For a service to survive it has to have passengers and passengers have to be willing to use the service regularly and pay (or there be sufficient concessionary pass users).
It amazes me (when I am in Hexham) how many non-working families utilize taxis instead of buses. I see it regularly during the day (when there are adequate buses serving the social housing areas that aren't within walking distance) -oh and they typically stock up on pizzas before they catch the taxi.
Maybe Hartlepool has a similar population that can afford taxis rather than buses?
Once you lose the customer base the route becomes unprofitable, so it gets pared back and becomes even more unprofitable - you cannot force passengers to travel - they have to want to (or need to).
RE: Go North East - Latest