(14 Sep 2023, 9:28 pm)Ambassador wrote The 309 has become chronically unreliable. The sooner a regional ticket comes in the better, then at least the 22X which has become reliable is an option
High Farm isn't the issue with the 309. Effectively, the 309 has the same layover times as the March 2019 changes when last standalone, not forgetting pre QA that GNE timed the 309 to run minutes ahead of the 308. And although there's remote reliefs in New York, the drivers are normally quite efficient changing over.
The problems are......
- A193 & Whitley Bay Links
- Whitley Bay Town Centre
- Foxhunters roundabout
- Rake Lane
- That stupid roundabout at Murton Farm
Same goes for the 308 not forgetting Billy Mill junction.
Best thing I can suggest would be for the 308 & 309 to only serve Maughans towards Newcastle to save needing to do the loop around to Whitley Road / HSBC.
A lot of the blame lies with North Tyneside Council and their stupid traffic management & road planning policies! Only gonna get a lot worse when all the houses are up on Rake Lane!
NECA, Arriva and GNE can only throw so much money and resource at the issues!