Does anyone else have any thoughts on services in Sunderland specifically along the lines mentioned above?
The Competition Commission held a hearing with Nexus on 26 July 2010.
"Nexus thought that Go-Ahead’s network was unstable, and that the reason why Go-Ahead was often changing its network was that Go-Ahead’s operating margins were significantly lower than those of the other two major operators in the area."
Source - http://www.competition-commission.org.uk...with_nexus
I think some brand changes in Sunderland have been as a direct result of competitive advances by Stagecoach. I don't believe the Black Cats brand would have been dropped, and the SimpliCity 36 introduced had Stagecoach not replaced their 7 service to Witherwack with the more frequent service 16. Stagecoach introduced their 12 in December 2006 in direct competition with the Magic Roundabout 33. GNE retaliated by increasing the frequency of 33 from every 10 minutes to every 7/8 minutes, at the expense of a reduced frequency on 42 to every 15 minutes. The 10 minute frequency was swiftly restored, but continued competition from Stagecoach 12 facilitated service changes in October 2009 which saw the Magic Roundabout brand dropped, the 42 become a free-standing route, and the increase in frequency of Laser and diverting to Silksworth.
Stagecoach have toyed with other areas in Sunderland too. They experimented with a diversion of service 20 within Pennywell to operate a circular route taking in Pennywell Shops then Prestbury Road. This trial was unsuccessful and after a few months the 20 reverted back to the terminal loop taking in Pennywell Industrial Estate.
Following the introduction of branded services in Sunderland in July 2006, Pallion was left without a single GNE service, formerly provided by 135/136. This was of no fault to GNE though. The closure of Queen Alexandra Bridge for refurbishment severely impaired access to Pallion from North Sunderland. The original Doxford Clipper was a 39/39A operating a very similar route to the former 139/140 services. In late 2006 thanks to Kick-Start funding and the re-opening of the Queen Alexandra Bridge, the Doxford Clipper was revised into a 29/39 and extended every 15 minutes from Sunderland City Centre to Royal Hospital, Pallion and North Sunderland. At the time, this was the most intensive service ever provided by GNE to Pallion, yet still a far cry from the 7/8 minute service on the Stagecoach 10/11.
In October 2009, GNE proposed changes to Black Cats and Doxford Clipper -
"The 'Kickstart' funding that we were given to
improve these services (Black Cats/Doxford Clipper) runs out in October 2009
and we need to make some changes to maintain
their viability. We must achieve a reduction in
resources and we would like your views on our
plans."
The 15 minute service from Sunderland to Pallion was reduced to half hourly on new 36A/36C. This frequency was retained through later changes in 2011 when the service became the 99, and will now sadly be mostly withdrawn except in the form peak-time trips on new 36/36A. The 99 will continue to serve Pallion, but won't serve Sunderland City Centre, with an extension to Silksworth being favoured instead. I originally had doubts the route to Silksworth would work well but following a letter published in the Sunderland Echo on 1 May, I believe it will be a well appreciated link.
Bus reinstated
THE link between Silksworth and the Royal Hospital will be reinstated from June, 2.
The new service will be the 99 and will provide an hourly link to the hospital, the seafront and Hylton Riverside Retail Park.
This was the result of a community initiative, therefore we would like to thank the churches, the lovely staff and customers of Peary’s Newsagents, Carrick’s staff and customers and all the residents of Silksworth who signed the petition.
Thank you everyone who also participated in the consultation. We are also very grateful to Go North East who listened to their customers.
Miss E Clark,
Silksworth
Source - http://www.sunderlandecho.com/opinion/le...-1-5631670