(08 Dec 2024, 7:02 pm)Adrian wrote They've merged two routes together to save themselves a bus. Adamantly, it's not a huge footfall to Biddick and the Arts Centre, but the 2/2A combined carry a pretty decent footfall from the Galleries to Penshaw/Sunderland and then again people travelling along Chester Road.
The 2/2A provide a link from Washington to the nearest hospital in Sunderland. The changes, with no purpose other than to tighten the financial margin, actually end up cutting off a chunk of Washington and Penshaw from that. Telling people to use the 8 is no good, as it takes you on a route through Sunderland that most people wouldn't use.
If the purpose is to drop a bus, they could have quite easily re-routed the 2 through Barnwell at its current frequency and had the 2A as a standalone service (even hourly), serving the section of Penshaw that they're cutting off.
Its worth pointing out that under BSIP, operatators are supposed to ensure "That bus users and effected communities will be consulted with prior to a major route or timetable change to ensure impacts are fully considered.", but this is presented as a fait accompli.
Absolutely no mention of BSIP being used within these changes though in comparison to previous changes made in September where is it is clearly outlined at the top of the article https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/september-service-changes, I am therefore under the impression Go North East have not used BSIP Funding on this occasion.
For me Biddick is cut off from having a direct service to Sunderland Hospital and that absolutely should be addressed however I do not see Go North East reintroducing the 2A at all, maybe if a variation of the 8 should be introduced following the old X2 route between Washington and Sunderland Royal Hospital that would solve the issue.
With the residents of Barnwell they have the 78 instead on Chester Road (Shiney Row) or the 2 on Wenslydale Cresent (Barnwell) which are in reasonable walking distance, I do still think the 2 should be Every 15 Minutes though.