(24 Nov 2014, 1:48 pm)Michael wrote 20/35 sounds quite good but it will be a long route... could the current scanias cope unless new buses will be ordered for changes, for the 20.
20 - maybe new buses
35 - citaros
The 38 changes sounds decent, think parts of the current timetable are stupid...sure 1 part of the timetable is 20, 40 then nothing... why not have the full route 20 minutes, then have the 238 carry on from the 38 route -maybe fully cadet?
Service 99 -pointless just withdraw it!
How much will the PVR go down on the fast cats, just 1?, least it will have a spare!
With time for relief at timing points located across the route (like at present with services 20 and 35), I can't see the long route particularly affecting anything. The Scania L94UB/Wright Solar vehicles are sound - majority of them are full of power and interurban work is a doddle for them. I was on one of the "Fast Cats" examples the other day from Boldon to Newcastle and, despite a little squeal from underneath, I forgot how impressive they were on the Felling Bypass.
As an irregular user of services 38/238, I think that the timetable for those services is quite confusing. I'd therefore welcome a more 'stable' timetable which, combined with service 238, is half-hourly.
As a regular user of services 35/35A/35B/35C, I also think the lettered variations of the services is quite confusing and potentially has had an impact on falling passenger numbers.
On the proposed route changes, the PVR of service X36 would decrease by one vehicle, yes. Some of the proposed service changes will be designed to reduce costs and dispose of some of the older vehicles in the fleet without investment; this being one of them.
(24 Nov 2014, 1:51 pm)Drifter60 wrote Very strange that they told you you wouldn't be affected. If they are changing the 20 to run past your house, it means you could lose links to the Royal Hospital, Silksworth, Herrington, Hetton but in turn gain links to Durham, The Raintons etc.
Not totally understanding what's propsoing on service 38?
Every 20 minutes retained Sundeland, Ashbrooke, Hollycarraide. Then two buses each hour to Rainton Bridge (via Tunstall Bank, Doxford & Houghton presumably?) as Sercice 38. The 238 hourly unchanged to Seaham, Northlea, Houghton?
I don't know if it was a genuine mistake or not... It's not like I had the opportunity to give the company feedback on what the proposals were anyway, so there'd be no point in attempting to 'cover up' what the proposals were...
There seemed to be some confusion with the employees regarding the 38, and the guy from Deptford suggested that it was still 'up for discussion' due to Nexus' involvement with the evening variation of service 38.