(25 Nov 2013, 4:35 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I can't see why you don't think having a direct Sunderland-Newcastle via Chester Road is such a bad idea, it was a popular route. I agree personally its swings and round about in my opinion (Don't live in Sunderland) if I'm going from Sunderland-Newcastle I'm not fused wether I go via Chester Road/North Sunderland/Newcastle Road unless of course one takes longer than the other. But you live on Chester Road, so why don't you agree to an X2- I'm just struggling to understand your logic.
(25 Nov 2013, 4:43 pm)Dan wrote I prefer having a streamlined service. Likewise, bus companies prefer to operate streamlined services.
As I don't purchase return tickets and I instead buy day tickets (whether it's a Nexus CAT or Get Around), having a "turn up and go" frequency on both the 2A/2C and X1 is massively beneficial to me. It allows me to have greater flexibility when travelling. If I miss my X2, I have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus... 10 mins vs 30 mins..? Which sounds more appealing to you?
The X2 would be advantageous to me also as I'd have a direct service from A-B rather than a possible wait in The Galleries as the night progresses, but through the day, the 2A/2C and X1 is certainly the best option for me.
(25 Nov 2013, 4:43 pm)Dan wrote I prefer having a streamlined service. Likewise, bus companies prefer to operate streamlined services.
As I don't purchase return tickets and I instead buy day tickets (whether it's a Nexus CAT or Get Around), having a "turn up and go" frequency on both the 2A/2C and X1 is massively beneficial to me. It allows me to have greater flexibility when travelling. If I miss my X2, I have to wait 30 minutes for the next bus... 10 mins vs 30 mins..? Which sounds more appealing to you?
The X2 would be advantageous to me also as I'd have a direct service from A-B rather than a possible wait in The Galleries as the night progresses, but through the day, the 2A/2C and X1 is certainly the best option for me.
(25 Nov 2013, 4:50 pm)Dan wrote Another reason why having a streamlined bus operation is beneficial to the operator...
Go North East can market/promote the "Red Arrows" X1 as being 'every 10 minutes'. This looks a lot better than 'every 15 minutes', as GNE would find it difficult to market a combined frequency between the X1 and X2.
Go North East's "SimpliCity" brand network heavily promotes the 'Simply turn up and go' slogan, which I believe is quite effective indeed.
(25 Nov 2013, 4:56 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I certainly understood the operators marketing and streamlined frequent services are best and I get where you're coming from however in terms of passengers I'm not sure how many would agree though. I direct service is always more appealing to me, we've just been saying how the new Pygalls X27 to MetroCentre is great for us living in East Durham as usually I'd have to get three different buses to get there as opposed to one.
(25 Nov 2013, 4:56 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Simply turn up and go on the every 15 minutes SimpliCity 61 and every 20 minutes SimpliCity 39.
(25 Nov 2013, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote In most cases, frequency tends to win with customers (providing the journey time isn't a great deal quicker on another service) - that's pretty common knowledge, I'd say.
All of my friends prefer the 60 as opposed to the 61 because it's more frequent. Michael has just said above that he likes the 2A/2C at present because it helps him to get to college easier. Likewise, I used to have a routine for the times at which I go to school - I don't really have that anymore, and I get the first bus which turns up, which is quite often the bus which is every 10 minutes rather than every 15, 20 or 30!
(25 Nov 2013, 5:04 pm)Dan wrote You'll recall me arguing that the "SimpliCity" brand is not appropriate for the 61?
"SimpliCity" 39 operates every ten minutes between Doxford Park and Sunderland, so there's your 'simply turn up and go' frequency for that service.
(25 Nov 2013, 5:20 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Well yes I will agree that a frequent service is good, which is why personally I'm not keen on all this A/B/C lettered routes as it detracts from that in many ways. However if I'm going Sunderland-Seaham (The Harbour) I'll wait a few minutes extra for the X7 as opposed to getting the 60 as ill get there quicker. I wouldn't say if I'm going to the Mill Inn I prefer the 60 to the 61 at all intact I'd often prefer the 61 during peak times as the scholars from The Avenue/Harbour/Dawdon were significantly more than those going to Murton. The only thing that I do now is that I'd often get a 60 to ride a Streetlite since they're new and I am a member of a bus group! However as far as normal passengers go I can't say anyone would 'prefer a 60 to a 61' especially when both had Versas.
