(30 Sep 2024, 9:22 pm)Ambassador wrote Had a group of 7 HR Colleagues up at Cobalt today ironically to promote eco transport within the group (tho our focus was bike to work and e car leasing) We thought we’d be good role models and get their in a green way!Heard on the radio the other day, Arriva advertising the 306 & 308.....no mention of GoNE's 307 & 309 services.
We went for the 7.26 X39 which is now a single deck run. Standing room only and didn’t fancy that with our laptop wheelies and bags so ended up in an uber.
We wrapped up at 3.45 and went for the 4.08 X39 back to Haymarket for our meal out to El Coto. A fairly battered panel missing 5447 turned up full to the brim with very little hope of getting on. A late running 22X ADL 400 decker picked us up.
I guess my point here is to suit operational convenience GNE intentionally whack a single decker on a commuter express route in the morning and are tending to now do the same of an evening a service that could attract new passengers, literally designed to get them out of cars and it feels like they’re doing everything they can to encourage you not to use it
Surely by now, both Arriva & GoNE should be operating the 306, 307, 308 & 309 under a fully joint & coordinated brand and dedicated service delivery leads from both operators. X39 should also be part of this too IMO.
If anything....the Coast Road services should be (with backing from both operators & NECA) a good taste of what franchising could be and put it in a positive light.