(12 Oct 2025, 8:51 pm)PH - BQA wrote I wonder how long the current E12s will last on the Q3, or at least the full batch of them. While waiting at Regent Centre yesterday afternoon for a service into town, a Q3 went past in each direction - the combined load was 1 person. 

Equally, most mornings while waiting for my bus to work I see a southbound Q3X and northbound Q3 - I've never seen more than 5 people on either. For comparison the Arriva 43/44/45 going through towards town at the same time carry at least 30, and the northbound services carry double digits. 

No idea how GNE can be making any money on the northern end of the Q3 route if I'm honest - even the X46 carries more folk. Definitely not the sort of service which justifies 3 year old electric saloons on a 20 minute frequency.

The whole route is just a mess, the other end is just as bad and could easily be dealt with the 18 being extended since the tax payer is currently subsidising 5 BPH in the Walker area which is crazy considering the Stagecoach 12 exists. 

imo it badly needs to go to back to it's original purpose and act as a local bus for getting around Newcastle especially linking the massive bank on the Quayside, ideally free like the Manchester Free Bus with both extensions removed, ideally finding a way to link up the RVI aswell for those who are less able to walk which I'm sure there's a lot of people heading there who fit that category.