(30 Dec 2023, 10:19 am)RMF1254 wrote No problem with Metro integration, I used it for years until it was ruined by deregulation. The only problem I have is frequency. It’s fine for journeys connecting into a 10 minute frequency Metro but the reverse is the problem. If your connection is half hourly you’re left with a long wait at Wallsend bus station if the train is running late - not the best place to wait at any time. Connecting buses need to be at least every 20 minutes at least which I can’t see happening I’m afraid. Frequency is the only thing that will get people to accept transferring which is what I have observed in Europe.
I agree that frequency is an important factor, but it's not the only thing.
Price, journey time and routes are others.
Whack in some pleasant waiting environments and a timetable that works for punters (possibly earlier starts in the morning and later finishes in an evening), services going to the places people need/want to be and an operator may stand a chance of succeeding.
Putting all of their eggs in one basket and gambling on titivations or even frequency and they're on a hiding to nothing imo.
But, ultimately these operators need to do three things.
Ask their customers what they would like. Find out why non-bus users don't use the bus and then act on the results.
Of course, there are things out of their control.
There should be more than enough within their control