Yeah - I've used the 4 from Heworth to Houghton a couple of times, there is usually a big number of passengers using it from Heworth to Washington, and often a decent load to where the Arts Centre is, but there was only about seven or eight people up to Fence Houses where a few boarded. My suggestion would be to have the service running every 7/8 minutes between Heworth and Washington Arts Centre, with the service extending to Houghton every 15 minutes. Another good effect this would have is increased passenger numbers on the 71 from Houghton to Fence Houses as the passengers on the 71 aren't the best as the 4 generally gets the majority of them.
As for the X1, I've noticed most people make the journey from Newcastle straight to Washington (for connections more than likely), and not many people board at other parts of the route. Therefore, I would have the service running every 20 minutes between Easington Lane and Newcastle in it's current form, then a new X6 service operating between Newcastle and Washington direct every 30 minutes, with one extending to Teal Farm, Waterview Park, Seaham, Murton, South Hetton and Peterlee, replacing the 202 which was talked about not long ago.
RE: Go North East Service Suggestions