(12 Feb 2020, 9:21 am)Kuyoyo wrote On loan pending its return to StocktonI would have thought that in light of the improvements to the rail network between Saltburn, Redcar and Middlesbrough - that ANE would have made that stretch of the X3/X4 more of a competitive offer.
Ashington don't need it - it was being used by Ashington from a reserve position covering for 7513. Now the new 7510 has arrived, 1407 is surplus at Ashington and is needed back at Stockton as the depot technically never received an additional vehicle in August when the S1 was introduced on weekdays (and of course, when the X12 replaced it in October)
The 62 is replacing the 64 in Redcar and the X3/X3a takes over from the 62. The X4 replaces the 62 in Dormanstown as well (doubling the number of buses through there to Middlesbrough and giving an improved journey time).
81 is still serving Marske Estate.
X3/X3A replaces the 62 between Dormanstown and Marske (though via Redcar Clock and Seafront rather than Morrisons).
62 replaces the 64 from Grangetown to Ings Farm then follows a revised route from there to New Marske and Marske
63 isn't changing its frequency - just revised times
64/64a will be running Middlesbrough-South Bank-Eston-Grangetown every 30 minutes each, with suggestions of interworking with X3/X3a - if so likely see X3/64/64a/X3a as the pattern and vice versa (ie do one of each Middlesbrough-Grangetown after arriving in on X3 or X3A)
Diverting the X4 to replace the 64 will bring the added complexity of having to route learn Whitby's driving staff on the route around Eston etc - the route they'll take through Dormanstown is effectively one long road which shouldn't confuse them too much)
Rather than it being less attractive and slower.
(12 Feb 2020, 11:58 am)Storx wrote Could do with Redcar Steel closing with 3,200 less people coming into the area aswell but it's easier to just blame the bus companies even known people have said bar the 81 it's mostly improvements which would affect Arriva as much everyone else in the area.
I mentioned the external factors myself. Of which British Steel/SSI is.
What have the operators done to mitigate any drop in passengers caused by that closure and maintain or increase numbers?