(22 Feb 2026, 10:51 am)PH - BQA wrote Previous recent spells of it being away from the 553 have coincided with something else having an issue with emissions though - 7506 and 1389 from memory. This week 4 separate Pulsars were allocated, similar to when 1499 has been VOR/off for MOT, and those 4 have done other work the other days so have clearly been fine with emissions.
They must be making a conscious effort to keep it off the 553 for some reason.
The 6/7 and Metro cannot replace the 553 - the entire point of it is to link two NHS sites. It serves the same purpose as the H, realistically, but is open to the general public.
The NHS would need to negotiate staff pass usage on both the 6/7 and the Metro, for a start, then add in that by making people change you're massively extending journey times for staff.
Add onto that the patients who can connect onto the 553 at Regent Centre from all local bus services - given the Freeman has consistent issues with traffic then making public transport easier will be an aim. Taking away the 553 likely results in more cars arriving.
The 553 doesn't link two NHS sites, it only runs between Regent Centre and the Freeman via South Gosforth. Passengers (NHS staff or the general public) surely need to change at Regent Centre, and could use South Gosforth off the 6/7 instead.