(26 Jul 2015, 6:27 pm)R852 PRG wrote On the contrary, the X78 we currently have is a peak-time schooldays-only service. I know from experience that quite a few passengers board the 78 in Consett, and alight in Stanley, and the same with the 8 from Stanley to Chester-le-Street. Likewise from Chester-le-Street to the Galleries (although the 50 provides a faster service, the 8 is seen as the next best thing), and from there to Sunderland (beating the 2/2A in terms of speed). Granted, there are a lot of local links that are served, but if people use the services between the key locations as it is, I think it's fair an express service is trialed to see just how much custom it could bring. Although I think it should omit Stanley. I'm surprised Go North East sent the brand new Streetlites through there to begin with.
Even more surprised they sent them to Chester-le-Street. Especially with 5409 being allocated to the 34/34A on a regular basis - wonder how long it is before you smash one of its windows.
Yeah, the X78 is only 1 journey per day in each direction during school term times. I'd say Stanley is a key point on the 8/78 routes so i would possibly make the X78 serve there too and the only reason the 50 is quicker than the 8 between Chester-le-Street to Washington Galleries is because it uses the A1(M). I assume the 8 and 50A are pretty similar with the latter taking a much longer route serving all the villages rather than taken a chunk out by using the motorway.