Fair comments. It's a shame Arriva won't try anything new or even enhancing a service without funding, and then when an alternative like this one comes along they complain to the traffic commission because of a technicality about the short notice.
Arriva are far and away the best option of bus provision in East Cleveland, but like elsewhere they are always too quick to cut and consolidate rather than give an extra journey or route a try to help serve people better.

It's also worth remembering the point of the new 1 and 2 is to provide connections to the growing Skelton Retail estate, and Saltburn station from places like Loftus and surrounding areas which have been asking for a long time. With all due respect to other route suggestions, the purpose isn't to provide a route to Stockton, Thornaby, Nunthorpe, Coulby Newham or anywhere like that.

Long term, I'd imagine an improved DRT / Tees Flex service would be the best option, but I still hope this new service is a success.