(29 Jul 2021, 2:03 pm)JP6004 wrote I think if people saw the data behind the changes they would understand. If services are vastly underused or one section of the route is always dead, then pointless running them to  carry fresh air.

No doubt we'll have another 925 scenario to maintain like for the 2 people that used the lost link.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote I think it's a bit of a double-edged sword.

Pulling out of an area or changing a service is the easy option imo.

Promoting, advertising, encouraging growth and finding out what people need/want/expect is harder, but could ultimately be more rewarding and could fill the bus up a little bit more.

Organic growth from a fancy new decker or a 'cringe' advert on the rear of a Versa isn't guaranteed to grow patronage.
Sending it where passengers need/want to go at times and pricing which suits, isn't either. But is likely to lead to more success.

Based on what I've seen from the outside in and insistence on keeping routes they've had for decades, with a little tweak here and there, along with a bit of investment seems to be the option GNE keep taking.
It's almost the lazy option.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote I think it's a bit of a double-edged sword.

Pulling out of an area or changing a service is the easy option imo.

Promoting, advertising, encouraging growth and finding out what people need/want/expect is harder, but could ultimately be more rewarding and could fill the bus up a little bit more.

Organic growth from a fancy new decker or a 'cringe' advert on the rear of a Versa isn't guaranteed to grow patronage.
Sending it where passengers need/want to go at times and pricing which suits, isn't either. But is likely to lead to more success.

Based on what I've seen from the outside in and insistence on keeping routes they've had for decades, with a little tweak here and there, along with a bit of investment seems to be the option GNE keep taking.
It's almost the lazy option.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:15 pm)Stanleyone wrote I don't think you can say gne or any operator is being lazy, things have changed massively over the last 18 months and these changes, whilst drastic are needed. As I said earlier there is a number of new connections being added, and not put out yet is the new fare offers (eff 2nd August), which added to the success of the £1 evening fare might (and probably will) get more people on board over the summer and beyond.

(29 Jul 2021, 2:33 pm)JP6004 wrote Cant remember the last time the forum was so busy. Even the spikes in traffic when announcements/arrivals of new vehicles hasn't caused this much excitement 

(29 Jul 2021, 3:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote Based on what I've seen from the outside in and insistence on keeping routes they've had for decades, with a little tweak here and there, along with a bit of investment seems to be the option GNE keep taking.
It's almost the lazy option.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:23 pm)L469 YVK wrote So in a nutshell, is the X72 basically a normal 6 between Stanley & Dipton then via Hobson, Sunniside and Gateshead to Newcastle?

 

(29 Jul 2021, 3:16 pm)JP6004 wrote But at the same time, if passengers arent using it, no matter how good you market it, then there is little point in running it. The X27....although allocated an MPD didnt survive, even after GNE/Nexus implored people to use it or loose it. You can bring water to the desert, but if they won't drink...

(29 Jul 2021, 3:23 pm)L469 YVK wrote So in a nutshell, is the X72 basically a normal 6 between Stanley & Dipton then via Hobson, Sunniside and Gateshead to Newcastle?

(29 Jul 2021, 3:28 pm)DH9 wrote Stanleyone said interesting route, so what's the catch? 

My maths indicates no service for Tanfield Village.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:28 pm)DeltaMan wrote I think calling what they do with regards service changes a "lazy option" is very disrespectful to be honest.

I'd challenge anyone to come up with a fully costed network with timetables of the area they live in with the same number of vehicles the local operator uses

(29 Jul 2021, 3:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote How many changes are being forced by the CAZ and how many are commercial decisions?

The 6 has existed in various guises for a number of years and has had very little done with it in terms of promotion, marketing or anything else.
The axing of the entire Newcastle - Durham route and curtailment at Stanley, was only going to have a negative effect, as it reduced the chances of someone in say Craghead making that journey towards Tyneside.
Ditto for any through fares from say Dipton - Durham.
For those passengers who have a choice between a car or two buses, the decision may be heavily weighted towards the car.

I would be very concerned if decisions on services were being made as a result of what has happened over the last 18months.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:40 pm)Stanleyone wrote Dipton to Durham never lost its direct route to Durham. In terms of craghead to Newcastle the old 43/44/44a route took an absolute age, it was great in terms of shift length, most folk would travel to Stanley and change onto the X30/X31 or via the 78 route to CLS then onto X21. 
Things have changed with home working and businesses closing down, so unfortunately these changes will partly be down to the last 18 months. 

(29 Jul 2021, 3:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote Where's the creativity?
Where do people in Annfield Plain or Catchgate work and spend their spare time?
Where are the links that take those people to those places, in an efficient, reliable and cost effective manner?

Or is it a case of the operator re-numbering what has existed for years, deciding where it will operate and at what times - to suit their needs?

If they are operating services which are innovative and creative, are taking the residents of Annfield Plain and Catchgate to their places of work and leisure and are offering a service which is reliable, efficient and cost effective, then I will apologise profusely.
If it's the latter, then I'm not sure 'lazy option' is disrespectful at all.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote Dunno about you, but I've not got a clue what is happening regarding covid19 and the future of homeworking/office working.

To base a commercial decision on something that has existed for 18months and might end next month (seeing homeworking end and retail pick back up at the Metrocentre), seems very short sighted.
I struggle to see how a commercial team can decide a route is no longer viable, because of the last 18months and totally skewed data.

They were certainly keen to have the Stanley to Metrocentre market sewn up when Stanley Taxi's had their MC Solo's.

(29 Jul 2021, 3:01 pm)deanmachine wrote The changes in Sunderland at least seem mainly positive, I'm usually quite critical of the cuts in Sunderland but happy to see it go the other way this time. You'd hope so with the Sunderland District brand introduced too. Ditto with South Tyneside, positive stuff from what I've seen so far.

(29 Jul 2021, 4:00 pm)DeltaMan wrote So what are your innovate and create solutions within a sensible budget for the good folk of Annfield Plain and Catchgate if the current or proposed network isn't good enough?

(29 Jul 2021, 4:06 pm)Stanleyone wrote I did say "partly". No doubt there'll be other data available to commercial and has there been input from local authorities on these changes?....on that I've no idea.

(29 Jul 2021, 4:36 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote As far as anyone's aware will anything replace the 1B Section through Lobley Hill.

(29 Jul 2021, 4:39 pm)V514DFT wrote Im sure the 96 was mentioned somewhere

(29 Jul 2021, 4:41 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote The 96 will go through Chiltern & Malvern Gardens won't it. Not Cragside Gardens (think that was the 95)

(28 Jul 2021, 9:01 pm)Washingtonian wrote Has anyone heard anything of any changes to services in the Washington area?

(29 Jul 2021, 5:18 pm)L469 YVK wrote Where are the extra StreetDecks going to come from for the X1? Only thing I can think is a reduction to every 15 mins from every 12 mins perhaps? Likely wrong no doubt.

(29 Jul 2021, 5:19 pm)V514DFT wrote I'll wait and see what GNE say,might give me a better understanding