(28 Dec 2014, 9:31 am)aureolin wrote Why should they? Why should another company take a commercial risk on routes they'd normally not serve, just because the primary operator either can't be bothered with the hassle, or simply doesn't want to risk their profit margin targets for that year.


I agree with most of what you're saying. Whilst what GNE and Stagecoach ran seemed to be a lot better from what we've had previously, there were still a lot of areas cut off. 

I do think that they'll look at this again for next year though, and as Dan has mentioned, perhaps increase the frequency in areas. For example, the 20 was rammed using Solars, for at least the few hours I seen them. Perhaps it would have been better suited with deckers, or even an extra bus an hour? Same could be said for the X1 frequency. It was running on a 20 min frequency, but each one I seen come in and out of Eldon Square, including the two I used, had really good loads on them. I honestly think they could get away with running a 15 min frequency on that service.

That leads on to another question though. If you've got the demand using the 'express routes' down the major corridors, then what are those passengers doing once they alight? I don't imagine the bus loads getting off the X1 at the Galleries all had a bus home. Perhaps some lucky with the 4 and 2A/2C, but others would have had to make alternative arrangements.

I disagree about providing a service on New Years Day. I've just had a quick swoop, and both the intu centres are closed, so there's most of your potential customers to Gateshead and Newcastle out of the window. Arguably, it's not worth opening the depot, and paying drivers/operational staff, just to sit around most of the day between taking people to the match and then back home from the match. I do feel that operators should be recompensing passengers for those two days of zero service though. I'm an Arriva season ticket holder, and I've had nothing, despite no service for three days out of 8...

Bank Holidays as a whole need looking at in my opinion. I really think that operators could get away with operating a Saturday service on these days, as whenever I'm out on a bank holiday, the demand always seems to be there. When I worked shifts, it was a nightmare getting to work. On a Sunday or Bank Holiday, I had no choice other than to use a taxi. I really don't mind working those days, other than the difficulty of getting to work.

Missing a bank holiday or boxing day really isn't the end of the world. You'd get your hours back anyway, and you can use them on a day you prefer. I'd happily take the lot at the start of the year as an extra week or so of leave, if I had the choice.