According to Traveline, the X7 will be leaving from Stand C at Park Lane and Stand A at Peterlee. Coming from Middlesbrough, it will also call at Stand A at Peterlee too. As for the 38/238, the 38 is supposed to be leaving from Stand E and 238 from Stand G. I find this hard to believe because I would have expected 38/238 to leave from the same stand since they combine to form a 20 minute service as far as Hollycarrside.

Take this information with a pinch of salt though until officially confirmed, because I have experienced dodgy information from Traveline in the past.

Regarding the X3/26 connection, I've only ever used one particular journey half a dozen times or so - the 16:35 X3 from Newcastle which arrives at Boldon at 1704 and this gives a good timing space for the 26 at 1711. For this particular journey, it's only ever been me who alights the X3 and waits for the 26. I don't think I'd risk trying one of the daytime connections where only a two minute connection is given.

Maybe the idea of the limited-stop 26A is to try and emulate the attractiveness of the X3 during times when the service doesn't operate. Because the timings should allow for all stops between Boldon ASDA and Heworth to be served. I'm not a fan of the secured 26A journeys on a morning - I can't believe they start at Hylton Riverside Retail Park - who's going to be catching the bus there that early in the morning? I'd much prefer a start at Southwick instead.

Whatever changes may happen, I would think that some sort of interworking with Scholar routes will remain in place in some form or another. I think there's a number of Scholar routes around Boldon, Fulwell and Seaburn - and it makes economical sense to have buses drop out and run these rather than sending other buses out from the depot.