(15 Jun 2015, 8:25 pm)aureolin wrote But why would they use it if the journey times would potentially be longer? I'm using the 27 route between Heworth and Newcastle to calculate timings, as there's nothing else to go from:
Bus + Metro
4 - Galleries to Washington = 17 minutes
Metro - Heworth to Newcastle = 9 minutes
= 26 minutes (minus connection time)
4 Direct
4 - Galleries to Washington = 17 minutes
27 - Heworth to Newcastle = 19 minutes
= 36 minutes (minus connection time)
X1 Direct
X1 - Galleries to Newcastle = 32 minutes
I can't see why people wouldn't just jump on the X1 at the Galleries if they were headed for Gateshead or Newcastle? They'd save themselves a bit of time in the process, and it's not too far from the Metro when you take into account connection times.
(15 Jun 2015, 9:40 pm)Washingtonian wrote I don't think theres any need to extend the 4 to Newcastle. We don't need another service running between Newcastle and Houghton as there are more than enough buses serving these areas. I wouldn't say Heworth is a stupid place to terminate as people use it to get a Metro to the likes of South Shields as well.
More often than not, it is easier (and as timings show), just as quick using the Metro and 4 between Newcastle and the Galleries, than the X1.
If in a part of the city centre that is best served by the metro, than a hike upto Eldon Square or the Castle Keep - there is only going to be one winner.
It is why I pay the couple of pence premium for a Day Rover.