(25 Nov 2013, 5:20 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Well yes we both agreed (See we do Sometimes agree Dan!) we weren't keen on having the 61 in the SimpliCity brand. For me albeit I was thought of it been 'out of the city' aswell as the 'Simply turn up and go' slogan. However GNE still have the 61 in SimpliCity brand so theres the problem.
Also should the consultation go through unchanged the extra 39's would be replaced by 26's.
(25 Nov 2013, 6:42 am)Dan wrote I live on the route, so would most definitely use it - I can only assume you do too, to get so worked up about it!
(25 Nov 2013, 6:06 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote You shouldn't assume - I don't live on the route at all, though I did use the service a few years ago for various reasons. I can assure you that I'm not "worked up" about a bus route! Just tired of the arrogance and misrepresentation in your responses.
(25 Nov 2013, 6:10 pm)Dan wrote From that, the following questions sprung to mind:
- Did you use it at certain times of day? Peak periods, perhaps?
- Did you use it between Sunderland and Newcastle, or just between, let's say, Washington and Newcastle?
I think you're turning the debate personal, so I suggest you end that there. I'm all for a debate as it allows for a greater number of responses and gets us all talking about something (which is often why I appear so controversial), but I won't tolerate an opinion which could be deemed offensive.
(25 Nov 2013, 6:17 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Fair enough - but perhaps you might want to reflect that you oughtn't to have made the debate personal in the first place by trying to belittle my comments as me "getting worked up". The way to engage people in debate isn't for a mod to say whatever they like, then blame the other person for responding.
(03 Dec 2013, 10:05 pm)gtomlinson wrote Doubt Red Kite needs a 10m frequency.
Issue would be timekeeping imo. Hard to maintain reliability at one end of the service. You do love your trademark Malarkey Marathons mind
(03 Dec 2013, 10:16 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote It's been a while since I have had a "Malarkey Marathon" as I have ran out of Ideas for Bus Services, Until I thought of that after looking at the Boxing Day Timetables and then looking at the 45/46 Route to see what similarities there was to there Routes, They follow each other anyway to Rowlands Gill from Newcastle which provides a Every 10 Minutes Frequency along that Section of the Route.
(03 Dec 2013, 11:36 pm)gtomlinson wrote I do believe if Mr Malarkey had his way that Washington Galleries would become such a hub of transport that Heathrow would start to look a bit quiet
(06 Dec 2013, 6:36 pm)andreos1 wrote 29 - Current 39 route to Ryhope Road, Burdon Road (if road system allows) Fawcett Street and Monkwearmouth Bridge.
Otherwise
Ryhope Road, Holmeside, Fawcett Street...
It needs to miss out Park Lane to make it attractive to passengers as a 'quicker' alternative.
(06 Dec 2013, 6:52 pm)cbma06 wrote Couldn't the new 29 route go the same route as the 39 between town and Hospital then along to Pallion to QA Bridge then peak journeys go via Enterprise Park or all journeys from North End of QA bridge to Southwick then old 26 route to Castletown, Don't know why some journeys have to go via Hospital as their are plenty of connections to other GNE buses which serve the Hospital, Theres a hourly service on the 73 which serves Enterprise Park, don't know why people complain about the 36/36A getting withdrawn at Enterprise Park when passengers can get on the service 73, the 29 should go via Trimdon Street and not over Monkwearmouth bridge as their is already a 10 minute service on service 56 between North Hylton Road and Town via Southwick.
(06 Dec 2013, 6:59 pm)andreos1 wrote with the new Tesco and the majority of people getting on/off on John/Fawcett Street with it being by the main shopping/banking areas I think it would work.
I believe that is one of the reasons why Stagecoach do so well.
Trimdon Street may be quicker from Park Lane, but if the majority of passengers are in the Bridges, they will just walk down and get on one of the frequent buses in Fawcett Street.
North Sunderland hasn't been cracked by GNE, so a different approach needs to be looked at.
By missing out Park Lane, it will also reduce operating costs and help profitability - which is ultimately what they want.
(07 Dec 2013, 4:39 pm)Tom wrote I've saw service 27X today and the loadings just weren't good at all. It came into John Dobson Street empty and left Pilgrim Street with about three passengers.
I think something needs to be done to provide unique and fast connections to different parts of South Tyneside. Can anyone think of any ideas?