(13 Sep 2015, 8:48 pm)benambro wrote My thought's:

1. Make the 35 an independent route again, got two spares right there - that route deoesn't need fancy wi-fi considering a larger amount of bus users are pensioners on that route, plus it's only full for the school run, other times it's relatively emptier than the other routes. This would leave for 3 spares. (if other 8 were put on 12)
2. Put five on the 13, every time I'm on it has decent loadings, it would mean all routes between Stockton - Middlesbro would be fully wi-fi and if their is a disaster one day, one bus could come off and be replaced at the depot, it would also allow them to stay out on evenings too.
3. Put 5 on the 10/11, with wi-fi, it could attract even more users on the number 10 and it would mean most of M'bro would have wi-fi buses.

I couldn't justify why the 39 would get wi-fi buses unless it would be extended to James Cook.

The problem with the 35 as a stand-alone service is that the running time. It has always had issues when stand-alone - and the relatively little time in Stockton between a 35 arriving and one departing (2 minutes during the day, 5-7 minutes at the afternoon peak) compared to between arriving in on the 35 and going out as a 52 or a 58 (3 minutes off-peak, 4 minutes later in the day) gives more flexibility.
As for the 13, it's not really a profitable route (much like the 35).

The 10/11 has picked up since the 10 was introduced as it's opened up new links. It also appeases the drivers on the Middlesbrough area work - talking with some of the drivers, the drivers who work exclusively in Middlesbrough weren't exactly too happen when they saw the new buses were for Stockton again. To put it in terms - the last time new buses were bought for any routes wholly within the Middlesbrough area were, I believe, the Volvo B10Bs 31-42 which were bought for the Green Routes.

As for the 39, it's not a secret that since the changes last December, a lot of passengers have moved from Stagecoach over to the Arriva services, particularly the 9. With the continued proposals to increase the frequency of the 9, and revise the Netherfields services into a single service 8 plus introduce evening services on the 9, Stagecoach need to have something to offer before that happens to avoid losing the Weekily ticket trade.