Dear Sir,
I was sorry to hear about the Central Coaches situation, and the lack of passengers, but I have noticed a number of problems whcih could be the cause. To my knowledge no timetables have been put out, via official means. Unofficial timetables were sent out to certain places, whilst the County Durham Bus Maps Website had them, one had to go to a small heading at the top of the main map and it did not appear until after the new service started.
The timetable had a general route on it. However the “Contact Tees Valley” Website made the 116 timetable available from the start of the service with a more detailed route.
Sadly the bus stops between the Town Council Offices and Heighington, controlled by Darlington Council, who put up a yellow notice at each stop saying their timetables are out of date and to phone Travelline etc.
The first two weeks of Alex Voy’s route has not been updated, although there has been some unofficial timetables at two sets of bus stops in School Aycliffe, including the new 16A.
A new route through School Aycliffe is in operation but I am not aware of any notification of this to the general public. A bus route map is now on the School Aycliffe bus stops. The new service around Alston Crescent and past Greenfield Community College does not start until 9.20am at Heighington and finishes at Heighington at 2.12pm. This is no good for getting to or from College and as a shoppers service. It does not help workers
A large part of the 116 route is either covered by other bus services, Arriva cover a large part of the route the 7, 8, 21 covering a small bit and the 5/5A covering a larger part, the Town Service, JSB run the 17 and 18 services along other parts. Some people could be using the County Council Link – door to door service and some may not know the 116 is running, when and where, to and from.
Arriva have a discounted ticket system which means that although their fares have just gone up, people may wish to walk a bit further or get an extra bus with them because of the discounts.
Some bus operators only have timetables on the bus and this lack of information could have an impact on bus service take up.
The best places for viewing timetables is the Library, Leisure Centres and some supermarkets, the PCP and Town Council Office etc.
“Helping Hand.”
