Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
Go North East: Service Suggestions v2
688 is now the only service to go to ALDI (also serves Tesco).
It is useful for some elderly passengers to be able to be transported from ALDI with their heavy shopping.
The (686) bus from Corbridge used to go via ALDI leaving 20 minutes to shop before returning to Corbridge but it now doesn't leave enough time to walk from the station and back and catch it again.
It might only assist a few passengers, but it was a useful attraction.
The hike from the bus station to and from ALDI is quite considerable for those who find walking difficult.
When the bus station was at Priestpopple it was convenient to pop into Robbs (now Beales) and Liddels fruitshop (are they now closing? lease up for renewal) - though there are a few buses that can be used between the new bus station and the old one.
Maybe one of the 'round the town' services 683/684 could be rerouted to ALDI?
You have to consider whether bus services are there to serve the needy or just the bulk of the community.
As far as the suggestion to combine the 688 and 689 (together with the 680) is concerned there is currently the opportunity to change at the bus station (with indoor waiting facilities).
I can imagine what would happen to a combined service in winter when Allendale and/or Consett are affected by snow.
