I would be in favour of route by route
It means we can still have a say and complain to an extent.
We also have a risk that GCT could say run 50 routes ???
We could also see ideas like the "superloop" introduced
We could also see later buses in rural areas.
We could also see depots close or merge or make super depots. Personally I would close Blyth and Ashington depot and build a bigger depot say at Moor Farm Roundabout /Cramlington area.
This would then mean buses a shift and change last buses terminus points but realistic a good central point for say Arriva to operate from.
15mins to Ashington
10 mins to blyth
10 mins cramlington
15 mins to Morpeth
20 mins to Newcastle City Centre
5 minutes from Cramlington Hospital (key factor)
Yeah it would be a shakeup but it also means direct routes could be created to serve a specific spot then travel light back to the depot.
Cramlington town Centre to Cramlington Hospital then to Blyth Town Centre
This would give an option to run dead milage from these two areas before going off.
Same as a Morpeth -Ashington - cramlington town centre - cramlington Hospital
Newcastle Northumberland Park Killingworth - Cramlington Hospital
Wallsend Metro Silverlink/Cobalt Northumberland Park Metro (gives a quick direct link between the two metro lines) Killingworth Bus Station then A19 up to to Cramlington Hospital
All these services then mean the services will run with reduced dead milage
Why make cramlington Hospital a hub with different services from North of the Tyne and Northumberland? Easy the Hospital is the key one that everyone gets sent to but Noone knows how to get to it by bus
Eg. RVI is Newcastle City centre really
Freeman quite a few services people recognise
Coast road buses 309 for rake lane QE number of services pass even Sunderland royal quite a few regional services all pass but I couldn't tell you how to get to Cramlington Hospital by bus.
It could also be an advantage and quicker link to get to Northumberland too
Creating the vision is what is needed.
There would also be nothing stopping changing routes especially last buses this bus operates to Cramlington Hospital
RE: New North East Mayor - Bus wishlist