(21 Feb 2026, 11:06 pm)Arriva7446 wrote That would be good if that was the case, but I'm not sure as it has had plenty of time away from the 553 previously. I hope you're right though as it needs sorting. The exterior was recently re done so they should sort the interior.
On the subject of the 553, does anyone by any chance know when it was introduced and why it was numbered 553?
The service was cancelled, but registered again, in September 2024. Surprised to see Arriva continuing to run the service. Could the 6/7 not be rerouted to replace it?, serving Freeman car park instead of Freeman Road, with interchange at South Gosforth for the Metro to and from Regent Centre. Would still be 2 bph. Does Arriva have a long term contract for it, presumably until franchising?
How busy is the 653? Unfortunately I don't often see it to know. Maybe the 18 and 653 could be merged, so Benton to/from Battle Hill would have 2 bph, serving Freeman car park towards Battle Hill only, maybe 1 bph extended to Battle Hill and the other terminating at Walker as now.