(22 Jan 2015, 9:59 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote The frequency has still been decreased across the entire route though... Low Moorsley to Houghton reduced by 33% from every 20 mins to every 30 mins. Similarly provision has been cut by a third across the rest of the route (Houghton to TEF from every 10 to every 15 mins and TEF to Boldon from every 20 mins on the current 29 to every 30 mins).
Re: the plain buses being temporary - that's what was said last time they messed around with the routes and I'm sure some have changed colours again since then without actually being branded with anything!
If anything, that section is used quite a bit by passengers getting on/off quicker/more direct links between Houghton and Sunderland and using the 35 as the link to places, which the 20 and X35 don't go to.