(16 Oct 2020, 9:38 am)big mac wrote What was the 221? Was it Northern trying to directly compete with Classic when they first introduced the 21?
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Aye, Classic introduced the 21 running all sorts on it (generally everything was 20 odd years old or more) like mk1 Nationals, Bristol LE/RE's (can't remember which) and then the 221 was introduced as a spoiler.
This was in addition to all of the stuff Northern/GAG had running along the Durham Road corridor already, like the 2x Gateshead locals, the 231, 723, 735 etc
Some might say the legacy of this bus war, is a frequent service, with modern vehicles on the 21 now.
Others might say that the determination to keep the corridor as their own, has been to the detriment of the communities off Durham Road, who no longer have direct routes to Newcastle.