(19 Nov 2024, 9:58 pm)Storx wrote Edited that, it was a mistake with the 353, was meant to be the full route.
To be fair the service used to go to Morpeth, was Morpeth to Whitley Bay for years with the 343/344. Just the timings with it that's the problem as it's like 35 minutes from Morpeth to Cramlington and it uses the 43 layover to get the PVR down, it would be better being split though imo. I'm surprised they didn't do it when closing Jesmond though, the 53 always seemed quite a strong little route and it would've kept their monopoly in Cramlington and around Billy Mill pretty much.
Mind it'll be interesting to see if they go for the 19 in the future. The thing is a right little minefield competing against them around here lately, probably in their best interests to run it tbh, especially considering the 57/57a might aswell not bother with a timetable.
If GoNE ever did go back to the "begging bowl", I think Arriva would do a decent job with an extended 53/353 to Morpeth. Could be do-able with a PVR of 7x perhaps with a 3hr 30m round trip? Although if they served NSECH and High Pit, would probably take PVR to 8x although could use BSIP for the hospital link.