(17 Dec 2016, 8:47 pm)Crusader wrote I think you're right in what you say. It may well be that service changes, fares, vehicle quality has had a negative impact on patronage. But all we know is that the company's overall performance is below expectations. The recent service changes in Derwentside might have increased patronage and its other areas which have gone down even more!
Keep in mind Stagecoach have reduced their PVR in Sunderland significantly, who we would probably all agree have low fares, modern vehicles and a stable network - does that suggest there are wider factors at play such as the performance of the North East economy - rather than GNE being an awful bus company?
I think the North east economy is a big factor, here. Bus fares are expensive, anyhow and most of the people taking the bus can't afford those fares on a whim, so will limit their trips. During the week, a good 80% of passengers on my local route enjoy some sort of concessionary fare, whether free OAP/Disabled fares or student fares. I'm sure that, apart from some of the core shopping routes (eg X21), that changes very little across the region.
One thing really stuck with me today, though. 20 years ago, you couldn't pay me to go anywhere near Newcastle city centre on a Saturday in December. Well we did, today, and it wasn't significantly busier than a Saturday at the beginning of November. In the 90s, even on a weekday, you've be carried around by your shoulders by the crowds. At 2:20, this afternoon, Eldon Square and Northumberland street weren't even approaching that busy. I had a moment where we got into a bit of a snake and I thought someone might be fiddling with my backpack, but I turned quickly and there was actually no one behind me!
We caught a 21 to CLS just after 2:30 and sat downstairs, which was barely more than half full.