(17 May 2019, 6:26 pm)Andreos1 wrote With the cancellation of the 20a, reduction in frequency of the 20 and comparably reduced frequency of the X20 (in addition to the smaller vehicles being introduced), it is going to be interesting times for passengers on the route.
Appreciate the 'spin' behind the Kia Picanto Solo's and marketing that aims to encourage growth, but what about the prices?
I've been quite vocal in the past about the fares and indirectly, they've influenced my travel patterns to the extent I've not used the purple Streetlites to/from Durham for quite some time.
How many others have been put off by the prices?
Is a funky new colour scheme and a smaller bus enough to attract growth?
Will the Kia Picanto Solo's be able to cope with loadings during the same peaks the purple Streetlites struggled with?
Then there's the interworking pattern at Sunderland.
Regardless of any potential delays, I'm very surprised that this interworking and the connections opened up as a result of them, hasn't been encouraged nor mentioned (as far as I can see) in any promotional literature.
Funky colours and added features are all good and well. It goes without saying, that the fares charged can have the ultimate impact. Particularly with those passengers who don't have to rely on the bus.
Reduction in frequency of the X20? There was only a few peak workings. Now there X20 every 30mins plus 5 20s an hour. That's 7 an hour between Durham and Sunderland during the day