(24 Feb 2023, 7:22 pm)Unber43 wrote Such as? 

Also how would u change Houghton-Chester leg causing it to have demand without removing links.

And the 71 going to GCT will that just decrease passenger numbers especially around 78 route where presumably thoses traveling to CLS to Newcastle will have daily/weekly tickets

Remove the 78 from Bournmoor and Lumley, sending it straight along the A183 from Shiney Row to Chester-le-Street. 

Bournmoor doesn't need 6 buses an hour (78 combined with the 4), plus removing it would still leave it with a 15 minute frequency between Houghton (to Interchange) and Shiney Row. Having the 71 service half-hourly between Houghton and Chester-le-Street would cover the rest of the route, providing a more natural link to Houghton-le-Spring or Chester-le-Street.

Of course, the bonus is also a quicker journey time for those using the 78 to/from Sunderland.

(24 Feb 2023, 8:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote When the 21a ran, the extension to the Chester - Houghton section was on the northern portion. Where the demand was.
The southern portion (the weaker part) was the extension. Clearly the stronger portion kept the weaker portion going.

Since they got rid of the 21a, the focus has been on the weaker portion and tagging even weaker portions on it. 
Whilst having it run in the shadows of the 78 both on the half hourly frequency and then the hourly frequency.

The extention of the 238 over Copt Hill didn't work. 
The shortlived X4 over Copt Hill didn't work. 
Why would the 71?

When it originally ran to Sunderland, it replaced the poorly performing 160 and 163. They didn't work. Why would the 71?

Fares fell into the ridiculous stage from day 1.
I can't remember the exact figures, but a T&W Day ticket that allowed travel to Birtley and beyond on the 21a was circa £3.
When the 71 was launched, a single to Chester was circa £3.
The T&W ticket was suddenly invalid and the equivalent day ticket was circa £6.

The 71 didn't work, so why did they think the 36 would? When that failed, why did they go back to the original 71 and go back to the work that didn't work originally?

Houghton to Seaham isn't exactly a natural travel link either. Having something direct to Newcastle may attract a few more than tagging the section on to something else, but likely to cause complaints from Seaham residents that want a bus that'll drop them off at their door step.