(09 Aug 2014, 8:31 pm)aureolin wrote I'm not sure I quite understand the intended route, or if it's a Sunday/bank holiday only service? Agree with what you say about the 265 though. Boro-Durham is pretty well covered with the X1 too, although could do with a doubling in frequency for the X1 segment Mon-Fri daytime.
I'd love to see GNE go head to head with Arriva on the X1 route, but think the logistics of it would present a problem. Having the furthest (main) depot south as Chester le Street, to me, was always a sign of intent when it came to areas they were interested in serving.
BIB: One problem that GNE would have is simply - Arriva have the contract with Durham University, so any attempt against the X1 by GNE would probably fall flat on its face for now.
Unfortunately, unless the University could increase their funding for the service somewhat (which is what allowed the increase of the service to every 30 minutes during the day back in 2005, and as well the introduction of evening and Sunday services at the same time), I can't see Arriva introducing additional daytime X1s apart from the upcoming weekday peak journeys that Stockton are working using the vehicle that presently spends its day running 13 trips from Stockton to Hartburn.