(29 Dec 2014, 8:57 pm)aureolin wrote X6 - Peterlee - A19 - Wingate - Station Town - Deaf Hill - The Trimdons - Fishburn - Sedgefield - A1 - A167 - DarlingtonCould something like following the X10 to Stockton work...
Arriva's 21 service takes 1h 23m to do a similar route, but it also serves west of the A1, i.e. Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe, and Aycliffe Village, via the A167. I reckon serving the A1 and running a strictly limited stop service between Peterlee and Darlington, and you could get it done in an hour. If the X6 links with the X7 between Sunderland and Peterlee, then through-fares could also be made available.
84 - Chester le Street - A1 - Ayton - Lambton - The Galleries - Biddick - Columbia - Barmston Court - Barmston Road - Pattinson Road - Waterview Park
It would remove the problem of having to have the 50 go through Ayton and Lambton, and would link both places with Chester le Street. It'd provide new links to the new housing developments and shopping units and pub/restaurant (under construction) at Teal Farm, not to mention a link between the various villages and Waterview Park. It's obviously dependent on Teal Park (development on the left of the old Teal Farm) being completed, as Barmston Road will reopen then. The route should be achievable within 30 mins, if it loops the bus station and heads out via the police link, rather than faffing on with Sainsbury's Car Park.
Then go along the A66 to Darlington from there...Not sure about timing though, could that be achieved around the 60 minute mark?