(31 Aug 2021, 4:01 pm)MurdnunoC wrote This is one of the main reasons why I decided to learn how to drive. On a summer evening, it might be nice to go for stroll to pass the time whilst waiting for a bus, but in the winter, the prospect of a stroll or waiting around in a cold bus station for half-an-hour isn't exactly appealing.
While timings have improved in the Derwent Valley over the past twenty years or so, I used to hate travelling home by bus on an evening when I used to work in the Metrocentre in the late 90s. I think there was the choice between the 611, the 745 and, perhaps the M21 (not too sure about the latter), however they all used to be timed to come within 15 minutes of each other (55, 00 and 10, IIRC - I'll check when I'm at home later!). For someone finishing at either 8pm or 9pm, it is certainly not ideal to have another 45 minute wait on top of your day.
In some ways I was lucky as I only had one bus to catch. I know that some people I worked with lived in Washington and Birtley so imagine their experience might have been as bad as mine.
But this point makes you wonder how much of a factor bad timetabling or inadequate connections are when someone makes the decision to switch from bus to car.
I'd say it is a huge factor and it seems to be ignored in favour of tables, WiFi and whatever else.
Sorting out the fares is just one element and although it appears the £1 fare offer is having a positive impact on elastic passengers, it makes naff all difference to those customers who need to plan a journey with military precision.
Hard, network improvements are needed.