(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.
Not to mention the 26 going to hourly, the Jarrow - Lukes Lane section is staying half hourly, but there's people complaining at the Shields - Jarrow bus going to hourly.