(Yesterday, 5:52 pm)Storx wrote I know this is starting to mix up subsidised and commercial routes now so it's a bit more complicated but for the stuff you mentioned I'd do something like:
X2 (Was 25) - 8 - 50
Reasons for changes:
- Faster 50 route into Washington not around the world.
- New link from Washington, CLS and South Birtley to Stadium of Light on the 8
- Extension of 82 so it actually goes somewhere rather than terminating in a business park.
- Quicker X2 from Washington to Sunderland, should help reduce some loads on Chester Road
- New direct links to Newcastle in South Washington without changing
- New direct links from Birtley to Sunderland
- New direct links to the East from North Chester Le Street and Vigo Lane
- Sorts out the absolute mess of the 81/82.
- 4 BPH between Castletown, Southwick and Sunderland (combined with 35).
- More express buses between Newcastle / QE / Wrekenton and another express route for Birtley avoiding Low Fell.
Negatives
- Very small section of Washington loses direct link to Chester Le Street
- Picktree loses 2 buses an hour, but there's nothing there anyway
This is the sort of stuff where BSIP should be going imo. For the rest of the stuff you mentioned you've got the 2/2A to play around with as they don't really need to do the route they do into Washington anymore as they're covered by the X2 or 8 so there's flexibility to play with them.
Whilst youre at it maybe sort out the 26, 27, 33, 35, 39/A/B, 51/52 57/58, 61 & R2.