I Was In Newcastle yesterday, I could have got the bus or the train, but instead i Drove, going I went along the Fellingbypass, but I know when I would come back the traffic over the tyne bridge would be horrendous, not once did I think oh next time ill get the bus or the train, I thought oh ill just go on the A167 join the A1, come off at Team Valley take a short cut miss all the traffic and join just at the bottom of Team Valley (before A1231 junction) saved me quite a bit of time.

The only reason I would now use the bus to go to Newcastle is if it was direct and very frequent. Not every every 30 mins is good enough imo now. Especially with the reliability as you'll be waiting an hour if one doesnt come