(04 Jan 2014, 6:52 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I am surprised by that. also would like to know about how you can much such a statement, what figures have you used? Over what period etc. I can't believe the bishops aren't making enough money to warrant investment but there we go.
If you look at what we were both saying about the 20's and 35's, you can see why the 35's are making more money.
Whilst a 20 may attract a full load maybe twice on a journey, it doesn't go through the estates like the 35 does.
Say the 35 gets a decent load between Low Moorsley and The Burn Inn.
The majority will get off at Houghton, depending on where they are going.
It will get locals travelling to Burnside and pick up passengers heading to Sunderland from Burnside, Newbottle, the Herringtons and Silksworth - starting again at Park Lane towards Shields.
The 20 will pick up a decent load at Durham, gradually empty towards Houghton, but pick up a few from East Rainton onwards and be close to full by the time it leaves Houghton (inc passengers off the 35)- but, not making many more stops by the time it gets to Park Lane.
Patterns are reversed on the way back.
So whilst the 20s are making money, carrying decent numbers and get full, there aren't as many people getting on and off as there are the 35's.
There isn't the same turnover of passengers if that makes sense.
The 20 is obviously viable, otherwise we would have seen changes by now.