(16 Apr 2024, 7:31 pm)L469 YVK wrote And ever since the original 44 was withdrawn (Hazlerigg - Whitley Bay).....both Arriva & GNE have been guilty of a 'pack em in and make them late' mentality! The East of North Tyneside & Seaton Sluice has badly been screaming out of an express. Considering the 308 was at one point (excl any Stagecoach routes) the most profitable behind GNE's 21 which has a parallel express (X21).

My biggest gripe is lets say a 308 or 309 are running in pairs Blyth to New York or Billy Mill. They either keep chasing each other....or in GNE's case, SDC kicks passengers onto the one behind making them even more later. Don't know what the insurance implications are for carrying NIS (maybe Dan would be able to answer that) but surely the driver should say "if you want Newcastle stay on, or if wanting anywhere en-route, jump on the one behind".

I agree completely. whilst I will tollerate the 308 as at least it goes a direct route I will not use any of the others because it goes round battle hill and cobalt and is extremely  tedious. Bring back the 44 to Whitley Bay