(17 Jan 2014, 8:43 pm)Dan wrote I doubt many people have a bus stop on their door-step. Serving smaller areas as opposed to a main road would increase journey time - it could just be me, but I don't mind walking 5 minutes to get to a bus stop if it means my bus is 5 minutes faster.
That's the point I am trying to make.
People know the direct, super frequent service offered by GNE will get them to Park Lane quicker (even with a walk), than the local SNE service which goes via the world, but stops at the end of the street.
In this example, it will probably be the case for the majority of 'able' passengers (I often did it myself and walked to Ryhope Road, when seeing a lass who lived within walking distance of both operators services).
I think the design of the road system and location of residential areas lends itself in GNE's favour.
However, there will be a limit as to how often this happens in other areas, such as the North Sunderland estates or parts of the Chester and Durham Road corridors - where SNE seem to win the local stuff hands down.