(30 Jan 2015, 5:22 pm)Michael wrote Go North East say this is about simplifying things, but there have been 15 variations in this route since 2011 and I cannot see how this constant chopping and changing is making things simpler. The new route maps and timetables are also presented differently from older versions.
That's ridiculous, if there's being 15 different variations since 2011.... the last part makes me laugh (in bold), years have moved on and the styles have, and yet people are moaning over the style of the timetable LMAO!
Well no shit they're going to be different, since changes it means the maps has to change... GOD
I often wonder whether Bridget Phillipson is a bus user herself. I know a number of members of this forum support and share her views, but I cannot help but feel that this attack is completely unnecessary and the points she has made are largely exaggerated. I have previously said that I personally feel The Chronicle regularly (unnecessarily) portrays bus operators in a bad light, so it comes as no surprise that they have supported Bridget by publishing this article.
There are very few links which are lost, as the majority of the service changes see a replacement service provided in some form. Whilst South Shields has lost its direct bus to Sunderland Royal Hospital, it has previously been established that there are a huge number of services per hour from Sunderland City Centre up to Chester Road.
I don't think there have been fifteen changes to the route since 2011, and I think that this has been purposely worded in such a way to come across as striking. I think Bridget may consider 35/35A/35B/35C to be four variations; whilst this is true, the route has not been altered four times to achieve this. Indeed, the old 35B/35C services were used on early mornings/nights/Sundays only, and the main day time services were just the 35/35A.
Silly story.
(30 Jan 2015, 5:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote She does have some good points, but at least they go 'to the shops' - just like they did previously...
On the bus earlier, passengers seemed clueless as to which bus went where, panicking when it took a turn it didn't previously and having to clarify with each other.
This was after querying certain points with the driver on boarding.
One passenger, who looked to have something about her, explained how she just asks if the bus goes to a certain point now. Giving up on the numbering system as a way of identifying her route after the endless changes
Of course, further clarity could easily be provided by Nexus, if bus stop timetables could be updated!
We're almost a week into the service changes now, and I'm still having to use my mobile phone to find out when the bus is due, because timetables at bus stops haven't yet been updated.