
Option 1
* 1x 355 per hour to Holystone Park
* 1x 355 per hour (omits Holystone Park) to Whitley Bay following the 51 route from Holystone
* 57 operated by Percy Main and extended to Hadrian Park. Limited stop between Civic Centre and Coast Road / Station Road only calling at Cradlewell. Then Wiltshire Drive > Station Road North (East Benton Rise Loop) > High Farm > Battle Hill Drive > Hadrian Park
* 307 omits Hadrian Park
Existing PVR's (regardless of operator) - 14.5
- 51 - 2.5
- 55 - 2
- 57 - 4
- 307 - 6
New PVR's (regardless of operator) - 15 +0.5 increase but increased frequency for East Benton Rise & Wiltshire Drive
- 57 - 6
- 307 - 5
- 355 - 4
Option 2
* 1x 355 per hour to Whitley Bay but also serving Holystone Park
* 1x 355 per hour to East Benton Rise via Palmersville > Benton ASDA > Whitley Road
* 57 operated by Percy Main and extended to Hadrian Park. Unlike Option 1, serves all stops along the Coast Road and doesn't serve Station Road North & East Benton Rise/
* 307 omits Hadrian Park
Existing PVR's (regardless of operator) - 14.5
- 51 - 2.5
- 55 - 2
- 57 - 4
- 307 - 6
New PVR's (regardless of operator) - 15 +0.5 increase but increased frequency for Wiltshire Drive
- 57 - 6
- 307 - 5
- 355 - 4
And using Nexus' 400M guide, would only leave some parts of Great Lime Road not covered (although still within a reasonable distance of alternative stops) - see attached screenshot including 355 route via Meadway & Forest Hall if stops were to be added in the opposing direction too.