(29 Jan 2021, 8:07 pm)RobinHood wrote Also, just to highlight - how can Arriva be accused of holding a 'Race to the bottom' when they were the only operator who actually wanted (and tried) to maintain normal service levels - but now ultimately can't. Also, Arriva were the only operator to reinstate absolutely 100% service levels EVERYWHERE in Sept. GNE didn't and neither did Stagecoach - the former having already changed service levels and the latter holding down all of the weekend frequencies.

Sometimes the comments on here show how out of touch the enthusiasts really are with how bus operators actually work.

Can't say anything positive about Arriva on here, you must know that by now. 

I think it's clear I disagree with how they go about investment and fleet TLC in general (as evidenced by this thread), however their actual approach to service level is something deserving of credit. Over the 5 years I've lived up here First have had a number of network revisions, with virtually everything since 2017 just being cuts after cuts - the cited reasoning being falling passenger numbers, every time (you'd think they'd catch on). Whereas every time I go home the network is virtually unchanged, with reasonably strong passenger numbers - certainly prior to last summer I'd never noticed a drop off. If folk can rely on the bus being there, and are comfortable with the network, they will be more happy to use the bus.

I was critical of Darlington last year when they were cutting services left, right and centre due to cases, the difference here seems to be that proper measures were in place and there weren't glaring workplace hotspots (that we know of, anyway).

---

(29 Jan 2021, 8:27 pm)L469 YVK wrote The whole point is that GNE have been prudent and acted accordingly. Although they haven't slashed services back to March / April 2020 levels, they've reduced them to give some wiggle room. Far more than fancy colours or gimmicks.

Arriva on the other hand acted too late. The odd journey here and there is acceptable in these circumstances but the extent of services that have been pulled is not good.

Look, I don't think anyone is saying the situation with Jesmond at the moment is ideal. But you're going on here like these cases were inevitable and directly linked to Arriva not cutting services at the same time as GNE. 

I was surprised they didn't drop them down earlier, but the reasoning given by Robin Hood makes sense and is understandable.