(26 Oct 2020, 12:00 pm)Tiger5105 wrote Just wondering what the latest passenger numbers are. Last I heard it was just over 50% of pre covid levels
I understand the reasons why passenger numbers are still way down but today I had to drop my car off at the garage and had to get the coast and country 78 from Annfield Plain to Consett at 8.30 am and I would have expected more than just the 3 passengers on board. It's a sad sight to see buses running so empty. The X46 i passed at derwentside college was marginally better with about 20 people on board.
I know theres still govt support for the bus industry and Go North East have gave attracting passengers a good go through new ticket offers, advertising and new buses, but at what point do current service levels become unsustainable?
Worrying times.
I think that we are living in the legacy of a number of factors. Some political, some fed by the media, those changes to working habits and some because of the operational decisions made by operators.
There's no way operators could have predicted this sort of pandemic and I applaud the way they have reacted and responded in the way of introducing additional services where required.
However, I do think the way single ticket pricing has increased, hub & spoke models have seen changes to routes and the hours which depots are seemingly restricted to operationally, has a part to play.
Like you, my car is in the garage today. I've used courtesy cars in the recent past as public transport just wasn't viable and has proven extremely expensive or not feasible due to journey times. Today I was fortunate that MrsC was able to bring me home using her car.
It is all fine and well having fancy buses (which have the same facilities as the majority of cars). But if the journey time, pricing and operational hours don't suit people, they ain't going to use them for work, pleasure or after dropping the car off at the garage.
As for the covid19 stuff, I do think operators need to look at how they can grow numbers quickly and aggressively in the current situation.
Having lesser spotted bus hygienists and fog spray is just a part of changing people's mindsets. Regardless of how good it may be.