(30 Aug 2021, 2:56 pm)Dan wrote Aside from Drifter60's example (which is just one case, on one day), is there really much of a demand for a through service from Parkside and Seaham through to Seaburn and South Shields? I don't understand the growing obsession with this proposed route.
Leisure facilities at Seaburn are growing (Stack, pubs, restaurants, etc), and whilst you could say a proactive operator would be capitalising on this, I really don't think extending the 60 is the right option. There needs to be more than just leisure to warrant this kind of thing (i.e. with the extension of the 21 to Brandon, there's leisure at Arnison Centre, education at New College, and work).
No doubt I'll be shot down for saying this, but there can't be a bus provided for every eventuality. With the impending BSIP, it'd be more likely to expect an enhancement to Network One ticketing and better integration of existing services.
I miss the days of having a direct bus service from Sunderland to Winlaton. Winlaton has a lot to offer too: a Co-op, a Spar, pubs, a chemist, an independent baker and butcher shop and a Turkish Barbers. Plenty on offer for folks travelling from Sunderland and Washington. The 638 was a wonderful bus service, I blame GNE for its demise.