(22 Aug 2013, 6:31 am)Daniel wrote It is a shame that the X2 was withdrawn for fare paying customers (single/return) and I do think that Go North East should have given customers the opportunity to buy a 'through single' or 'through return' to accommodate for the loss of their direct link.
I personally don't mind not having an X2 because I pay for Nexus CAT day tickets naturally (or Get Around, if going further afield). As I don't pay for singles, it really doesn't affect me. I've just woken up and am in no way prepared to go look for information myself (so do forgive me) but what were the differences in journey times between the old X2 and the new 2A/2C and X1?
FTAO those who have quoted that the loadings were good...
Were all of these people purchasing singles and returns? Or at least a majority at that..?
If not, and the service was being used by concessions that didn't buy those tickets (Here he goes again... It's like Dan's version of Fencehouses!), I can understand why GNE did withdraw it. That doesn't mean to say I agree with them doing it, but I can understand from their point of view why they did.
Without looking at the 'time machine', I don't know what tickets were like back then. Were they similar to how they are at present or were they a lot more limited (i.e. single/return with a few other options only)?
Guessing journey times on the 2a/2c and the X1 will be longer, only because of the route the Silver Arrows take and the number of stops they make - as well as the inevitable 5/10min wait at The Galleries.
Obviously the 8, follows the same route as the X2 as far as The Galleries, so offers a similar journey time.
It goes without saying that tickets were cheaper back then and there were more returns available.
Im imagining there weren't many making the entire journey, so any passengers going to
Newcastle will have boarded from points on Chester Road and beyond, primarily at The Galleries.