(27 Apr 2025, 12:58 pm)Sland2000 wrote It's been a long while since I have been on a bus to/from South Shields. Anyway with decent weather finally arriving, I had a trip out.

Firstly the new electric buses - I have to admit I was impressed. Smooth, quiet and clean. I had seen them from the outside and they looked quite cramped but on board I felt there was sufficient leg room. Once we past Marsden the buses appeared to be able to go fairly shifty but there were some concerns:-

I always thought the E services were quite busy and it was. With regular people getting off, the one door layout was a nightmare as people fought to get past.

There was a high proportion of older or non able people using the service, another deck would be ideal to allow able bodied to seek a sear upstairs. 

I remember when the E1 went a more direct route. I appreciate the need for efficiency but it was certainly a Shields tour.

We alighted at Seaburn and the only buses into Sunderland are the E services which promptly drop you off at the far end of town. As we wanted the bus station there was a trek across town. I'll admit when they did go to the bus station, they were often empty but it's still a missed cross city link.

Anyway only my views

I have to admit, I'm surprised they didn't go for at least a mixed allocation of singles and deckers for the E services. During the warmer days/months especially, they get really busy, even with the high combined frequency.

It's a bit of a pain that they don't serve Park Lane anymore, I agree, but I think it's with them being so tight on time. The detour round Mowbray Park is probably a step too far, without sticking some more resource in to slacken the timetable up.