(19 Dec 2016, 4:35 pm)grandad wrote Talking of updates, I'm surprised there is so little interest in the Tynedale Express. In my experience, it carries good loads and the Scanias on at present handle the job well but they look tatty and are not the most comfortable. It competes directly with the train which is getting a makeover in the near future and an improved timetable. There is a lot of good quality building going on in Hexham at the moment - particularly at the East End. Most residents will travel to Newcastle for work and a high quality, quick and reliable service would attract business.
There is something strange going on with the X85/Arriva 685.
Arriva have retimed the 685 so that it now leaves Hexham towards Newcastle immediately in front of the X85.
Invariably they run nose to tail at least as far as Corbridge, where they both vie for space on the single bus stop.
Even when the 685 stops to pickup between Hexham and Corbridge the X85 seems to hang back and not overtake.