(02 Aug 2014, 8:40 am)Dan wrote Go North East would face the same problems as Arriva North East does at the moment too, you're right.
The difference would be the fact that they have a depot in Hexham. I'm not sure how many more vehicles Hexham can facilitate, but I have no doubt that work (such as the TENs) could be moved to Riverside, with the 685 moving to Hexham quite easily.
I'd imagine they'd split it too - Newcastle to Hexham being one stretch, then allowing any through passengers to get on the Hexham to Carlisle bus. Hopefully there'd be a 10 minute connection or something to either the X84 or X85, so wouldn't end up being too bad.
The singles on service 685 (at present) aren't particularly attractive either, and ANE doesn't have any connections within Carlisle.
Nor Hexham and look at the changes they are making to the service in an effort to make it work.
I have no doubt, part of the success of the x84/85 is down to the connections available at either end of the route.