(Yesterday, 11:02 pm)Jimmi wrote I imagine there's only so much that can be done/allowed, can't imagine dropping a section would go down well with the traffic commissioners or whoever else who overseas such matters, also can't imagine passengers would be happy with their journeys being made longer by having to get a bus with a longer journey time especially when anyone wanting to go all the way to/from Scarborough will have their journey made longer later when it has to divert between Whitby & Scarborough.
Don't know the ins and outs of allowing mutual ticketing agreements in these scenarios, but the 128 & 840 timetables/routes aren't really suitable for an alternative travel option given both routes only run every 2 hours presently and there's only so much capacity especially when both the X93/X94 and 840 can carry full loads without carrying another's passengers. If possible, the only worthwhile section to allow mutual ticketing acceptance would be the Cloughton to Scarborough stretch which is being omitted by Arriva as a result of the diversions but are covered by EY services, albeit Cloughton only has two buses per day, fortunately Arriva have the 95 to cover the stops between Whitby Town Centre and Sainsbury's.
Given the unpredictability and constantly changing situation with what's going on, it must be very difficult to plan for anything in advance, on Tuesday they had to plan to both divert to Scarborough but also still cover Robin Hoods Bay, but for the last two days they've not been able to get to Robins Hoods Bay, so have had to rethink things again.
The alternative being buses run over an hour late (like with the example I shared), passengers being unable to get to/from work and the inevitable complaints (to both the authorities and directly) that result.
It's about managing the situation fluidly and making things as effective as possible for passengers.
Running an X93 to Guisborough and transferring to a 5, is much more beneficial for all parties, than running late, having to drop boards due to drivers hours etc.
The TC aren't going to be happy when reliability goes off the cliff, as much as they won't be happy with buses running short.
But if ANE can justify those decisions with demonstrable positive solutions and communicating it effectively (rather than tossing a coin in the air and seeing which way it lands), then I imagine the TC would be a lot more understanding.