(23 Feb 2024, 9:49 am)Storx wrote I said it then and I'll say it now but this 1 and 2 are still completely ridiculous bus routes.

Teesside are supposedly in a partnership with operators, this is exactly where partnerships should be working instead of having alternative operators competing again commercial routes doing give or take the same route.

Who's at fault who knows but it shouldn't be here, something like upping the 5 back to every 15 minutes and running it as a 5B and both routes breaking off doing the loop omiting Saltburn at Lingdale just to pluck one idea is surely a better use of resources even if it uses more.

The 15/15/30 farce along Trunk Road and through Guisborough is a complete mess as it is aswell imo. I'm quite vocal about using public funds to boost frequent routes but I'd make an exception there as it just doesn't make sense as it is.

There's so much that could be done around East Cleveland, without having the need for ANE, Teesflex and now SNE. 
As well as the short-lived Coatham 18 for a period. 

Ultimately, the lack of joined up thinking has seen the network develop in to what it was prior to 2020 and subsequently, the current 'network'. 

If ANE had been pro-active, neither Teesflex or SNE would need to offer a service in the area. 
As it is, Mr Mayor has decided to go all guns blazing and now we have the situation where all 3 can be following each other around, with a a 1 and a Teesflex sandwiched between a 5 and an X4. 
I'm all for improving bus services, but does Carlin How or Loftus really need that level of service?

On a personal level, I wanted the 18 to work. 
However, it didn't run when I needed it and it inevitably led to me using a Teesflex instead.