(08 Aug 2023, 6:35 pm)mb134 wrote The layover at Bedlington Station on that 07:26 trip seems a tad excessive...Putting the ABTRL aside, Arriva are missing a trick withthe X8 and 43. Could speed the X9 up at the same time too.
Glad they've taken action to sort out the 43/44/45 by putting an extra bus into it, the Morpeth 43s in particular seem to struggle to make up any time. I guess if their decision when leaving Newcastle was to choose the GNR services over the 50s, it makes sense to ensure they're operated properly to improve reliability and customer satisfaction.
Suggested changes to withdraw X8:
- 42 (every 30 mins)
Cramlington - High Pit - Annitsford - Fern Drive - Dudley then as per current 43
- 43 (every 30 mins NCL > Cramlington then hourly to Blyth)
Blyth - as per X8 to Shankhouse - then as per X9 to Cramlington - Beacon Hill - Fisher Lane - Seaton Burn then as per current 43 - note that X21/X22 offer fast alternatives for the new builds around Fisher Lane
- X7 (every 30 mins)
Same route as now, maybe an increase to every 20 minutes
- X9 (every 30 mins)
As per current X9 Blyth to Shankhouse then as per X10 to Newcastle
- X10/X11 (every 30 mins each)
Coordinated to provide bus up to every 10 mins from Blyth and between Parkside and Newcastle alongside service X9. More evenly coordinated gap between X10/X11 in Newsham
Small section off the 43 (upper part of Dudley Lane) will loose the direct Newcastle link although alternatives provided by 37/352 and in short walking distance with the 42/X9/X10/X11