(27 Dec 2013, 11:30 am)andreos1 wrote My final piece for now, is based on a comment from the GNE fb page that I have just seen.
The GNE representative has stated that they use information gathered from the previous Boxing Day to determine the services they run.
Newcastle had their first home game for donkeys years on Boxing Day and by all accounts this wasn't taken into account, with stories emerging of the reduced services, resulting in crowded 21's leaving passengers standing and the x1 being worked by Solars.
Dread to think how other services to Western Gateshead and Stanley/Consett via the Metrocentre managed.
The only extra services I can see from previous years (happy to stand corrected) were the contracted soccerbuses, drafted in to assist with the 52,000 people making their way to Gallowgate, who had done other things in years gone by.
The 93 and 94 didn't run to TVTE for some strange reason and services to Sunderland from outlying towns and villages (where there had been home games for consecutive seasons) were at a similar frequency to previous years.
Dalton Park seemingly wasn't served either.
Unsure of retail parks on North Tyneside, although it appears Byker retail park didn't justify a service either.
I am curious as to how they can argue there is no need for a service, if there hasn't been one previously and the business case behind it (whilst respecting business interests).
If any of the reps can explain, I would be all ears.
Demand for services will change year on year and no doubt increase as society changes.
Whether people agree with it or not, it is time for the bus operators to adapt too.
Correctomundo sir, Dalton Park was not served and never has been on Boxing Day, even if they ran an hourly service, even if it never went beyond Dalton Park would be enough
(27 Dec 2013, 12:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote Why would a business want to tell a member of the public their affairs.....surely it is for the Management and Directors of the business to make them decisions and it has nothing to do with you (or anyone else) when them decisions get made. I am not just talking GNE here, but for all businesses?
Fair point, but as they provide a public service does that not mean they accountable to Customers and as The Groul as a whole is a plc are they also not accountable to shareholders
(27 Dec 2013, 12:37 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I think it's great that go north east are providing these services when others don't bother. Boxing Day is becoming increasingly more popular. However a comment on corrie from Christmas Day (which I'm just watching now) got me thinking. Roy Cropper commented on the local Weatherfield wayfarer (coronation street's local bus service) operating to an every 2 hour limited schedule. I'm wondering if some of the more frequent services that don't usually run could do to be an hourly or 2 hourly if necessary. Things like Loop, Lime, 61 etc. having things interworking etc. just an idea?
I mentioned the 61 even an hourly service to Dalton Park would be good
(27 Dec 2013, 6:19 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Those of you who live within reach of a Boxing Day bus should be grateful to GNE and Nexus for providing at least some services and the Metro. There's no national rail services or any buses for the vast majority of the population, but in most areas of the country very few businesses are open on Boxing Day so there'll only be buses in places where it's worth companies operating commercially or where a Transport Authority is willing to pay. And of course costs, especially drivers' pay, will be inflated. New Year's Day is odd as well with many national rail services running, but no buses or Metro - are less businesses open then or are overheads higher to run public transport? Maybe most people are too hungover to want to go out.
I am very grateful even if I did have to walk from Murton to Deneside for a bus