(21 Jun 2015, 12:43 pm)R852 PRG wrote Another thing worth noting, is that a lot of the young people who use the service board in Chester-le-Street; which is Go North East territory. They likely have Key Cards, etc from the scholars services, although I imagine some do pay full fare, as they rarely use the bus. Likewise for those in Birtley, with the POP Card. The only place I could think of where the Arriva Teen Card may hold some weight on the X24 route, is in Durham.
Also, as the X24 runs at a frequency of every 2 hours, and the X22 every hour... The more frequent it is, the more appealing it is going to be.
Yeah thats very true, Chester-le-Street to Metrocentre seems to be the busiest, with a small amount continuing to Durham.
(21 Jun 2015, 12:43 pm)mb134 wrote I think I'd like to see the following:
Massive look at the allocation of the 57/57A, and therefore the MPD operated X14's and the 33. The timetable needs to be looked at for those as well.
I'd like to see layover added into the X21/22 timetable at Bedlington, because currently, the timing for the main street, especially on the X22 is not adequate. Maybe take some out of the 10 MINUTES given at Ashington!! It can make all the difference, i don't know why, but if a bus becomes a couple of minutes late in Bedlington, it never seems to make it up, whereas if it stays on time, it will either stay on time for the remainder of the journey, or will run a minute or two early. The X10/11 get it at Cramlington, and it is a perfect opportunity to make up any lost time.
The 20/X20 extended up to Alnwick, or frequency increased.
57/57A needs some changes, reliability isn't great at all. I think it change it's terminus point from North Seaton as they already have the 35/35a, possibly Wansbeck Hospital or somewhere.
The 20 to Alnwick would be fantastic, and I can see it happening to be honest. The X18 gets really busy between Alnwick and Warkworth especially in the summer, so that would hopefully help with reliability of the X18 too.