(23 Jul 2020, 3:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote I agree the shuttle bus is useless to most people and as I said it could be opened up to all travellers with a commercial service serving many more people but of course it would require funding to build it up I suspect, which is why it won't happen. In my eyes it would be better use of the funding available but that's my opinion as an operator. Clearly 23Taxis seem to think so too as they're making a decent amount on the journeys they operate.
As for the rest of the issues with Hartlepool's network - I think Stagecoach are probably doing the best they can with what little resource they can justify but of course the councils around here are not bothered about filling gaps, other than Stockton's closed door 'services' and Redcar who run everything in house.
There must be a system in place for NHS trusts to subsidies commercial stagecarraige services as so many already do. Newcastle, Central Manchester, Nottingham, Derby at least all have this arrangement in some form.
I'll give Stagecoach credit for the £1.80 flat fare in Hartlepool as a positive move, ideal for a self contained network. The system should be simple to understand to be attractive. We can probably all agree services are never going to get any better under the current dysfunctional relationship between operator and authority.
It's also clear Hartlepool is never going to make any meaningful profit for Stagecoach. Despite this, if there was any ever radical new deal proposed by TVCA to take control of services or expand Tees Flex you can bet Stagecoach will fight tooth and nail against it to stop the concept being proven and rolled out elsewhere. Everybody loses, sad.