(09 Jul 2023, 10:08 pm)RMF1254 wrote Bit of a waste of time missing out Wiltshire Drive. As for half a dozen, some buses carry 20 or more into Newcastle and back. What people want is a direct bus into Newcastle from Holystone, East Benton Rise, Fallow Park (which will eventually stretch back to west of Wiltshire Drive) and Hadrian Lodge. Without the bus from my stop into town it’s at least 10-12 minutes walk to Mullen Road then about 20 minutes to Haymarket. Other options, walk to Benton Metro 20 minutes then about 15 minutes to Haymarket when the train arrives, similar timings to Monument via Wallsend Metro and 41a. As for the return it’s an uphill walk back from Mullen Road which is very unpleasant in the rain or wind. Currently Nexus pay for Holystone Park to Whitley Bay (1 bus), the rest is commercial I believe.Totally right, but the issue for any tender is how would it work with a long layover?
Only way a tendered replacement would work running reliably with a PVR of 2x and no long layovers, would be missing Wiltshire Drive and running limited stop along the Coast Road after Station Road. Now the Wiltshire Drive issue could easily be sorted, but I think I've already mentioned that on numerous occasions.