(05 Apr 2015, 10:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote How many times - that's going BACKWARDS! Arriva are looking forwards not backwards.
But, combined frequencies don't matter if:
- Journeys are running unreliable.
- It takes 90 mins to get from Newbiggin to Newcastle during peak times.
- Passengers are seeking alternative means of transport and not generating extra custom on services.
There wasn't anything wrong with 'the express'. The only problem was that the X33 carried fresh air bar the peak times but, why should that section of the route have it's profits raised by serving the faster route between Bedlington and Newcastle and the other very profitable route gets a de-tour through a barely used but essential part of the route as a consequence?
Perhaps if Arriva had've put more marketing effort into the old X31 / X32, then they could've achieved the profits to subsidise the less well used outside of peak times, but essential X33 route. Ever since the changes in September 2012, both routes have been nout but trouble and inconvenience for passengers.
And despite combined frequencies, most passengers would check the timetable to see which bus would get them from A- B faster. For instance, if I was travelling from Crawcrook or Ryton to Newcastle, I would check both the TEN and 11 times and if an 11 was due a mere few minutes after, I'd wait for the 11 due to the more direct route via Scotswood Road.