(23 Mar 2024, 12:35 am)Storx wrote No-one is travelling to Ashington from Newcastle etc unless you really need to.
Again, I don't think you understand the passenger flows on the services. You're ignoring the fact that there are multiple places between Newcastle and Ashington where people go, for example Cramlington Industrial Estate. Morning X21/22s often leave Newcastle with 20-30+ people on them, so evidently there are northbound passengers in the morning.
Morning trips through to town also drop off hefty amounts there, and also at Regent Centre.
(23 Mar 2024, 9:29 am)tvd wrote Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area. I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste.
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers. It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.
Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work.
That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.
(23 Mar 2024, 9:29 am)tvd wrote Much of Arriva North East deserves some new buses and investment, it shouldn't be the north vs the south of the area. I do agree that Redcar don't look after their buses very well though, or even allocate properly.
Double deckers are often seen on the 62, which is a complete waste.
And I've seen myself drivers literally kicking buses, pulling and tugging at doors trying to get them to close properly and so on, at Redcar Clock right outside their office and in full view of many passengers. It doesn't tell me that they have any pride in their fleet or look after them properly.
Agreed. There's clear need for investment across the board, and the robbing Peter to pay Paul approach clearly doesn't work.
That said, as you've pointed out, it's been clear to anyone with eyes for years now that Redcar are incapable of looking after vehicles properly. Things are sent out days after breaking down onto demanding routes, just to break again for the same reason. It's neglect of the vehicles, and other depots are constantly suffering for it.