(19 Dec 2018, 6:59 pm)S830OFT wrote Well Arriva are always changing things around so pretty much anything is possible. The money will be recived from another part of Arriva that is doing well with all of it's products. The 56 | 57 services have been victims of under investment for quite a long time and I for one believe the residents of Country Durham who use these services frequently for employment and education or just a trip to the shop are entitled to good quality transport.
Additionally with service 57A providing the fastest service between Hartlepool and Durham passengers should expect a Gold Standard service provided with modern day features available on-board.
Where would the growth come from?
You can't spend money, without expecting to re-coup some of that investment - in this case, more bums on seats and increased revenue.
I'm not sure where those bums on seats will come from.
I appreciate there is new housing in Bowburn, Coxhoe and over towards Shotton, however I'm not sure there is enough demand from residents to travel exclusively to points served on those routes.
Houses have been purchased in those areas, I would guess due to the proximity to the A1 and A19.