(29 Dec 2014, 4:36 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Although some of the changes are positive, it must be realised that the overall effect is a decrease in service. Assuming the PVR changes on post #719 are correct and routes 27 and 56 save one bus each, GNE's claim that they are to improve reliability is being somewhat economical with the truth. Like most of the other alterations they are principally to reduce the number of buses and staff to save money, thus increasing profits again at the expense of providing passengers with a stable service. Someone complained that Stagecoach don't take any notice of their suggestions, but Stagecoach don't seem to think it necessary to constantly cut their services and are presumably satisfied with their level of profit.
The thing is, outside of peak hours, do services 27 or 56 really require a 10 minute frequency? Probably not.
I understand the argument you make about the reduction of services and you are right to highlight that point. However, if services are allowed more time at terminus points in an attempt to improve reliability (and, of course, to reduce wastage), then asking passengers to wait an extra two minutes for a bus really isn't a big deal - in my opinion.