(2 hours ago)Ambassador wrote Team Valley is a difficult one as it's one of the few places in the network where the hub and spoke model works.

From Birtley/CLS you've got the 937 (for the peak) and outside of that the 21 to 93/4 connection works pretty well, even coming from the North the connection at Gateshead is pretty decent.

Not sure I agree there, the connections from the North are dire, it's all good saying change at Gateshead, but you've got to get there first.

imo I always think the 301/93/94 should be merged together, so the 301 crosses the water then does the loop via Team Valley terminating at Gateshead.

The 93/94 aren't a loop nowadays anyway so no loss there, and would open cross water links to Team Valley and the East End of Newcastle with everyone else being able to connect at Central / Monument or wherever.

The 91 can then be withdrawn in the process. You could then make the case for potentially stopping the 97 (rest of route) at Gateshead since most areas have a link to Newcastle with whatever X's go via Whickham, the new 301 (Lobley Hill) and the 6 anyway removing duplication.