(30 Jun 2013, 12:35 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I think the axing of the OK1 could go to ways
1) GNE try again with possibly some local routes around Bishop and Crook.
Or
2) They'll pull out the 18 will either go to an other operator or axe it and the X21 just merging into a 21 service (as mentioned above) operated by Chester.

I would like to see them keep on in bishop and the area, but now they are losing the OK1, Crook depot will be down to just 2 half-hourly routes with 10 vehicles I'm not sure if a depot so small is commercially attractive. I suppose time will tell what happens..

The crook depot is shared with and owned by Weardale, so there will be more than 10 Buses in the Depot, so commercially it isn't that bad

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(30 Jun 2013, 12:35 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I think the axing of the OK1 could go to ways
1) GNE try again with possibly some local routes around Bishop and Crook.
Or
2) They'll pull out the 18 will either go to an other operator or axe it and the X21 just merging into a 21 service (as mentioned above) operated by Chester.

I would like to see them keep on in bishop and the area, but now they are losing the OK1, Crook depot will be down to just 2 half-hourly routes with 10 vehicles I'm not sure if a depot so small is commercially attractive. I suppose time will tell what happens..

The crook depot is shared with and owned by Weardale, so there will be more than 10 Buses in the Depot, so commercially it isn't that bad

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Here is my plan on what GNE should do, Basically it's simple, go head2head with Arriva by offering improved services/cheaper fares etc.

X21 Bishop Auckland - Spennymoor - Croxdale - Durham - Framwellgate Moor - Chester-le-Street - Gateshead - Newcastle (Under OK Expressway Brand) Every 30 Minutes – Monday – Saturday – Hourly on Sundays

X46 - Crook – Willington – Brancepeth – Meadowfield – Langley Moor – Durham
(Under OK Expressway Brand) Every 15 Minutes – Monday – Saturday – Every 30 Minutes on Sundays
In it's current form it is a works service, but now it'll operate throughout the day against Arriva Service 46

OK1 – Durham – Croxdale – Spennymoor - Bishop Auckland – Tindale Crescent – St Helen Auckland - West Auckland – Cockerton – Darlington
( Every 10 Minutes Monday to Saturday – Sundays Every 20 Minutes)
OK2 – Darlington - N. Aycliffe - Woodham - Ferryhill - Chilton – Durham
( Every 10 Minutes Monday to Saturday – Sundays Every 20 Minutes)
OK3 - Durham – Coxhoe – Ferryhill – Bishop Auckland
Every 15 Minutes Monday – Saturday – Sundays Every 30 Minutes

These 3 Services would mount a direct challenge to Arriva Services 6/7/56 and 56A, with improved frequencies compared to Arriva between Durham – Bishop Auckland and Darlington.

18 - Woodhouse Close – Cockton Hill Road - Bishop Auckland – Canney Hill - Coundon
Every 30 Minutes Monday – Sunday

Now currently GNE don't have the Numbers Bus Wise for this to work unless they were to get some Buses Second hand from other Go-Ahead Operators or from EnsignBus until Newer Buses were ordered and had arrived for Service.

I would also have an official launch with flyers/timetables been sent to residents of those Areas with various discounts on fares, They'd also receive a KeyCard if they don't already have one for further discounts to then gain some more passengers from Arriva.

There would then be official lauches like the Quaylink in Durham City Centre/Durham Howlands Park and Ride Site/Bishop Auckland and Darlington aswell as a load of Online promotions through Simplygo.com/GNE Twitter/Facebook.