(19 Mar 2024, 12:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote There was one (X85) which off memory, was peak-time only.
Sure it was the current X1 route to Springwell and from there, worked to the Galleries via Blackfell.

I've had a look on here https://northeastbuses.co.uk/bygone/item.php?id=2108 and it seems to be different to the X85 I remember. Although this would have been a year or two after I used it (or tried to - certain drivers seemed keen to behave in a way that would see it removed from the timetable - after all, it wouldn't survive if it sailed past people at stops...).

Edit: https://northeastbuses.co.uk/bygone/item.php?id=2084 it was the X86 I remembered as peak only via Blackfell.

Must admit, can't remember those ones, seem rather infrequent though so no surprise they didn't do well. Hourly bus services are completely useless unless you live in the outback of nowhere.

(19 Mar 2024, 1:15 pm)Adrian wrote I think the X1 needs to go back to every 10 (or even 12) minutes, that's the problem. I don't think BSIP money should be funding that, when most buses between Newcastle and Washington are packed.

If you're going to use BSIP money to develop an express, then it should be a Washington Galleries to Heworth express. Concord to there isn't too bad, as it's around a 17 minute journey time, but the Galleries acts as a hub to other services feeding it. Running non-stop, you'd probably be able to do the journey in 15 minutes.

The spokes feeding it (generally the 8/82/84/85) would have a maximum journey of about 12 minutes before either reaching the Galleries or Concord for an (X4*)/4, so if you managed your connections correctly, you'd be laughing.

I'd actually take the Ayton part from the 50 and add it to that, and you should still be able to run a half hourly service with 2 buses.

Agreed that they shouldn't be funding an express.

Personally, if I was going to suggest something, I'd look at moving the BSIP money off the 56 and creating new services between Washington and Newcastle. One idea I'd have would be to cut the 84/85 in half at the A182, additionally serving Ayton Road and Cambrian Road with the 50 instead serving Raby Road and send them to Newcastle. All movements can still be made around Washington, even known it's not a loop anyway as it terminates at Concord, anyway.

Drop them down to every 30 minutes each, and you could combine the 84/85 with the 56 at Springwell and you'd create a bus every 7.5 minutes along a very busy corridor. The 56 is only 5 minutes longer than the X1 between those points anyway.

It's arguably better than increasing the X1 zooming by people at bus stops and those not being very busy once you get to the other extremes.

The new 84/85 would also have the benefit of Washington being at the far end of the route so you'd have a flow in both directions.