People power got us Brexit and Trump. Could it now win a great bus service in Sunderland?

We've yet to run a story announcing changes to bus routes that has been greeted unanimously with a thunderous round of applause.
Stagecoach buses in Sunderland.Stagecoach buses in Sunderland.
Stagecoach buses in Sunderland.

Experience tells the beleaguered commuter that many a new development to their route brings, for the large part, some element of disruption.

Most reviews, restructures or streamlining of operations (big companies have many words for cutbacks and reductions), tend to result in commuter headaches.

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No sooner had we revealed the latest batch of changes proposed by Stagecoach North East, than our Facebook page was inundated with less than happy readers. An exasperated Audrey Brand expressed her disappointment in the bluntest of terms. “No wonder people hate public transport. Not for the people. It’s how much money can they make.” Hate is a strong word, but then when public transport goes wrong, it provokes strong reactions.

In this case, however, nothing is written in stone.

Stagecoach North East are asking you what you think of their proposals.

As David Parker says: “We want to develop our bus networks so it can better meet the requirements of our customers.”

They want your feedback and they have vowed, in the Echo, to respond to these demands.

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Which is why we urge our readers not to moan over a pint in the pub or a cuppa in the cafe, but to go direct to Stagecoach and let rip. People power has got us, for good or ill, Brexit and Trump. Perhaps with some well aimed words it can get us the transport services we all want. Who knows, our next bus story may well be greeted with a round of applause!

It’d be a welcome first.