Even before the July changes, the journey time of the Red Kites wasn't that much longer than the X70/X71. In that sense, it could be argued that they may as well portray them as express services given they aren't that much slower than the actual 'expresses'.
However, that doesn't persuade me away from the view that the rebrand is only taking place for the operational convenience of getting drivers of the X31 back to Consett instead of having to do any driver swaps at Stanley, with the non-stop section being introduced to justify the rebrand on a public-facing level.
A good approach to reduce fuel consumption, but not one that has been entirely favourable with passengers (hello to those in Lanchester, Burnhope and Quaking Houses!).
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2019