(22 Jul 2014, 11:08 pm)G-CPTN wrote 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).
Hartlepool will have a larger population then Hexham and I dont belive it to be the case that everyone been able to afford taxis I think it a case of people just accepting what happens Stagecoach and The council tryed to call each others bluff and niethet give in which has led to the current situation in the town