(16 Dec 2024, 7:34 pm)L469 YVK wrote Unless the travel pattern is more convenient, I don't think bus users will switch to the train. The biggest targets are:

- New builds
- Reducing car use and attracting car drivers who'd not dream of using a bus

Obviously any users who live right on the doorstep of a station (within a 10 minute walk) could be tempted.

Whilst Arriva are by no means perfect and have scope to improve, they've kept a relatively stable network in place and made some smart changes too even with a bit BSIP money. Unlike a certain two companies who got commercial goldmines propped up using the money!

The only changes I can see Arriva doing are maybe some services going from double to single deck....at least in the interim.

The bottom line is that there's been a lot of developments especially around the Blyth & Newsham areas. The bus & road networks are already at full capacity, not forgetting the developments around Cramlington too which also has a positive impact on the X21/X22.

Not sure I agree there mind, Ashington was always going to be more 50/50 due the fact the routes are pretty direct and the train station is at the North side of the town so it means doubling back. There always should've been a station at North Seaton imo, even known they would've been close to Ashington but it would've eliminated the doubling back.

It's Newsham (X8), Bebside (X9) and Bedlington Station (X21) which were always going to be the stations that have the bigger hits mainly because the X8 and X9 take 2 weeks and Bedlington Station is extremely central to pretty much a core of the X21 passengers.

If there's only 35 PAX on the X21 now and the train takes another 10 away as it's not exactly unrealistic in the Bedlington Station area then it's looking a bit sick imo.

Cancelling the 17:20 X22 out of Newcastle tonight isn't going to help things either mind.