(06 Dec 2018, 10:34 am)Andreos1 wrote I've mentioned the issues with the 21 many times in the past and believe that relying on the service on such a long route, operating on a key corridor is a poor operational decision.
The X21 now stopping in Low Fell has released some pressure on the 21, but not all of it.
The suggestion above with my X11 was designed with the 21 in mind again.
In the past I have suggested local services (24, 25, 26 etc) make a return. It would then leave the 21 as a viable option for longer distances.
You rightly point out that the 1 is an option. If passengers are happy walking to the centre of town (just look at where it stops in comparison to the days of yore at Worswick Street or when the 21's terminated at Pilgrim St and the issues that people supposedly had then).
Passenger levels will reach their natural plateau soon (if they haven't already), as there are only so many people living on the route who are travelling to Newcastle and willing to travel by bus.
To maintain that plateau, the service needs to be reliable and attractive. If its not, numbers will drop and those who have an alternative mode of transport or are able to chose their destination - will do so.
If you look at Old Durham Road and the services on there (local and distance; stopping and limited stop), it makes you wonder why they don't offer something similar along Durham Road.
It's amazing just how much the service level has actually declined on Durham Road over the past couple of decades.
In Low Fell you'd have a choice of the local Gateshead services (24/25/26), and the longer distance ones operated by Chester (231, 722, 723, 724, 735). Also, the 21 which was originally classic coaches. Now, for services that stop at every stop, you've got the 1 and 21, and that's it.
It really doesn't seem fit for purpose on such a massively busy corridor like Durham Road