(15 Jun 2023, 3:50 pm)Andreos1 wrote What about Biddick Woods Estate?
They've got the 39B.
They're gonna get the 39.
Theyve had the 37 (possibly the 73 at one point) and a stack load of other numbers in the 20 odd years it's been there.
Don't they count? No wonder nobody uses the bus there. They've got no idea what time it comes or where it goes due to the never ending changes or operators!
We need to remember that bus operators know best.
They look down on us mere mortals with distain. We know nowt.
Meanwhile, they're continually being bailed out, making an unstable network even more unstable and axing routes because they can't make things work
I share your frustrations and have felt this way for a long time. For me the biggest problem is that bus companies are no longer ran by proper "bus people" but graduates who have no interest in the industry but are employed to try and make companies as streamlined as possible. Like nearly every industry these days it's all about money and not the customer.
Companies like GNE claim to be making losses, and while this may be true they seem to spend the money when they want. They were quick to step in for the Arriva services North of Newcastle recently. Go Ahead itself can't be doing that bad either when they've recently expanded into the Cotswolds with the recent acquisition of Pulham & Sons and won a £110m Kent Commuter bus contract! In recent years they bought out EYMS and started Go North West. Go-Ahead and other operators should not even be thinking about expanding in other areas when they are "struggling" to turn around their existing operations. The more bus companies they acquire the more expenses they have to pay, so something doesn't add up. It seems to me that the big companies are either scared or not willing to take a risk and try out new bus routes and networks in their existing operations but would rather buy out more bus companies and have more control nationwide. Many people have suggested on here some great ideas for new services and route variations which I believe would work but I bet if it requires the company using an extra bus or two they will not do it. I bet GNE don't even look at the service suggestions either!
People on here may call me a moaner, but I honestly don't care! I've had an interest in buses for years and years but I'm becoming more disillusioned with the industry because I honestly can't see things turning around.