(19 Nov 2023, 9:41 am)Storx wrote I agree, but the train, regardless to what people think, is going to have an impact on the X20 and X21 so it was about moving the benefits from the train station areas to the further areas. It's why imo, the Bedlington section shouldn't be touched as it's fine.

Newbiggin has always had a quite poor service to Newcastle really for the benefit for Ashington who has the fast train aswell, swapping it around surely has it benefits now where there's still the X19/X20/X22 for quicker buses to Newcastle for who actually wants them.

Regardless of the impact of the train, I don't think a total rework of those routes is what is needed. 

I imagine the X21 will have time built in to the upcoming change to allow it to loop the Wansbeck Hospital estates once they're completed, it should only take a couple of minutes extra. 

In terms of Newbiggin, lots of people already get a 35 to South Side and catch the X20 from there. I think the solution could be to do a 6am and 7am express (like the X30), which start at Ashington, loop Wansbeck Hospital, through Newbiggin, then direct to town. There is an Ashington 43 board which starts at 0655 from Newcastle which the first one could go onto, then the second could go onto one of the later starting X21s. In the PM peak you could use their school bus to do one out of town around 1630, and an early finish X21 board to do one around 1730.