(12 Aug 2022, 8:27 pm)Malarkey wrote Could the likes of Services 1/2 interwork or merge with 308 for example in order to reduce PVR at Blyth, furthermore is there really the need for the amount of Services that go through Gosforth/Regent Centre and Blyth, could some of these express service again be merged into normal standard services such as the 52/54/55 with the X7/X8 given they operate through similar corridors.
Merging the 52/54/55 and X7 is a just a big no unless you want to kill the route for a second time, they tried it before and people voted with their feet.
I don't think the X8 will survive though unless something changes and will merge with the 52 somehow at some point, they're both a bit samey.
I know this isn't a suggestions thread but imo doing either these:
X7 - Do the old 363 route via Fern Drive
52 - Current route to Burradon, then X8 route to Blyth
X8 - Withdrawn
or
X7 - Same
52 - Same extended to Blyth via X8 route
X20 - Additionally serve High Pit and Annitsford like the old X24/X25 omitting Cramlington (they're covered by the 57A and X9 anyway)
X8 - Withdrawn
Haven't decided which would be better but the X20 is a quiet route aswell and Burradon only ever used to have a 30 minute service with the 363/364 for years until they rerouted the X24/X25 through there.