(15 Jul 2023, 9:29 pm)mb134 wrote Capacity also needs looked at on the 57. I've heard multiple reports recently of Solos heading to Cramlington from Ashington/Bedlington with standing loads, and I don't even believe that's usually considered the strongest section of the route?
I'd look at extending the 57A fully to Ashington, if resource allowed, to provide a combined 30 minute frequency between Ashington and Cramlington. I believe, if you cut down the layover at Ashington to 4 minutes, it would be doable with just one extra bus, as follows:
57:
Ashington dep 09:02
Whitley arr 10:10
57A:
Whitley dep: 10:15
Ashington arr: 11:28
57A:
Ashington dep: 11:32
Whitley arr: 12:45
57:
Whitley dep: 12:50
Ashington arr: 13:58
Yeah believe it's the Monkseaton area which is generally the busiest, the only thing I'd do is reroute the the 57A, to try and get it to roughly an equal time to the 57. There's no real lost links bar the section on the West of Cramlington but they have the X8 anyway
Would give it a bit more layover, Seghill has the 19 to get to High Pit nowadays so no real lost links and would speed it up for Seghill passengers. The 19 runs roughly 2 minutes in front of the 57A now anyway and would give an Arriva service in Fern Drive since they've pulled out for people who rely on the 43/X8.
Mind capacity wise I wouldn't be surprised if they just binned the sheds soon, they're more hassle than they're worth especially now since 2856 seems to be restricted to the 35 for whatever reason and 2855 has already been scrapped.