(10 Jul 2013, 8:51 pm)Andreos1 wrote Apply for a bike using a hardship loan?

Seriously though, even without the cross-county issues and staying in the Tyne & Wear area, there are similar difficulties.

* Has anyone tried getting to Newcastle Business Park outside 'normal' bus operating times?

* Getting into Rainton Bridge prior to Npower paying for services a few years back was impossible.

* Travelling to Doxford Park from anywhere other than Sunderland or Houghton is ridiculous.

* Trying to remember which bus serves Sunderland Riverside Business Park this week needs the memory of a genius.

* Anyone needing to get to the business park by Nissan needs a good pair of legs, sturdy shoes and a rain coat (just incase).

* Has anyone been standing for a bus on Crowther Industrial Estate recently? Did you enjoy the wait?

* Can anyone remember the last bus to stop at Monkton Business Park? I think it was a workers service picking people up from the old Cokeworks circa 1978.

...and on top of all that, what if you're actually forced to work for free, under the workfare programme?... sorry I mean "work experience"...