(03 Jan 2016, 1:24 pm)G-CPTN wrote The 687 was downgraded from an hourly service throughout the day to two from Hexham to Corbridge and three from Corbridge to Hexham, most of which do not 'join up' (only the 10:55 weekday service returns).
Agreed that usage was sparse and, therefore, not commercially viable.
The Saturday (only) 15:10 does have a return with the 16:35 from Hexham, which, strangely, then runs back to Hexham NIS, having arrived in Corbridge @ 16:52 instead of waiting and collecting those shop-workers who finish at 5pm, however these people do have a TEN @17:08 or 17:15 (weekdays).
Did it used to go around to Beaumount Park and Highford Park after the 684 was changed to the X84/X85, or is that a different service?
Maybe it's worth cancelling the 687 altogether and extending a 680 or 682 down to Corbridge via Beaufront instead? It's clear that people like yourself rely on the service for shopping, and with such a sparce service and odd timings, it's no surprise it isn't being used as much as it should. Clearly saying "put a bus here and do this and that" isn't always that easy, but it could work.