(12 Sep 2013, 8:51 pm)Andreos1 wrote If the majority (and I'm guessing they are) of people using the train from Hexham live in the outlying villages and are forced to drive into Hexham due to the lack of public transport in those areas, is the bus the better alternative?

Even in the heydays of the 1950s, public transport in Hexham's 'hinterland' was very thin. Anyone who lives beyond Allenheads or Bellingham has never had a bus service that would enable them to commute into Newcastle, for example (though it's perfectly possible even today from Newbrough, Allenheads and Allendale Town). So people who are "forced to drive into Hexham" have never had another option, so it's not a question of being 'forced'; it's a question of knowing that if, for whatever reason, you live somewhere remote, you might suffer from isolation if you can't drive (an issue that the HoC Transport Select Committee is currently considering).

So, if you must drive into Hexham, the question is if any mode provides a better option onwards (towards Newcastle), and I would suspect not for most people - if you've got cash tied up in the value of your car, if you've paid its tax and insurance, the additional cost of a fiver's petrol probably makes driving into the city more attractive, especially if you can park for free.

My guess is that the choice of train from Hexham rather than bus is influenced more by people's perception of train travel, thanks to Michael Palin.

Interesting point made earlier in the thread about total journey time - the bus goes to Eldon Square and St James and peak ones start from the Hexham estates, so unless you live within reasonable walking distance of Hexham Station and work within reasonable walking distance of Central Station, the bus could well be a better (and cheaper) bet. And despite the X84/85 last bus being at 1850, passengers can use returns and TEN Plus on the 10 until 2300.

Anyone seen an Arriva/Stagecoach competitive response on the 685 yet?