Just had another thought about the BSIP and Derwentside (NOT vehicle allocations)

Is it not time GNE try something different out of the box? They're quick....but most of the Derwentside to Newcastle services (except the X45, 47 and to an extent the X73) are lucky to see anything other than farmers fields and rely on peak time commuter flows (Sunniside, Whickham and Dunston).

Arriva Northumbria have on their Blyth & Ashington 'X' routes.........
- Cramlington
- Bedlington
- Nelson Ind Estate
- Regent Centre
- Gosforth High Street

All of the above have something going for them and clearly places people want to be. Think Stanley to MetroCentre and the 'proper' Team Valley (not just Team Valley North). Yes, would be more 45-50 minutes sending 'X' buses via MetroCentre or Team Valley, but they'd actually be places people want to go to for some reason or another. And lets face it, the X32 is already in that timing territory.

A 5-10 minute inconvenience, but could grow passenger numbers and actually improve services with increased frequencies etc and stable income.