(07 Sep 2013, 10:44 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I believe passengers in this area will all receive Key Cards like the passengers on X7 did. So potentially GNE could gain a lot of passengers from it leading to the X84/X85's Success in the long run, which could lead to an extension in the future. As for other links to Hexham/Carlisle I wouldn't mind seeing one from Sunderland, thing is would it be viable.
I remember a few years ago, a couple of Deptford Lads were talking about the possibility of the 56 getting extended to Hexham, whether that was ever seriously thought about I dont know or whether drivers would just tell me things to amuse me and give me something to talk about, but it never happened. But some drivers have also told me they dont hear about changes till round about the same time we do.
I would like a Sunderland-Hexham service, I like Hexham although I aint been for a while, if there was a bus nearby I would probably go more, as long as it was not something like the 638 and stopping at every single stop and every ruddy village in between.
It could done by extending a current Sunderland-Newcastle service on a trial basis, maybe the X3 or X36, extending the 56 would become more of a magical mystery tour than it already is.
Or introduce a new service all together
Sunderland-Waterview Park-The Galleries-Gateshead-MetroCentre-Blaydon-Corbridge-Hexham...but like you I wonder if it would be viable