(29 Aug 2024, 9:57 pm)Storx wrote Guess it depends where you do the driver changes, but I'm sure they can find a way to make it work for the 6/7.
I nearly done the X71 by that route, but I think having the service every 30 minute from Consett / Burnopfield to Gateshead is important, not a fan of hourly services. My general thinking was to get a 30 minute service at least between the main places ie.
Consett -> Gateshead (X70/X71)
Stanley -> Gateshead (X30/X31)
Stanley -> Metro Centre (6/7)
Consett -> Metro Centre (45)
Obviously if the demand kept growing you'd probably be better restoring the old 45/46/47 as it was imo.
Don't disagree with the links across to Team Valley but not sure it should be that corridor. Personally I'd look at utilising the 28/29 instead for it. Like could you look at something like:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.86835...?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
With a short service running the same route from Newcastle to Team Valley South, then extending to Kibblesworth and terminating and the current 28 running as it is but terminating at Stanley instead. The 28/29 is a dog leg as an understatement South of Ouston, Pelton Fell can be ran by a minibus from Chester Le Street instead.
You'd then get:
Newcastle / Low Fell North to Team Valley, every 30 minutes
Newcastle to Prince Concort Road, every 30 minutes
Stanley / Ouston / Pelton to Birtley, every 30 minutes
Stanley to Team Valley / Low Fell, hourly
Stanley to QE Hospital, hourly
Birtley to Team Valley, hourly
There's quite a few new links being opened up there and places where people actually want to be. The 939 already runs over the bridge with the weight restriction in the centre of Team Valley btw.
What about the 700D, would it be better to extend that to Newcastle instead. If you go back to post #3031 i did a timetable for the route.