(10 Mar 2024, 12:10 pm)Storx wrote Not from Pelaw, but people are happy to change as long as the interchange is near their home. No-one wants to sit on a bus for 45 minutes, then get forced onto a train for last mile. The opposite is a completely different discussion though because of the time benefits.

Like if we're being ambitious and extending the Metro south of Washington rather than the frankly ridulous loop to Sunderland, you could make the case for a massive interchange at Shiney Row and a few minor ones and get people to Newcastle much easier. There's already tons of routes serving the place.

Just to give an idea above, with the blue zones being new housing developments which is an ideal area because of the good road links. Places like Doxford Park would now be a 5 minute or so bus ride and a direct train to Newcastle now, similar for places like Houghton rather than having to sit on a bus for ages stuck in traffic in Gateshead. Even places like East Durham would have better connections, changing at West Rainton off the 20.

Obviously some on this forum will argue that they'd rather sit on a bus for 2 weeks than change, but it doesn't really represent the real world. Add parking at some of these stations, you're on for a real winner imo.