(25 Mar 2014, 10:14 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote QCS will have kicked in then man
Prices will be all under the one 'cheaper' band
Lets hope not ;-)
(25 Mar 2014, 10:18 pm)aureolin wrote It needs to cover Tyne and Wear before they even think about extending it out-with.
As for the plans themselves. It's all pie in the sky once again. This is just a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. Local councillors are talking about it now as if it's a done deal, but not even the £300m has been granted for the rolling stock alone. Those proposed extensions in addition? They may as well times that figure by 4.
If I had a little more faith in the ability to deliver this project, I'd say two of the extensions have more merit than the others. Those being the Cobalt and Washington links.
1) Cobalt link should be pretty straight forward. Wasn't the Metro test track in that area? Is it still available for use? It'd also provide a fast link from Newcastle (currently 32 mins by bus)
2) Washington link would provide as many benefits for Network Rail and Nissan as it would for Metro. Reopening of the Leamside line, and creating a loop between the Viaduct and South Hylton would be the preferred option. Reopening the line all the way to Ferryhill would give the ECML extra capacity, and could also be extended to provide direct freight links from Nissan to the Port of Tyne.
Pie in the sky though.
The problem you've got with the Cobalt link, is the change at Percy Main. Potentially, this could mean the bus is quicker. For example, it could take 4/5 minutes from Cobalt to Percy Main. Unless they are made to connect, this could mean I have a 10 minute wait, on top of the 15 minutes journey time. This is a potential 30 minute journey time, and I know what one I'd prefer.
I agree the Washington link would provide benefits for Network Rail and Nissan, in addition to the metro. However, the only problem I have with these proposed plans, is how it would effect the bus. I'm guessing journey times would be shorter than the X1 owing to the 6 minute frequency at Pelaw, and this would effect the X1 considerably, as the amount of passengers boarding/alighting at Washington is usually high. I'd hate to see such a popular service go downhill because of these extensions to the Metro.
(25 Mar 2014, 10:20 pm)marxistafozzski wrote I dont see the point in extending to Seaham, if the service, was direct to Newcastle, would it offer quicker journey times than Northern which is about 35-40 mins at present, It could possibly compete with the 60 for journey time...
What about a direct Sunderland-Shields link, could that compete with the 35 and E1/2/6...
To be honest I would look more into it before I decide I hate the idea completely...
I wonder if this will end up being Project Orpheus MkII and quietly abandoned, never to be seen again
I don't really see a huge benefit in extending the service to Sunderland, as most people wanting to go to Sunderland or Newcastle would use the Northern Rail. However, it could compete with Northern Rail if the prices were lower, but regardless, I'd rather be on Northern Rail, which is a 40 minutes journey time, as opposed to a 60-70 minute journey time.
Again, I don't like the extension to South Shields from Sunderland either. Same with the Washington line, this would effect the E1/E2/E6 and more so the Laser services big time. The Laser is usually very busy between South Shields and Sunderland. However, could the Metro compete with such a regular service along that section of the route, with the E1/E2/E6 having a 6/7 minute combined frequency, and the Laser having a 10 minute combined frequency, I'm really not sure.
Same with the pathetic idea of extending the metro to Metrocentre and Team Valley? This would also effect the bus services, but massive decrease numbers on the 100/X66, I reckon. But overall, this I massively doubt that this will happen, and I agree this project will be abandoned, and a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. The way it's been on the news and in the newspapers is like it's going to happen tomorrow!
