(21 Aug 2013, 7:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote It was replaced by the re-introduction of the Lime 8 between Washington and Sunderland, along with the 2A/2C which combined gave a greatly increased frequency.
I'm afraid I disagree with that. Looking at circa 2003/2004, I've found the following info:
Galleries to Sunderland. 7 buses an hour.
X2 - 12 mins past the hour
185 - 17 mins past the hour
X8 - 25 mins past the hour
X4 - 37 mins past the hour
186 - 42 mins past the hour
638 - 48 mins past the hour
X6 - 55 mins past the hour
Source
Galleries to Newcastle. 5 buses an hour.
X2 - 9 mins past the hour
X90 - 23 mins past the hour
X4 - 34 mins past the hour
X5 - 44 mins past the hour
X94 - 55 mins past the hour
Source
Compared to now. You've got 6 2A/2C buses to Sunderland an hour, and 2 8's in addition. A total of 8 an hour. Newcastle has 6 X1's an hour. I wouldn't say removal of choice for the addition of one bus an hour each way is an improvement?