(Yesterday, 1:50 pm)Storx wrote The 309 won't be running to Blyth for much longer if they go ahead with that timetable.

It's running 4 minutes behind the 308 towards Newcastle (at the Blyth end), and 5 minutes behind the 308 towards Blyth (at the Newcastle end) and takes longer, there's literally no reason for anyone to use it and Cobalt alone doesn't warrant 3 buses an hour to/from Blyth and Whitley.

Either the planners are completely stupid, or it's managed decline. It's not like the 308/309 are exactly a roaring success between NT Hospital and Blyth, as it is.

Is the partnership 100% being broken up with Arriva though? If so, Arriva would be in prime position to step in and go back to pre-covid levels of service on the 306/308 with both via Battle Hill Drive which would stand well against the 307 & 309.

There's still a big market on Saturdays along the Coast Road for a frequent service especially at busy times including when big events, matches etc are on.

If Arriva retook the Coast Road, I could see something like the following happening with GNE's services.

- 97/97A re-introduced every 15 minutes, doing same as 301 MetroCentre-Whickham-Newcastle, then via Coast Road & High Farm to either Hadrian Park or Cobalt & Whitley Bay every 30 mins each.

- 301 curtailed in Gateshead or possibly merged with something like the 57.

- Section of 307 between North Shields and Hadrian Park merged into the 340/341, with direct links from Meadowell and parts of West Chirton and Norham Road to Newcastle withdrawn.