(28 May 2022, 12:17 pm)L469 YVK wrote To give Arriva some credit, the evening timings of the 43/44/45 departures at xx:05, xx:25 and xx:25 are a sensible move with a 20 min core frequency and a 20/40 split with the 43/45 to Wideopen.Why? So the drinkers get an extra 20 minutes in the pub? They tried an extra X10/11 leaving at 2340 a few years ago and it picked up next to nobody.
I've had my fair share of digs with Arriva but they're starting to get things right in Northumbria especially with the X8/X9 route swap between Blyth & Shankhouse. If they keep their fleet tidy (but not OTT), get rid of the deadwood services with some handy links created (i.e X8 replaced by X7 and a sister service to the 43) and push the post 11pm departures to Blyth & Ashington back more towards 23:20-23:30ish, they'd be on a winner without a great deal of effort or cost.
RE: Arriva North East: Upcoming Service Changes