(10 Aug 2021, 6:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote As pleasing as it is to see the 71 (and its connections) maintained, I genuinely hope DCC haven't stepped in to bail GNE out.
I'd have also hoped to have seen more promotion of the route and connectivity to the rail network at Seaham - rather than just more of the same.
The 'same' that hasn't worked in the past, isn't likely to start working now.
I must agree, the connections needed maintaining, not just buses from Houghton to Chester and Seaham but also areas such as Seaton, Northlea and Dene House Road in Seaham who would be left without a service.
And I think it was realistically unfeasible to not have a bus between Chester and Houghton, you’d be left either changing buses somewhere in Bournmoor between the 4 and a 78, hardly ideal. And again Houghton to Seaham would require a change in Hetton, which adds considerable time on the journey, however at least that would be a interchange point though!
Go North East probably knew the council would want to ensure these connections continued. And it’s a shame that they haven’t promoted the route a bit first before deciding it’s unprofitable, new connections across Houghton and direct links between Seaham and Chester just haven’t been marketed at all. Maybe time to push some of the less high profile routes a bit rather than just “XLINES” or the Angel. Nothing against those services but nice new XLINES buses don’t help the people of Seaham, Seaton and Great Lumley who were facing loosing vital links.