(16 Oct 2015, 4:55 pm)R852 PRG wrote I've never seen a short queue for the X1 when I've been at the Galleries, it's usually extending beyond the bottom of the escalators. The main aim of my suggest is to offer an improved service from Washington to Newcastle, as this is without a doubt it's busiest section. I personally think this extended frequency is justified throughout the entire day; do you think the short Chester-le-Street to Newcastle 21s are justified during the day?
Yes they are normally big queues, however they fill up the bus nicely. Think GNE would rather have a 3/4 to full bus on a 10 min frequency rather than pay extra for 7/8min frequency and only have bus half full. Probably part of the same reasoning why the 56 was cut to every 12mins.
As far as Im aware all the 21's (well the ones that don't run together) are generally quite busy. Plus the 21 stops at every stop along Durham Road, where as the X1 is limited stop