(09 Mar 2021, 5:47 pm)mb134 wrote I think the likelihood of them using a coach is slim to none, as I've said before there's probably a very solid reason why 6377 did that run last week. Don't forget they likely have a far lower cost than that for fuel also.Let's be honest here - no bus will be packed to the gunnels this summer. The general public just don't have that confidence.
Hopefully by June, too, the restrictions in terms of social distancing have been eradicated which will mean you could have a full load on. So that's immediately, say on a decker, 70 bums on seats.
Additionally, didn't ANE withdraw the X60/X61 because of the ENCTS scheme? I.e a bus full of pensioners simply isn't sustainable based on the reimbursement.
The average family will not sit on a bus for 3+ hours, it just won't happen, not in the current climate and definitely not in the immediate post social distancing era. From experience, a family will always go in the car, for convenience - especially when both Whitby and Scarborough have a very good park and ride service too.
I agree demand will be there for coastal services, but Newcastle to Whitby or Scarborough is just too far, except for a few hardcore enthusiasts and pensioners who don't drive.
Waste of public funding.