(19 Mar 2023, 11:05 pm)Storx wrote Believe they're both technically right.
As far as I'm aware the 57 Durham to Kelloe and 57A throughout was commercial (it's all it was until a few year ago) until they won the 58 and extended the 57 through to Hartlepool.
Seems Arriva registered to cancel the 57 outright and 57A from Trimdon to Hartlepool but appears Durham pulled the plug for the 57 extension at the same time (now the 59).
(20 Mar 2023, 6:18 pm)RobinHood wrote I think Arriva were commercial between Durham and Kelloe originally on 57 and Durham to Trimdon on 57A.
Kelloe to Hartlepool and Trimdon to Hartlepool (formally a 33!) are the contacted elements.
I think you are right though, Arriva originally registered a Durham to Trimdon, but looks like DCC have asked them to do something different whilst they procure the connection. All very last minute!
I'm wondering if the 57 Kelloe to Hartlepool and 57A Trimdon to Hartlepool were deminimis extensions? Hence why described as financially supported to a considerable extent but essentially operated commercially. With the contracts for these extensions being up for renewal it seems like Arriva had essentially decided they were quite happy not running either of the supported extensions or the commercial stretch between Durham and Kelloe on the 57 anymore, keeping just the 57A hourly between Durham and Trimdon (re-numbered 57). The original 57 timetable between Durham and Trimdon only is on Arriva's website atm, I've attached it to this post.
DCC have obviously had to step in with replacements. It's interesting because prior to Arriva taking over the 58, DCC funded for the 58 in full (operated by Scarlet Band) from Durham to Hartlepool and the 57A extension from Trimdon to Hartlepool. In this instance they've seemingly negotiated with Arriva to ditch Trimdon in favour of continuing to fund the Kelloe to Hartlepool section of the 58 tacked on to Arriva's commercial service. But of course in the process, the Trimdon to Hartlepool stretch not only gets reduced to every 2 hours but also loses the direct link to Durham. With this being an emergency contract, hopefully they'll be able to do something with it, either an hourly Kelloe to Hartlepool service or a 2 hourly Durham to Hartlepool service would be better than the current 59.
