(16 Jun 2023, 5:34 pm)Storx wrote It's the sort of place on paper that should do well aswell really, can't imagine car usage is high at the place but I could be wrong. Always reminds me of Consett and Ashington which both have a much better service, mind Consett is starting to get debateable with the cut, cut, cut that's been happening there recently.
For Ashington, if Arriva can target the areas where it'll be more difficult to reach Ashington train station within walking distance, they should be able to survive the ABTRL. Newbiggin to Newcastle for instance could do with a faster service to compliment the X21. Plus plenty of new developments on the X22 between Bedlington and Choppington.
As for Consett, X70 lost. But for the X45, it's effectively the same capacity using double deckers, as the 45/46 was running every 15 mins using single deckers before July 2019. Same goes for the X30/X31 which used to be every 15 mins using single deckers before November 2019, not long before covid. Maybe the introduction of X-Lines was a similar concept to Arriva's Sapphire to try and create growth? Just unfortunately came at the wrong time.
On another note, with the 6 having it's frequency cut, is this not a good time for Durham CC, Arriva and GNE to look at Enhanced Partnerships around that area?