(08 Nov 2023, 10:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Whereas the Metro has been reliable, with absolutely no issues ?. It always turns up, well apart from when it's raining, windy, foggy or there's low rail adhesion. We haven't seen any line closures and replacement buses for ages. The antique fleet is perfect, faultlessly running a issue-free Metro service every day...
Of course just ignore the expensive Metro fares, whether for just Metro or multi-modal (before the new TNE day ticket), and the fact I used to volunteer in Sunderland and spout out the same old lines, Metro is perfect and everyone should use it no matter the cost or the shit reliability, it's quick when it turns up, and if the line is open.
Buses are just the same though.
On the fares thing, most people travelling commuting from Sunderland to Newcastle won't be doing it for minimum wage they'll be well over so will value that speed.
One point, and it's by far the biggest point thought why people will actually use the Metro is, if the Metro says it takes 40 minutes, it will take 40 minutes. A timetabled 70 minutes, 56 might one day do that but all you need is something in Gateshead and you can add 10 minutes on, traffic around QE, add another 5, traffic in Wrekenton, add another 5, Nissan kicking out time, add another 5 and so on and you can't time it well.
Result it means if you start at work at 8.30am, you'd be pretty safe to get a train / Metro around 7.30am and be in work at time, if your late then it's likely the whole system has gone kaput and they'll understand. For that same time on a bus, you'll be looking at around a bus around 6.30am instead. The former is competitive with a car, the second isn't.