(29 Jul 2024, 10:45 pm)Storx wrote A very simple one, change the 57/57A so it does a loop in Whitley Bay like so:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/55.04281...?entry=ttu
There's absolutely no time penalty (it's actually 1 minute quicker) and would open links to the Spanish City area.
Also terminate the 57/57A on an Evening / Sunday short at Whitley Bay and use the resource elsewhere, maybe an extension through to Linton for example, or run the 434 route from Bedlington Station to Ashington? It would give people connections to the Northumberland Line at all times, if the timings were right. The fact they're being turned at North Tyneside Hospital the next 5 days sums up how much they're needed at the North Shields end.
You clearly don't get why they are doing it. The diversion they would be sent on would make them possible 10 to 20 minutes late so would be completely pointless running to North Shields and then running back even later which would send them via the diversionary route on the way back. There's nothing from Whitley Bay to North Shields via Rake Lane or Billy mill without a change of bus so can't see how the statement you mentioned (how much they're needed at North Shields end). Is in anyway relevant to what you're talking about. If nexus or arriva had of decided to cut that section then it would have happened ages ago but hasn't