Dear Sir,
I would like to respond to the issue of the new bus number 116 and time tables in general. With regards to the new bus run by Central Coaches which I think most people are on about, the time tables can be found in Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, Tesco and the Library that I know of. With regards to other time tables of buses run by “Arriva” these can be obtained from the above except Tesco but include the Leisure Centre, Town Council Offices, timetables of all buses are placed on each bus stand, probably other places also.
If residents are concerned about the new bus then I think they would need to review its times and if Central Coaches want to make money it also needs to review it’s own time table and do some market research; to start at 9.20 from Heighington and finish at 13.20 is not an ideal time when you consider school times Greenfield School finish at 3.30 and when the 5 Arriva bus took that route and stopped at Greenfield School the bus was full. The other issue is shoppers not everybody has a car and most shoppers go out probably about 10am and return at say 2pm depending on the amount of shopping they need and any stops with coffees etc shoppers may need to make.
The last bus to Heighington via School Aycliffe from Greenwell Road leaves at 13.35. So if you come down from the Northern end then you must time it right to get back. My view of the route is good but the timing is wrong, buses must meet customer needs. I feel it is that issue that needs to be addressed start time and finish time, something in the middle can be cut. This all goes down to market demand which leads to market research.
Vince Crosby
