(07 Jul 2014, 10:12 am)Dan wrote I've made it clear that I don't agree with operators not giving specific examples of which cuts are being made, but I can see the argument from both sides. The severity of the impact isn't what really matters in this case, the point was to show that it happens in all organisations, regardless of the industry it's in.
Some bus operators are taking steps to give more specific examples when it comes to cuts - note recent comments about Northumberland changes for Arriva. This is only fairly recent though, with Kuyoyo listing all changes himself on the forum a few weeks back, for changes on Teesside. A step in the right direction though, maybe.
I'm surprised that, despite being made aware of 'minor service changes' on service 20, you'd not have the common sense to download the new timetable and check that it's still possible to make a journey that you regularly(?) used - especially as someone who has a greater knowledge/interest of the industry than the average customer, and someone who has perhaps experienced 'minor changes' being an example of service cuts in the past.
If aureolin hadn't provided the specific service changes for service X36 by comparing both timetables and then listing the changes on here, I would have done it for myself - simply because I will be using service X36 a lot from next month (when my U16 POP Card expires).
I did check, that's why I knew I had to make specific arrangements for Friday, rather than hang around North Road on a Friday night :p
It was only after being made aware of 'minor changes' on here, that I did decide to check. As I hadn't seen any literature on vehicles and don't bother with the fb page much (just like the majority of passengers don't - using the number of followers versus advertised passenger numbers).
From memory, those 'minor changes' on the 20's - involve the approx 18.40 hanging on in North Road for an extra few minutes, leaving approx 18.45.
The 18.50, is cut.
The next one is just after 19.00.
If I get off the train at approx 18.30 (not taking into account delays), the 18.40 was more or less impossible.
The 18.45 departure is very tight by the time I walk down from the station. The 18.50 was perfect and the 19.00 misses connections and extends the journey/travel times by quite a margin.
Don't get me started on the mission I need to go on using buses, if arriving at 19.53 on the Cross Stinky from Scotland or after 8 on a northbound train!
As I say, others are affected - this isn't just about me. But a lone female, unaware of the changes and making a similar trip - is leaving herself quite vulnerable.
That could have been solved instantly, by the operator advertising changes in detail.
Touching on your ANE stuff, they are improving and I have been impressed with their follow up consultation and detailed response