(11 May 2023, 9:37 pm)Adtrainsam wrote It's a steady decline to be honest. Going from 10 to 12 to 15 mins might not seem a lot, but if that sets off a chain reaction for demand then it's only a matter of time before evening and Sunday services get cut. Going from every 30 minutes to hourly on evenings/Sundays is much worse than daytime frequencies. That's what I see as the final straw for urban town-estate routes. Then it's just a viscous cycle...I agree going from 10-15 mins is a massive cut, 10 to 12 is okay, but when it becomes every 15 mins if ones broken down that 30 mins instead of 20 or 24 mins.
Personally don't ever think that will happen in the short term. GNE are trying to cut costs, not expand. Seeing as they've pulled out of Hartlepool a while ago with the X5/X6/X7/X35/55 (or whatever - so many numbers over the years!) suggests they don't want in on Hartlepool. GNE buying Stagecoach's Sunderland depot would probably be refused by the CMA in the first place...
GNE did pull of out hartlepool but in fairness im surprised it didn't happens sooner as its was every 30 mins service, running daytime while ANE had a service every 15 mins.
Also possibly the CMA would not let it happen but it would be the best idea for passengers. Basically every bus in SUnderland can be used with the same ticket all day around, that would be great for passengers.