(Yesterday, 7:35 pm)LVK 404L wrote Cannot see it happening with Shields and Sunderland
They attempted it a few years back when the
E1, E2, E6, 30, X20 and X34 all got transferred to Sunderland along with half the depot and 30, X20 and X34 all got transferred back
If franchising went ahead I can see the likes of the 24, 25 and 26 becoming part of same group of Shields franchises as the Stagecoach routes and if that happens this would mean expansion. But on the other hand remember that depot is ancient now. I know the public transport started in 1883, was that when the depot opened also, it's still got the tramlines inside so possibly. That would make it 143 year old ......REALLY!!!!!
How would routes be grouped together if we do get franchising in the future? All of the routes into South Shields would be grouped together and operated by South Shields depot? So the 27 would leave Riverside and be grouped with the 24, 25, 26 and Stagecoach routes? What about the 50? Just interested how it will all move around. I thought everything stayed at the current depot and operators bid for them which gives them an operating area. Operators will bid for groups of routes and they will be moved into the nearest depot?
Presumably that means whoever gets Riverside will operate all of the Metrocentre routes? Be a huge change if that was Arriva! Except the 6/7 being operated by Slatyford and Northstar operating the X22 and X43, which presumably would still be ran by a different company than all of the Riverside services? 3 operators would still operate Metrocentre services, for example?