(24 Dec 2021, 2:20 pm)busmanT wrote The rail service from Hexham to Newcastle has increased in frequency since GNE started the X85 (from 2 trains per hour to 3 trains per hour) and the rolling stock has improved from the class 142s - so the train is bound to have hit passenger numbers on the X85 (as well as X84 and 685)>
First time I've heard the late Peter Huntley called a failure !
Peter brought route branding in, vehicle refurbishment, reinvigorated printed timetables and, like MG, was high profile.
Peter H and MG have both spent a very large amount of money on fleet upgrades and vehicle presentation - but GNE continued pre pandemic to be the least profitable of the 3 large North East operators.
Huntley sort of was…so much money for so little growth. Like for like and nonsense like Omnicities on the 21. The Huntley area of branding was diluted but branding for branding sakes and some really weak brands didn’t help. He ran a brand in economic prosperity but it was more of the same.
re-the train…it should complement not compete, it should go where trains cannot.
I don’t think printed timetables matter (sorry enthusiasts and Roger French) and high profile is equally irrelevant.
Does least profitable not tell you something? There’s no change,,,,its the same routes since the 80s but shinier buses.