Sunderland/Washington/Heworth and Newcastle Area

Yesterday I decided to Sunderland via Heworth using a Red/Purple Pass so I couldn't use the Metro and I decided go this way so I could a photo of Red Arrows Gemini 6006 on the M2/M3. To which I found after missing the 12:20 X3 to Sunderland and Instead of Waiting 30 Minutes for the X36 which takes 40 Minutes to Sunderland from Heworth, which would of lead to it taking an 70 Minutes from A to B, So I would of been in Sunderland for 13:30.

So instead of waiting 30 Minutes and Paying the extra in Metro Fare I got back on the M1 to Concord and got the 56 to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange which only took 45 Minutes, that 25 Minutes quicker due timing the changing of buses perfectly. this resulted in me arriving into Sunderland at 13:05 and a mere 5 minutes after the X3 in which I had missed at Heworth which I seen coming into Park Lane.

So I have found that it is just as quick if not quicker depending on traffic etc to get the M1 from Heworth to Concord and then the 56 from Concord to Sunderland instead of getting the X3 or waiting a further half hour for the X36.

So now i'm asking myself as passenger is the X3/X36 really that reliable as an Xpress Bus Service.

I'm going to take more of look at this area this afternoon and draw up a few service suggestions as I think the service really isn't that great to be honest. I have also posted this in the Service Suggestions also.