Little bit off topic, but I wonder if this could work? A link between Newcastle and Chester-le-Street via Washington. Just some rough timings.
The service would start at either Pilgrim Street or Market Street West in Newcastle City Centre and then continue as an express to Gateshead and Heworth.
Gateshead Interchange - 9 minutes
Heworth Interchange - 19 minutes
From there, it would operate as a normal 'stopping' service between Heworth and Washington Galleries via Usworth College, Concord and Albany.
Usworth College - 30 minutes
Concord Bus Station - 35 minutes
Washington, The Galleries - 43 minutes
There's then two options. Running along the current 50 route (via Ayton and Lambton), the service would arrive at Chester-le-Street, South Burns 16-17 minutes later. This would make the total journey time 59 minutes - not really allowing for much of a turn around time.
Alternatively, the service could operate as an express between Washington and Chester-le-Street, South Burns via the motorway, arriving around 11-12 minutes later. This would make the total journey time just short of 55 minutes.
RE: Service Suggestions