(18 Jul 2017, 9:05 am)James101 wrote They could just add another bus into the PVR without diverting via Dalton Park, and they could continue the service 'whole' rather than splitting it. Costly, but not impossible. There seems to be an assumption passengers have to sacrifice something (in this case journey times) in exchange for a reliable service.
There's no dressing the change up other than efficiencies for GNE. That in itself is fine, Go-Ahead operate for profit - but it's always irritating when they advertise things like frequency reductions and additional running time as for the customer's benefit.
Splitting the route will mean the drivers (& buses) will no longer be on EU tachograph regulations. Therefore it'll give them flexibility in what vehicles can be used on the route (everything, basically). No longer will they have to scrap around for tacho fitted buses to replace breakdowns or help with delays etc. No waiting for one to come back in off a 97 or whatever to pinch, they'll be able to send any bus out. This will help massively with flexibility and should help solve some delays at very little cost to the passengers.