(25 Jun 2024, 7:27 am)Lewispark1509 wrote I remember the Merc's very well, and the other buses allocated to the 18. (Very vaugly remember the 19 too and how they used to loop, and I'm aware of a peak service 20 which used to serve Chesters Avenue in Longbenton), but I have to question you about the former Quaylinks? Granted I've only lived in Walker for 12 years, but I've lived on the 18 route my whole life, with me living in High Heaton for the first 10 years of my existence.
Basically what happened is when Stagecoach lost the Q1/Q2 is the buses used on those routes had nowhere suitable to go, so they trailled them on the 18 and peak 68 (im guessing at the time the 68 must of ran off of an 18) would of been around Summer 2010ish, anyway they didnt last long on the 18, and were fully withdrawn from service after only just 5 years in service, thats when the the ALX300's took over right up until what is on there now, so about 9-11 years they lasted on there
(25 Jun 2024, 7:12 am)Lewispark1509 wrote I don't think people realise that just because it's a Nexus route, doesn't mean Nexus has drafted the timetable. I'm sure when Arriva/GCT/GNE had the evening runs on the 18, Nexus did draft the timetable (not like it was any better, 10 mins layover at Four Lane Ends and 30 seconds to swing round at Walker), however I do know Stagecoach draft their own timetables, even for Nexus funded routes. The current 317 timetable was drafted by Stagecoach, hence why GNE are constantly late. Stagecoach get told to put their head down and foot down.Dont misunderstand me, i get the 18 is need as Heaton Road is literally the only bus they have, but it could be covered by other routes, the was a 20 and 20A, not sure if it was a peak or if it was a similar route to the 18/19
All of my friends at Walkergate say the exact same thing, the bloke who drafts the timetables in the depot doesn't even have a bus licence and has only been driving a car for just over a year, and drafts timetables using Google Maps.
Don't diss my 18 lol, it's actually a lifeline for some people. Only east-end bus that stays local, which is what we need. All of east-end buses realistically go in the same direction in a sense, it's nice to be able to get a bus from mine in Walker to Four Lane Ends (where I go everyday) without having to change bus.
I love buses, but there's nothing worse than having to actually be somewhere and change buses. Especially despise the 62/63
How on earth can you tell that from that photo lmao. You can only just make out it's a 300.