(08 Sep 2019, 4:20 pm)S830OFT wrote Some suggestions for Arriva services in the North East:
MAX X1: This service will be extended to Stanhope up to every 60 minutes Monday to Saturday.
This extension will open up more travel opportunities for those who live in or visit Stanhope, aswell as allow those who usually travel on Weardale, to have a variety of choice, and to be able to purchase more affordable saver tickets, which will allow passengers from Stanhope to access the regional network of services provided by Arriva to visit the likes of; Newcastle, Durham and many more well known, and even undiscovered destinations the North East has to offer.
Route Map (Darlington - Shildon - Bishop Auckland - Crook - Tow Law - Wolsinghan - Frosterley - Stanhope)
Estimated Journey Time: 113 Minutes
Sapphire 6: This service will be extended to Barnard Castle on a hourly basis, although will be reduced to every 15 minutes between Durham and West Auckland, with a bus to Cockfield every 30 minutes.
This change will improve punctuality, with improved connections to Barnard Castle. Additionally a significant reduction in journey times for passengers who would otherwise have to use MAX services X75/X76 from Darlington, or other operator services, which don't offer a wide range of modern features on-board their vehicles.
Route Map (Durham - Croxdale - Spennymoor - Bishop Auckland - West Auckland - Cockfield - Staindrop - Barnard Castle)
Estimated Journey Time: 99 Minutes
8: This service will be extended to Durham from Spennymoor via Croxdale & Durham University. The frequency will remain up to every 60 minutes, although if passenger numbers increase the service will be increased in frequency.
This change will benefit residents of Kirk Merrington who will be able to have access to a daily direct service to Durham, without the need to take service 56 for their journey, aswell as provide additional buses between Durham, Spennymoor, Ferryhill & Darlington alongside Sapphire services.
Route Map (Darlington - North Road - Aycliffe Village - Newton Aycliffe - Chilton - Ferryhill - Kirk Merrington - Spennymoor - Croxdale - Durham University - Durham)
Estimated Journey Time: 97 Minutes
8A: This service will be withdrawn, although passengers can continue to use service 8, along with local services provided by other operators.
56: This service will be extended to West Auckland up to every 60 minutes, although will retain it's every 30 minutes between Durham and Bishop Auckland.
Journeys that terminate at Bishop Auckland will continue to operate to Toft Hill as service 86.
The extension to West Auckland will continue the 5 buses an hour to Bishop Auckland & Durham, aswell as offering new direct links to Ferryhill. Additionally passengers on journeys from Durham will be able to enjoy the direct link to local faciltys & retail centres located away from the Bus Station.
Route Map (Durham - Bowburn - Coxhoe - West Cornforth - Ferryhill - Kirk Merrington - Coundon - Bishop Auckland - West Auckland)
Estimated Journey Time: 80 Minutes
These changes will open up more corridors for frequent services to key destinations, and will offer an enhanced perception of modern bus travel across the region. The success of services depends on passenger usage, and based on analysis, and customer opinion these service changes will be a positive change.
</p><p><br></p><p>What would that mean for passengers on the 8a route? It's not the same as the 8. Remember that bus services aren't just about the start and end points. And, surely extending the 8 just duplicates the very frequent 6 at that point. Pointless.<br></p>