(15 Oct 2021, 10:39 am)Dan wrote It's a bit of both:Well I mean going by which buses go on A routes that would make the 50, A1080 for 60/62/61, A1231 for 8, A695 12/12A.
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/x-lines
At no point has X-lines ever been referred to as something to encompass all 'express' routes - only ever 'fast and direct' for interurban/intercity services - and each and every service held under this brand, for at least part of the route, either goes the way in which you would drive in your car, or has a 'slow' counterpart, so is suited to the brand.
In the same vein, no specific reference to a certain type of internal specification has ever been stated, only ever that the buses have high-back seats, USB charging facilities, Wi-Fi, and next stop announcements.
X-lines X1:
- Limited stop on Old Durham Road
- Runs via Washington Highway - the way in which you would drive in your car
X-lines X5/X15:
- Runs via A691 - the way in which you would drive in your car if travelling between Consett and Durham
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 16.
X-lines X9/X10:
- Limited stop
- Runs via A19 - the way in which you would drive in your car if travelling to/from Middlesbrough.
X-lines X20
- Limited stop in places between Sunderland and Durham
- Runs via A690 - the way in which you would drive in your car
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 20.
X-lines X21
- Limited stop between Newcastle and Chester-le-Street
- Runs via A1 - the way in which you would drive in your car between Chester-le-Street and Gateshead
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 21.
X-lines X30/X31
- Runs direct via Causey
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 6.
X-lines X45/X46
- Limited stop through Teams
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 47/47A.
X-lines X70/X71
- Largely runs via A692 - the way in which you would drive in your car
X-lines X84/X85
- Limited stop
- Runs via A69 - the way in which you would drive in your car to/from Hexham
- Has a 'slow' counterpart service, the 10.
The only obvious service that stands out as not being particularly well suited to the brand is the X72, but it's clear that this is owing to the interworking pattern and the fact it provides a combined frequency of up to every 20 minutes between Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunniside with the X70/X71. It is still, ever so slightly, quicker than the 6 (end to end, Newcastle to Stanley, 1hr 4m on service 6, 58m on service X72 - but the real express route of choice is obviously the X30/X31 between these locations).
And tbh the traffice at Whickham makes the route take over 1hr 20 mins.
(15 Oct 2021, 9:30 am)cbma06 wrote I’m sure Dan mentioned awhile ago that Xlines doesn’t mean it comes under an Express service (like in the olden days), I think it’s more comfort and quality service, I’m sure Dan will inform us again as I can’t find the post he posted from probably years ago.Surely when you hear XLines you will think Express and not a slow stopping service at every stop. Maybe think of something else if it is for comfort, like Sapphire, Gold....
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