I've not had the pleasure of many Venture minibus routes (although will in the near future when I have to test the announcements on all of 'em!) but I have done the old V8 between Consett and Stanley on several occasions, so can understand why BLM quite liked it as the 16. Often used to opt for this for a bit of variety on days out when the MPDs were allocated, connecting to a B10 on the Lime from there. Did intend on trying a 16 to Stanley a few weeks back but I just missed the Merc so had to opt for the 78 instead.

I'm sure I've done the V9 before too, which was also decent to my memory.

Can't remember if I've done it on a Solo, but I've done the V1/V2 too.