I rode the 50 (all of the way from South Shields to Durham) last weekend (I had a random trip out, and forgot to post it on here) and that has some odd passenger numbers!
From South Shields, the bus (Scania 4930) was half-full until Boldon ASDA, where it emptied at Whiteleas and Boldon. After that, there were only two people on until Sulgrave, where a few boarded. The from Concord to Washington it was half-full, but after Washington it was full! - There were no seats left. A few departed at Lambton, but it emptied at Chester-le-Street. To Durham there wasn't that many people on from Chester-le-Street to Waldrige Park, but then it got busy onwards, and quite a few boarded/departed at Arninson Centre.
This goes to show an additional bus is needed from Washington to Durham, what does everyone else think?
RE: Go North East Service Suggestions