(20 Jul 2024, 8:46 pm)Shrek wrote When I was working at the Freeman, I'm sure I remember hearing that Arriva only had the contract for the 553 for another year. If that's the case, then it would make sense that maybe Arriva won't be running it from September if either they've decided to walk away, or the Hospital Trust has found a cheaper option.
I think it could be possible that they might look to tag the 47 onto the end of the 44 route. Supposedly they need to make sure the new electric buses are on the routes they were funded for, so that would make sense if they have to make changes to boards for that. I think there is 0% chance the 44 will be rerouted to take on the 553 route though.
Personally I can't see the 44 and 47 being merged as it would completely break the interworking pattern at Haymarket.
Remember it's:
43 -> 44 -> 45 -> 43 or 43 -> 45 -> 44 -> 43
Doing:
43 -> 45 -> 44 -> 44 -> 45 -> 43 -> 43 -> 43, just wouldn't work at all.
Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see the H and 47 merged personally, not sure the Haymarket links are really needed when there's the 36 doing the link. The H badly needs a frequency upgrade through the core though.