(15 Jan 2022, 1:42 pm)peter wrote But surely there's less point in running the services at more or less exactly the same times as currently happens with the X84/685? Because for passengers living in the villages on the route they're essentially going from an hourly to a half hourly service. So I fail to understand why you can't see the point in that. With the BSIP and other measures in the future, changes are going to be about reducing competition and increasing provision. Not least you've got to consider that the 684 is funded for by Northumberland County Council - it's a waste of money funding a service at the exactly the same time as a commercial operation.

Of course there is no sense in running the services at more or less the same times. Yes, passengers in some areas will go from an hourly to half-hourly service if they have a ticket valid for travel on both operators. My point was exactly that BSIP is happening in the future and then at that point it will make sense as everything will be integrated with reduced competition so I guess tickets will be common between services by different operators. Completely understand the 684 is funded, but in the short term, or for those who prefer GNE vehicles/drivers/reliability and punctuality its gone from every half hour to every hour and it feels like those customers are forgotten about. For me it's just £4 on GNE or at most £6/£7 for All Zones, whereas it would be £7.80 to open up the 685 as the back-up option if missing the 684. Unfortunately I'd personally rather save the money and stick with the hourly 684. Winners and losers whatever you do, but I think integrating fares and timetables at the same time is sensible. Definitely be good to see the Coast Road services integrated.