(26 Mar 2014, 8:57 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote With the 57 and 58 having a lot in common and basically following each other around Leam Lane est, is there much scope to adapt the routes more, so that there is some variation?
It could help improve numbers on the 57, especially as the only decent stretch of the route, which is unique, is in Beacon Lough.
I get the point you're trying to make but I really don't think that the 57/58 have that much in common.
They share similar routes between Newcastle and Split Crow Road before diverging. Both routes then converge on Woodburn towards Staneway (where they briefly diverge again) before heading down Wealcroft to Fewster Square then onto Meresyde. After Meresyde, the two routes split with the 57 going to Wardley; and the 58 to Heworth.
As I don't use the 57 (I think the last time I used it was around 15 years ago) I have no idea what passenger numbers are like so there may well be some scope for improvement. However, I have delivered to houses around Beacon Lough Estate and the housing is quite dense. From this I'd assume that the 57 was reasonably well used by residents of the estate.
If the routes were changed what would you suggest? - I really can't think of anything which wouldn't add extra time onto either route.