(25 Oct 2016, 6:16 pm)Michael Euston wrote The latest ''survey'' states that the 5 is not going to change. But, I agree, make the 5 an all stops and detours bus and change the 5a to a limited stop X5 which could reach Loftus in the time it takes a 5a to reach Skelton. And, yes, there's been so many changes over the years!!

Having been one of the drivers on the 5/5A for almost 2 years, it is a shame to see the 5A being curtailed at Skelton but I can't say I am surprised, as beyond Hollybush round to Asda and Brotton it was very weak. In these times of budgets being squeezed I'm not surprised to see the resource being cut here (it takes a whole bus to extend from Hollybush to Brotton and back).
I don't think you will see the 5 being diverted via Asda either, there isn't enough time in the schedule to do this without cutting something else out (which would be Skinningrove/Liverton presumably).

As for the evening X4 - I would see it as a welcome investment by Arriva - clearly being done using limited resources to keep the cost down for what will presumably be a trial to start with. I would expect that Middlesbrough to Brotton/Skelton and back is as far as you can get in 2 hours judging by the daytime timetable. The opportunity to time it to allow connections from/to the 5 for passengers from Loftus gives them a chance to see what usage figures are like and decide whether they can justify increasing the resource cost and extend the X4 through to Easington (3 buses) or even Whitby (4 buses).