(02 Sep 2021, 11:01 pm)Storx wrote I know this is a controversial way to look at it but I wouldn't be surprised if Consett is partly funding part of the Sunderland network and most of the Peterlee network. Routes like the X45/X46 make money. Routes like the 33, 38, 39/39A, all Peterlee routes probably make pennies but you can't exactly just pull out altogether without a massive backlash and the damaging PR which would affect the profitable routes in Sunderland ie the 8/78 and 20. The fact most of them don't run in the evenings or are subsidised shows how well they do.

It's the same in Washington, the X1 will be funding the Washington locals etc but they can't exactly just pull out there without it damaging their profitable routes ie the X1 and 4.

Well tbh, I do understand looking at the 33/38/39/39A, but really the 39/39A are over capacity. But really the 33/38 normally have around 10 people in which is sometimes more than the X45/46 Streetlites have on.

But I do understand not all routes are profitable but that doesn't mean you can cascade 12-14 year old buses on other routes which are quite busy. I understand if a route loses money put maybe older buses on and I totally get that. However that doesn't mean that a area can be neglected I understand Peterlee it has one set of buses, that isn't expected for a upgrade for a while. But Deptford, 60/20/61/56/9 the busiest routes out of Sunderland (I think), Yes the 20 buses is 5 years old, they don't need nothing yet, 56 just been refurbed, I would have moved those buses to the 50. And replace the Drifter 60 with newer bsues, and put 5369-5372 on 61 with a new livery. 

But what I don't agree with is focusing of select routes and upgrading them every 4 years, when they really don't need to. if I was in sunderland and I lost a 17' plate bus, and got a 11' I would be unhappy. And if a area got new buses every 3-4 years and the buses which are now "free" be moved to a different area with less investment I would be angry, imo to GNE Sunderland is second class to all the newcastle services. And I don't really think people can disagree with that.