(27 Feb 2023, 12:49 pm)Adrian wrote Remove the 78 from Bournmoor and Lumley, sending it straight along the A183 from Shiney Row to Chester-le-Street.
Bournmoor doesn't need 6 buses an hour (78 combined with the 4), plus removing it would still leave it with a 15 minute frequency between Houghton (to Interchange) and Shiney Row. Having the 71 service half-hourly between Houghton and Chester-le-Street would cover the rest of the route, providing a more natural link to Houghton-le-Spring or Chester-le-Street.
Of course, the bonus is also a quicker journey time for those using the 78 to/from Sunderland.
Houghton to Seaham isn't exactly a natural travel link either. Having something direct to Newcastle may attract a few more than tagging the section on to something else, but likely to cause complaints from Seaham residents that want a bus that'll drop them off at their door step.
See if I was doing that sort of stuff I'd change it so it's like:
19 - Sunderland to Chester Le Street - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.85389...01!1m0!3e0
35 - Sunderland to Low Moorsley Direct - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.81025...01!1m0!3e0
20 - Every 15 Minutes
20A - Withdrawn (Replaced Partially by 19)
X20 Peaks - Withdrawn (Replaced by 35)
39A Extension - Withdrawn (Replaced by 35)
79 - Extended to Seaham
Least then Great Lumley doesn't lose it's Sunderland connections - I'd doubt they'll ever want to go to Seaham and it cleans up the Rainton mess with the 20A leaving the estates of Houghton with a crap 30 minute service currently (down from 12 minutes) plus Hetton etc get a trip to Sunderland without a detour around the world.
Haven't worked it out but imagine the PVR isn't too different to now.