(26 Mar 2019, 4:59 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I think passenger numbers would increase on the 74 if the service operated more frequently. The X84/X85 operated Hexham to Newcastle and the X85 now goes to Newbrough and they have very healthy passenger numbers because it runs frequently and is an express service. I only use the 74 between Cowgate and Eldon Square and the bus is quite full on the first and second trips into Newcastle I use and good passenger numbers coming back. The service and the bus itself get positive feedback.
I hope the 74 doesn't get withdrawn. Are there any plans for the service to be scrapped or for a timetable change?
Sundays usually have lower passenger numbers, so I am not surprised the 74A failed to succeed. I think a 74/75 should operate Monday-Saturday as the X84/X85 do, but run two-hourly. How is the service meant to gain popularity when it only runs four trips a day in each direction Monday to Friday? Saturdays are slightly better, with 6 trips each way, but passengers will stick with more frequent services. Why does the 74 exist if passenger numbers are so bad? The 74A serving the airport seems like a good link, now only the 42A goes to Newcastle Airport from Kingston Park.
The 74 is subsided by NCC, because it is not commercially viable - as are most of the Tynedale Links runs.
There used to be an additional service in the morning that ran 9 o'clock-ish from Hexham - but it was withdrawn during the last tender award, because there weren't enough passengers to justify both a 9 and 10 o'clock service running - and NCC was under pressure to reduce bus service subsidies like many councils are.
The revised X85 service adds on what used to be part of the old Hexham Town Service (683 - subsidised) - and brought that part of the town service (IIRC) into commercial (under the X85). The 683 service between Hexham and Newbrough used to be hourly too. Users now get a much better deal, as before they would either need to buy a 3-zone buzzfare, or two separate returns to travel to newcastle and back. Now the maximum return is £6.50.
The change to a two hourly service would require another vehicle, another driver, and therefore a significant increase in the subsidy NCC would have to pay GNE to provide such a service. The route is long (fuel) and tough in terms of wear and tear on vehicles too.
The additional later services on a Saturday are also additionally subsidised by other local councils (these were withdrawn a year or two back for a short time, but were re-instated with the local council subsidies), but are still very poorly patronised - the 19.50 run for example can often run empty right through to Newcastle - or at best pick up less than 5 passengers.
With the exception of the last bus back from town, the other journeys are usually similar, with the last trip picking up 10-15 people at most.
Equally with airport runs, most people are going to use a car or taxi, particularly if they are travelling as a family because quite honestly it's cheaper and more convenient - think how often you travel in core hours when flying - and what happens if your flight it delayed, not to mention the limited space for luggage on modern buses.
There's a difference between putting on extra services on a route, because as an enthusiast you think it is a good route and think people would like it, and putting on extra services because of passenger need, or potential.
Bus companies exist to make profit whilst providing a service, and subsidised services have to make some financial sense too - the last NCC consultation looked at the cost per head of providing the service, and where it was excessively high for the most part those services were cut, or revised (results were published on the NCC website at the time, but I couldn't find them when I had a look just earlier). A significant proportion of passengers are concessionary travel pass holders which also does not generate as much revenue for the bus company as fare paying passengers.
From memory it was a five year contract last time it was awarded, which means it's still probably got a year or maybe two left to run before it's up for review again.