(16 Sep 2021, 9:25 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote It’s a great improvement from GNE to have the list published, and well in advance too (it must take some effort compiling and updating too, given the sheer number of journeys affected). It is a shame to see though that even now, three of the last buses (10, 26, X72) are planned to be cancelled tomorrow evening – and two of these (10, X72) on low frequency services so services end an hour early. Conscious it will be to do with rotas etc but it’s a real shame that contingencies couldn’t be made to protect last buses (potentially at the expense of earlier runs, where more alternatives may still be available, or at least the impact is a 1 hour delay rather than an overnight one). Moreover it seems a shame that shortages are affecting the lower frequency services in this way – e.g. the loss of a 27 which runs every 30 mins would be less impactful to passengers than cancelling hourly runs on the 10 or X72?
Very much agree with the other comments about the need for absolute transparency from all operators (not just GNE) on what the failsafe is whether that’s a taxi to reclaim, a number to call for one to be arranged by the company, direction to an alternative/diverted service or whatever. “Sorry, we’re not running, unlucky” (or in the case of SNE and presumably ANE – just nothing turning up) isn’t anything like good enough if the operators are to have any chance in the slightest of convincing people buses are reliable, feasible options. I’d wager it would only take one instance of being stranded in Hexham or, God forbid, Stanley for anyone giving the bus a try to conclude ‘never again’…
Tonight the last full 26 from South Shields isn't running and nor is the one before meaning the 2146 is the last one as the 2316 only runs to Jarrow, in addition the last one from Luke's Lane is also missing tonight. In addition a 2200 10A from Newcastle is listed mssing, so its anyones guess whether this typo is thw 2220 or the last trip at 2300.
Whiilst I appreciate finding a driver willing to work OT that late or one willing whose following days shift isn't too early for them to help is a challenge, I'd sooner see a trip on an hourly route missing at 2000 than 2300 as it still means the final trip has ran. Hopefully the issues will be eased by the planned move to emegency timetables from the 25th.
It's a shame to see Arriva didn't keep up listing their dropped services as that would've helped their perception a lot, Stagecoach however is a guess as they very rarely list missing trips and if they do it's on a morning only at South Shields, which I suspect links in with a specific person at that depots shifts. Certainly a put off even for me the risk of having to cough up for a taxi because last services may not show.