(17 Nov 2025, 7:09 pm)PH - BQA wrote That's quite simply not true.
This Sunday just gone 7556 and 7558 were out. Sunday 2nd November 7504, 7507, 7522, and 7524 were used.
They may be used less than the DB300s, but that's likely because they have 16 E400s vs 31 DB300s - and 12/16 of those E400s are older than all of the DB300s so you'd assume they would use them more sparingly.
The 64 runs every 15 minutes, the 308 runs as part of a group which have a combined frequency of every 5 minutes. I'd say there's far more demand along the Coast Road than between the Arnison Centre and Sherburn.
The 306/308 frequency drop was just after Covid from memory, when ridership was down? That they'd reduced the frequency and loads are now likely back up to pre-2020 levels likely means it's even more profitable than it was beforehand in reality. Similar money in, less money out. The loads I see leaving in the peak would certainly suggest the frequency could be increased and they'd still be carrying healthy numbers.
The frequency drop was part of the qualifying agreement as Arriva did initially keep the 15 minute frequency - interworking the 306/308 when Jesmond temporarily moved to Walkergate.
GNE didn't change the 309/310/311 (merging the 310/311 into the 307) until they were certain Arriva were happy to enter the agreement.
Whilst GNE did give a bit of trouble between March 2019 and Jan 2020 flexing their muscles with the ability to have the 309 sitting minutes ahead of the 308 in both directions - it wasn't very cost effective for GNE given the driving hour limitations owing to remote reliefs in New York.
Whist GNE have the same issues now - they pick a lot more up in Battle Hill with fewer buses and both the 307/309 get a hammering in High Farm - which makes the 308 more attractive now from the Coast.
I'd say the 306 is not as strong as it once was - although does carry healthy weekend loads on nice days to Tynemouth.