(14 Jul 2022, 5:11 pm)Coastliner700 wrote I used to use the 9/9A and then later 9X but sadly Arriva ran it into the ground constantly cancelling journeys to the point where it was no longer reliable and the inevitable happened. Not sure how it would manage in today’s world but it was a fantastic bus service whilst it ran but most of its route is served by other buses so cant imagine its going to happen. Sadly to say I can now see Stagecoach 31 the Montagu Estate leg going exactly the same way. Constantly cancelling journeys even late at night they’ve reduced the frequency and the passenger numbers seem at an all time low. With 10/11 almost following same route perhaps this long serving bus could be the next casualty.
From your username, I would assume you like Arriva. Where did you travel on the service? I'm not sure I ever actually used the service, but I remember it passing me on the way to school and passing where I used to live. The service didn't look well used from what I saw of it (admittedly not much). Just recently a woman said in the street that she misses the old 9 and would use the bus if the brought and back, and said others would too, because it's better than what Stagecoach currently offers (presumably because Stagecoach doesn't serve a few streets, instead sticking to main roads)
Genuinely I don't think it matters that most of its route is served by other buses, as it always was really from what I remember. Arriva doesn't currently operate in any of the areas the 9 did, and if they did, it would introduce new ticket options. Stagecoach apparently didn't mind the competition from the 9 when it was a success.
Even though Stagecoach only make small changes, the 31 could be revised as that would only be a small change. Didn't realise there was any duplication with the 10/11.