(01 Sep 2025, 5:39 pm)col87 wrote I do think Stagecoach selling Hartlepool and South Shields would be the best idea going forward. While I can’t comment much on South Shields it’s quite clear they don’t care much about Hartlepool which is very much run on the bare minimum and has no thought at all other than been used as a scrapyard for withdrawn buses and to send buses from elsewhere that the majority of time are already knackered.
They is nothing really left to cut on the town network as it’s already bad enough as it is with buses constantly late and breaking down. The fare increases are a joke as well as many people are struggling financially as it is so this could see them struggle more. I do wonder if an independent would do a better job, certainly Stagecoach having a monopoly in the majority of the places they operate is not proving to be good for passengers.
Stagecoach are bad in Sunderland too, the 16 is horrendous atm, emails etc is just automated bollocks with the same replies and "Well investigate" - yet never seem to find out why, the service was so bad.
Paying £65 a month now for a pass and they aren't even providing a good service.